The first half of Ben Higdon’s season was as frustrating as it can be for a baseball player.
The Kentucky transfer was an opening-day starter as the lineup’s designated hitter, but an ugly start to the year dwindled his playing to the occasional pinch-hit where he did not have much luck.
However, Saturday’s game for Higdon marked a turnaround for the outfielder as he tied a school record of hitting three home runs in a game that helped Southern Miss pull out a 15-9 victory and clinch the series against Georgia State.
It’s the 12th time in program history that a Golden Eagle has achieved the hitting feat.
“It was a good day,” Higdon said. “Our coaching staff up and down have believed in me and helped me through. It was just a lot of belief, so getting it done today was awesome.
“It was a lot of pressure on myself. I felt like I hit some balls hard early, and it was part of the game. Some days, it falls your way, and some days, it doesn’t. You have to keep punching.”
In one stretch, Higdon was 1-for-20 in a 12-game span. Yet things have turned around in the month of April, as he is 11-for-25 and holds a .440 batting average.
“It’s just a great environment here,” said Higdon on what he credited his recent success. “As far as coaching staff and teammates do an absolutely awesome job. It’s keeping the head up and keeping punching through. It ends up falling if you put that work in.”
In the series against Georgia State (23-18, 9-9 Sun Belt), Higdon hit his first homer of the season against the Panthers on Thursday. Higdon’s timely production also played a factor as he took over for Davis Gillespie, who has struggled as of late.
“He has kept himself ready,” Southern Miss coach Christian Ostrander said. “I really appreciate your character and your keeping yourself ready. He’s capable of doing that. It was really good to see. Hopefully, he will get rolling at the right time. He can be another big offensive punch for us.
“DG, let’s be honest, has been struggling a little bit and not seeing it well. I thought it was time to give him a break and let him collect his thoughts and reset. Luckily, we have good players on the bench that can still perform."
Higdon’s first home run came in the second inning as the Golden Eagles trailed early 3-0 after the Panthers hit a three-run bomb in the first. Higdon later tied the game in the fourth with a 2-run shot.
“I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a three-home run game in my life until Higgy just did it,” said second baseman Nick Monistere, who was 2-for-4 with two RBI. “That was unbelievable. I think every single one either gave us the lead or tied it. That was special.
“He looked like this all of fall. He didn’t get his time early. He has been patiently waiting for his time. He got his name called, and he’s been on a tear here recently.”
Higdon’s third homer of the day gave the Golden Eagles an 8-6 lead with another 2-run homer.
“It’s really hard to keep your composure and not get complacent,” said Higdon, who added that he had never hit three home runs in a game before. “That’s a thing we talk about whether you are 4-for-4 in your last at-bat or 0-for-4 with four strikeouts. There’s another big one coming. To be in that mindset to keep punching and stay there and take it on at bat at a time is really important.”
Like Higdon, teammate Carson Paetow put together a 2-homer run day, with his most crucial coming in the bottom of the eighth inning. Paetow delivered a 3-run homer that acted as insurance for Southern Miss (27-13, 12-6) as the Golden Eagles put up seven runs to break the game open.
“I’m super proud of (Higdon),” Paetow said. “He deserved it. He was really good. Today, he kind of showed his potential. He still has more in the tank.
“Coach (Ladd( Rhodes had a pregame meeting, and he said words only do so much. Actions speak louder than words, one of y’all just go out there. Actions speak louder than words. It’s a cliché saying, but today, actions were louder than words.”
Southern Miss will host Tulane on Tuesday, with first pitch set for 6 p.m.
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