Pitcher Ben Ethridge continues to be one of the shining gems of the large freshman class. In his first start at Pete Taylor Park, the Collinsville, Mississippi native, again was the difference-maker in Southern Miss’ 4-1 win over Arkansas Little Rock on Saturday.
“We recognized in the fall that he was really starting to develop, and you could see the confidence grow with him as the development got better,” Berry said. “It carried over into the spring and he got his opportunities in relief early (in the season) and did well. Somethings happened that allowed him to get in there and start and show what he can do. He backed it up again today and that was a really good performance.”
On the mound, Ethridge went seven complete innings as he struck out five batters, walked three and allowed one run off four hits while bumping his record to 3-0.
Ethridge’s only flaw of the day as he gave up two walks to start the second inning. However, after that inning, Ethridge began to feel more in control of the game.
“After the second inning, I had given up those couple of walks, and I knew that I had to get back out there,” Ethridge said. “I felt comfortable with it all, and at the third inning, I went in there to dominate. Then it was just keeping it up and doing it.”
The Trojans’ (8-8) only run of the day scored in the second inning, as Ethridge threw a wild pitch that scored the run.
Southern Miss (11-3) managed to add a run in the second inning with a sac fly from Dustin Dickerson to tie the game at 1-1.
It was not until the sixth inning that the Golden Eagles broke the game open. After Arkansas Little Rock walked in a run, Gabe Montenegro came up with a two-run RBI single to extend Southern Miss’ lead.
“In that situation with less than two outs, you are just trying to hit it in the air to avoid that double play,” Montenegro said. “When I came in that inning, I was just trying to get something in the air so we could score the run. You just have to take one for the team.”
Montenegro finished the game 2-for-4 while Dickerson went 2-for-3.
“Gabe has been struggling, so to see him come out of that and put a really good swing on that two-run base hit was a pivotal point in the game,” Berry said. “He’s a gamer, and he comes out and works hard every day. He loves the game of baseball, and he does it the right way. Glad he’s at the top of the order. I enjoy writing his name at the one spot.”
Ryan Och and Hunter Stanley closed the game out for Southern Miss. The two combined for one hit, two walks and two strikeouts with Stanley recording his second save of the season.
“I think we are still learning,” Berry said. “I think every game that we play is new progress. It’s learning on the job in all honestly. It’s the ability to take what we did well today and do well it tomorrow, and then it’s the ability to take what we didn’t well today and correct it going into tomorrow. I think that’s what we are still trying to learn from, and we may for a long time. I guess that’s the way baseball is, you never stop learning.”
Southern Miss will go for the sweep with first pitch for Sunday’s game set for 1 p.m.
Pitcher Ben Ethridge continues to be one of the shining gems of the freshman class. In his first start at Pete Taylor Park, the Collinsville, Mississippi native, again was a difference-maker for the Golden Eagle pitching staff in Southern Miss’ 4-1 win over Arkansas Little Rock on Saturday.
“We recognized in the fall that he was really starting to develop, and you could see the confidence grow with him as the development got better,” Berry said. “It carried over into the spring and he got his opportunities in relief early (in the season) and did well. Somethings happened that allowed him to get in there and start and show what he can do. He backed it up again today and that was a really good performance.”
On the mound, Ethridge went seven complete innings as he struck out five batters, walked three and allowed one run off four hits while bumping his record to 3-0.
Ethridge’s only flaw of the day as he gave up two walks to start the second inning. However, after that inning, Ethridge began to feel more in control of the game.
“After the second inning, I had given up those couple of walks, and I knew that I had to get back out there,” Ethridge said. “I felt comfortable with it all, and at the third inning, I went in there to dominate. Then it was just keeping it up and doing it.”
The Trojans’ (8-8) only run of the day scored in the second inning, as Ethridge threw a wild pitch that scored the run.
Southern Miss (11-3) managed to add a run in the second inning with a sac fly from Dustin Dickerson to tie the game at 1-1.
It was not until the sixth inning that the Golden Eagles broke the game open. After Arkansas Little Rock walked in a run, Gabe Montenegro came up with a two-run RBI single to extend Southern Miss’ lead.
“In that situation with less than two outs, you are just trying to hit it in the air to avoid that double play,” Montenegro said. “When I came in that inning, I was just trying to get something in the air so we could score the run. You just have to take one for the team.”
Montenegro finished the game 2-for-4 while Dickerson went 2-for-3.
“Gabe has been struggling, so to see him come out of that and put a really good swing on that two-run base hit was a pivotal point in the game,” Berry said. “He’s a gamer, and he comes out and works hard every day. He loves the game of baseball, and he does it the right way. Glad he’s at the top of the order. I enjoy writing his name at the one spot.”
Ryan Och and Hunter Stanley closed the game out for Southern Miss. The two combined for one hit, two walks and two strikeouts with Stanley recording his second save of the season.
“I think we are still learning,” Berry said. “I think every game that we play is new progress. It’s learning on the job in all honestly. It’s the ability to take what we did well today and do well it tomorrow, and then it’s the ability to take what we didn’t well today and correct it going into tomorrow. I think that’s what we are still trying to learn from, and we may for a long time. I guess that’s the way baseball is, you never stop learning.”
Southern Miss will go for the sweep with first pitch for Sunday’s game set for 1 p.m.
Photo from Southern Miss athletics.
