POSTSEASON
by: WALTER VILLAMay 29, 2025
Best Hitter: Miami third baseman Daniel Cuvet is hitting .378 with 17 doubles, one triple, 16 homers and a 1.161 OPS. He also has 76 RBIs in 54 games, often carrying Miami’s offense. He has really heated up in the second half, showing why he was a first-team preseason All-American heading into this year, after his dynamite freshman campaign a year ago.
Miami’s Daniel Cuvet (Photo courtesy of Miami)
Best Defensive Player: Miami’s Michael Torres, who has struggled on offense, could play center field in the majors right now, according to his coach, J.D. Arteaga. Torres has three assists and just one error this season, but that doesn’t include all his highlight plays. He has made ESPN’s Top 10 Plays twice this year, and he has robbed two would-be home runs. He glides in the outfield, and he has a plus arm.
Best Pitcher: Southern Miss righthander JB Middleton on Monday was named the winner of the Ferriss Trophy, given to the best player in the state of Mississippi. It is just the fifth time a Southern Miss player has won the award. Middleton is 10-1, 2.01 with 114 strikeouts in 98 1/3 innings. Opponents are hitting just .168 against him. In addition to his first-team All-America-caliber numbers, Middleton is a high-end prospect who maintains his 93-96 mph velocity deep into games and effectively mixes in a quality mid-80s changeup and a hard power slider.
Southern Miss ace JB Middleton (Aaron Fitt)
X-Factor: Shortstop Justin Lebron leads Alabama in doubles (17); homers (18); RBIs (72); runs (60); steals (17 in 18 attempts); and slugging percentage (.644). He was named second-team All-SEC as well as first-team All-Defense. He is also the first Alabama player ever to be named SEC All-Defense twice. He is one of the most talented players in the country, a leading early candidate for the No. 1 overall pick in 2026, and he can take over a game on offense as well as defense if he’s rolling.
Best Starting Rotation: Besides Middleton, Southern Miss can send to the mound Matt Adams (6-2, 3.93); Grayden Harris (4-3, 3.63); and starter/relieiver hybrid Kros Sivley (7-1, 3.43). Adams, an accomplished fifth-year senior with a serious competitive streak and advanced pitchability, attacks with a low-90s fastball and two different quality breaking balls.
Best Bullpen: Alabama relies on Carson Ozmer, who leads the nation with 17 saves. Ozmer (4-1, 2.89) has 48 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings, and he has held opponents to a .191 batting average. He has electric stuff from a lower slot. Braylon Myers (3-1, 2.48, two saves) is a stellar set-up man.
Best Offensive Team: Playing a tough SEC schedule, Alabama leads this regional in runs scored (439) and average runs per game (7.7). This is a versatile offense as Alabama has power (91 homers, .488 slugging percentage) as well as the ability to manufacture runs (.397 on-base, 52 steals in 59 attempts). One of the leaders of Alabama’s offense is Kade Snell, a first-team All-SEC player who led the squad in batting average (.366) and on-base percentage (.462).
Kade Snell of Alabama ( Crimson Tide Photos / UA Athletics )
Best Defensive Team: Alabama has a .976 fielding percentage, has thrown out 28 base-runners trying to steal and has turned 118 double plays. That ranks Alabama first in all three categories in this regional.
No. 1 Seed Win Probability (1-10): 6. The biggest challenge to Southern Miss could come from second-seeded Alabama (41-16, 16-14 SEC). The Crimson Tide won a regional as recently as 2023, and they beat Southern Miss 10-6 on April 8 in the teams’ only meeting this year. Miami (31-24, 15-14 ACC), a four-time CWS champ, is the most tradition-rich program in this regional, and the Hurricanes could be a threat if Cuvet gets hot. Southern Miss (44-18, 24-6 Sun Belt), which has won a regional twice in the past three years, will have the home-fans advantage, and that could be big.
Frisky 4-Seed Factor (1-10): 7. Columbia might be the most dangerous 4-seed in the tournament. The 29-17 Lions — representing New York City and the Ivy League — need their seniors to lead the way. That means players such as right fielder Anton Lazits, third baseman Griffin Palfrey and center fielder Skye Selinsky stepping up so that talented freshmen Ben Fishell and Tate Vogler can follow. The last time Columbia made an NCAA regional was in 2022, when Lazits was a freshman who made second-team All-Ivy. Palfrey and Selinsky also contributed to that team as freshmen, and now they are the wise, old veterans. As for the team as a whole, Columbia got swept in four games by Oregon in late February/early May, getting outscored 70-15. In their next series, the Lions got swept in three games by Georgia, getting outscored 39-18. On a positive note, the Ivy League postseason tournament, won by Columbia, followed the same format as NCAA regionals – four teams, double elimination. Columbia, at the very least, will know the feel of this type of tournament.
RHP JB Middleton: 3.34
1B Matthew Russo: 3.18
OF Jake Cook: 3.12
OF Carson Paetow: 3.09
OF Richard Bonomolo Jr.: 4.03
1B Will Hodo: 3.40
OF Kade Snell: 3.15
3B Jason Torres: 2.42
1B Brady Ballinger – 5.08
INF Michael Brooks – 3.18
OF Derek Cerda – 2.92
DH Dariel Osoria – 2.60
3B/OF Brady Counsell – 2.58
SS Jake Ogden: 3.56
2B Dorian Gonzalez: 2.29
C Tanner Smith: 1.93
OF Derek Williams: 1.85
2B Jack Kail: 2.29
1B Griffin Palfrey: 1.97
OF Anton Lazits: 1.88
OF Cole Fellows: 1.73
2025 Hattiesburg Regional Preview
by: WALTER VILLAMay 29, 2025
Checking the Field: Statistical Comparison
Southern Miss reeled off 18 straight wins before falling in the Sun Belt tournament title game to earn a home regional for the third time in four years. Counting the 2023 super regional, Hattiesburg has now hosted postseason baseball four years in a row. The atmosphere will be rowdy as the Golden Eagles welcome an Alabama squad that was also in the hosting conversation, a Miami club that rode a strong second half to one of the last at-large spots, and one of the tournament’s most dangerous No. 4 seeds in Columbia.
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| SOUTHERN MISS | ALABAMA | MIAMI | COLUMBIA | |
| SEED | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 |
| OVR | 44-14 | 41-16 | 31-24 | 29-17 |
| CONF | 27-7 | 17-15 | 15-15 | 19-5 |
| RPI | 19 | 13 | 41 | 61 |
| SOS | 75 | 27 | 8 | 179 |
| Offense | ||||
| RS/G | 7.2 ⓘ | 7.5 ⓘ | 6.6 ⓘ | 8.8 ⓘ |
| HR | 97 ⓘ | 91 ⓘ | 68 ⓘ | 74 ⓘ |
| BB% | 10.5 ⓘ | 13.1 ⓘ | 10.2 ⓘ | 12.4 ⓘ |
| K% | 18.2 ⓘ | 21.1 ⓘ | 19.1 ⓘ | 17.4 ⓘ |
| AVG | .305 ⓘ | .280 ⓘ | .273 ⓘ | .291 ⓘ |
| OBP | .398 ⓘ | .397 ⓘ | .365 ⓘ | .400 ⓘ |
| SLG | .514 ⓘ | .488 ⓘ | .442 ⓘ | .509 ⓘ |
| wRC+ | 115 ⓘ | 110 ⓘ | 93 ⓘ | 115 ⓘ |
| Pitching | ||||
| RA/G | 4.3 ⓘ | 5.4 ⓘ | 5.4 ⓘ | 7.2 ⓘ |
| K% | 24.0 ⓘ | 23.8 ⓘ | 22.9 ⓘ | 17.1 ⓘ |
| BB% | 8.5 ⓘ | 9.8 ⓘ | 9.2 ⓘ | 11.6 ⓘ |
| K-BB% | 15.5 ⓘ | 14.0 ⓘ | 13.7 ⓘ | 5.5 ⓘ |
| WHIP | 1.27 ⓘ | 1.47 ⓘ | 1.36 ⓘ | 1.72 ⓘ |
| ERA | 3.91 ⓘ | 5.11 ⓘ | 5.03 ⓘ | 6.55 ⓘ |
| FIP | 4.89 ⓘ | 5.39 ⓘ | 5.36 ⓘ | 6.76 ⓘ |
Hattiesburg Regional Superlatives
Most Exciting Player: For excitement, look no further than the Southern Miss duo of leadoff man/center fielder Jake Cook and second baseman Nick Monistere. Cook is blazing fast, and he’s seemingly on base all the time (.438 percentage). He’s also hitting .350 with 13 doubles, three triples, three homers and a .481 slug. Monistere is hitting .338 with team highs in homers (19), RBIs (68) and slug (.641).Best Hitter: Miami third baseman Daniel Cuvet is hitting .378 with 17 doubles, one triple, 16 homers and a 1.161 OPS. He also has 76 RBIs in 54 games, often carrying Miami’s offense. He has really heated up in the second half, showing why he was a first-team preseason All-American heading into this year, after his dynamite freshman campaign a year ago.
Best Defensive Player: Miami’s Michael Torres, who has struggled on offense, could play center field in the majors right now, according to his coach, J.D. Arteaga. Torres has three assists and just one error this season, but that doesn’t include all his highlight plays. He has made ESPN’s Top 10 Plays twice this year, and he has robbed two would-be home runs. He glides in the outfield, and he has a plus arm.
Best Pitcher: Southern Miss righthander JB Middleton on Monday was named the winner of the Ferriss Trophy, given to the best player in the state of Mississippi. It is just the fifth time a Southern Miss player has won the award. Middleton is 10-1, 2.01 with 114 strikeouts in 98 1/3 innings. Opponents are hitting just .168 against him. In addition to his first-team All-America-caliber numbers, Middleton is a high-end prospect who maintains his 93-96 mph velocity deep into games and effectively mixes in a quality mid-80s changeup and a hard power slider.
X-Factor: Shortstop Justin Lebron leads Alabama in doubles (17); homers (18); RBIs (72); runs (60); steals (17 in 18 attempts); and slugging percentage (.644). He was named second-team All-SEC as well as first-team All-Defense. He is also the first Alabama player ever to be named SEC All-Defense twice. He is one of the most talented players in the country, a leading early candidate for the No. 1 overall pick in 2026, and he can take over a game on offense as well as defense if he’s rolling.
Best Starting Rotation: Besides Middleton, Southern Miss can send to the mound Matt Adams (6-2, 3.93); Grayden Harris (4-3, 3.63); and starter/relieiver hybrid Kros Sivley (7-1, 3.43). Adams, an accomplished fifth-year senior with a serious competitive streak and advanced pitchability, attacks with a low-90s fastball and two different quality breaking balls.
Best Bullpen: Alabama relies on Carson Ozmer, who leads the nation with 17 saves. Ozmer (4-1, 2.89) has 48 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings, and he has held opponents to a .191 batting average. He has electric stuff from a lower slot. Braylon Myers (3-1, 2.48, two saves) is a stellar set-up man.
Best Offensive Team: Playing a tough SEC schedule, Alabama leads this regional in runs scored (439) and average runs per game (7.7). This is a versatile offense as Alabama has power (91 homers, .488 slugging percentage) as well as the ability to manufacture runs (.397 on-base, 52 steals in 59 attempts). One of the leaders of Alabama’s offense is Kade Snell, a first-team All-SEC player who led the squad in batting average (.366) and on-base percentage (.462).
Best Defensive Team: Alabama has a .976 fielding percentage, has thrown out 28 base-runners trying to steal and has turned 118 double plays. That ranks Alabama first in all three categories in this regional.
No. 1 Seed Win Probability (1-10): 6. The biggest challenge to Southern Miss could come from second-seeded Alabama (41-16, 16-14 SEC). The Crimson Tide won a regional as recently as 2023, and they beat Southern Miss 10-6 on April 8 in the teams’ only meeting this year. Miami (31-24, 15-14 ACC), a four-time CWS champ, is the most tradition-rich program in this regional, and the Hurricanes could be a threat if Cuvet gets hot. Southern Miss (44-18, 24-6 Sun Belt), which has won a regional twice in the past three years, will have the home-fans advantage, and that could be big.
Frisky 4-Seed Factor (1-10): 7. Columbia might be the most dangerous 4-seed in the tournament. The 29-17 Lions — representing New York City and the Ivy League — need their seniors to lead the way. That means players such as right fielder Anton Lazits, third baseman Griffin Palfrey and center fielder Skye Selinsky stepping up so that talented freshmen Ben Fishell and Tate Vogler can follow. The last time Columbia made an NCAA regional was in 2022, when Lazits was a freshman who made second-team All-Ivy. Palfrey and Selinsky also contributed to that team as freshmen, and now they are the wise, old veterans. As for the team as a whole, Columbia got swept in four games by Oregon in late February/early May, getting outscored 70-15. In their next series, the Lions got swept in three games by Georgia, getting outscored 39-18. On a positive note, the Ivy League postseason tournament, won by Columbia, followed the same format as NCAA regionals – four teams, double elimination. Columbia, at the very least, will know the feel of this type of tournament.
WARriors
Here’s a look at the top five players in Wins Above Replacement (as calculated by our partners at Synergy and 6-4-3 Charts) for each of the four teams in the regional:Southern Miss
2B Nick Monistere: 4.02RHP JB Middleton: 3.34
1B Matthew Russo: 3.18
OF Jake Cook: 3.12
OF Carson Paetow: 3.09
Alabama
SS Justin Lebron: 4.18OF Richard Bonomolo Jr.: 4.03
1B Will Hodo: 3.40
OF Kade Snell: 3.15
3B Jason Torres: 2.42
1B Brady Ballinger – 5.08
INF Michael Brooks – 3.18
OF Derek Cerda – 2.92
DH Dariel Osoria – 2.60
3B/OF Brady Counsell – 2.58
Miami
3B Daniel Cuvet: 4.22SS Jake Ogden: 3.56
2B Dorian Gonzalez: 2.29
C Tanner Smith: 1.93
OF Derek Williams: 1.85
Columbia
SS Sam Miller: 2.942B Jack Kail: 2.29
1B Griffin Palfrey: 1.97
OF Anton Lazits: 1.88
OF Cole Fellows: 1.73
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