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SERVING SOUTHERN MISS SINCE 1927
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Volume 98 Issue 47
STATE
Religious freedom bill revamped Miss. legislature passes SB 2681
Ardan Thornhill Printz Reporter
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has urged Gov. Phil Bryant to veto Senate Bill 2681 after an unnerving debate in both houses of Mississippi legislature Tuesday ended in the bill’s passage 79-43 in the House and 37-14 in the Senate. Opponents refer to SB 2681, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, as the “turn away the gays” bill, or the “license to discriminate,” after finding that its clauses and language could allow business owners to refuse service to gay couples on personal religious grounds. Much of the previously removed original language was revived in similar forms during a conference committee just 13 minutes before the Monday night deadline. Despite the efforts previously made to allay concerns on the bill’s possibly problematic elements, the third iteration passed the evening of April 1 is referred to as far-reaching. HRC State Legislative Director
USA TODAY Sports Images
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, with former USM running back Sammy Winder, waves to the crowd after being introduced before the game between the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and the Marshall Thundering Herd at M.M. Roberts Stadium in 2012.
Sarah Warbelow stated that the bill, as stands, has the effect of making LGBT people strangers to the law. “Before Mississippi has had the opportunity to robustly discuss the lived experienced of the LGBT people, this bill would hollow out any non-discrimination protections at the local level or possible future state-wide protections,” Warbelow said. SB 2681 was brought to House committee in February after large public outcry, following Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer’s veto on a similar bill after it jeopardized Arizona’s stint as next year’s Super Bowl host, amongst other national backlash. “Just as we have seen in other states, this bill is bad for business, bad for the state’s reputation and most of all, bad for Mississippians,” Warbelow said. Sen. Philip Gandy, R-Waynesboro, and co-author of the bill, refutes that claim. “The Mississippi Economic Council (MEC) has no problem with this bill, (nor) the business community,” Gandy said. The MEC previously opposed the bill before recent revisions
in its language. Sen. Derrick Simmons, D-Greenville, prompted Sen. John Polk, R-Hattiesburg, to say whether or not he feels the bill would permit discrimination of any type based on religion. “In my opinion, it does not,” Polk said. Polk compared the bill’s religious protections to the civil rights movement. Simmons – an AfricanAmerican – explained his opposition to the bill. “If you have never been discriminated against, you don’t know how that feels,” Simmons said. “I urge you to vote against this bill because it legalizes discrimination.” Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson, also refuted Polk’s claims, pointing out that the measures that eliminated discrimination came from federal courts rather than Mississippi legislature. Gandy said there is no intention to discriminate against anyone. Gandy said the idea came about after he learned that a church in Holly Springs experienced difficulty in receiving a permit to hold services in the town square.
See BRYANT, 3
ON CAMPUS
Annual event to help battle Parkinson’s Allison Edwards Printz Reporter
The University of Southern Mississippi chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) will be hosting Pancakes for Parkinson’s: Teen Wolf Edition Saturday, April 5 at Nitchampsburg Field. In honor of this year’s third
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annual Pancakes for Parkinson’s event, attendees can grab a free pancake dinner and watch the 1985 film “Teen Wolf” starring Michael J. Fox. Brittany Crosen, student vice president of philanthropy for the Southern Miss chapter of AMA, said that AMA hopes to raise up to $5,000 in donations for Parkinson’s research, a goal they met nearly halfway at the
NEWS Presidential confusion Bush impersonator befuddles Laurel churchgoers.
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2013 event. “We do different themes, but it’s always Pancakes for Parkinson’s,” Crosen said. “Last year we did Batter Up for the Fight Against Parkinson’s, and we did it before a baseball game, and we did it baseball-themed.” Crosen said the AMA team first got the idea for this event two years ago from Leisa Flynn, a marketing professor at
FEATURE Students with tattoos Body art holds personal meaning.
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USM whose husband has had Parkinson’s for 25 years. “A few years ago I learned about the Pancakes for Parkinson’s event that has been held at the University of Virginia for more than 10 years and I thought it would be good for the students to learn about event planning and promotion by running one here,” Flynn said. “Fortunately, the sponsors of
OPINION Vaping vs. smoking Chemicals in e-cigs could be as deadly as cigarettes.
the Student American Marketing Association thought it was a good idea too. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research does a great job in learning more about the disease, and their work has led to a number of new treatments.” Fox is a known leader in facilitating Parkinson’s research,
See PANCAKES, 3
8
SPORTS Softball Eagles have mixed success in doubleheader.
THE S TUDENT PRINTZ
Page 2 | Thursday, April 3, 2014
Editorial Staff Executive Editor Kathryn Miller kathryn.miller@eagles.usm.edu 850.565.0812 Managing Editor Alan Rawls gregory.rawls@eagles.usm.edu Chief Copy Editor Chris Greene chris.greene@eagles.usm.edu Copy Editor Courtney McNichols courtney.mcnichols@eagles.usm.edu News Editor Nikki Smith ashly.smith@eagles.usm.edu Sports Editor Joshua Campbell joshua.m.campbell@eagles.usm.edu Design Editor Joshua Byrd joshua.j.byrd@eagles.usm.edu Art Director Susan Broadbridge susan.broadbridge@eagles.usm.edu Webmaster Chris Greene chris.greene@eagles.usm.edu Graphic Designers Cody Bass cody.bass@eagles.usm.edu Parker Brewer parker.brewer@eagles.usm.edu Social Media/Web Editor Yolanda Cruz yolanda.cruz@eagles.usm.edu News Content Adviser Chuck Cook 601.266.4288 chuck.cook@usm.edu Ad Graphic Designer Katherine Frye katherine.frye@eagles.usm.edu Advertising Manager Lesley Sanders-Wood 601.266.5188 lesley.sanders@usm.edu Advertising e-mail printzad@usm.edu
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EVENTS Thursday, April 3
Baseball 6:00 p.m. Middle Tennessee State Hattiesburg, Miss.
CHAOS 11:00 a.m. Easter Basket
Sunday, April 6
SGA 5:00 p.m. Senate Meeting
Softball 11:00 a.m. East Carolina Greenville, N.C.
Friday, April 4
Baseball 1:30 p.m. Middle Tennessee State Hattiesburg, Miss.
American Marketing Association 9:00 a.m. Stock Up on Pancakes Baseball 6:00 p.m. Middle Tennessee State Hattiesburg, Miss.
Monday, April 7 Relay for Life 11:00 a.m. Tabling
Tuesday, April 8
Saturday, April 5 Softball 12:00 p.m. East Carolina Greenville, N.C.
Baseball 1:30 p.m. Mississippi State Trustmark Park Pearl, Miss.
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NEWS
BRYANT
Christian support of the bill does not stretch across all continued from page 1 boards. Rev. Jasmine BeachFerrara, executive director of “I’m a Christian in church and the Campaign for Southern in the Senate,” Gandy said. Equality, denounced SB 2681 Bob Press, associate political Tuesday morning. science professor and faculty “As a minister, it’s clear adviser of Students for Human that this extreme bill is about Rights at The University of legalizing discrimination, not Southern Mississippi, recounts protecting religious freedom. the event in Holly Springs. Furthermore, the broad “A local church there was implications of this bill could denied a permit to use a building result in discrimination aimed on the town square for its toward many communities,” congregation because it didn’t Beach-Ferrara said. have the support of 60 percent of While many Christian the surrounding property owners. organizations oppose the bill, But in that case, the U.S. justice Jimmy Porter of the Mississippi department intervened on behalf Baptist Convention-funded of the church,” Press said. Christian Action Commission “There is no need for a new sent out an e-mail threatening law to protect religious freedoms; action against the 20 Republican there are plenty of laws already representatives who voted in place, including the U.S. against it in March. Constitution, which guarantee “The Christian Action religious freedom.” Commission will work diligently
Thursday, April 3, 2014 | Page 3 to ensure the blame will be laid at the feet of these 20 alleged Republicans,” Porter said. “Approximately, 60,000 Baptist households will read about it and know the truth. Add that to Pentecostal households, members of the Tea Party, followers of the American Family Association, the Liberty Council and the Family Research Council, etc., and you begin to see the widespread interest in this bill.” Republican House Rep. Toby Barker was the only Republican to vote against the bill. Barker said in February that he would not vote for the bill on the basis that Section 1 of the bill is unnecessary with too much room for interpretation and may simply be a mechanism for discrimination masking itself as a religious practice. Section 1 of the bill, which appeared originally in January, said, “Government shall not
substantially burden a person’s exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general application, except provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection.” Opposition claims this is the section which introduces the “turn away the gays” clause, allowing business owners to refuse service to gay customers while exercising religion with no governmental intervention. The bill defines “burden” as including, but not limited to “withholding benefits, assessing criminal, civil or administrative penalties or exclusion from governmental programs or access to governmental facilities.” Fresh to the bill are lines 1618 of Section 1: “(b) Laws “neutral” toward religion, as well as laws intended to interfere with the exercise of religion, may burden the exercise of religion. (c) Government should
LOCAL
Bush impersonator misleads Laurel church Kirstie Lowery
christianpost.com, the church advertised the appearance of a surprise guest, but they did not inform readers of whom March 30, a very special he or she was, so everyone was speaker appeared at Bethlehem surprised when Florida native Community Church in Laurel. John Morgan entered the stage When attendees arrived at the acting as former president church on Sunday night, each George W. Bush. of them anticipated the moment While individuals sitting that the secret guest’s identity near the stage during the event would be revealed. However, immediately knew that Morgan some confusion was caused upon was not the former president of his arrival. According to www. the United States, others who Printz Reporter
John Morgan and Pastor Jamie Altman
were seated farther away had a more difficult time coming to that conclusion. “Guests were not specifically told that it was an impersonator,” said Rebecca Patrick, Jones County Junior College journalism instructor. “Although those seated on the first few rows could probably read the little sign surrounding the seal that said ‘Impersonator of the President of the United States.” According to Patrick, Morgan
Courtesy Photo
told audience members of his true identity midway through his speech. Throughout his appearance, Morgan entertained everyone by telling jokes about Laura Bush and former vice president Dick Cheney, as well as making up humorous stories based on Bushs’ experiences as president. While much of Morgan’s message entertained and humored Laurel residents, he was also there for another reason. Jamie Altman, a senior pastor at Bethlehem Community Church, said Morgan was primarily there to spread the word of God. “I believe that the greatest news we have in the world is the good news of Jesus Christ, and whatever you can do to bring people in to listen to that is worth it,” Altman said. Altman then continued by explaining that speculation and excitement was growing within the church community as each attendee attempted to guess who the speaker would be. He then said that because of personal connections he shares with Morgan, the church decided to invite him to speak at the service. Despite the slight disappointment felt by some guests after finding out Morgan was not Bush, the overall reaction at the end of his speech was a positive one. Alexis Plankers, a 20-year-old Laurel resident and member of the church, said many of the guests were excited and very entertained. “The church was just moved by his appearance and his words,” Plankers said.
not substantially burden the exercise of religion without compelling justification.” Eric Bass, senior political science major and member of the LGBT community, follows up the actions made earlier this week with his scorn. “I’m glad discrimination protects ‘religious freedoms,’ but I ask: where is the protection for the poverty-ridden, ostracized people, sick and underpaid women in our state? Why is this not our focus? Why are we focusing on protection from religious attacks that aren’t even occurring?” Bass said. Pending Bryant’s signature, the law takes effect July 1, according to the bill’s language.
PANCAKES
continued from page 1
having been diagnosed himself, and any voluntary donations given this year will go toward the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. According to michaeljfox. org,“though he would not share the news with the public for another seven years, Fox was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease in 1991. Upon disclosing his condition in 1998, he committed himself to the campaign for increased Parkinson’s research.” Flynn said she has personally written to Fox to express gratitude for all of his philanthropic efforts. She said she admires the actor’s strength and willingness to help. “I have written to Michael J. Fox and what I told him was, ‘thank you.’ I know firsthand that Parkinson’s saps your energy and makes stress harder to handle and I know all of his energy and efforts on behalf of people with Parkinson’s has helped in many ways. He is a hero to me and to my husband too.” Flynn said she would encourage individuals who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s to not give up hope. “Strong people like my husband learn to face every day with optimism and find fun wherever it might be hiding. Parkinson’s is not a death sentence. It is a stumbling block,” Flynn said. Flynn said she looks forward to seeing the Pancakes for Parkinson’s event flourish and grow each year by possibly partnering with other student groups. Crosen says the AMA at USM is already thinking about what theme they will choose next year. She said they might possibly continue showing Michael J. Fox movies, but nothing has been officially decided yet.
FEATURE
Page 4 | Thursday, April 3, 2014
ON CAMPUS
Value of tattoos overlooked Yolanda Cruz
Social Media/Web Editor Students at The University of Southern Mississippi truly wear their hearts on their sleeves. It’s a way to mark who they are and what makes them unique. I remember my senior year of high school and the summer before I started college, I saw many of my friends getting tattoos to mark the new chapters in their lives. Christian Barker, a sophomore political science major, got a tattoo to make light of something he has lived with his whole life. “My second and third toes on my left foot are webbed,” Barker said. “I got scissors and a dotted line tattooed on them,” Barker said. Barker’s tattoo is an interesting way to shed light on things which people might be ashamed of. Tattoos can be a good way to make a person feel more comfortable in his or her body. Some people also use tattoos as a dedication to beloved
family members. Amanda Ladner, a sophomore media production major, designed her own tattoo and dedicated it to her father. “It’s ‘agape’ in Greek, which is used in Scripture and means a perfect, separate love or a father’s love,” Ladner said. “It’s surrounded by a dandelion that looks like it’s blowing in the wind with seven pieces flying off. The dandelion is the military brat’s flower, and my dad is in the Air Force. Each piece flying off represents one of his deployments he’s taken in my life.” Marcos Quinto is no stranger to dedicating his body to the people he loves. With tattoos decorating each foot, each arm and a section of his chest, each piece represents something that is extremely important to him. The piece that means the most to him is the work-inprogress on his right arm. It is meant to be a metaphor for his life. It starts with a skull, to represent death, stuck to an hourglass, to represent time. They are being sucked
into a wormhole and on the other side is a fetus. The wormhole signifies change, and the fetus means life. “It shows how God can take some terrible things and transform them into something beautiful,” Quinto said. “I also have an owl there that is meant to represent my grandfather. I loved him dearly, and he was one of the wisest men I ever knew. The owl’s eyes are even the same color his once were.” While some people may say that tattoos are a phase of rebellion, some college students feel that they are a way to carry around a piece of their life for constant comfort. Barker, Ladner and Quinto have all kept their body art in discrete places that can be easily covered up for professional affairs, but where they are located have no impact on the deep significance that they bear. Body art may not be a fit for everyone, but for others it can be something memorable and close to their heart.
Mary Sergeant/Printz
Marcos Quinto shows off his arm sleeve designed by world-renowned tattoo artist Sean Herman.
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Mary Sergeant/Printz
Marcos Quinto displays arm tattoos that symbolize change and life.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Thursday, April 3, 2014 | Page 5
TELEVISION
Non-reader foretells ‘Ice and Fire’ Allison Edwards Printz Reporter
Games of Thrones Season 4 is set to air this Sunday, April 6. As someone who hasn’t cracked open a single book from George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire,” join me as I predict what this season will hold by deciphering trailers, sneakpeak videos and cast interviews. There be Dragons! Lions and tigers and giant fire breathing reptiles! Oh my! Who could forget in season 3 episode 1 when Daenerys Targaryen is on the deck of the small boat she obtained to transport her Dothraki people. She watches her beloved dragons dive for fish in the open sea when her trusted protector Jorah comes up to her and says, “They’re growing fast” and she replies, “Not fast enough.” From the brief glimpses of the massive flying beasts we get in the newest trailers, it looks like Daenerys got her wish. If there’s one thing we can be sure of in season 4, it’s that we’re going to see lots of raw, skin
smoldering action happening to whomever decides to cross the Khaleesi. Yet an exclusive 14 minute foreshadowing video released in February includes an interview actress Emilia Clarke who says, “They are outgrowing the restrictions that she’s placing on them. She’s always feared it. They’ve killed her enemies what’s going to stop them from killing anyone?” Daenerys has had her eyes set on the iron throne basically since the start of the show. My guess it that King’s Landing is in for a warmer winter than they expected, whether the Khaleesi wants them to or not. Tyrion You Can’t Die on Me! In multiple trailers for season 4, Tyrion Lannister is shown in a jail cell, in chains and talking to his servant Podric saying “Things are a bit tense right now. I don’t think I’m talking my way out of this one.” While most characters try to mask their inner good versus evil turmoil, Tyrion is one of my favorite characters because he likes to lay out all of his options
on the table and pick the one that is the most objectively just. In following suit of taking away everything I’ve only started to love, I fear author George R.R. Martin will pull another “Red Wedding” move by the end of this season and Tyrion will meet his fate. Let’s hope I’m wrong. Joffrey, When Are You Going to Die Already? King Joffrey. The character everyone loves to hate. My heart fluttered with excitement every time our smug little king got close to death in seasons 1-3. There was that time when Sansa Stark almost pushed him off the traitor’s walkway in season 1 episode 10, but she was stopped just in time (darn!). And another time in season two when someone throws a cow pie at his face and he barely escapes a mob riot (ugh!). Then he leaves his men like a coward at the Battle of Blackwater Bay against Stannis Baratheon to go run to the call of his mommy (NOOO!).
Courtesy Photo
Now Joffrey thinks he’s invincible saying, “They know I saved the city. They know I won the war” in trailer number 1 and “I broke Stannis” in trailer number 4. This is only to have his uncle Jamie reply, looking quizzically at his ignorant nephew, “The war is not won.” Could this mean that “King” Joffrey is searching for validation of his right to the throne to combat an uprising against him? Arya Stark, we’re all counting on you to be awesome this
season and kill everyone who deserves it. Please and thank you. Game of Thrones executive producer, writer and director D.B. Weiss says season 4 has a lot of unique things to offer that other seasons haven’t. “There is definitely objectively more action than there are a lot of things from the production front that we’ve never done before,” Weiss said. “There are more climactic events in season 4 than there have ever been before.”
Dance students present Divergent Spectrums Jillian Rodriguez/Printz
Southern Miss dance students perform their second dance concert at Kamper Park Monday afternoon. The Repertory Dance Company (RDC) at Southern Miss performed Divergent Spectrums dance concert to showcase students’ talents.
OPINION
Page 6 | Thursday, April 3, 2014
HEALTH
Students talk e-cigarettes: Is vaping as detrimental as smoking?
Patrizia Dywer Printz Reporter
Smoking e-cigarettes, or “vaping,” has become very popular in recent years. It has been dubbed by advertisements as a safer alternative to cigarettes. Michael Pironi, a graphic design major, said he began smoking cigarettes in September 2013. Before too long, he was smoking a pack of cigarettes in less than two days. In February he switched to e-cigarettes because he likes the flavors and it’s less harmful. But is it? The Society for Science and the Public published an article in December 2013 claiming that nicotine, the addictive
ingredient in tobacco that many switch to e-cigs for, may very well be the cause for damaged arteries. The chemicals used in e-cigarettes may be different from other tobacco products, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous. Some of the chemicals include the preservative propylene glycol; nitrosamines, 90 percent of which are carcinogenic and may cause cancers, according to Richard Scanlan, dean of research emeritus and professor of food science at Oregon State University; formaldehyde and acrolein. Other than the chemical factors, e-cigarettes are made more enticing by their variety of flavors. “I have used orange swirl which tastes like creamsicle, melon which tastes
like cantaloupe and raspberry lemonade,” Pironi said. He is not alone. Freshman Caleb Crowe uses his e-cigs with flavors like mango, cinnamon or rum. Crowe has been using e-cigarettes since January to save money on tobacco products. In 2009, flavored cigarettes were banned because they look to be aimed at children. E-cigarettes are not currently regulated in that way. The flavors draw in a younger crowd. The Society for Student Science reports that many young people seem to be experimenting with e-cigarettes even before trying tobacco products. There are also many people that go to e-cigarettes in an attempt to quit smoking traditional cigarettes.
Chamberlain Graves, also a freshman at USM, said e-cigarettes helped him quit for about two months. Now he smokes both cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Tobacco researchers at The University of California in San Francisco recently surveyed 949 individuals for a year. The study showed no significant difference between the percentage of cigarette smokers who quit tobacco and e-cigarette smokers who quit tobacco. The Society for Student Science also states that three in every four preteens and teens who vape also smoke tobacco cigarettes. This leads to the conclusion that more than an aid, e-cigarettes have become a reason to continue the habit. In many cases, they are even
the cause to start the habit. E-cigarettes are advertised as safer much like one type of cigarette was advertised as safer over another in the 1950s and early 1960s. These claims currently have basis only in lack of evidence against the harms of vaping. Some cities like Los Angeles and Long Beach have taken steps to protect the public from the unknowns that e-cigarettes represent. They have approved rules on the public use of e-cigarettes that reflect rules on the public use of tobacco products. There, vaping is now banned in public places, like restaurants and beaches.
Courtesy Photo
Courtesy Photo
SPORTS
Thursday, April 3, 2014 | Page 7
NATIONAL
Predictions for the Final Four Florida is the favorite to win it all James Johnson Printz Reporter
How hideous did your bracket turn out? It’s alright, yours is not the only one with a cluster of incorrect picks. Picking Florida, Wisconsin, Connecticut and Kentucky as this year’s Final Four representatives just didn’t seem practical on Selection Sunday. After so many upsets and so much excitement, the 2014 NCAA tournament is near its conclusion and a new champion is preparing to cut down the nets. On April 5, these four teams will square off to determine who will advance to the March Madness finals. The Final Four matchups are Kentucky vs. Wisconsin and UConn vs. Florida. The winners of those two games will play for all the marbles. Kentucky has been fun to watch during the tournament. With Wichita State, Louisville
and Michigan in their region, the Wildcats have had the toughest road to the Final Four. They are a team whose starting lineup consists of all freshmen. The Wildcats continue to mature every time they step onto the court. On their way to the Final Four the Wildcats have beat three Final Four teams from the previous season. That’s an impressive feat for a team full of freshman and underclassmen. The Wisconsin Badgers are a very strong team; it is no fluke that they have made it this far in the tournament. The Badgers fought through a lot of hardships to make it to the Final Four. When the seeds were released, Wisconsin was considered by many the worst two-seed in the tournament. Frank Kaminsky gives Wisconsin its best chance to get past the Wildcats Saturday and they will need their seven-footer
to play near-perfect to get the win. Other than Kaminsky, the Badgers lack a true second option to help them get past Kentucky and advance to the National Championship. I like Kentucky to win and advance to the National Championship. Florida has looked like the best team in the nation all year long. They entered the tournament as the number one overall seed. What makes the Gators so good is their depth and discipline. Florida is considered the best defensive team in the country which leads to a lot of turnovers. The Huskies will have to play perfect team basketball to get the W Saturday. The Gators have a leader that seems to have ice water in his veins: Scottie Wilbekin. Wilbekin can control the entire floor on both sides of the ball; he’ll be a big reason the Gators get past the Connecticut Huskies in a game that might come down to the final shot.
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UConn has the hottest player playing the best basketball of the tournament in Shabazz Napier. Napier gives his team a chance to pull off the upset. This UConn team is coming in with confidence as they already have a win over Florida, all be it the Gators weren’t at 100 percent for that game. The Huskies won that game because Napier
was determined to win in the final seconds. He’s only gotten better now. Anything seems possible for UConn with the senior guard on the floor. At the end of the day, Florida’s defense will be too stout and end Napier’s and the Huskies’ season to cut down the nets and be crowned NCAA Champions.
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SPORTS
Page 8 | Thursday, April 3, 2014
SOFTBALL
Lady Eagles split double header with Troy Wilton Jackson Printz Reporter
After defeating the University of Texas at San Antonio 4-1, The University of Southern Mississippi softball team turned their attention to their doubleheader matchup against Troy University on Tuesday afternoon. A strong fourth inning paved the way for the Lady Eagles’ victory as they defeated Troy, 6-4 in game one of the doubleheader Tuesday evening at Troy Softball Complex. The Trojans struck first, using a leadoff single and sacrifice bunt to put a base runner in scoring position in the first inning. After the next batter walked, Southern Miss received its second out on an infield fly to first base. However, a single to right field plated two to put Troy ahead 2-0. In the third inning, the Trojans
BASEBALL
expanded their lead to 4-0 on a one-out single to score the runner on third. Back-to-back RBI singles along with an error led to Troy’s ability to increase the lead. In the fourth inning, the Lady Eagles responded in a huge way, scoring five runs on four hits to take the lead. Katie Cleary began the inning with an RBI single to left field. After a passed ball, Cleary advanced to second base before Arielle Pollock blasted a triple down the right field line, allowing Cleary to score. Michelle Stringer then reached base on a fielding error, allowing Pollock to score. Then, Taylor Beck capitalized on a pinch-hit single off the chest off of the third basemen for Troy, sending Nelson to home plate while she advanced to second base. With runners on second and third, Morgan McKeever hit a two RBI single to right field to give Southern Miss
a 5-4 lead. In the fifth, at the top of the inning, Cleary hit an RBI double to center field and then moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Sarah Evans scored Cleary on an infield single, increasing the lead to 6-4. Although the Trojans attempted to cut into the lead during the seventh inning, Rachel Johnson made a deep left field catch off of the Trojan batter to win the game for the Lady Eagles. Game two of the double header had a much different feel to it as the game went to extra innings. Up 6-2 going into the final frame, the Trojans were three outs away from sealing the deal and splitting the double header. However, with Troy starter Sarah Thomas out of the game, Southern Miss was finally able to get their bats going against Troy’s relievers Meg Willis and Sara Mock. Thanks in large part to a
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Katie Cleary began the inning with an RBI single to left field at the doubleheader matchup against Troy University this weekend.
two RBI single from Mackenzie Sher, the Lady Eagles were able to knot the game up at six. With the bases loaded and just one out, Southern Miss had the opportunity to pull ahead going into the bottom of the seventh with the chance to win the game. However, Arielle Pollock struck
out swinging as did Sarah Evans, who led off the inning with a double. In the bottom of the eighth, Troy pinch hitter Heather Johnston hit a walk-off RBI single. Troy improved to 16-22-2 while Southern Miss fell to 19-18 for the season.
USM continues to find ways to win Joshua Campbell Sports Editor
The Golden Eagles continued their hot streak Tuesday night as they topped the UNO Privateers 9-7 on the road. Southern Miss got things going early in the first inning with four runs to take command of the game. Connor Barron led off the game with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt before scoring on a single from Tim Lynch. After Matt Durst flied out, Mason Robbins walked to put runners at first and second for Dylan Burdeaux. Burdeaux delivered on a 1-0 pitch with a homer to left center to give USM a 4-0 lead. In the third inning, Bradley Roney came up to hit with the bases loaded with two outs and hit a shot to left field to plate two more. Roney has become invaluable for the Golden Eagles both with his bat and his pitching late in ballgames. Shaky defense once again came back to hurt USM in the fifth inning. A wild pitch scored the first run of the inning and Samuel Capielano tacked on another run with an RBI single. USM tried to shoot themselves in the foot again with a fielding error and a passed ball, but the Privateers could not capitalize on the scoreboard. In the sixth inning, UNO tacked on three more runs on four hits, two sacrifice flies and another wild pitch. What seemed to be a game that would easily go
the Golden Eagles’ way became a 6-5 ballgame. After Michael Sterling scored on a wild pitch in the seventh inning, USM was able to extend their lead even further in the eighth. With the bases loaded and one out, Connor Barron singled on a full count offering to plate two and give USM a 9-5 lead. But the drama was not over. Chaz Boyer doubled to center field to score Nick Morgan for UNO before Capielano delivered again with an RBI single. However, Ryan Milton was able to stop the bleeding and get out of the inning to hand over the ball to Roney who has been automatic this season in save situations. Roney pitched a near perfect ninth inning and struck out the final two batters to pick up his ninth save of the season and drop UNO to 8-18 for the season. The USM bats cooled off though Wednesday night against South Alabama who came into the game with a 13-14 record on the young season. South Alabama’s Adam Ballew led off the bottom of the first inning with a single before Cole Gleason followed suit a batter later. After USM starter A.J. Glasshof struck out the next batter, Justin Cullifer got South Alabama on the board with an RBI single. However, there was not much drama after that as a pitching duel came to fruition. Glasshof lasted 6 2/3 innings, allowing the lone run in the first on six hits and six strikeouts. South Alabama starter Jared
Gates tossed seven shutout innings, but was charged with two unearned runs after allowing the first two batters in the eighth to reach base before being replaced. He allowed three hits, walked two and struck out seven. That eighth inning, Chuckie Robinson led off with a single before Nick Dawson reached on an error on a sacrifice bunt attempt. Breck Kline followed suit reaching on a throwing error on another sacrifice bunt
attempt that allowed Dawson and pinch runner Andrew Furr to score to give USM their first lead of the game. After Sterling popped out on Southern Miss’ third consecutive bunt, Durst hit a sacrifice fly to center field to extend the lead to 3-1. All three runs were unearned due to the two South Alabama errors. Up 3-1 in the bottom of the ninth, Mr. Automatic (Roney) came through once again for
Southern Miss, picking up his tenth save of the year. It is not often that a team gets outhit 8-3 and wins by two runs, but USM is simply finding ways to win almost every game it seems these days. Southern Miss (17-13, 6-3), winners of ten of their last 13 games, will host Middle Tennessee State this weekend in a Conference USA showdown at Pete Taylor Park.
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