Middleton tosses another gem, USM bangs out 10-1 win at Appalachian State

From University of Southern Mississippi Sports Information Department

BOONE, N.C. (WDAM) - JB Middleton tossed a four-hit, complete game, and all nine Golden Eagle batters registered a hit, as No. 22 University of Southern Mississippi defeated Appalachian State 10-1 Friday night in the opening game of a Sun Belt Conference series at Smith Stadium.

The Golden Eagles (29-13 overall, 13-6 Sun Belt) won a third straight game as they banged out a season-high-tying 18 hits, which included nine doubles.

It was the most doubles by the Golden Eagles since registering a school-record-tying 10 at Southeastern Louisiana University on April 24, 2002.

Middleton threw USM’s first complete game since Niko Mazza went the distance on June 1, 2024, against Northern Kentucky University in the NCAA Knoxville Regional.

Middleton (8-1) limited the Mountaineers (21-20, 11-8) to a run on four hits with a walk, a hit batter and eight strikeouts over 113 pitches.

The Golden Eagles scored in seven different innings as Jake Cook led the way with four hits, which included two doubles and a triple, with an RBI.

Ben Higdon and Tucker Stockman added three hits apiece, while Matthew Russo and Ozzie Pratt collected two hits each.

Davis Gillespie and Drey Barrett each hit solo homers, their eighth and seventh, respectively.

Nick Monistere paced the team with three RBI, while Carson Paetow knocked in two runs.

The Golden Eagles chased ASU starter Caleb Cross (6-2) after 2 2/3 innings. Cross was charged with six run (five earned) on eight hits. He walked two and struck out five.

The best-of-three series series continues with a 2 p.m. Saturday contest.

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