By Staff
POWER HITTERS USM Senior Jeff Cook (left) and sophomore Clint King (right) let their bats do the talking as both had successful 2003 offensive seasons in leading the Eagles to a 45-14 record and C-USA Tournament Championship. Photo by Jared Florreich/The Meridian Star
By Jared Florreich / staff writer
May 30, 2003
HATTIESBURG The Southern Mississippi potent offensive attack has been led by two players, senior centerfielder Jeff Cook, and sophomore rightfielder Clint King.
The Southern Miss baseball team has experienced plenty of highs this year. They set a school record, with a mark of 45-14 and won the school's first C-USA baseball championship. The Eagles are ranked 12th in the nation by Baseball America, also a school record. Both Cook and King have been major contributors in USM's success.
Cook and King lead USM in nearly offensive category, and lead or are near the top of several C-USA offensive categories.
This has been a breakout year for King. Last year as a freshman, King played in 39 games, posting a .319 average with five home runs and 22 RBIs. This year King leads the Eagles with a .397 average, 22 home runs, 71 RBIs, 182 total bases, 93 hits, and 21 doubles.
King said he wanted to get better this year.
Cook set several USM records this year. He became the school's all time home run leader with 48, the hits leader with 288, and runs leader with 194. He was named C-USA hitter of the week four times this year the first player from C-USA to accomplish the feat.
Cook posted a .378 mark on the season, and led USM with 65 runs scored, at-bats with 241, and stolen bases with 13. He is second to King in home runs with 21, RBIs with 70, and hits with 91.
As a senior, Cook said he wanted to go out with a successful season.
Cook said this year has been nothing like last season's disappointment of being left out of last year's NCAA Tournament.
Cook and King said their individual success is due to the balance on the USM Baseball team.
Thanks in part to Cook and King, the USM Baseball team is no longer getting left out.