By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Oct. 30, 2004
The East Central Eagle Club received a double helping of University of Southern Mississippi sports on Friday afternoon.
Golden Eagle baseball coach Corky Palmer and former USM quarterback Reggie Collier joined the group for its October meeting at Crescent City Grill.
Palmer updated the luncheon gathering on the outlook of the university's baseball team, which concluded its fall season on Saturday, and Collier talked about the continuing renovation project of the stadium and the success the football team, which is ranked 25th in the nation.
On the diamond, USM is coming off the most successful two-year stint in the program's history.
The Golden Eagles have compiled a 92-35 record and made back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances in the last two seasons.
USM will rely mainly on a new batch of players to continue the success of the last two Eagle teams.
The teams top three hitters from last season Jarrett Hoffpauir, Matt Shepherd and Ryan Frith signed with major league clubs after last season, and pitchers Anthony DeWitt and Austin Tubb went to big league clubs.
USM will also be preparing for Conference USA's facelift, as the league will be restructured in 2006.
Palmer said he is looking forward to playing in the new C-USA, and he believes it will be one of the top college conferences in the country.
On the gridiron, USM is enjoying another successful season.
The Golden Eagles are undefeated in C-USA play, and their only loss came at the hands of Alabama a game that regular starting quarter Dustin Almond missed due to injury.
With another chance to run the table in league play, the Eagles are looking to finish the last half of the season strong. USM coaches and players are also staying focused on only the things they can control.
Because of C-USA's rotating schedule, USM will not play fellow-league leader Louisville this season. The Eagles and Cardinals are both undefeated in conference play.
The Eagles are also basking in the good news of return of Almond to the lineup.
The junior quarterback, who has passed for 663 yards and six touchdowns in four games, is expected to be in the lineup next week when USM hosts Cincinnati.