The Sun Belt Baseball Championship is heating up, with Southern Miss and Texas State securing semifinal spots alongside Louisiana. These events unfolded in Montgomery and Troy, Alabama, amid weather-related disruptions.
Semifinal Qualifiers at Sun Belt Championship
As of now, three out of four semifinal positions have been filled. Southern Miss, Louisiana, and Texas State have all advanced in the tournament. An in-state rivalry matchup between South Alabama and Troy will determine the final spot on Saturday morning.
Semifinal Matchups
- Game 12: South Alabama vs. Troy, 9:00 a.m. CT at DABOS Park
- Game 13: Louisiana vs. Texas State, 10:00 a.m. CT at Riddle-Pace Field
- Game 14: Southern Miss vs. Winner of Game 12, 12:30 p.m. CT at DABOS Park
- If Necessary: 1:30 p.m. CT at Riddle-Pace Field
Highlights from Previous Matches
Southern Miss secured its semifinal berth with a dramatic 7-6 walk-off victory against Troy. Drey Barrett delivered a grand slam, scoring six RBIs, to clinch the win and help his team stage a comeback.
Troy initially led the game, with strong performances from Houston Markham and Drew Nelson putting them ahead 4-0. However, Southern Miss fought back, thanks to Barrett’s powerful late-game performance, alongside a key relief effort from pitcher Josh Och.
In another standout match, Louisiana overcame Coastal Carolina 5-4, backed by a strong four-run third inning. Freshman Colt Brown’s double and significant contributions from Blaze Rodriguez and Maddox Mandino were critical to Louisiana’s success.
Looking Ahead
The semifinal battles promise intense competition, especially as Southern Miss prepares to face the morning’s victor between South Alabama and Troy. Notably, Texas State remains a formidable opponent, having previously beaten Louisiana in their season matchups.
The championship’s layout across DABOS Park and Riddle-Pace Field ensures that fans can enjoy all the action, despite recent weather delays. As the competition continues, teams will strive for excellence to secure a coveted spot in the final championship game.
