Southern Miss ended its baseball season on a low note, falling in a home regional for the second straight year, but it did not take long for the Golden Eagles to get a word of good news about next year.
Ace pitcher Grayden Harris announced over the weekend that he will be donning black and gold once more in the 2027 campaign. Harris is the reigning Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year and a Ferris Trophy finalist.
“Let’s run it back golden eagle nation,” Harris wrote on X.
Let’s run it back golden eagle nation!! @SouthernMissBSB #PLC #HOME pic.twitter.com/UcZ2p7t5Nn
— Grayden Harris (@GraydenHarris) June 6, 2026
The sophomore southpaw had a breakout campaign in 2026, emerging as the Friday night starter as the season played out. A native of Central, La., Harris (8-1) made 17 starts this season, boasting a 4.02 ERA with 107 strikeouts while allowing only 39 earned runs on 92 hits and 19 walks.
Harris played a crucial role in the Golden Eagles getting hot toward the end of the regular season, then carrying that success into the Sun Belt Tournament, where Southern Miss won its third title in four years. His campaign concluded on a sour note, however, as he allowed nine runs to score on 10 hits in a quick outing versus Virginia in what ended up being the black and gold’s swan song in the Hattiesburg Regional.
A new season will pose a new opportunity for Harris, who is expected to be a strong anchor of Christian Ostrander’s club in 2027. Harris will be a valuable asset as Southern Miss will have to replace first baseman Matthew Russo and second baseman Kyle Morrison, along with relief pitchers Colby Allen and Kros Sivley, among other contributors in the offseason.
In the age of high-dollar name, image, and likeness deals being struck by student athletes, and endless transfers, the Southern Miss baseball program has been the gold standard of retaining talent, even with poachers lurking. Harris, a left-handed pitcher with a good fastball, could have easily found another collegiate landing spot, but stuck with the team that took him out of high school, largely due to its culture.
Southern Miss will begin the 2027 season next February.
