Southern Miss second-year baseball coach Christian Ostrander announced Wednesday the signing of 10 players for the 2026 season including four right-handed pitchers, two left-handed pitchers, two infielders, an outfielder and a catcher.
“We are extremely excited about the 2025 signing class and adding ten new players who will don the black and gold next year,” Ostrander said. “It’s a great mix of 6 pitchers, 2 outfielders, an infielder, and a catcher who will all help us continue the tradition of success that we have experienced here over the years. Most importantly, these young men have the right character that we look for in this program and in this community. These are the type of individuals that can help us achieve the postseason goals that we will consistently have every season. I look forward to seeing their development and their impact on this program starting next year.”The group includes right-handed pitchers Dylan Causey (Ellisville, Miss./South Jones HS), Caleb Dyess (Carriere, Miss./Pearl River Central HS/Pearl River CC), Kevin Landry Farr (Proctor, Ark./Northpoint Christian HS) and Camden Rodgers (Tyrone, Ga./Trinity Christian HS), along with left-handed pitchers Bruce Littleton (Vestavia Hills, Ala./Vestavia Hills HS) and Cooper Waddle (Golden, Miss./Itawamba AHS), infielders Gray Eubanks (Huntingdon, Tenn./Huntingdon HS) and Braden Maranto (Amory, Miss./Amory HS), catcher Cade Adams (Pearland, Texas/Pearland HS) and outfielder William Tonsmeire (Vestavia Hills, Ala./Vestavia Hills HS).Causey, at 6-foot-3, 204 lbs., was a first-team All-State selection as a junior at utility after gaining second-team All-State honors his sophomore campaign. He finished with an 8-2 record last spring with a 1.15 ERA, fanning 76 and walking 27 in 48 2/3 innings, while opponents hit .147 against him. He added a .341 batting average with a homer and 21 RBI and five stolen bases as he helped lead South Jones High to South State title round of the state playoffs.Dyess, at 6-foot, 200 lbs., saw action as a pitcher and hitter as a freshman. He posted an 8-1 record on the mound with one save, holding a 2.44 ERA over 62 2/3 innings, including a complete-game outing in PRCC’s MACCC championship victory over Northwest CC. At the plate, he had 8 hits in 27 at bats with three home runs – all of which were of the pinch-hit variety. Dyess played at Pearl River Central for Neil Walther and named 5A All-State in 2021, 2022 and 2023. He held a .318 batting average with 25 RBIs, seven doubles and five homers as a senior, while also tallying a 1.98 ERA in 74 1/3 innings pitched. He fanned 113 batters and allowed just 21 runs.Farr, at 6-foot-3, 178 lbs., was named the Memphis High School Player of the Year last spring by fan vote in the Commercial Appeal. Farr earned Division 2A All-State honors and was a Region 8 selection at Northport Christian by the Tennessee Baseball Report. He also added all-district and all-region honors by the state’s coaches. He finished the year among the state’s leaders with 94 strikeouts.Rodgers, at 6-foot-4, 215 lbs., earned All-Region 4-4A honors last spring and was picked as that region’s Co-Pitcher of the Year at Trinity Christian High. He also collected second-team All-State honors by the Georgia High School Association. He finished the year with a 1.15 ERA and fanned 34 along with 18 walks.
Littleton, at 6-foot-3, 210 lbs., is enjoying an outstanding senior campaign in football as a halfback at Vestavia Hills High School, as they continue in the AHSAA state playoffs this week. He also was a member of the 2023 baseball squad that captured the Class 7A state championship as a left-handed pitcher.Waddle, at 5-foot-10, 150 lbs., earned second-team All-State honors by the state’s coaches at utility as he helped Itawamba High to the second round of the Class 4A championship last spring. He batted .375 with a .521 on-base percentage, while also fanning 40 in 22 2/3 innings on the mound. In addition, he was selected as the Region 1-4A Defensive MVP.Eubanks, 5-foot-9, 190 lbs., earned a Players Award for Class AA which is given by the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association (TBCA) to recognize high school student-athletes for their athletic excellence, academic achievement, and character while at Huntingdon High. He was a TBCA Class AA All-State pick as well as a Mr. Baseball finalist. He finished third in the state in batting average at .545 and his nine home runs were tied for seventh best in the Volunteer State last spring. He earned the Tennessee Baseball Report first-team all-state at second base and was an All-Region 6 selection.Maranto, at 5-foot-8, 165 lbs., is a two-time second-team All-State pick by the coaches in the infield at Amory High. He helped his squad capture the 2023 3A State championship. He also was picked first-team all-division last spring. He also is a standout member of the school’s football team.Adams, at 5-foot-9, 170 lbs., and the younger brother of current Golden Eagle Matt Adams, helped lead Pearland High to the Class 6A runner-up spot last spring after finishing 37-9-2 for the year. He earned 23-6A All-District second team honors at catcher.Tonsmeire, at 5-foot-9, 180 lbs., helped lead Vestavia Hills High to the 2023 Class 7A state championship. He hit .306 with 12 doubles and 18 stolen bases last spring and was a member of the All-Over the Mountain Team. He was also named to the Starnes Media All-South Metro second team. He also is a member of the school’s football team.
The Golden Eagles begin the season on February 14 with a three-game series against Lafayette at Pete Taylor Park.
