Southern Miss Baseball is widely regarded as one of the top collegiate baseball programs in the nation, thanks in part to standout players like Carson Paetow.
Paetow, a senior from Vancleave, recently hit a personal milestone during Southern Miss’ sweep of ULM, moving into 10th place on the program's all-time career home runs list. Despite this achievement, Paetow remains team-oriented, keeping his focus on collective success.
“I choose not to look at numbers like those, because to be blatantly honest, it does nothing to help my team win on a day-to-day basis,” Paetow said. “With that being said, it is a cool feeling, and I am truly blessed to be here at USM.”
Southern Miss Baseball has long been recognized for its success, built upon a strong team culture fostered by the coaching staff. Head Coach Christian Ostrander emphasized the importance of selflessness in maintaining the team's high standards.
“Our non-negotiable is just being great selfless teammates,” Ostrander said. “We all want to play, but we are going to provide spark in the dugout or encouragement to your teammates and celebrate the victories.”
The Golden Eagles’ focus on supporting one another, both on and off the field, plays a key role in the team’s mindset and approach to success. Paetow echoed this sentiment.
“What makes this team so special is we all enjoy playing with and for each other,”
Paetow said. “Every day, we show up to the ballpark with positive mindsets and high energy, which increases our chances of success.”
Despite their success, Ostrander keeps his team grounded and reminds them to remain humble and focused.
“To be totally honest with you, we don’t talk about it,” Ostrander said, referring to rankings. “Rankings in week seven don’t mean anything in week 14. But it is great for our fans, our program, for all those people that have been here before us and the tradition they have built. So, I am proud of the recognition.”
Southern Miss Baseball’s legacy of excellence is driven by a combination of hard work, mental toughness, and a strong team culture. Ostrander credits the relationships between players and coaches as key factors in the team’s success.
“Excellence is about doing it the right way,” Ostrander said. “Us as coaches, along with the players developing true genuine relationships, it is being a family, and it is being outstanding young men that do things right in the classroom, on the field, that works hard, integrates with the community, and that is a good representative of the program.”
Ostrander believes the team’s talent, leadership, and unity will help them continue their success as the season progresses.
“I think this team is extremely capable of putting a great mark,” Ostrander said. “There is tremendous leadership with this group, the unity and chemistry were evident early, and the talent level is there.”
Paetow shares his coach’s optimism but remains focused on taking the season one day at a time.
“From the players’ perspective, we expect to do great things,” Paetow said. “That doesn’t mean we are invincible, but we try to take it day-by-day.”
With more than half the season remaining, the Golden Eagles are staying focused, determined to take each game as it comes.
“You can’t let adversity or success distract you,” Ostrander said. “You have to stay in the middle, stay focused, and not get too up or too down. From this point on, Southern Miss baseball is going to focus on ‘the most important game of the year,’ which is the next one you play.”
