Southern Miss baseball swept James Madison, improving their chances to host an NCAA regional. The Golden Eagles won the series with scores of 8-5, 11-1, and 10-5.
Key points
Southern Miss baseball swept James Madison
Scores were 8-5, 11-1, and 10-5
Southern Miss improved to 37-14 overall
They are 19-8 in the Sun Belt Conference
The sweep enhances NCAA regional hosting chances
Southern Miss Golden EaglesJames MadisonNCAA Tournament
How Southern Miss baseball sweep of James Madison boosted odds to host NCAA regional
The No. 13 Golden Eagles (37-14, 19-8 Sun Belt Conference) swept James Madison (20-30, 10-17) at Veterans Memorial Park in Harrisonburg, Virginia. They earned their third straight conference series win, and it was also their first road conference sweep of the season.
Southern Miss rallied late in the series opener, scoring six runs in the seventh inning to win 8-5 on May 8. The Golden Eagles run-ruled James Madison in Game 2, 11-1 in eight innings, and earned the sweep in Game 3 with a 10-5 victory on May 10.
Here's what stood out for Southern Miss.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander watches the action against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Miss., on March 3, 2026.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander makes a pitching change during the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Miss., on March 3, 2026.
Q&A
How did Southern Miss baseball perform against James Madison?
Southern Miss baseball swept James Madison, winning all three games of the series.
What were the scores of the Southern Miss vs. James Madison baseball series?
The scores were 8-5, 11-1, and 10-5 in favor of Southern Miss.
What is Southern Miss baseball's current record after the sweep?
After the sweep, Southern Miss baseball's record improved to 37-14 overall and 19-8 in the Sun Belt Conference.
How does the sweep affect Southern Miss's NCAA tournament hosting chances?
The sweep significantly boosts Southern Miss's odds to host an NCAA Tournament regional.
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Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander watches the action during the game against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander watches the action during the game against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.
June 1, 2025; Hattiesburg , Mississippi, USA. Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander argues a call against the Miami Hurricanes during a 2025 NCAA Hattiesburg Regional game at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on June 1, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush
June 1, 2025; Hattiesburg , Mississippi, USA. Southern Miss Golden Eagles players and head coach Christian Ostrander gather on the mound during a pitcher change against the Miami Hurricanes during a 2025 NCAA Hattiesburg Regional game at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on June 1, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush
June 1, 2025; Hattiesburg , Mississippi, USA. Southern Miss Golden Eagles outfielder Ben Higdon (7) speaks with Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander before batting against the Columbia Lions during a 2025 NCAA Hattiesburg Regional game at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on June 1, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush
June 1, 2025; Hattiesburg , Mississippi, USA. Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander talks with umpires after a home run against the Columbia Lions during a 2025 NCAA Hattiesburg Regional game at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on June 1, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush
Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander watches the action against the Columbia Lions during a 2025 NCAA Hattiesburg Regional game at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on May 30, 2025.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander looks at the scoreboard during a 2025 NCAA Hattiesburg Regional game against the Columbia Lions at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on May 30, 2025.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander meets with his players on the mound during a 2025 NCAA Hattiesburg Regional game against the Columbia Lions at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on May 30, 2025.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles' Head Coach Christian Ostrander walks off the mound during the game against the Ole Mississippi Rebels at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
Southern Miss head coach Christian Ostrander during the NCAA Baseball Tournament game against Tennessee in the Knoxville Regional on Sunday, June 2, 2024 in Knoxville, Tenn.
Southern Miss head coach Christian Ostrander pulls out JB Middleton (18) during the NCAA Baseball Tournament Knoxville Regional against Tennessee on Sunday, June 2, 2024 in Knoxville, Tenn.
Southern Miss head coach Christian Ostrander after the loss to Tennessee in the NCAA Baseball Tournament Knoxville Regional on Sunday, June 2, 2024 in Knoxville, Tenn.
Southern Miss head coach Christian Ostrander during the NCAA Baseball Tournament Knoxville Regional game against Indiana at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Friday, May 31, 2024 in Knoxville, Tenn.
Southern Miss baseball coach Christian Ostrander after an 8-4 win against Marshall at Pete Taylor Park on March 15, 2024.
Southern Miss baseball coach Christian Ostrander after a 5-4 win over Missouri State on Feb. 25, 2024.
Christian Ostrander speaks during the announcement of his new position as Southern Miss' head baseball coach in Hattiesburg, Miss., Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
Christian Ostrander speaks during the announcement of his new position as Southern Miss' head baseball coach in Hattiesburg, Miss., Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
Christian Ostrander speaks during the announcement of his new position as Southern Miss' head baseball coach in Hattiesburg, Miss., Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
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Christian Ostrander, Southern Miss baseball coach in third season with Golden Eagles
Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander watches the action against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Miss., on March 3, 2026.
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Christian Ostrander, Southern Miss baseball coach in third season with Golden Eagles
Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander watches the action against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Miss., on March 3, 2026.
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Christian Ostrander, Southern Miss baseball coach in third season with Golden Eagles
Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander makes a pitching change during the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Miss., on March 3, 2026.
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Why 'one pitch' likely determined Southern Miss baseball's season opening loss
Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander watches the action during the game against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.
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USM baseball vs UC Santa Barbara, see our best photos
Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander watches the action during the game against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.
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Christian Ostrander, Southern Miss baseball coach in third season with Golden Eagles
June 1, 2025; Hattiesburg , Mississippi, USA. Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander argues a call against the Miami Hurricanes during a 2025 NCAA Hattiesburg Regional game at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on June 1, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush
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Christian Ostrander, Southern Miss baseball coach in third season with Golden Eagles
June 1, 2025; Hattiesburg , Mississippi, USA. Southern Miss Golden Eagles players and head coach Christian Ostrander gather on the mound during a pitcher change against the Miami Hurricanes during a 2025 NCAA Hattiesburg Regional game at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on June 1, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush
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Christian Ostrander, Southern Miss baseball coach in third season with Golden Eagles
June 1, 2025; Hattiesburg , Mississippi, USA. Southern Miss Golden Eagles outfielder Ben Higdon (7) speaks with Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander before batting against the Columbia Lions during a 2025 NCAA Hattiesburg Regional game at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on June 1, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush
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Christian Ostrander, Southern Miss baseball coach in third season with Golden Eagles
June 1, 2025; Hattiesburg , Mississippi, USA. Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander talks with umpires after a home run against the Columbia Lions during a 2025 NCAA Hattiesburg Regional game at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on June 1, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush
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Christian Ostrander, Southern Miss baseball coach in third season with Golden Eagles
Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander watches the action against the Columbia Lions during a 2025 NCAA Hattiesburg Regional game at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on May 30, 2025.
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Christian Ostrander, Southern Miss baseball coach in third season with Golden Eagles
Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander looks at the scoreboard during a 2025 NCAA Hattiesburg Regional game against the Columbia Lions at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on May 30, 2025.
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Christian Ostrander, Southern Miss baseball coach in third season with Golden Eagles
Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Christian Ostrander meets with his players on the mound during a 2025 NCAA Hattiesburg Regional game against the Columbia Lions at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on May 30, 2025.
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Christian Ostrander, Southern Miss baseball coach in third season with Golden Eagles
Southern Miss Golden Eagles' Head Coach Christian Ostrander walks off the mound during the game against the Ole Mississippi Rebels at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
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Christian Ostrander, Southern Miss baseball coach in third season with Golden Eagles
Southern Miss head coach Christian Ostrander during the NCAA Baseball Tournament game against Tennessee in the Knoxville Regional on Sunday, June 2, 2024 in Knoxville, Tenn.
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Christian Ostrander, Southern Miss baseball coach in third season with Golden Eagles
Southern Miss head coach Christian Ostrander pulls out JB Middleton (18) during the NCAA Baseball Tournament Knoxville Regional against Tennessee on Sunday, June 2, 2024 in Knoxville, Tenn.
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Christian Ostrander, Southern Miss baseball coach in third season with Golden Eagles
Southern Miss head coach Christian Ostrander after the loss to Tennessee in the NCAA Baseball Tournament Knoxville Regional on Sunday, June 2, 2024 in Knoxville, Tenn.
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Christian Ostrander, Southern Miss baseball coach in third season with Golden Eagles
Southern Miss head coach Christian Ostrander during the NCAA Baseball Tournament Knoxville Regional game against Indiana at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Friday, May 31, 2024 in Knoxville, Tenn.
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Christian Ostrander, Southern Miss baseball coach in third season with Golden Eagles
Southern Miss baseball coach Christian Ostrander after an 8-4 win against Marshall at Pete Taylor Park on March 15, 2024.
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Christian Ostrander, Southern Miss baseball coach in third season with Golden Eagles
Southern Miss baseball coach Christian Ostrander after a 5-4 win over Missouri State on Feb. 25, 2024.
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Christian Ostrander, Southern Miss baseball coach in third season with Golden Eagles
Christian Ostrander speaks during the announcement of his new position as Southern Miss' head baseball coach in Hattiesburg, Miss., Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
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Christian Ostrander, Southern Miss baseball coach in third season with Golden Eagles
Christian Ostrander speaks during the announcement of his new position as Southern Miss' head baseball coach in Hattiesburg, Miss., Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
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Christian Ostrander, Southern Miss baseball coach in third season with Golden Eagles
Christian Ostrander speaks during the announcement of his new position as Southern Miss' head baseball coach in Hattiesburg, Miss., Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
Golden Eagles' offense needs to stay consistent
After its sweep of ULM on May 2, Southern Miss only put up 12 runs through three games. In the series against James Madison, the Golden Eagles scored 29 runs off 35 hits and three home runs.
Outfielder Ben Higdon had five hits and seven RBIs in the series. Higdon has recorded 13 multi-hit games, which at times have powered the lineup. Center fielder Joey Urban had six hits and six RBIs following the ULM series, where he had just had one hit.
Southern Miss sits at eighth in the conference in batting average (.278) and 11th in RBIs (290). Those are numbers the Golden Eagles must boost.
Southern Miss has won its past six games and will host the final three-game series against Georgia Southern, which sits in last place in the conference.
Multiple projections have the Golden Eagles between a No. 13-16 seed, which would allow them to host a regional. Southern Miss is at No. 9 in RPI, up two spots.
If Southern Miss ends the regular season winning 12 of its last 14 games, it should impress the committee as a regional host. The Sun Belt Tournament follows and the Eagles are likely a No. 1 or No. 2 seed.
Where Southern Miss stands in latest NCAA Tournament projections
According to USA TODAY, the Golden Eagles would host as the No. 13 national seed. The other teams in the regional would be No. 2 seed Arkansas, No. 3 Kent State and No. 4 San Diego State.
D1Baseball's projections have Southern Miss hosting as the No. 16 seed. Also in the regional would be No. 2 seed Oklahoma, No. 3 Pitt and No. 4 Southeast Missouri State.
Southern Miss' NCAA Tournament resume
The Golden Eagles' RPI, which is used to judge the strength of schedule, is at No. 9 and No. 1 in nonconference as of May 10.
Southern Miss has eight Quad 1 wins and is 13-2 in Quad 2 games. They are ranked No. 9 in strength of schedule.