Grayden Harris Sets Career High with 13 Strikeouts in Southern Miss Baseball Win

HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Sophomore left-hander Grayden Harris threw seven innings and recorded 13 strikeouts to guide No. 10 Southern Miss to a 6-1 victory over North Alabama on Saturday afternoon at Pete Taylor Park.

Harris, a Central, Louisiana native, allowed just one hit and one walk during his outing. He retired the first 15 batters he faced and struck out the side twice. Harris improved to 3-0 with the win, which marked the most strikeouts by a Golden Eagle since Tanner Hall recorded 15 on April 30, 2023.

The Golden Eagles (13-2) jumped ahead early, with Joey Urban hitting a solo home run in the third inning. Kyle Morrison added his fifth home run of the season in the following inning, extending the lead to 2-0. Southern Miss scored four more runs in the eighth, fueled by a three-run double from Seth Smith and a sacrifice fly from Drey Barrett.

North Alabama (7-8) scored its only run in the seventh on a double by Cayden Sheffield and a subsequent throwing error, but the Lions’ rally was cut short when Wes Walker was thrown out at home plate. UNA starter Luke Davenport pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and taking the loss.

Josh Och pitched the final two innings for Southern Miss, allowing no runs on one hit and earning his second save of the season.

The teams are scheduled to play the final game of the series Sunday at 4 p.m., with the start time moved back three hours due to expected storms, according to the university.

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