When JB Middleton went toe-to-toe against the national champs, Southern Miss coach Christian Ostrander knew he had his ace.
After a rough freshman season in which Middleton posted an 8.68 ERA and dealt with a foot injury, the then-sophomore right-hander pitched 3 1/3 innings and allowed one earned run against Tennessee in the Knoxville Regional.
It was only Middleton’s third college start, but he kept the Golden Eagles in the game against the Volunteers, who went on to win the College World Series. The performance foretold the pitcher Middleton became in 2025 en route to the Rockies picking him in the second round of the MLB draft.