Southwest Mississippi will begin its 2026 baseball season on Thursday.
Entering his fifth year at the helm, head coach Jack Edmonson looks to make the playoffs in back-to-back years and for the third time in his five years as coach after posting a 14-14 conference record in the 2025 season.
"First of all, I’m really, really excited for this season. We have a ton of depth on the mound and a really explosive lineup,” Edmonson said. “We are looking to have a really good year and to be in the playoffs in back-to-back years. And we think we have the team to do that. We just need the team to come together and accomplish that.”
Southwest looks to sophomores Matt Newman, Rhyson Carroway, and Nik Carney to lead the charge on the mound for the Bears this season.
Carroway (Shreveport, LA) posted a 4-4 record with a 3.54 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 56 innings during the 2025 season.
Carney (Columbia, MS) tallied a 1-3 record on the mound in 2025 with 31 strikeouts in 31.2 innings pitched.
Newman (Brookhaven, MS) did not participate in the 2025 season due to injury but looks to make an immediate impact for the Bears in 2025.
Wyatt Garrett, Dom Smith, and Andrew Hoff are freshman pitchers Edmonson said the team will look to for support and quality depth.
“Our hitting strength will be the top four in our lineup: Tanner Moore, Cam Bolden, Justin Domiano, and Robbie Hokamp,” Edmonson said. “JD Hidaldo and Drew Swan are two freshmen to keep an eye on.”
Moore (Pearl, MS) batted .212 with seven RBIs, 14 runs, and 15 stolen bases in the 2025 season.
Bolden (New Orleans, LA) batted .237 with 21 RBIs, 35 runs, and 32 stolen bases in 57 games played in 2025.
Domiano (Hammond, LA) batted .248 with 3 HR, 29 RBIs, 16 runs, and 14 stolen bases in 2025.
Hokamp did not play in 2025 due to injury but looks to add immediately to an already explosive lineup.
“Tristain Haynes will have a chance to be pretty offensive for us, an outfielder we think will steal a lot of bags to put a lot of pressure on people,” Edmonson said.
Southwest will lean on a coaching staff of Derrick Mount, Brady Spring, and Bryce Melton.
Mount, back for his second stint coaching with the Bears, will work with hitters and infielders while also taking on the role of recruiting coordinator.
Spring is in his second year as assistant coach utilizing his experience as a player for two different schools in the MACCC as well as two years spent playing for Freed-Hardenman University.
Melton joins in the Bears in his first season as Pitching Coach after two years as Pitching Coach with Wisconsin Luther Baseball.
Melton also has four years spent as a high school assistant coach and recently served as pitching coach for the Great Lake Mariners in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League.
“We have a really great coaching staff. A good mix that is able to relate with all the position groups, and we are able to double team those groups in a lot of ways. The pitching coach is doing a great job,” Edmonson said. “The coaching staff has been vital to our success and preparation for the season.”
With back-to-back playoff berths in mind, Edmonson looks forward to a strong pitching group and explosive lineup to get the Bears back in the postseason to chase a conference championship.
The Bears first home game will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 6th.
MACCC play will begin in early March for Southwest, and the season concludes in the last week of April.
The full schedule can be found here.
All home games will be streamed and can be watched at https://go.smccbears.tv/.
