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Southwest Mississippi Community College

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Chuck Barnes

Bears dust off the bats Thursday night

| By: by Cody Junkin
Southwest Mississippi will begin the 2026 Baseball season on Thursday. Entering his 5th season, Head Coach Jack Edmonson looks to make the playoffs in back to back years and for the third time in his five years as Head Coach after 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," said Coach Jack Edmonson, "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. Rhyson Carroway (Shreveport, LA) posted a 4-4 record with a 3.54 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 56 innings in the 2025 season. Nik Carney (Columbia, MS) had a 1-3 record on the mound in 2025 with 31 strikeouts in 31.2 innings pitched. Matt

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 Coach Edmonson said the team will look to for support and 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."

Tanner Moore (Pearl, MS) batted .212 with 7 RBIs, 14 runs, and 15 stolen bases in the 2025 season. Cam Bolden (New Orleans, LA) batted .237 with 21 RBIs, 35 runs, and 32 stolen bases in 57 games played in 2025. Justin Domiano (Hammond, LA) batted .248 with 3 HR, 29 RBIs, 16 runs, and 14 stolen bases in 2025. Robbie 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," said Coach Edmonson.

Southwest will lean on a coaching staff of Derrick Mount, Brady Spring, and Bryce Melton.

Derrick 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.

Brady 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.

Bryce 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," said Coach Edmonson, "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 playoffs to chase a conference championship.

The Bears first home game will be on Friday, February 6th at 2:00 P.M.

The full schedule can be found at https://southwestbearathletics.com/sports/baseball/schedule. All home games will be streamed and can be watched at https://go.smccbears.tv/ .
 
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