By CLIFF FURR

SPORTS@dailyleader.com

The best college baseball player in the state of Mississippi is a Golden Eagle.

Monday, Southern Miss sophomore right-handed pitcher Tanner Hall was awarded the Ferris Trophy, given to the state’s best college baseball player each year at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in Jackson.

A product of Zachary High (La.), Hall is 7-2 this season on the mound with a 2.68 earned run average in 15 appearances, including 13 starts.

He’s struck out 120 batters in 87 1/3 innings and issued just 10 walks in 2022.

Twice this season Hall has been tabbed as the Conference USA Pitcher of the Week. He’s gone five or more innings in 12 of his starts this season.

In four combined starts against Mississippi State, Tulane, Louisiana Tech — Hall went at least seven innings in all four games and did allow an earned run in any of the games.

Hall struck out 14 against Old Dominion and 13 in games against Mississippi State and Rice.

Right-handed pitchers Nick Sandlin (2018), James McMahan (2015) and outfielder Tyler Koelling (2011) are previous Ferris award winners from Southern Miss.

The award was created in 2003 and honors legendary Delta State coach and former major league pitcher, Dave “Boo” Ferriss.

Southern Miss is hosting the Conference USA Tournament this week in Hattiesburg. Coach Scott Berry’s Eagles are 41-14 on the season and come in as the No. 1 seed in the tourney.

USM opens tournament play on Wednesday at 4 p.m. with a matchup against UAB in Hattiesburg.