Southern Miss Sophomore Poised for Breakout Season

Infielder Ty Long expected to take on bigger role for Golden Eagles in 2026

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Southern Miss sophomore infielder Ty Long is poised for a breakout season in 2026 after showing flashes of potential in limited playing time last year. Long, who was named MHSAA Mr. Baseball for Class 4A during his senior year of high school, is expected to start at shortstop for the Golden Eagles, who begin the season ranked in the Top 20.

Why it matters

Southern Miss is looking to reload after losing a lot of talent from last year's team, and Long's emergence as a breakout star could be a key factor in the Golden Eagles' success this season.

The details

Long, a 6-0 infielder from Ripley, Mississippi, appeared in only 13 games for Southern Miss last season but impressed with his potential. He is capable of playing multiple positions, including as a right-handed pitcher, but is expected to start at shortstop this year. Former Southern Miss star Carson Paetow believes Long will have a great season, calling him "one of the leaders on the team" and saying he's "gonna do some big stuff." Long was one of the top baseball recruits in Mississippi in 2024, earning MHSAA Mr. Baseball honors for Class 4A.

  • The 2026 Southern Miss baseball season officially gets underway on Friday, February 11 at 4 p.m. against UC Santa Barbara.

The players

Ty Long

A sophomore infielder for Southern Miss who is expected to take on a bigger role this season after showing potential in limited playing time last year.

Carson Paetow

A former Southern Miss baseball star who believes Long will have a breakout season in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“I'm excited this year to see Ty Long. I think he'll have a breakout year. Regardless of what those numbers look like, he's just a good teammate. He's a great guy. ... He's actually one of the leaders on the team this year. I think he's gonna do some big stuff.”

— Carson Paetow (Southern Miss Golden Eagles On SI)

The takeaway

With the departure of key players from last year's team, Southern Miss is counting on young talents like Ty Long to step up and lead the way in 2026. Long's potential, leadership, and high school accolades suggest he could be poised for a breakout season that helps the Golden Eagles remain a top program in college baseball.