Chris Lee and Alfred Ezman preview the Hattiesburg Regional in the 2025 NCAA Baseball Tournament, which features Southern Miss, Alabama, Miami (Florida) and Columbia.

Southern Miss has one of the best pitchers in the country (and a potential Major League starter) in ace JB Middleton, as well as a bevy of other talented arms in closer Colby Allen and Matt Adams. The Golden Eagles bashed 97 home runs, 19 coming from Sun Belt Player of the Year Nick Monistere as well as 17 from first baseman Matthew Russo and 15 from right fielder Carson Paetow. It’s a complete team that’ll be a tough out in its own regional.

But Alabama has big-time talent, too, in potential 2025 first-round righty Riley Quick, another talented starter in lefty Zane Adams and a good back-end-of-the-bullpen in closer Carson Ozmer and Braylon Myers. The Crimson Tide also feature shortstop Justin Lebron (the potential first pick in the 2026 draft) and All-SEC left fielder Kade Snell, plus, a Miami transfer in third baseman Jason Torres. The Crimson Tide had host-worthy metrics and now get the opportunity to prove they were snubbed as a host.

Miami got 16 home runs from third baseman Daniel Cuvet throughout a balanced lineup. The Hurricanes' fate could rest on the shoulders of starters Griffin Hugus and AJ Ciscar, who could pitch the opening two games.

Columbia put up big offensive numbers, slugging .508 as a team with Sam Miller (16 home runs) and Anton Lazits (12) leading the way. But the Lions struggled on the mound and will need great efforts from starting pitchers Joe Sheets and Thomas Santana to get out of the regional.

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