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Ferris Trophy Ceremony Celebrates Top Mississippi Baseball Players

Ceremony honoring baseball players with trophies on display

News Summary

The Ferris Trophy Ceremony in Jackson honored the top collegiate baseball players in Mississippi, with JB Middleton from Southern Miss winning the prestigious award. Ron Polk, the legendary Mississippi State coach, shared anecdotes and updates on the Bulldogs’ preparation for the SEC tournament. The event also recognized other finalists, including Ace Reese from Mississippi State, who excelled in performances throughout the season. The ceremony took place at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, celebrating exceptional student-athletes in Mississippi baseball.

Jackson, Mississippi – The Ferris Trophy Ceremony, honoring the top baseball players in Mississippi, took place on May 19 in Jackson, with Ron Polk, the legendary Mississippi State baseball coach, stepping in as the speaker after the firing of former coach Chris Lemonis. The ceremony highlighted the achievements of player JB Middleton from Southern Miss, who won the prestigious Ferris Trophy, awarded to the top collegiate baseball player in the state.

Polk, who coached the Mississippi State Bulldogs for a total of 29 seasons across two tenures, used the platform to share humorous anecdotes about trophy finalist Ace Reese from Mississippi State. During his address, he provided an update on the Bulldogs as they prepared for the upcoming Southeastern Conference (SEC) tournament. Notably, Polk clarified that he is not a candidate to return as the head coach for Mississippi State, following recent coaching changes within the program.

Middleton’s remarkable performance during the 2025 season earned him the Ferris Trophy, marking him as the fifth Golden Eagle to receive this honor since Tanner Hall in 2022. Throughout the season, Middleton excelled on the mound, achieving a record of 9-1, with a 2.07 ERA and 104 strikeouts over 91.1 innings pitched. His opponent batting average was an impressive .169. Middleton topped the Sun Belt Conference in innings pitched, ranking second in both wins and ERA, which also positioned him as a semifinalist for the 2025 Golden Spikes Award.

Ace Reese, who recently transferred from Houston to Mississippi State, was also recognized at the ceremony. During the ceremony, Polk shared details about Reese’s outstanding performance against Missouri, where he batted .667, going 8-for-12 with three doubles, four home runs, and six RBIs, also contributing to his team with 11 runs scored and five walks. His performance earned him SEC Player of the Week accolades, as he concluded the season with a .402 batting average within the conference.

The Ferris Trophy ceremony featured former MLB All-Star pitcher Roy Oswalt as the guest speaker. Oswalt had a notable connection to Mississippi State, as he initially committed to play for the school before signing with the Houston Astros in 1997. His speech resonated with the audience, and he humorously touched on the reasons behind his decision, hinting at financial incentives from the Astros and referencing the benefits he had received from Mississippi State’s boosters.

Throughout the ceremony, Polk also took playful jabs at Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco, adding a light-hearted competitive spirit to the affair. Other finalists for the Ferris Trophy included Delta State pitcher Drake Fontenot, and Mississippi State’s Ace Reese, who received considerable recognition for their respective contributions to college baseball in Mississippi.

The Ferris Trophy honors student-athletes who exemplify not only skill on the field but also sportsmanship and academic diligence. The event took place at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, a venue dedicated to celebrating the state’s rich sports history. As the Mississippi State baseball program gears up for the SEC tournament, the recognition of these exceptional players serves as motivation heading into the competitive postseason.