JACKSON — Nick Sandlin started his college career as Southern Miss’ closer. When the team needed him to pitch in middle relief and hold the line, he did that. When it needed him to become a frontline starter, he did that, too.

In fact, Sandlin did it so well that he became the best in the business.

Southern Miss’ ace developed into one of the top pitchers in college baseball this season, and on Monday took home the C Spire Ferriss Trophy as the top player in Mississippi.

Sandlin is the third Southern Miss player to win the award in its 15-year history, joining Tyler Koelling (2011) and James McMahon (2015). He beat out a loaded field of finalists that included teammate Luke Reynolds; 2016 Ferriss Trophy winner Jake Mangum of Mississippi State; Ole Miss’ Ryan Olenek, the leading hitter in the Southeastern Conference; and Delta State first baseman Zack Shannon, the two-time Gulf South Conference Player of the Year.

Mangum and Olenek were both selected to the All-SEC first team on Monday.

“It definitely means a lot. Hats off to all the other finalists,” Sandlin said. “Jake and Ryan have had great years in the SEC and what they do is extremely tough. And then Luke has been a great hitter for us all year and a great defensive player. And I haven’t had a chance to play against Shannon, but I’ve heard great things. All the finalists have had great years, and it means a lot to be chosen for this.”

Sandlin earned the award by morphing from a standout relief pitcher to one of the best starters in the country this season.

Sandlin was a two-time All-American, but hadn’t pitched more than 4 1/3 innings since his high school days in Georgia. He surpassed that in the 2018 season opener against Mississippi State, throwing seven shutout innings and setting the tone for the year.

“I think that first start helped me. Just being able to go seven or eight innings and maintain my pitches throughout the game. I don’t think I went over five innings the first couple of years. So just getting back into that rhythm of the old days when you used to start every game and go a complete game, that first start helped,” Sandlin said. “As much confidence and preparation as you have, you still never know in the game of baseball how it’s going to go. That was a relief. I prepared the best I could for it, and it’s paid off this year.”

In 13 starts, Sandlin has thrown 86 1/3 innings and two complete-game shutouts. He’s won the Conference USA Pitcher of the Week award four times, ranks second in the country with a 1.25 ERA and is No. 1 in WHIP at 0.71.

He’s also in the top 10 nationally in strikeouts (122), strikeout-to-walk ratio (8.71) and hits allowed per nine innings (4.90).

By any measure, it was a dominant season. Let alone one for a guy who led the team in saves and appearances in 2017 without starting a single game.

“The roles change. I’ve had to change some things that I’ve done this year. But I’ve definitely had a great supporting staff with me and coaches to back me up,” Sandlin said.

Sandlin wasn’t just the ace of the Golden Eagles’ staff, he was an ace they desperately needed. Last year’s top three starters all graduated or turned pro, and the No. 4 starter Colt Smith has missed all of this season with an injury.

Sandlin stepped into the void and anchored the team’s run to a second consecutive Conference USA regular-season championship. They’ll be the No. 1 seed for the league tournament that begins Wednesday in Biloxi.
Southern Miss (39-15) opens the double-elimination tournament Wednesday at 4 p.m. against eighth-seeded UAB (21-31).

It’s unclear if Sandlin, who pitched last Thursday against Marshall, will start the tournament opener or if coach Scott Berry will keep him on regular rest. Berry said a decision will likely be made Tuesday.

Either way, the Golden Eagles are entering the postseason with a three-game winning streak and could use a strong showing in Biloxi to firm up their NCAA Tournament hopes.

Sandlin seems ready to do his part, whenever he takes the mound again.

“We’re playing good ball right now and hoping to keep it rolling,” Sandlin said. “I think it’s something that we need and something that we can do. It’s been a pretty good conference all year. We need to show that we’re still at the top of our conference and ready to move forward in NCAA play.”