Jackson Free Press

The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum is honoring Mississippi's best college baseball player Monday, May 15 with a luncheon. Three finalists will be at the luncheon, but only one will walk away with the C Spire Wireless sponsored Ferriss Trophy, named after legendary player and coach Boo Ferriss. The long-time Delta State coach played college baseball at Mississippi State before playing professionally with the Boston Red Sox.

This year's finalists are Delta State pitcher Colton Mitchell, Mississippi State pitcher Chris Stratton and Ole Miss second baseman Alex Yarbrough. All three have put together fantastic seasons.

Mitchell, a 6-foot junior and a left-hander, threw the first perfect game in DSU history against New Orleans April 14 this year. The Lake native has won all eight of his starts for the Statesmen and opponents are batting just .216 against him.

Stratton, a 6-foot 3-inch junior and a right-hander, leads the SEC with a 9-0 record and a 2.19 earned-run average and is second in the league with 101 strikeouts. The Tupelo native received the Golden Spikes Award from USA Baseball, which goes to the best amateur baseball player in the country.

Yarbrough, from Allen, Texas, is hitting .407, the second best average in the SEC, with a team high of 38 runs. The 5-foot 11-inch second baseman has an outstanding .453 on-base percentage and has committed just one error all season long.

Tickets for the 11:30 a.m. luncheon are $35. Sponsorship tables are available for purchase. For information, call the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame at 601-982-8264.

C Spire Wireless also sponsors college football's Conerly Trophy and college basketball's Howell and Gillom Trophies.