In 2007 Mississippi State first baseman Trey Sutton lead the Golden Eagles to a 39-23 record and paced the team in almost every offensive category including batting average (.368), runs (69), hits (88), doubles (18), triples (3) and on base percentage (.459). The hometown Hattiesburg, Mississippi native earned NCBWA All-American honors as well as his third consecutive All-Conference-USA Selections for his effort. The season ended on a sour note however as he suffered a season ending injury in a win over UAB in the first round of the C-USA tournament. Sutton had extended his hitting streak to 21 games earlier in the game before dislocating his knee and being forced to miss the remainder of the tournament, USM's regional games as well as summer and fall ball.

The Golden Eagles are once again one of the more dangerous teams in the nation and currently have in impressive 28-13 record despite playing a schedule heavy with stiff competition that has included games against Louisiana-Lafayette, Cal State Fullerton, Mississippi, East Carolina, Rice, Tulane and LSU. However a regional invitation next month is far from a sure thing as USM sits in the middle of the C-USA standings and Sutton and company will have to step it up if they want to continue playing deep into the postseason. The highly accoladed competitor recently took some time to answer some questions from Ping!:

PING!: A knee injury forced you to miss the end of the Conference USA Tournament as well as the NCAA Regionals. What hurt more, the injury itself or having to sit out the postseason?

Sutton: I would have to say that both hurt a great deal, but not being able to play in the regional last year hurt more. A dislocated knee doesn't feel too great but having to sit there and watch your team play when you know you could be out there helping them was really tough to do.

PING!: Are you suffering any lingering effects of the injury this season? I saw that you sat out fall workouts in hopes of giving it some extra rest.

Sutton: Early in the season I was still battling a little soreness and stiffness, especially playing on cold nights. But with the weather warming up a little bit and my quad continuing to regain strength, I feel pretty good. I even started playing without my knee brace here lately.

PING!: You were active in a number of sports and organizations in high school including soccer, student council, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Beta Club. What interests do you have outside of baseball now that you're in college?

Sutton: Well here at college baseball takes up most of my time, but I do participate in Reformed University Fellowship. I also love watching other sports like football and the whole experience of tailgating. I also love watching our basketball team play. I think I missed one home game this year which just happened to be the Memphis game. College basketball is so much fun to watch.

PING!: Two teammates, David Clark and Tyler Conn were selected in last year's amateur draft, but decided to come back to campus. Can you describe the benefit that the having the two back in Black and Gold has been?

Sutton: Well those two guys were huge cogs in our success last year as well as our early success this year. They are two veteran guys who know what it takes to be successful in Division I baseball. T Conn especially has done an outstanding job. There is no one else I would rather have on the mound with the ball in a tight spot.

PING!: You've played with and against a number of remarkable players during your three plus years at Southern Miss. Which opponents or teammates do you think you'll see playing again someday in the big leagues?

Sutton: Marc Maddox was an unbelievable player. I learned a lot from him just picking his brain and learning the game at this level from him. Brian Dozier is the best infielder I have ever played with, and just frustrates teams with his approach at the plate. He has the best eye-hand coordination I have ever seen. One guy who left a year before I got here but that you could see playing in St. Louis very soon is Jarrett Hoffpauir. He is probably the best all around player to come through here in a very long time.

PING!: Some teams struggle to draw 100 fans a game while Southern Miss averages over 3,000. What kind of advantage does playing at "The Pete" give the Golden Eagles?

Sutton: Well it's a huge advantage, and I think our records at home in the past indicate that. We never feel out of a ballgame, especially when we are at home. The fans are into every pitch, and the enthusiasm and excitement they bring fuels our play on the field.

PING!: Would you rather sweep intrastate rivals Ole Miss and Mississippi State or conference foes Rice and Tulane?

Sutton: I would probably have to take sweeping Rice and Tulane, just because of the conference impact it would have. Its always great beating those in state guys too though, and if I could have it my way, I would just take a sweep over them all!

PING!: How has Coach Palmer (who recently earned his 400th win at USM) helped you develop as a player?

Sutton: Well Coach Palmer is an old school guy. He is definitely hard nosed, and he expects anyone who plays for him to be the same way. He tries to motivate his players, sometimes in unique ways, to get everything out of them that he can, and those who are tough mentally become better ballplayers under him. Many times he challenges you to prove him wrong about something, and he loves it when we do.

PING!: If I were to stop by Hattiesburg, where should I go for good Southern cooking?

Sutton: Good southern cooking... hmm... A rack of ribs at Leatha's BBQ, Lake Serene Grocery's Lunch Plate, Strick's BBQ's Lunch Buffet, or a hamburger from Mugshot's Bar and Grill would be some good places to start.

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