The boys are back in town again

Corky Palmer's schedule for the month of October looks a lot clearer than last year's.


The former Southern Miss baseball coach who took Southern Miss to the first College World Series appearance in school history has a new role in the athletic department following his retirement – raising money and pushing the baseball program.


"People say I look a lot more laid back," Palmer explained. "I'm enjoying it and it gives me a chance to stay committed to seeing this program keep growing."


The Hattiesburg native will be reunited with his final team Saturday, when they are honored at halftime during the USM-Memphis game at M.M. Roberts Stadium.


The team will also receive rings commemorating its College World Series appearance at a 2 p.m. ceremony at the Rogers, Thames and Welch Baseball Center at Pete Taylor Park this weekend.


"It's great, but it's kind of a final closure for that team," Palmer said. "But those guys deserve all the applause they can get, because what they did was very special."


Southern Miss pitcher Jonathan Johnston is one of seniors on the World Series team who has graduated and moved away but will return Saturday.


"It's cool for us and it's cool for the university," Johnston said. "The ring will be something I will have forever to remind me of what we were able to accomplish, but I'm more excited about seeing all the guys. We haven't been together since the day we got back from Omaha."


Several of the players, including outfielder Bo Davis, shortstop Brian Dozier and second baseman James Ewing went on to play professionally at some level.


Others, such as Johnston, have moved away to pursue life after baseball.


"I'm looking forward to having that camaraderie again," Johnston said. "A couple of months ago I was a member of a College World Series team and now I'm living in an apartment in Jackson with a job and a miniature dachshund."


Others, such as returning infielder Taylor Walker have been going through fall practice under new head coach Scott Berry.


"It's going great," Walker said of fall practice. "It's been a little wet, so we've only had one full week."


Walker said the guys have stayed in touch, and several of his teammates have spent a lot of time in Hattiesburg.


"I'm living with (Brian) Dozier, I talk to Bo (Davis) regularly and I've run into James Ewing and Josh Fields, every now and then I get a call from Johnny, Wade (Weathers) is still around campus."