rocket man

Not trying to jinx him or anything like that, but Southern Miss’ B.A. Vollmuth appears ready to launch into stardom. The lanky shortstop from Biloxi burst onto the scene last spring when, as a true freshman, he stepped in for the injured Brian Dozier and helped the Golden Eagles reach the College World Series. He’s 6 feet 4, 220 pounds with power in his bat and his arm. (Does Cal Ripken come to mind?) Vollmuth was the Atlanta Regional MVP last year, then a Cape Cod League All-Star (and rated the top shortstop in the summer league by one service) and now a third-team preseason All-America pick by Baseball America. He hit eight home runs (six in postseason) in just 97 at-bats. His .237 average a year ago was surely an anomaly; he’s off to 5-for-11 start this season. USM fans have got to be pumped about what Vollmuth will do over a full season.