Freshman Southern Miss baseball player earns starting role ahead of conference season
Southern Miss baseball coach Scott Berry has found the answer he was looking for at second base.
Redshirt freshman Creek Robertson has elevated himself from Berry’s “No. 1 utility man” to starting second baseman just in time for conference play.
Only two position battles persisted into the season out of winter workouts and Robertson’s play over the last few weeks has put a bow on one of them.
“I think the thing that has impressed me about Creek is, No. 1, defensively I think he is a very solid second baseman for us,” Berry said of the Madison Central product. “He’s only made one error on the year. But I think his ability to get on base, and not just by the base hit, it’s by the hit-by-pitch, a walk in that nine hole to get the lineup turned over so the top of the order guys can drive him in.”
Robertson forced himself into the conversation with his glove and ability to play the infield at a high level. His first appearance of the season was as a defensive sub against Liberty while Tennessee Tech transfer Gabe Lacy made the first five starts at second.
Robertson was first put in the lineup in game two of the Illinois series on Feb. 25 and hasn’t let go of his spot on the card yet.
“He’s just shown an innate ability to get on base,” Berry said.
Since taking over at second, Robertson has eight hits and eight walks and has been hit by pitch four times. His biggest swing came against Southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday, when he picked up a sixth inning pitch and sent it over the wall for his first career home run.
It was a big moment in his still-young career, but Robertson’s focus remains steadfastly on his true strength.
“I pride myself, defensively,” Robertson said. “I just try to make a play, whether that’s defensively or offensively. I do what I can to help the team win.”
Robertson emerged among a group of infielders who were battling for the spot left vacant by Will McGillis. Lacy is the oldest, most experienced of the bunch and initially beat out Robertson, Brady Faust and Nick Monistere for the first start.
However, It was Lacy who said before the season that whoever started the year at second base wouldn’t necessarily be penciled as the starter further down the road.
“The future is bright here in Hattiesburg,” Lacy said of the youth in the middle infield in February. “Every little detail I have I try to pass it on to them. If it’s me, or Brady, or Nick or Creek, it doesn’t matter who it is. Whoever is going to come up and play, I want them to know what I’ve been through.”
That competition between experience and youth bred options for Berry and better prepared Robertson for his moment.
“Competition makes you better,” Robertson said. “We can all play that position. I’m fortunate enough to be given an opportunity and try to make the most of that opportunity... I took it and ran with it and I’m trying to do what I can to stay in the lineup.”
Consistency from both his bat and his glove will allow Robertson to maintain his role while Berry continues to search for the right lineup.
Slow starts from formidable bats have led to experienced players like Christopher Sargent, Danny Lynch and several others being reordered around the card through the first 16 games.
Berry has used 14 different lineups and expects to continue tinkering as Sun Belt play begins this weekend.
The Golden Eagles will play their first SBC series on the road this weekend at Texas State. The first game is set to see first pitch at 6 p.m. Friday and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
This story was originally published March 16, 2023 at 12:58 PM.
