The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame announced five finalists for the 2025 Ferriss Trophy Wednesday, the award that recognizes the state’s top collegiate baseball player.
Finalists include Delta State pitcher Drake Fontenot, Mississippi State third baseman Ace Reese, Ole Miss third baseman Luke Hill, and Southern Miss pitcher JB Middleton and second baseman Nick Monistere.
The Ferris Trophy, which began recognizing the Magnolia State’s most impactful college baseball player in 2004, was named for former Boston Red Sox pitcher and longtime Delta State coach Dave “Boo” Ferriss.
JB Middleton | RHP | Southern Miss
Middleton has skyrocketed up MLB Draft boards while enjoying one of the best seasons for a Southern Miss pitcher in the program’s history. The Yazoo City product currently holds the third-lowest earned run average in Division I baseball of 1.86. Middleton also ranks 11th nationally in total wins (8), 18th in strikeouts (88), and 6th in hits allowed per nine innings (5.35).
Nick Monistere | 2B | Southern Miss
The Brandon native is leading the No. 21 Golden Eagles in home runs (16) and RBI (57). Monistere ranks second in the Sun Belt for long balls, while topping the league in the RBI category.
Ace Reese | 3B | Mississippi State
The Houston transfer has made quite the impact in his first year donning the maroon and white. Reese leads Mississippi state in hits (63), doubles (13), home runs (16), and RBI (57), while ranking 8th in the SEC for total hits.
Luke Hill | 3B | Ole Miss
The Arizona State transfer has paced the Rebels with 62 hits. Hill is also among the team’s best with a .344 batting average, eight home runs, 31 RBI, and a team-high 39 walks.
Drake Fontenot | RHP | Delta State
Fontenot has been among the best in Division II baseball in 2025 for the Gulf South Conference regular season champions. After the Louisianan served as a dynamite two-player in 2024, he’s settled into the ace role this year with a 9-2 record, 2.23 ERA, and 84 total punch outs. The senior slinger was recently named the GSC Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-GSC.
The 2025 Ferris Trophy winner will be announced on Monday, May 19, at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.
