The 2025 Ferriss Trophy

Finalists Announced for the 2025 Ferriss Trophy presented by the MBCI and Pearl River Resort

Jackson, Miss. (May 7, 2025) – The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum is proud to announce the five finalists for the 2025 Ferriss Trophy, awarded annually to the most outstanding college baseball player in Mississippi. Named in honor of Hall of Famer and Mississippi baseball legend Dave “Boo” Ferriss, the trophy celebrates excellence on the diamond across the state’s four-year colleges and universities. This year’s finalists were selected by a panel of coaches and scouts and represent the top talent in Mississippi collegiate baseball:

2025 Ferriss Trophy Finalists:

• JB Middleton – RHP, University of Southern Mississippi
  A dominant force on the mound, Middleton boasts an 8-1 record, highlighted by a career-best performance against South Alabama where he pitched eight shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out 12 batters.
• Nick Monistere – 2B, University of Southern Mississippi
  A versatile player, Monistere has contributed significantly to the Golden Eagles’ offense with 16 home runs and 57 RBIs, showcasing his power and consistency at the plate.
• Ace Reese – 3B, Mississippi State University
  Reese leads the Diamond Dawgs with 63 hits, 13 doubles, one triple, 16 home runs, 57 RBIs and a slugging percentage of .692 while also ranking second on the team with a .346 batting average. The sophomore third baseman also has 20 multi-hit games, 18 multi-RBIs games, four multi-home run games and is currently riding a team-best 15-game hitting streak.
• Luke Hill – 3B, University of Mississippi
  Hill has been a consistent performer for the Rebels, batting .344 with 8 home runs and 31 RBIs. His offensive prowess and defensive reliability at third base have been instrumental in Ole Miss’s success this season.
• Drake Fontenot – RHP, Delta State University
  Fontenot has been a standout pitcher for the Statesmen,  five GSC Pitcher of the Week honors and was most recently named Gulf South Conference Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-GSC as a starting pitcher. He holds a 9-2 record with a 2.23 ERA and 84 strikeouts, demonstrating his dominance on the mound.

The winner of the 2025 Ferriss Trophy will be announced during the Trophy Presentation Luncheon on Monday, May 19, at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in Jackson. The event is presented by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and Pearl River Resort, and will feature a Q&A with Hall of Fame Baseball Player Roy Oswalt. Tickets for the luncheon are available for purchase below or at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame business office.

All proceeds from the event benefit the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Ferriss Trophy is part of the Outstanding Player Awards Series, which also includes the Howell Trophy (men’s basketball), the Gillom Trophy (women’s basketball), and the C Spire Conerly Trophy (football).