MCC's Tyler Koelling inks with USM

from school reports

HATTIESBURG — Southern Miss head coach Corky Palmer Monday announced the addition of junior college All-American outfielder Tyler Koelling to the 2009 Southern Miss baseball signing class.

Koellling is an outfielder who will transfer to the Golden Eagles as a rising sophomore from Meridian Community College —giving him three years of eligibility remaining in his collegiate career.

“Tyler is another good athlete in this 2009 signing class,” Palmer said. “He has a chance to really contribute in his first year for us next season. He has a lot of tools including the ability to hit for average and power, a good arm and good speed.”

As a freshman at MCC last season, Koelling earned All-American honors, All-State honors and All-Region honors for the Eagles and head coach Chris Rose.

On the season he hit .438 with 12 home runs, 13 doubles and 45 RBIs in 46 games played.

As a prep he played at Archbishop Rummel High School in Luling, La.

Koelling becomes the fifth junior college All-American the Golden Eagles have signed for the 2009 season. He joins Joey Archer (Alabama Southern), Travis Graves (Eastfield), Kyle Lindsey (Pearl River) and Taylor Walker (Northwest Mississippi) as the juco All-Americans set to play for Southern Miss next season.