BOONEVILLE, Miss. - Preparations for the upcoming 2025 season are about to ramp up in earnest for Northeast Mississippi Community College's spring sports programs.
The baseball, softball and tennis teams will all compete in a series of exhibition contests over the next three months against some of the best talent from across the Southeast.
Softball has the most challenging slate with road trips to the Magnolia State's big three institutions in the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Mississippi State University and the University of Southern Mississippi.
Matchups with the Bulldogs and Rebels of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) bookend the Tigers' fall plans on September 25th and November 8th, respectively. Northeast faces the Golden Eagles for a 14-inning game on October 22nd.
The visit to the Southern Miss Softball Complex should bring back great memories for Northeast freshmen Ramsey Montgomery and Jazzie Smithey, who won Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) state championships at that venue in May.
Northeast also participates in a tournament hosted by Jacksonville State (Ala.) University at Choccolocco Park, which is the location of this year's National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II World Series.
The Tigers welcome a pair of four-year schools to The Plex as well in Alabama A&M University on October 11th and Union (Tenn.) University on the opening day of November.
"The biggest thing is trying to help our kids reach their goals and dreams of potentially playing at the next level by putting them in front of the eyes of other coaches," Northeast softball headman Jody Long said.
Baseball is the first of Northeast's spring offerings to begin its preseason schedule when Jackson State (Tenn.) Community College comes to the Booneville campus for a doubleheader on September 10th.
Northeast boasts eight total home games. The Tigers also entertain local rivals Northwest Mississippi Community College on September 27th and Itawamba Community College on October 15th.
The Tigers will meet a NCAA Division I opponent for the first time ever to close its autumn agenda. Northeast crosses over the bayou to tangle with the University of New Orleans (La.) on October 19th.
"It's going to be a good chance for our guys to see where they stack up against some good D1 players," said Northeast baseball head coach Richy Harrelson. "We're really excited to get these guys out here and see what they can do."
Men's and women's tennis have three dates on the calendar for October. That includes a round robin event on the 25th at New Albany's BNA Bank Park that features Blue Mountain Christian University, Itawamba and Northwest.
"It's fun to go play against them and see how you match up," said Northeast tennis head coach Mark Gilliland. "You've got to out there and perform and get some of those nerves knocked off. It'll help the team gel and get some camaraderie going."
Baseball, softball and men's tennis all qualified for the NJCAA Region 23 playoffs in 2024. It was the inaugural postseason berth for men's tennis since the program was reinstated three years ago.