Lily Matthews Brings Versatility and Heart to Southern Miss Softball
Lily Matthews is a Golden Eagle
For Lily Matthews, the game of softball has always been about growth, opportunity, and chasing something bigger than herself. Now, she’s officially set to take her talents from Menifee, California, to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, as part of Southern Miss’ 2027 class.
The utility standout, who plays both middle infield and outfield, has built her game competing for Liberty High School as well as her club team, Athletics Mercado Sabo, one of the premier programs in California. Those experiences have prepared her for the next level, but ultimately, it was the feeling she got at Southern Miss that made the decision easy.
“I felt like the school had a very welcoming feeling and was just overall a really nice school and program, and I could see myself going there,” Matthews said. “All the students and athletes there were super nice and seemed like they could be very helpful.”
That sense of belonging played a big role in separating Southern Miss from the other schools on her radar. While talent and facilities matter, Matthews emphasized that it was the community, both on campus and within the program, that made the Golden Eagles stand out.
A major factor in her decision was also the relationship she built with the coaching staff. Head coach Natalie Poole and her assistants made sure Matthews felt supported, both during the recruiting process and during her visits to campus.
“They played a role in making sure I knew all the information I needed and making sure I felt at home when visiting the school,” she said. “They just were super nice and connected with me on deeper levels than other coaches did.”
Softball has provided Lily Matthews with countless role models over the years, but her biggest inspirations haven’t always come from the pros or college stars. Instead, she points to those closest to her, and that’s her teammates.
“Some of my biggest role models have been mainly just my teammates,” she explained. “When there’s similarity in skill, you can strive to be better and achieve more when you have a realistic goal. But also, I really wanted to be the first one in my family to go to a university, so that was a really big inspiration for me.”
Matthews’ versatility is another major piece of her game. With experience all over the diamond at both Liberty High and with Athletics Mercado Sabo, she believes that adaptability will only help her carve out a role once she gets to college.
“I think being a versatile player will help me at the college level because it can bring me more opportunity to play in different spots and be more of an asset to the team,” Matthews said.
While some players might hesitate about leaving California, Lily Matthews felt drawn to the South and its culture.
“I’ve always wanted to go to college in the South because I really like it out there,” she said. “When I went to Mississippi, it was very cool to see the culture of college sports out there, and it just really made my decision easy.”
For Golden Eagle fans eager to see her in black and gold, Matthews had a simple but heartfelt message to put out there.
“I can’t wait to be a part of the Golden Eagle family and I’m excited to give my all to this program,” she said. “I’m looking forward to building great memories and making everyone proud on and off the field!”
From Menifee to Mississippi, from Athletics Mercado Sabo to Southern Miss, Lily Matthews is ready to bring her game, her grit, and her Golden Eagle spirit to the diamond.
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