Rece Atkinson is taking his talents to Hattiesburg.
The Kosciusko High School senior standout made it official Wednesday, signing a National Letter of Intent to continue his baseball career at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Atkinson joins a Golden Eagles program with a rich winning tradition, but before he heads to Pete Taylor Park, the right-hander has unfinished business on the bump for the Whippets.
While injuries limited Atkinson’s innings on the mound during his junior campaign in 2026, he still produced elite results when called upon. In 10 total innings pitched across four appearances, Atkinson allowed just two earned runs (1.40 ERA) while striking out 18 batters and holding opposing hitters to a microscopic .050 batting average.
Though his pitching line was shortened, Atkinson made his presence felt at the plate and on the field, serving as a key anchor in Kosciusko’s deep postseason run that carried the team all the way to the 4A North State Championship Series. Over 59 plate appearances last season, he posted a .350 batting average with a .552 on-base percentage, driving in eight runs and scoring 18 times.
Now healthy, Atkinson is expected to serve as the front-of-the-rotation ace for Kosciusko this coming spring.
Whippet fans won’t have to wait long to see Atkinson and the 2027 squad in action. Kosciusko kicks off the season on Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Neshoba Central Jamboree, followed by the regular-season opener on the road at Neshoba Central on Friday, Feb. 12 with the home opener coming Tuesday, Feb. 23 against Germantown.
Atkinson was joined at the signing by his coaches, teammates, and family.
