HATTIESBURG — Sunday afternoon was a day of anticipation for Trinity Episcopal alumnus Jake Winston.

The Southern Mississippi pitcher was told by his coaches during the Golden Eagles’ game against Missouri that he would start on the road against Alabama tonight. Since then, Winston said he’s dealt with many different emotions leading up to tonight’s start.

“I’m pumped,” Winston said. “I can’t sit down or concentrate on anything but (tonight), but I’m also nervous. A couple of players came up to me and asked me if I was nervous, and I said, ‘Yeah,’ but they said that was a good thing, and that something would be wrong with me if I wasn’t nervous.”

Winston said last week that he wasn’t sure what the feeling would be like when he steps onto a college mound for the first time. Right now, Winston said he’s looking forward to facing live batters that aren’t his teammates.

“I really don’t know anything about (Alabama),” Winston said. “I threw against my team the entire fall, and I’m really excited to see some new people. It’s going to be a challenge. I’m lost for words right now.”

Both Alabama and Southern Miss enter tonight’s contest 3-0, each having swept their opening weekend series. The Crimson Tide is expected to start left-hander Taylor Guilbeau.