Baseball Brothers: Dustin Dickerson & Lawson Odom

SOSO, Miss. (WDAM) - The game of baseball has a funny way of bringing people together.

For Southern Miss shortstop Dustin Dickerson, America’s pastime chose his next-door neighbor to become his little brother.

Four years apart, Dickerson and Lawson Odom were inseparable as kids. Dickerson took his role as big brother to heart, teaching Odom everything he knew about the game.

As the two grew older, their bond didn’t go away. When he entered high school, Dickerson played shortstop for West Jones.

In his senior season in 2019, Dickerson was able to convince West Jones head baseball coach Trey Sutton to move Odom up to the varsity squad.

Odom was only an eighth grader at the time.

Later that season, the friends became Class 5A State Champions.

Learning from Dickerson was a fundamental piece to Odom’s future.

As Dickerson moved on to USM, Odom stood out on his own at West Jones.

The 5A All-Star slashed .330 with 33 hits, 20 RBIs and four home runs in his senior season.

Odom has signed on to further his baseball career at Southern Miss.

Although Dickerson still has eligibility left at USM, there’s no certainty that he stays along with the program with pro scouts on his horizon.

No matter the outcome, Odom knows that his “Big Brother” will always be around.

“I can call him anytime.” Said Odom. “He’ll be there to tell me what I need to hear or just give me some advice.”

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