Eagles' Valrie I USM defensive back from Alabama intercepts two passes, one for a 75-yard touchdown. By Robert Wilson Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer BIRMINGHAM - Kerry Valrie hit a grand slam to help Southern Mississippi to its first NCAA baseball tournament victory last spring. Valrie produced an even bigger shot Saturday in USM's 27-24 upset over No. 13-ranked Alabama at Legion Field. The senior free safety intercepted two passes, one for a touchdown, and made six unassisted tackles to guide the Golden Eagles' defense. "It's my senior year and I want to go out with a bang," Valrie said. "This is going to be a good year for us if 1 have anything to do with it." Valrie has and it is. He has intercepted three passes SO far this year and helped USM to a 2-0 record, the Golden Eagles' best start since 1981. Saturday's heroics was nothing new for USM coach is a smash hit against Tide "I think we have one of the best defensive backs in the country in a baseball player named Kerry Valrie," Hallman said. "Kerry isn't just a free-lancer who roams back in the secondary. He's a contact hitter. Kerry Valrie can do it all." Valrie, who grew up in Loxley, Ala., played an important part in USM's victory over the Crimson Tide. Alabama led 10-3 and Gary Hollingsworth was driving the Crimson Tide deep into USM territory. A 17-3 lead may have been too much for the Golden Eagles to overcome. But Valrie came up with the big play to swing the momentum away from Alabama. "We needed some big plays today," Valrie said. "I happened to come up with some." When Alabama's Siran Stacy couldn't handle a Hollingsworth pass, Valrie was 5 yards away to catch it. Let Valrie explain the rest. "I saw the ball tipped and there I was," Valrie said. "I began to go right, but there wasn't much there. I went back toward our bench and I saw a clear path to the end zone." It was a 75-yard score. Jim Taylor added the extra point for a 10-10 tie with 6 minutes, 36 seconds left in the second quarter. Valrie's second theft the 10th of his career set up another USM touchdown. Hollingsworth was looking for Lemonde Russell across the middle, but Valrie stepped in front and returned it 22 yards to the Alabama 10 with 8:26 to go in the third quarter. Five plays later, USM tailback Tony Smith scored on a 3-yard run. Alabama outgained USM 442-195, but the Crimson Tide had four turnovers. "We made the big plays," Valrie said. "That's what hurt us last year against Alabama. We gave up a few long gainers, but those turnovers made up for it." Valrie knows about big plays. He connected for his game-winning home run against Southwestern Louisiana in the NCAA South II Regional in Baton Rouge last spring. It gave the Golden Eagles their first NCAA tournament win. "That home run was a big thrill," Valrie said. "This is, too. But since this is my senior year, it feels bigger." Valrie played minor league baseball with the Chicago White Sox this summer, but was ready for football once August arrived. "I want this year to be special," he said.