Jags pound Hornets in SWAC Tournament opener

 
SHREVEPORT — A complete game effort from pitcher T.J. Pryer, and an opportunistic Southern offense, were good enough for the Jags to post a 10-3 victory over Alabama State in Wednesday’s Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament opener.
The SWAC Western Division champions (23-27) move on to winners’ bracket play today, taking on Jackson State at 6 p.m. at Fairgrounds Park. JSU defeated Prairie View 6-3 in their opening game. Meanwhile, ASU (23-28) takes on PV at noon in an elimination game.
Three ASU errors helped Southern erase an early 1-0 hole in the bottom of the first inning, taking a 3-1 lead into the second inning. SU picked up a run in the third to take a 4-2 lead into the fourth inning, and plated another run in the fourth to increase the lead to 5-2.
Southern put the game out of reach in the bottom of the fifth inning with a two-out rally. Cameron McGriff singled to right, driving Bryan Rowry home. Dio Gonzalez reached on an infield single and ASU pitcher Drew Quinney hit Ozzie Lamis to load the bases.
The Hornets brought in Ron Frost in relief, only to be greeted by Taylor Roy’s 2-run base knock to left. The three runs in the fifth gave the Jaguars an 8-2 lead.
Roy went 2-for-4 with two RBI and Wilmy Marrero went 2-for-5 with an RBI while scoring two runs.
Pryer struck out six batters, scattering eight hits and giving up three runs (one earned).