From the Press Box

Attention all Southern University baseball fans: Support your team by attending the rematch between cross-town rivals Southern and Louisiana State University at Lee-Hines Field tonight.
In February when the two teams met at Alex Box Stadium on the campus of Louisiana State University, 1,606 fans were in attendance. Most of those fans were cheering for the Tigers.
This time Jaguar fans, it’s your turn.
Now more than ever the Jaguars (17-13, 6-2 SWAC) need your support as they are in first place in the SWAC Western Division, ahead of Prairie View A&M and Grambling State and trying to build momentum headed into a key stretch of conference play.
Southern took two-out-of three games from PV this weekend, with 6-3 and 4-2 victories over the Panthers in Saturday’s doubleheader at Lee-Hines Field, but stumbled Sunday in a 6-2 loss as senior pitcher Wrandal Taylor stole the show striking out six in a complete game effort.
That was the same scenario as junior college transfer Ryan Verdugo stole the spotlight in his first game as a Tiger, propelling LSU to a 6-1 victory over Southern on February 26.
In that win, Verdugo came with the heat on a rather chilly night as temperatures dropped to 42 degrees and winds breezed through the stadiums north side, striking out nine while only allowing one run.
Similar to Sunday’s loss when the Jaguars got eight hits but only managed to get a leadoff hitter on base once, the offense was stuck in neutral against LSU. In fact, Southern could only muster three hits as outfielder Victor Franklin came through with two and shortstop Jesse Olivar one.
A lot has changed since then.
To be precise, Southern made due without catcher Michael Thomas (knee), outfielder Brad McDavid (suspension), shortstop Jesse Olivar (ankle) and outfielder Juan Mujica (ankle) against Alcorn and first baseman Calvin Anderson, infielder Romey Bracey and pitcher Chris Donaby (left in fourth inning) against PV.
Southern has also gotten by making patchwork of its starting rotation as Chase Richard and Jarrod Malloy took the mound in Saturday’s doubleheader, leaving Cador unsure of who the starter would be Sunday.