Baseball wins 2 of 3 in Andre Dawson Classic

Jaguar baseball looked to start the season strong as they sought to defend their SWAC conference championship on the road for the Andre Dawson Classic. Named after the Hall of Fame HBCU alum, this road trip for Southern would see the Jaguars travel to New Orleans for a weekend triple-header against Alabama State, Jackson State, and Dawson’s own FAMU Rattlers on Sunday in Wesley-Barrow Stadium.
The weekend’s first game against Alabama State University saw the Jaguars get involved in competitive play right off the bat after a scoreless first inning. The Jags and the Rattlers would rally to keep the score close throughout the game. Southern’s play of the day came from Gustavo “Nava” Sanchez in the 10th inning after the Jags had squandered a 6-3 lead following the end of the third.
Sanchez hit a walk-off home run to secure the Jag’s first victory of the year as the Jaguars won 7-6. According to Coach Crenshaw in regards to his take on the game-winning play following the win, “What an exciting start to our season.” Joe Battaglia went out and gave us a good start, and our hitters found a way for us to come out on top. Gustavo Nava did a good job behind the plate and put a good swing on a pitch for us to come out on top in the season opener.”
In the second game of the weekend series, the Jags had to take on their hated rival Jackson State Tigers in another closely contested match. Junior O’Neil Burgos and redshirt senior Taj Porter carried the Jags late in this match as the Tigers attempted to steal a victory. However, the late rally by the Tigers was of no use as Southern’s Jovante Dorris hit the walk-off homer to end the contest 5-7, with the Jags locking up their second straight conference victory.
Coach Crenshaw noted that while he wasn’t entirely pleased by his team’s execution at points in the game, he was glad to get the victory, stating, “ It was a back and forth battle, but that’s what you should expect from a SU and JSU game. We have to turn the page now and get ready for tomorrow,”
The sloppy play would catch up to the Jags in their final matchup of the day against the FAMU Rattlers, as the Jags relinquished their most significant lead of the game en route to their defeat. Despite leading 5-0 at the bottom of the third inning, the Jags couldn’t fend off the Rattlers in the final inning.
Getting a taste of their own medicine, the Jags would drop their third game of the season, 7-8, as they fell to 2-1 on the young season. The Jags will look to return to their winning ways as they return home to take on the University of Missouri Wednesday on Lee-Hines field.