Month: May 2023

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Jaguar Baseball Season Has Come To An End

Jaguar baseball season has come to an end. The Jags end the season being swept by Arkansas State. Losing the final game 18-11.

End Of The Season Review

The Jaguars who will own a ten game losing streak to end the season, went 0-10 in May.
South Alabama will miss the Sun Belt Conference Tournament for the first time since 1985.
The Jags record fell to 23-31 on the year. That was the lowest win total in a season since the Jaguars went 23-34 in 2012, which was head coach Mark Calvi’s first year.
The Jags Sun Belt record fell to 11-19 on the year. That was the Jaguars worst conference record since 2014, which was Calvi’s third year at the helm.
To be fair, in each of the season’s that followed, Calvi did guide the Jags to a regional birth in 2013, and a Sun Belt Championship game appearance in 2015. With a regional championship game appearance that followed in 2016.

The Jags struggled for the majority of the season. They appeared to turn the corner in April going 12-6 and winning 5 straight series, before the downturn in May.

The Jags had a tough non conference schedule this season. Calvi had hoped it would make the Jaguars battle tested and the team would be able to respond well during conference play. The opposite appeared to have happened.

This team never really gelled. Calvi was having to piece together arms as the staff struggled to stay consistent. The bullpen couldn’t hold a lead or get outs on a consistent basis. The offense was not consistent enough with runners in scoring position and two outs or with the bases loaded.

Defensively

The Jags were not great defensively. JG Bell had 15 errors at shortstop to lead the team by a long shot. Mitchell Heer and Hunter Donaldson finished tied for second most with 6 each.

Pitching

Overall the Jags staff had an ERA of 6.46. Jeremy Lee, who was coming back from an injury, led the Jags in starts, (13). He also led in innings pitched (66), run allowed (52), earned runs (47), walks (37), strikeouts (65). Mitchell Heer, who started the year at third base, did a good job after he was put in the starting rotation. Colson Lawrence was also placed into the bullpen, after starting out in the outfield. He was a bright spot for the pen overall. The rest of the staff had an era above 5.00

Batting

As a team the Jaguars hit .276 with 53 home runs and 353 RBIs. The telling stat is South Alabama left 510 runners on base. Will Turner led the team in batting average (.349), hits (75), doubles (17), triples (4), and RBIs (52). Joseph Sullivan led in home run (13), and walks (45).

Bryan’s Takes

The Coaching Staff has a lot of work to do this offseason. The Sun Belt Conference has improved in all sports overall since they added Southern Miss, Marshall, Old Dominion, and James Madison. The Jaguars will have to go out and match their recruiting and won’t be able to fall behind, if they want to succeed going forward. South Alabama has a rich history in baseball, with 28 regional appearances, 13 Sun Belt regular season championships and 17 Sun Belt Tournament Championships. and most importantly nearly 30 Jaguars that have made it to the majors. With many more drafted. That should be a big draw for big recruits.

Hopefully, Coach Calvi can get it figured out and the Jags can make a deep postseason run next season.

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Jaguar Softball eliminates JMU from SBC Tournament

By Bryan Garner

Jaguar softball eliminates JMU from the SBC Tournament. Winning by the final score of 4-1. South Alabama will now move on to the semifinals where they will play the #2 seed Marshall Thundering Herd Friday at 4pm in Lafayette Louisiana.

How It Happened

South Alabama got the scoring going early in the bottom of the first inning. Meredith Keel doubled to left center to lead off the inning. Mackenzie Brasher reached on a fielding error by the 1st baseman. Keel would come around to score. The Jags led 1-0. With Gabby Stagner at the plate, Brasher would steal second. Stagner would end up striking out. That brought up Victoria Ortiz. Brasher would steal third base. Ortiz would strike out swinging for out number two. Sasha Willems would step to the plate and hit a rbi single to left field, scoring Brasher. Odayls Cordova popped up to end the inning. The Jags led 2-0.

In the bottom of the second the Jags continued to put the pressure on JMU. Welch walked walked to leadoff the inning. Emma Kropp was hit by a pitch. Erin McGlothlin would pinch run for Kropp at first base. Marley Sim laid down a sac bunt, advancing the runners to second and third. Keel would deliver with a sac fly rbi scoring Welch Jags led 3-0. Brasher would follow with an rbi single to shortstop. Stagner would pop out to end the inning, the Jags lead 4-0.

JMU would get on the board in the fifth, picking up 1 run and trailed 4-1.

That score would hold and become the final.

Key Stats

The Sun Belt Pitcher of the year, Olivia Lackie did her thing. She picked up the the complete game win, pitching 7 innings, giving up 1 run on 4 hits, and striking out 10.
Lackie’s record improved to 21-6 on the year.

Next Up

The Jaguars take on a very dangerous #2 seed Marshall team. Marshall is 44-9 on the year and 17-5 in the Sun Belt. Marshall had a massive 23 game winning streak earlier this season. The Jaguars have a current win streak of 14 straight and 24 out of the last 28. South has an overall record of 39- 13 and 20-4 in the Sun Belt. Fridays first pitch is set for 4 pm

Bryan’s Takes

The Jaguars picked up some seasonal awards. Head coach Becky Clark picked up the Sun Belt Coach Of The Year award, her second straight and third of her coaching career. Olivia Lackie picked up the Sun Belt Pitcher Of The Year and has a first team All-Sun Belt honor.
Meredith Keel and Victoria Ortiz have also picked up first team All Sun Belt honors. Jenna Hardy and Mackenzie Brasher were named second team All Conference.

The Jags have a tough test ahead of them. Marshall is a good team. The winner will play in the finals. The Jags have an RPI of 42. Marshall is at 60. The Jags will have to keep the timely hitting and great pitching going, if they want to advance to Saturdays championship game of this single elimination tournament.

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Jaguar Baseball Swept In Hattiesburg

By Bryan Garner

Jaguar baseball gets swept in Hattiesburg. The final today was 6-1. Southern Miss is a very good and opportunistic team, that took advantage of the Jaguar pitching this weekend. The Jags had limited success against USM this whole weekend.

How We Got There

Game One- The Jags would lead early 1-0 after 1 inning and 2-1 after 2 innings, then it was all USM after that. USM won 6-4.

Game Two- South Alabama got out to a 2-0 lead after the first inning. Then it was all USM again, just like in game one. JG Bell made a costly error, his 14th on the season, that would allow Southern Miss to have a runner on. Then Austin Thrasher would make another error the same inning to allow those runners to score. That combined with the South Alabama’s lack of pitching depth came back to bite the Jags again. USM won 6-4.

How It Happened

Game 3- Sunday USM scored early and often. In the bottom of the first Southern Miss picked up 2 runs and 2 more in the bottom of the 3rd. Taking a 4-0 lead. The Jags had their chances, but couldn’t get the timely hits with the bases loaded in the top of the 5th and the top of the 6th.

The only run that the Jags would get in this game. Would be in the top of the 5th, Joseph Sullivan would hit a solo home run to right field. The Jags were down 4-1.

Southern Miss would get 1 run in the 6th inning and 1 more in the 7th, to lead 6-1. Which would be the final score.

Key Stats

Joseph Sullivan went 1for 4 with the solo home run.

Jeremy Lee pitched ok today. Going 5 innings, giving up 4 earned runs on 9 hits, striking out 4 and walking 2. Next Up

The Jags will return home to take on Tulane. It’s a game the Jags should win.
Then, Friday through Sunday, the Jags will take on another excellent team, as Coastal Carolina comes to town. Coastal is tied with USM at first place. Coastal is #7 or #8 in the country. Depending on the poll you use. So, the Jags will have their hand full, once again.

Bryan’s Takes

The Jaguars troubles continued today. Just when you thought they were starting to turn the corner. The pitching issues that have plagued the Jaguars all year returned along with the inconsistent offense, which the Jags seemed to have fixed. Not taking anything away from Southern Miss they are a good team. They seem to be where the Jags were at a few years ago. The Jags are on the verge of playing themselves right out of the Sun Belt Tournament. Right now, the Jags are tied for 10th place with Georgia St. Only the top 10 teams will get into the tournament. The Jags will have an extremely tough road next week.

The Jags have a rich history of winning baseball over the years, from Coach Stanky through Coach Kittrell. In the past 3 years the Jags win totals have dropped. 36 in 2021, 31-in 2022, and 23 so far in 2023 with 8 games remaining. South Alabama used to be able to attract the top recruits. If they weren’t the top recruits then the coaches, would coach them up into world beaters. I understand that baseball players dont just go to the big schools anymore. There is much more equality throughout.

It just seems in my opinion that we have failed to reclaim our spot at the top of the Sun Belt. Teams aren’t afraid to play the Jags anymore. We have to get that fire and consistency back. Especially since the Sun Belt has gotten much better with expansion.

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Jaguar Softball Streaking To End The Regular Season

Jaguar softball streaking to end the regular season. South Alabama is rolling heading into the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. The Jaguars own a 13 game winning streak and will be the #3 seed in the tournament. They will take on #6 seed JMU on Thursday May 11th at 10 am. Click the link to view seeding and games for the Sun Belt Tournament in Lafayette LA.

https://sunbeltsports.org/services/download_file.ashx?file_location=https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/sunbeltsports.sidearmsports.com/documents/2023/2/7/2023_Softball_Bracket.pdf

The 2 wins today not only give the Jags the sweep of in state rival Troy, but also extend the school record of Sun Belt wins to 20 with a 20-4 record, and although not a school record, the Jaguars have an overall record of 38-13, which is good for second place in the final Sun Belt Conference standings.

How It Happened Game One

The Jags would get the scoring going in the bottom of the second. Victoria Ortiz would reach base on a throwing error to lead off the inning. Sasha Willems flied out to right field. Odalys Cordova would come to the plate and walk on four pitches. Bailey Welch grounded to second for the second out, bringing Emma Kropp to the plate. Kropp would hit a 2 rbi single to right and reached second on a fielding error by the right fielder.
Abby Allen would pinch hit for Marley Sims and Brooklyn Bockhaus would pinch run for Kropp. Allen would ground out to end the inning. In the inning the Jags would score 2 runs on 2 hits and led 2-0.

That score would hold all the way until the bottom of the 7th. The Jags would add on to the lead. Willems would strike out. Cordova walked and after Welch came to the plate, Cordova stole second. Welch would ground out to 1st base advancing Cordova to third. Sims hit an rbi bunt single to the pitcher.
After an unsuccessful challenge by Troy, Meredith Keel would come to the plate with 2 on and two out. Keel would blast a 3 run home run to center field. Brasher would then ground out to end the inning. In the inning South Alabama gets 4 runs on 2 hits. Jags led 6-0.

That would be the final score of game one. Jenna Hardy pitched a complete game 3 hit shut out. Hardy’s record improved to 16-7 on the year.

Game Two

The Jags would try to keep the winning going. In the bottom of the second South Alabama. Ortiz would lead off the inning with a solo home run to right center. Willems grounded out to third. Cordova fouled out to 2nd base. After a Welch walk, Kropp would strike out to end the inning. In the inning the Jags get 1 run on 1 hit and led 1-0.

Moving to the top of the third Troy gets 4 runs on 4 hits and took the lead at 4-1.

In the bottom of the fourth the Jaguars would answer back. Ortiz would lead off the inning with her second first pitch solo home run of the game. Willems reached on a throwing error by the pitcher. Bockhaus would enter the game as a pinch runner for Willems. Cordova singled to right. Welch would also single to load the bases with nobody out. Kropp was next up, and was hit by the first pitch she saw, picking up the rbi.
Allen would pinch hit for Sims. Allen fouled out for the first out. Keel would hit an rbi sac fly to left, and Brasher would strike out to end the inning. In the bottom of the 4th the Jaguars picked up 3 runs on 3 hits, tying the game 4-4.

Moving to the top of the seventh. Troy scored one run and led 5-4.

In the bottom of the seventh. The Jags looked to score again. Brasher grounded out to the pitcher. After a South Alabama challenge was upheld. Gabby Stagner hit a double on the first pitch she saw. Ortiz was next up. Stagner advanced on a wild pitch and Ortiz was then intentionally walked. Willems would reach on an rbi fielders choice. Cordova would then ground out to end the inning. In the inning the Jags scored 1 run on 1 hit, tying the game 5-5.

Troy would score one run in the top of the eighth, and retook the lead 6-5.

In the bottom of the eighth the Jags look for more offense. Welch would reach on a fielding error by shortstop, and advance to second. After Kropp walked, McGlothlin would come in and pinch run for Kropp. Sims would then lay down a sac bunt to third, advancing the runners to second and third. That brought up Keel, with 2 on and one out. Meredith Keel, who had a three run homer to put Troy away in game one, would hit a two run game winning double to left center. Jags win 6-5.

Key Stats

Meredith Keel only went 1 for 3 in game one, but it was a big one. A three run home run. In game two Keel went 1 for 4, that hit was also a big game winner.

Victoria Ortiz went 3 for 5 overall today. That included going 2 for 2 in game two with 2 solo home runs with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored.

Jenna Hardy would get the win in both games, improving to 17-7 overall. Hardy would come in to relieve Lackie who got a little roughed up in the second game.

Bryan’s Takes

The Jaguars are red hot and will have to stay red hot if they want to win the Sun Belt Tournament Championship. This is a SINGLE elimination tournament. The Jaguars face a tough #6 seed James Madison. That winner is likely to face #2 seed Marshall. Number one seed Louisiana is in the other bracket.
If South advanced all the way to the championship game. they would likely play Louisiana. The Cajuns swept the Jags earlier this season in a series at Lafayette. That was the last time the Jags lost a game. This is a very winnable tournament for the Jags, but they will have to continue their excellent play.

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Jaguar Baseball Loses Opener To USM Late

Jaguar baseball loses opener to USM late. The series was a big one for the Jags. If they are going to get closer to a top 5 finish in the Sun Belt Conference, they will have to win the series against the two best teams in the conference. Starting with a red hot Southern Miss. The Eagles had won 7 straight coming into tonight, and are tied for first place with Coastal Carolina.

How It Happened

The Jags came out firing in the top of the first. Erick Orbeta led off the game with a single. JG Bell hit the first pitch he saw for a double. That brought Will Turner to the plate with 2 on and no outs. Turner hit an rbi sac fly to right scoring Orbeta. Trey Lewis would ground out, advancing Bell to third. Joseph Sullivan would then strike out to end the inning. In the inning the Jags scored one run, on two hits, and led 1-0.

In the top of the second South Alabama would put more pressure on Southern Miss. After Tyler Borges and Diego Altamirano both struck out. Austin Thrasher would come to the plate, and smash a solo home run to left. Micah Morgan would then end the inning on a line out to second base. In the top of the second the Jags score one run o one hit and led 2-0 nothing.

Southern Miss would answer back with 1 run in the bottom of the second, and bottom of the 4th to tie the game at 2-2. That score would hold until the Eagles scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth and 2 more runs in the bottom of the seventh. USM led 6-2.

In the top of the ninth the Jags would try to mount a comeback. Turner walked to lead off the inning. Jackson Howard would pinch hit for Lewis, grounding into a double play. Sully would single to right with 2 outs. Borges and Altamirano would both walk to load the bases. Ryan Storey would pinch run for Sullivan at third. That would bring up Thrasher. After a Southern Miss pitching change, Thrasher hit a 2 rbi single to left center. That got the Jags within 2. Micah Morgan would strike out however to end the inning and the game Jags lose by the final of 6-4.

Key Stats

Austin Thrasher went 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs and scored a run, the solo home run included.

Erick Orbeta went 1 for 4 with a run scored.

Leif Moore pitched well, he just ran out of gas in the bottom of the sixth. Going 5 2/3, giving up 4 runs on 5 hits, striking out 4 and hitting 4 batters including 3 consecutive batters in the bottom of the fourth. Moore’s record dropped to 3-1 on the season.

Next Up

Game Two- Saturday with a Noon start time. Originally scheduled time moved up, due to forecasted rain later on in Hattiesburg.

Bryan’s Takes

My MVP for the Jags would have to be Austin Thrasher, The solo shot in the 4th and led the team with 2 hit.

The Jags stranded 5 runners on base today. Which against a great Southern Miss team is not bad. Three of those came at the end of the game. The pitching depth is still a problem with the Jags. Inconsistencies are still popping up. Not taking anything away from a great Southern Miss team at all. Moore is being stretched out. There have been a lot of injured arms, that are starting to come back. Bullpen is still shaky sometimes.

The Jaguars have won 5 straight series. They can still make it six straight. It’s going to take that same aggression and some excellent pitching. Mitchell Heer is scheduled to start for the Jaguars for game two.

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