MONTGOMERY, Alabama - Mervyl Melendez takes over as the head coach at Alabama State, bringing an impressive resume from fellow HBCU Bethune-Cookman. Melendez's Wildcats won 11 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles in 12 seasons; he replaces Larry Watkins, the dean of SWAC coaches after a 30-year tenure and .399 winning percentage.Melendez already has turned over the roster, with 22 freshmen and just six holdover players. The top returnees are speedy Sr. OF Ryan Epperson (pictured at left, .324/.378/.441, 10 SB), who got just 68 at-bats a year ago; and Sr. 3B Darrion Pedro (pictured at right, .268/.341/.389, 12 SB). Pedro slides from shortstop to third to make room for Fr. Emmanuel Marrero, who originally signed with B-CU but followed Melendez to Alabama State. He's a switch-hitter who plays with energy and is a slick fielder. He will play next to 2B Leo Rojas, a transfer from St. Petersburg (Fla.) JC who is the son of ex-big leaguer Alvaro Espinosa.
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