JSU Baseball to Open Season with Tournament

JACKSON, Mississippi  -  The Jackson State baseball team will open its 2012 season this weekend when the Tigers host Mississippi Valley State, Eastern Illinois and Florida A&M in the JSU Tournament at the Robert "Bob" Braddy, Sr. field on the JSU campus.

Jackson State will take on Florida A&M at 6 pm on Friday, Feb. 17. On Saturday, Feb. 18 JSU will face Eastern Illinois at noon and FAMU at 3 pm. The Tigers and Eastern Illinois will square off again Sunday, Feb. 19 at 1 pm. For ticket information, call the JSU Athletics Ticket Office at 601-979-2420.

2012 Jackson State University Baseball Outlook

The Jackson State Tigers baseball team has experienced tremendous success under sixth year head coach Omar Johnson. In five seasons at the helm of the Tiger program, Johnson has recorded a .608 winning percentage (which is the highest winning percentage in school history for anyone that has coached over two seasons). His 169 victories ranks second in program history, behind Robert "Bob" Braddy's 811 wins during his 28 year career as JSU's baseball coach. Johnson's program has produced All-American and All-Conference standouts, set school records for single-season wins and finished as the top team in the SWAC at the conclusion of the regular season. The only thing that is missing from Johnson's stellar JSU resume is a Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship.

"Our outlook is basically the same every season," Johnson said. "Our goals are to (1) win our division, (2) win the conference tournament and (3) win in the regional. We are not changing our philosophy. We are going to be aggressive on the bases, situational hit, pitch and play defense. Hopefully we will continue to do that this season and if we hit the ball well, I am confident that we will have the success that we are expecting."

Last season the Tigers finished with a 27-26 overall record and a 14-11 conference mark. JSU went into the conference tournament as a No. 2 seed. The Tigers opened the 2011 SWAC Tournament with a 6-3 win over Prairie View A&M, but 13-6 to Southern. JSU bounced back to beat Prairie View A&M 6-2, eliminating the Panthers from the tournament and JSU advanced to the semifinals. However, the Tigers faced Southern for the second time in the tournament and fell 14-9 to the Jaguars.

Individually, Desmond Russell (So., UT, Freeport, Bahamas), Charles Epperson (Jr., OF/P, Huntsville, AL) and Jose Cruz (So., C, Kissimmee, FL) all received All-SWAC honors. Russell was named SWAC Freshman of the Year and received a second team All-SWAC nod. He was also named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American. Epperson was a first team All-SWAC member and Cruz was a second team member.

"These players got a significant amount of playing time last season," said Johnson. "I am expecting them all to perform better than they did last season. "

The Team - Jackson State will have a seasoned team. The Tigers will have 10 players who competed in at least 30 games last season and another six returners with game experience. JSU's key contributors from last season include: Kendall Logan (Sr., OF, Natchez, MS), Frank Solis (Sr., 3B, Miami Lakes, FL), Quintavious Drains (Sr., P, Riverdale, GA), Jose Garcia (So., UT, Deltona, FL), Cruz, Russell, Epperson and Stephen Curtis (So., IF, Nassau, Bahamas).

Logan had a .366 batting average, with 67 hits, 63 runs, 44 RBI and a team-high 12 home runs. He also was 19-21 in stolen base attempts. Solis had a .302 batting average, with 55 hits, 41 runs and 21 RBI. Drains posted a team high seven wins as a starting pitcher. He had a 4.24 earned run average last season. In 99.2 innings pitched he struck out 95 batters while giving up 102 hits and 54 runs. Garcia finished the season with a 4.18 ERA. He struck out 36 batters, while giving up 29 hits in 32 innings of work. Cruz posted a .199 batting average last season, with 30 hits, 18 runs and 19 RBI. Russell hit .310 with 13 doubles, 4 triples, 5 homers, 49 RBI, 10 stolen bases. As a pitcher he had a 4-6 record, 4.52 ERA, 3 saves, 79 strikeouts, 32 walks in 81 2/3 innings. Epperson had a .299 batting average with 56 hits, 12 doubles, four home runs and 39 RBI. He was also 14-15 in stolen base attempts. Curtis hit .289, with 43 hits, five doubles and three home runs. He was 10-11 in stolen base attempts.

Pitchers and Catchers - Drains returns as the projected ace of the Tigers pitching staff. His 7-3 record led the team in wins. His 95 strikeouts also led the team. Over the last two seasons he has a 20-7 record and 183 strikeouts to go along with 11 complete games. Drains may also have the opportunity to break JSU's all time pitching wins record this season.

Russell is expected to record even better numbers as a sophomore. He was tied for third on the team in wins (4) behind Drains and Terrance Washington (5). Russell will also play a field position. Kiarious Hall (Sr., P, Moss Point, MS) is expected to make significant contributions for the Tigers as a member of the rotation. Last season he was the only member of the staff who did not suffer a loss, with his 3-0 record. In 10 appearances he pitched 21 innings and allowed 21 hits.

The other returners to the pitching staff include Raymond Rodriguez, Jose Garcia and Andre Rodriguez.

The returning catchers include Cruz, who coach Johnson believes will swing the bat better this season, and Gary Mele (So., C, Atlanta, GA).

Infield and Outfield The Tigers have experience and talent in the infield and outfield. JSU's infield will be anchored by third baseman Frank Solis. Solis is a three year starter for JSU. He is the only player on the team who has played every year he has been here.

"We are expecting him to be one of our big leaders, but at the same time play defense like he has played the past three years," Johnson said. "He has only committed 10 errors in the three he has played, which is outstanding."

JSU will return all three starting outfielders in Kendall Logan, Charles Epperson, and Gabriel Babineaux.

Newcomers - Jackson State will not have many freshmen this season, but the following players will have an opportunity to get some playing time: Luis Torres (Fr., Ceiba, Puerto Rico), Gary Thompson (Fr., Meridian, MS) and Aric Thompson (Fr., Memphis, TN). Gary Thomas and Aric Thompson are expected to compete for shortstop position this season.

COURTESY: JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF SPORTS MEDIA