SWACTeam to Beat: Alabama State.
The Hornets have developed into one of the SWAC’s powers in recent seasons, first under Mervyl Melendez and now under Jose Vasquez, who was promoted to head coach last year after Melendez left to become head coach at Florida International. Alabama State made its first ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016 in Melendez’s final season and nearly returned in Vasquez’s first year, but were edged by Texas Southern in extra innings in the SWAC Tournament championship game. The Hornets will be eager this season to bounce back from that loss and have the returning talent to do so. Outfielder Gage Cox (.350/.409/.547, 7 HR) is back after leading the Hornets in hitting as a freshman. First baseman Gustavo Rios (.332/.405/.574, 10 HR) and outfielder Joseph Estrada (.276/.421/.553, 11 HR) return for their senior years and bring power to the lineup. Alabama State has more holes to fill on the mound, as closer Austin Bizzle (7-1, 1.95) and ace Tyler Howe (8-4, 3.41), who both earned all-conference honors last season must now be replaced. Alabama State will look for righthander Darrius Wright, a junior college transfer, and senior righthander Darren Kelly to step up on the staff. Wright was one of the prizes of an exciting 2017 recruiting class and throws in the low 90s with a good slider. Senior righthander Chase Laney (2-2, 3.40) provides an experienced hand in the bullpen. Alabama State’s veteran offense should help its pitching staff settle into place over the course of the spring and give it a good chance to capture its second SWAC title in three years.
Player of the Year: Marshawn Taylor, SS, Grambling State.
Taylor last season was named both the conference’s player and newcomer of the year after hitting .402/.477/.471 with 16 stolen bases after transferring from Eastern Illinois. A 35th-round pick out of high school in 2013, Taylor gives the Tigers a speedy hitter at the top of the order and anchors the infield at shortstop.
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