Brewers, Weeks agree to four-year, $38.5 million deal

MILWAUKEE, WI — After a record-breaking season, the Milwaukee Brewers took the risk that Rickie Weeks’ injury-plagued career is firmly in the past. The former Southern University star agreed to a $38.5 million, four-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday that contains a 2015 option that could increase the total value to $50 million.

“We are thrilled that Rickie has chosen to remain a Brewer,” general manager Doug Melvin said. “He has become one of the best leadoff hitters in the game today; possessing speed, plate discipline and power. His aggressive style sets the tone for our offense.”

Weeks, the No. 2 overall draft pick in the 2003 amateur draft, was a day from an arbitration hearing after saying last month he would end long-term contract talks with the team when he reported to spring training.

Rickie Weeks and the Brewers agree to $50 million extension

UPDATE: Rosenthal now says it’s a five-year deal worth $50 million, but the Brewers can void the fifth year if Weeks “is not an everyday player in 2013 and 2014.” That provision eliminates some of the health-related risks, but that’s still a huge investment in player who’s provided star-level value just once in five seasons.

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Southern routs UNO in season opener

Near the third-base dugout at Lee-Hines Field, just moments after his Southern baseball team routed the University of New Orleans 19-2 on college baseball’s opening night, longtime coach Roger Cador delivered a simple reminder to his smiling players.

“It’s one game,” he said, “and it has zero impact on what we’ll do the rest of the season. We’ve still got to go play baseball.”

Across the diamond, near the right-field foul line, UNO coach Bruce Peddie delivered a nearly identical message.

The teams play again at 4 p.m. Saturday at Maestri Field, followed by the series finale at 1 p.m. Sunday back in Baton Rouge. No one has scored in either of those games yet.

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SU-UNO: By the numbers

Southern upends San Diego State

COMPTON, Calif. — Southern University got an excellent outing from starting pitcher Jarrett Maloy and some clutch hitting late to defeat San Diego State 4-2 on Day 2 of the MLB Urban Invitational. Maloy, a preseason all-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection, tossed seven innings, allowing two runs (one earned) while scattering five hits and striking out five. Daniel Garcia pitched two scoreless innings to pick up his first save.

SDSU starter Jon Berger (0-1) went 62/3 innings and gave up four runs on six hits while striking out five. SU’s Romey Bracey got the Jaguars on the board early as he tripled and scored on a wild pitch in the first inning. SDSU (1-1) tied the game with an unearned run in the top of the third. The pitching duel continued over the next three innings until the Aztecs took the lead in the top of the sixth on a walk to T.J. Thomas and an RBI double by Cory Vaughn.
























SU head coach Roger Cador.

Southern (1-1) responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning on a run-scoring single by Bracey and a two-out RBI double by Frazier Hall. The Jaguars added an insurance run in the next inning on a double by Gregory Whitfield and an RBI single by Toddrick Stevenson. Things got interesting in the final inning when SDSU put two men on with two outs, only to see Easton Gust’s fly ball to left caught on a fine play by Juan Mujica. SU concludes play in the tournament against Bethune Cookman at 2 p.m. today.

San Diego State beat defending MEAC champs Bethune Cookman 6-3 for their first win of the season on Friday.

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Southern picked to defend West title

SU Coach Roger Cador.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Southern pitcher Jarrett Maloy was named Southwestern Conference preseason pitcher of the year, while the Jaguars were picked to defend their Western Division title, according to the league’s coaches and sports information departments. Prairie View A&M outfielder Myrio Richard was voted preseason player of the year, while Jackson State was predicted to repeat as Eastern champions, according to a conference news release late Wednesday night.

“Being picked to defend the title in the West is not really our goal,” Southern baseball coach Roger Cador said. “It’s an honor, but our goal is to win the whole conference.” The Jaguars begin their season on the road Friday against the University of San Diego. The Jaguars’ home opener is March 4 against Southeastern Louisiana. Maloy, a 6-1, 180-pound junior from Tallahassee, Fla., posted a 9-3 record with a 5.43 ERA (second in SWAC) last season. His win total tied for second highest in the conference.

Complete 2009 Southern University Baseball Schedule Release in PDF Format

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