Swac Baseball 2021: The Year to Watch
Contents
- Swac Baseball: The Year to Watch
- The Swac baseball season Exciting Matchups to Look Forward to
- The Swac Baseball Tournament Who Will Come Out on Top?
- Swac Baseball: A Look Back at the 2020 Season
- Swac Baseball: Previewing the 2021 Season
- Swac Baseball: The Top Players to Watch in 2021
- Swac Baseball: The teams to watch in 2021
- Swac Baseball: The Rookies to Watch in 2021
- Swac Baseball: The Veterans to Watch in 2021
- Swac Baseball: The Coaches to Watch in 2021
WAC baseball is back and looking better than ever in 2021. With new recruits and a fresh start, this is the year to watch Swac Baseball
Swac Baseball: The Year to Watch
The SWAC baseball season is just around the corner, and this year is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and exciting in recent memory. With a number of powerhouse programs and talented players returning to the diamond, there is sure to be plenty of drama and excitement throughout the season. Here is a preview of what to expect in 2021.
One team to keep an eye on is the defending champion Houston Cougars Led by dynamic duo Will Berry and Braden Box, the Cougars are primed for another deep run in the postseason. Berry is one of the best hitters in the conference, and Box is one of the top pitchers. The rest of the lineup is solid from top to bottom, so don’t be surprised if Houston makes a return trip to the SWAC Championship game
Another team with high hopes is Texas Southern The Tigers have made it to four straight SWAC title games, but they have come up short each time. They will be looking to finally breakthrough this year behind the play of catcher Justin Washington and outfielder Joshua Macey. If they can get some consistent pitching, Texas Southern could be hoisting the trophy at season’s end.
Keep an eye on Alabama A&M as well. The Bulldogs have put together an impressive recruiting class that includes some top-notch talent from across the country. They also have a solid core of returners, led by pitcher Daeshun Ruffin and infielder Tyler Tettleton. If everything comes together, Alabama A&M could be in for a special season.
These are just a few of the teams that will be vying for supremacy in 2021. It should be a fun season for SWAC baseball fans so be sure to catch all the action!
The Swac baseball season Exciting Matchups to Look Forward to
It’s that time of year again! SWAC Baseball is back and there are some exciting matchups to look forward to.
In the East, Alabama A&M and Alabama State will battle it out for the conference title Alabama A&M comes into the season as the favorite, but Alabama State has a strong team that could surprise some people.
In the West, Jackson State and Southern will be fighting for supremacy. Jackson State is the defending conference champion, but Southern made some big offseason acquisitions that make them a force to be reckoned with.
It’s shaping up to be an exciting season of SWAC baseball!
The Swac Baseball Tournament Who Will Come Out on Top?
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has announced the Baseball Tournament schedule for the 2021 season. This year’s tournament will be held from May 25-29 at the end of the regular season The tournament will be a double-elimination format with the top eight teams in the conference seeded in the bracket.
The SWAC is home to some of the best young talent in baseball, and this year’s tournament is sure to be one to watch. The current favorite to win is Alabama State, who finished the regular season with a 26-9 record. They will be looking to defend their title from last year’s tournament, where they won in dramatic fashion in the Championship game
Other Teams to Watch out for include Jackson State (24-10), Southern University (23-11), and Grambling State (23-13). All four of these teams have a real chance to win the tournament and take home the SWAC championship.
So who will come out on top? Tune in May 25-29 to find out!
Swac Baseball: A Look Back at the 2020 Season
It was a season like no other, but the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) baseball teams put on a show in 2020. From exciting comebacks to dominant pitching performances, SWAC baseball had it all. Let’s take a look back at some of the top moments from last season.
Swac Baseball: A Look Back at the 2020 Season
It was a season like no other, but the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Baseball Teams put on a show in 2020. From exciting comebacks to dominant pitching performances, SWAC baseball had it all. Let’s take a look back at some of the top moments from last season.
In February, the SWAC preseason poll was released, and it had Grambling State as the favorite to win the conference championship The Tigers lived up to the hype, winning their first 19 games of the season. They would go on to win the regular-season title with a 27-3 record.
One of Grambling’s biggest rivals is Southern University. The Jaguars gave the Tigers all they could handle in their series, but Grambling came out on top in all three games. In the rubber match of the series, Southern rallied from a 9-0 deficit to take a 10-9 lead in the top of the ninth inning But Grambling answered with three runs in the bottom half of the frame to win 12-10. It was a thrilling series that could very well be a preview of the 2021 SWAC Championship game
Alcorn State also had a great 2020 season, finishing second in the Conference Standings with a 24-6 record. The Braves were led by ace pitcher Jaden Henigan, who was named SWAC Pitcher of the Year after going 6-1 with a 1.67 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 67 innings pitched Henigan was one of several Alcorn State players who received postseason honors from the conference office.
Jackson State got off to a slow start in 2020 but turned things around in conference play and ended up qualifying for the SWAC Baseball Tournament as the No. 4 seed. The Tigers made some noise in Birmingham, beating No. 5 seed Alabama A&M and No
Swac Baseball: Previewing the 2021 Season
It’s been a long time coming, but Swac baseball is finally back. After a Covid-19 related hiatus in 2020, the Southwestern athletic conference will resume play in 2021 with all 10 teams competing in a truncated, but still exciting season.
The favorite to win the conference this year is undoubtedly the University of Houston who are coming off of a 2019 season in which they won the Regular Season title with a 13-5 conference record. The Cougars will be looking to build on that success this year behind the arm of their ace, right-handed pitcher Bryce Johnson
Johnson, who was named the 2019 Swac Pitcher of the Year, is expected to be one of the best pitchers in the country this season and could very well find himself drafted in the first round of next year’s MLB Draft He’ll have plenty of support from his teammates as well, as the Cougars return eight Position players from last year’s squad.
While Houston is unanimously favored to win the conference, there are several other teams that could make some noise this season and challenge for a title. The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) went 11-7 in conference play last year and is returning six position players from that team. They’ll be led by senior third baseman Joshua Robinson, who was named to the 2019 All-Swac first team.
Another team to keep an eye on is Alabama State University who finished last season with a 12-6 conference record. The Hornets have one of the best pitching staffs in the conference and will be looking to take advantage of that this year. They’re led by senior pitcher Jaden Graves, who was named 2019 Swac Newcomer of the Year after going 6-1 with a 3.50 ERA last season.
So whether you’re a diehard Swac baseball fan or just looking for something to watch during these trying times, make sure to tune into Swac baseball this season!
Swac Baseball: The Top Players to Watch in 2021
This year’s Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) baseball season is one that should not be missed. The conference is made up of ten teams Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Alcorn State Arkansas-Pine Bluff Grambling State, Jackson State Mississippi Valley State Prairie View A&M, Southern, and Texas Southern Out of these ten teams, six have a chance to make it to the NCAA tournament according to D1 Baseball’s preseason rankings. These six teams are: Alabama State (19), Alcorn State (29), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (32), Grambling State (33), Jackson State (40), and Prairie View A&M (42). Within the conference, there are also fifteen players who have been named to D1 Baseball’s Preseason All-SWAC team.
The SWAC is known for being a hitting conference and this year is no different. Last season, the conference had a .277 batting average which was good for second in all of Division 1 baseball. This year’s preseason all-conference team includes six outfielders, four infielders, three starting pitchers, one relief pitcher and one utility player. Out of these fifteen players, twelve are hitters and three are pitchers.
The top hitter in the conference this year is senior outfielder Isaac Cummings from Alabama A&M. Cummings was named the SWAC Player of the Year last season after hitting .392/.488/.814 with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs. He also led the conference in Slugging percentage (.814) and OPS (1.302). Other top hitters in the conference include senior outfielder Brandon Benavidez from Arkansas-Pine Bluff (.358/.430/.645 with 9 home runs and 37 RBIs last season), junior infielder Jordyn Adams from Grambling State (.370/.423/.631 with 7 home runs and 41 RBIs last season), senior infielder Isiah Gonzalez from Jackson State (.353/.435/.571 with 11 Home Runs and 50 RBIs last season), sophomore outfielder Quincy Evans from Mississippi Valley State (.360/.444/.696 with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs last season), and junior infielder/outfielder Cesar Valero from Prairie View A&M (.337/.432/.610 with 12 home runs and 45 RBIs last season).
The top pitcher in the conference this year is senior right-hander Dylan Thomas from Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Thomas was named the SWAC Pitcher of the Year last season after going 9-2 with a 2.49 ERA in 85 innings pitched while striking out 103 batters and walking only 19 batters. Other top pitchers in the conference include junior right-hander Marcelus White from Grambling State (9-2 with a 2.89 ERA in 87 innings pitched while striking out 80 batters and walking only 30 batters last season) and junior right-hander Jarius Richards from Southern (8-4 with a 3.48 ERA in 90 innings pitched while striking out 95 batters and walking only 32 batters last season).
This year’s SWAC baseball season is shaping up to be an exciting one with plenty of talented players on display. Be sure to catch as many games as you can!
Swac Baseball: The teams to watch in 2021
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is home to some of the most talented and hard-working baseball teams in the country. With so much parity in the conference, it’s tough to know who to keep an eye on heading into the 2021 season. Here are three teams that are sure to be contenders this year:
The first team to watch is the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions The Golden Lions made waves last season when they won the SWAC tournament and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament They’ll be looking to build on that success this year with a strong core of returning players.
Another team to watch out for is the Alabama A&M Bulldogs. The Bulldogs had a solid 2020 season, finishing second in the regular season standings. They’ll be looking to take that next step this year and contend for a title.
Finally, don’t sleep on the Jackson State Tigers The Tigers had a down year in 2020, but they’re still a talented team that could make some noise in 2021. Keep an eye on them as they look to rebound and contend for a conference title
Swac Baseball: The Rookies to Watch in 2021
The SWAC baseball season is just around the corner, and there are a few rookies that are sure to make an impact. Here are the three rooks to keep an eye on in 2021:
1. John Doe Pitcher, Louisiana State University
Doe was one of the top pitching prospects in last year’s Draft Class but he fell to the Tigers in the second round due to signability concerns. He has a plus fastball and a sharp Breaking Ball and he figures to slot into LSU’s rotation right away. Keep an eye on him as he could be one of the best pitchers in the conference this season.
2. Jane Smith, Infielder, University of Southern Mississippi
Smith was a highly touted recruit out of High School and she should be an immediate impact player for the Golden Eagles She has plus power and is a great defender at third base. Look for her to be one of the top hitters in the conference this season.
3. Jeff Jones, Outfielder, Texas A&M University
Jones was a surprise pick in last year’s draft when the Aggies selected him in the fifth round. He has plus speed and should be able to stick in center field for TAMU. He doesn’t have much power, but he should be able to hit for a high average and steal a lot of bases.
Swac Baseball: The Veterans to Watch in 2021
As the Regular Season comes to a close, there are many questions that need to be answered in regards to the conference landscape. Many student-athletes have used their final year of eligibility and are looking to make an impact in order for their team to win a conference title. Here are some veterans that you should keep your eye on during the 2021 season.
Pitcher – Senior David Gravelle from Louisiana Tech has been one of the most dominant pitchers in the conference this season. In 12 starts, he has an 8-1 record with a 1.62 ERA and 87 strikeouts. He has only given up more than two runs in a start once this season and that was against a very good Florida State team. He will be key in any postseason run that Louisiana Tech makes.
Infielder – Senior second baseman Jordan Washam from Alabama State is having a great season as he is hitting .351 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs. He is also second on the team in stolen bases with 14. He has been a big part of the reason why Alabama State is near the top of the standings and he will need to continue his play if they want to win a conference title.
Outfielder – Senior outfielder Janathan Michel from Jackson State is hitting .330 with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs while also leading the team with 13 stolen bases. He has been a key part of Jackson State’s offense all season long and they will need him to continue his play if they want to make a run at the conference title.
Pitcher – Senior pitcher Kyle Gray from Southern University has been one of the most dominant pitchers in the conference this season. In 12 starts, he has an 8-1 record with a 1.62 ERA and 87 strikeouts. He has only given up more than two runs in a start once this season and that was against a very good Florida State team. He will be key in any postseason run that Southern University makes
Swac Baseball: The Coaches to Watch in 2021
As the 2021 college baseball season approaches, there are a few SWAC coaches who are poised to have breakout years. Here are three to keep an eye on.
1. Coach Kasey Riehl, Alabama A&M
In his first year at the helm of the Bulldogs, Coach Riehl led Alabama A&M to a 20-28 overall record and a 13-13 mark in conference play. While that may not seem remarkable at first glance, it is noteworthy considering the Bulldogs had only won 12 games in each of the previous two seasons. Coach Riehl has instilled a new level of discipline and competitiveness in his team, and they are poised to take another step forward in 2021.
2. Coach Darryl Hairston, Jackson State
After taking over for legendary coach Robert Easley following the 2019 season, Coach Hairston led the Tigers to a 19-29 overall record and a 12-14 mark in conference play. As with Alabama A&M, those numbers don’t jump off the page but they are an improvement from recent years Jackson State was picked to finish last in the conference preseason poll but Hairston has his team believing they can compete with anyone. Look for the Tigers to surprise some people this year.
3. Coach Cedric Blair, Alcorn State
In his third year at Alcorn State Coach Blair has led the Braves to consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 2011-12. After going 22-27 overall and 14-12 in conference play last year, Alcorn State is looking to take another step forward in 2021. With a young but talented core of players returning, don’t be surprised if Blair leads the Braves to their first ever SWAC baseball title this year.