LAFAYETTE, La. --Southern University Head baseball coach Kerrick Jackson was named the 2019 Louisiana Sports Writer Association (LSWA) coach of the year announced Saturday (June 22) by the LSWA.
The 28-member team was selected by a statewide panel of college baseball sports information directors and media members.
"I would like to thank the Louisiana Sports Writers Association for giving me this honor," said Coach Jackson.
Coach Jackson, in his second year as the Jaguars coach, guided his team to a dominant turnaround, going from nine wins in 2018 to a 32-24 record and its first Southwestern Athletic Conference championship in a decade.
"Obviously, it goes back to what our team was able to do..." said coach Jackson, he continued "...things that they were able to accomplish, without them and the things they did on and off the field, I would not be in this position. It shows what we are capable of doing and for us to continue to build upon this success we had this year and find ourselves on top like we use to be and to continue this ride."
Joining Coach Jackson on the All-Louisiana team, was Javayen Williams who was selected to the first team, in addition to an already impressive postseason rèsumè.
"He is one of the most improved players since I've been here..." stated Coach Jackson.
Williams was the 656th pick in the 22nd round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft to the San Fransico Giants. The senior center fielder had a stellar year, finished his senior campaign on a high note, going 6-for-6 with three doubles, scored three times, and recorded an RBI in the loss to Mississippi State and Miami. This season he recorded a team-best .421 batting average, 12 doubles, seven triples, and four home runs and 42 RBIs. Williams also had a perfect stolen base percentage stealing 26 bases, making the All-SWAC first team and named to the Starkville Regional tournament team.
"[Williams] bought into things we are asking him to do, undeniable work ethic, passion and drive to be the best he can be, it showed and manifested itself," stated Coach Jackson on Williams improvement this season.
LSWA All-Louisiana release
2019 ALL-LOUISIANA COLLEGE BASEBALL TEAM
HITTER OF THE YEAR – Kody Hoese, Tulane
PITCHER OF THE YEAR – Corey Gaconi, Southeastern Louisiana
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR – Trent Tingelstad, ULM
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR – Hudson Haskin, Tulane
COACH OF THE YEAR – Kerrick Jackson, Southern
FIRST TEAM
P – Corey Gaconi, Southeastern Louisiana – Sr., 7-3, 2.57 ERA; Southland Pitcher of the Year
P – Nathan Jones, Northwestern State – Sr., 7-4, 2.78 ERA; Second-Team All-Southland Conference
P – Reeves Martin, New Orleans – Jr., 4-0, 1.03 ERA, 14 SV.; Third-Team All-America (Collegiate Baseball)
P – Matt Miller, Louisiana Tech – Sr., 6-1, 3.40 ERA; Second-Team All-Conference USA
C – Saul Garza, LSU – Soph., .309, 5 HR, 27 RBI; SEC All-Tournament Team
1B – Mason Mallard, Louisiana Tech – Sr., .374, 7 HR, 34 RBI; First Team All-Conference USA
2B – Nate Fisbeck – McNeese – Jr., .304, 12 HR, 50 RBI; Second-Team All-Southland Conference
3B – Kody Hoese, Tulane – Jr., .391, 23 HR, 61 RBI; American Athletic Conference Player of the Year
SS – Josh Smith, LSU – Jr., .346, 9 HR, 41 RBI; SEC All-Tournament Team
OF – Antoine Duplantis, LSU – Sr., .319, 11 HR, 64 RBI; Second-Team All-SEC; all-time LSU hits leader
OF – Hudson Haskin, Tulane – Fr., .372, 10 HR, 52 RBI; Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-America
OF – Javeyan Williams, Southern – Sr., .404, 4 HR, 44 RBI; First-Team All-SWAC
UT – Logan Constantine, LSU Alexandria – Sr., .377, 7 HR, 43 RBI; First-Team All-RRAC
DH – Todd Lott, Louisiana – Jr., .332, 8 HR, 48 RBI; First Team All-Sun Belt Conference
SECOND TEAM
P – Aidan Anderson, McNeese – Sr., 7-6, 3.29 ERA; SLC Tournament MVP
P – Will Dion, McNeese – Fr., 5-0, 1.98 ERA, 6 SV; Second-Team NCBWA Freshman All-America
P – Dane Dixon, LSU Eunice – Soph., 13-0, 2.28 ERA; All-Region 23 First Team
P – Clayton Doyle, LSU Alexandria – Sr., 10-3, 4.67 ERA; NAIA Honorable Mention All-America
C – Adrian Minjares, Bossier Parish CC – Fr., .411, 3 HR, 24 RBI; First-Team All-Region XIV
1B – Jordan Trahan, LSU Shreveport – Sr., .361, 17 HR, 70 RBI; NAIA Honorable Mention All-America
2B – Hunter Kasuls, Louisiana – Sr., .338, 7 HR, 38 RBI
3B – Chad Bell, ULM – Sr., .333, 21 HR, 61 RBI; First Team All-Sun Belt Conference
SS – Hayden Cantrelle, Louisiana – Soph., .309, 9 HR, 31 RBI; First Team All-Sun Belt Conference
OF – Trent Tingelstad, ULM – Jr., .353, 7 HR, 46 RBI
OF – Zach Watson, LSU – Jr., .310, 7 HR, 41 RBI; 2019 All-SEC Defensive Team
OF – Tristan Welch, LSU Eunice – Soph., .380, 5 HR, 73 RBI; 2019 All-Region 23 First-Team
UT – Andrew Beesley, ULM – Jr., .329, 3 HR, 37 RBI; Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference
DH – Clayton Rasbeary, McNeese – Jr., .304, 10 HR, 49 RBI; First-team All-Southland Conference
HONORABLE MENTION
P – Devin Fontenot, LSU; Andrew Sheridan, LSU Eunice; Braxton Smith, Louisiana Tech. C – Drexler Macaay, Grambling. OF – Grant Mathews, Tulane. UT – Deauton Delgado, Louisiana College; Michael Toscano, Loyola. DH –Cade Beloso, LSU.
