Southern baseball’s Kerrick Jackson named SWAC Coach of the Year; Jags win other honors

NEW ORLEANS, La. (WAFB) - Southern baseball head coach Kerrick Jackson received a top honor at the Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball awards ceremony Tuesday in New Orleans.

Jackson was named SWAC Coach of the Year. The Jags finished the regular season 28-21 overall and 17-6 in conference play.

RELATED: SWAC All-Conference Honors Announced

Southern won the SWAC West and earned the No. 1 seed in the SWAC Tournament. Jackson is only in his second season leading Southern.

Senior third baseman Tyler LaPorte was named the Co-Player of the Year. He hit .376 on the season. He led the SWAC in hits (83) and doubles (17). He had five home runs on the season.

The Zachary native also scored 53 runs and had 55 RBI.

Senior Connor Whalen was named Relief Pitcher of the Year.

The Catholic High product posted a 0.000 ERA in 13 appearances on the mound. He was 4-0 with seven saves on the season.

He only allowed five hits in 2019.

Southern had four players named All-SWAC first team. They were:

• Tyler LaPorte - 3rd Base
• Malik Blaise - Shortstop
• Javeyan Williams - Outfield
• Connor Whalen - Relief Pitcher

The Jags had two other players named All-SWAC second team. They were:

• Johnny Johnson - Designated Hitter
• Elijah Finney - Starting Pitcher

Finney is probably best known for pitching Southern to a 7-2 win over LSU on April 9. He allowed just one hit and one run through seven innings. The game was on his birthday.

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