Shreveport, La. – As play opened Wednesday in the 2011 SWAC Baseball Tournament, the league released its post-season honors with Southern University senior first-baseman Frazier Hall earning Player of the Year honors for the second straight season. Joining Hall for player of the year awards were Texas Southern’s Dakota Laufenberg (Pitcher of the Year), Jackson State’s Desmond Russell (Freshman of the Year), and Grambling’s Eldred Barnett (Newcomer of the Year).
Hall missed the offensive triple crown in the league by just two home runs as he led the SWAC in batting average (.417) and RBIs (59). Only Kendall Logan of Jackson State hit more home runs (11) than did Hall with nine on the season.
Laufenberg moved midseason into a starting role for the Tigers after injuries to the rotation forced him from the bullpen. In 17 appearances, eight of the starts, he compiled a 4-3 record with a 3.47 ERA, three saves, and two complete games. He finished fourth in the SWAC with 77 strikeouts in 72.2 innings pitched.
Russell started all 47 games in his rookie season for JSU at third base and on the mound. He finished the regular season second on the team with a .317 batting average and led the team with 11 doubles and 43 RBI. On the mound he made 15 appearances with a 4.04 ERA and a 4-6 record.
Barnett finished fourth in the SWAC with a .363 batting average and was third in the league with 46 RBI. He also earned first-team honors in the outfield.
2011 All-SWAC Baseball Teams
Player of the Year – Frazier Hall, Southern
Pitcher of the Year – Dakota Laufenberg, Texas Southern
Freshman of the Year – Desmond Russell, Jackson State
Newcomer of the Year – Eldred Barnett, Grambling
First Team All-SWAC
Starting Pitcher – Dakota Laufenberg, Texas Southern
Relief Pitcher – Cody Hall, Southern
Catcher – Evan Richard, Prairie View A&M
First Base – Frazier Hall, Southern
Second Base – Ray Hernandez, Texas Southern
Shortstop – Jerry Hildreth, Mississippi Valley State
Third Base – Scott Hornstra, Mississippi Valley State
Outfield – Eldred Barnett, Grambling
Outfield – Charles Epperson, Jackson State
Outfield – Wilmy Marerro, Southern
Designated Hitter – Kilby Perdomo, Alcorn State
Second-Team All-SWAC
Starting Pitcher – Steve Easter, Alcorn State
Relief Pitcher – Desmond Russell, Jackson State
Catcher – Jose Cruz, Jackson State
First Base – Eduardo Gonzalez, Alcorn State
Second Base – Chris Davis, Alabama State
Shortstop – Giovanni Angel, Prairie View A&M
Third Base – Thomas Brown III, Jackson State
Outfield – Kency Duarte, Alabama A&M
Outfield – Chretien Matz, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Outfield – Michael Lowe, Mississippi Valley State
Designated Hitter – Bryan Rowry, Southern
