Baton Rouge, La. – The Tigers of Texas Southern defeated Prairie View A&M 12-11 in the 2008 Southwestern Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament championship game in Lee-Hines Stadium on the campus of Southern University.
The Tigers (16-32) cruised through the tournament in the winner’s bracket with a 4-0 tournament record. This is Texas Southern’s second title since 2004 when they beat Mississippi Valley State for the championship.
The Panthers (25-26) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, when TSU answered back with two runs on a Prairie View error. Texas Southern led 5-2 when the Panthers scored on a sac fly by shortstop John Villapando sent Greg Fort in for a run and a RBI single by first baseman Michael Richard sent Odie Davis to the home plate.
Prairie View led 11-7 in the bottom of the eighth inning when TSU’s Jordan Bush hit a double to bring in Justin Holloway for the win. Designated hitter Adam Sellers hit a single to send two Tigers in to take a 12-11 lead. David Arredondo held strong on the mound to preserve the victory.
TSU’s Earnest Rhone went 2-for-4 with one RBI. Sellers was 1-for-4, but knocked in 4 crucial RBIs for the Tigers.
Wilford White was 3-for-5 with one triple and one RBI for the Panthers.
2008 SWAC BASEBALL ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Pitcher: Rashad Ford , Texas Southern
Pitcher: Josh Lara, Prairie View A&M
Catcher: Justin Holloway, Texas Southern
First Baseman: Myrio Richard, Prairie View A&M
Second Baseman: Enrique Quintero, Jackson State
Third Baseman: Michael Gavion, Southern
Shortstop: Jordan Bush, Texas Southern
Designated Hitter: Greg Ford, Prairie View A&M
Left Field: Brandon Kendricks, Prairie View A&M
Center Field: Oscar Goldman, Prairie View A&M
Right Field: Willie Mays, Miss. Valley State
MVP: Adam Sellers, Texas Southern
Coach of the Year: Candy Robinson, Texas Southern
