MOBILE, Ala. – Former University of South Alabama and Major League Baseball standout Dave Stapleton was named as one of seven members of the 2017 Mobile Sports Hall of Fame induction class on Wednesday.

The banquet is set to take place at the Battle House Hotel on April 6.

A member of the South Alabama Athletics Hall of Fame — he was inducted in 1993 — Stapleton lettered two years for the Jaguars in 1974 and '75.  Originally from Loxley, Ala., he batted .361 during his career while setting the program's all-time mark with 39 doubles, also recording season records in hits, doubles and runs batted in.

Stapleton helped South go 30-8 his first year as a Jag, then was part of a squad that finished 52-14 while setting the school record for victories the following spring after advancing to the NCAA South Central Regional.  The Jags would win 36 of their first 37 contests to climb to No. 1 in Collegiate Baseball's top-25 poll, while he was named second-team all-South Independent after the season.

A 10th round selection by the Boston Red Sox in the 1975 MLB June Amateur Draft, Stapleton first reached the majors in 1980 and was second in the voting for the American League Rookie of the Year that season.  He would play seven years for the team — including helping the Red Sox reach the 1986 World Series — posting a .271 batting average with 118 doubles, 41 home runs and 224 RBI in 582 appearances.

Stapleton is the sixth individual from the Jaguar baseball program to earn induction into the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame, and the 10th overall from the school.  Other former Jags who have been honored include Beth Barry (2009), Cliff Ellis (2003), Lance Johnson (2016), Joey Jones (2011), Steve Kittrell (2004), Jon Lieber (2013), June Mayson (1999), Eddie Stanky (1990) and Turner Ward (2007).

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the Dugout Club, the baseball specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund.  Members enjoy all games from inside the Stadium Club with climate control, private restrooms, private concessions and access to listen to the radio broadcast.  All donations to the Dugout Club go directly to support the South Alabama baseball program.  For more information on how you can join visit: http://jaguarathleticfund.com/sports/2013/3/13/Dugout%20Club.aspx?id=21

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