2018 Jaguar Baseball Fall Intrasquad Schedule 

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama baseball team opened fall practice Monday at Stanky Field.

The Jaguars will hold their first fall intrasquad on Fri., Oct. 5, at 6 p.m. at Stanky Field. USA is scheduled to intrasquad nearly every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the fall season, which will conclude with the Red-Blue Series that is scheduled as a three-game set beginning Tue., Nov. 6.

"We have had less injuries, in terms of muscle pulls and things like that, by pushing the start of fall practice back a little bit," USA head coach Mark Calvi said. "Guys are a little more in shape physically, and it gives the new guys a chance to get settled in and be in class for a month-and-a-half or so. It also allows the coaches to be out on the road recruiting; the whole month of September is a big month for junior college across the country, especially the areas we recruit. 

"There's a lot of advantages to us starting the fall a month later than typical, and it has been productive for us. This way still gives you plenty of lead-up time for guys to get strong in the weight room, and also gives enough time for guys to take a break afterwards leading into Christmas and the spring. It's been productive for us the last couple of years, and there's no reason for me to think this year will be any different."

A new change for the 2018 fall allows for institutions to play a handful of games against other schools. South Alabama is scheduled to host Tulane in a doubleheader on Sat., Oct. 27, beginning at 1 p.m. at Stanky Field. The Jags will also host Spring Hill College in a doubleheader on Sat., Nov. 3, at 11 a.m. at Stanky Field.

South Alabama returns 23 letterwinners from last year's squad that finished 32-25 and 18-11 in the Sun Belt Conference, including right-handed pitcher Zach Greene who was selected in the 15th round of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft by the Miami Marlins. 

"I like what's coming back," Calvi said. "I think a lot of people are going to look at it and name the guys we lost, and we did lose some really good players both to graduation and the draft. But this team also has some returners, guys who like Zach Greene – he had a really good year last year, and returning a 15th-rounder in Zach Greene in your closer is a huge feather in our cap. And to look at the quality at some of the new guys, especially the new arms – there are some new guys out there who have impressed me thus far. And we have some talented returners like JoJo Booker. If he turns the corner, he showed flashes of dominance last year and there were some times where it just didn't go his way but a lot of those were self-inflicted. If he can clean that up, he has the talent and he is a great kid. He's really close to turning that corner and being a guy out there who not only throws hard and has good stuff, but pitches and wins. I like what I've seen out there and I like the leadership, especially on the pitching staff. They've worked extremely hard.

"Wells Davis and (Hunter) Stokes are returning on the right side of the infield, as well as all of the guys behind the plate in addition to some guys in the outfield who played a lot last year. With the left side of the infield, obviously having a guy there for so long in Drew LaBounty, although we didn't have him last year, it's now a new era so to speak. There are a couple of guys out there who can really play shortstop, and I like what Santiago Montiel has done so far in workouts. There will be some new faces on the left side of the infield, but no one is entitled to a position just because they have played there in the past. Competition is a very good thing. There are so many spots that are wide open with multiple players for each position. I've felt good with where we are at from a depth standpoint. All-in-all I like what I have seen so far."

USA will also return two letterwinners from the 2017 season who missed the 2018 season due to injury:  Eddie Paparella and Colton Thomas.

"I'm very pleased to get Paparella and Colton Thomas back. Not only were they really good players for us in 2017, they're also the locker-room guys who are great leaders. Their teammates missed their presence around them last year. They are not only great players who have been around the block, but great leaders as well. It's kind of a double shot having both of those guys back."

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

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