MOBILE, Ala. – For the third year in a row, a former University of South Alabama baseball standout has earned induction into the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame with the announcement Thursday that Juan Pierre is one of seven individuals set to be honored next month.

He follows Lance Johnson and Dave Stapleton, who were enshrined in 2016 and '17, respectively.  Pierre's induction will bring the number to seven members of the Jaguar baseball program to receive the distinction, as he also joins Steve Kittrell (2004), Jon Lieber (2013), Eddie Stanky (1990) and Turner Ward (2007).  A total of 11 former coaches and student-athletes with ties to South have been selected for induction into the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame, with the group including Beth Barry (2009), Cliff Ellis (2003), Lance Johnson (2016), Joey Jones (2011) and June Mayson (1999) as well.

During the 1998 campaign — his only season as a Jag — Pierre hit .373 while recording 77 runs scored, 16 doubles, five home runs and 40 RBI, and he was successful on 54-of-62 stolen-base attempts in helping USA go 42-19 overall, claim the Sun Belt Conference regular-season title, and come within one game of advancing to the NCAA College World Series.  For his efforts, he received All-America accolades from the American Baseball Coaches Association (second-team), Collegiate Baseball (third-team) and the National College Baseball Writers Association (third-team), was voted first-team all-region, and he was named Sun Belt Player of the Year in addition to picking up first-team all-conference recognition.

After the season, Pierre was chosen in the 13th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Colorado Rockies.  He first reached the Major Leagues in 2000, going on to post 2,217 hits — a total that included 255 doubles, 94 triples and 18 home runs — steal 614 bases and drive in 517 runs while batting .295 over 14 seasons with six different organizations.  Pierre led either the American or National League in steals on three occasions, and he also had a .304 batting average in three postseason appearances; that was highlighted by a 7-for-21 (.333) performance in helping the Florida Marlins to the 2003 World Series title.

Pierre was inducted into the South Alabama Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012.

The Class of 2018 will be enshrined at the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame banquet on April 24 at the RSA Battle House.

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).

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