MOBILE, Ala. ? University of South Alabama head coach baseball coach Steve Kittrell addressed an off-season concern Monday, as he announced the addition of two highly touted pitchers to the Jaguar pitching staff. Matt Jackson and Dustin Crenshaw both have decided to join the Jaguars for 2009.
Jackson, a 6’3, 185 pound right-hander from Haughton, La. comes to USA after spending one season at Chipola Community College in Marianna, Fla. after transferring from LSU. In 2008, Jackson dominated the Panhandle Conference, going 10-0 with a 2.61 ERA. He recorded 55 strikeouts in 72.1 innings while walking just 14. Jackson was the Panhandle Conference Pitcher of the Year and an All-Region selection.
“We were very fortunate that Matt was available this late in the signing process and we are very pleased that he chose to come to South Alabama,” said South Alabama pitching coach and recruiting coordinator Jason Jackson. “Obviously, being the pitcher of the year in one of the top junior college conferences in the nation, speaks volumes about his ability. We hope that he can come in and offer us immediate help on the weekends.”
Crenshaw is a 6’5, 230 pound righty, who comes to Mobile all the way from Solano Community College in Fairfield, Calif. A two-sport standout at SCC, Crenshaw was a 2007 1st Team All Conference selection in football and a 2nd Team All-Conference selection in baseball. In 2008, the Pinole, Calif. native was the Bay Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year. Jackson leaves SCC as the single-season and the career wins leader.
“He is a tough, hard-nosed kid with a track record of winning,” said Jackson. “He went 15-3 in his career and 9-2 last season, which shows that he can produce at the high level we need. To be able to bring both of these players in at this time is a big help for us and we look forward to the upcoming fall and spring seasons.”
The South Alabama pitching staff heads into the 2008-09 season having to replace three seniors who saw a large amount of action. Eric Gonzalez, Travis Johnson and Kevin Nabors each have exhausted their eligibility, leaving the Jag rotation in the hands of junior Lance Baxter and senior Brandon Sage. The Jags also look forward to having a healthy Dan Goldberg and a healthy Chris LaGrow in the mix in 2009.
