Southern looks for improvement in Andre Dawson Classic

Southern baseball coach Chris Crenshaw might be a bit more excited about his team playing in the Andre Dawson Classic in Vero Beach, Florida, this weekend.

The Jaguars play in the event, which moved from New Orleans this season, annually and it brings out the fan in Crenshaw.

“The (Chicag) Cubs were my favorite team growing up and (Dawson) was my favorite player,” Crenshaw said with a laugh. “Every year I get an autographed ball from him. It’s a well-run event and the players really enjoy playing in it.”

Crenshaw has more important work than getting souvenirs. He’s working on a young roster that includes 16 new faces as he tries to find out who will contribute this season. He liberally swapped out players in the batting order during the three games at the Cactus Jack Classic in Houston and said he won’t be as free with the substitutions this weekend.

The Classic, set up to help HBCU baseball programs, is played at the Jackie Robinson Complex where the Los Angeles Dodgers previously held their spring training.

Southern (1-2) plays Alabama State (2-3) at 4 p.m. Friday, North Carolina A&T (4-0) at noon Saturday and Florida A&M (2-2) at 2 p.m. Sunday. Also participating are Grambling and Prairie View A&M.

Crenshaw said third baseman Ryan Ollison is expected to be out for about two weeks after suffering an MCL injury last week. Marcus Sanders, Darren Johnson and Dylan Jones will fill in for Ollison.

Crenshaw is trying several players after losing seven position starters from last year’s team. The Jaguars had 20 hits in two of the games but only one in a 10-0 loss to Grambling.

Second baseman Jalon Mack had a triple among his three hits in two games. Outfielder Quincy Smith had two hits and four RBIs in the opener and catcher Rashard Grace had three hits in a 5-3 loss to Texas Southern, including his first career home run.

Crenshaw used seven pitchers in the three games and has five more who have yet to see action whom he hopes to use. Ranard Grace, who started the opener against Alcorn last week, will start Friday’s game but Crenshaw is still mulling over the other two.

“We need to get some guys some work so I can see what they can do,” Crenshaw said.

Included in that group are Joseph Semien, Genesis Prosper, Charles Green, Jerry Burkett and Nyle Banks.

After the weekend, Southern will play its home opener against Dillard at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Lee Hines Field.