Birmingham, AL -- The hottest team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference heads to Birmingham with confidence and championship aspirations.
No. 2 seed Southern University Jaguars enters the 2026 SWAC Baseball Tournament riding a remarkable 15-game conference winning streak as the Jaguars prepare to face No. 7 seed Jackson State Tigers on Wednesday, May 20, at 3 p.m. at Rickwood Field.
Southern has surged into postseason play behind one of the league's most balanced teams, combining elite offense, dependable starting pitching, and late-inning bullpen strength. The Jaguars finished the regular season 27-21 overall and 20-7 in SWAC play while ranking among the conference leaders offensively with a .303 team batting average and 395 runs scored.
At the center of Southern's lineup is superstar infielder KJ White Jr., who has emerged as one of the nation's premier hitters. White enters tournament play batting an incredible .423 with 74 hits, 44 runs scored, and 30 stolen bases in 45 games. The Georgia native currently ranks fourth nationally in batting average and has been named a semifinalist for the prestigious Dick Howser Trophy, awarded annually to the top collegiate baseball player in the country.
White has been the catalyst for a Jaguars offense that features multiple dangerous bats throughout the order. Ryan Hunter is hitting .345 with 68 hits and 40 RBI's, while Jaylon Lucky has posted a .338 average and a team-best .498 on-base percentage. Kameron Byrd has also delivered clutch production with 43 RBI's and a .335 batting average.
Southern's aggressive approach on the bases has also been a major factor during its winning streak. The Jaguars have swiped 137 bases this season, led by Jacoby Radcliffes 35 steals and White's 30.
While the offense has grabbed headlines, Southern's pitching staff has quietly become one of the most reliable units in the conference. Bobby Spencer has anchored the rotation with an 8-3 record and 76 strikeouts in 72.1 innings pitched, while Myles Dismute has added seven victories and 62 strikeouts.
The Jaguars also boast one of the SWAC's strongest late-game bullpen combinations in Caleb Ellis and Genesis Prosper. Ellis has recorded six saves this season, while Prosper has consistently delivered key innings in relief. Their ability to close games has played a critical role during Southern's conference-winning streak.
Jackson State enters the tournament with a 26-25 overall record and a 16-14 conference mark after battling through one of the league's toughest schedules. The Tigers possess one of the SWAC's top offenses, hitting .309 as a team with 36 home runs and 400 runs scored this season.
Tyree Reed leads Jackson State offensively with a .385 batting average, nine home runs, and a .626 slugging percentage, while Robert Tate Jr. has added 71 hits and 54 runs scored. Pierre Cabral has also been a major contributor with 51 RBI's and eight home runs.
The match-up could ultimately come down to pitching depth and bullpen execution. Southern owns a slight edge in team ERA at 7.38 compared to Jackson State's 7.15, but the Jaguars have shown greater consistency during conference play and enter the postseason playing their best baseball of the year.
First Pitch: 3 p.m.
Opponent: Jackson State University
Location: Rickwood Field
TV: SWAC TV
FOLLOW THE JAGUARS
For complete coverage of Southern University Athletics, please follow the Jaguars on social media at @SouthernUsports(Twitter), @SouthernUJaguars (Facebook), @southernusports (Instagram), or visit the official home of Southern University Athletics at www.gojagsports.com
#GeauxJags #SouthernIsTheStandard #ProwlOn #BeyondTheStandard
