NSU's Lagreco Wins Southland Home Run Derby
HOME RUN DERBY VIDEO | PHOTO GALLERY
Story by Jason Pugh, NSU Athletics
SUGAR LAND, Texas – Forget elevate and celebrate,
J.P. Lagreco took a new line of thought into Tuesday night's inaugural Southland Conference Home Run Derby.
"Collapse and crush," Lagreco said, moments after winning a swing-off against Houston Baptist's Spencer Halloran to capture the first derby title in conference history.
Pressed into service after
David Fry was unable to compete, Lagreco swatted 20 home runs in his four-minute first round, which put him in the lead after six batters. Prior to the final batter of the event, it was announced a replay decision had given Halloran an extra home run, forcing the two into a two-minute swing-off for the title.
Lagreco won the coin toss, allowing him to hit second and give him a number to beat.
"I heard Dan (Hlad) say, 'Tails never fails,' so I called tails," Lagreco said.
Halloran smacked 10 home runs in his round, and Lagreco matched his pace early.
With 51 seconds remaining and at seven home runs, Lagreco used his 45-second timeout, and it proved to come at the right time.
Following the break, Lagreco homered on four consecutive pitches from assistant coach
Chris Bertrand, setting off a wild celebration around home plate.
"Everyone who knows me knows (throwing batting practice) is something I enjoy doing, and to do it for real and for J.P. to put on a show like he did, this was a really fun evening no matter what," Bertrand said.
Lagreco, a third-team All-Southland selection at designated hitter, is fourth on the NSU roster with four home runs, but he proved to be a perfect fit for the home run derby. Hitting sixth, he topped Halloran's initial total of 19 with seconds to go in his first round.
After Southeastern Louisiana's Trey Morgan failed to match Lagreco's number, the announcement was made about the replay adjusting Halloran's score.
Lagreco left no doubt in the swing-off, getting into a quick groove after his well-timed timeout, which came with assistance from catcher
Tyler Thibodeaux, whom Bertrand said was keeping Lagreco abreast of the time on the clock.
"I knew I had to win it for Fry," Lagreco said.