30th Southland Baseball Tournament Begins Wednesday in Sugar Land
Tournament Central | Tournament Notes
FRISCO, Texas – Sam Houston State earned the top seed for the 2016 Southland Conference Baseball Tournament that gets underway Wednesday, May 25 at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas. The Bearkats claimed their fifth regular-season championship and enter the tournament with a 37-19 overall record to go with a 24-6 mark in league play.
Top-seeded Sam Houston State will take on No. 8 Stephen F. Austin, which finished 27-28 overall and 14-16 in the Southland. The two team will face off Wednesday at 4 p.m. The winner of that game will face the winner of No. 4 Lamar and No. 5 Central Arkansas. The Cardinals tied for third, but lost the tie-breaker to Northwestern State. Lamar ended the regular season 20-10 in league action and 35-17 overall while the Bears earned the sixth seed with a 16-14 league mark and a 28-25 overall record. The winners of Wednesday’s last two games advance to play Thursday at 7 p.m., while the losers will move into the losers’ bracket and meet Thursday at noon.
No. 3 Northwestern State will open the tournament taking on No. 6 McNeese State Wednesday at 9 a.m. The Demons are 33-22 overall and 20-10 in league action. The Cowboys went 29-22 throughout the season and 15-15 in Southland play. Wednesday’s second game of the day will feature No. 2 Southeastern Louisiana taking on No. 7 New Orleans at noon. The Lions wrapped up regular season action 36-18 overall while posting a 22-8 mark in league play. The Privateers finished the season 27-28 overall and 16-14 in Southland play. The winners of Wednesday’s first two games advance to play Thursday at 4 p.m. while the losers play Thursday at 9 a.m.
Tournament Format
The tournament is set up in similar fashion to the NCAA College World Series in that there are two brackets with the winners meeting for the championship. Unlike in Omaha, the bracket winners of the Southland tournament meet in a single game to decide the championship. The winner of the Southland tournament is the league’s automatic qualifier for the NCAA tournament, which begins with regional play, June 3-5.
Tournament History
This marks the 30th year of the Southland Conference baseball tournament. It began in 1964 though no tournament was played between 1969 and 1992. Since it resumed in 1993, Sam Houston State and Texas State lead all conference teams with four tournament championships. The Bearkats won their first tournament title in 1996 and won three in a row from 2007 through 2009. The regular-season champion has won the tournament eight times though just three times since the tournament resumed in 1993. The last team to do that was Texas State, which won both the regular-season and tournament titles in 2011.
Ticket Information
Tickets are available for purchase at the Constellation Field box office, by phone at 281-240-4487 and online at
sugarlandskeeters.com. Online orders are subject to a $2 service charge per ticket.
All-Session Ticket: $60
Single Day Ticket: $18
Children 5 and Under: Free
Students at Southland Conference Institutions: Free
(with valid ID)
Tournament Coverage
For the second consecutive season, every game of the Southland Conference Baseball Tournament will be carried live by ESPN3. The winner of the 2016 tournament receives an automatic qualification to the NCAA tournament. The selection show airs Monday, May 30 at 11 a.m., CT, on ESPNU. Chris Mycoskie will handle play-by-play duties throughout the tournament, joined by several announcers from around the league. For the title game, Mycoskie will be matched with color analyst Greg Swindell, a first-team All-American at Texas and 17-year Major League veteran. The left-handed pitcher was named to 1989 American League All-Star team as part of the Cleveland Indians, and was part of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2001 World Series championship squad. ESPN3 is ESPN's live multi-screen sports network, a destination that delivers thousands of exclusive sports events annually. It is accessible online at
WatchESPN.com, plus on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN and ESPN apps. Games can also be streamed via Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.
Winner Advances to NCAA Tournament
The winner of the Southland Conference tournament earns the league’s automatic berth into the NCAA tournament. The field of 64 will be announced Monday at 11 a.m., CDT, on ESPNU. The tournament begins with regional play June 3-5 at campus sites. Super Regionals will be held June 10-12 and the College World Series will be June 18-28/29.
Southeastern Louisiana’s Fisher Named Southland Player of the Year
Fisher ranked among the Southland’s top-seven players in 10 different categories. The junior from Zachary, La. (Zachary H.S.), ranked first in batting average (.449), slugging percentage (.730), on base percentage (.577) and walks (47), second in hits (80), runs batted in (60) and total bases (130). Fisher finished third in doubles (16) and home runs (10), and seventh in runs scored (46). His batting average and on base percentage are the best in the nation, leading all NCAA Division I programs.
Lamar’s Russell Tabbed League’s Top Hitter
Lamar’s Russell completed the regulars season leading the league in RBIs (62), home runs (18) and total bases (138). He boasted a .363 batting average along with a .678 slugging percentage. The Longview, Texas (Longview H.S.), native was flawless in the infield posting a 1.000 fielding percentage in 52 games for the Cardinals. The junior transfer scored 40 runs off 73 hits in 201 at bats this season. Russell’s offensive efforts helped lead his team to a .302 overall team batting average and a league-best .469 slugging percentage. His 18 home runs tied a school record for single-season home runs. He’s the first Cardinal to get to 60 RBIs since 2007.
Northwestern State’s Oller Selected as Pitcher of the Year
Oller’s pitching was dominate as he posted a league-low 1.31 ERA while holding opponents to a .207 batting average in 102.2 innings pitched. The Conroe, Texas (Concordia Lutheran H.S), native struck out 67 batters including 20 opponents who were caught looking, He picked up a team-high eight wins and held off big hitters giving up just one triple and two home runs throughout the regular season. Oller collected quality starts in 12 of his 14 outings this season that ranks him fifth nationally in ERA.
Southeastern’s Granier is Top Relief Pitcher
Southeastern boasted two more individual awards with sophomore right-hander Granier posting a 4-1 record in 19 appearances. The Destrehan, La. (Destrahan H.S.), struck out 29 batters in 32.2 innings pitched while posting a 0.83 ERA holding opponents to a .198 batting average.
Brennan Breaud Earns Top Freshman Honors
Joining Fisher and Granier from the Lions is rookie infielder Breaud. The Norco, La. (Destrahan H.S.), native hit .288 in 198 at bats. Breaud racked up 53 runs on 57 hits and 26 walks. He drove in 25 RBIs while posting a .415 on base percentage throughout the season. Breaud stole a team-best 19 bases.
Michener is Newcomer of the Year
Stephen F. Austin’s Michener hit .340 in 188 at bats for the Lumberjacks. The Kennedale, Texas (Kennedale H.S.), native scored 39 runs off of 64 hits and 31 walks while tallying 92 totally bases. The junior outfielder drove in 32 RBIs while posting a .962 fielding percentage
Abilene Christian’s Russell Crippen Earns Utility Player of the Year
The Wildcat’s junior utility player Crippen has played first base, second base, third base and in the outfield during the season, and he also pitched during his freshman season in 2014. Crippen has started 12 games at first base, 13 at second base, 10 at third base, seven in right field and four as the designated hitter. He leads the Wildcats with a .309 batting average, three home runs and has 19 RBI. Crippen is also the Wildcats' active leader in career RBI and home runs.
Sam Houston State’s Deggs Named Coach of the Year
After guiding the Bearkats to their fifth regular-season title, Deggs was tabbed the Southland Conference coach of the year. Sam Houston state finished 24-6 in conference play and 37-19 overall to earn the No. 1 seed heading into the conference tournament later this week.
Southeastern Louisiana Leads All-Conference with Nine Selections
Nine schools placed student-athletes on the three all-conference teams, including Southeastern, New Orleans, Lamar, Stephen F. Austin, McNeese, Central Arkansas, Northwestern State, Sam Houston State and Nicholls. The Lions led all teams with nine selection with three first-team, two second-team and four third-team picks. Lamar has five selections including four first-team spots. McNeese, New Orleans and Stephen F. Austin each have four, Central Arkansas, Northwestern State and Sam Houston State each have three selections while Nicholls landed one all-conference selection. Another 13 student-athletes earned honorable mention after earning votes from at least 25 percent of the league’s coaches and sports information directors.
Team Tournament Capsules…
No. 1 Sam Houston State
Sam Houston State claimed the 2016 Southland regular-season championship after posting a 24-6 league record and a 37-19 overall mark. Sam Houston State swept five three-game series in Southland play. The Bearkats are making their 15th tournament appearance and their fifth consecutive postseason showing. Sam Houston State leads all current Southland teams with four tournament titles The Bearkats won their first in 1996 and won three in a row between 2007 and 2009. The Bearkats are 31-17 with six appearances in the championship game. The Bearkats take on No. 8 seed Stephen F. Austin Wednesday at 4 p.m.
No. 2 Southeastern Louisiana
Southeastern Louisiana enters the tournament with a 36-18 overall record to go with a 22-8 mark in league play. The Lions are making their 11th overall tournament appearance with a 19-20 postseason record and are 1-2 in league title games, last winning in 2014. The Lions face No. 7 seed New Orleans Wednesday at noon.
No. 3 Northwestern State
The Demons are 33-22 overall and 20-10 in Southland contests. Northwestern State tied with Lamar, but won the head-to-head tie-breaker as the Demons defeated the Cardinals two times out of three in the regular season. Northwestern State, who is 22-38 in the tournament, is looking to win its first conference tournament title. The Demons are 0-5 all-time in championship game appearances, last making the finals is 2006. The Demons open the tournament against No. 6 seed McNeese Wednesday at 9 a.m.
No. 4 Lamar
Lamar also completed the regular season with a 20-10 league mark, but lost the tie-breaker to Northwestern state after the Demons defeated the Cardinals two times out of three in the regular season. The Cardinals enter the tournament 35-17 overall for their 16th tournament appearance. Lamar is 33-24 in postseason action and 3-4 in the championship game with its last title in 2011. Lamar closes the first day of the tournament against No. 5 seed Central Arkansas Wednesday at 7 p.m.
No. 5 Central Arkansas
Central Arkansas bring a 28-25 overall mark and 16-14 league record to this year’s tournament. UCA is making its fifth overall tournament appearance, fourth consecutive, and is 11-8 all-time and 1-1 in championship games after claiming the tournament title in 2013. The Bear close the first day of the tournament facing No. 4 seed Lamar Wednesday at 7 p.m.
No. 6 McNeese
McNeese earned the No. 6 seed leading into the tournament after finishing with a 15-15 conference record. The Cowboys are making their fifth consecutive and 15th overall tournament appearance. McNeese is 15-23 all-time in postseason action and 2-1 in championship games. The Cowboys claimed titles in 1993 and 2003. The Cowboys face No. 3 seed Northwestern State Wednesday at 9 a.m. to open the tournament.
No. 7 New Orleans
New Orleans completed Southland Conference action 14-16 and 28-25 overall, making its first tournament appearance in program history. New Orleans tied with Stephen F. Austin and Nicholls at the end of regular-season play and won the three-way tie-breaker. The three teams did not all play each other so the comparison went to each team’s record against the highest-seeded opponent that all three teams played. New Orleans went 2-1 against Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin went 1-2 and Nicholls went 0-3, leaving the Privateers with the No. 7 seed. New Orleans faces in-state rival No. 2 seed Southeastern Louisiana Wednesday at noon.
No. 8 Stephen F. Austin
The Lumberjacks claimed the final seed of the Southland tournament with an overall record of 27-28 and a league mark of 14-16. SFA tied with New Orleans and Nicholls at the end of the regular season and split the three-way tie-breaker. The three teams did not all play each other so the comparison went to each team’s record against the highest-seeded opponent that all three teams played. New Orleans went 2-1 against Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin went 1-2 and Nicholls went 0-3, leaving the Lumberjacks seeded No. 8. SFA is making its seventh tournament appearance with a 7-12 postseason record and are 0-1 in championship games. The Lumberjacks take on the top-seeded Bearkats Wednesday at 4 p.m.