South Alabama's Travis Swaggerty (Aaron Fitt)

Swaggerty, Carr Lead Resurgent Jags

CONWAY, S.C. — The first half didn’t transpire quite as South Alabama envisioned it back at the start of the fall. That’s largely because the offseason didn’t go as the Jags drew it up.

By the time opening day rolled around, South Alabama had lost three key cogs in its powerful lineup to injuries that would prove season-ending: slugger Eddie Paparella (Tommy John surgery), sparkplug shortstop Drew LaBounty (devastating eye injury) and athletic outfielder Colton Thomas (broken arm). Suddenly, a lineup that looked like it would be one of college baseball’s best had to gel all over again.