By BY BRUCE HIXON – SPORTS EDITOR
If Jacob Salter is suffering from the dreaded &#8220sophomore jinx” that supposedly hits players after successful freshmen campaigns, most players would like to be inflicted by the same bug.
The former T.R. Miller Tigers center fielder is following up a solid freshmen season at Alabama Southern College in Monroeville with an even better sophomore campaign.
Salter's numbers are up from a year ago in most categories. So far through 23 games Salter is batting .402 (37-for-92) with 10 doubles, 14 RBIs and a 17-for-20 effort in stolen base attempts. Last year Salter hit .333 with six doubles, two triples, 20 RBIS and 10 stolen bases in 14 attempts en route to All-Alabama Community College Conference South Division Second Team honors.
Salter is currently hitting in the leadoff position for the Eagles, a spot he held down most of his career at T.R. Miller.
Salter is not only enjoying considerable individual success this spring, but the Alabama Southern squad had roared out of the gate with a 25-6 record. The Eagles currently lead the ACCC south division with an 8-1 record. Alabama Southern is currently hitting .372 as a team, the second best mark in the country.
Right now Salter's main focus is the ACCC south division race.
start. We just completed a three-game sweep of L.B. Wallace over the weekend. While LBW is down a little bit so far this spring, that is always a big series for us,” said Salter. &#8220At this time, Southern Union looks to be our biggest challenger. Southern Union came into the south division this year and they're right behind us in the standings. Wallace State-Dothan will also be a key series for us.”
Last year Alabama Southern went two and out at the state playoffs. Salter hopes for a much better result this year.
Salter is also looking a bit down the road at his personal future.