Alabama State University Men's Baseball

Jose’ Vazquez was named Alabama State head baseball coach on July 13, 2016, and begins his ninth season at the helm of the Hornets in 2025.   Vazquez has a 230-166 overall record and is 136-48 in the SWAC. Alabama State has played in the SWAC championship game in three times, winning the 2022 title, while claiming the SWAC East Division title for the fifth time in six seasons in 2023. Alabama State went 28-25 overall and 18-12 in the SWAC in 2024. Outfielder Ali LaPread was named the SWAC Player of the Year while first baseman Juan Cruz was named the SWAC Freshman of the Year. Overall, Cruz, LaPread, Randy Flores (1st-Team) and Kyler McIntosh (2nd Team) earned All-SWAC honors.  Additionally, Pitcher Jorhan Laboy and Shadai Colon represented Alabama State on the U23 Puerto Rico National Team. Vazquez managed the USA Collegiate National Team to a perfect 8-0 record during the then 2024 summer training camp in Carey, N.C. Alabama State hurler Luis Rodiguez and catcher Jamal George were selected to play for the USA Collegiate National Team.  The Hornets scripted a season for the record books in 2023, posting a school record 41-18 record and a 26-4 conference mark. The Hornets led the conference in seven offensive categories, including the NCAA's top batting average of .334. ASU led the SWAC with 137 doubles (19th NCAA), 699 hits (6th NCAA), 81 home runs, 1.37 home runs per game, .416 on base percentage (14th NCAA),15 sac flies (15th NCAA), 8.5 runs per game (12th NCAA), and .523 slugging percentage (18th NCAA. Vazquez was named the SWAC Coach of the Year for the second straight year, pitcher Omar Melendez was named the SWAC Pitcher of the Year and catcher Jamal George was the SWAC Freshman of the Year. Overall, five Hornets earned All-SWAC honors. Omar Malendez, and Randy Flores earned first-team honors while George, Ian Matos (OF) and Kyler McIntosh nabbed second-team accolades.  Additionally, George earned Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Freshman All-American laurels and Melendez was named to three All-American Teams.  Vazquez was named the SWAC Coach of the Year In 2022 as the Hornets 34-35, claiming the SWAC East Division and Tournament Titles and earning a berth in the NCAA Knoxville Regional in Knoxville, Tenn. Five Hornets earned All-SWAC honors that included Corey King being named the SWAC Player of the Year. Additionally, Christopher DeGuzman, Hunter May (C), Breon Pooler (P), and Payton Harris (P) earned All-SWAC Second-Team honors.  In 2021, the Hornets went 23-19. Hunter May (C), and Santiago Garcia (DH) nabbed All-SWAC First-Team honors while Trenton Jamison (3), Jabronski Williams (OF), Breon Pooler (P), and Payton Harris (P) were list as members of the second-team.  In The Hornets were 14-4 through their first 18 games before the COVID-19 pandemic ended the season. The Hornets were off to one of their best starts in school history, including winning their first conference series of the season. They also had two players who were leading the nation in their respective categories when the season ended in Jacknell Guzman (complete games) and Jabronski Williams (triples). During the 2019 season, Vazquez helped lead Alabama State to their second consecutive East Division championship with 18 wins and a spot in the SWAC championship game. The Hornets finished 18-5, the best record in the conference, and won three games in the tournament. The Hornets also won four of the major awards handed out by the conference at the conclusion of the regular season - co-Player of the Year (Yamil Pagan), Hitter of the Year (Pagan), Pitcher of the Year (Darren Kelly) and Freshman of the Year (Ricardo Rivera).  In his first season as the head coach of the Hornets, Vazquez led Alabama State to the SWAC championship game and finished second in the East Division of the conference. He also had seven selections on the SWAC all-conference teams at the end of the season last year, including three major awards. The Hornets had the SWAC Freshman of the Year in Cage Cox, the SWAC Relief Pitcher of the Year in Austin Bizzle and the Pitcher of the Year in Tyler Howe. The Hornets had one player drafted in Bizzle (Minnesota Twins), and one who signed in Howe (Los Angeles Dodgers) at the conclusion of the season. After having Cox named to multiple All-America teams last season, the Hornets have seven players who were selected to the Preseason All-SWAC teams this season under the direction of Vazquez. During his second season at the helm of the Hornets, he helped Alabama State to the East Division championship and was named the SWAC Coach of the Year as the Hornets finished with 18 wins. He coached four players who were named All-Conference at the conclusion of the regular season, and another two who were named All-Tournament. He also coached Hunter Phillips - a Second Team Academic All-America selection - and Ray Hernandez, who was named All-Region and drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the MLB Draft. Vazquez has spent 14 seasons as an assistant baseball coach, the last six as Associate Head Coach, including five seasons at Alabama State. In addition to the day-to-day duties of the Alabama State baseball program, Vazquez has coached Hornet hitters and outfielders and is widely regarded as one of the top recruiters in the nation. Vazquez, named the 2013 Assistant Coach of the Year by the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association, has helped Alabama State post a Top 60 recruiting class each year, as rated by Perfect Game, the largest amateur baseball scouting service in the nation.   He has played in an integral role in the rise of Alabama State baseball into a championship program. Vazquez helped the Hornets land C Richard Gonzalez and OF Richard Amion in the 2011 signing class, both of whom would go on to earn Freshman All-America accolades in 2012. Those two players, along with another 2011 signee in SS Emmanuel Marrero, would prove to be cornerstone pieces of the ASU program, leading the team to 89 wins from 2012-14. All three players were selected in the 2014 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. In 2015, two other freshmen from the initial signing class, RHPs Armando Ruiz and Michael Estevez, along with 2012 signing class pitcher Jorge Pantoja, were drafted for signed to pro contracts.   Two seasons ago, RHP Angel Alicea was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays, and three-time SWAC Pitcher of the Year Joseph Camacho signed a free agent contract with the Oakland A’s. Alabama State has had nine players earn a chance to play professional baseball, with six players drafted, all in the last three seasons. In 2016, the Hornets set a then school record with 64 home runs as Alabama State baseball won a school record 38 games, including an unprecedented 24-0 record in Southwestern Athletic Conference play, in winning the first SWAC Championship in program history and earning ASU first berth to the Division I NCAA Baseball Tournament.   Under Vazquez’ guidance, the Hornets have become a more potent offensive team each season. In 2012, with 18 true freshmen on the roster, the Hornets hit .247 (7th SWAC) with no .300 hitters and 14 home runs as the team won 20 games for the first time since 2002. ASU improved in 2013 to hit .282 (second in SWAC) with four .300 hitters and 26 home runs (1st in SWAC), and last season hit .292 with four .300 hitters and 35 home runs. The Hornets led the SWAC in all major batting categories in 2014, including batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, runs scored, hits, RBI, triples and home runs. In 2015 the Hornets were first in on-base percentage and slugging percentage, second in batting average, runs scored, home runs and RBI, and third in hits. Prior to Alabama State, Vazquez spent the previous nine seasons as assistant coach at Bethune-Cookman, with 2011 his first as Associate Head Coach. Vazquez played a prominent role in the programs’ success, bringing in players that posted a staggering 100-4 MEAC record over the final six seasons, all ending in conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearances. Playing under former ASU head coach Mervyl Melendez at B-CU, Vazquez earned all-conference honors as a catcher in his only season with the Wildcats, transferring there for his senior season in 2002. As a starter, Vazquez helped post the best record in school history (39-22), including the programs’ only NCAA Regional victory over Florida International. Vazquez then joined the coaching ranks, first as a student in 2003 and, upon graduating, a full-time assistant. A native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Vazquez is married to the former Jana Swanson. The couple has two daughters, Liana and Elaisa. CAREER RECORD Year School   Overall Post   SWAC Finish Division 2017 Alabama State 31-25 - 18-6 2nd 2018 Alabama State 30-22 - 18-6 3rd 1st SWAC East  2019 Alabama State 28-26 - 18-5 2nd 1st SWAC East  2020 Alabama State 16-4 - 3-0 1st 1st SWAC East  2021 Alabama State 23-19 _ 14-7 2nd 2022 Alabama State 34-24 0-2 24-8 1st 1st SWAC East  2023 Alabama State 41-18 2-2 26-4 3rd 1st SWAC East  2024 Alabama State 28-25 1-2 18-12 4th 3rd SWAC East Totals Seven Seasons 230-166 136-48  

Drew Clark enters his 15th season on the Alabama State baseball staff, his eighth as Associate Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator under Head Coach Jose Vazquez entering the 2022 season. Clark serves as the recruiting coordinator and hitting coach for the Hornets. He also oversees the infielders and catchers defensively.  In 2024, Alabama State ranked led the SWAC in home runs (67), doubles (120), total bases (965),and fewest strikoeuts (310). The Hornets also ranked second in the SWAC in batting average (.321) and hits (618) while ranking fourth in runs scored (425). Outfielder Ali LaPread was named the SWAC Player of the Year while first baseman Juan Cruz was named the SWAC Freshman of the Year. Cruz, LaPread, Randy Flores (1st-Team) and Kyler McIntosh (2nd Team) earned All-SWAC honors. Clark was instrumental in the Hornets' 41-18 season and the SWAC East Division title in 2023. The Hornets led the conference in seven offensive categories including the NCAA's top batting average of .332. ASU led the SWAC with 137 doubles (19th NCAA), 699 hits (6th NCAA), 81 home runs, 1.37 home runs per game, .416 on base percentage (14th NCAA),15 sac flies (15th NCAA), 8.5 runs per game (12th NCAA), and .523 slugging percentage (18th NCAA. Ian Matos (CF), Jamal George (C), Kyler McIntosh (SS), and Randy Flores (2B) earned All-SWAC honors under Clark in 2023. Clark has tutored seven  Louisville  Slugger  Freshman All-Americans over the past seven seasons including Jamal George (C, 2023), Richard Amion (OF, 2012), Richard Gonzalez  (C,  2012),  Dillon  Cooper  (OF,  2013),  Diandre Amion (OF, 2016) and Eriq White (2B, 2016).  The Hornet offense has also found itself in the top two of the league in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in for the past six seasons (before 2019). Under his guidance, the 2016 offense ranked first in the country in runs scored per game at 8.6. In 2020 Jabronski Williams was leading the nation in triples before the season was shortened due to COVID-19. In 2018, Ray Hernandez heard his name called during the MLB draft, when he was selected in the 29th round by the Atlanta Braves. In 2014, three Hornet position players saw their names called during the MLB draft. The draftees included Shortstop Emmanuel Marrero was selected by the (Philadelphia Phillies, 7th Round), Outfielder Richard Amion (San Francisco Giants, 19th Round), and Richard Gonzalez (Houston Astros, 29th Round). After the 2014 season, Clark was recognized by the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association as the Assistant Coach of the Year. During his 14 seasons at Alabama State, Clark has tutored several award-winning offensive players including 2023 Freshman of the year Jamal George, 2022 Player and Hitter of the Year Corey King, , 2019 Co-Player/Hitter of the Year Yamil Pagan, 2017 Freshman of the Year Cage Cox, 2016 Player/Hitter of the Year Carlos Ocasio, 2016 Freshman of the Year Eriq White, 2016 ALABCA Player of the Year Carlos Ocasio, 2015 Player of the Year Emmanuel Marrero and 2013 Freshman of the Year Dillon Cooper. He has also coached 29 All-SWAC performers. Clark joined the coaching ranks in  2010  after a  four-year career playing catcher at  Bethune-Cookman, winning more than 150 games, four Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships, and four appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Clark is married to the former Carrie D’Ippolito, a native of Ormond Beach, Fla. The couple has one son, Jaxon Colt Clark, and one daughter, Mila Sofia Clark.

Branch Kloess begins his third year as Alabama State's pitching coach and his fourth overall after serving one season as volunteer assistant coach in 2022. In 2024, Alabama State pitchers led the SWAC in strikeouts (440) while ranking third in opponent batting average (.280), fourth in ERA (6.05) and fifth in fewest runs allowed (392). Pitchers Jorhan Laboy and Shadai Colon represented Alabama State on the U23 Puerto Rico National Team while Luis Rodiguez was selected to play for the USA Collegiate National Team. In his first season as in charge of the pitchers, the Hornets led the SWAC in ERA (4.58), strikeouts (523), and fewest runs allowed (316). ASU was second in opponent batting average (.266) and third in fewest walks (226).  He came to Alabama State after spending time as an assistant coach at Missouri-Saint Louis. Prior to UMSL, he spent time at Florida Southern, where he spent the 2017 season as the pitching coach, helping the Mocs to a 45-11-1 record and a berth in the NCAA DII World Series. Kloess has nearly 11 years of coaching experience and also spent six years playing professionally after graduating from Florida Atlantic University in 2008.   He was signed by the Chicago White Sox in June of 2009 and assigned to the Single A Great Fall Voyagers, posting a 2-0 record with four saves and a 2.45 ERA, recording 72 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings pitched. Kloess was named the 2009 Pioneer League Pitcher of the Year after being tabbed to a Pioneer League All-Star. He continued to move up in the White Sox organization and was later a South Atlantic League All-Star in 2010, was a Southern League Pitcher of the Week in 2011 and was an Arizona Fall League Invitee in 2011 for the Mesa Solar Sox.   In November 2012, Kloess was traded to the San Diego Padres, assigned to the AAA Tucson Padres and was a major league spring training invitee. He ended his playing career with the Oakland Athletics.   Prior to his coaching stop at Florida Southern, Kloess coached youth club baseball in Florida and also served as varsity head coach at Saint Andrews School in Boca Raton for two years.   Kloess graduated from Florida Atlantic with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a minor in political science.   The Montgomery, Ala., native prepped at St. James High School where he was the 2002 4A Player of the Year and threw two perfect games.

Drew Clark enters his 11th season on the Alabama State baseball staff, his sixth as Associate Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator under Head Coach Jose Vazquez when the 2023 season gets underway. Clarks responsibilities include recruiting coordinator and working with the Hornet hitters/position players.  Clark  has  tutored  six  Louisville  Slugger  Freshman All-Americans over the past seven seasons including Richard Amion (OF, 2012), Richard Gonzalez  (C,  2012),  Dillon  Cooper  (OF,  2013),  Diandre Amion (OF, 2016) and Eriq White (2B, 2016).  The Hornet offense has also found itself in the top two of the league in batting average, home runs and runs batted in for the past six seasons (prior to 2019). Under his guidance, the 2016 offense ranked first in the country in runs scored per game at 8.6. The 2022 season saw sophomore infielder, Corey King, named Player/Hitter/Newcomer of the Year. The first player in Alabama State history to win all 3 awards.  In 2018, Ray Hernandez heard his named called during the MLB draft, when he was selected in the 29th round by the Atlanta Braves. In 2014, three Hornet position players saw their names called during the MLB draft. The draftees included Shortstop Emmanuel Marrero was selected by the (Philadelphia Phillies, 7th Round), Outfielder Richard Amion (San Francisco Giants, 19th Round), and Richard Gonzalez (Houston Astros, 29th Round). After the 2014 season, Clark was recognized by the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association as the Assistant Coach of the Year. During his nine seasons at Alabama State, Clark has tutored several award winning offensive players including 2022 Player/Hitter/Newcomer of the Year Corey King, 2019 Co-Player/Hitter of the Year Yamil Pagan, 2017 Freshman of the Year Cage Cox, 2016 Player/Hitter of the Year Carlos Ocasio, 2016 Freshman of the Year Eriq White, 2016 ALABCA Player of the Year Carlos Ocasio, 2015 Player of the Year Emmanuel Marrero and 2013 Freshman of the Year Dillon Cooper. He has also coached 29 All-SWAC performers.