Tulane taps Sam Houston's Pierce as new coach

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Tulane has named Sam Houston State head coach David Pierce as head coach of its baseball team.

Athletic Director Rick Dickson announced Pierce's hiring Sunday.

Pierce replaces Rick Jones, who retired in May after 21 years with the program.

Jones missed the second half of the 2014 season after falling ill in March.

He compiled an 818-445-2 record, making him the longest-tenured and winningest baseball coach in Tulane history. Jones guided Tulane to 12 NCAA Regional appearances, three NCAA Super Regionals and the program's only two appearances in the College World Series in 2001 and 2005.

Pierce compiled a 121-63 record and three straight appearances in the NCAA Regionals in three seasons as the Bearkats' coach. Prior to joining SHSU, Pierce was an assistant for nine years at Rice University.