Howard Softball Taken Down by Morgan State, 15-9

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After sacking two wins in Saturday’s doubleheader over Morgan State, the Lady Bison looked to sweep their MEAC opponent in order to increase their chances of gaining a birth to the MEAC Championship Tournament, but fell short as the Bears took game three 15-9 at Banneker Field on Sunday afternoon.

In the first inning the Lady Bison surrendered seven runs to the Bears before responding with three runs when their turn at the plate arrived. Emily Johnson led off the game with a double and Lorae Robinson singled, pushing Johnson to third. Marisa Coats scored Johnson on a RBI groundout to second base and Rebecca Kirshner homered to bring home the remaining two runs.

After shutting out the Lady Bears in the second, Robinson tied the game at 7-7 with a grand slam. Prior to Robinson’s blast out of the park, Trina Kindred singled to left, Andascha Moore doubled and Johnson walked to fill the bases.

Ciera Gordon scored to give the Bison their first lead of the game on a sacrifice fly by Kindred.

Two errors and back-to-back doubles helped the Lady Bears regained the lead after scoring five runs. Responding first for the Lady Bison was Robinson who reached base on a bunt. Marisa Coats scored Robinson on a double to right field.

In the fifth Carly Martin entered the game to relieve Emily Johnson who gave up five unearned runs on six hits. Before leaving the circle she struck out two batters and relieved starting pitcher Samantha Gatson who gave up four hits and the first four runs of the game.
The Bears scored three times increasing their lead, 15-9.

Howard attempted to take the game in the bottom of the seventh, but fell short as Johnson grounded out to the short stop for the third out of the frame – leaving Moore on second base and Martin at third.

Johnson took the loss on the mound – giving up eight runs in four innings of work. Robinson lead the Lady Bison at the plate, going 3-for-4 with four runs scored and four RBI.

The Lady Bison will take on Maryland Eastern Shore for their regular-season finale and senior day on May 7.

Boxscore

By Jamilah Corbitt, Assistant Director of Sports Information
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY
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VISIT: MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
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Xavier Gold Rush qualify for nationals for third straight season

Xavier Tennis Coach Alan Green

"Our guys came out like men who had families to feed. We trusted each other out there and kept our composure throughout the match. When we play like that, we are very tough to beat." — XU Coach Alan Green.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Xavier University of Louisiana men's tennis team followed the clearly defined path Saturday.

The Gold Rush, ranked 11th in the NAIA, defeated 23rd-ranked Martin Methodist 5-2 to earn an automatic bid to the national tournament for the third consecutive year. The qualifying event was for teams whose conferences did not meet requirements for automatic bids.

A loss would've left Xavier (13-9) waiting for an at-large bid to the 24-team event — a strong possibility, considering the Gold Rush's ranking — but after beating Martin Methodist (14-6) for the second time in as many tries this season, Xavier won't be involved with that suspense.

"Our guys came out like men who had families to feed," Coach Alan Green said. "We trusted each other out there and kept our composure throughout the match. When we play like that, we are very tough to beat."

Juniors Zach Taylor, Steffen Giles-Osborn and Sean Richardson won in doubles and singles for the Gold Rush. Taylor, winning for the first time in his last seven singles matches, put Xavier ahead to stay at 3-2 when he beat Renato Castro 6-1, 6-3 at No. 2. Giles-Osborn beat Alvaro Morcillo 6-3, 6-4 at No. 3 to give the Rush a 4-2 lead, and Richardson clinched with his fifth victory in six matches, a 6-3, 6-3 decision against Juan Suarez at No. 5.

Giles-Osborn and Richardson were the only Gold Rush players who were 2-0 in doubles and 2-0 in singles in the two-day, four-team qualifier.

Because of only five available players, Xavier defaulted at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles. But the Rush did not drop a set in any of the five completed matches. Taylor and Hassan Abbas, ranked 15th among NAIA doubles teams, improved to 15-7 with an 8-0 victory against Vinicius Santos and Suarez. Giles-Osborn and Richardson teamed for an 8-6 decision against Castro and Fabio Santos. Vinicius Santos was the TranSouth Conference Player of the Year this season, and Fabio Santos and Suarez were all-conference in singles and doubles.

It was the second loss in the last 13 duals for Martin Methodist, which opened its season with a 6-3 loss to Xavier on Feb. 18 in Nashville, Tenn.

"This match seemed a bit easier," Green said. "Martin Methodist played a different doubles lineup, and I think the matchups were favorable to us."

It was Xavier's third victory of the season against a ranked NAIA opponent. The XU men have two additional victories against NAIA teams which were unranked at the time of those matches but were ranked in the most recent poll. Xavier is 7-1 at neutral sites and 4-0 in Tennessee.

Xavier's men never qualified for nationals before 2009, and they won first-round matches in both previous appearances. The NAIA National Championship will start May 17 in Mobile, Ala. Pairings will be announced by 5 p.m. on May 10.

"We look forward to playing the nation's best teams in 95-degree Gulf Coast heat," Green said.

Results



By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

Six Howard Bison Homer in Wins Over Morgan State

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Howard softball team took down Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opponent Morgan State on Saturday’s doubleheader winning game one, 7-4, and game two, 13-5. Six members of the Lady Bison (15-22, 6-5 MEAC) blasted a home run in the doubleheader giving HU a pair of wins.

Christine Sborz was the first HU player to knock one out of the park, as she brought in three runs in the first inning, following an RBI single by Marisa Coats earlier in the inning, pushing Howard to a 4-0 lead.

Shortstop Rebecca Kirshner blasted the Bison’s second homer in the sixth inning. Kirshner went 2-for-4 in the opening game, scored three times and recorded two RBI.

MSU (14-23, 7-4 MEAC) got back on the board with three runs, courtesy of a single and a home run of their own at the top of the third, leaving them one run behind Howard. The Lady Bison however, never surrendered their lead, and immediately responded to the Bears in the bottom of the third with a run.

Samantha Gatson and Emily Johnson split the mound as Gatson recorded the win while Johnson garnered the save. Gatson pitched the first three innings and allowed four hits, three runs and struck out one. Johnson pitched the remaining four innings, allowed three hits, one run and struck out six batters. Neither pitcher surrendered a walk.

In game two, Howard posted four homers and doubled the Bears in hits, 12-6. The Lady Bison got off to another big lead with four runs in the bottom of the first on four hits. Center fielder Lorae Robinson got on base first with a bunt single and went on to steal second. Coats doubled to bring Robinson home, and scored herself following a single by Kirshner. Immediately following Kirshner was Ciera Gordon who posted Howard’s third homer of the day.


Videographer: Howardgospelchoir; The Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University sings "Thank You, Lord" during the Release Tour (Spring Break 2011 Tour) at the Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church (Atlanta, GA). Soloist: LaJoyce Denson

In the second inning, Morgan State responded with three runs along with their first homer of the game. Howard was silenced in the second when it was their turn at the plate, but went on to score runs in each of the remaining four frames.

In the third inning both Trina Kindred and Johnson blasted home runs and Coats followed suit in the bottom of the sixth to end the game and give HU their second win of the day.

Martin was given the win as she struck out two, allowed two runs and two hits. Johnson who started off the game, also struck out two and gave up three runs and four hits.

The Lady Bison softball team will look to sweep Morgan State tomorrow when the teams face off at noon in hopes of securing a spot to the MEAC Championship tournament in Daytona, Fla. Visit www.howard-bison.com for more updates on the Howard softball team.

By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY
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VISIT: MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: MSUBEARS

NFL 49ers Draft Florida A&M's Cornerback Curtis Holcomb -- Confident He Is A Complete Player!

Excerpt:

In looking over the newest 49ers conference call transcript (posted after the jump), it is safe to say Curtis Holcomb does not lack that confidence. Holcomb was the 49ers last pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, coming off the board at 250th overall. You could argue he finds himself in a similar situation to that of  Phillip Adams (South Carolina State University) who was also a seventh round defensive back selection. While Holcomb and Adams are different players, Holcomb will follow him in the sense of trying to battle for what could be one of the final roster spots.

In fact, Holcomb and Adams likely will be battling each other for that spot. Adams has the advantage of a year under his belt in the NFL, but he also is dealing with recovery from his season-ending ankle injury. It's never too early to start considering roster and positional battles, and it is safe to say this will be one of those battles whenever football starts back up.

CB Curtis Holcomb April 30, 2011 San Franciso 49ers Conference Call: Listen to Audio


Videographer: rockmanthething; CB Curtis Holcomb FAMU Pro Day 2011.

VISIT: FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
VISIT: FAMUATHLETICS

Xavier Gold Nuggets' season ends with semifinal loss to Milligan

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Just call it a pause in the recent success of the Xavier University of Louisiana women's tennis program.

Milligan defeated the Gold Nuggets 5-0 Saturday in the semifinals of an NAIA National Championship qualifying tournament. That ended Xavier's bid for a fourth consecutive appearance at next month's national tournament, and it ended the Nuggets' season at 4-18 — a sharp contrast to Coach Alan Green's first seven teams, which won nearly 70 percent of their dual matches.

"We'll be back," Green said. "Recruiting for next season is going well. We have some young talent coming back next season, and they're going to improve. I expect us to return to form."

Xavier dropped out of the top 25 on March 22 after 44 consecutive appearances dating to 2004, and the Nuggets won't appear the final top 25 for the first time since 2003. But Green said one important component never disappeared this season.

"Our women played hard this entire year," Green said. "I'm proud of each of them. The fight they showed will carry them in life, further than any amount of wins could ever do."

The 2010-11 Xavier University of Louisiana women's tennis team.
Amber Brown, Melissa DeLoach, Nicole DeLoach, Yazmin Hooper,
Courtney Martin, Ashley McGill, Carmen Nelson and Coach Alan Green

Milligan (12-6) swept the three doubles matches — the closest was Albany Kelly and Caitlin Conley's 8-6 victory over Carmen Nelson and Melissa DeLoach at the first flight — and the Buffaloes clinched when Halie Winfrey beat freshman walk-on Courtney Martin 6-2, 6-0 at No. 5 singles.

Two Xavier freshmen led their singles matches when the dual ended. Amber Brown led Kelly 6-4, 2-2 at No. 2, and Nicole DeLoach, Melissa's sister, led Celeste Carpenter 6-1, 4-3 at No. 4.

It was the final collegiate competition for Melissa DeLoach, a four-year letterwoman and this year's team MVP, and Ashley McGill. DeLoach trailed 6-4, 1-0 against Caitlin Conley at No. 3 singles when the dual ended. McGill and Martin lost 8-4 to Jessie Rose Remegi and JoLynne Heidt at No. 3 doubles, and Heidt beat McGill 6-1, 6-1 at No. 6 singles to give Milligan a 4-0 lead.

The Nuggets played the entire regular season with five players, resulting in automatic defaults at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles against opponents at full strength. The schedule was difficult too — half of the Nuggets' losses were to NCAA Division I opponents, and there were four more defeats against ranked NAIA opponents.

"We're not looking for any sympathy," Green said. "Like I said, our women battled all year. We hope to be much better on the court next season, and we'll try again to play as hard a schedule as we can. We'll look forward to those challenges."

Results

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

Howard University Lacrosse Falls Short in NLC Consolation Game to Liberty, 16-13

DAVIDSON, N.C. – After dropping to Jacksonville in the National Lacrosse Conference quarterfinals, the Howard lacrosse team was awarded a consolation game where they faced the Liberty Flames. Despite fighting back from a seven-point deficit, the Lady Bison (4-13) were unable to score enough before time expired, officially ending their season with a 16-3 loss. Ironically just one year ago, the tables were turned as the Lady Bison defeated Liberty (7-11) in their final game of the 2010 season with a 17-11 victory.

Liberty got off to a 3-0 start before Cynithia Smalls got on board for the Lady Bison with 22:57 on the clock. Senior Desiree Cox added a goal while freshmanCourtland Lackey tacked on two scores in the first half.

The score was 10-4 by halftime and Howard began their offensive attack to attempt to get back in the game and went on a 5-2 run until the clock hit 10:51.

2011 Howard University LAX ROSTER

Smalls, Cox and Lackey scored in the run before Liberty scattered the third goal of the half, pushing the game to a 13-9 score. Cox scored two back-to-back goals to inch Howard within two goals, the closest that the Bison had been to Liberty's lead all game. Liberty, however, slowly pulled away with two additional goals and another in the final minutes of the game.

Lackey and senior Ashley Lawrence also scored late in the game, but it was not enough to overcome the Flames' then-15-13 lead.

Both Lackey and Cox finished with five goals a piece to led the Bison while Smalls finished with two goals and the Bison's lone assist. Lackey also led the team in groundballs with five while Cox recorded four draw controls. Both Smalls and Lackey tallied a pair of caused turnovers.

For more information on the Lady Bison lacrosse team, visit www.howard-bison.com.

By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY
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OFFICIAL HD Let's Move! "Move Your Body" Music Video with Beyoncé - NABEF

This week, Beyoncé worked her magic and did the impossible. She made Michelle Obama's fight against childhood obesity look cooler and more fashionable than ever before. The pop chart diva revamped her 2007 hit "Get Me Bodied," and dubbed the new version "Move Your Body" in support of the first lady's "Let's Move!" healthy eating campaign.



"Move Your Body" exploded when released online Tuesday, racking up nearly 1.5 million YouTube video plays in less than a week. In the video, the "Halo" singer, dressed in short shorts, knee high socks, and heels, storms into a junior high school cafeteria and leads a group of students through eight missions that involve various dance moves.



Without any special effects, costume changes, or celebrity guests, Beyoncé manages to create one of her most compelling videos to date.  In a behind-the-scenes clip, students discuss their struggles to make better eating choices, and Beyoncé explains her desire to help spread Michelle Obama's encouraging message.



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