African-Americans in NCAA baseball few and far between

Photo: Southern University head baseball coach Roger Candor.

It isn't a myth or an overstatement to say that the hardest thing to see in college baseball is an African-American ballplayer. The decline almost makes a triple play look common.

In 2007, less than seven percent of all NCAA Division I baseball players were African-American, and the numbers are expected to decline for 2008. The comparisons to basketball, where 57 percent of D-I players were African-American, and football (43 percent) are mind-boggling.

There are a grand total of seven African-American players at the five pre-eminent college baseball teams in Southern California - two at Cal State Fullerton and Long Beach State, and one each at USC, UCLA and Pepperdine. Considering UCLA gave us Jackie Robinson, USC is located in the inner-city and Long Beach has a long history of producing outstanding African-American athletes, it's a regrettable local statistic.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Black colleges facing pivotal time

Photo: BCU head baseball coach Mervyl Melendez.

Mervyl Melendez, the baseball coach at Bethune-Cookman University, respects his school's distinguished tradition within the ranks of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He tries every year to recruit African American players to the private liberal arts school, which has about 3,000 students at its Daytona Beach, Fla., campus.

"We offered, in November, seven African American kids scholarships. All but one rejected that offer and signed with different universities," he said. "After we were rejected we got kids from Puerto Rico. We recruited six, and all six said yes." And so Bethune-Cookman, whose student body is more than 91% black, fields a team in which African Americans are a minority, outnumbered by players from Melendez's native Puerto Rico.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

Urban Youth Academy hosting tourney

Bethune-Cookman, Southern University on display in SoCal

The Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy has become a true baseball gathering place, and that will become more evident when the academy hosts its first Urban Invitational Baseball Tournament this weekend in Compton, California.

Two historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Bethune-Cookman University (Daytona Beach, Fla.) and Southern University (Baton Rouge, La.), will face off against local powerhouses UCLA and USC. The Urban Invitational was created, in part, to showcase the many uses for the academy, but, more importantly to bring attention to the two universities visiting Southern California.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

New Grambling contract for Broadway would be longer, richer

GRAMBLING — Rod Broadway’s proposed new contract at Grambling State includes another year and a $14,000 increase in base pay for 2008, among other incentives.
The deal, up for approval by GSU’s oversight board during meetings held today in Lake Charles, followed interest in the first-year football coach from upper-classification Duke as well as fellow historically black college program Florida A&M.

His new agreement would begin at $170,000 then upgrade to $215,000 by 2011. It’s backdated to Feb. 7. Like most lower-division programs, there is no buyout clause: Broadway “may terminate this agreement by written notice at any time,” according to the contract.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

SWAC Women's Bowling Championship to air on ESPNU

College bowling returns to national television next week as Southern University and Alabama A&M University, two NCAA Division I programs, square off for the Southwestern Athletic Conference Women's Bowling Championship.

The championship match is scheduled to air on Wednesday, March 5 at 8 p.m. Eastern and replayed Thursday, March 6 at 7:30 a.m. Eastern. Check your local listings for time changes.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

Obama’s got game, says his brother-in-law the coach

I asked Craig Robinson to talk about the side of Barack Obama you don’t see in public. I figured he would know. Robinson is the brother of Obama’s wife, Michelle. He is 45 and coach of the Brown University basketball team. We were having coffee a few blocks from his office on Thayer Street.

He told me there is no different side.

“He’s really authentic,” said Robinson. “What you see is what you get.” He told me that wasn’t just a brother-in-law speaking.

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

Craig Robinson profile: http://brownbears.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/robinson_craig00.html

Pitt Baseball Pummels Maryland Eastern Shore, 25-3

Princess Anne, Maryland - A last-minute schedule change brought the Pitt baseball team one of it's most successful days in the program's 69-year history. The Panthers were scheduled to travel to Chillicothe, Ohio this weekend for a three-game series with Youngstown State, but inclement weather conditions forced Pitt to make a quick schedule change. Instead of Ohio, the Panthers traveled to Maryland Eastern Shore for a weekend-series against the Hawks and Rhode Island.

In the opening game of the weekend, Pitt (2-2) rolled to a 25-3 win over host Maryland Eastern Shore (0-6) Friday afternoon. The win marked the 21st time in the program's history that the Panthers have scored 20 or more runs.

CONTINUE TO READ THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

The Hawks have no football team; maybe they need to drop baseball too. Dang...25-3!

New dean at Florida A&M law college

Photo: FAMU College of Law Dean, LeRoy Pernell

LeRoy Pernell is the new dean of Florida A&M University's College of Law.

Pernell, who was dean of the Northern Illinois University College of Law, says his main goal is to gain American Bar Association accreditation for the FAMU College of Law in Orlando. The college received provisional accreditation in 2004.

He replaces Percy Luney Jr., who was fired in 2005 after a payroll audit revealed Kentucky attorney Shirley Cunningham Jr. donated $1 million to the FAMU law school in return for a $100,000-a-year job that didn't require him to teach on-site. Luney maintained that FAMU's former presidents Frederick Humphries and Fred Gainous made the arrangement with Cunningham, not him.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

JSU to open football season in Orlando

Jackson State will open the 2008 football season on a Sunday in Orlando against Bethune Cookman University, school officials announced today.

The Tigers will play the Wildcats of Daytona Beach, Fla., on Aug. 31 at the Citrus Bowl as part of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. The game will be televised by ESPN. A game time has not been set.

According to a news release, the rest of JSU’s schedule has not been finalized, but a tentative schedule has been announced.

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

The presidents of FAMU and Bethune Cookman just issued statements through the Orlando Sentinel, and this article says BCU will not be playing two games in Orlando next season. We know BCU will be playing in the Florida Classic because of the existing contract that pays them a reported $1.3 million for their participation in the Florida Classic.

So, who is really the opponent that Jackson State will face in Orlando on August 31?

You would think before all of these announcements were made that the MEAC Commissioner would have worked through the details of who would represent the MEAC in this game. Here is the schedule that JSU released yesterday:

'08 tentative JSU football schedule

Aug. 31, Bethune Cookman, Orlando
Sept. 6, Stillman*
Sept. 13, Tennessee State, Memphis
Sept. 20, at Grambling
Oct. 4, Southern University
Oct. 11, at Arkansas Pine Bluff
Oct. 18, at Texas Southern
Oct. 25, Mississippi Valley State
Nov. 8, at Alabama State
Nov. 15, Alabama A&M
Nov. 22, Alcorn State

-beepbeep

B-CU, FAMU presidents want Florida Classic to stay

Photo: FAMU President Dr. James H. Ammons

The contract for the annual football game in Orlando runs out later this year, but the schools want to keep playing in Orlando.

The Florida Classic lost its primary sponsor, but Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman aren't leaving town.

That's the message both university presidents delivered Friday in the wake of news that the Disney decided not to extend a 10-year sponsorship.

"This Classic is more than a game. It is a family reunion that has evolved into the greatest competition between two historical universities in the state of Florida," FAMU President James H. Ammons and B-CU President Trudie Kibbe Reed said in a joint statement.

CONTINUE TO READ THIS IMPORTANT ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

Southern Jaguars travels to West Coast for tournament

Photo: SU Human Jukebox Marching Band and Dancing Dolls get to do battle with the USC Trogan Marching Band in Los Angeles.

Add weatherman to Southern baseball coach Roger Cador’s capabilities. “It’s beautiful in Los Angeles. Simply gorgeous,” Cador said. Southern (0-1) plays third-ranked UCLA (2-1) at 8 p.m. CST today at Jackie Robinson Stadium in the first Urban Invitational Baseball Tournament.

In the round-robin tournament hosted by the MLB Urban Youth Academy, SU will play Southern California (3-2) on ESPN2 at 10 p.m. Saturday at the MLB Urban Youth Academy and Bethune-Cookman University (2-1) at 3 p.m. Sunday at the MLB Urban Youth Academy.

Saturday’s entertainment will also include a “Battle of the Bands” between Southern’s Human Jukebox and USC’s Trojan Marching Band.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

What a wonderful ideal--a battle of the bands at a baseball game! I know the Southern Human Jukebox is loving the opportunity to square off with the USC Trogan Marching Band. This will be an epic battle that is worth watching. Nice escape for the students before Spring Break in Los Angeles, California, no less. Go Jags!

Mississippi Valley bats nearly silent in 9-1 loss at LSU

Left-handed pitcher Blake Martin made sure his first start for the LSU baseball team would be a memorable one Wednesday night. Martin, a transfer who played his first two seasons at Birmingham Southern, pitched five strong innings in leading the Tigers to an easy 9-1 victory over Mississippi Valley State before 936 fans in Alex Box Stadium.

A junior from Boaz, Ala., Martin allowed just two hits and no runs in his first starting assignment for LSU (4-1). He struck out nine and walked just one before four relievers followed him to the mound to finish off Mississippi Valley (4-2).

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

HBCU baseball can be a real head scratcher. Southern Jaguars and Mississippi Vally Delta Devils both lose to LSU with respectable scores and were competitive in the two games. Florida A&M Rattlers goes to Central Florida and get bombed by 50 runs in a 3 game series by a team going nowhere in Conference USA. Are the Rattlers really that bad or Southern U. and Mississippi Valley are really good teams that can compete with the big boys? It's going to be a long season, so let us watch how this scenario develops.

-beepbeep

Grambling releases fan-friendly 2008 football slate

The addition of Langston, a Oklahoma Division II program, means Grambling State will have four home games for the first time in three years.

The school has announced a 2008 football schedule that also includes a season-opening trip to Reno to play Championship Bowl Division foe Nevada on Aug. 30 and a Sept. 13 date at Northwestern State, a fellow lower-division Louisiana school.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

GRAMBLING'S 2008 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 30: at Nevada
Sept. 6: Alcorn State
Sept. 13: at Northwestern State
Sept. 20: Jackson State
Sept. 27: Langston
Oct. 4: vs. Prairie View A&M*
Oct. 11: at Alabama A&M*
Oct. 18: Alabama State*
Nov. 1: at Mississippi Valley State*
Nov. 8: vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff*
Nov. 15: at Texas Southern*
Nov. 29: vs. Southern*

*Southwestern Athletic Conference games

SCSU tennis teams keep rolling

The SC State men's and women's teams continued its winning ways with the Bulldogs posting a 2-0 record, while The Lady Bulldogs went 3-0 in tennis action this past weekend. Coach Hardeep Judge's men's team defeated Bethune-Cookman (7-0) and Winston-Salem State (7-0) on Saturday, while the Lady Bulldogs posted wins over Savannah State (4-1), Winston-Salem State (7-0) and Bethune-Cookman (6-1).

With the wins both SC State men's and women's team improve to 5-1 overall, 3-0 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Big Inning Propels Appalachian State Past N.C. A&T

by Appalachian Sports Information

BOONE, N.C. — Highlighted by Wes Hobson’s first-career grand slam, Appalachian State University baseball scored seven fifth-inning runs en route to a 9-6 victory over North Carolina A&T on Tuesday afternoon at War Memorial Stadium.

Hobson’s two-out grand slam to right field capped a seven-run fifth that turned Appalachian’s 4-2 deficit into a 9-4 lead. Hobson’s blast was one of only three hits in the seven-run frame, as ASU benefitted from four walks in the stanza. In all, Appalachian drew 12 walks on the afternoon.

As has been the case in three of the season’s first four games, the Mountaineer bullpen turned in an impressive effort. Three ASU relievers combined to surrender just one run on four hits over five innings of work to make the lead stand up. The Aggies tacked on a pair of meaningless runs in the ninth to account for the final margin.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE AND GAME STATS BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

North Carolina A&T record is 3-1 on the season.

Hampton University horses cause I-64 traffic tie-up

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY.com) -- "When you got horses around, you can expect anything from them, anything at any time," said Manuel Alston. But, horses on the highway? Chopper 10 pilot John Massee gave morning viewers on WAVY News 10 the best view of an unusual scene. Three horses had almost gotten halfway across the bridge at the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel around 6 a.m., which caused a four-mile, eastbound backup at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel.

I-64 Eastbound traffic to Norfolk had to be stopped for almost an hour. Virginia State Police, who managed to corral the horses and move them to the North Island garage, say they escaped from the Stables at Strawberry Banks, owned by Hampton University. Hampton University police are investigating how the horses got loose. There was no damage to the corral the horses were staying. H.U. is now putting in additional security measures to make sure this doesn't happen again.

VIEW THE VIDEO AND CONTINUE READING THIS STORY BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

Hampton University and Delaware State University are the only two HBCUs that we are aware of that operates an Equestrian Team. Fortunately, no one was harmed by the horse escape from HU. Maybe the horses just wanted to see why all the cars were racing to get to the other side of the bridge-tunnel?

Many historically black schools may face Title IX issue

The College Sports Council will release a study Wednesday that says 72 of 74 historically black colleges and universities do not meet the proportionality standard of Title IX, the law that bans sex discrimination at schools receiving federal funds. The council, an advocacy group for men's sports, counted only co-ed historically black colleges with athletic departments. Allen University and Morris College, both in South Carolina, are proportional, the study says.

"We're not asking for punishment; we're pointing out how hard it is for HBCUs to comply with proportionality," council Chairman Eric Pearson says. He argues HBCUs are faced with the prospect of cutting men's teams at a time when they are trying to attract and retain male students.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

Arizona Jumper Signs With Morgan State Women's Track

Photo: Morgan State University NLI signee, Micaha Carson.

BALTIMORE, Md. - The Morgan State women’s track and field program is proud to announce that Micsha Carson, a senior at Chandler High School in Chandler, Arizona has signed a national letter of intent to attend Morgan State University for the 2008-2009 track season.

Carson, a multi-event athlete who can do all jumps, sprints, and hurdles, will come to Morgan next year to focus on the long and triple jumps. Carson is a member of the Chandler Wolves who have won back-to-back state team titles, and are favored to win a third this year. Carson contributed by scoring in the long jump, the triple jump, the hurdles, and the relays. Carson has personal best marks of 19-2 (long jump), 39-4(triple jump), and 14.20 (hurdles).

Carson was the No. 2 triple jumper in the state of Arizona and was on the top ten list in the long jump, 100 hurdles, and 300 hurdles. Carson’s Chandler Wolves will be vying for their third 5A division I team championship in a row this season.

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Verdugo’s effort paces LSU win over Southern

Bitterly cold wind blew across Alex Box Stadium, but at times the most powerful force Tuesday night was the left arm of LSU pitcher Ryan Verdugo. Making his Division I debut, Verdugo struck out nine batters in five innings and held Southern to one of its three hits as LSU defeated the Jaguars 6-1.

His coach, Paul Mainieri, called him the story of the game. “He went out there and took command of the game early,” Mainieri said. LSU led 5-0 after two innings but had only three hits and one run after that.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

LSU plays at 6:30 p.m. today at home vs. Mississippi Valley State (4-1). The Valley lost to LSU in their first ever meeting last season 4-1. The Delta Devils defeated Arkansas-Monticello 13-11 on Tuesday. Southern didn't play to bad considering it was their first game of the season. The Jaguars move on to play at #1 ranked UCLA on Friday in a weekend tournament.

This is the way Division I sports should be played--competitively! Go MVSU and SU!!

NCCU announces 2008 football schedule

N.C. Central released its second football schedule since the school moved to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, formerly known as Division I-AA. The Eagles' 2008 schedule includes five home games with familiar opponents such as former CIAA rival Fayetteville State and Winston-Salem State.

N.C. Central will also hit the road for six games, including road trips to Connecticut and California.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

North Carolina Central has a few bone crushers on this schedule like Cal Poly and James Madison. Like their basketball team, you have to take games as you can get them as a Division I Independent program.

2008 North Carolina Central University Eagles Football Schedule

AUG. 31 FAYETTEVILLE STATE DURHAM, NC 4:00 PM
“Labor Day Classic” O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium
Sept. 6 at James Madison Harrisonburg, VA TBA
Sept. 13 at Morgan State Baltimore, MD 4:00 pm
Sept. 20 at Central Connecticut State New Britain, CT TBA
OCT. 4 NORTH CAROLINA A&T TBA TBA
Oct. 11 at Presbyterian Clinton, SC 1:30 pm
Oct. 18 at Coastal Carolina Conway, SC 7:00 pm
NOV. 1 EDWARD WATERS DURHAM, NC 1:30 PM
“Homecoming” O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium
Nov. 8 at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CA TBA
NOV. 15 WINSTON-SALEM STATE DURHAM, NC 1:30 PM
O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium
NOV. 22 SAVANNAH STATE DURHAM, NC 1:00 PM
O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium

Orlando to host 2 black college football games, but Florida Classic needs new sponsor

Orlando will play host to two annual historically black college football games this upcoming season, though its staple event is in need of a new sponsor.

Already home to the annual Florida Classic between Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman University each November, Orlando's Florida Citrus Bowl will also host the fourth-year MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Aug. 31, ESPN announced Monday.

However, in joining its sister-company ESPN in announcing the game's move to Orlando, Walt Disney World also declared Wednesday that it is ending support of Orlando's annual Florida Classic game between Florida A&M University and Bethune-Cookman University.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

NCA&T Lady Aggies win No. 1 Seed in MEAC Tournament

Photo: Brittanie Taylor-James, 6-0 junior forward, added 17 points and seven rebounds.

ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The North Carolina A&T women’s basketball team grabbed a share of the MEAC regular-season crown on Monday night with an 86-67 win over S.C. State at S-H-M Memorial Center. But head coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs is not in a sharing mood.

“I told the ladies we don’t want share anything,’’ said Bibbs. “We’ve come this far, we might as well take the whole thing. We’ve got to keep our focus and keep striving until all our goals are met fully.”

Coppin State beat Howard to prevent the Aggies from clinching the title outright. An Aggies win at Howard on Saturday will make the Aggies the outright MEAC regular-season champions. The Aggies did clinch the No. 1 overall seed for the MEAC Tournament to be held in Raleigh March 10-15 behind 23 points and eight steals from Amber Bland. Brittanie Taylor-James added 17 points and seven rebounds, and Ta’Wuana Cook scored 19 points and had four assists.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE AND VIEW GAME STATS BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

B-CU Splits Baseball Doubleheader with Temple in Season-Opener

Photo: BCU head baseball coach Mervyl Melendez record first win of season, 5-1 over Temple University.

Daytona Beach, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman University baseball opened up the 2008 season on Sunday with a doubleheader affair with visiting Temple University at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Fla. The `Cats split the two-game swing with a 5-1 win in the opener, followed by the 9-6 loss to the Owls in the nightcap.

Bethune-Cookman opened up the 2008 campaign with four newcomers ... all of whom were patrolling the infield as everyone from last year's team graduated on to better things.

The Wildcats (1-1) jumped on top first with the new-style of play for head coach Mervyl Melendez as newcomer Mark Brooks walked and stole second to get himself into scoring position right off the bat--so to speak. That was immediately followed up by an RBI single to centerfield for shortstop José Lozada to plate Brooks for the 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the first inning.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE AND GAME STATS BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

Alabama State Opens Baseball Season with 9th Inning Win over Western Illinois

Montgomery, Ala. - Alabama State rode important late game performances from freshmen to take a 4-3 9th inning win over Western Illinois.

The Hornets lead 3-2 for much of the game until WIU loaded the bases in the 9th. After a hit batsman walked in a run to tie the bases, Alabama State coach Larry Watkins called for Devin Dominguez- who doubles as an ASU backup quarterback - out of the bullpen.

In the first action of his Hornet career, Dominquez shut down the rally by striking out back-to-back batters to keep the game tied heading into the bottom of the 9th.
With two outs, Cordaryl Kendrick - in his first ever collegiate at bat - stroked a pinch-hit single to drive in the winning run.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE AND THE BOX STATS BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

Tough stretch for SU Jaguars begins with LSU Tigers

Here’s a sentence you’ve never read about Southern University baseball: The Jaguars will play LSU tonight, and the Tigers aren’t even the best team Southern will play this week. They might not be the second-best team either.

Southern will be in California this weekend, playing in the inaugural Urban Invitational Baseball Tournament in Los Angeles and Compton. The Jaguars will play Friday vs. No. 1-ranked UCLA, Saturday vs. USC (on ESPN2) and Sunday vs. Bethune-Cookman.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

WSSU Holds On For 68-65 Victory Over Norfolk State

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The Winston-Salem State University men's basketball team downed one of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's best teams on Monday evening at the Joel Coliseum Annex as second-ranked Norfolk State University could not withstand a late WSSU rally as the Rams earned a 68-65 victory on a night when three WSSU seniors played in the final home game of their careers.

The two teams played dead-even basketball during the first 20 minutes of play as the lead changed hands and was deadlocked a total of 16 times (eight times each).

It would be only fitting that the halftime score found the two teams deadlocked at 23-23 headed into the locker room for intermission.

19 total first-half turnovers would eclipse the total of 18 made field goals, yet the two teams would respond with furious action in the second half as both WSSU and Norfolk State nearly doubled up their first half point totals in a contest that finished with 17 ties and 20 lead changes.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE, VIEW PHOTO GALLERY AND GAME STATS BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Ex-NBA star remembers when race trumped talent

As a Milwaukee Bucks scout, Bobby Dandridge periodically attends games at the University of Richmond. The Richmond native and former NBA all-star never considered coming to UR as a student, however, because the school's basketball coaches didn't recruit African-Americans during the mid-1960s.

Dandridge, 60 and a former Maggie Walker High School standout, recalled during a visit to UR's Robins Center this season that "We didn't even come to this section of the city. To go to a white school, that wasn't even a thought." Dandridge, a 6-6 forward, went on to play 13 seasons in the NBA. In passing on him, UR had plenty of company. No predominantly white school recruited Dandridge, he said.

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

DSU Lady Hornets beat Florida A&M 55-41

DOVER , DE — With its No. 1 goal of winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season title out of reach, the Delaware State women’s basketball team set a new standard. The Hornets want to avoid becoming one of six play-in teams in the MEAC Tournament.

DSU got a step closer to reaching that goal with a 55-41 victory over Florida A&M tonight at Memorial Hall. North Carolina A&T has clinched the regular-season title and No. 1 seed in the tournament, March 11-15 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C. The top five finishers avoid the play-in round.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

DSU men suffer letdown against FAMU

Photo: FAMU high scorer Leslie Robinson hit for 24 poinsts, 3 reb., and 1 assist. The 6-0/180 senior guard is from Rockford, IL/Highland CC.

DOVER, DE — One was fun. They said two proved the program grew. And three was sweet victory. But the Delaware State men’s basketball team’s dream of four is no more. DSU’s quest to win at least a share of its fourth straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season title came to a whimpering halt tonight with a 70-58 loss to Florida A&M before a groan-filled crowd at Memorial Hall.

The Rattlers (11-16 overall, 7-7 MEAC) beat the Hornets (12-14, 9-5) in almost every aspect to become the first MEAC opponent to sweep a season series from DSU since 2004-05.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

Morgan State Upends Hampton, 73-54; Ties School’s Division I Record With 18 Wins

Photo: Sophomore 5-7 guard Corin Adams, Brooklyn, NY/Madison H.S.

MSU Sports Information

Baltimore, MD - Corin Adams scored a game-high 20 points, including 4-for-6 from behind the arc and had a game-high seven steals, while Theresa Davis added a career-high 14 points to lead Morgan State to a 73-54 victory over visiting Hampton on Monday night in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game at Hill Field House.

With the win, the Lady Bears improved to 18-9 overall, 10-4 in the MEAC, to record its most regular season wins since the 1980-81 season, and tied the school record for wins on the Division I level with 18, which they set last season. The victory also extended Morgan State’s winning streak to seven games, which is the longest since the 1981-82 squad won 10 straight.

The Lady Pirates (14-12, 7-6 MEAC) led by as much as seven points....

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE AND GAME STATS BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

Morgan State ambush Hampton in O.T.

Photo: Morgan State's Boubacar Coly had an awesome game scoring 18 points, 15 boards, 6 blocks, 1 steal and 3 assists. The 6-9/220 senior forward is from Ziguinchor, Senegal/Laurinburg Institute (N.C.) and had his 11th career double/double in leading the Bears.


Boubacar Coly scored 18 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as Morgan State hung on for a 66-62 overtime victory against visiting Hampton on Monday. Hampton took its first lead of the game 8 seconds into overtime on a 3-pointer by Matthew Pilgrim.

But Jerrell Green scored nine of his 13 points in the extra session and Morgan State made five free throws in the final 47 seconds. Green added five assists, while Marquise Kately finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds for Morgan State (18-9, 12-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference).

Hampton (15-11, 8-5) scored eight of the first 11 points of the second half...

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Buffalo Bulls Fall To North Carolina A&T, 9-3

GREENSBORO, NC – The University at Buffalo baseball team fell in the final game of a three-game set at North Carolina A&T on Sunday afternoon, 9-3. Chris Ciesla (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) and Jacob Rosenbeck (Medina, NY/Medina) each had three hits for the Bulls in the loss. UB is now 0-3 on the season.

North Carolina A&T opened the scoring in the bottom of the first with a pair of runs off of Chaz Mye (North Tonawanda, NY/St. Joseph's Collegiate), who was making his Buffalo debut on the mound. Philip Brewington and Joe McIntrye each singled for the Aggies before Nick Rogers drove them both in with a double to center field.

UB cut the Aggies' lead in half in the top of the second when Eric Flynn (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Falls) knocked in Nick Walczak (Tonawanda, NY/Kenmore East) on a single to left center.

In the bottom of the third, North Carolina A&T increased their advantage with a four-run inning. Jeremy Jones had an RBI single in the inning for North Carolina A&T, but a pair of Buffalo errors in the frame meant only two of the four runs scored by the Aggies were earned.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

TSU's president calls for entrance standard

Photo: Dr. John M. Rudley, Ed. D, President, Texas Southern University.

All applicants now accepted but a large majority fail to graduate

Texas Southern University's new president wants to end the school's long-standing practice of accepting all applicants, no matter their academic background, saying the policy contributes to its alarmingly low graduation rate.

President John Rudley said the change is necessary to remake the state's largest historically black university, which has been on the ropes recently because of management missteps, sliding enrollment and bad press.

TSU requires only a passing mark on the high school equivalency test to qualify for admissions, and the low standard means the university is accepting far too many students who were not prepared for college work, Rudley said. "A university shouldn't have to accept anybody with a GED," Rudley said. "That means they didn't complete high school but they can come here without the same preparation as others and then be expected to compete."

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Southern Jaguars claims SWAC bowling title

BESSEMER, Ala. -- Southern defeated Alabama A&M, 4-3, on Sunday afternoon at the Holiday Bowl Fun Center to claim the 2008 Southwestern Athletic Conference Bowling Tournament title.

The Jaguars and Bulldogs split the first six games before Southern took the decisive seventh game. In the final, frame, Southern's Vanessa Caldwell knocked down nine pins on her final attempt as the Jaguars overcame an eight-pin deficit. The SWAC bowling title match will be rebroadcast on ESPNU on March 5 at a time to be announced.

2008 SWAC Bowling All-Tournament Team

Bowler School Class Avg.

Cieara Watts Texas Southern Jr. 182.6
Ashley Blakely Jackson State Fr. 189.6
Vanessa Caldwell Southern So. 179.8
Chantel Jefferson Texas Southern Fr. 177.4
Deneesha Foster Southern Sr. 181.0

NCAA considers creating a Division IV

When the National Collegiate Athletic Association talks about change, I begin to worry.

This is the same NCAA that is unable to assemble a football bowl series playoff system, and also is thinking about splitting Division II football into two classifications according to the number of football scholarships schools offer.

The have and have-not divisions, if you will.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

MSU Bears can benefit from Norfolk State loss

Photo: Morgan State University head basketball coach Todd Bozeman

BALTIMORE - Morgan State received a gift Saturday when South Carolina State upset Norfolk State, enabling the Bears to move into sole possession of first place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference following their 64-59 victory against Howard.

But now, Morgan State coach Todd Bozeman hopes his team isn’t in a giving mood. The Bears have three games remaining and one loss —beginning with tonight’s game at 7:30 against Hampton at Hill Field House — gives Norfolk State the opportunity to regain the inside track for the regular season title.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

FAMU football hires two Eastern Kentucky assistants

Florida A&M head football coach Joe Taylor has completed the assembly of his coaching staff with the hiring of defensive coordinator Orlando Mitjans and special teams coach J.B. Gibboney, both coming from Eastern Kentucky University.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Here is an updated snapshot of the FAMU new coaching staff:

FAMU Head Football Coach - Joe Taylor
1. Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach - Lawrence Kershaw
2. Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers Coach - Steven Jerry
3. Running backs Coach - Aaron Taylor
4. OutsideLinebackers Coach/Recruiting Coordinator - Tim Edwards
5. Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line Coach, George M. Small
6. Inside Linebackers Coach - Earl Holmes
7. Defensive Coordinator - Orlando Mitjans
8. Special Teams Coach - J.B. Gibboney
9. Defensive Assistant- Jimmy Tyson
10. Head Strength and Conditioning Coach - Antonio Wallace

Coach Mitjans and Gibboney former EKU football boss, head coach Danny Hope, joined the Purdue University football staff as associate head coach on January 11, 2008. Hope, who served as an assistant coach at Purdue from 1997-01, will be the next head coach at Purdue when current head coach Joe Tiller steps down after the 2008 season. The incoming EKU head coach is Dean Hood, who is expected to bring in some coaches from Wake Forest where he served as defensive coordinator.

It appears that these two Division I FBS coaches (Hope and Hood) believe they can upgrade their staff with their own people which is a gain for Florida A&M and Coach Joe Taylor. The rap sheet on both coaches are as follows, as reflected on the EKU website:

Photo: FAMU Defensive Coordinator, Orlando Mitjans

Orlando Mitjans was the only new coach on the 2006 Eastern Kentucky staff and he will be in charge of the Colonel secondary.

Two of the four EKU starters in the secondary last year graduated leaving Mitjans with a few holes to fill. However, the Colonels led the conference in pass efficiency defense one year ago and with Mitjans’ support, should compete for that distinction again this year.

“This veteran secondary coach quickly became popular with the players and coaches,” head coach Danny Hope said. “His coordinator experience will be an asset to our strategic planning as we are always researching additional ideas and answers.”

Mitjans, who has more than 10 years of collegiate coaching experience, spent last season as Tennessee State’s defensive coordinator and secondary coach. In that capacity, Mitjans’ defense ranked third in the OVC in both total defense and pass defense, while three of his players were named to the all-conference team.

Prior to arriving at Tennessee State, Mitjans spent six seasons on the Towson coaching staff. He served as the Tigers’ running backs coach for two years before moving to the secondary for another four seasons. Mitjans was given the additional title of defensive coordinator in the summer of 2002. Three of his players earned all-league honors in Towson’s inaugural 2004 Atlantic 10 Conference campaign.

A 1982 graduate of Northeastern, Mitjans played for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League before entering the coaching profession. In addition to his tenure at Tennessee State and Towson, Mitjans has spent time coaching at Northeastern, Cheyney, Kent State, C.W. Post and Morgan State. He has also worked NFL summer camps with the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets and St. Louis Rams. Mitjans is a member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and Black Coaches Association (BCA). Mitjans and his wife, Claire, live in Nashville, Tenn.

Photo: FAMU Special Teams Coach J.B. Gibboney

J.B. Gibboney completed his second season as an assistant with the Eastern Kentucky football staff. He handled most of the football operation duties as well as assisting with the punters and kickers on special teams.

Hailing from Huntingdon, Pa., Gibboney attended the University of Pittsburgh where the former walk-on player earned his first letter during his sophomore campaign. Gibboney went on to earn another letter in 2004 before graduating from Pitt with a bachelor of arts degree in environmental science.

Gibboney brings a wealth of kicking experience with him to EKU. He had spent the past four years teaching kids of all ages the art of kicking and punting a football for the Ray Guy Kicking Academy, one of the premier academies in the nation. Noted as one of the head instructors in the academy, Gibboney often traveled across the country to teach camps.

While at Eastern, Gibboney will be pursuing a master’s degree in sports administration.

Compiled by beepbeep

Jackson State keeps Grambling Lady Tigers winless in SWAC

Photo: Jackson State's Erica Trahan (#52) scored 19 points to lead the Lady Tigers to victory. The junior class 5-10 forward is from Baton Rouge, LA.

By: JSU Office of Athletic Media Relations

GRAMBLING, La. - Erica Trahan scored a game-high 19 points to lead the Jackson State Lady Tigers to a 70-57 victory over Grambling State University. With the win JSU improves to a 14-10 overall record and a 12-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference mark. Grambling falls to a 1-23, 0-14 record.

Trahan went 7-15 from the field and 5-5 from the free throw line. She also dished out five assists and recorded three steals. Three other Lady Tigers also scored in double digits. LaSharee Christian scored 15 points, Carena Easley added 13 and Erlexis Cooper chipped in 11.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE AND GAME STATS BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

UCF Completes Sweep in 17-2 Win over Florida A&M

Photo: FAMU head baseball coach Robert Lucas has a young squad that will require time to develop into championship form.

ORLANDO, Fla. - The UCF baseball team set a school record for most runs in a three-game series after defeating Florida A&M, 17-2, Sunday at Jay Bergman Field. In all, the Knights (3-0) racked up 50 runs over the weekend vs. the Rattlers (0-3), and will now host No. 6 Missouri Monday at 3 p.m.

A total of 3,208 attended the three-game series vs. FAMU, marking the third-largest series in stadium history.

Junior southpaw Mitch Herold (1-0) collected the win by going 5.0 innings with six strikeouts and five hits allowed, including not surrendering a hit until the fourth inning. On the basepaths, UCF swiped 10 bases, highlighted by junior Josh Siebenaler's three steals.

UCF posted 16 hits on the day, led by sophomore Chris Duffy who went 3-for-5 with two RBI. Junior Chadd Hartman delivered with the Knights' first home run of the season with a three-run shot in the seventh. Sunday marked the second-straight game that all nine Knight starters scored a run.

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY AND BOX STATS BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

DSU's Sandidge's effort saves victory over BCU Wildcats

DOVER -- Virtually all season, Delaware State men's basketball coach Greg Jackson has served notice he's looking for players who will give their best effort, and then some, every game. To his dismay, that particular request has gone largely unanswered, according to him, with one notable exception.

Sophomore center Frisco Sandidge, perhaps the one Hornets player who's made a difference by contributing a consistent effort, produced his best game of the season Saturday in a 49-44 victory over Bethune-Cookman before 1,031 at Memorial Hall.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Delaware State's McBride hopes to get noticed in combine

Photo: McBride runs for touchdown against Coastal Carolina University during '07 Hornet season.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Shaheer McBride isn't used to working slowly. Most wide receivers pride themselves on speed and quickness. But at the NFL scouting combine, he's doing his best to stay patient.

Prospects hurry from interview to interview with teams. They undergo physical exams. They run through drills. They take intelligence tests. "It's a long process," said McBride, a former Delaware State standout. "It's a lot of stuff you have to go through. You definitely have to be patient."

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

GSU Tigers fall in rubber match to Northwestern State

By GSU Sports Information

NACHITOCHES, La. – Grambling State closed out its opening series on Sunday afternoon with a 5-1 loss to Northwestern State at Brown-Stroud Field.

The Tigers scored in the first inning for the third consecutive game as leadoff batter Justin Kelly reached second after an error by NSU. After advancing to third after a pop fly by Adrian Turner, Jeremy Shelby drove in Kelly for a 1-0 lead with an RBI single to center.

NSU was held scoreless for two innings but tied the contest at 1-all after Mike Jaworski recorded a two-out home run to center in the third. NSU picked up where it left off in the fourth and went ahead 3-1 after coming up big once again with two runs on two outs. Once ahead, Northwestern State never looked back as starter Clayton Cooper kept GSU off-balance the remainder of the way by only allowing one hit over the next six frames.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE AND GAME STATS BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Jackson State sneaks past Grambling State 67-65

Photo: JSU #32 Grant Maxey goes for block of a Grambling shot. The 6-7/180 sophomore forward is from Toledo, Ohio/Scott H.S.

GRAMBLING, LA -- Grant Maxey's game-high 20 points included the jump shot that put Jackson State ahead with four seconds left to beat Grambling State 67-65. Maxey was 9-for-9 from the field and 2-for-3 from the foul line for Jackson State (11-16, 9-5 SWAC).

Jackson State was ahead for the entire first half, which ended 35-31, and led 47-35 with 16:03 left in the game. But a 3-pointer by Andre Ratliff sparked a 21-2 run that put Grambling up 56-49 with 8:46 to go.

Grambling's Anthony Williams hit a jump shot to tie the game at 65-all before Maxey's last basket. Williams finished with 13 points and nine rebounds for Grambling (6-15, 6-8).

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE AND GAME STATS BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

FAMU spoils UMES homecoming

Photo: FAMU's Byron Taylor better games have come against UMES--scores runner to win game. Taylor is a 5-7/150 redshirt junior guard from Florida H.S., Tallahassee, FL., majoring in Business.

Hawks' rally falls a layup short of OT; Coach Smith: 'We couldn't have gotten a better shot'

PRINCESS ANNE, MD -- Byron Taylor's runner in the lane gave the Florida A&M men's basketball team a 62-60 lead with 8.6 seconds remaining, and Marc Davis' baseline layup attempt at the other end was no good, as the Rattlers held on to spoil homecoming for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

"We couldn't have gotten a better shot," UMES coach Meredith Smith said. "It was right there. A layup is the highest-percentage shot in basketball. We got the shot that we wanted. It just didn't fall."

Junior guard Ed Tyson led the Hawks with 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting and was 5-of-5from the free-throw line. The Rattlers paid him extra attention on the final play, leaving a lane to the basket for Davis.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Grambling Tigers has doubleheader split over Northwesterm State

By GSU Sports Information

NACHITOCHES, La. - After enduring a week of adverse weather conditions and a last-minute change in venue due to on-going construction at its home stadium, the Grambling State Tiger baseball team hit the diamond for its season opener at Southland foe Northwestern State on Saturday. Despite the obstacles, GSU made history with a doubleheader split versus the Demons.

In game one, GSU struck first in the opening frame but surrendered eight unanswered runs to the Demons as Northwestern State captured an 11-5 win in the opener.

Grambling State shook off the game one loss and overcame a two-run deficit with five runs over the final three innings to record a 6-3 victory. The win marked the first time since 1991 that GSU defeated Northwestern State.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE AND GAME STATS BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Coppin State Holds Off Hampton for Fifth-Straight Win

Photo: Coppin State's #34, Whitney Cunningham scored 18 points and collected 11 rebounds in the victory over Hampton. The 6-3 junior center is from Baltimore, MD/Western H.S.

BALTIMORE -- Whitney Cunningham had 18 points and 11 rebounds and scored the go-ahead basket with 1:07 to play and Coppin State University went on to a 63-60 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory over Hampton University on Saturday in the Coppin Center.

Cunningham, who finished the game 8-of-12 from the floor, scored inside on a feed from Shalamar Oakley and was fouled on the play. The ensuing free throw gave the Eagles a 61-60 lead with 1:07 left.

Shalamar Oakley led Coppin State (16-11, 10-3 MEAC) with 19 points and Rashida Suber added 11 points. Hampton (14-11, 7-5 MEAC) was led by Butler who scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Alcorn State douses Hornets' SWAC flame

Photo: Alabama State University head coach Lewis Jackson.

Alabama State has a "blackout" night planned for Monday's game against Southern University. But Saturday's game against Alcorn State was an unannounced flameout night. Against the SWAC's last-place team, the first-place Hornets shot a paltry 11 percent from behind the 3-point line (2-of-17), were out-rebounded 34-27 and were generally out-hustled most of the night. Worst beat first, 73-69.

"They just play hard and tough and they come out here tonight and took it to us," ASU head coach Lewis Jackson said of his team's second home loss of the year. "It was a bad night for us from the free throw line, a bad night from behind the 3-point line and a bad night around the basket. Just overall, we didn't play well and we need to regroup somewhat."

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

TSU's Appling scores 50 in Lady Tigers' win over Jacksonville State

Photo: Kendra Appling scored a career-high 50 points on Jacksonville State. The 5-7 junior guard is from Jackson H.S./Jackson, GA. (Photo Courtesy: Sam Jordan)

By: Tennessee State Sports Information

Nashville, TN -- Junior guard Kendra Appling scored a career-high 50 points to lead Tennessee State to a 91-77 victory over Jacksonville State in the final home game of the regular season.

Tennessee State improves to 12-15 (9-9 OVC) while Jacksonville State falls to 11-16 (8-10 OVC).

Kendra Appling led all scores with a game-high 50 points while Oby Okafor added 21 points for TSU. LaDona Pierce dished out a game-high 12 assists for the Lady Tigers.

Jolie Efezokae paced JSU with 30 points and 10 rebounds while Cierra Duhart added 13. It was a slow offensive start for both teams. TSU didn’t score until five minutes into the game. With the game tied 4-4, TSU outscored JSU 10-4 to claim a 14-8 advantage. The Gamecocks responded with seven unanswered points to go ahead 15-14. With 8:05 left in the half, a made bucket by Oby Okafor sparked an 8-2 run that gave the Lady Tigers a 29-22 lead. JSU came back to tie the game (34-34) on a jumper by Jolie Efezokae at the 2:05 mark. TSU went into the break with a slight 38-37 lead.

A bucket from Cierra Duhart to open the second half gave JSU a 39-38 lead but TSU scored nine unanswered points to capture a 47-39 lead. The Gamecocks cut the deficit down to five (49-44) on a bucket by Efezokae but a 7-0 run by the Lady Tigers re-upped the lead to 12 (56-44). Tennessee State then outscored Jacksonville State 12-2 over the next four and a half minutes to stretch the advantage to 68-46.

TSU led by as many as 27 points (75-48) before going on to win 91-77.

The Lady Tigers will next travel to Morehead State to face the Lady Eagles on Thursday, Feb. 27. Game time is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. in Ellis T. Johnson Arena.

North Carolina A&T cruise to win over WSSU Lady Rams

Winston Salem, N.C. – The North Carolina A&T women’s basketball team played without its floor leader on Saturday night and still won decisively. For the eighth straight game the Aggies margin of victory exceeded 15 points as they defeated arch-rival Winston-Salem State 80-41 at the Lawrence Joel Coliseum Annex.

Amber Bland led the Aggies (20-5) with 20 points, six rebounds and four assists. Lamona Smalley added 14 points and nine rebounds as the Aggies reached the 20-win plateau for just the third time in school history and the first time since the 1990-91 season. The Aggies other 20-win season came during 1987-88.

“I think it’s meaningful because it shows how far this program has come,’’ said Patricia Cage-Bibbs, who earned her 11th career 20-win season in 23 years of coaching. “Then when you think about the fact that we have a quality group of kids who get to be a part of an exclusive club here at A&T, it makes it even more special. They truly deserve it.”

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE AND GAME STATS BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Howard Comeback Falls Short In Loss To Morgan State

Photo: Boubacar Coly, 6-9/220 senior forward, blocked 4 shots, snatched 14 rebounds and scored 8 points in the victory over the Howard Bison.

BALTIMORE, MD. - Howard University staged a furious second half rally but fell just short in a 64-59 loss to Morgan State University in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's basketball game at Hill Fieldhouse.

The Bison (5-22 overall, 2-10 in the MEAC) appeared all but done when the Bears took a seemingly insurmountable 59-34 lead at the 9:39 mark of the second half. Morgan State (17-9 overall, 11-2 in the MEAC) combined some stifling defense and a sizzling fast break to keep Howard on its heels.

The Bears, who are now alone in first place in the MEAC after Norfolk State's loss to Coppin State, got a team-high 17 from Marquise Kately, 12 from Jamar Smith and 10 from Reggie Holmes off the bench. Boubacar Coly, one of the top rebounders and shot blockers in the nation, grabbed 14 caroms and was credited with 4 blocks.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE AND BOX STATS BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Betty Powers North Carolina A&T to wins

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Early indications are there is no sophomore slump in store for CJ Beatty.

Beatty went a combined 4-for-7 with two home runs and four RBI to lead the North Carolina A&T baseball team to a doubleheader sweep of Buffalo 9-1 and 10-4 at War Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The Aggies improved to 2-0 while the Bulls fail to 0-2.

In the opener, Beatty, the 2007 MEAC Rookie of the Year, took the first pitch he saw on the season and towered over the right field fence for a solo home run and a 1-0 Aggies lead. The Bulls’ Nick Walczak evened the score in the sixth by going deep off of N.C. A&T starter Tim Johnson.

The Aggies broke the game open in the next half inning, however. The Aggies put together six straight hits and a walk off of starter Zach Anderson before he was replaced by reliever Mike Stangroom.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

S.C. State snaps NSU’s 5-game winning streak 97-86

ORANGEBURG, S.C. - The moment captured the essence of a game Norfolk State would rather forget. In a fit of anger, Norfolk State forward Larry Vickers slammed the ball underneath his team's basket. There were 40 seconds left in regulation and the Spartans had allowed South Carolina State to secure another offensive rebound and one more opportunity to score.

The Bulldogs, just like they had done all afternoon, took advantage - scoring two more points and increasing their lead in their surprising 97-86 victory Saturday at the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Center.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Sweat's Career-High Eight Strikeouts Lead UCF Past Florida A&M, 16-2

Brown drives in four runs, Duffy scores four times in the win over the Rattlers.

ORLANDO, Fla.- After suffering through a lengthy rain delay before first pitch, the UCF baseball team moved to 2-0 on the season with a 16-2 win over Florida A&M Saturday at Jay Bergman Field. Junior starter Kyle Sweat delivered with a career-high eight strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work for the victory.

The Knights racked up 15 hits in the win over the Rattlers (0-2), led by senior Dwayne Bailey and sophomore Shane Brown, who each posted three hits. Brown also posted a career-high four RBI, and sophomore Chris Duffy set a personal mark with four runs scored.

UCF climbed on top of FAMU and starter Anthony Espin (0-1) in the second as Duffy reached on an error and senior Ryan Richardson blasted a double high off the center-field fence. Following an intentional walk to Brown, freshman Evan Stobbs was issued a free pass with the bases juiced for the first run.

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY AND BOX STATS BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.