Ed White pitcher signs with Bethune-Cookman

Athleticism comes easy for 18-year-old Spencer Johnson. Maybe it's the simple fact that it's a family affair. His father, Larry, played football for Jacksonville State University in Alabama and his mother, Phyllis, was on the tennis team for Miami University in Ohio. Both of his sisters, Megan, 19 (University of West Florida), and Emily, 20 (Howard University), earned full academic and athletic scholarships for softball. Now it's Spencer's turn. He received a scholarship to pitch for Bethune-Cookman University, becoming Ed White High School's first Division I signee in baseball in 15 years.

"They saw what I was capable of," Johnson said. After the historically black university took note of his 90-mph fastball, it offered him a full academic and athletic scholarship. His parents are proud that all three of their kids have full rides to college. "After seeing our daughters succeed," Larry said, "it's truly been a blessing to see Spence get a shot at it." It was an uphill battle for the senior, however. Standing next to the 6-foot-2, 215-pound man (who benches close to 300 pounds), you wouldn't have a clue that his health was once a challenge. By the time he was 11, Johnson was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, the same illness that affects Jaguars quarterback David Garrard.

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B-CU baseball loses 4 recruits to pros

Bethune-Cookman's 2008 baseball signing class has become less crowded since last week's major league draft. Of five Wildcat recruits who were drafted, four have signed or have agreed to sign with their teams, B-CU coach Mervyl Melendez said Thursday.

Bethune-Cookman shortstop Jose Lozada, drafted in the 17th round by the Nationals, has signed and will be a teammate of Pruitt's with Vermont. Pitcher Joseph Gautier, taken in the 19th round by Arizona, has not yet signed. The B-CU recruit rated highest going into the draft, right-hander Ryan Gonzalez, who was selected in the 18th round (544 overall) by the Oakland Athletics, will likely be at school this fall, Melendez said.

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Bethune-Cookman Travels to Miami for NCAA Baseball Regional

Wildcats draw top-seeded Hurricanes for opening game

Daytona Beach, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman University Baseball found out Monday afternoon that they will stay in state and travel down I-95 south to the University of Miami for their NCAA Regional in Coral Gables, Fla. The Wildcats will be making their third consecutive trip to the NCAA Baseball Regional, as well as their third trip to a Regional hosted by the Miami Hurricanes. B-CU traveled to Coral Gables in 2003 and 1999 as well.

Joining the Wildcats in the Coral Gables (Fla.) Regional will be the University of Mississippi [Ole Miss], Missouri and of course homestanding and host University of Miami. B-CU faced off against the Rebels of Ole Miss two years ago in the Oxford (Miss.) Regional in one of the most exciting Regional games in Bethune-Cookman history. The `Cats fell 3-2 to the Rebels in the opening game in front of a sell-out crowd.

Bethune-Cookman University will make their second trip this season to Coral Gables to tangle with the Hurricanes. B-CU dropped both games of a midweek doubleheader (10-5 & 7-6) to the Canes earlier this season while Miami was ranked #3 nationally. The `Cats and Canes will hook-up on Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. at Mark Light Stadium on the campus of the University of Miami. The entire Coral Gables Regional will be shown live on ESPNU, with games at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If necessary, Monday's contest will also be shown live on ESPNU at 7 p.m.

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Thomas, B-CU win arms race in MEAC finals

Photo: Bethune Cookman Wildcat Justin Hoyte.

Bethune Cookman University wins MEAC Baseball Title by 13-2 score over NSU.

NORFOLK, Va. – After playing five games in the past three days in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament, fifth-seeded Norfolk State ran out of arms.

Top-seeded Bethune-Cookman was playing just its third game and had the best arm, claiming a 13-2 victory and its third straight MEAC title and 11th in the past 13 years.

Eric Thomas (9-0) was dominant for the Wildcats (36-20), going seven scoreless innings with six hits, no walks and 10 strikeouts. He threw 85 pitches, 61 for strikes.

The Spartans (25-24) had a 0.61 ERA in the first five games, but could not contain the bats of the Wildcats. Facing three pitchers in the first five innings ...

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