The "unofficial" meeting place for intelligent discussions of Divisions I and II Sports of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC).
America's #1 blog source for minority sports articles and videos. The MEAC, SWAC, CIAA, SIAC and HBCUAC colleges are building America's leaders, scholars and athletes.
Showing posts with label Coach Mervyl Melendez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coach Mervyl Melendez. Show all posts
It's a resume that is among the best in small college baseball.
Mervyl Melendez has transformed Bethune-Cookman into a baseball powerhouse, not only making the Wildcats the envy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities programs everywhere but even those small college programs that dare to dream the impossible dream.
And when Melendez stepped to the podium on Tuesday to entertain questions as the new baseball coach at Alabama State, there were plenty of optimistic observers who believe the Hornets' baseball program has stepped into a new era as well. Daring to dream can be contagious.
"It was never about money with him," said ASU athletic director Stacy Danley. "He's all about vision and the direction of the university and the baseball program. He was sold on Alabama State University. This is a clear message to everyone that we are taking our program to the next level. He understood that, could see it and knew we were not just talking."
Daytona Beach, Florida -- Longtime Bethune-Cookman Baseball Coach Mervyl Melendez has resigned to accept the head coaching position at Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama, B-CU Director of Athletics Lynn W. Thompson announced late Thursday afternoon.
"Mervyl is pound-for-pound one of the best coaches I have ever been around," said Thompson, "but he is a far greater husband, father, and teacher than that. It has truly been an honor to watch him bloom into a legend, and I wish him well in his search for life's next challenge. We truly hate to see him leave the campus, but he can never leave our family."
Melendez has been part of the Bethune-Cookman program for 19 years, first playing for the Wildcats and earning Black College All-American honors then serving as an assistant for three seasons and finally as head coach for the last 12 seasons, during which time he has taken the B-CU program to legendary heights.
Regarding Hornets new $3.9 million baseball complex: Stacy Danley, Athletic Director, says “It gives us a chance to be our best, to recruit the best and to compete at the highest level so I’m excited about where this program is headed. This is just one of many new projects going on. I hope the people out there understand that Alabama State is trying to raise the bar.”
DAYTONA BEACH -- The most successful baseball coach in Bethune-Cookman history is departing. And he's taking his coaching staff with him. Mervyl Melendez resigned from B-CU on Thursday to take the head coach position at Alabama State University in Montgomery, Ala.
The 37-year-old, who guided the Wildcats to 11 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships over 12 seasons, is leaving his alma mater for a struggling program in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. "They really wanted me and my staff to take on the challenge," Melendez said. "It's a program that needs a little TLC, and we're going to give it that TLC."
Jose Vazquez, who had been Melendez's associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at B-CU, assistant coach Drew Clark and pitching coach Matt Crane are going to the Hornets, too. "When somebody wants to buy your whole coaching staff, what a compliment that is to Mervyl and your whole program," said B-CU Athletic Director Lynn Thompson. "Mervyl and I have talked often in the past about how this day would come."
Melendez said Alabama State's five-year contract offer "was too good to refuse'.
The NCAA baseball tournament begins Friday, and the Tallahassee boasts one of the toughest fields, featuring three teams with an RPI ranking of 35 or better. Host Florida State (42-17) is the No. 1 seed and favorite to win the regional thanks to a strong hitting lineup led by James Ramsey and ace pitcher Sean Gilmartin.
The Seminoles start regional play against No. 4 seed Bethune-Cookman at 6 p.m. Catcher Pete O'Brien has been the steadiest performer for the Wildcats, who have amassed 46 consecutive MEAC wins.
No. 2 seed UCF (38-21) is the only school in this year's tournament field to claim wins against all three teams in its regional pod during the regular season. The Knights have relied on a talented, balanced hitting lineup anchored by Jonathan Griffin and D.J. Hicks. UCF needs its improving pitchers to step up in order to advance.
The Knights will face No. 3 seed Alabama (33-26) at noon. The Crimson Tide is riding...
READ MORE, CLICK TITLE. WATCH GAME: Games 1 and 2 on Friday will not be televised but you can watch the FSU Seminoles vs. BCU Wildcats on Seminoles All-Access:CLICK HERE. (UPDATE: The stream will be FREE). Games on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (if necessary) featuring Florida State will be on either Sun Sports or FoxSports Florida.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Saturday’s matchup at Bethune Point Park was just as billed, a tough matchup between the top two teams in HBCU baseball. Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champion Alcorn State traveled to Florida in a late-addition game to face the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, who recently wrapped up their sixth straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) title.
Both games of the double-header ended in a defensive battle, both a low scoring affair. The Wildcats put up runs early in both games, defeating the Braves 3-1 in the first outing. In game two, ASU made a comeback victory in the final three innings to split the series with a 4-3 win.
B-CU OF Matt Wright Daytona State College/Ocala Vanguard
Wright stars for MEAC champion Wildcats
Matt Wright is making the most of his final collegiate season.
The Vanguard High graduate helped Bethune-Cookman University earn its sixth straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference baseball title over the weekend.
As a result, the Wildcats (35-22) earned the MEAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Baseball Championships, with pairings to be announced at 12:30 p.m. Monday on ESPN.
The senior outfielder heads into regional play hitting .326 with six homers, 17 doubles, a team-high five triples, 32 RBIs and 40 runs scored.
PALM COAST -- Jordan Taylor signed to play baseball next season at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach at a signing ceremony Tuesday at Flagler Palm Coast High School.
But as he did, the 18-year-old also weighed the possibility of being in the Major League Baseball draft. Specifically, he's considering an offer from the Boston Red Sox that's been in place for a while, but Taylor also has heard from the New York Yankees. A team representative left a phone message saying they will match and exceed the bid from the Red Sox.
It's all very heady stuff for a teenager to consider, but Taylor was outwardly as cool and calm as he was mowing down area hitters the past four seasons. Right now, he's a Wildcat. "I got a lot of interest, but no offers. Bethune showed the most interest, so I decided to go there," Taylor said.
THINKING BIG (LEAGUES)
Jordan Taylor has been a four-year star at Flagler Palm Coast. This year, he’s on pace to shatter the strikeout record. He has also caught the eyes of MLB scouts, too.
It’s March 4. The Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs are hosting district rival DeLand.
In the bottom of the ninth, the game is tied, 4-4. On second base is FPC’s Lorenzo Butler. In the batter’s box, Jordan Taylor digs in. One out. Count is full at three balls, two strikes. Taylor thinks, All right, the pitcher is a freshman. He’s definitely going to throw me a fastball.
DeLand’s right-handed pitcher checks second base, then he delivers the pitch. Taylor grooves a deep fly ball. Adios. “Right off the bat, I knew it was gone,” Taylor recalled Friday, March 25, as he pointed to Portable No. 6, located behind Bulldog Field. The ball smashed off the building, though no windows broke. “Everyone in the crowd erupted. It was nuts,” he said.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- As he has done for the last two seasons, Bethune-Cookman catcher Peter O'Brien helped lead the Wildcats to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title. O'Brien went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs Saturday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, as beat B-CU beat Norfolk State 9-3 to claim a school record-tying sixth straight MEAC championship.
However, if the 'Cats are to make it seven straight next year, they'll probably have to do it without their star catcher. "It could be the last one for me, so it's a big moment," said O'Brien, a junior expected to be selected in the first or second round of next month's Major League Baseball Draft.
"But this is only a small step in what we want to do this year. We want to go get in a regional, win a regional, (win a) super regional and get to (the College World Series in) Omaha. That's the goal for this year."
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman University won the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Baseball Championship title with a 9-3 victory over the Norfolk State Spartans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Saturday afternoon.
The championship crown was the sixth consecutive and 13th overall for the Wildcats. Bethune-Cookman extended it win streak to 46 against conference opponents including tournament play. John Rasberry got the Spartans on the board first with a solo home run in the top of the first. Matt Wright and Alejandro Sanchez countered for the Wildcats to take the 2-1 lead in the bottom of the frame.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Peter O'Brien went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs to lead Bethune-Cookman to its sixth straight MEAC baseball championship with a 9-3 victory over Norfolk State on Saturday at Jackie Robinson Park.
O'Brien earned MEAC tournament Most Outstanding Performer honors, helping the Wildcats (35-22) secure the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Division I tournament next month. John Rasberry went 2 for 5 with a double and a solo homer for NSU (24-29).
DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Scott Garner scattered eight hits in seven innings as Bethune-Cookman beat Norfolk State 8-0 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament Friday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The freshman from Port Orange, named MEAC Pitcher and Rookie of The Year earlier this week, helped the Wildcats (34-22) advance to the championship game against Norfolk State, which beat Delaware State 9-3. If B-CU loses at 2 p.m. today, it would play a second game at 6 p.m.
Norfolk State (23-28) scored 25 runs in its first two tournament games, but was shut down by Garner and one scoreless inning by Jordan Dailey and Chris Anselmo.
"We wanted Scott for this game," B-CU coach Mervyl Melendez said. "He's done a good job all season, and he's earned the right to pitch in an important game. Garner (8-2) escaped a bases-loaded situation in the third, and Norfolk State left 14 runners on base.
Daytona Beach, FL - Bethune-Cookman has a lot at stake in the first-round game of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament at 2 p.m. today. When the Wildcats take the field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark vs. Florida A&M, they will begin their defense of a conference championship they have won five consecutive years.
The Cats' are going for their sixth straight MEAC title and 13th overall.
Bethune-Cookman finished the season 32-22 overall and 18-0 in conference. It is the Wildcats' second straight 18-0 season in conference and their third undefeated season since 2006 when they went 15-0. The Wildcats have only lost four conference games since 2006 and they currently have an NCAA record of 43-straight wins against conference opponents. The last time the Wildcats dropped a conference game was May 2, 2009, at home against Delaware State.
DAYTONA BEACH -- Senior Joey Munoz couldn't remember the last time Bethune-Cookman lost a baseball game to a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival. Fellow senior Chris Anselmo, a junior college transfer, has never experienced a MEAC loss.
The Wildcats won their 43rd consecutive game against MEAC competition and finished undefeated in the conference for the second straight season Sunday with a 9-4 victory over Delaware State at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
"To say I'm proud of what these guys have accomplished doesn't even begin to tell the story," said B-CU coach Mervyl Melendez, whose squad improved to 32-20 and finished 18-0 in the conference for the second straight year.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Wildcats definitely came to play as they wrapped up both the Delaware State series in a sweep, and the MEAC regular season with another perfect 18-0 record, Sunday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Bethune-Cookman extended their current win streak against conference opponents to an NCAA all-time record of 43 games, while making it consecutive perfect seasons in MEAC play. The Wildcats used three big innings to push past the Hornets, coming away with the 9-4 victory on Senior Day.
Donning their pink-tinged uniforms in honor of the Mother’s Day holiday, the Wildcats celebrated their eight outgoing seniors in a ceremony prior to the game. In the spirit of the holiday, ceremonial first pitches were thrown out by the wives of Head Coach Mervyl Melendez and Associate Head Coach Jose Vazquez, Aixa Melendez and Janna Vazquez.
“We’re grateful for their contributions to this program,” Melendez said of his seniors, “there was a whole lot of dedication and time that they have put in to accomplish the things we have accomplished as a team. To say that I am thankful is an understatement.”
Four high school baseball players from around Hillsborough County signed their national letters-of-intent Thursday night. The players, members of the Team Xtreme travel baseball team, gathered at the Westchase Beef O' Brady's.
Middleton's Eric Comstock signed his letter-of-intent to play at Eastern Michigan University. He was joined by Einar Muniz (Jefferson, Bethune-Cookman University), Mike Estevez (Jefferson, Bethune-Cookman) and Sean Cramer (Armwood, Polk State College). Strawberry Crest's Jordan Keys, who was also there and a member of Team X, will sign his letter-of-intent April 21 to play baseball at St. Pete College.
BCU Incoming: Big County Prep Interviews B-CU Tampa Bay Area Signees
Daytona Beach, FL - Peter O’Brien left Miami three years ago unrewarded, undrafted and virtually unwanted. He returns now as a player that ESPN has called the top catching prospect in the nation — and it’s undeniably so, according to his college coach.
“He has more skill than any player I’ve ever coached, and he’s the hardest worker,” said Bethune-Cookman coach Mervyl Melendez, whose team plays FIU at 6 p.m. Tuesday. “I expect to see him in the big leagues in a year-and-a-half.”
O’Brien, a 6-4, 220-pound junior, hit .386 with 20 homers and 56 RBI last season. He also caught 29 runners either stealing or straying too far off base, showing off an arm that Melendez said can reach 94 mph on the mound.
Jefferson second baseman Einar Munizhas committed to Bethune-Cookman University, Jefferson coach Pop Cuesta confirmed Thursday.
The 5-foot-3, 140-pound Muniz is small in stature, but has been one of the Dragons' top players. As a junior he hit .358 and struck out just five times in 81 at bats. He also made just three errors in the field in 28 games last year.
BCU Wildcats Pre-Season Pick to Repeat as MEAC Baseball Champs; O'Brien Named Pre-Season POTY, Four Named All-MEAC
NORFOLK, Va. - The votes are in and it's the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats getting the pre-season nod to be Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) champions in the 2011 season, officials from the MEAC announced. The Wildcats are seeking their sixth consecutive MEAC title in 2011 under the guidance of 2010 MEAC Coach of the Year Mervyl Melendez. The Wildcats received a unanimous decision in the vote by the league's sports information directors and head coaches.
But the pre-season honors don't end there for the defending champions; B-CU junior catcher, recently tabbed as the #18 player in America by College Baseball Today, was selected as the MEAC's pre-season Player of the Year. O'Brien won final MEAC Player of the Year award last season.
oining O'Brien in recognition on the pre-season All-MEAC team, the 'Cats filled three other spots on the team. Pitcher Ali Simpson, first baseman Ryan Durrence, and outfielder DJ Leonard all earned pre-season accolades.
Joining the Wildcats on the Preseason Team is pre-season Pitcher of the Year Esterlin Paulino (NCAT), along with Ryan Shook (NSU), Marquis Riley (NCAT), Chris Joyce (NSU), Xavier Macklin (NCAT), John Lynch (NSU) and Bryan Chaikowsky (UMES).
The Wildcats set off their season on Friday, February 18th, as Alabama A&M travels to Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The first pitch of the 2011 B-CU season is set to be thrown at 6:00 p.m.
2011 MEAC Preseason Baseball Predictions
As voted on by the conference’s Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors
(First Place Votes in Parenthesis)
Team …................................. Points
1. Bethune-Cookman (14) .............. 196
2. North Carolina A&T ….................. 134
3. Norfolk State …........................... 128
4. Delaware State ........................... 100
5. Florida A&M ……........................... 60
6. Maryland Eastern Shore ................ 46
7. Coppin State .................................36
2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Baseball Preseason All-Conference Awards
As voted on by the conference’s Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors
Player of the Year: Peter O’Brien, Bethune-Cookman Pitcher of the Year:Esterlin Paulino, North Carolina A&T
Pos Name School Cl. Ht. Wt. Hometown
P Ali Simpson Bethune-Cookman Jr. 6-2 170 Campbell River, British Columbia
P Esterlin Paulino North Carolina A&T Jr. 5-6 147 Santo Domingo
RP Ryan Shook Norfolk State Jr. 6-2 185 Virginia Beach, Va.
C Peter O’Brien Bethune-Cookman Jr. 6-3 215 Miami Gardens, Fla.
1B Ryan Durrence Bethune-Cookman Sr. 6-2 230 Jacksonville, Fla.
2B Marquis Riley North Carolina A&T Jr. 5-10 190 Efland, N.C.
3B Chris Joyce Norfolk State Sr. 6-1 195 Chesapeake, Va.
OF DJ Leonard Bethune-Cookman Jr. 6-0 180 West Palm Beach, Fla.
OF Xavier Macklin North Carolina A&T Jr. 5-11 195 Rocky Mount, North Carolina
OF John Lynch Norfolk State Sr. 6-2 215 Newport News, Va.
DH Bryan Chaikowsky Maryland E. Shore Sr. 6-2 210 Bethlehem, Pa.
B-CU will play Cal State Northridge, UCLA, and Southern University at Classic on February 19, 2010. This is Wildcats third straight year at MLB Classic.
The 2010 baseball edition of B-CU returns six returning starting players including team hitting leader (C. J. Lauriello, .403, 4 HR, 36 RBI), team home run, RBI leader Ryan Durrence (11 HR, 48 RBI), and freshman All-American catcher Peter O'Brien (.314, 30 RBI). Also returning is a talented group of pitchers led by freshman All-American sophomore lefty Ali Simpson (9-2, 3.23 ERA, 79 K's). Coach Mervyl Melendez expects junior OF Matt Wright (transfer from Daytona State College) to be a starter in the outfield and four-year OF Justin Hoyte (.270, 32 starts in 2009) returns for his senior season. Transfer OF DJ Leonard adds depth to the B-CU outfield and will battle for a starting spot.
"Our team returns most of the position players from our NCAA regional team," said Coach Melendez. "C.J. (Lauriello) is a very advanced hitter will have a tremendous year for us. He is a very tough out and hits well in big games. We have high expectations as a team. We want to play for championships and have won four straight and nine of out the last 10 MEAC championships and NCAA regionals. We want to go out and play hard and out-play our opponents. I am excited about our team. We have the pieces in place to be a very good team."
The starting left side of the infield returns - in sophomore SS Alejandro Sanchez (.299, 2 HR, 24 RBI) and the teams' second leading hitter in 2009 - Jr. 3B Emmanuel Castro (.345, 4 HR, 36 RBI). Hard-hitting Sr. 1B Alejandro Jimenez looks for a solid final season with the Wildcats. Jimenez led the `Cats with 22 stolen bases last year and he hit .330 with 9 HR and 32 RBI. Jimenez did have surgery again following the 2009 season to repair the bone chips in his non-throwing elbow. Valuable infielders Sr. 3B Jeremy Davis (.333, 1 HR, 20 RBI) and So. 2B-SS-3B - Jairo Acevedo return in 2010. Both were impressive offensively in the Fall season and are solid veteran players.
The 2009 season was highlighted by winning the fourth straight MEAC championship and earning B-CU's ninth NCAA regional appearance in 10 years. Winning milestone game number 300 for Coach Mervyl Melendez, at Maryland-Eastern Shore in late April, was icing on the cake for the Wildcats.
Sophomore LHP Ali Simpson, last year's MEAC Rookie of the Year, will be the number one starter in 2010. His role expands from last year as the number three starter behind senior 1-2 aces Hiram Burgos and Eric Thomas. Simpson was tabbed the pre-season 2010 MEAC Pitcher of the Year in February balloting and he hopes to add to his Freshman All-American status of last year. Jr. LHP Joseph Munoz (3-6, 5.14) will be a specialist in the bullpen in 2010 and his new role bolsters the B-CU relief pitchers.
Sophomore RHP Rayan Gonzalez hopes for an injury free season and Jr. LHP Roman Lancara will be in his third year of pitching for the Wildcats. Both Gonzalez and Lancara are projected into the starting rotation as the season opens in February. Returning relievers RHP Andrew Tilka and LHP Justin Dahl (coming back off of knee surgery during the off-season) both return in 2010. Dahl had four saves and was the B-CU closer in the early season before his injury in March. The 2010 roster includes eight new pitchers all vying for innings and starts. Six are freshman and two are JC transfers (Jr. RHP Julio Morales and Jr. RHP/3B Juan Perez). Perez is the projected closer entering 2010 Spring practice after an impressive Fall practice season on the mound.
READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.
Bethune Cookman University 2010 Baseball Schedule Date Opponent Event Location Time
February Fri., Feb. 19 vs. vs. Cal State Northridge @ MLB Urban Classic Compton, California 2:00 p.m. Sat., Feb. 20 vs. vs. UCLA @ MLB Classic Compton, California 6:00 p.m. Sun., Feb. 21 vs. vs. Southern Univ. @ MLB Classic Compton, California 2:00 p.m. Mon., Feb. 22 at UC-Riverside Riverside, California 3:00 p.m. Thu., Feb. 25 at Texas Tech Lubbock, Texas 4:00 p.m. Fri., Feb. 26 vs. Washington State Lubbock, Texas 1:00 p.m. Sat., Feb. 27 vs. Washington State Lubbock, Texas 1:00 p.m. at Texas Tech Lubbock, Texas 5:00 p.m.
March Tue., Mar. 2 vs. Stetson Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Wed., Mar. 3 vs. Jacksonville Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Fri., Mar. 5 vs. Troy Troy, Alabama 6:00 p.m. Sat., Mar. 6 vs. Troy Troy, Alabama 6:00 p.m. Sun., Mar. 7 vs. Troy Troy, Alabama 1:00 p.m. Wed., Mar. 10 vs. Wagner Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Fri., Mar. 12 vs. Wagner - B-CU Invitational Daytona Beach, Fla. 2:30 p.m. vs. VCU - B-CU Invitational Daytona Beach, Florida 6:00 p.m. Sat., Mar. 13 vs. Wagner - B-CU Invitational Daytona Beach, Florida 6:00 p.m. Sun., Mar. 14 vs. VCU - B-CU Invitational Daytona Beach, Fla. 12:00 p.m. Tue., Mar. 16 vs. Stetson Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Sat., Mar. 20 at Florida A&M * Tallahassee, Fla. 1:00 p.m. at Florida A&M * Tallahassee, Fla. 4:00 p.m. Sun., Mar. 21 at Florida A&M * Tallahassee, Fla. 1:00 p.m. Mon., Mar. 22 vs. Ohio State Daytona Beach, Florida 3:00 p.m. Wed., Mar. 24 vs. North Florida Daytona Beach, Florida 6:00 p.m. Thu., Mar. 25 vs. Dartmouth Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Fri., Mar. 26 vs. Dartmouth Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Sat., Mar. 27 vs. Dartmouth Daytona Beach, Fla. 12:00 p.m. Tue., Mar. 30 at UCF Orlando, Florida 6:30 p.m. Wed., Mar. 31 vs. UCF Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m.
April Wed., Apr. 7 at Stetson DeLand, Fla. 6:30 p.m. Sat., Apr. 10 vs. North Carolina A&T * Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m. vs. North Carolina A&T * Daytona Beach, Fla. 4:00 p.m. Sun., Apr. 11 vs. North Carolina A&T * Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m. Tue., Apr. 13 at North Florida Jacksonville, Fla. 7:00 p.m. Wed., Apr. 14 at Florida International Miami, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Sat., Apr. 17 vs. Norfolk State * Daytona Beach Fla. 1:00 p.m. vs. Norfolk State * Daytona Beach Fla. 4:00 p.m. Sun., Apr. 18 vs. Norfolk State * Daytona Beach, Florida 1:00 p.m. Tue., Apr. 20 at Miami Coral Gables, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Wed., Apr. 21 at UCF Orlando, Fla. 6:30 p.m. Sat., Apr. 24 at Coppin State * Baltimore, MD 1:00 p.m. at Coppin State * Baltimore, MD 4:00 p.m. Sun., Apr. 25 at Coppin State * Baltimore, MD 1:00 p.m. Tue., Apr. 27 at Stetson DeLand, Fla. 6:30 p.m. Wed., Apr. 28 at Florida Atlantic Boco Raton, Fla. 4:00 p.m. Fri., Apr. 30 vs. Maryland Eastern Shore * Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m. vs. Maryland Eastern Shore * Daytona Beach, Fla. 4:00 p.m.
May Sat., May 1 vs. Maryland Eastern Shore * Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m. Tue., May 4 at Florida Gainesville, Fla. 6:30 p.m. Wed., May 5 vs. Florida International Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Sat., May 8 at Delaware State * Dover, Delaware 1:00 p.m. at Delaware State * Dover, Delaware 4:00 p.m. Sun., May 9 at Delaware State * Dover, Delaware 1:00 p.m. Tue., May 11 at West Virginia Morgantown, WV 7:00 p.m. Wed., May 12 at West Virginia Morgantown, WV 7:00 p.m. Thu., May 20 vs. MEAC Tournament * Daytona Beach, Fla. TBA Fri., May 21 vs. MEAC Tournament * Daytona Beach, Fla. TBA Sat., May 22 vs. MEAC Tournament * Daytona Beach, Fla. TBA
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.
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.
Baseball is the flagship program at Bethune-Cookman as far as competitiveness goes. While a winning season in many other sports at the schools is reason to celebrate, that's not the case with the baseball teams. "If we don't make the NCAAs, there's a feeling that we haven't been successful," B-CU coach Mervyl Melendez said. B-CU has dominated the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and has advanced to the NCAAs in seven of the last eight seasons.
The journey toward the 2008 NCAA tourney begins tonight for both teams, as Bethune-Cookman plays host to Temple at 6 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
CONTINUE READING THIS STORY BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.
2008 Bethune-Cookman Baseball Schedule
Date Opponent / Event Location Time / Result
Fri., Feb. 22 vs. Temple Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Sat., Feb. 23 vs. Temple Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m. Sun., Feb. 24 vs. Temple Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m. Tue., Feb. 26 vs. Florida Atlantic Daytona Beach, Fla. 4:00 p.m. Fri., Feb. 29 at USC Los Angeles, Calif. 10:00 p.m. Sat., Mar. 1 at UCLA Los Angeles, Calif. 8:00 p.m. Sun., Mar. 2 vs. Southern Los Angeles, Calif. 4:00 p.m. Tue., Mar. 4 vs. Georgia Southern Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Wed., Mar. 5 vs. USF Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Fri., Mar. 7 vs. Illinois State Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Sat., Mar. 8 vs. Illinois State Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m. Sun., Mar. 9 vs. Illinois State Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m. Mon., Mar. 10 vs. North Florida Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Tue., Mar. 11 at Mercer Macon, Ga. 6:00 p.m. Wed., Mar. 12 at Mercer Macon, Ga. 4:00 p.m. Sat., Mar. 15 vs. Penn State West Palm Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m. vs. Pittsburgh West Palm Beach, Fla. 5:00 p.m. Tue., Mar. 18 vs. Florida Gulf Coast Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Wed., Mar. 19 vs. Florida Gulf Coast Daytona Beach, Fla. 3:00 p.m. Sat., Mar. 22 at Florida A&M * Tallahassee, Fla. 1:00 p.m. at Florida A&M * Tallahassee, Fla. 4:30 p.m. Sun., Mar. 23 at Florida A&M * Tallahassee, Fla. 1:00 p.m. Tue., Mar. 25 at Miami Coral Gables, Fla. 7:00 p.m. Wed., Mar. 26 at Miami Coral Gables, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Fri., Mar. 28 vs. Savannah State Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Sat., Mar. 29 vs. Savannah State Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m. Sun., Mar. 30 vs. Savannah State Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m. Tue., Apr. 1 at Stetson DeLand, Fla. 7:00 p.m. Wed., Apr. 2 at USF Tampa, Fla. 7:00 p.m. Sat., Apr. 5 vs. North Carolina A&T * Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m. vs. North Carolina A&T * Daytona Beach, Fla. 4:30 p.m. Sun., Apr. 6 vs. North Carolina A&T * Daytona Beach, Fla. 2:00 p.m. Tue., Apr. 8 at Stetson DeLand, Fla. 7:00 p.m. Wed., Apr. 9 vs. Jacksonville Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Sat., Apr. 12 vs. Norfolk State * Ormond Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m. vs. Norfolk State * Ormond Beach, Fla. 4:30 p.m. Sun., Apr. 13 vs. Norfolk State * Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m. Tue., Apr. 15 vs. Jacksonville Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Wed., Apr. 16 vs. USF Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Sat., Apr. 19 at Coppin State * Baltimore, Md. 1:00 p.m. at Coppin State * Baltimore, Md. 4:30 p.m. Sun., Apr. 20 at Coppin State * Baltimore, Md. 1:00 p.m. Tue., Apr. 22 vs. Stetson Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Thu., Apr. 24 at North Florida Jacksonville, Fla. 7:00 p.m. Sat., Apr. 26 vs. Maryland Eastern Shore * Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m. vs. Maryland Eastern Shore * Daytona Beach, Fla. 4:30 p.m. Sun., Apr. 27 vs. Maryland Eastern Shore * Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m. Tue., Apr. 29 at Jacksonville Jacksonville, Fla. 7:00 p.m. Wed., Apr. 30 at USF Tampa, Fla. 7:00 p.m. Sat., May 3 at Delaware State * Dover, Del. 1:00 p.m. at Delaware State * Dover, Del. 4:30 p.m. Sun., May 4 at Delaware State * Dover, Del. 1:00 p.m. Tue., May 6 at Florida Atlantic Boca Raton, Fla. 4:00 p.m. Wed., May 7 at Florida Gainesville, Fla. 6:30 p.m.
MEAC Tournament Thu., May 15 MEAC Tournament Norfolk, Va. TBA
It's a resume that is among the best in small college baseball. 
