Southern U blasts three home runs in win

UPDATED ALERT, 10:15 a.m: Southern cancels news conference set to address athletic director LaFleur


Three days after Greg LaFleur was arrested on a misdemeanor prostitution count in downtown Houston, Southern University called a news confernece “to address” its athletic director’s situation but canceled it Wednesday morning, according to a news release from the athletic department.

A statement will be released by the university on LaFleur, accoridng to the release.

SU blasts three home runs in win

NEW IBERIA, LA — Perhaps the Southern University baseball team should find a way to face Nicholls State on a neutral site every year. Tuesday night at Acadian Ballpark, the Jaguars got a solid effort from starting pitcher Belfred “T.J.” Pryer and rallied for four late-inning runs en route to a 6-4 victory.

“We took care of business tonight,” SU coach Roger Cador said.

It was Southern’s second win in as many seasons over the Colonels in a ballpark that didn’t serve as either team’s primary home. Last spring, the Jaguars dropped Nicholls 8-5 at Southland Field in Houma. Nicholls was the designated home team in both games.

Boxscore: SU 6, Nicholls State 4

Attorney: APR cited in firing of Spivery

Southern University believes it does not have to pay the remainder of Rob Spivery’s contract because the coach oversaw a men’s basketball program that had a low Academic Progress Rate, Spivery’s attorney said Tuesday afternoon.

The attorney, Donald Dobbins, said he doesn’t believe low APR scores constitute a breach of contract. Dobbins contended that maintaining and improving APR is the responsibility of an athletic department, not a coach.

News conference set to address LaFleur

Three days after Greg LaFleur was arrested on a misdemeanor prostitution count in downtown Houston, Southern University will hold a news conference on campus “to address” its athletic director’s situation, according to a release late Tuesday from the athletic department.

The news conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, the release said.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Bahamas star Russell doing it all for Jackson State Tigers

Jackson, MS - Desmond Russell arrived in Jackson from his homeland of the Bahamas in August 2009, toward the end of Mississippi's sweltering summer. In his first trip to the Deep South, a couple of things surprised the Jackson State pitcher.

One: "It was kind of cold. It will be cold one moment, and it will be hot right away." Two: "There's no conch."

Born and raised on a tropical island, Russell had to get accustomed to Mississippi's sporadic temperature drops - even in the summer - and its lack of the popular Bahamian sea snail dish. But, Russell seems to be fitting in quite nicely here.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

PV baseball looking better in '11

Prairie View, TX - Prairie View A&M baseball coach Waskyla Cullivan was accustomed to success while serving as an assistant under Michael Robertson from 2003-08, helping the Panthers make back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2006-07.

But when Robertson departed for Texas Southern after the 2008 season, Cullivan was promoted to head coach and proceeded to preside over two of the program’s worst seasons in recent memory.
The Panthers went 21-25 in Cullivan’s first season and followed that up with a dismal 12-35 campaign in 2010. They failed to qualify for the SWAC tournament in both seasons.

Thus, pressure was building on Cullivan to right the ship in 2011.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Southern gets back-to-back wins over UAPB Golden Lions

Baton Rouge, La. - The Southern Jaguars baseball team improved to 13-8 overall and 6-2 in the SWAC after taking a doubleheader from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, beating the Golden Lions 6-5 and 11-1. The Jaguars came back from a 5-1 deficit to beat the Golden Lions 6-5 in game one. Wilmy Marrero drove in Taylor Roy for the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth.

Frazier Hall knocked out his fifth home run of the season when he drilled a two-run shot off the scoreboard in the fifth inning. The Jaguars won game two with ease, beating the Golden Lions 11-1 behind three hits and three RBI by Marrero. Jaguars pitcher Jesse Holiday picked up the win going 4 2/3 innings, striking out five batters, while allowing only one run on one hit.



SU sweeps Pine Bluff

As it turned out, a day like this was just what Wilmy Marrero needed. Marrero, who spent much of this season starting at third base and batting cleanup for the Southern baseball team, woke up Saturday morning, had a little breakfast, then took a seat in the dugout as the Jaguars began their doubleheader sweep of Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Lee-Hines Field.

Marrero, a junior from Houston, had been 2-for-12 in his last four games. But by the end of Saturday’s first game — in which SU rallied for two ninth-inning runs and a 6-5 win — Marrero found himself back on the field, shortly after SU coach Roger Cador made a double switch.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

ASU debuts new $3.9 million baseball complex

MONTGOMERY, Alabama-- For the first time in 15 years, the Alabama State University baseball team will play on Hornet territory at the ASU Baseball Complex inaugural game this Saturday.

The first pitch of Saturday's game against Alcorn State will be preceded by a special pregame ceremony beginning at 12:30 p.m. followed by an introduction of former Hornet baseball players in attendance between the first and second games of the doubleheader.

The baseball complex is the first of several athletics construction projects that will come on line at Alabama State, including a new on-campus football stadium and softball complex currently under construction.



ASU Baseball set for return to campus

MONTGOMERY, AL - For the first time since the 1996 season, Alabama State baseball has returned home to the ASU campus. This Saturday, March 26th, the Hornets will play the inaugural game at the ASU Baseball Complex at 1 p.m. vs. Alcorn St.

The splendor of what will be a grand event will commence with a special pregame ceremony beginning at 12:30 p.m. leading right up to the first pitch of Saturday's doubleheader. Other special events for the complex opening include an interactive area for kids and the introduction of former Hornet baseball players in attendance between the first and second games of the doubleheader.

The baseball complex is the first of several athletics construction projects that will come on line at Alabama State. The football team is scheduled to move into its new football complex building later this spring and the initial phases of the new on-campus football stadium and softball complex are underway.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Hall on roll for Southern University

Baton Rouge, La. - Frazier Hall knew he’d been swinging a pretty strong bat lately, but he didn’t know exactly how strong. Frankly, the Southern first baseman liked it that way. Wednesday night, however, his dad ruined the blissful ignorance for him, shortly before a game at McNeese State.

“He comes up and he’s like, ‘You know you’ve got a hitting streak going, right?’ ” Hall recalled. At the time, it was at nine games. “I was like, ‘Yeah. Thanks, Dad. ... If I go 0-for, it’s your fault,’ ” Hall said.

The good news was that there was no jinx. Hall went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. His hitting streak stands at 10 games as Southern (11-7, 4-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) prepares to face Arkansas-Pine Bluff (6-10, 3-3) in a three-game series that begins with a doubleheader at noon today at Lee-Hines Field.

McNeese holds off SU, 10-8

LAKE CHARLES — McNeese State scored early and held off a late Southern University rally to claim a 10-8 nonconference baseball victory Wednesday night. The Cowboys (13-9) scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning and led 10-3 lead after five innings.

Southern (11-8) rebounded with two runs in the sixth and three in the seventh before McNeese held the Jaguars scoreless over the last two innings. SU left the bases load twice, according to coach Roger Cador, who was not totally disappointed with the effort of his team even though a four-game winning streak came to an end.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Rain can't dampen Urban Invitational festivities

COMPTON, Calif. -- Rain was the only thing that could get in the way of Saturday's marquee doubleheader on the second day of the fourth annual Urban Invitational presented by the U.S. Army at the MLB Urban Youth Academy.

Luckily, despite forecasts calling for heavy precipitation, the rain didn't come until the eighth inning of the second game and the day's events carried on mostly as planned with several former big leaguers in attendance to help mark the biggest day of the three-day tournament that aims to spotlight Historically Black Colleges and Universities by giving them national exposure.

That national exposure was certainly evident, as both of the day's games were aired live by MLB Network and MLB.com with Greg Amsinger and Harold Reynolds calling the action. And plenty of former stars were there to take part in the event such as...

Video: MLB Network wraps up day at Urban Invitational

Urban Invitational kicks off in SoCal

COMPTON, Calif. -- Cloudy skies carrying the threat of rare Southern California rain couldn't put a damper on the first day of the fourth annual Urban Invitational presented by the U.S. Army at the MLB Urban Youth Academy on Friday.

The three-day tournament, which helps spotlight Historically Black Colleges and Universities by giving them national exposure, got off to a great start even though both opening games began at 1 p.m. PT -- five hours ahead of schedule -- to avoid evening rainfall.

SCOREBOARD
Friday
Grambling State 5, Bethune Cookman 3
UC Irvine 7, Southern 1

Saturday
UC Irvine 9, Bethune Cookman 3
Grambling State 8, Southern 4

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Grambling opens campaign with high hopes

Grambling's 2010 season will be a tough one to follow. After finishing the regular season with an 18-30 overall record, the Tigers became scorching hot in the postseason.

They swept through the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament, outscoring the opposition 47-10 over four games to capture the program's first conference title in 25 years.

The Tigers have had a lot of turnover in their roster since then, but they still enter the 2011 season with ...

Grambling State looks to build on end of 2010

Grambling State baseball coach James Cooper can be forgiven for looking back a little bit.

Nine months ago, Cooper and his Tigers authored one of the greatest weekends in recent GSU baseball history — sweeping through the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament at Shreveport's Fair Grounds Field to earn an NCAA regional berth.

"We've actually tried to pick up where we left off," said Cooper, whose team opens the season against...

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Jackson State fires assistant baseball coach

FORMER JSU Coach Kevin Whiteside

JACKSON, Miss. – Jackson State University Interim Athletics Director Robert Walker announced that the university has terminated second-year JSU Assistant Baseball Coach Kevin Whiteside. The termination follows an on-field altercation on Saturday, Feb. 19 which involved a student athlete from an opposing team.

Suspensions and Fines for PV / JSU Baseball Altercation

Birmingham, Ala. (Feb. 21, 2011) - The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced today that four student-athletes and one assistant coach have been suspended for their participation in an on-field altercation Saturday, February 19 between the Jackson State and Prairie View A&M baseball teams. Each of the five individuals were ejected from Saturday’s game and per NCAA rules on fighting ejections, will serve a mandatory suspension without appeal.

Jackson State assistant coach Kevin Whiteside has been suspended by the league for six games and fined $2,000.00 for his involvement in the altercation.

Two Jackson State players, Kendall Logan and Marshum Hall, have been suspended for three games, and the university fined $1,000.00 for their involvement in the altercation.

Two Prairie View A&M players, Evan Richard and Andre Oliver, have been suspended for three games, and the university fined $1,000.00 for their involvement in the altercation.

The actions taken by each individual were in direct violation of the league’s policy prohibiting coaches and student-athletes from displaying unsportsmanlike behavior, which is subject to the league’s Schedule of Penalties approved by the SWAC Council of Presidents and Chancellors.

“The Southwestern Athletic Conference holds its coaches and student-athletes to a high standard, and we expect sportsmanship between our member institutions to be a high priority,” SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp said. “Two of our baseball teams, while representing their respective universities, displayed completely unacceptable behavior. The integrity and reputation of the Southwestern Athletic Conference is too important to condone these actions.”

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

READ RELATED BLOG: Stemming from fight: JSU fires assistant coach; SWAC suspends players (UPDATED)

Brewers, Weeks agree to four-year, $38.5 million deal

MILWAUKEE, WI — After a record-breaking season, the Milwaukee Brewers took the risk that Rickie Weeks’ injury-plagued career is firmly in the past. The former Southern University star agreed to a $38.5 million, four-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday that contains a 2015 option that could increase the total value to $50 million.

“We are thrilled that Rickie has chosen to remain a Brewer,” general manager Doug Melvin said. “He has become one of the best leadoff hitters in the game today; possessing speed, plate discipline and power. His aggressive style sets the tone for our offense.”

Weeks, the No. 2 overall draft pick in the 2003 amateur draft, was a day from an arbitration hearing after saying last month he would end long-term contract talks with the team when he reported to spring training.

Rickie Weeks and the Brewers agree to $50 million extension

UPDATE: Rosenthal now says it’s a five-year deal worth $50 million, but the Brewers can void the fifth year if Weeks “is not an everyday player in 2013 and 2014.” That provision eliminates some of the health-related risks, but that’s still a huge investment in player who’s provided star-level value just once in five seasons.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Southern routs UNO in season opener

Near the third-base dugout at Lee-Hines Field, just moments after his Southern baseball team routed the University of New Orleans 19-2 on college baseball’s opening night, longtime coach Roger Cador delivered a simple reminder to his smiling players.

“It’s one game,” he said, “and it has zero impact on what we’ll do the rest of the season. We’ve still got to go play baseball.”

Across the diamond, near the right-field foul line, UNO coach Bruce Peddie delivered a nearly identical message.

The teams play again at 4 p.m. Saturday at Maestri Field, followed by the series finale at 1 p.m. Sunday back in Baton Rouge. No one has scored in either of those games yet.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

SU-UNO: By the numbers

Southern Jaguars start with series against UNO

Southern University Head Baseball Coach Roger Cador

That loud, bold belly-laugh could’ve only come from one place. That wide, toothy grin could’ve only come from one face. Thursday afternoon at Lee-Hines Field, members of the Southern University baseball team took turns at the plate, pounding line drives and ground balls in final their batting practice before the season opener.

Suddenly, a sound came from one end of the third-base dugout — that loud, distinct laugh. It belonged, of course, to Roger Cador. From the look (and sound) of it, he was in his element. The winter weather had given way to a sunny, mild day, and another baseball season neared. What could be better?

“I was very concerned with the way things were going,” a smiling Cador said. “But the weather we have now — oh, it feels like spring. Life is good. It’s a beautiful day. ... Of course, when you get to be my age, everything is beautiful.”

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Privateers, Jaguars Open 2011 Baseball Season This Weekend

BATON ROUGE, La. - The University of New Orleans baseball program will open its 2011 campaign on Friday when it travels to face in-state rival Southern in the first game of a split three-game series at Lee Hines Field.

First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 6 p.m. with the series moving to Maestri Field on Saturday for a 4 p.m. start before turning to Baton Rouge for the series finale at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

There will be no live audio or video over the weekend, with live stats and Twitter updates planned for Saturday's home contest.

UNO posted a 13-39 mark last year and will compete as an NCAA Division I Independent in 2011 as part of the school's intended reclassification to NCAA Division II competition.

The Privateer baseball program previously participated as an NCAA Division I Independent from 1980 through 1987 under coaches Ron Maestri and Tom Schwaner, qualifying for the NCAA tournament on six separate occasions during the eight-year span of time, including a 1984 College World Series appearance, the first by a Division I program in the state of Louisiana.

This year's squad under head coach Bruce Peddie will have a different task laid before them.

With just three scholarship players on the roster, the team will proceed to play a schedule full of Division I opponents and just 11 contests on the Lakefront.

Of the three weekend starters against Southern (25-22 in 2010), just Friday starter Cory Myers (0-2, 10.24 ERA in 2010) has pitched for the Privateers.

Saturday starter Zach Kelt and Sunday starter Robert Ormbsee are making their first appearance for UNO after transferring in from Hinds Community College and LSU-Alexandria, respectively.

Nolan Church is the top returning bat for the Privateers after leading the team with a .328 batting average last year. JUCO transfers Cameron Wheeless at third base and Andrew Garcia in the outfield could also factor in offensively for UNO.

SU has two former Privateer players on the roster in Clint Ourso and Roddarick Jones.

Ourso made 13 appearances as the third-string catcher for the Privateers last season, while Jones who is sitting out this season, was the regular left fielder for UNO in 2009 and 2010.

Jaguars' head coach Roger Cador will send RHP Daniel Garcia to the mound on Friday and LHP Jesse Holiday on Saturday with a starter. Garcia will be making his first appearance since posting a 4-1 record with a 3.08 ERA in 2009 with Holiday going 5-0 with a 4.17 ERA in 2010 with four starts amongst 13 appearances. A Sunday starter has not been named.

Following this weekend's series, UNO will face nationally-ranked LSU on Tuesday at Alex Box Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Courtesy: UNOPrivateers.com             Release: 02/17/2011

Georgia State Baseball: Panthers Host Texas Southern for Opening Weekend of 2011 Season

ATLANTA, Ga. - The Georgia State baseball team kicks off its much anticipated 2011 season with a three-game series against Southwestern Athletic Conference contender Texas Southern, beginning Friday at 4 p.m. at the Field at Panthersville. Game two with the Tigers will be Saturday at 1 p.m. The series wraps up Sunday with game three, also at 1 p.m.

Junior Justin Malone, GSU's career winning percentage leader, will get the start in Friday's season opener for the Panthers.

Georgia State returns seven players from last year's starting lineup that led the nation in runs per game at 10.5. In all, 22 letter winners are back from the 2010 squad that shattered ten school season records including batting average (.356), hits (751) and home runs (82).

Georgia State has been picked to finish second in the Colonial Athletic Association this season...

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

JSU Baseball Opens 2011 Campaign with Home Tournament

JSU Tournament Schedule

Fri., Feb. 18 Jackson State vs. Florida A&M - 12 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 18 University Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. FAMU - 3 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 18 JSU vs. UAPB 6 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 19 FAMU vs. Prairie View A&M - 12 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 19 UAPB vs. FAMU - 3 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 19 JSU vs. PVAM - 6 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 20 JSU vs. PVAM - 12 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 20 UAPB vs. PVAM - 3 p.m.

Jackson State, under the direction of fifth-year head coach Omar Johnson, will open its 2011 season with its annual JSU Tournament from Friday, Feb. 18-20 at Robert "Bob" Braddy Field.

On Friday the Tigers will play FAMU at noon, followed by a nightcap against the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 6 p.m. On Saturday, the Tigers will face Prairie View A&M at 6 p.m., followed by a single-game on Sunday to close the weekend at noon against a second game against Prairie View A&M.

Click here to read the 2011 JSU Baseball outlook.

FAMU begins new era of Rattlers' baseball

During the wee hours of Thursday morning, sleep finally began to settle in for David Duncan. The thought of being the pitcher who would start the Brett Richardson era at Florida A&M kept Duncan awake several hours past his normal bedtime. He will be making his first start 23 months after he suffered an injury to his pitching arm that required Tommy John surgery.

"I'm trying to stay cool about it but last night I was just thinking about it for hours," Duncan said. "I probably stayed up until about 2. "It's just exciting. I can't wait and I'm ready to go out there and give it all I've got."

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Alcorn State baseball opens 2011 season against Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama baseball team (0-0, 0-0 SEC) opens the 2011 season with the Tide playing host to the Alcorn State Braves (0-0, 0-0 SWAC) in a three-game weekend series. The two teams will break in a new year at The Joe on Friday at 6:05 p.m. Game two is slated to begin at 2:05 p.m. on Saturday with Sunday's first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

SATURDAY IS DOUBLE DAY AT ALABAMA
On Saturday, Alabama fans can enjoy two Crimson Tide games for the price of one. The baseball team will host Alcorn State at 2 p.m., followed by a 6 p.m. game between Alabama and Arkansas in men's basketball. Fans can use their men's basketball ticket to gain admittance into both the baseball and basketball games.

SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
Alcorn State is coming off a season that saw the Braves post a 27-28 overall record and finish fifth in the Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) with a 15-8 record. ASU returns 20 letter winners, including 14 position players (six starters) and six pitchers (two starters). Alcorn State's season came to an end when they lost 15-2 to Grambling in the championship game of the SWAC Tournament.

Rodney Warren returns for his senior season after leading the Braves with a .392 average a year ago. As a junior, Warren had 69 hits in 176 at-bats, with 15 doubles, six home runs and 47 runs batted in. The Braves return the heart of their lineup, as Eduardo Gonzalez and Kilby Perdomo also return. Gonzalez led the 2010 team with 78 hits and tied Perdomo for the team lead with 54 RBI. Gonzalez posted a .353 average, 16 doubles, a team-best four triples and six dingers. Perdomo was the team's leader in home runs with 10 and runs scored with 61 and finished third on the team with a .348 average.

Other returners, Cole Vicars and Kenneth Rowan hit .317 and .313, respectively, last season. The top returning pitcher for ASU is Steve Easter. The junior posted a 7-4 overall record as a sophomore, which included six complete game performances. He led the team with 81 strikeouts, while his 99.2 innings pitched ranked second most and his 4.96 ERA was third best on the team. Cederic Pomerlee made 15 appearances with 13 starts as a junior and finished the season with a 5-7 record and a 5.45 ERA. Pomerlee had 79 strikeouts in 76.0 innings pitched.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Former TSU baseball coach Candy Robinson dies at 70

HOUSTON – The former head baseball coach at TSU, Candy Robinson, has passed away after a long battle with cancer, the university said Wednesday.

Robinson was 70 years old.

"Coach Robinson has been an integral part of the athletics department for more than two decades, and his contributions will always be remembered," said Texas Southern Athletics Director Charles McClelland. "Candy’s loss to the TSU athletics family will be one that cannot be replaced."

Cancer claims life of ex-TSU baseball coach

Former Texas Southern baseball coach Candy Robinson died Tuesday morning after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Robinson, the longest-serving coach in program history, retired from coaching in 2008 after leading the Tigers for 19 years, later becoming the director of baseball operations. He was 332-571-2 during his tenure at TSU, coaching the program to its only Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament titles and NCAA appearances in 2004 and 2008.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

TSU ready to put experience to use

TSU Coach Michael Robertson

Last season, Michael Robertson shepherded a young Texas Southern baseball team to the best record in the program's Division I history and the Southwestern Athletic Conference's Western Division title. One year later, Robertson returns a veteran-laden team that is poised to again be a force in the SWAC.

The Tigers lost just two seniors from last season's 30-26 squad that went 18-6 in the SWAC and fell in the semifinals of the conference tournament. They retained all three of their weekend starting pitchers and two stoppers in the bullpen. The roster is stocked with potent hitters.
The ingredients are there for another successful run.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Jackson State Athletic Director Retires

Jackson State University announces that Athletics Director Robert Braddy has retired.

“The entire Jackson State University family joins me in thanking Coach Braddy for his more than 30 years of service to this university,” said Carolyn Meyers, university president. “I know that all who know him join the university in wishing him and his family well.”

Braddy, affectionately known as “Coach,” started his retirement February 1.

Having served as athletics director for five years, Braddy previously served as the Tigers’ baseball coach for 28 years. A 1964 JSU graduate, Braddy also served as the university’s interim director of athletics in 2000. Under his leadership, the JSU athletics programs have won 17 SWAC titles and captured the Commissioner’s Cup (the James Frank Award) four times, as well the men’s and women’s all sports awards.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

SU catcher Ourso doesn’t plan to waste opportunity

Halfway through his college baseball career, Southern University catcher Clint Ourso realized he hadn’t gotten anywhere. A season at LSU-Eunice in 2009 finished with respectable numbers, but his sophomore campaign at New Orleans left a lot to be desired.

So when the UNO administration shifted the ground underneath its athletic department, announcing all programs would begin transitioning to NCAA Division III, Ourso saw an opportunity. “With two years left, I felt like I had to make a change,” said Ourso, whose junior season officially began Friday when he and his SU teammates began practice for the 2011 season.

Fourth Urban Invitational to begin Feb. 25

The Urban Invitational is back for the 2011 season, and for the first time, three Historically Black Colleges and Universities will be showcased.

In its fourth year, the Invitational -- set up by Major League Baseball's first Urban Youth Academy, in Compton, Calif. -- will run from Feb. 25-27, with HBCUs Southern University (in Louisiana) and Bethune-Cookman (Daytona Beach, Fla.) returning, and Grambling State University (Louisiana) joining the fold. Also playing in the collegiate round-robin tournament is the University of California Irvine, a first-time participant.

The Invitational, presented by the U.S. Army, gives HBCUs a chance to play on a national stage, something that rarely happens. This year they'll get that exposure once again, as MLB Network will air both games on Day 2, which is a Saturday.

SU Video: Urban Invitational: Sat. Gm 1

2011 MLB URBAN INVITATIONAL
Date Time (PT) Matchup Venue
2/25 6:30 p.m. Southern v. UC Irvine UC Irvine
2/25 6 p.m. B-CU v. Grambling UYA
2/26 1 p.m. UC Irvine v. B-CU* UYA
2/26 5 p.m. Grambling v. Southern* UYA
2/27 1 p.m. Grambling v. UC Irvine UC Irvine
2/27 1 p.m. Southern v. B-CU UYA
* broadcast on MLB Network @ Pacific Time

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Football, baseball and basketball star Ron Davis III set sights on colleges as National Signing Day Approaches

Videographer: rdavis1906

It's never too early to start setting goals and Ron Davis (dad) has the right ideal to get Ronald Davis III exposed to GSU Tigers fever. Watch, as the Grambling State University Marching Band serves as background to the exploits of a possible future Tigers 3-Sports superstar. The kid has talent and is well worth the long wait.

National signing day is February 2, 2011.  Tune in to read the latest on the bumper crop of talented student-athletes expected to sign National Letters of Intent with the CIAA, SIAC, SWAC and MEAC programs.