Showing posts sorted by relevance for query baseball. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query baseball. Sort by date Show all posts

Monday, January 15, 2018

Kerrick Jackson Looks to Bring Southern Baseball Back to Prominence

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Before there was Bethune-Cookman, their dominance in the MEAC, and their ability to punch above their weight against the big boys of college baseball in postseason play, there was Southern University doing the same in the SWAC.

Before there was Mervyl Melendez, a wizard of a coach in not one, but two HBCU conferences as the head coach of Bethune-Cookman and Alabama State, there was Roger Cador as the head coach at Southern.

And before more recent HBCU players such as Hiram Burgos and Peter O’Brien (albeit with a stop at Miami along the way) made their debuts in the major leagues, there was Southern’s Rickie Weeks, who a hit a cool .500/.619/.987 as a junior for Southern and became the first player from an HBCU school to win the Golden Spikes Award. And prior to that, there was Southern’s Fred Lewis, who carved out a nice seven-year major league career, most of which was spent with the San Francisco Giants. And before him, there was Southern’s Trenidad Hubbard, a ten-year MLB veteran. Anyway, you get the idea.

“In that time frame, every black kid wanted to go to Southern,” Michael Coker, Contemporary Reporter for BlackCollegeNines.com, a leading site covering HBCU baseball, told College Baseball Central. “He was getting the cream of the crop…He had a bunch of 30-win seasons and a couple of 40-win seasons. That’s unheard of in HBCU baseball.”

Under Cador’s leadership alone, a period of time that stretched from 1985 to 2017, the Jaguars collected 14 SWAC championships and made 11 trips to the NCAA Tournament.

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Sunday, July 1, 2018

Simmons Bank Gifts $2.5 Million to Fund UAPB Athletics Upgrades

Football Stadium Turf, Scoreboard, Baseball Complex among Improvements

 PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- A $2.5 million Simmons Bank gift for upgrades to football and baseball athletics facilities was announced Tuesday at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB). The gift is the largest in UAPB history and will fund a new football stadium scoreboard and turf, along with completion of the baseball pavilion at the Torii Hunter Baseball and Softball Complex. The gift is pending UA Systems Board of Trustees approval at its May 23-24 meeting.
 
"On behalf of UAPB faculty, staff, students and alumni, I'd like to express our appreciation to Simmons Bank for its generous gift," said Alexander. "This donation will directly benefit our student-athletes by assisting them in reaching and exceeding their athletic and academic performance goals."
 
"Simmons is honored to partner with UAPB to help students excel right here in our hometown of Pine Bluff," said George A. Makris, Jr., chairman and CEO of Simmons First National Corp. "There is nothing more rewarding for our bank than the opportunity to invest in our communities, especially in our young people."
 
UAPB Interim Director of Athletics Alyse Wells-Kilbert added, "We are grateful to Simmons Bank for its long-standing partnership with UAPB, and more specifically, this major gift that will allow us to complete much needed upgrades. These improvements will benefit our student-athletes and create a better fan experience during football and baseball games."
 
The event was followed by a tailgate-style reception.
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION
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Monday, June 25, 2018

Mitch Hill Resigns as Alabama A&M Head Baseball Coach

Mitch HillHUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Alabama A&M University has accepted the resignation of head baseball coach Mitch Hill. Hill was the Bulldogs baseball coach for five seasons.

"We want to thank Coach Hill for his commitment to the Alabama A&M baseball program and we wish him much success on his future endeavors," Director of Athletics Bryan Hicks said.

Hill completed his career at A&M with a record of 84-188 overall and a 56-63 record in the SWAC.

A search for a new head baseball coach will begin immediately.

ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
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Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Bluefield State Baseball Signs 25 To The 2021 Recruiting Class

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Sunday, March 12, 2023

‘That Is Horrific!': College Baseball Umpire Suspended After Egregious Game-Ending Strike Call in MVSU at Univ. of New Orleans Game | Eric Mullins

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Thursday, April 2, 2015

NSU-Norfolk Tides Exhibition Game is Tuesday, April 7



NORFOLK, Virginia -- For the fifth time in the last six years, the Norfolk State University baseball program will play an exhibition game against the Norfolk Tides, the Triple-A minor league affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. This year's game will take place on Tuesday, April 7 at 5:45 p.m. at Harbor Park in downtown Norfolk. Gates will open at 5 p.m. for the seven-inning game.

Tickets are on sale now, but all advance tickets must be purchased through NSU. Tickets are available at the NSU Ticket Center on campus or through the athletics business office in Joseph Echols Hall, Monday through Friday. Tickets will also be on sale at the remaining home NSU baseball games prior to April 7. All seats are general admission, with prices of $7 for adults and $5 for children, with all ticket proceeds from the contest benefit the NSU baseball program.

Fans can purchase tickets the day of the game at the Harbor Park ticket office.

Norfolk City Manager Marcus D. Jones and Deputy City Manager Wynter Benda will be honored guests at the game. Benda will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. As part of its ongoing celebration of 51 years of Spartan baseball, NSU will also recognize members of the first-ever NSU baseball team during the evening.

The previous four contests between NSU and the Tides drew 31,379 fans to Harbor Park, an average of 7,845 per game.

The Tides open their regular season with a nine-game road trip beginning on Thursday, April 9, before opening the home portion of the schedule on Saturday, April 18. Individual tickets, season tickets, group tickets, picnics and patios are currently available for the 2015 season. For pricing and additional information, stop by the Harbor Park Box Office, visit norfolktides.com or call (757) 622-2222.

Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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Friday, March 12, 2021

TODAY begins the Inaugural Ralph Garr-Bill Lucas HBCU Classic presented by Truist and hosted by the @Braves ‼️

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Friday, February 24, 2023

WATCH | Southern falls to FAMU in Game 1 of Andre Dawson Classic

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Friday, January 25, 2013

Urban Invitational set for return trip to Houston

Four historically black colleges and universities will compete at Minute Maid Park

NEW YORK -- With another season comes another chance to make an impact with the fans of tomorrow. Major League Baseball announced plans for the sixth annual Urban Invitational on Thursday, and the three-day tourney will feature four historically black colleges and universities.

One team -- longtime power Southern University from Baton Rouge, La. -- will be playing in its sixth straight Urban Invitational, but the other three schools (Alabama State University, Prairie View A&M University and Texas Southern University) will be back for just the second time.

The showcase, part of MLB's ongoing efforts to highlight the passion for baseball within the inner-city communities of America, will take place in Houston for the second straight season. It will begin on Friday, Feb. 22, and the round-robin tournament will conclude on Sunday the 24th.

All of this year's games are scheduled for the Astros’ Minute Maid Park, but the Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park will play host to a youth baseball clinic. Perhaps the best part for the teams involved? Saturday's games will air live on MLB Network and MLB.com.

Frank Robinson, one of the game's all-time great players and MLB's executive vice president of baseball development, said Thursday that the event is noteworthy for a number of reasons.

"Major League Baseball would like to congratulate the four teams and all the student-athletes who will be participating in this year’s Urban Invitational," said Robinson in a press release. "This annual event is an important and special opportunity for the sport to showcase the talent and skill level demonstrated by HBCU programs deserving of national attention. We are proud to work alongside the Astros organization to not only provide a wonderful experience for those playing the games on the field, but also offer opportunities away from the diamond for the Houston community."

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Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Bluefield State Baseball Captures First 20 Win Season in School History, in Weekend Series Against Virginia State

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Monday, February 2, 2015

Albany State gears up for 2015 baseball season

ALBANY, Georgia — If January was a crazy month for you, then listen to how Albany State interim baseball coach Daniel Stockdale’s month went.

Stockdale was hired on Jan. 9 to replace Kenyan Conner, who resigned in December to join ASU football coach Mike White’s staff at Benedict.

Stockdale left his assistant baseball job at Savannah State, had a little more than three weeks to learn his new team and had to trim the roster from 40 to 28 players.

On top of that, Stockdale still hasn’t fully moved and is still living in a hotel.

Yet, when the Rams open their 2015 baseball season Tuesday afternoon against Brewton Parker College, none of that matters to the first-year coach.

“These guys are handling (the transition) well,” Stockdale said. “They needed a little organization and they’ve been able to get that corrected.”

2015 Albany State Golden Rams Baseball Schedule

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Sunday, June 29, 2014

Delaware Lawmakers Honor DSU Softball, Baseball Teams

DOVER, Delaware  --  The successful 2014 Delaware State University softball and baseball seasons were applauded by state lawmakers during Wednesday’s General Assembly session at Legislative Hall.

The Hornet softball and baseball teams were presented resolutions in the House of Representatives and State Senate in honor of winning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Northern Division championships this season.

The resolutions were sponsored by Representative Donald Blakey and Senator Brian Bushweller in their respective chambers.

The DSU softball team was 35-17 overall (15-3 MEAC) and finished third in the MEAC Tournament during the 2014 season. Head coach Janice Savage was named MEAC Coach-of-the-Year, while outfielder Nicole Gazzola (so.), catcher Sandy Hawthorne (so.)  and outfielder Jessica Madrid (so.) were selected to the All-MEAC First Team. In addition, pitcher Tara Tursellino (fr.) was named MEAC Rookie-of-the-Year and to the All-MEAC Second Team.

The Hornet baseball team captured its third straight MEAC North title this season with a 17-7 league record (30-16 overall).

Four players - outfielder Aarron Nardone (sr.), catcher Mike Alexander (sr.), shortstop DJ Miller (sr.); and pitcher Matt McClain - were named to the 2014 All-MEAC First Team.

Delaware State was tops among all NCAA Division I baseball teams in batting average (.336) and on-base percentage (.435) during the 2014 season.  





COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

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.

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Friday, April 25, 2014

PVAMU Tankersley Field Ribbon Cutting, SWAC Baseball Showdown Set For Saturday At 12:30 P.M.

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas  -- Prairie View A&M University will hold a ribbon cutting for its recently renovated baseball stadium prior to its doubleheader showdown against Texas Southern on Saturday at 12:30 p.m..  In addition to the ribbon cutting, the university will also formally dedicate the field in honor of former baseball coach John W. Tankersley.

The Wi-Fi enabled facility features 512 total seats (192 chair backed seats) along with a brand new concession stand which contains additional storage space and restrooms.  A press box was erected along with a net/pole backstop and extended team dugouts which are bricked.  Tankersley Field was designed by Brown Reynolds Watford Architects with SSC Service Solutions serving as the project manager and CME Builders & Engineers, Inc. the general contractor.

John W. Tankersley, known as "Coach Tank" to the Prairie View A&M family, was synonymous with Prairie View for over 33 years. He was the chief architect of Panther baseball for 30 years, serving his first stint from 1969-72. During a two-year hiatus from Prairie View, Tankersley served as athletics director at his alma mater, Wiley College, before returning in 1974 and retiring in 2002. 
 
As head coach at Prairie View, Tankersley led his teams to an NAIA district title and five NAIA zone titles. His success on the diamond earned him two Adirondack Big Stick awards, three Bill Ennis Athlete of the Year awards and several NAIA and Southwestern Athletic Conference coach of the year honors.   Tankersley passed away on Oct. 27, 2003 but his legacy will live on forever as the Texas A&M Board of Regents unanimously approved the baseball field to be named in his honor.
 
Admission to Saturday's showdown against Texas Southern is $5 with area youth admitted free of charge.  The ceremony will begin at 12:30 p.m. followed by the first pitch at 1 p.m.

COURTESY PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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Monday, May 12, 2014

AAMU Baseball set for SWAC Tournament

COURTESY AAMU BULLDOG ATHLETICS
NORMAL, Alabama -- With a record setting 2014 regular season in the books, the Alabama A&M baseball team will now attempt to capture tournament championship in New Orleans, Louisiana this week.

Their opponent in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Baseball tournament will be the Panthers of Prairie View A&M University (19-28), who are the third seed from the Western Division. The opening action will take place on Wednesday, May 14, at 9:00 a.m. from the MLB Urban Youth Academy at Wesley Barrow Stadium.

AAMU (20-30) earned the second seed by virtue of its 12 wins in league play. Junior Andrew Utterback is currently ranked third in America in on base percentage (.512) and 16th in batting average (.399).

The 2014 edition of Bulldog baseball eclipsed the 20 win mark for the first time in its Division I era. They have registered the most wins all-time of any Alabama A&M baseball team since the Bulldogs crossed over into Division I in 1999.

The winner of the AAMU/PVAM matchup will move on to the Thursday, May 16, contest while the loser will fall to a 9 a.m., Thursday, May 16, game in the loser's bracket.

The tournament will follow its original schedule at the New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy and will be held from May 14-18. The championship contest on the final day is slated for broadcast on ESPNU.

For more information on Alabama A&M athletics, visit http://www.aamusports.com/. Fans can also find the Bulldogs on Twitter at @aamubulldogs or @AAMU_Baseball or on Facebook at Facebook.com/Alabama-AM-Bulldogs.

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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Friday, June 8, 2012

DSU's Underwood Named Wesley College Head Baseball Coach

BRET UNDERWOOD
HEAD BASEBALL COACH
WESLEY COLLEGE
CAREER RECORD: 31-15
YEAR: FIRST YEAR
COLLEGE: DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY '04
DOVER, Delaware - Wesley College Director of Athletics Mike Drass has announced that the interim tag on head baseball coach Bret Underwood has been lifted and Underwood will remain at Wesley in his same head coaching position.

"We are excited to announce Bret has the head baseball coach at Wesley College," said Drass. "He did an outstanding job during his interim period and we are excited for what he will bring to the program in the future."

"It is a great honor to be the new head coach of the Wesley College baseball program," Underwood said. "I am excited to have this opportunity to help influence kids' lives in a positive way and help them turn into young men.

In his first season as the Wolverines skipper, Underwood led Wesley to a program-record 31 victories in 2012, with three victories over nationally-ranked teams, a trip to the Capital Athletic Conference Semifinals and the top-seed in the ECAC South Championship. The Navy & White hit .318 as a team this year and topped the CAC in fielding percentage, runs scored, hits, walks, runs batted in, stolen bases and sacrifice flies.

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Sunday, December 31, 2017

Grambling State Announces 2018 Baseball Schedule

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Grambling State University head baseball coach James Cooper announced the 2018 baseball schedule on Friday as the Tigers will play 46 games, including matchups against a pair of SEC powers, LSU and Arkansas.

The Tigers, who captured the 2017 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) West Division title, open the season in New Orleans, La., to take part in the Andre Dawson Classic Feb. 16-18. Grambling State will face off against rival Southern, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Alcorn State.

Grambling State will have its 2018 home opener on Feb. 20 with a doubleheader against Wiley College at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park.

 GSU TIGERS 2018 BASEBALL SCHEDULE

 2018 GSU ROSTER

The Tigers will conclude the opening month with four straight road games, starting Feb. 23-25, in Miami, Fla., to take on Florida International, followed by a visit to Baton Rouge, La. On Feb. 27, to meet SEC member LSU.

Grambling State will be at home 12 times in the month of March as the Tigers open a three-game SWAC series against Prairie View A&M (March 2-4). GSU will make the short trip to Ruston, La. for a midweek game on March 6 to take on Louisiana Tech.

Grambling State visits Arkansas-Pine Bluff for a three-game SWAC series (March 9-11), before coming back home to face Alcorn State (March 13 and 14) in a non-conference two-game series. Southern comes to town for St. Patrick's Day weekend (March 16-18), before the Tigers take to the road for four straight games. First up on the road swing is a trip to Nacogdoches, Texas (March 21) to face Stephen F. Austin. Grambling State concludes the road swing with a three-game non-conference series (March 23-25) in Kennesaw, Ga., against Kennesaw State.

The Tigers wrap up the month of March with four consecutive home games, starting with a midweek game (March 27) against Texas College and concluding with three straight against Texas Southern (March 29-31).

Grambling State opens the month of April at home against Louisiana Tech (April 3), but travel for the next four games. The Tigers visit Prairie View A&M for a three-game SWAC series (April 6-8) and conclude the road trip on April 10 in Fayetteville, Ark., against Arkansas.

GSU returns home April 13-15 for a series with Arkansas-Pine Bluff and face Louisiana-Monroe (April 17) in its midweek game, before visiting rival Southern (April 20-22) from a three-game SWAC matchup to conclude the month.

The Tigers close out the regular season with their longest road swing of the year. The Tigers open May at Louisiana-Monroe, then visit Texas Southern (May 4-6), before concluding the regular season with a visit to Natchitoches, La., to take on Northwestern State (May 8).

The 2018 SWAC Baseball Tournament begins May 16-20 in New Orleans, La.

Follow Grambling State Athletics
For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /gramblingstateathletics (Facebook), @gramblingathletics01 (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.

GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
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Friday, February 29, 2008

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.

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Wednesday, May 13, 2015

2015 SWAC Baseball Tournament Recap

15 tournament logo
May 13-17, 2015 • New Orleans, La.
MLB Urban Youth Academy • Wesley Barrow Stadium


TOURNAMENT BRACKET | ALL-SWAC BASEBALL TEAMS | TOURNAMENT PREVIEW
TOURNAMENT NOTES | 2015 TOURNAMENT STATISTICS | CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP
LIVE AUDIO (SWAC DIGITAL NETWORK) | MEDIA CREDENTIAL REQUESTS

GMMATCH-UPTIME/RESULTCOVERAGE
WEDNESDAY - MAY 13
1 #2 Southern def. #3 Jackson State10 - 5RECAP | PHOTOS
2#3 Grambling State def. #2 Alabama A&M8-3RECAP | PHOTOS
3#1 Alabama State def. #4 Prairie View A&M5-4LIVE STATS | AUDIO
4#1 Texas Southern def. #4 Alcorn State5-2LIVE STATS | AUDIO
THURSDAY - MAY 14
5#3 Jackson State vs.#4 Prairie View A&M9 a.m.LIVE STATS | AUDIO
6#2 Alabama A&M vs. #4 Alcorn StateNoonLIVE STATS | AUDIO
7#2 Southern vs. #1 Alabama State3 p.m.LIVE STATS | AUDIO
8#3 Grambling State vs. #1 Texas Southern6 p.m.LIVE STATS | AUDIO
FRIDAY - MAY 15
9Loser Game 7 vs. Winner Game 59 a.m.LIVE STATS | AUDIO
10Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 8NoonLIVE STATS | AUDIO
11Winner Game 7 vs. WInner Game 93 p.m.LIVE STATS | AUDIO
12Winner Game 10 vs. Winner Game 86 p.m.LIVE STATS | AUDIO
SATURDAY - MAY 16
11bWinner 11 vs. Loser 11 (if necessary)NoonLIVE STATS | AUDIO
12bWinner 12 vs. Loser 12 (if necessary)3 p.m.LIVE STATS | AUDIO
SUNDAY - MAY 17
13Bracket A Winner vs. Bracket B Winner2 p.m. (ESPNU)LIVE STATS | AUDIO | ESPN3

Tournament Information

 When: May 13-17, 2015
Where: Wesley Barrow Stadium (New Orleans, La.)
Admission: General Daily $10 | General Tournament $35

The 2015 Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball tournament takes place May 13-17 in New Orleans, Louisiana at the MLB Urban Youth Academy's Wesley Barrow Stadium.  This is the second year the tournament is being held at the Urban Youth Academy.

The top four finishers from the Eastern and Western Divisions qualify for the SWAC baseball tournament.  The team with the highest winning percentage during conference play is the regular season divisional champion and receives the number one seed.

Last year, Jackson State claimed its second consecutive title after defeating Alabama State 9-8.  The 2015 baseball championship game will be broadcast live on ESPNU with a tape delayed replay on ESPN3.

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS
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Tuesday, June 12, 2018

PVAMU Williams Drafted In 26th Round By Angels; HS Signee Also Chosen in MLB Draft

D will DealingPRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- The Prairie View A&M baseball program had two players selected on day three of the Major League Baseball draft.

Senior pitcher Darrien Williams (6-3, 205; Bryan, Texas) was selected in the 26th round by the Angels of the American League's Western Division. In the 29th round, high school signee Jaylen Smith (5-11, 170; Copperas Cove, Texas) was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies.

"When I arrived in the fall of 2015, I knew I had something special," said Panthers' head baseball coach Auntwan Riggins of Williams. "D-Will pitched and had played right field for us, and led the team in hitting. I knew pitching was always his best opportunity to play at the next level. He understood that, and worked hard to make his dream come true."

Williams is the first PVAMU baseball player since 2009 to be selected in the draft. That year, CF Myrio Richard (9th round, Oakland A's) and C Brandon Whitby (34th round, Colorado Rockies) were selected.

"It's a dream come true," Williams said. "I put God first. I appreciate the support of my family, girlfriend and friends as well as my coaches. This is something I always anticipated."

Williams was a four-year player for the Panthers, and began his career as both an outfielder before also pitching in year two before solely focusing on the mound during his final two years.

"I only pitched at PVAMU for three seasons," Williams said. "I didn't really have a starting role as a pitcher in high school, but I knew that I had the will to pitch. I am truly blessed to have this opportunity. I can't do anything but thank the man above."

As a hitter, he had a career average of .290 with six home runs and 17 RBI. His best year at the plate came as a sophomore in 2016, where hit .350 in 34 starts with five home runs and 13 RBI.

After one relief appearance as a freshman and 12 starts on the mound as a sophomore, Williams became a full-time pitcher in his final two seasons. He made 40 appearances with 34 starts, winning eight times. He struck out 172 hitters in 205.1 innings.

His best statistical year came as a junior in 2017 when he posted a 4-4 record with a 4.41 ERA with 63 strikeouts in 67.1 innings.

This past season, Williams struck out 69 batters in 76 innings with a 2-6 record.

"This opportunity for Darrien means the world to me because I know how hard he worked," said Riggins, who himself played five years of professional baseball in the minor leagues. "He is a great kid with great values. I would like to praise his parents for doing an awesome job in raising this young man."

Smith is a left handed pitcher who also played quarterback at Copperas Cove HS.

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATION
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