WSSU Rams Take Home 2017 CIAA Baseball Championship

PETERSBURG, Virginia -- The Winston-Salem State Rams defeated the Chowan Hawks twice on Saturday, to win the CIAA Baseball Championship on Saturday, 10-1 and 10-4.

In the first game, the WSSU Rams jumped on the Chowan pitcher early, as Ivan Acuna doubled to left field, scoring Randy Norris, as WSSU took a 1-0 lead.

The Rams added to their early lead in the third, W

hen Randal Ortiz drove in Brandon Ford and Landon Steiner drove in Ivan Acuna, to give the Rams a 3-0 lead in the third inning.

Chowan answered with their only run in the fourth inning, when Harry Markotay hit a sac fly to allowing Marvin Harrell to score.

BOX SCORE

In the fifth inning, WSSU opened it up more, by scoring three runs. Landon Steiner singled, scoring Emilio Abreu, while Willie McRae singled scoring Steiner. Randy Norris would double to left, allowing Michael McNamara to score, to give the Rams a 6-1 advantage.

WSSU added a run in the sixth, when Randal Ortiz singled down the right field line, allowing Ivan Acuna to score.

The Rams added another run in the eighth inning, when Emilio Abreu doubled down the left field line, scoring John Garcia.

In the ninth, Willie McRae singled scoring Landon Steiner, and Michael McNamara would score on a wild pitch to finish the games scoring, as the Rams took the important win to force a second game, 10-1.

Willie McRae went two for five with two runs batted in, Landon Steiner went two for four with two runs batted in and two runs scored, Randal Ortriz went one for four with two runs batted in and Ivan Acuna went one for four with two runs scored and two runs batted in. Randy Norris went three for six with a run scored and a run batted in and Emilio Abreu went two for three with a run scored and a run batted in. Michael McNamara went two for four with two runs scored, while Brandon Ford went one for six with a run scored and John Garcia also scored a run. Randy Norris, Ivan Acuna, Emilio Abreu and Michael McNamara each had doubles.

Jordan Carlton got the win in pitching a gem for the Rams, pitching a complete game, going nine innings, allowing just one run and four hits, while striking out eight.

In game two, the deciding game, the Rams broke the game open in the first inning, as Emilio Abreu singled scoring Brandon Ford, and Randal Ortiz doubled, scoring Ivan Acuna. Landon Steiner doubled scoring Emilio Abreu.

In the second inning, Emilio Abreu hit a three run home run, to push the Rams out in front 7-0.

The Chowan Hawks answered with three runs in the third inning, to cut into the Rams lead, 7-3.

In the fourth inning, WSSU added to their lead, as Randal Ortiz singled to left, scoring Brandon Ford and Landon Steiner singld to center, allowing Emilio Abreu to score.

WSSU scored another run in the fifth, when Ivan Acuna doubled to left field, scoring John Garcia.

Chowan added a run in the eighth inning, when Tyler Jones singled, scoring Robert Williams.

Kanoa Hironaka shut down the hawks the rest of the way, en route to the Rams becoming the 2017 CIAA Baseball Champions for the sixth time in seven years.

Emilio Abreu led the Rams, going three for five with four runs batted in and three runs scored, and Landon Steiner went two for four with three runs batted in. Randal Ortiz finished two for four with a run scored and two runs batted in. Ivan Acuna went three for five with two runs scored and one run batted in. Randy Norris went one for five and Brandon Ford went one for two three runs scored. 

Michael McNamara went one for four and John Garcia also scored a run. Ivan Acuna, Randal Ortiz and Landon Steiner each had a double, and Emilio Abreu had a home run.

Kanoa Hironaka go the win, pitching a complete game, allowing 10 hits and four runs, while striking out eight.

WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Benedict Wins SIAC Women's Track & Field Championship

ALBANY, Georgia – The Benedict College women's track & field team won the 2017 SIAC Championship on Saturday, winning seven events on the final day to surge to the top of the team standings.

Benedict won a total of nine events over the three days of competition and finished with 216 total points. Albany State finished second with 187 points and Clark Atlanta was third with 179.5 points.

Jenella John had a strong championship, winning the 800 meter run, the 1500 meter run, the 5000 meter run and the 3000 meter steeplechase for a total of 40 points. John won the 800 meter race by 14 seconds, the 1500 meter race by 18 seconds, the 5000 meter race by nearly 33 seconds and the steeplechase by more than 24 seconds.

Brianna Frazier won the women's 200 meter dash, the 400 meter dash and the triple jump. She also finished third in the long jump to earn 36 total points.

Benedict also won both relay races, capturing the 4x100 and the 4x400 races. Benedict dominated the 4x400 race, beating second-place Clark Atlanta by nearly six seconds.

Benedict took the top three spots in the 400 meter dash, with Phoebe Johnson finishing second and Sorenya Miller finishing third. Johnson also finished second in the 100 meter dash and the 200 meter dash.

Lea Tshikaya finished second in both the 100-meter hurdles and the 400-meter hurdles. Princess Hammett finished third in the 100-meter hurdles.

Dae'Shondra Stephens finished second in the hammer throw and was fourth in the discus.

BENEDICT TIGERS SPORTS INFORMATION

Albany State Golden Rams win SIAC Championship

2017 SIAC Track & Field Championship Results

ALBANY, Georgia -- Senior Jared Jordan capped an exciting run to the 2017 SIAC Men's Track & Field Championship with a comeback lap for the 4x400-meter relay team. The Albany State men's team won the title after trailing Benedict for most of the meet.

It's Albany State's first conference title since 2014.

After 21 events, Albany State finished with 248 points as a team. Benedict College was second with 220.5 points, and Morehouse College placed third with 107 points. Central State University (59) and Claflin University (49) completed the top five.

Individually, Cervantes Jackson won the SIAC Cleve Abbott Award which is awarded to the top individual performer throughout the championship. He also was named the SIAC Men's Field Most Valuable Performer.

Jackson recorded 58 points during the three-day event. He won the decathlon (6,016), long jump (7.19m) and javelin (47.23m). Jackson earned silver medals in the high jump (1.93) and triple jump (15.45m). He also finished third in the 110-meter hurdles (14.64) and pole vault (2.89m).

On the final day of competition, Jordan and freshman Christopher Jackson finished 1-2 in the 100- and 200-meters runs. Jordan recorded times of 10.33 and 21.01, respectively. Jackson had marks of 10.41 and 21.31.

The Golden Rams also received a huge boost in the 800-meter run. The trio of Joshua Ajiero (1:56.95), Jamorris Hill (1:57.11) and Martin Jones (1:57.92) swept the top three spots for ASU.

ASU also won the 4x100-meter relay (40.95) and the 4x400-meter event (3:16.44ALB).

Kenneth Taylor of Albany State was named the SIAC Men's Track & Field Championship Outstanding Coach after leading the Golden Rams to their second title in three years.

ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Lane College announces 2017 football schedule

JACKSON, Tennessee -- Lane College has released their 2017 football schedule and there will be some familiar teams to Dragons fans as nine of the 10 opponents this team faced off against last season are on the current schedule. Looking to improve on last season's 5-5 overall record, the team hits the road for three straight weeks before returning for a three-game home stand that finishes with an October 7 matchup against Langston University as part of the Lane College homecoming festivities.

• Sept. 2 @Texas College (CME Classic) - The Dragons trailed 6-0 before rattling off 44 straight points to pick up their first win of the season 44-6 at home in the inaugural CME Classic. This season the Dragons will face off against the Steers in Tyler, Texas.

• Sept. 9 @Morehouse College - Lane College dropped a heartbreaker in the season finale last year to the Maroon Tigers as Morehouse was able to thwart a comeback from the Dragons when they recovered the onside kick late in the fourth quarter to secure a 24-21 victory. This season, the Dragons look to even the score when they head to face the Tigers in Atlanta.

• Sept. 16 @Benedict College - Raul Martinez scored 13 of the Dragons' 19 points with his leg including the go-ahead field goal late in the fourth quarter to give Lane College a thrilling 19-18 homecoming win. The Dragons look to make it two-straight over the Tigers when they travel to Columbia, South Carolina for the third straight road game of the 2017 campaign.

• Sept. 23 Clark-Atlanta University - You have to go all the way back to 2014 to see the last time these teams met. The Dragons lost on the road by a field goal 20-17 in Atlanta but this year Lane College is the home team and the Dragons look to settle the score with the Panthers.

• Sept. 30 Tuskegee University - The Dragons struggled on the road, falling to the Golden Tigers 38-7 in Tuskegee, Alabama. This season, it's the Golden Tigers that have to travel and the Dragons who look to protect the home turf.

• Oct. 7 Langston University (Homecoming) - Lane College outgunned Langston University in the Black Wall Street Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma last season, 46-44. This year, the Lions come to town to take on the Dragons at homecoming.

• Oct. 14 @Fort Valley State University - After scoring 44 points in the season opener, the Dragons relied on the defensive side of the ball to pick up their second win of the season, knocking off the Wildcats 10-7 at Lane Field. This time, the battle will take place at the home of the Wildcats in Fort Valley, Georgia.

• Oct. 21 @Miles College - Lane College defensive lineman Whitney Richardson recorded nine total tackles in a 26-14 loss to Miles College. He also recorded a sack that led to a fumble and a defensive touchdown for the Dragons in the third quarter. This time the Golden Bears hold the home-field advantage when the Dragons travel to Fairfield, Alabama.

• Oct. 28 Kentucky State University - The Dragons picked up their fifth win of the season in the next to last game of the year, knocking off the Thorobreds 35-21 on the road in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Dragons look for two in a road over Kentucky State, this time at the cozy confines of Lane Field.

• Nov. 4 Central State University - The Dragons only trailed by seven at the half but were outscored 13-3 in the second half, falling on the road to the Marauders 27-10 in Wilberforce, Ohio. This time, the final game of the season will be, right here, in Jackson.

LANE COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

North Carolina A&T Aggie Men Complete MEAC Sweep

GREENSBORO, North Carolina – Senior Chris Belcher became a part of the Aggie consciousness at the 2016 MEAC Track and Field Championships when he ran a then conference-meet record 10.07 to win the 100 meters. His next three 100m times in 2016, however, were 10.29, 10.30 and 10.71. Fast forward to 2017 and Belcher became a part of the world's consciousness when he posted a 9.99 in the 100m at the 2017 Aggie Invitational at N.C. A&T's Irwin Belk Track on April 14. His next three times in the 100m after 9.99 were 10.05, 10.10 and Saturday's record-breaking 10.04 at the 2017 MEAC Track and Field Championships at Irwin Belk Track to help the Aggies win their first men's outdoor championship in 21 years.

The N.C. A&T women's track and field team claimed the outdoor title, giving the Aggies a sweep of the indoor and outdoor titles for the first time in school history. The last MEAC school to win all four track and field championships was Hampton in 2003. The winning of four MEAC titles in one year is also a N.C. A&T department of athletics school record. It wasn't close on the men's side. The Aggies posted 178 points to tower over second-place Bethune-Cookman who finished with 115.5 points.

2017 MEAC Outdoor Championship Results

In addition to breaking the conference-meet record for the second straight year, Belcher also took gold in the 200m (20.59) and was one-fourth of first-place 4x100 meter relay team. Belcher credits the learning process for his consistency this season. He said over the past month he has come to understand what Duane Ross, director of track and field programs, has been teaching him. He said he has become better at making those lessons a part of his everyday routine as he mentioned the importance of wicket drills, driving out well, keeping his knees up and using his arms.

Ross took Belcher through these processes because he more time to work with him this season. Belcher arrived in Aggieland in January of 2016. Ross and his staff had to rush Belcher into shape because he was admitted in the spring. They were able to get him to the point where he could run a 10.07, but there was a price to pay. “When you're trying to get an athlete into shape you're somewhat sacrificing other aspects of his training,” said Ross. “This year we were able to bring him along slowly. We made sure he was healthy. When an athlete is physically healthy and they start to see their times come down, mentally they are just on top of the world.

We took him to the side and said ‘This is how we're going to train you this year.' No sprinter trains the exact same way. We train them based on where they need to improve. The reason why I think my sprinters progress so fast is because we are able to give them individual attention.”

Belcher may be the most known Aggie at the top of the world, but he is far from the only one there. N.C. A&T walked away with seven first-place finishes. On Saturday, those finishes were record-breaking. The men's 4x1 which includes Belcher, sophomore Rodney Rowe, senior Caleb Gabriel and junior Joel Thomas broke the conference record with a 39.44 time. The record was set by nearly the same group of gentlemen in 2016 when Maurice Eaddy, Belcher, Gabriel and Rowe ran 39.58.

“It means the world to us to win indoor and outdoor,” said Belcher. “From day one in August we've been telling everyone we were going to sweep indoor and outdoor. We've been putting it all over social media, so we had to back it up. We come out here, we talk our trash and then we do what we have to do.”

The Aggie men were so good on Saturday, they even picked up wins where they weren't expected. N.C. A&T elite hurdler Michael Dickson failed to qualify in the 110-meter hurdles finals because on Friday he tripped and fell over a hurdle in a race he was clearly going to win. In Dickson's place, senior TeQuille Jackson improved on a fourth-place finish in the preliminaries on Friday to win the title on Saturday with a personal-best 13.92. Jackson's marvelous MEAC time moves him to 13th in the NCAA Division I East Region, one spot behind Dickson.

Expectations were high for Dajuan Harding, and he had no problem meeting them. Harding was four-tenths of a second off his PR on Saturday in the 400m when he posted a 46.18 time to win the event. Harding then ran the anchor leg on the first-place 4x4 team on Saturday. He joined sophomore Justin Hamilton, senior Dorian Claggett and freshman Najee Reams to run a 3:07.32.

The Aggies will now move their focus to the NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round (East regional) in three weeks. From there they hope to take numerous athletes to the NCAA outdoor championships. After not having the type of performance he wanted at the NCAA indoor championships, Belcher hopes his newfound consistency will carry over to All-America and even national champion status.

“The main focus going into regionals and going into nationals is running there like I have been running here,” said Belcher. “I definitely need to show out because next year I'm going for everybody in the world.”

First-Team All-MEAC
10,000m – Darren White (31:32.64)*; 4x100 – Chris Belcher, Rodney Rowe, Caleb Gabriel, Joel Thomas (39.44)^; 100m – Chris Belcher (10.04)*; 110mh – TeQuille Jackson (13.92); 400m – Dajuan Harding (46.18); 200m – Chris Belcher (20.59); 4x400 – Justin Hamilton, Dorian Claggett, Najee Reams, Dajuan Harding (3:07.32).

Second-Team All-MEAC
Triple Jump – Lasheon Strozier (49-feet, 8 ½ inches); Hammer Throw – Derrick Wheeler (164-feet, 4-inches); 200m – Rodney Rowe (20.79); 5000m – Darren White (15:24.18); 3000m steeplechase – Darren White (9:20.29);

Third-Team All-MEAC
High Jump – Nehemiah Lipford (6-feet, 9-inches); Long Jump – Lasheon Strozier (24-feet, 3-inches); 100m – Caleb Gabriel (10.27).

*MEAC Outdoor Championship Record
^MEAC record

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Ashley Walker Named Fifth Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Mississippi Valley

ITTA BENA, Mississippi  –  Mississippi Valley State University's Director of Athletics Dianthia Ford-Kee announced Ashley Walker as the fifth head women's basketball coach on May 5, 2017. Walker believes her track record for recruiting student-athletes and discipline philosophy that focuses on mental and physical growth through teaching will continue the upward momentum of the women's basketball program. She brings 12-years of collegiate coaching experience.

"I am elated Coach Walker accepted the opportunity to lead our women's basketball team. Her competitive drive and ability to transition that drive to the young ladies will make for exciting basketball at the Valley," stated Ford-Kee, "She is vested in developing champions of character through sports on and off the playing surface. Her get it done attitude and strategic approach to the game will lead our program to be a force to recon with sooner rather than later in conference as well as non-conference play."

Walker comes to Mississippi Valley State after serving two years at Wiley College (May 2015). While at Wiley, she tallied an overall record of 39-17. Walker has the experience to propel the hungry Devilettes team forward. She was responsible for the day-to-day decision making for her program at Wiley. In addition to the day-to-day operations, Walker oversaw the budget, served as a liaison for Champions of Character with the N.A.I.A and spearheaded the program's fundraising efforts.

Before taking on the head role at Wiley, Walker spent three seasons as an assistant at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. While at South Carolina State, she helped the team to an impressive 20-9 record in her first season and coached two-time All-MEAC performer Kourtney Williams, who finished her career as the seventh all-time leading scorer in South Carolina State women's basketball history. During her tenure, South Carolina State also record victories over Clemson University and several teams from the Big South, SoCon, Atlantic South and Ohio Valley Conferences.

Prior to SC State, Walker was an assistant coach at Angelina College in Lufkin, Texas for seven seasons (2005-2012). During her time, the team compiled a record of 135-81.

Walker, a Bryan, Texas native, played two years at Angelina College after leaving Bryan High School as a highly sought-after recruit. In the 1999-2000 season, she was part of the team that broke the program record for wins in a season as her team finished 24-7. Her success at the junior-college level led to a scholarship at Texas Wesleyan University, which was in the Red River Athletic Conference where she played for another two seasons before receiving her Bachelor of Science in exercise of sports studies in 2005.

Upon graduating, Walker returned to Angelina College as an assistant to head coach Bryan Coleman. During her time at there, the team set a school-record 26 wins in the 2009-10 season, and she helped coach three National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Americans, two Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-Americans and two freshmen of the year. Additionally, the 2006-07 team earned Academic All-American honors. Several of Walker's Lady Roadrunner players went on to play Division I basketball.

Walker is the daughter of Thomas and Dorothy Walker, who still reside in Bryan, Texas. Walker has one sister, Amanda, who lives in Austin, Texas.

Coach Walker will be introduced to the public and the media on May 17, 2017 at 12:00 pm in the Science and Technology Auditorium.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Yolanda Moore Named Next Head Coach for Clark Atlanta Women's Basketball

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Clark Atlanta University has named two-time WNBA champion Yolanda Moore as the next head coach for women's basketball. Moore had a standout career at Ole Miss before playing professionally. She has been a head coach on both the Junior College and NCAA Division I levels.

"We are very excited to have Coach Yolanda Moore joining the Panther family'" stated J. Lin Dawson, Clark Atlanta University Athletics Director. "She is the missing ingredient to build champions on and off the court. I am particularly encouraged by the empowerment and motivational skills she brings to women's basketball. Exposing student-athletes to individuals with the sum of her life experiences is priceless. She will build upon the exciting brand of basketball that Clark Atlanta is known for."

Moore spent one season at LSU Eunice (NJCAA) and led the Lady Bengals to a 26-4 mark - including winning 16 straight - after the prior two seasons totaled just 17 victories. Her lone season saw LSU Eunice register the second-highest win total in program history while also posting the highest winning percentage in 15 seasons.

She moved to Southeastern Louisiana to lead the Lady Lions for two seasons where she won 15 games while developing a trio of All-Southland Conference players. Her time saw SLU improve to 4th in the conference in Defensive Field Goal Percentage from 13th while also moving up to 4th in Offensive Rebounding from 10th. Six Lady Lions received recognition on the Commissioner's Honor Roll in Spring of 2015.

"I am extremely humbled by the opportunity to become part of the family and to work with someone with a vision like Mr. Dawson" declared Moore. "I am very happy to be at a school that puts an emphasis on women's sports and I hope to live up to the high level of support we receive. This is a wonderful fit for me personally and professionally. Clark Atlanta University and the city of Atlanta both have a rich history that I cannot wait to experience. I am excited to be part of the rebuild of the women's basketball program at CAU."

Moore has additional coaching experiences on the AAU and high school levels while her professional playing career saw her take the court in the WNBA, Europe and Asia over six seasons. Her collegiate playing days have earned her entry into the Ole Miss Sports Hall of Fame (2010) where she was a two-time All-SEC performer. In 2012 she was also named a Southeastern Conference Great.

Clark Atlanta defeated Lane (79-76) in the opening round of the SIAC Championship before falling to Claflin (70-55) in the second round. CAU will return a pair of All-SIAC selections in Marissa Mandeldove and Lauren Turner.

CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION