Florida A&M Defeats Savannah State 9-8, Wins Series

RYAN KENNEDY

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  – Florida A&M (15-20, 10-7 MEAC) scored eight of nine runs with two outs en route to a 9-8 weekend series clinching victory over Savannah State (13-24, 4-11 MEAC) Sunday afternoon at Moore-Kittles Field. Ryan Kennedy’s three-run home run in the sixth gave the Rattlers the lead for good while William Carrasco earned his first save of the season.

The win marks the fifth win of the season for FAMU over the defending MEAC Champions.

Marlon Gibbs and Logan Seymour both went 3-for-4 with two runs scored to help pace the Rattler offense. Brandon Fleming (2-3) earned the win while pitching 4.1 innings of middle relief. Fleming gave up two runs on four hits while striking out two Tiger batters. Carrasco worked the final scoreless inning and a third for the save.

Following a two-out single by Zachary Brigham, Brian Miller came in as a pinch runner in the bottom of the ninth for Savannah State representing the tying run at first base. Lee Moore roped a single deep into left field and Miller was going to attempt to score from first. Miller had rounded third base but changed his mind and was thrown out at third as he tried to get back to the base.

Savannah State jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Todd Hagen and Hector Benitez recorded back-to-back hits to start the inning and David Richards drew a walk to load the bases with no outs. Charles Sikes then grounded into a double play that scored Hagen from third. Benitez later came home on a wild pitch from Montague for the second Tiger run of the inning.

The Tigers added an unearned run, to make the score 3-0, in the third inning on a misplayed ball by Devin Perry at third base that would have ended the inning for the Rattlers.

FAMU took the lead 4-3 as the bats came alive with four hits in the home half of the third inning. Seymour singled to left and Gibbs bunt single put runners on first and second with one out. Both runners advanced a base after a balk from Savannah State starter Zach McCormack and Ryan Kennedy drew a five-pitch walk to load the bases. Michael Birdsong’s hard hit single to left brought home Seymour and Gibbs , but the ball got past Tiger left fielder Parker Nix allowing Kennedy to score all the way from first. Perry’s RBI single plated Birdsong for the go-ahead run.

Savannah State answered back with three runs in the fourth to regain the lead by a score of 6-4. Nix had the only hit of the inning for the Tigers, an RBI single, that tied the game at 4-4. SSU scored two more unearned runs, courtesy of a pair of Rattler errors, to take the lead.

The Rattlers wouldn’t be denied, scoring four runs with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, for an 8-6 advantage. The sixth inning was highlighted by Kennedy’s three-run home run, his sixth of the season. FAMU had four hits in the inning as Birdsong, Jeremy Barlow and Taylor Strauss each had singles for the Rattler offense.

Florida A&M added what proved to be an important insurance run in the seventh as Bennie Robinson grounded into a double play, but still scored Seymour for the score of 9-6.

SSU got within one, at 9-8, as they added two more runs in the eighth. Devin McHugh’s RBI groundout plated Lee Moore and Hagen’s RBI single back up the middle scored Nix.

Savannah State’s starter Zach McCormack (2-2) took the loss after giving up eight runs on nine hits in 5.2 innings of work. McCormack struck out two with four walks.

Florida A&M continues its six games in six day stretch as it travels to face Central Florida (22-15, 10-2 AAC) on Tuesday, April 15. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 pm at Jay Bergman Field.

BOX SCORE

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Rush, Nuggets earn 5-2 victories at Jackson State

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Kyle Montrel and Amber Brown delivered clinching singles victories Sunday in Xavier University of Louisiana's 5-2 men's and women's tennis decisions over Jackson State.

It was the first victory of the season for the Gold Rush (8-9), ranked 10th in the NAIA, against an NCAA Division I opponent, and the second such victory for the Gold Nuggets (12-6), who are ranked second.

Montrel's 6-1, 6-3 victory against Hernan Geria at the top flight gave Xavier a 5-0 lead. Jordan Harrell, Tushar Mandlekar and Kevin Chaouat earned straight-set singles victories for the Rush.

The Rush swept all three double matches and clinched that point when Montrel and Nikita Soifer beat Ryan Swanier and Geria 8-2.

Brown gave the Gold Nuggets a 4-2 lead in their dual when she defeated Rebekah Adewumi 7-6 (7-5), 1-6, 6-1. It was Brown's seventh consecutive singles victory and the second straight time she won in three sets.

Also extending XU streaks were Nour Abbes and Simone-Alyse Ewell. Abbes is 12-0 in singles this season after her 6-0, 6-0 victory against Angela Condorelli at the top flight. Ewell teamed with Abbes for an 8-3 victory against Anastasia Zviahintseva and Julie Angermann which clinched the doubles point. It was Ewell's 13th consecutive doubles victory and her sixth in a row with Abbes. 

Kourtney Howell and Brion Flowers won in doubles and singles for the Nuggets.

It was the second consecutive year that both XU teams won at Jackson State. JSU's men are 3-13, and the women are 4-14.

Next for the Nuggets will be a 3 p.m. Monday dual against Southern at the XU Tennis Center. The Rush will visit the University of New Orleans at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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ASU Black Team Wins Black and Gold Game

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- Alabama State brought its spring football campaign to a close today with the annual Black and Gold Game.  It was a game which pitted the defense (Black) against the offense (White) with the black team taking advantage of several point gaining plays to defeat the white team 82-18.

"For us this spring this was our finale, the spring game," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said.  "It's an opportunity for our fans to see where the team is and see where these guys have done and accomplished over the spring."

"For us it was more about letting these kids get out there and playing without the coaches actually being on the field and ultimately trying to keep everybody healthy.  All-in-all it was a pretty good spring and we have some things to evaluate on and go from here."



ASU's defense returns nine starters from last year's team and it showed all spring as the defense turned in big play after big play.  In the 81-play game ASU's offense only managed 222 yards and scored two touchdowns, while also getting a field goal.

The scoring system which heavily favored the defense awarded five points for an interception and three points for any three-and-out, sacks and fumble recoveries.  Tackles for lost yardage awarded the defense with two points.

The defense recorded eight sacks led by Chris Terry and Marcus Owens who had two each.  There was a total of 18 tackles for lost yardage as Owens led the way with four and Terry and Roderick Henderson recording three each.



Kourtney Berry picked up a fumble which he returned 27 yards for a score and Justin Mitchell also fell on a loose ball.  JaQuez Bowser had a first half interception for the Black team and Henderson finished off an outstanding spring game when he picked off the game's final pass for the defense's fourth turnover of the game.

"Obviously I went and discussed the scoring system with the defensive coaches because I wanted to make sure I was fair to them and of course they were all like yea, yea a sack should be three points and a loss of yardage should be this and it kind of got out of hand," Barlow said jokingly.

The White team did manage a touchdown pass from Quinteris Toppings to Earl Lucas which covered 35 yards in the opening half.  In the second half Andre Kincey ran in from 10 yards out for the White team's second score and the final three points came off the foot of kicker Alex Louthan who booted a 21 yard field goal in the final quarter of play.



Toppings completed 11 of 19 passes for 82 yards and the scoring toss to Lucas who had 40 yards on two receptions.  The game's leading rusher was Kincey who finished the game with 37 yards on 11 carries including his 10 yard sprint to the end zone.

"Obviously, I was a bit disappointed in the (offensive) performance today," Barlow said. "The game of football has to be played with emotion and energy and excitement and when you don't have that, it shows. Even if you don't have all the ability, if you play with energy and effort you'll make some plays. I just didn't think our guys displayed that from an offensive standpoint."

"Yeah, we know our defense is good but our offense is good. We've got the same guys who averaged 30 points except for Crowell and Edmond. You've still got Damian, you've still got Bell, you've still got Cyrus. There's no reason for us not to be able to put on a better show. They lacked energy and it showed on the field."



The coaching staff handed out their spring awards following the game which were;
"Peter Rabbit" Award: JaQuez Bowzer
Rico Wells Award:  Marcus Owens
Most Improved Defensive Player:  Antonio Humphreys
Most Improved Offensive Player:  Andre Hammond
Most Valuable Defensive Player:  Trey Jenkins
Most Valuable Offensive Player:  Damian Love

The Hornets will begin preparations for the 2014 season in August with the team's first game against Football Championship Series (FCS) power Sam Houston State, Saturday August 30 in Huntsville, Texas.



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MVSU Delta Devils showcase skills at Green & White Game

ITTA BENA, Mississippi  --   The White team, consisting of the Mississippi Valley State offense, came away with a 51-25 win Saturday over the Green squad (MVSU defense) at the Green and White scrimmage game at Rice-Totten.

One of the largest spring game crowds in school history flocked to campus to witness what the Delta Devils would be like under new head coach Rick Comegy. 

"I was very pleased with the crowd," said Comegy. "I want to thank the crowd for coming…..They came out and supported these guys and I'm happy about that."

The first-year head coach said he saw some positive things Saturday, especially on the defensive side of the ball. 

"I saw some good things from a defensive stand point of view," said Comegy," and I saw us score some points. And I saw some running backs that could run the football pretty good."

MVSU alternated running backs throughout the game, with John Johnson, Jeremy Dobson, Cody Gilchrist and Dwayne Springs sharing carries. Dobson, a sophomore from Byram, exploded for a 21-yard gain midway through the game. 

Patrick Ivy, Carl Davis, Marcus Reed and Rashad Jones all split time at quarterback. Davis, a senior Mobile, Ala. native, connected with Trey Ford on a 50-yard TD to give the White team a 21-6 lead. Ivy threw a late TD pass to Joshua Rice to give the White squad a 44-19 advantage. 

Defensive linemen Byron Scott, Sean Fugate and Jeremiah Russell along with linebacker Brandon Powe all played well and did a great job of getting to the quarterback. 

Although the spring game is over, the Delta Devils will continue spring practice this upcoming week.

 

COURTESY MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Pharrell Williams has key to being "happy" but not one to city?

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VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia -- Gymnast Gabby Douglas has one. So does Super Bowl champ Plaxico Burress. (That was before he did a stint in prison on gun charges.)

But homegrown singer, songwriter and superstar Pharrell Williams?

No key. Not even a key ring.

While the whole world is dancing to Pharrell's infectious hit "Happy," Virginia Beach City Hall is barely tapping its feet.

"We're very proud of Pharrell and we look forward to honoring him when the opportunity is right," a city spokesman replied by email Friday after I inquired about honors - past or present - for the Princess Anne High School grad. "In fact, we would be very HAPPY to do so!"


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Rolland, Fakler lead XU Nuggets to repeat as GCAC champ

NEW ORLEANS -- Led again by juniors Devinn Rolland and Catherine Fakler, Xavier University of Louisiana repeated as women's team champion at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Tad Gormley Stadium on Saturday.

Rolland won three individual events -- the long jump and the 100- and 200-meter dashes -- for the third consecutive year. Fakler won the 1,500, 3,000 steeplechase and 5,000 and anchored the Gold Nuggets to victory in the 3,200 relay by nearly 46 seconds.

Fakler won the 1,500 for the third consecutive year, repeated as steeplechase and 5,000 champion and finished second in the 800. She won the 5,000 by nearly 90 seconds.

The Gold Nuggets, No. 14 in the NAIA National Team Computer Rankings, scored 213 points and won the conference team championship for the third time in four years. Dillard was second with 168 points, followed by Edward Waters with 143, SUNO with 26 and Voorhees with 19.

In the men's division, Xavier's Kwame Jackson won the 5,000 for the third consecutive year, and Brent Kitto won the 1,500. The Gold Rush were fifth of six teams with 34 points; Dillard outscored Edward Waters 178-153 for the title.

Xavier got meet records from Fakler in the steeplechase (12:01.53) and 5,000 (19:50.14) and Rolland in the 100 (11.66). Rolland's 100 time was a personal best.

The Gold Nuggets scored 30 more points than they did in their 2013 title run. They scored in 16-of-19 events, and 18 individuals scored. Xavier took the top four places in the 1,500 and 5,000.

Also winning for Xavier were Angelica Alexander, a repeat champion in the high jump, and freshman Terri Cunningham in the 400 hurdles. Cunningham scored in four events and was the Nuggets' No. 3 scorer with 21 1/2 points. Fakler scored 40 1/2 points, and Rolland scored 32.

Joining Fakler on the champion 3,200 relay were Briana Simms, Ashley Flournoy and Zahri Jackson.

Also finishing second for the Nuggets were Hannah Finnegan in the 5,000, Simms in the steeplechase, Tramaine Shannon in the 400, Flournoy in the 1,500 and the 400 relay team of Kaylee Moore, Rolland, Shannon and Chelsea James.

The women's team championship is the 19th on the conference level in coach Joseph Moses' nine seasons at Xavier. Moses led the Rush and Nuggets to eight GCAC cross country titles apiece from 2006-13.

Xavier's next event will be the Southeastern Invitational at Hammond, La., on Friday.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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With choices to sort out at QB, Spartans add an option

COURTESY NSU ATHLETICS

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian is weighing his options in more ways than one.

As he spends a good chunk of the spring identifying a frontrunner at quarterback, he's installing a modified offense that includes an option wrinkle as a second read.

But don't confuse the Spartans for Navy; the option is in the playbook, but it's not anywhere near the front page.

"We might go three weeks and not run an option," Adrian said Saturday morning at Dick Price Stadium, after NSU's seventh practice of the spring and its first with full contact. "It all depends what the defense is going to give you."

The scheme, which will operate under new offensive coordinator Donald Hill-Eley, sends a man in motion through a one-back backfield and gives the quarterback the true option of pitching the ball if necessary.

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