OAKLAND, California -- A few quick thoughts on the Oakland Raiders' first seventh-round draft pick.
The pick: Anthony Morris, offensive tackle, Tennessee State
My take: Morris is 6-foot-6, 290 pounds. He is a small-school player, but when offensive linemen are taken this low, it's for developmental reasons.
Stocking up on the offensive line: In the fourth round, Oakland took Miami's Jon Feliciano. He has a chance to compete at right guard. Morris won't compete for a starting job right away. His battle will be to make the 53-man roster.
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Saturday, May 2, 2015
NFL draft 2015: Baltimore Ravens pick Tennessee State OG Robert Myers in 5th round
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| ROBERT MYERS 6'-5" 310 Hometown: LaVergne, Tennessee LaVergne High School Courtesy: TSU Athletics |
They met with him at the Senior Bowl and at the NFL scouting combine. Myers visited their team facility in Owings Mills and also had a private workout with Ravens offensive line coach Juan Castillo.
When they were on the clock with the 176th overall pick in the draft and their second selection in the fifth round, the Ravens selected the 6-foot-5, 329-pound guard.
Myers was a three-year starter at the school, and a two-time All-Conference selection. He is a late bloomer as Myers didn't start playing football until he was a junior in high school.
Myers is known as a mauler who plays with nastiness. However, he tends to struggle to maintain his technique.
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Arizona Cardinals trade up for Rodney Gunter, Delaware State, who says he 'potentially could be the next J.J. Watt'
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| RODNEY GUNTER 6'-5" 305 DL Hometown: Lake Hamiliton, Florida Haines City High School Courtesy: DSU Athletics/Rodney Adams |
TEMPE, Arizona -- Who is Rodney Gunter?
He is a defensive end who played at Delaware State. He's 6-foot-5 and 305 lbs. He's a cousin of former Arizona Cardinals tight end D.C. Jefferson. He can supposedly dunk a basketball, and the Cardinals liked him enough to trade away three picks -- 123 (4th round), 198 (6th round) and 241 (7th round) -- for number 116, where they took him in the fourth round.
"I'm very versatile," Gunter said of his game. "I can bring a hard-working guy, and I potentially could be the next J.J. Watt."
Lofty comparison, yes, but Gunter said his goal is to be the best he can be, so that's the goal.
Getting drafted is a start.
Gunter said he expected to be picked sometime in round five or later, but it was "a blessing, a dream come true" to go in the fourth to Arizona.
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Round 4: Baltimore Ravens Select Texas Southern CB Tray Walker
BALTIMORE, Maryland --The Ravens waited to draft a cornerback until the fourth round, but they got one with plenty of upside.
Baltimore drafted Tray Walker out of small-school Texas Southern with their third pick in the fourth round (No. 136 overall). He’s the sixth player Baltimore drafted in 2015.
“I’m really overwhelmed right now. I’m stunned,” Walker said. “I really can’t think right now.”
Pundits didn’t project Walker going so high, listing him as a sixth- or seventh-round pick. But Ravens Assistant General Manager Eric DeCosta indicated Friday night that Baltimore had their eyes on some sleepers.
The Ravens took a chance with small-school Nicholls State cornerback Lardarius Webb in 2009 and it worked out. They’ll hope for the same result from Walker. On paper, they’re two very different players, however.
Walker said Ravens Cornerbacks Coach Matt Weiss came to his personal workout.
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Baltimore drafted Tray Walker out of small-school Texas Southern with their third pick in the fourth round (No. 136 overall). He’s the sixth player Baltimore drafted in 2015.
“I’m really overwhelmed right now. I’m stunned,” Walker said. “I really can’t think right now.”
Pundits didn’t project Walker going so high, listing him as a sixth- or seventh-round pick. But Ravens Assistant General Manager Eric DeCosta indicated Friday night that Baltimore had their eyes on some sleepers.
The Ravens took a chance with small-school Nicholls State cornerback Lardarius Webb in 2009 and it worked out. They’ll hope for the same result from Walker. On paper, they’re two very different players, however.
Walker said Ravens Cornerbacks Coach Matt Weiss came to his personal workout.
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MEAC, SWAC Grab Some NFL Draft Sportlight
CHICAGO, Illinois -- - The two FCS conferences for historically black colleges and universities have developed a spotlight for both the start and end of the 2015 season.
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Southwestern Athletic Conference also grabbed some of the FCS spotlight on the final day of the three-day NFL Draft on Saturday.
Each conference boasted a fourth-round selection, the only two from the FCS taken in the round on the day the bulk of players from the lower half of Division I college football were gulped up.
The Arizona Cardinals traded up seven spots to use the the 116th overall selection on Delaware State defensive lineman Rodney Gunter and the Baltimore Ravens picked Texas Southern cornerback Tray Walker in a surprising final pick of the fourth round at No. 135.
The 6-foot-5, 305-pound Gunter is an athletic run stopper in the interior who also can play on the edge to get after quarterbacks. Walker, at 6-2, 180, is strong in press conference and has the longest arms and largest wingspan of any cornerback in the draft class.
The two HBCU conference will open the season with the annual MEAC-SWAC Challenge on Sept. 6. This season, their conference champions will square off in the new Celebration Bowl on Dec. 18.
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WSSU Rams stay unbeaten at CIAA Tournament
CARY, North Carolina -- Gavin Culler, Dylan Dombrowskas and Jacob Barber had three hits each to help Winston-Salem State beat Virginia State 8-4 Friday afternoon in a semifinal game at the CIAA Baseball Championships in Cary.The Rams, four-time defending CIAA champions, advanced to today's title game(s) in the double-elimination tournament. WSSU will face Virginia State, which defeated Chowan 4-3 in an elimination game Friday night.
WSSU will clinch the title with a win today. The first game is scheduled for 1 p.m.; if WSSU loses, a second game would follow immediately after the first.
The Rams (37-13) trailed 2-1 the Trojans (24-17) scored two runs in the top of the third off Rams’ starter Aaron Hatch (8-1). However, the Rams rallied in the bottom of the inning.
With one out in the third, Culler doubled off Trojans’ starter Nicholas Christopher (4-3). Colby Keene singled to knock in Culler to tie it 2-2. Connor Andrus was hit by the hit, advancing Keene to second. Dombrowskas singled to knock in Keene and stole second with Nathan Steger batting. Steger struck out, but Barber doubled to knock in Dombrowskas and Andrus to take a 5-2 lead.
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Southern plays final SWAC series at Grambling
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The Southern baseball team wraps up Southwestern Athletic Conference regular-season play with a series at Grambling that starts with a doubleheader at noon Saturday.This series has no measurable impact on the Jaguars’ SWAC fortunes because they are locked into the second seed from the West Division for the conference tournament, which begins in 11 days in New Orleans.
Southern (13-22, 10-8 SWAC) can’t catch second-place Texas Southern (14-6). Fourth-place Grambling (7-14, 9-30) can’t catch the Jaguars. First-place Arkansas-Pine Bluff is ineligible for the conference tournament.
Senior right-hander Santos Saldivar said his experience has been that the specific seed doesn’t make a big difference anyway.
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Friday, May 1, 2015
Obadiah Simmons Named Interim Athletic Director at Grambling State University
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| DR. OBADIAH SIMMONS JR. Interim Athletic Director GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY |
Simmons is a 35-year veteran of Grambling State University. He most recently served as the interim head and director of the Department of Kinesiology, Sport and Leisure Studies and was the recipient of the Robert L. Piper Endowed Professorship in Health and Physical Education. Prior to joining the KSLS Department in 2008, Simmons worked in numerous administrative capacities at GSU in enrollment management, academic support, total quality management and student affairs.
As the interim athletic director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Simmons will provide administrative direction and oversight for Grambling's 17-sport athletics program, supervise the control and compliance with applicable National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and University rules and regulations governing all facets of intercollegiate athletics.
Simmons is a native of Inkster, Michugab and a three-year letterman of Grambling's baseball team from 1972-1974. He received his bachelor's degree in secondary education from Grambling State University in 1974, earned his master's degree in physical education from the University of North Carolina in 1976 and earned his doctoral degree in educational administration from Texas A&M University in 1988.
Simmons has served as Chair of the NCAA Athletics Certification Self-Study Steering Committee (2006-2008), chair of the Grambling State University Athletic Council (2008-Present), University Policy Review Committee member (2008-Present), and Institutional Representative for the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame Nominating Committee (2006-Present).
GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE
Events DC Kicks-Off 5th Annual AT&T Nations's Football Classic
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The AT&T Nation's Football Classic®, an annual football game featuring historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), will take place at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., featuring two storied programs -- Hampton and Howard -- on Friday, Sept. 18th at 7 p.m."As we celebrate the fifth anniversary of the AT&T Nation's Football Classic, we wanted to refresh the event and bring back a classic rivalry, as we did in 2011 with Morehouse and Howard," said Erik Moses, senior vice president and managing director of Events DC, Sports and Entertainment Division, "The battles between Hampton and Howard in RFK Stadium during the early 90's were instant classics. Giving this type of rivalry a rebirth is what we had in mind when conceptualizing this event."
The AT&T Nation's Football Classic® was created to celebrate the passion and tradition of the college football experience, recognizing the history of service to others by the students, faculty and alumni of historically black colleges and universities, highlighting the unity of African-American culture, while honoring the heritage and excellence of these proud institutions.
"The Classic has become a signature event for our nation's capital and is the only one of its kind within the city limits," said Greg O'Dell, president and chief executive officer of Events DC. "It's more than just a game, it's an overall experience that attracts fans from around the country who continue to come back in part because of the great hospitality they receive from our hotel and restaurant partners."
The Hampton and Howard rivalry, which dates back to their first meeting in 1908, has affectionately been termed the "Battle for the Real HU" by both schools' loyal supporters. These institutions pride themselves on their academic excellence and athletic traditions. This match-up, which had a home in RFK Stadium in the 1990s, has been a series of runs, with the Bison dominating play throughout the 1970s and the Pirates posting 14 straight wins from 1997 through 2010.
The last two contests were nail-bitters, with Howard winning on the road in double-overtime in 2013 and narrowly escaping with a 30-29 victory this past season. Howard is currently riding a four-game winning streak; however, Hampton leads the overall series 47-43.
Tickets for the 2015 AT&T Nation's Football Classic are now available, with a special $15 lower-level seat offer in effect through ticketmaster.com, throughout the end of May. Regular priced tickets will start at $25 with group discount rates and suite level experiences available as well. For additional information, please visit NationsFootballClassic.com.
About the AT&T Nation's Football Classic
The AT&T Nation's Football Classic® is a black college football game held annually at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. Now in its fifth year, the game features Howard University against Hampton University. Organized by Events DC, the AT&T Nation's Football Classic® was created to celebrate the passion and tradition of the college football experience, recognize the history of service to others by the students, faculty and alumni of historically black colleges and universities, highlight the unity of African American culture, and honor the heritage and excellence of these proud institutions. Tickets for the AT&T Nation's Football Classic® are on sale now at ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, the Howard University Box Office at Cramton Auditorium and the Hampton University Box Office (at 757-728-6828). Seats are priced starting at $25.
ATTNFC website: www.NationsFootballClassic.com
ATTNFC Twitter: @NationsClassic
ATTNFC Facebook: www.facebook.com/NationsFootballClassic
Howard University website: www.howard.edu
Hampton University website: www.hamptonu.edu
Howard University Athletics: hubison.com
Hampton University Athletics: www.hamptonpirates.com
About Events DC
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation's capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District's hospitality and tourism economy that generates over $400 million annually in total economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the Stadium-Armory campus, which includes the historic Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium and surrounding Festival Grounds, and the non-military functions of the DC Armory. Events DC also built and now serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com.
COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Reception Held in Honor of Hank Aaron Will Raise Funds for Eddie G. Robinson Museum
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| HANK AARON |
“I just think that every individual needs to make sure they get an opportunity to come and see this great American, Hank Aaron. He’s the king of baseball as far as I’m concerned,” said Wilbert Ellis, president of the Friends of Eddie G. Robinson Museum. “Eddie Robinson had the chance to meet Hank Aaron, and you know Eddie would be excited.”
Many state museums across Louisiana were forced to reduce operations in mid-April due to mid-year budget cuts. Currently, the Eddie G. Robinson Museum only receives enough state funding to remain open one day a week, but the Friends of Eddie G. Robinson Museum want to keep the museum operational for four days a week.
“The museum is named after one of American’s greatest, Eddie G. Robinson, who coached at Grambling for 57 years and is in every Hall of Fame you can name. He’s touched the lives of so many individuals, including myself. We want young people to see this great American and his contributions and what he has done for Grambling State University and the whole country,” Ellis said.
Four former Atlanta Braves players, who are all Louisiana natives, will be honored at the reception: Wayne Causey, Gary Eaves, Ralph “Roadrunner” Garr and George Stone.
An auction will also be held featuring autographed sports memorabilia, including baseballs and bats signed by Aaron and basketballs signed by Willis Reed, a Grambling alumnus and former New York Knicks player.
Aaron, who is the senior vice president in the Atlanta Braves front office, will be awarded Grambling’s highest honor, the Doctor of Humane Letters degree, during the 2015 Spring Commencement at 10 a.m. May 8 at the Frederick C. Hobdy Assembly Center for his numerous contributions to professional baseball and charity.
There are a limited number of tickets available for the event. Tickets can be purchased for $100 each at the following locations: Ruston-Lincoln Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau, Barnes & Noble Bookstore at Grambling State University and the Clark Company in Monroe. Donations to the museum can be made payable to The Friends of Eddie G. Robinson Museum.
For more information about the reception, please call Ellis at 318-614-8716 or John Belton at 318-680-6904.
GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Bertie HS Falcon star picks Fayetteville State
WINDSOR, North Carolina -- It’s not too close, and it’s not too far.
That was part of Bertie High basketball player De’Najah Porter’s reasoning for picking NCAA Division-II and CIAA-member school Fayetteville State University over St. Petersburg College and Cape Fear Community College as starting points for the next phase of her basketball career.
Porter actually went through a workout for Lady Broncos coach Eva Patterson-Heath during her official campus visit in March. She was sold on the school and they were just as sold on her.
“They were looking for new players and they said they liked my game, and they were interested in offering me a full-ride scholarship,” Porter stated. “Last week they contacted (Bertie girls) Coach (Alice) Lyons and told them they were going to go ahead and send in the paperwork.”
A shy almost demure lady off the court, Porter knows that with bigger, faster, quicker players in college, she’ll have to change some of her approach to the game.
At 6’ 2”, she led Bertie to the third round (sectional finals) of the 2A state playoffs this past February and a 23-5 record en route to the Northeastern Coastal Conference regular-season title with an 11-1 mark in conference play.
“She’s an excellent athlete,” said Lyons. “Those CIAA players are going to have to keep up with her.”
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That was part of Bertie High basketball player De’Najah Porter’s reasoning for picking NCAA Division-II and CIAA-member school Fayetteville State University over St. Petersburg College and Cape Fear Community College as starting points for the next phase of her basketball career.
Porter actually went through a workout for Lady Broncos coach Eva Patterson-Heath during her official campus visit in March. She was sold on the school and they were just as sold on her.
“They were looking for new players and they said they liked my game, and they were interested in offering me a full-ride scholarship,” Porter stated. “Last week they contacted (Bertie girls) Coach (Alice) Lyons and told them they were going to go ahead and send in the paperwork.”
A shy almost demure lady off the court, Porter knows that with bigger, faster, quicker players in college, she’ll have to change some of her approach to the game.
At 6’ 2”, she led Bertie to the third round (sectional finals) of the 2A state playoffs this past February and a 23-5 record en route to the Northeastern Coastal Conference regular-season title with an 11-1 mark in conference play.
“She’s an excellent athlete,” said Lyons. “Those CIAA players are going to have to keep up with her.”
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Lane College Dragons Release the 2015 Football Schedule
JACKSON,Tennessee -- As the saying goes "When the going gets tough, the tough get going"! With the release of the 2015 football schedule the Dragons football team will have to be tough. A full slate of ten weeks of football action is planned for the Dragons 2015 season. They will be racking up frequent traveler miles as seven of the ten games are on the road for this season.
The Dragons open up the new season with a trip to Selma, Alabama for a contest with Concordia College on September 5 for the 2 PM start of the football season. Week two has the Dragons headed to Fort Valley, Georgia to take on the Wildcats from Fort Valley State University. The September 12 contest is scheduled for a 6 PM start at Wildcat Stadium. The sunny beaches of Daytona, Florida would be the next stop for the Dragons on September 19 as they take on Division I Bethune-Cookman University. The BCU-Wildcats have scheduled the kick-off for 4 PM.
In week four the Dragons will host the Golden Tigers from Tuskegee University for the home opener on September 26 with kick-off scheduled for 2 PM at Lane Field. The Dragons open the October portion of the schedule for week five with a road trip to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They will face the Tigers of Stillman College on October 3 with a 1 PM kickoff.
The second half of the season opens up with a road trip to Augusta, Georgia as the Dragons face The Tigers of Benedict College in the Augusta Classic for week six action. The game is scheduled to be played on October 10 at the Lucy Laney Stadium in Augusta. Kickoff for the classic is scheduled for 2 PM. Week seven is "Homecoming Week" for the Dragons as they host the Marauders from Central State University(Ohio) on October 17. Homecoming activities start during the week and on game day. The schedule kickoff is at 2 PM at Lane Field.
Week eight is a short turn around week for the Dragons as they travel to Fairfield, Alabama for a Thursday night (October 22) contest with the Golden Bears from Miles College. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 PM for this Thursday night contest.
Week nine has the Dragons wrapping up the home season on October 31 as they host the Thorobreds from Kentucky State University. Kickoff for the final home game is scheduled for 2 PM with Senior Recognition starting prior to the contest. All the action will be at Lane Field. For the final regular season contest the Dragons load up for a trip to Atlanta, Georgia to take on the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College. The contest is scheduled for a 2 PM kickoff on November 7.
Excitement is in the air as football season is coming soon. Please make your plans now to come out and support the Dragons.
LANE COLLEGE DRAGONS 2015 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
COURTESY LANE COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION
SIAC Softball Championship: Tuskegee claims 2015 SIAC Title
COLUMBIA, South Carolina (April 26, 2015) – The Tuskegee Tigerettes captured the 2015 SIAC Women's Softball Title with a 6-4 win over the Kentucky State Thorobrettes Sunday afternoon at Polo Road Park in Columbia. The win gave Tuskegee its second title in as many years.After dispatching of the Stillman Lady Tigers in the opening game of the day, Tuskegee found itself against Western Division foe Kentucky State in the championship round. KSU defeated Tuskegee earlier in the tournament and entered the day undefeated in tournament play.
GAME 13: Tuskegee d. Stillman 3-1 (Stillman eliminated) (box score)
After three scoreless innings, Tuskegee broke open the scoring in the top of the fourth inning when Kenyah Smith drew a bases-loaded walk to score Cari Driver. Estavia Jones then singled in Roslyn Thomas and Chante Warner, making the score 3-0 in favor of the Tigerettes. Stillman would score in the bottom of the 7th inning when Kersey Hunt singled to score Hannah Burr.
Karisa Foye earned the win for Tuskegee, working five innings surrendering five hits while striking out four. Stillman's Mickenzie Sparks worked seven innings allowing three hits and two earned runs while striking out seven.
GAME 14: Tuskegee d. Kentucky State 5-1 (box score)
Roslyn Thomas and Chante Warner each drove in two runs as Tuskegee forced a winner-take-all game when the Tigerettes defeated the Thorobrettes 5-1. Thomas's effort came on a two-run blast in the top of the first inning with two outs. Kentucky State answered when Alysha Sakamura scored on a passed ball.
Tuskegee plated another run in the top of the third when Warner reached on an error to score Cari Driver. In the top of the fourth, Kenyah Smith scored an unearned run when Haley Plato reached on a fielding error. The Tigerettes added a run in the top of the sixth inning when a Warner sacrifice fly scored Jasmine Howard.
Karisa Koye earned the win in relief, working 5 2/3 innings walking six and striking out five. Kentucky State's pitching duo of Brittney Gately and Cheyenne Carpenter combined to strike out three, walk three and allow nine hits in the contest.
GAME 15: Tuskegee d. Kentucky State 6-4 (box score)
Tuskegee scored first when back-to-back doubles by Roslyn Thomas and Adrienne Eaddy scored a run. Eaddy would score two batters later to give the Tigerettes a 2-0 lead entering the bottom of the second inning. In the bottom of the third inning, Kentucky State tied the contest when Tyniesha Wilson scored on an Alysha Sakamura double before Sakamura scored on a Tuskegee throwing error.
In the Tuskegee half of the fourth inning, Eaddy scored again, this time on a Haley Plato single. KSU answered in the bottom of the fifth when Wilson scored on a throwing error. The Thorobrettes took the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when Danielle Bonham doubled to score Danielle Odums.
Trailing 4-3, Tuskegee opened the seventh inning with a Driver single, later scoring on a Karisa Foye single. A couple batters later, Morgan Burrell would score when Eaddy reaches on an error. In the next at-bat, Kenyah Smith would ground out as Roslyn Thomas scored the insurance run to seal the win.
Tuskegee's Karisa Foye was named Tournament Most Valuable Player. In the deciding contest, she threw seven innings, striking out five, walking four and allowing three hits. She went 5-0 on the weekend striking out 34 batters over three days of play.
Softball All-Tournament Team
Erin Lipps Claflin
Talana Brown Miles
Malea Maye Albany State
McKenzie Sparks Stillman
Jessica Mathews Stillman
Karisa Foye Tuskegee
Kenyah Smith Tuskegee
Roslyn Thomas Tuskegee
Cheyenne Carpenter Kentucky State
Brittney Gately Kentucky State
COURTESY SIAC MEDIA RELATIONS
Allen, James, Rolland and Row Team Up for GCAC Honor
Rolland was a double winner; she earned the GCAC women's field weekly award in the long jump.
Allen, James, Rolland and Row finished third in 48.13 seconds at the Southern Miss Invitational. It was the fourth time this season that the Gold Nuggets produced an NAIA A- or B-qualifying time in this event.
Rolland placed fifth in the long jump with a best mark of 5.19 meters (17 feet, one-half inch). Rolland outjumped three NCAA Division I athletes and four from NCAA Division II.
Rolland, a senior from Harvey, La., and a graduate of Cabrini High School, is no stranger to GCAC awards. She has been the conference's track honoree twice this season and eight times in her career. For field events, Rolland has won twice this season and 12 times in her career. Rolland is the GCAC career record holder in track and field weekly awards.
For Rolland's teammates, it's their first time to earn a GCAC weekly honor. Allen is a freshman from Mendehall, Miss., and a graduate of Mendenhall High School. James is a junior from Gadsden, Ala., and a graduate of Gadsden City High School. Row is a freshman from Baton Rouge, La., and a graduate of St. Michael High School.
Next for qualified XU women's and men's athletes will be the NAIA National Championships May 21-23 at Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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Benedict College Slewyn Young says his attention to detail landed him Coach of the Year honor
The award is the second coach of the year honor for Selwyn, who first earned the title in 2010. Young said he was proud and humbled to receive the award.
“It’s an honor because the coaches vote,” he said. “You don’t give yourself the award. They vote.”
The Tigers started off the season with a 1-8 record. Young said it was important to instill confidence into a team with 18 freshmen and sophomores on the roster.
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Benedict Baseball Coach Selwyn Young Buys Ellensburg Bulls Minor League Team
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| BENEDICT COLLEGE HEAD COACH SELWYN YOUNG |
-- The Ellensburg Bulls have announced new ownership for the 2015 season.
SLYSPORTS LLC will be the financial backing for the Ellensburg club this season. "You can put the Young Professional Baseball Family name on this club and a part of the league" said Selwyn in a recent communication with League Commissioner Mike Greene.
Mr. Young will also enlist the help of his family, including his sister Cynthia Young who worked in the front office for the Lancaster Jet hawks for many years.
Young hails from Los Angeles, California. He is a graduate of Belmont High School, where he was a three-sport varsity letterman. He was named "All City" shortstop his senior season as well as being an All-League defensive back in football. School honors included being named Belmont's "Athlete of the Year" in 1976. After high school, Young played for the 1977 Los Angeles City College Cubs at shortstop. A 30-game hitting streak that year helped him earn a full scholarship to Pepperdine University in Malibu. In 1980, he set the single season record for stolen base percentage at .952 with 20 out of 21 stolen bases. That team was inducted into Pepperdine's prestigious Hall of Fame in 1999. The 1979 Waves were the first Pepperdine team to win a berth in the NCAA College World Series.
Young played professional baseball 10 years beginning with the Oakland A's organization in 1981, where he was a part of three consecutive Minor League Championships. He also played with the Baltimore Orioles, the Mexican Major Leagues, and several independent leagues before hanging up his glove in 1995 while under a MLB contract with the Seattle Mariners. He was also a part-time scout for the Cincinnati Reds, and the Seattle Mariners.
To complete the family picture, the Skagit Valley Lumberjacks have agreed to trade Selwyn's son, Brandon Young, to Ellensburg for a player to be named later. Brandon played last year for the Trinidad Triggers and also played at Benedict College. Young said he hopes to bring in other former Benedict College baseball players to play for the Bulls.
The Ellensburg Bulls are a member of the Mount Rainier Professional Baseball League, an independent minor league with six teams located in Washington, Oregon and Montana. The league plays a 68-game schedule from May to August.
COURTESY BENEDICT COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION
UAPB Golden Lions Baseball Edge Kansas Jayhawks, 6-5
Final Box (.pdf) | Notes (.pdf)
LAWRENCE, Kansas -- Second-inning woes were too much to overcome, as the Kansas baseball team dropped its final midweek-matchup at Hoglund Ballpark, 6-5, Wednesday night at the hands of the UAPB Golden Lions.
The Jayhawks are no strangers to late-inning rallies and the ninth inning against Arkansas-Pine Bluff (23-16, 16-6) looked to be just that, as senior left fielder Connor McKay drilled a solo home run to right center to bring the Jayhawks (19-26, 6-9) within one run. However, UAPB closer Andre Davis had different plans and closed the door in the ninth to end the hopes of a KU comeback, 6-5.
Kansas pounded out nine hits off four Golden Lion Pitchers, five off starter Ciji Ramos (2-1) through the first five innings. McKay (4-for-5) and senior right fielder Dakota Smith (3-for-4) paced the Jayhawks with a combined seven hits, while each driving in a run. McKay finished the day tying a career-high with three runs scored.
In its final midweek bout at home, KU decided build for the future and ran out a plethora of young guns on the mound. Freshman Brandon Johnson (0-2) got the start and gave up five runs in one inning of work, after failing to record an out in the second. Three other freshmen saw action with veterans, junior righty Sam Gilbert and sophomore closer Stephen Villines sprinkled in to give the Jayhawks a fighting chance.
McKay singled in the first inning for KU with one out to get its first runner on base. A Smith walk and a fly out by sophomore catcher Michael Tinsley moved the senior outfielder to third base with two outs. It was then a passed ball by UAPB catcher Gabe Munoz that allowed McKay to score from third and give Kansas the early lead, 1-0.
The Golden Lions came back in the top of the second and scored five runs off Johnson who was relieved by freshman Blake Weiman with no outs on the board. UAPB right fielder Vladamir Gomez started the slugfest, with a single up the middle to score two. Left fielder Jerimiah Figueroa followed suit, with a single through the left side to tack on another run and advance the lead, 3-1. Two other Golden Lions tallied RBIs in the inning to add to the damage, 5-1.
"We pitched four or five freshman tonight that are still developing, but they are getting better and making progress," head coach Ritch Price said. "However, there are days like today where they can take a step back."
Several freshmen were able to get on the mound and gain experience for the Jayhawks before Kansas went to its bullpen, eventually settling with junior righty Hayden Edwards to man the mound through two innings before Gilbert took over in the seventh and then turned it over to freshman Ryan Ralston and Villines to finish the game.
"These midweek games are great for getting our young guys experience and aiding in their development," Price said. "They have been doing really well other than one bad inning that ended up being the difference of the game. I thought we pitched well tonight."
The Kansas offense was stagnant through the next four innings until the Golden Lions pitcher, Ramos, found himself in a jam in the bottom of the sixth as the Jayhawks loaded the bases. Freshman shortstop Matt McLaughlin earned a free pass that scored Smith to cut the deficit, 5-2. UAPB turned to its bullpen for help, bringing junior righty Blake Estep to the mound.
The transition didn't seem to faze the Jayhawks who began to use their bats to battle back into the ballgame. Junior designated hitter Steve Goldstein hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score Tinsley, who singled through the right side to get on base. Kansas collected three hits and two runs in the sixth to inch closer, 5-3.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff tacked on a run in the seventh to add to its lead, 6-3, but the Jayhawks came back in the bottom half to once again chip away. McKay doubled to right center to get on base as Smith followed suit with a double down the left field line, scoring McKay to cut the lead to two, 6-4. Tinsley drew a walk to get on base, while senior first baseman Blair Beck reached on a fielding error by the third baseman to load the bases. UAPB opted for a pitching change, bringing in senior right-hander Kevin Walsh to quiet the Kansas offense.
UAPB then brought out senior closer Andre Davis to finish off the Jayhawks, but McKay had other plans, drilling the long ball to right center to bring the game within one, 6-5. Trying to muster up a comeback, Smith stepped up to the plate with one out on the board, hoping to keep the momentum alive and singled up the middle. With both dugouts chattering in anticipation, Tinsley grounded into a fielder's choice. The pressure was then put on Beck to become the hero, but he was unable to execute and Kansas fell, 6-5.
The Jayhawks are back in action Friday, May 1, at Hoglund Ballpark as they host the Baylor Bears in a weekend conference series. The game is slated for 6 p.m. and will be available on ESPN3 and Jayhawk Radio Network.
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Gold Rush Ranked Sixth in NAIA for Fifth Consecutive Time
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| JORDAN HARRELL |
NEW ORLEANS — You've seen this before: Xavier University of Louisiana is No. 6 in the NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll.
It's the fifth consecutive poll that the Gold Rush (12-7) hold that ranking. It's nothing new for the XU men, who spent five consecutive polls at No. 9 in 2012 and five in a row at No. 24 in 2008.
Xavier isn't the only top-10 team that hasn't moved lately. Georgia Gwinnett, Embry-Riddle (Fla.) and Lindsey Wilson have ranked 1-2-5 in all seven polls this season.
The XU men are in the top 25 for the 66th consecutive time — that streak began April 4, 2007 — and in the top 10 for the 36th consecutive time.
The NAIA will unveil new rankings at 4 p.m. CDT Monday, then announce one hour later the 24 qualifiers for the NAIA National Championships at Mobile, Ala. Xavier has no remaining duals before the bracket announcement, and the Gold Rush likely will receive one of nine at-large bids. The national tournament will be played May 12-16.
NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll
First-place votes in parentheses -- records through April 26
RANK PREVIOUS SCHOOL W-L POINTS
1 1 Georgia Gwinnett (13) 12-2 343
2 2 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 18-3 329
3 3 Vanguard (Calif.) 25-1 320
4 4 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) 19-5 313
5 5 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 19-1 299
6 6 Xavier (La.) 12-7 288
7 7 Northwestern Ohio 18-5 277
8 9 San Diego Christian (Calif.) 14-7 263
9 10 William Carey (Miss.) 13-6 257
10 11 Concordia (Calif.) 12-9 241
11 12 Coastal Georgia 11-7 229
12 13 Northwood (Fla.) 10-2 215
13 13 Westmont (Calif.) 10-14 204
14 8 Bethany (Kan.) 11-1 186
15 17 Dalton State (Ga.) 10-7 183
16 16 Graceland (Iowa) 12-3 174
17 25 McPherson (Kan.) 16-5 170
18 19 Campbellsville (Ky.) 15-5 165
19 15 Belhaven (Miss.) 16-4 155
20 18 Oklahoma Baptist 10-7 139
21 RV Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) 20-7 116
22 RV Reinhardt (Ga.) 11-3 99
23 20 Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) 4-10 94
24 23 Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) 12-6 84
25 23 SCAD Savannah (Ga.) 6-7 77
Others Receiving Votes: Davenport (Mich.) 52; Tennessee Wesleyan 51; Indiana Wesleyan 49; Aquinas (Mich.) 35; Martin Methodist (Tenn.) 34; Marian (Ind.) 17; Middle Georgia State 4; Our Lady of the Lake (Texas) 4; Biola (Calif.) 3; St. Thomas (Fla.) 3; Asbury (Ky.) 3.
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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ASU Golden Rams defeat Stillman to win SIAC championship
Columbia, South Carolina -- Sophomore Jeremy Arrington recorded three hits and two RBIs to lead the Albany State Golden Rams to 2015 SIAC Baseball Championship with a 9-5 victory over Stillman College. With the win, ASU wins its first SIAC title since 2010.The Golden Rams, who started the season with a 1-16 overall record, improve to 20-32 overall. Albany State receives an automatic bid to the 2015 NCAA Regional Playoffs, which will be held May 14-17. Opponents and sites will be determined on May 10.
Stillman, winners of the last four SIAC championships, ends its season at 14-21.
Albany State opened its scoring in the top of the second inning when Arrington's single scored Hector Carrasquillo, who smashed a double to get on base. Ryan Latner hit a single of his own to send Arrington to the plate, and the Golden Rams led 2-0. Stillman scored its first run in the bottom of the inning to cut its deficit to 2-1.
In the third inning, Arrington smashed a double to score Carrasquillo to increase the Golden Rams' edge to 3-1. Arrington then scored on a Tiger error, and ASU held a 4-1 advantage. Stillman answered in the bottom of the inning once again, scoring two runs to bring the score to 4-3.
Albany State got a little breathing room in the top of the fourth. Jonatan Galan nailed a single to left field, and Emmanuel Santos went home for the score. ASU led 5-3 until a Stillman run in the bottom of the sixth inning brought the score back within one at 5-4.
In the top of the seventh inning, Galan scored on an error by the Stillman catcher for a 6-4 lead. The Tigers answered in the same stanza with another run, and the score stood at 6-5.
The eighth inning featured the play of the game. Golden Rams had two outs, but Stillman had a runner at third ready to tie the game. The Tigers' Pablo De Armas belted a hit over the second base. Ryan Latner threw his body in front of the ball and flipped it to Terrance Worthy to get Albert Rafael out at second base.
That one play sparked Albany State for the final inning. After Worthy hit a double, Carrasquillo followed with a single to send him home. Two batters later, Sable Gilliard belted a two-run double to give his team a 9-5 advantage and provide insurance runs. The Golden Rams recorded three straight outs in the bottom of the stanza to secure the title.
Latner, Santos and Carrasquillo each had two hits for the Golden Rams. Gilliard added two RBIs. Cullen Coulter was the winning pitcher, and Sahir Fersobe was credited with the save.
ASU collected 12 hits with only one error.
Galan was named the Most Valuable Player for the tournament. Outfielder Reise McDaniel and pitcher DeMarkus Green were also named to the all-tournament team.
2015
SIAC Baseball All-Tournament Team
Tuskegee Danny Barnes
Claflin Reginald Rogers
Benedict David White Jr.
Miles Justin Bartley
Miles Justin Langdale
Stillman Hunter Hood
Stillman Paul Winterbottom
Albany State DeMarkus Green
Albany State Reise McDaniel
Albany State Jonatan Galan (Most Valuable Player)
COURTESY ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Gold Nuggets No. 5 in NAIA After Climbing Two Places
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| CARMEN NELSON 5'-7"Senior Hometown: Jonesboro, Georgia |
The Gold Nuggets (15-9) passed Embry-Riddle (Fla.) and Brenau, both of whom lost to lower-ranked NAIA opponents since the previous poll. Xavier's only dual match since March 31 was a Sunday loss at West Florida, ranked eighth in NCAA Division II. The Nuggets closed March with four consecutive road victories against NAIA teams ranked 11-24.
Embry-Riddle remained sixth, and Brenau — a 5-4 neutral-site winner Feb. 23 against Xavier — fell from third to eighth. Xavier had spent the previous four polls at No. 7 after ranking third in the season's first two polls.
The XU women are in the top 25 for the 28th consecutive time and in the top 10 for the 22nd consecutive time.
The NAIA will unveil new rankings at 4 p.m. CDT Monday, then announce one hour later the 24 qualifiers for the NAIA National Championships at Mobile, Ala. Xavier has no remaining duals before the bracket announcement, and the Nuggets likely will receive one of nine at-large bids. The national tournament will be played May 12-16.
NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll
First-place votes in parentheses -- records through April 26
RANK PREVIOUS SCHOOL W-L POINTS
1 1 Georgia Gwinnett (11) 8-6 342
2 2 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) (2) 19-4 333
3 4 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 15-7 317
4 5 SCAD Savannah (Ga.) 14-4 308
5 7 Xavier (La.) 15-9 301
6 6 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 13-5 283
7 18 William Carey (Miss.) 12-7 278
8 3 Brenau (Ga.) 12-5 266
9 8 Northwood (Fla.) 8-6 263
10 12 Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) 21-2 237
11 14 Concordia (Calif.) 12-11 223
12 10 Oklahoma Baptist 11-7 204
12 9 Arizona Christian 22-2 204
14 15 Northwestern Ohio 17-6 198
15 16 Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) 7-12 197
16 13 Evangel (Mo.) 10-3 196
17 19 Vanguard (Calif.) 8-16 147
18 20 Cumberland (Tenn.) 12-8 145
19 17 Graceland (Iowa) 8-3 142
20 11 Westmont (Calif.) 13-9 136
21 21 Davenport (Mich.) 16-10 113
22 RV LSU-Alexandria (La.) 10-2 107
23 22 Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) 16-7 106
24 24 Southeastern (Fla.) 12-5 94
25 23 Coastal Georgia 9-7 86
Others Receiving Votes: Indiana Wesleyan 67, Aquinas (Mich.) 35, St. Thomas (Fla.) 31, Missouri Valley 28, Campbellsville (Ky.) 24, SCAD Atlanta (Ga.) 18, McPherson (Kan.) 18, Marian (Ind.) 16, Reinhardt (Ga.) 3
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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