Keydets Drop BracketBusters Game to Morgan State

BALTIMORE, Md. - The Morgan State Bears held the VMI Keydets to 27 second half points, en route to a 67-62 win in the Sears ESPN BracketBusters game between the teams, played Saturday afternoon at Hille Field House in Baltimore, Md.

Morgan State (13-10) hit six straight free throws over the last 22 seconds of regulation to quell a VMI rally and extend the Bears win streak to three games. The Keydets saw their three-game win streak snapped and fell to 15-12 in the non-conference game.

VMI was led in scoring by senior guard Austin Kenon, who toiled through a 6-for-20 shooting afternoon but hit a trio of 3-pointers to finish with 18 points. Junior guard Keith Gabriel added 15 points, including 11 before intermission after nailing three 3-pointers in the first half. Freshman center D.J. Covington posted his third consecutive double figures scoring game with 10 points and led VMI with eight rebounds.

The Keydets didn't find an answer for Bears 6-9 power forward Kevin Thompson who hit all nine of his shot attempts from the floor to finish with a team-high 18 points. Center Rodney Stokes scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds while sophomore forward Dewayne Jackson added 10 points. MSU junior forward Aric Brooks hit just 1-of-9 from the field, but converted seven of nine-from-the line including four straight in the waning seconds of regulation to preserve the win for the Bears.

VMI dropped only its second game in 15 outings when it held a lead at halftime.

The Keydets shot 44% in the first half but cooled down to 31% from the floor in the second half.

VMI trailed by as many as seven points in the first half (27-20) after Thompson hit a layup with 7:41 left in the opening half. VMI answered with an 11-2 run and jumped out on top when Gabriel canned back-to-back 3-pointers including a swisher with 2:02 to play before halftime.

Box Score

VMI led 35-34 at the break and pushed the lead to four points (40-36) following a pair of Austin Kenon free throws at the 16:46 mark.

The Bears used a string inside game to retake the lead with nine unanswered points as guard Larry Bastfield both started and sandwiched the string with a free throw and a layup to put Morgan State back on top. Thompson's back-to-back layups during the spurt put the Bears up for good and the hosts led 45-40 with 13:49 remaining.

VMI never retook the lead, but never trailed by more than seven points the rest of the way. Bastfiled nailed a jumper to push Morgan State ahead 61-54 with 4:19 left, but the Keydets twice cut the deficit to a one-possession scenario just under the three-minute mark. Stan Okoye hit a layup at the 2:37 mark to pull VMI within 61-58 and the Keydet defense generated stops on MSU's next three trips down the floor.

VMI could not capitalize, however, and missed back-to-back 3-point tries by Gabriel and Kenon converted one of two free throws by Covington to close within a pair, 61-59, with :24 left. The Bears then put the game away at the line with their string of six straight charity tosses and spoil VMI's debut in the BracketBusters event.

VMI returns to Big South play next Thursday at Clinton, South Carolina as it faces Presbyterian College at 7:00 p.m.

VMI HEAD COACH DUGGAR BAUCOM - "The guys fought hard and I was proud of them. They really competed. Morgan State made some plays down the end and he (Thompson) was virtually unstoppable. We had some open looks at the end and if we make those shots, it's a different outcome."

"We stopped making shots in the second half that we made in the first. It was a dogfight the entire second half. They made some 18-footers that you want them to shoot and made their free throws down the stretch when we chose to foul."

"The best thing about this is we didn't get anyone hurt. I told our guys it's time to move on and get ready for next week."

Courtesy: VMIKeydets.com             Release: 02/19/2011

Hampton Pirates fall in double O.T to B-CU; fall out of 1st

HAMPTON– The Hampton University men’s basketball team fell 78-76 in double overtime to Bethune-Cookman on Saturday at the HU Convocation Center. The Pirates (19-7, 9-4 MEAC) have lost back-to-back games for the first time this season and fall a game behind Bethune-Cookman in the conference standings.

C.J. Reed hit a floater as time expired to give the Wildcats (16-11, 10-3 MEAC) the win, after the Pirates fought back with a 6-0 run to tie the game at 76-76 on a layup from junior guard Kwame Morgan with 50 seconds left in the second overtime period.

HU loses double overtime heartbreaker to Bethune-Cookman

HAMPTON — Darrion Pellum knew how important Saturday's game was in terms of Hampton University's seeding situation with the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament two weeks away.

He'd only discussed it a few dozen times with his teammates in the days leading up to HU's meeting with Bethune-Cookman, which sat tied atop the MEAC with HU at 9-3 in the conference heading into the game.

After Bethune's 78-76 double overtime victory at HU's Convocation Center, Pellum and his teammates were left to wonder what it would mean for HU (19-7 overall, 9-4 MEAC). It's a serious blow to HU's confidence heading down the stretch in what is traditionally a one-NCAA tournament bid conference — and will be again this season.

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Taylor, defense lift Lady Trojans over Lady Bulldogs

ETTRICK, VA - Displaying an ability to find a way to win when things go awry is the mark of a good team. Having the wherewithal to do so late in the season and against a divisional foe, doubly so.

The Virginia State University women's basketball team did just that in a CIAA clash with Bowie State at Daniel Gymnasium on Saturday. The Lady Trojans overcame a first half in which they shot 17 percent from the field to win 50-43.

Spurred by solid team defense and a double-double from senior Rhon'Neisha Taylor, the Lady Trojans kept pace with the Lady Bulldogs and found a finishing kick from the bench to pull ahead late in the game.

Bowie State Bulldogs Overpower VSU Trojans

The Bowie State men's basketball team came into Daniel Gymnasium as the top-ranked team in the CIAA and played like it in a 92-71 win over Virginia State.

The Bulldogs never trailed and overcame a streaky showing from the Trojans with a consistent and well-balanced offensive effort.

"I thought we played well in spots," said interim coach Gene Thompson. "And then there were some situations where some people took a break and that is what killed us. You have to sustain it all the way."

The Bulldogs quickly extended an eight-point halftime advantage to 11 after the break but the Trojans assembled a run that led the VSU faithful to believe a season-defining win was on the horizon. D'Angelo Johnson drained a 3-pointer, Brandon Plummer knocked down a 12-foot jumper and Chris Washington came up with a backcourt steal and layup that cut the deficit to 63-58 with 11:04 remaining.

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Even without Eric Salley, Claflin Panthers record victory

Eric Salley's playing days with Claflin University are apparently over and teammates and coaches were placed under a self-imposed gag order by the administration about commenting about the ongoing controversy which abruptly ended his college basketball career.

"I have no comments about it," Claflin men's basketball coach Ron Woodard said. "All the issues with him should be directed to (Claflin Assistant Vice President for Communications and Marketing Sonja) Bennett."

Yet as the All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference guard inconspicuously sat in the Jonas T. Kennedy Center stands Saturday afternoon as the Panthers trailed Albany State by 11 points in the second half, his on-court non-presence was not easy to ignore.

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Benedict's Goode overpowers Paine

Marcus Goode had a triple-double with 30 points, 19 rebounds and 10 blocks to power Benedict to an 83-70 victory over Paine College on Saturday.

Former Laney standout Xavier Collier had 23 points for the Tigers (19-6, 18-4 SIAC). Tony Baker led the Lions (10-15, 9-14) with 16 points. Thomas Broughton and Mario Jordan each had 15.

In women's game, Brittany Jackson had 10 points and 11 rebounds to lead Benedict to a 65-47 win over Paine.

Alexus Jones had a game-high 15 points for the Lady Tigers (17-9, 15-7). Antionette McPhail scored 14 points to lead Paine (3-24, 2-19).

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Videographer: UrbanSportsITG

Tenth no-hitter in Francis Marion school history beats Winston-Salem State

FLORENCE, S.C. – Sophomore right-hander Don Sandifer tossed the 10th no-hitter in school history, allowing only two baserunners, as Francis Marion beat Winston-Salem State 13-0, Saturday afternoon in non-conference play.

FMU (6-3) picks up its fourth consecutive win, while Winston-Salem State drops to 5-6. Francis Marion will play host to Benedict College at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Sandifer (2-1), a native of Bamberg, S.C., fanned a career-high 14 batters and walked only one. That free pass came with two outs in the fifth inning. Earlier in the frame, a Ram batter reached on an FMU infield error but was then erased on a double-play line-out. The 14 punchouts were the most by a Patriot in four seasons and only three shy of the school record.

The 2010 Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year recorded eight ground ball-outs, one line-out, one pop-up, and only two fly-ball outs.

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

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

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

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

Rickie Weeks and the Brewers agree to $50 million extension

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

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Southern routs UNO in season opener

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

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

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

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

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SU-UNO: By the numbers

Former UMES Hawk on College Baseball Hall of Fame ballot

2010 MEAC Hall of Fame Induction Photo Gallery for Ira "Dude" Smith

LUBBOCK, Texas --The College Baseball Foundation has announced that Ira "Dude" Smith, former Hawk and two-time Division I batting champion, has been placed on the ballot for the National College Baseball Hall of Fame.

While attending the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Smith became the first player in NCAA history to get back-to-back batting titles, hitting .488 in 1989 and .519 in 1990. Both years he was selected to the All-MEAC team. His 1990 season ranks sixth all-time in single-season play in NCAA history while his .431 career average ranks 14th all-time.

Smith also played a few seasons with the Virginia Shores, under the direction of veteran coach Dave Tyler.

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Howard Lady Bison Basketball Extends Home Win-Streak to Seven

WASHINGTON, DC – The Howard University women’s basketball team extended its home winning streak to seven with a 67-58 win over Florida A&M (13-11, 8-5 MEAC) on Saturday, February 19. With the win, the Lady Bison split the season series with the Rattlers and improve to 7-5 in MEAC play.

Saadia Doyle led the all scorers with 18 points and 13 rebounds. The redshirt-sophomore is now 29 points away from 1,000. Tamoria Holmes recorded a flawless game with 14 points, five assists, and no turnovers in 35 minutes of action. Adelle Walton proved to be a spark off the bench with 11 points off 4-of-6 shooting from the floor. Cheyenne Curley-Payne chipped in with eight points and eight boards.

“This win was very important,” said Curley-Payne. “Our goal is to finish with a good seed in the [conference] tournament.”

The HU defense converted 19 FAMU turnovers into 14 points. Howard also won the battle of the boards, 40-37 – including 15 offensive – and scored 13 points of second chance opportunities. The Lady Bison dominated in the paint, outscoring Florida A&M 36-12.

HU began the game with a 7-0 run, capped by a Doyle layup. FAMU was held scoreless until an Antonia Bennett basket at the 15:53 mark. The spread was 14-7 midway through the period and Howard used an 11-3 run over a three-plus span to take its largest lead of the game, 25-10 with 6:30 left in the half. The Lady Bison took a slim 29-21 advantage at intermission.

In the second stint, HU pushed the margin back to double-digits behind a Curley-Payne jumper to start the period. FAMU chipped into the Lady Bison lead and outscored Howard 12-7 over a three-plus span to make it 38-33 at the 12:47 mark. The Rattlers used a Tameka McKelton shot from behind the arc to for a 40-36 score with 11:49 remaining in regulation.

Florida A&M would not get any closer as Howard went on an 11-1 run to push the spread back to double-digits (52-37). Walton hit two three-pointers during that run. The San Diego, Calif. native went 3-for-5 from behind the arc.

For the Rattlers, Bennett tallied a game-high 19 points. McKelton and Jasmine Grice finished with 15 and 11 points, respectively.

Prior to the game, HU was tied for fourth place in the MEAC with North Carolina A&T, while Florida A&M held the third spot. Howard will look to continue its home win streak as it hosts Bethune-Cookman on Mon. Feb. 21 beginning at 6 p.m.

By Jamilah Corbitt
Assistant Director of Sports Information
Howard University

FSU Broncos make run at division title

FAYETTEVILLE, NC -- Some would likely say that the hard part should have come somewhere over the course of the last 23 games.

No doubt, the seemingly endless drills at practice, the pounding that comes with the travel and the pressure of the games themselves would take a toll on anyone. And with the regular season winding down, one could hardly be blamed if he wasn’t at least considering the charm of the impending calm and slowing of pace that comes with the time of year known as “the offseason.”

A college basketball season is a grind. Few would dispute that. But for all of the work and resulting success the Fayetteville State Broncos have endured and enjoyed over the last few months, none of that was the hard part. For the Broncos have played themselves into a position to challenge not for mere improvement -- they have already accomplished that – but for the chance to actually win the CIAA’s Southern Division.

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Videographer: UrbanSportsITG

Southern Jaguars start with series against UNO

Southern University Head Baseball Coach Roger Cador

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

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

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

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Privateers, Jaguars Open 2011 Baseball Season This Weekend

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bracketbuster: Morgan State Ready To Shine In ESPN Spotlight

Morgan State and the Virginia Military Institute will play each other in men's basketball Feb. 19 for the first time as part of ESPN's Bracketbuster weekend.

The Bears (12-10, 8-3 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) are returning to Hill Field House after a two-game road trip in which they beat Bethune-Cookman and South Carolina State. It is Morgan State's third appearance in ESPN Bracketbusters.

The Keydets (15-11, 8-8 Big South) have won three games in a row, most recently topping Liberty, 79-69, at home. VMI has a 7-3 record in nonconference matchups this season -- 1-2 in away games. Morgan State is 4-7 in its nonconference games, with a 2-1 home record.

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Videographer: UrbanSportsITG

Kentucky State Thorobreds: There's no place like home

It had been 25 days since the Kentucky State men’s basketball team last played in the Exum Center, a place where the Thorobreds have lost just once this season. Wednesday’s game against Morehouse College is a perfect example why.

Despite having senior starters Tony Johnson and Alex Somerville tied up with fouls for much of the first half, K-State stuck with Morehouse, wearing the Maroon Tigers down in the final three minutes of the game to earn an 82-75 win.

All 10 of KSU’s available players played in the game, and all 10 Thorobreds got on the board, including a game-high 18 points from sophomore Patrick Dawson. “We’re a team that does it by committee,” KSU coach Clarence Moore said. “A lot of guys need to do a lot of things for this team to win. Obviously they did that tonight.

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Videographer:  SIACSPORTS

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

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

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

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

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

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JSU Baseball Opens 2011 Campaign with Home Tournament

JSU Tournament Schedule

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

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

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

Click here to read the 2011 JSU Baseball outlook.

FAMU begins new era of Rattlers' baseball

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

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

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Alcorn State baseball opens 2011 season against Alabama

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

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

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

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

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

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A&T Aggies Open Baseball Season Against Campbell

CollegeBaseballInsider.com recently released its 2011 Players to Watch in the MEAC List, and the North Carolina A&T baseball team was well represented.

The Aggies start the 2011 season Friday afternoon at 1 against Campbell University from War Memorial Stadium. The program is coming off of one of its best seasons ever. N.C. A&T (31-26, 15-3) won 30-plus games for the first time in school history, and set a school record for conference wins. In the process, head coach Keith Shumate advanced the Aggies to their fourth MEAC Championship Game in six years.

Baseball insiders are recognizing the outstanding job Shumate is doing with the Aggies program. CollegeBaseballInsider.com named him the best "in-game" coach in the MEAC. Other Aggies receiving top honors included junior second-baseman Marquis Riley. He was recognized as the toughest hitter in the conference to strikeout. Riley struck out only five times last season, second fewest in the nation.

Junior outfielder Xavier Macklin, who has mostly played in left field during his career, was voted as the best defensive outfielder in the league. The acknowledgement shows that he is an all-around outstanding player. Macklin was voted as one of the three best pure hitters in the conference as well as being named as one of the three best power threats.

Junior Esterlin Paulino closed out the honors for N.C. A&T. He was voted as one of the three best starting pitchers. Paulino was the 2010 MEAC Pitcher of the Year after posting a 9-2 record and a league-best 3.38 ERA.

The Aggies are picked to finish second in the MEAC behind perennial champion Bethune-Cookman. Riley, Macklin and Paulino made the MEAC's preseason all-conference team. Paulino was predicted to win MEAC Pitcher of the Year. The Aggies also return leading hitter and 2010 MEAC Rookie of the Year Kelvin Freeman.

By Courtesy: NC A&T Sports Information                                Release: 02/17/2011

DSU Hornets Open Baseball Season at Arkansas

Dover, Del. - It's time to "play ball" at Delaware State University, as a new baseball season gets underway this weekend.

The Hornets will open the 2011 campaign tomorrow (Feb. 18) with a three-game series against the nationally ranked Arkansas Razorbacks at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark. The series begins with a 4:05 p.m. (ET) contest on Friday. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Delaware State returns 15 letter winners, including seven players who started at least 30 games, from its 2010 squad. The Hornets were 13-36 overall and 8-10 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) last season.

Arkansas is ranked 24th in two major preseason polls after posting a 43-21 overall record in 2010.

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Morehouse gains more exposure with playoff run, pro prospects

The Morehouse football program, under coach Rich Freeman, continues to build a higher Division II profile. After offensive tackle Ramon Harewood was selected in last year's NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens, the Maroon Tigers made the first playoff appearance in school history.

The pros have shown interest in at least five more Maroon Tigers, who are considered late-round draft picks or possible free agents, and 11 teams have been in contact with defensive tackle Derrin "The Freight Train" Nettles, the SIAC defensive player of the year.

"I hadn't heard a whole lot lately," Freeman said. "We spoke with someone from the Saints earlier. They were real high on him. I really think that Nettles, if he doesn't get drafted, he'll get into somebody's camp. We are talking about kid who bench-presses 500 pounds."

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SportsGroove TV Presents HSRN's HBCU Sports Nation

Track and Field Set to Participate in MEAC Indoor Championships

NORFOLK, VA – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) will host its Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field Championships, Thursday-Saturday, February 17-19, at the Prince George Sports Complex in Landover, Md.

The competition on February 17 at 1 p.m. with the women's weight throw followed by the men's weight throw at 2:30 p.m.

The championships will continue on Friday with the men's heptathlon and women's shot put competition at 9 a.m. Other field events on Friday's slate include the men's and women's long jump, the men's pole vault final, and the women's high jump. The afternoon continues with the men's and women's 800m run, 60m hurdles, 60m dash, 200m dash, and 400m dash. The men's and women's distance medley relay will round out the day's events.

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Southern, Florida A&M to play in Bank of America Atlanta Classic

The Southern University football team has long played in the Bayou Classic, matching up with rival Grambling every year. Now, the Jaguars will head east to play in the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic.

100 Black Men of Atlanta announced Wednesday that Southern and Florida A&M will square off Sept. 24 in the annual game.

First played in 1989, the Atlanta Football Classic matches Historically Black Colleges & Universities in the Georgia Dome. Southern and Florida A&M have both played in the game, but it’s the first time they will face each other in it. The halftime show features a battle of the bands.

FAMU, Southern will renew rivalry

Organizers of the Atlanta Classic ensured the revival of one of the oldest rivalries in college football Wednesday afternoon when they officially announced Southern University as Florida A&M's opponent in the September game.

The games between the two programs go back to the years when Ace Mumford coached at Southern and Jake Gaither at FAMU. When the Jaguars and Rattlers meet on Sept. 24 it will be their first since 2008.

Both teams signed a four-year deal in 2007, but had been able to keep the agreement because of conflicting commitment to their conferences. The 100 Black Men of Atlanta have signed both teams to a two-year deal to play in the annual Classic

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Running past the Rattlers

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Junior Rotnei Clarke and sophomore Marshawn Powell led the University of Arkansas men's basketball team with 14 points each to a convincing, 94-55, victory over the Florida A&M Rattlers at Bud Walton Arena on Wednesday night.

The Razorbacks improve to 16-9 on the year while Florida A&M falls to 11-15. The Hogs end their non-conference schedule 10-0 at Bud Walton Arena this season.

"I am certainly happy to close out our non-conference schedule that way," Arkansas head coach John Pelphrey said. "Florida A&M had won four straight games and was playing their best basketball of the season. I thought that our defense played well in the first half and that the team was unselfish across the board. It was nice to be able to play everybody."



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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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