XU Gold Rush remain eighth in the NAIA coaches poll

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana remained eighth Tuesday in the newest NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll. It's the 16th consecutive top-10 appearance for the XU men — a streak which began in May 2011 — and their 19th in the last 20 polls.

Xavier (10-6) won 3-of-4 dual matches since the March 19 poll, including road victories against NCAA Division I New Orleans and Northwood (Fla.), which is ranked 15th in the NAIA. The Gold Rush have five victories this season against teams in this week's top 25 — also No. 9 Cumberland, No. 14 Belhaven, No. 17 Oklahoma Baptist and No. 20 Webber International — and three against NCAA D-Is.

This the 46th consecutive Gold Rush appearance in the top 25. That streak began with the poll of April 4, 2007.

Xavier has four losses against top-7 teams, and two will face the Rush this week in rematches. Xavier will travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., to play No. 6 William Carey at 3 p.m. Friday, then the Rush will play No. 1 Auburn Montgomery at 2 p.m. Saturday at the new XU Tennis Center. AUM defeated Xavier 5-4 on March 10 on the final day of the AUM Invitational. AUM's score included two matches Xavier defaulted because of insufficient players.

NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, March 31) Rank Team Record Points Last 1 Auburn Montgomery (6) 12-3 306 1 2 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) (4) 14-2 302 2 3 Vanguard (2) 17-0 298 3 4 Lindsey Wilson 6-2 279 4 5 Westmont 8-9 272 5 6 William Carey 7-2 262 6 7 Bethany (Kan.) 11-1 253 7 8 Xavier 10-6 246 8 9 Cumberland 9-2 229 11 10 Concordia (Calif.) 8-9 223 9 11 Bethel (Tenn.) 16-1 210 10 12 Lewis-Clark State 5-1 203 12 13 Aquinas 14-4 192 13 14 Belhaven 10-3 187 14 15 Northwood (Fla.) 9-4 166 15 16 Campbellsville 5-5 147 17 17 Oklahoma Baptist 10-7 145 16 18 Northwestern Ohio 9-4 137 22 19 McPherson 12-5 132 19 20 Webber International 10-7 127 RV 21 Olivet Nazarene 3-8 119 18 22 Warner 8-6 108 RV 23 Graceland 10-5 84 RV 24 Martin Methodist 12-6 83 RV 25 Spring Arbor 15-4 77 23 Others receiving votes: St. Thomas (Fla.) 54, Pikeville 53, Indiana Wesleyan 39, Coastal Georgia 31, Martin Methodist 31, Cumberlands 10, Hope International 5, Asbury 3.

By Ed Cassiere, SID
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

2013 Travis Williams Basketball Camps Announced by TSU

Nashville, Tennessee – The Tennessee State men’s basketball team has just announced the dates and times for its four Travis Williams Summer Camp offerings.

The summer will kick off with the Boys’ Basketball Camp on June 3-6 and continue with the first High School Team Play Day on June 8. On June 15, the coaches will welcome fathers and their children as well as host the second High School Team Play Day.

Complete Williams Summer Camp information can be found, here.

All of TSU's Summer Camp offerings can be found by following this link.

 

2013 Williams Summer Camps

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Nuggets are No. 6 — best rank by an XU team since '98

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's women's tennis team reached new heights again Tuesday when it climbed to No. 6 in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

 Not only is it the Gold Nuggets' best-ever ranking, but it's also:
• The highest NAIA ranking by any XU team since women's basketball was No. 6 on March 2, 1998.
• The best ranking by an XU tennis team, topping the men's No. 7 in the final three polls of 2012.
• The first time since 2009 that the Gold Nuggets rank ahead of the Gold Rush. The XU men held steady at No. 8.

The Nuggets' previous record was No. 8 in the previous poll on March 19. Key to the their poll boost Tuesday was a 3-0 record during their spring-break trip to Florida this past week, including a 7-2 victory at then-No. 7 Embry-Riddle. It was the Nuggets' first victory against a top-10 opponent since 2005, and they became the first NAIA women's team to win at Embry-Riddle since 2009.

Xavier is 11-7 overall, but all the losses are to NCAA Division I opponents. The Nuggets are 7-0 against NAIA top-25 teams.

More challenges await the Nuggets this week. They'll travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., to play second-ranked William Carey at 3 p.m. Friday, then play No. 3 Auburn Montgomery at 2 p.m. Saturday at the new XU Tennis Center. If coach Alan Green does not reschedule or add any matches, the AUM dual will be the Nuggets' final home appearance of 2013.

NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, March 31) Rank Team Record Points Last 1 Brenau (12) 8-2 312 1 2 William Carey 9-5 302 2 3 Auburn Montgomery 9-5 291 3 4 SCAD Savannah 9-2 282 4 5 Lindsey Wilson 8-2 271 5 6 Xavier 11-7 257 8 7 Westmont 14-1 256 6 8 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 7-8 241 7 9 Concordia (Calif.) 8-8 232 9 10 Lewis-Clark State 3-7 224 10 11 Oklahoma Baptist 10-5 205 13 12 Vanguard 8-13 202 11 13 Indiana Wesleyan 16-0 194 12 14 Northwood (Fla.) 7-5 183 14 15 Coastal Georgia 5-7 171 15 16 Cumberland 6-4 165 20 17 St. Thomas (Fla.) 5-8 142 19 18 Olivet Nazarene 5-5 141 17 19 Campbellsville 4-6 133 16 20 Lee (Tenn.) 2-3 128 18 21 Marian (Ind.) 15-6 107 21 22 Southeastern (Fla.) 7-9 84 RV 23 Belhaven 8-4 79 tie-23 24 SCAD Atlanta 4-0 65 RV 25 Nebraska Wesleyan 4-6 60 22 Others receiving votes: Ashford 48, Hope International 48, Robert Morris (Chicago) 45, Milligan 39, Bethel (Kan.) 19, Davenport 18, Georgetown (Ky.) 16, Martin Methodist 14, Evangel 5, Graceland 4, Indiana Southeast 3, Aquinas 3.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

SU set to host Pelican Relays April 5-6

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --   Southern University track and field will host the Davenport-Milburn Pelican Relays April 5-6 at the Roscoe Moore Track on the Baton Rouge Campus.

The two-day meet will feature high school and youth track programs. Admissios is $5 and all spectators are asked to enter A.W. Mumford Stadium from the West side gate.

Field events start at 1 p.m. on Friday followed by the opening ceremonies and running events at 4:30 p.m.

For more info on the Pelican Relays, including information packet, log on to gojagsports.com.

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Spring Practice: Defense Returns All 11 Starters

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -  One of the strengths for the 2012 Tennessee State football team was the stellar defense. It should be more of the same for the upcoming season as the Tigers return all 11 starters in 2013.
 

The Tigers led the OVC in total defense last year giving up the fewest yards in the league and were second in the conference giving up 22 points per game. TSU was also the final FCS team to give up more than 20 points in a game.

Defensive back Steven Godbolt III led the country with 0.60 interceptions per game. As a sophomore, the Florida native picked off six passes, was named to the All-OVC first team defense and was a third-team All-American selection by the Associated Press.

Linebacker Nick Thrasher finished third in the conference with 105 total tackles, the 11th most in a single season in school history.

The daily start time for spring practice has been moved up to 3:45 p.m., with the Saturday scrimmages slated for 9 a.m. The Tigers complete spring practice schedule is as follows:

Wed., April 3

Fri., April 5

Sat., April 6

Mon., April 8

Wed., April 10

Fri., April 12

Sat., April 13

Mon., April 15

Wed., April 17

Sat., April 20 (Spring Game - 3 p.m.)

Follow TSU Athletics on Facebook.com/TSUTigers, Twitter @TSU_Tigers and YouTube

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

2013 Kentucky State University Football Spring Preview

JOSH DEAN
INTERIM HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY
(Photo Courtesy: KSU Athletics)

FRANKFORT, Kentucky  –  There may still be snow flurries in the weather forecast but spring is in the air on the campus of Kentucky State University.

As the Kentucky State University football team takes the field at Alumni Stadium for practice once again, the sound of whistles and the pop of shoulder pads mark the start of spring.

 Part of the official kick-off of KSU spring football is the annual “Green and Gold” game.

This year's spring football game will be played on Friday, April 12^th, at Alumni Stadium. The stadium will be open to fans at 4 p.m. with kick-off is set for 5 p.m.

The game will consist of the offensive unit versus the defensive unit. Points will be awarded to the offense for converting first downs, big run plays, scoring plays, etc. The defense will be given points for making stops, turnovers, big hits, etc.

KSU will have many familiar faces on both sides of the ball this upcoming season. There are a total of 16 returning starters from last year's team, eight on both the offensive and defensive side.

This spring the KSU coaching staff will be implementing brand new offensive and defensive schemes for the upcoming season.

The offense will look to open up the field and create opportunities for big plays. With that said, the running game will still be the strength of the offense. This is in part, due to the fact that Kentucky State is returning all five of its starting offensive lineman from last season's team.

On the defensive side of the ball, the coaching staff will implement a more aggressive game plan with an emphasis on takeaways. With so many returning starters the coaching staff is confident in the player's ability to adapt to changes in the overall defensive scheme.

According to Interim Head Coach Josh Dean there will be an open competition at several key positions this spring including quarterback.

The two frontrunners for the starting quarterback position are Adam Robinson (6'2 215), a junior college transfer from Laney College in Oakland, CA and Bobby Brewer (6'3 210), who started his collegiate career at KSU, transferred to Campbellsville, and is now back with the Thorobreds.

Interim Head Coach Josh Dean talked about his plans for the football program at KSU. “We want to change the culture here at Kentucky State. It's our plan, as a team, to bring a sense of pride back to the program. That can only happen if everyone is fully invested in what we are trying to accomplish.”

Part of Coach Dean's plan to get fans and alumni more invested in the football program is to open up practices and team walk-through's to the public.

“We want people to feel like they are a part of this program. Part of our plan is to bridge the gap between the alumni and the current Thorobreds. I feel that by connecting with our extensive history, we can build a sense of pride in what we are playing for.”

Players to Watch

OffenseJacquise Lockett (Running Back)

Junior/6-1/225/Fulton City, KY

Justin Williams (Running Back/Wide Receiver)
Junior /5-10/182/Pompano Beach, FL

Zach LaGrange (Offensive Lineman)
Senior /6-1/322/Goshen, KY

Troy Churchill, Jr. (Wide Receiver)

Senior /6-1/187/Louisville, KY

Defense

Edward Dunaway (Defensive Back)

Senior/5-10/200/Columbus, OH

Eric Rawls (Defensive Back)
Sophomore/6-2/180/ Pompano Beach, FL

Terry Horton (Linebacker)
Junior /5-11/240/Haines City, FL

Deshon Floyd (Defensive End)
Junior/5-11/200/Frankfort, KY

Jeremy Lewis (Defensive Back)
Junior/5-9/171/Chicago, IL

COURTESY KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Five questions as Alabama State starts spring football Tuesday

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  --  1. Who'll emerge as the starting quarterback? Alabama State will take to the field without former dual-threat standout Greg Jenkins under center when it begins spring football practice Tuesday. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder from Dade City, Fla. accounted for nearly 2,200 yards of offense last season, throwing for nearly 1,700 yards and nine touchdowns while rushing for 500-plus and eight scores to lead the Hornets to a 7-4 records.

It would seem as if sophomore Daniel Duhart, last year's backup, would have an early beat on the gig. He was named SWAC Newcomer of the Week when he led ASU from down 14 in the second quarter at Prairie View A&M (Texas) after Jenkins went out with an injury, completing 21 of 35 attempts for 192 yards in a 35-21 Week 9 win.

Last year's third-string quarterback Demetric Price transferred to Division II Miles. Duhart will have healthy competition from a pair of mid-year transfers in juniors Arsenio Favor (Southern Miss.) and Samuel Gibson (Arkansas State). Incoming freshman Quinterris Toppings, who passed for 3,000 yards and 33 touchdowns while being picked off seven times at Blount High School last season, could also factor into the equation.

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XU's Svoboda repeats as player of the week; West wins her 1st

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Viktor Svoboda is the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week in men's tennis for March 25-31, and XU's Olivia West won the women's tennis award. Svoboda is the first Gold Rush tennis player to win the conference award in consecutive weeks since Terry Richardson in 2009. The junior from Kamenice, Czech Republic, and graduate of Vitezna Plan High School was 3-0 in singles and 2-1 in doubles during Xavier's spring-break trip to Florida. His singles victory clinched Xavier's dual victory against Webber International. His victory against Embry-Riddle's Miguel Lopez Gomez extended his singles win streak to eight.

Viktor Svoboda

Olivia West

It's the third time this season that Svoboda won the GCAC award, which matches the conference's season record set by Richardson in 2009 and tied by Zach Taylor in 2011 and 2012.

West, a sophomore from Humble, Texas, and a graduate of Atascocita High School, won the GCAC award for the first time. She had her best week of the season, going 2-0 in singles and 3-0 in doubles in Florida. West's three-set victory against Melanie Snowberger at No. 6 singles clinched Xavier's 6-3 victory against NAIA No. 14 Northwood. The Gold Nuggets also defeated No. 7 Embry-Riddle.

West entered the week with season records of 2-5 in singles and 1-4 in doubles. Against Embry-Riddle, West helped Xavier earn its second-ever road victory against a top-10 team and first since 2005 — and Xavier became the first NAIA women's opponent since 2009 to win at Embry-Riddle.

Both XU teams will play at 3 p.m. Friday at William Carey and 2 p.m. Saturday against Auburn Montgomery at the new XU Tennis Center. All the XU opponets are ranked among the top six in the NAIA. Both Xavier teams are ranked eighth, and new coaches polls will be announced Tuesday.

By Ed Cassiere, SID
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 

Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships April 13 at Tad Gormley Stadium, New Orleans Field Events: 8:45 a.m. Track Events: 9:30 a.m. Meet Information

VSU rallies in seventh inning to stun Chowan

ETTRICK, Virginia  –  Virginia State University reliever Maso Cotton thought he was softening the blow of a lop-sided defeat on Saturday. In actuality, the right-handed pitcher was weaving the fabric of the most improbable win of his college career.

With his team trailing by four runs and sputtering on offense against a red-hot Chowan team, Cotton took the mound in the fifth inning and kept the visiting Hawks at bay for the remainder of the game.

His solid showing appeared to be little more than a consolation prize until the Trojans assembled a six-run rally in the seventh and final frame to tie the contest at 10-10.

Cotton continued to befuddle the once-sizzling visitors until VSU mustered a game-winning run in the 11th to prevail 11-10 in a thrilling CIAA game at Whaley Colbert Field in Ettrick.

“I definitely came in thinking ...

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Florida A&M's miscues draw Holmes' attention

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Coach Earl Holmes had a one-track mind during the huddle after Saturday’s first spring scrimmage for the FAMU football team.

He wasted little time letting the Rattlers know that he wasn’t pleased with them the six times that whistles were blown for penalties. FAMU committed 98 penalties last season, averaging 76.9 yards in penalties per game and the Rattlers were the third-most penalized team in the league.

“We’ve got a long way to go, fellas,” he said after asking a few of the players who committed mistakes to stand up.

Afterward he was quick to point out that he still expects every player to be as aggressive as he could be, whether on offense or defense.

“I will never tell a guy don’t be aggressive,” Holmes ...




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Alabama A&M QB Brandon Wells talks about his performance in the Bulldogs' spring football game

NORMAL, Alabama---Calera native Brandon Wells was a bright spot for the Bulldogs' offense, connecting on 5 of 6 attempts for 113 yards and a touchdown after a rough start in the annual Maroon and White spring football game Saturday. 

Watch the 6-foot-3, 170-pounder talk about his play in this short clip.

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Alabama A&M's Brandons, Wells and Eldemire, shine in spring football game

(Photo Courtesy: AAMU Athletics)

NORMAL, Alabama  --  Saturday was a good day for dudes named Brandon at Alabama A&M.

Calera native Brandon Wells shined at quarterback and Brandon Eldemire showcased the talent he'd exhibited throughout spring training in front of the 200 or 300 fans who showed up for the Bulldogs' annual Maroon and White Spring football game at Louis Crews Stadium.

In a scrimmage dominated by the defense, Wells, a redshirt freshman, came on strong in the second half, completing 5 of 6 attempts for 113 yards and a touchdown. He made an impression on A&M coach Anthony Jones, heading into what will be a three-man battle, which will also include JUCO transfer junior Kyle Harmyk and redshirt freshman Chris Leachman, for the starting gig in the fall.

"I thought Brandon separated himself today from the other two guys," Jones said. "Except for his first series, when he took a quick sack, it really wasn't his fault but he didn't hold onto the ball. At the end of the day, you want you quarterbacks holding onto the ball regardless of how hard the hit was. It was a good hit but he should've held on to it. Other than that, I thought he had the most command out there. I though he knew, more so, what was going on. He made more of the decisive reads and throws than any other quarterback out there."

Wells, a 6-foot-3, 170-pounder, started the contest with the first-team offense and but looked much more collected after losing the ball while taking a shot from defensive end Corey Johnson which led to a scoop and score by defensive back Jeremy Isabelle.

"I was kind of just rushing myself at the beginning then I just settled down and let the game come to me more."

Eldemire got the majority of the carries in the game along with Wenonah product Ja'Won Arrington. JUCO transfer Jabari Baker and Brendan Johnson, the Bulldogs' third-leading rusher last season, both sat out with injuries.

Alabama A&M running back Brandon Eldemire carried the ball 11 times for 63 yards and two touchdowns during Saturday's spring game. (Courtesy of Alabama A&M University)

Eldemire, who rushed only 16 yards on four carries in as many games last season, seized the day. He carried the ball 11 times for 63 yards, including three rushes of 10 or more yards, and two touchdowns in the first half.

"I just thank God for every opportunity I get out there to run the ball," Eldemire said. "We've got a plethora of running backs all with good skill sets, some fast, some just big, some can do both. I always just go out there and try to take advantage of my opportunities just to show my coaches that I want to be out there and I want to contribute to the team."

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Baltimore Ravens displaying interest in Howard University linebacker Keith Pough

Mr. KEITH POUGH
HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON FOOTBALL
(Photo Courtesy Howard University Television)

BALTIMORE, Maryland  --  The Ravens' search for linebackers in the NFL draft involves a wide investigation of prospects.

That includes interest in Howard University linebacker Keith Pough, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.

Among the other teams interested in the MEAC Conference Defensive Player of the Year: the Oakland Raiders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The South Carolina native had 72 tackles, 10 for losses with 3 1/2 sacks and four pass deflections as a senior.

As a junior, Pough was a third-team Associated Press All-American when he had 120 tackles, 21 for losses, three sacks and 11 pass deflections.

The four-year starter finished his career with 340 tackles, 71 for losses.

Pough is a 6-foot-2, 240-pounder who ran the 40-yard dash in just 4.8 seconds at the NFL scouting combine after being clocked as fast as 4.75 seconds previously.



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Stillman completes sweep of Benedict

TUSCALOOSA | The Stillman College baseball team completed its three-game sweep of Benedict College with a 13-2 rout on Saturday.

 

With the win, the Tigers improved to 15-13 overall and 7-2 in the Southern Intercollegiat Athletic Conference, while Benedict falls to 17-6 and 8-4 in the SIAC.

 

The Tigers used an 11-run first inning and tough defense to stifle Benedict.

 

“That was a big shutdown inning for us,” Stillman coach Donny Crawford said. “Our guys hit the ball extremely well and never let up. We knew we were going to need some runs because we were unsure of who we were going to pitch. It’s a credit to our guys for doing what it took to get the win.”

 

Dakota Todd earned the win for Stillman after 12⁄3 innings of work. Todd faced seven batters and had one strikeout. Christopher Lail took the loss for Benedict. Lail struggled on the mound, giving up eight runs with seven errors. Lail threw multiple wild pitches and hit two pitchers.

 

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WSSU gives the SAU Falcons their first conference loss and takes control of the CIAA

RALEIGH, North Carolina  --  Winston-Salem State used a big fourth and sixth inning to come from behind to defeat the Saint Augustine's University Falcons, 7-4 in the first game of a double header played in Raleigh, NC.

With the win, the WSSU Rams improve to 24-8 and 9-1 in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Saint Augustine's falls to 22-11, 9-1 in the CIAA.

 

St. Augustine's jumped out on the Rams in the third inning, scoring three runs on four hits, including three doubles in the inning.

 

But Winston-Salem State would battle back in the fourth inning, starting with Tyler Hickernell getting hit by a pitch. Rafael Gonzalez would double home Hickernell to get the Rams on the board.

 

After a Brandon Harrison walk, Travis Moore would triple home Gonzalez and Harrison to pull the Rams even at 3-3. Paco Martin would single home Moore to give WSSU a 4-3 lead.

 

The Falcons would continue to stay close, as they would plate another run in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie the game at 4-4.

 

The WSSU Rams would break the game open in the sixth inning, when they scored three runs on three hits and helped out with two errors by St. Augustine's. Rafael Gonzalez reached on an error, and Conner Andrus would sacrifice him over to second with a groundout bunt. Brandon Harrison doubled, scoring Gonzalez. Travis Moore singled putting runners on the corners with one out. Paco Martin would pick up an rbi with a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Harrison. Moore would steal second and German Reyes would single him home to give the Rams a 7-4 lead.

 

Michael Dry (2-2) picked up the win for WSSU pitching three scoreless innings, and Seth Mahaffey picked up the save pitching a scoreless seventh inning.

 

Travis Moore finished the game going two for four with two runs scored and two runs batted in. Paco Martin went two for three with two rbi's, and German Reyes and Rafael Gonzalez each went one for four with a rbi, with Gonzalez also scoring two runs. Brandon Harrison went one for two with two runs scored and an rbi. Martin, Gonzalez and Harrison each had doubles, with Moore picking up a triple.
 

Box Score

 

 

WSSU Rams Shut Down SAU Falcons 3-1

 

RALEIGH, North Carolina --   Winston-Salem State scored two runs in the first inning, and held on for a 3-1 win over the Saint Augustine's University Falcons in the second game of a double header played in Raleigh, NC.

 

With the win, the WSSU Rams improve to 25-8 and 10-1 in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Saint Augustine's falls to 22-12, 9-2 in the CIAA.

 

Travis Moore walked to start the game and quickly stole second. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, German Reyes would triple home Moore. Aaron Jones would single home Reyes in the next at bat to give the Rams the early 2-0 advantage.

 

The Saint Augustine's University Falcons would come right back with a run of their own on a single and double, to pull within one.

 

But that one run advantage would be all the Rams would need, as both teams were shut down with solid pitching and timely defense throughout the middle innings.

 

Winston-Salem State would ice the game in the seventh inning on a Brandon Harrison solo home run to left field.

 

Brandon Harrison finished one for two with one home run and one rbi, while German Reyes finished one for three with one run scored and a run batted in. Aaron jones went one for three with one rbi.

 

Jordan Carlton (4-0) picked up the win for the Rams, scattering five hits and just one run, while striking out three. John Markley came on in relief and pitched 3.2 innings giving up just two hits with three strikeouts. Seth Mahaffey came on to record the final out and picked up the save with a strikeout.

 

The WSSU Rams will go for the three game sweep of the Saint Augustine's Falcons tomorrow, with a nine inning game scheduled for 3:00 PM.

 

Box Score

 

COURTESY WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Benches clear as Savannah State sweeps Bethune-Cookman in doubleheader

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  --  Catcher Chris Biocic's pickoff throw to third base sailed into left field, allowing Savannah State's Lee Moore to score the go-ahead run Saturday as the Tigers completed a doubleheader sweep against Bethune-Cookman with a 3-2 victory at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

The game was marred by a bench-clearing incident in the third inning that led to two Savannah State players and one B-CU player to be ejected.

In the first game, Tigers ace Kyle McGowin improved to 7-0 on the season as Savannah State ripped B-CU 14-4. The pro prospect scattered nine hits and struck out nine in eight innings without walking a batter.

 

“We knew they were going to throw a really good pitcher in the first game, and he did a good job,'' B-CU coach Jason Beverlin said. “We had some good swings early in the game, but we let it get away from us.''

 

The Wildcats fell to 13-16, 6-5 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. They have already matched their MEAC loss total of last season, which was their most conference losses since 2005. The 'Cats had gone undefeated in the conference two years in a row (2010-11).

 

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FAMU looking to capitalize on Holmes and home slate

HEAD COACH EARL HOLMES
 

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Despite a 4-7 finish by the FAMU football team last season, marketing director Angie Suggs isn’t pulling her hair out as she tries to come up with a sales pitch to prospective sponsors.

Instead, she believes she has gotten a plum with the hire of Earl Holmes. His popularity has soared since he became head coach. On top of that, the Rattlers will play five of their 12 games this season at Bragg Stadium.

Suggs calls it a marketer’s dream. She believes the timing is perfect as FAMU pushes to recruit a younger generation of prospective season-ticket buyers. Most of the Rattlers’ current season-ticket holders have been doing so for as many as three decades or longer, she said.

That’s why Suggs is focusing on the 30-something alums.

The Holmes effect is priceless, she said, because it touches people on several levels. Holmes went from a small FAMU DRS to a walk-on who made the university’s team and later had a 10-year NFL career.

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TSU Ends First Week Of Practice With Scrimmage

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  Tennessee State football ended the first week of spring practice on Saturday morning with a scrimmage at Hale Stadium.

One of the key position battles to watch during the spring heading into the fall is at running back with the departure of Trabis Ward. Two backs fighting for playing time are sophomore Telvin Hooks and freshman Adam Davenport. Hooks and Davenport talked to the media after the morning scrimmage.



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NSU's Evans, Stony Brook Young throw their hats in the ring

ANTHONY EVANS
HEAD MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY
 

POUGHKEEPSIE, New York  --  As speculation grows about who the new Marist College men’s basketball head coach will be, two coaches Thursday confirmed their interest in the job to the Poughkeepsie Journal.

“I’d definitely be interested. It’s a great opportunity,” Anthony Evans, who just concluded his sixth season as Norfolk State University’s head coach, told the Journal.

Evans led the 15th-seeded Spartans to their first NCAA tournament ever and a first-round upset of second-seeded Missouri last year; former Marist forward Rob Johnson was a member of that team. From 1999-2001, Evans was a coach at Ulster County Community College, where he earned Region XV Coach of the Year honors in 2001. He was also an assistant coach at SUNY New Paltz.

Stony Brook associate head coach Jay Young, a 1986 Marist graduate, also told the Journal the Red Foxes’ vacancy intrigues him.

“I definitely have an interest in the job,” said Young, who has reached the National Junior College Athletic Association’s Final Four, among other postseason experience in his quarter-century as a coach.

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Metil Leaves UMES Volleyball Program for Towson U.

TOWSON, Maryland  --  Donald Metil, the highly-successful coach at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore for the last six years, has been named as the new head volleyball coach at Towson University, it has been announced by Director of Athletics Mike Waddell.

"Towson University is excited to announce the addition of Don Metil as our new volleyball head coach," said Waddell. "When we began our search we were looking for a coach with good experience and one that had been a champion. Don was a perfect fit. He has recruited the best talent both here from Maryland and elsewhere around the country. He will continue expand on the foundation of winning we have here at Towson."

The 11th coach in Towson University volleyball history, Metil spent six years as the head coach at UMES and compiled a 145-44 (.767) record during that time. He led the Hawks to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championship in 2011 and 2012 and appeared in the NCAA Tournament each of those years.
 
Metil led UMES to the best season in school history in 2012. In addition to posting a 28-6 record and an 11-1 MEAC mark, UMES won three in-season tournaments and the MEAC Tournament before falling to Nebraska in the NCAA Tournament.

A three-time MEAC Coach of the Year, he guided UMES to six straight MEAC Northern Divisional titles and four undefeated conference seasons.

Metil's squads won at least 20 matches in each of his six seasons at UMES and finished among the Top 5 in the nation for service aces per set during each of those years. He had 18 players earn all-conference honors during his six years with the Hawks. That group included the MEAC Rookie of the Year four times and two winners of the MEAC Player of the Year award.

"I would like to thank Towson University for this exciting opportunity and a chance to move back to the area," said Metil. "After speaking with Mike Waddell, I was impressed and motivated by his overall vision for the athletics department and look forward to working under his leadership. Our focus will be to develop a program that wins championships, graduates it student-athletes and is respected in the Towson community."

Prior to his tenure at UMES, Metil served as the head coach at Coppin State for two years. He helped the Eagles qualify for the MEAC Tournament twice and coached the 2005 MEAC Rookie of the Year. Metil has also served as the head coach at Lees-McRae and the College of Notre Dame of Maryland.

Before starting his collegiate coaching career, Metil served as a high school coach and junior Olympic club team coach in the Baltimore Metro area while teaching at Dumbarton Middle School.

Metil earned a dual bachelor's degree in secondary education and sports medicine from California University of Pennsylvania in 1996. He played collegiate volleyball for the Vulcans, serving primarily as a setter.

He earned a master's degree from Loyola University in secondary education in 2002.


COURTESY TOWSON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

XU's Jackson, tops in 2 NAIA events, wins national award

Zahri Jackson

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Zahri Jackson was selected NAIA National Women's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week, the NAIA announced Wednesday.

Jackson, a sophomore from Kingwood, Texas, and a graduate of Kingwood Park High School, won for March 18-24 after producing NAIA season-best times Saturday in the 800-meter run (2 minutes, 12:01 seconds) and the 1,600-meter relay (3:54.13) at the LSU Relays in Baton Rouge, La.

Both times are the only ones to meet the A-qualifying standard in those events for the NAIA Outdoor Championships at Marion, Ind., in May. They're also the Gold Nuggets' fastest times since Xavier revived its track and field program in 2010. Jackson ran the second leg of the 1,600 relay and teamed with Devinn Rolland, Tramaine Shannon and Chartia Hurt.

This is the first time an athlete in the XU track or cross country program has received the NAIA's weekly award.

The Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush are not competing this week during Xavier's spring break. They'll resume competition April 5 in the Mississippi College Twilight Invitational at Clinton, Miss., and April 13 in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans. Xavier is the host school for the GCAC meet.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Information
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA