Alcorn State Baseball Releases 2014 Schedule

LORMAN, Mississippi  -- Head baseball coach Barrett Rey and the Alcorn State baseball team has announced his baseball schedule for the 2014 season.

The Braves have a total of 52 regular season games with 18 of those games being played at the Willie "Rat" McGowan Stadium.

This year's schedule features teams form the Big 12, Pac-12, SEC, SoCon, Southland, and the American Athletic Conferences.

Rey and the Braves open up the 2014 season at home against Bradley University in a three-game weekend series beginning on February 14 at 3:00 p.m.

The Braves then travel to Oklahoma to face the Oklahoma State Cowboys and a few days later in a weekend slate against Arizona.

March is a long month for the Braves beginning with the SWAC opener at Alabama A&M. The Braves then hit the road for games against LSU-Shreveport, Alabama State, Missouri, Wofford, Alabama, and New Orleans. The Braves wrap of the month of March at home against rival Jackson State in a weekend series.

The Braves kick off the month of April at Southeastern Louisiana before returning home for five consecutive home games. The Braves hit the road once again from the 15^th to the 29^th against Mississippi State, Memphis, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Mississippi Valley State, and LSU.

In the season finale, the Braves close out the 2014 season in a weekend series Jackson State.

Click on the link below to see the full 2014 baseball schedule.

Alcorn Braves 2014 Baseball Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Home / Away	Conference Game	Location	Day
2/14/2014	2:00 P.M.	Bradley University	H		Lorman, Miss.	Fri.
2/15/2014	2:00 P.M.	Bradley University	H		Lorman, Miss.	Sat.
2/16/2014	1:00 P.M.	Bradley University	H		Lorman, Miss.	Sun.
2/18/2014	4:00 P.M.	Oklahoma State	A		Stillwater, Okla.	Tue.
2/19/2014	4:00 P.M.	Oklahoma State	A		Stillwater, Okla.	Wed.
2/21/2014	6:00 P.M.	Arizona	A		Tucson, Ariz.	Fri.
2/22/2014	2:00 P.M.	Arizona	A		Tucson, Ariz.	Sat.
2/23/2014	1:00 P.M.	Arizona	A		Tucson, Ariz.	Sun.
2/26/2014	3:00 P.M.	Rust College	H		Lorman, Miss.	Wed.
3/1/2014	12:00 P.M.	Alabama A&M	A	*	Huntsville, Ala.	Sat.
3/1/2014	3:00 P.M.	Alabama A&M	A	*	Huntsville, Ala.	Sat.
3/2/2014	1:00 P.M.	Alabama A&M	A	*	Huntsville, Ala.	Sun.
3/4/2014	6:00 P.M.	LSU-Shreveport	A		Shreveport, La.	Tue.
3/8/2014	12:00 P.M.	Alabama State	A	*	Montgomery, Ala.	Sat.
3/8/2014	3:00 P.M.	Alabama State	A	*	Montgomery, Ala.	Sat.
3/9/2014	1:00 P.M.	Alabama State	A	*	Montgomery, Ala.	Sun.
3/11/2014	6:00 P.M.	Missouri	A		Columbia, Mo.	Tue.
3/12/2014	2:00 P.M.	Missouri	A		Columbia, Mo.	Wed.
3/14/2014	6:00 P.M.	Wofford	A		Spartanburg, S.C.	Fri.
3/15/2014	3:00 P.M.	Wofford	A		Spartanburg, S.C.	Sat.
3/16/2014	1:00 P.M.	Wofford	A		Spartanburg, S.C.	Sun.
3/18/2014	6:00 P.M.	Alabama	A		Tuscaloosa, Ala.	Tue.
3/19/2014	6:00 P.M.	Alabama	A		Tuscaloosa, Ala.	Wed.
3/22/2014	12:00 P.M.	Mississippi Valley State	H	*	Lorman, Miss.	Sat.
3/22/2014	3:00 P.M.	Mississippi Valley State	H	*	Lorman, Miss.	Sat.
3/23/2014	1:00 P.M.	Mississippi Valley State	A	*	Lorman, Miss.	Sun.
3/25/2014	6:00 P.M.	New Orleans	A		New Orleans, La.	Tue.
3/26/2014	6:00 P.M.	New Orleans	A		New Orleans, La.	Wed.
3/29/2014	12:00 P.M.	Jackson State	H	*	Jackson, Miss.	Sat.
4/2/2014	6:30 P.M.	Southeastern Louisiana	A		Hammond, La.	Wed.
4/5/2014	12:00 P.M.	Alabama A&M	H	*	Lorman, Miss.	Sat.
4/5/2014	3:00 P.M.	Alabama A&M	H	*	Lorman, Miss.	Sat.
4/6/2014	1:00 P.M.	Alabama A&M	H	*	Lorman, Miss.	Sun.
4/8/2014	3:00 P.M.	LSU-Shreveport	H		Lorman, Miss.	Tue.
4/12/2014	12:00 P.M.	Alabama State	H	*	Lorman, Miss.	Sat.
4/12/2014	3:00 P.M.	Alabama State	H	*	Lorman, Miss.	Sat.
4/13/2014	1:00 P.M.	Alabama State	H	*	Lorman, Miss.	Sun.
4/15/2014	6:00 P.M.	Mississippi State	A		Starkville, Miss.	Tue.
4/18/2014	6:00 P.M.	Memphis	A		Memphis, Tenn.	Fri.
4/19/2014	2:00 P.M.	Memphis	A		Memphis, Tenn.	Sat.
4/20/2014	1:00 P.M.	Memphis	A		Memphis, Tenn.	Sun.
4/23/2014	3:00 P.M.	Arkansas-Pine Bluff	A		Pine Bluff, Ark.	Wed.
4/26/2014	12:00 P.M.	Mississippi Valley State	A	*	Itta Bena, Miss.	Sat.
4/26/2014	3:00 P.M.	Mississippi Valley State	A	*	Itta Bena, Miss.	Sat.
4/27/2014	1:00 P.M.	Mississippi Valley State	A	*	Itta Bena, Miss.	Sun.
4/29/2014	6:30 P.M.	LSU	A		Baton Rouge, La.	Tue.
4/30/2014	3:00 P.M.	Arkansas-Pine Bluff	H		Pine Bluff, Ark.	Wed.
4/30/2014	3:00 P.M.	Arkansas-Pine Bluff	H		Pine Bluff, Ark.	Wed.
5/3/2014	12:00 P.M.	Jackson State	A	*	Jackson, Miss.	Sat.
5/3/2014	3:00 P.M.	Jackson State	A	*	Jackson, Miss.	Sat.
5/4/2014	1:00 P.M.	Jackson State	A	*	Jackson, Miss.	Sun.

COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Alabama State addresses need at DB with 2014 signing class

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- In 2013, Alabama State's defense was great against the run.

The Hornets, who finished 8-4, were ranked tops in the Southwestern Athletic Conference against the rush, allowing only 4.9 yards per carry. They gave up just 12 touchdowns on the ground all season and allowed only 110 yards per contest. 

 

However, they weren't so against the pass, finishing the season rated ninth among 10 league teams while giving up 280 yards a game. 

As much as it was a personnel problem, Hornets head coach Reggie Barlow sought to rectify the issue in ASU's 2014 recruiting class, signing nine defensive back in a class of 24. 

 

The list of who could see time in the Hornets' secondary  includes five state-grown products in ...

 

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Five Huntsville-area players among Spady's first Alabama A&M recruiting class

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- The James Spady era in Alabama A&M football didn't just land 25 signees today. It also brought them an opportunity for a unique spotlight.

Spady signed five Huntsville area high school players, three from J.O. Johnson High and two from Bob Jones.

Twin brothers Danny and DeVon Johnson, a quarterback and wide receiver, along with Johnson High teammate Kailan Jackson, a defensive end, signed.

Alabama A&M reached out to Bob Jones for running back Jay Rogers and receiver Roderick Rogers.

"We wanted to be aggressive in our yard," Spady said. "We felt like we needed to throw a net around the people that play football in Huntsville. We want them to understand Alabama A&M is open for business."

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Nuggets' breast cancer awareness game will be Feb. 17

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana's annual women's basketball game for breast cancer awareness will be Feb. 17 when the Gold Nuggets play Philander Smith at 5:30 p.m. at the Convocation Center.

Persons may send names of loved ones who experienced cancer to xugoldnuggets@gmail.com by Feb. 13. Those names will be part of a remembrance celebration at halftime.

Fans are encouraged to wear pink to the game. Special T-shirts will be available for purchase, and proceeds will be donated to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

For more information, please send an email to xugoldnuggets@gmail.com.

The Nuggets' game will be followed by a men's basketball matchup between Xavier and Philander Smith at 7:30.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
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Top-10 Rush, Nuggets play host to Loyola on Friday

NEW ORLEANS -- The men's and women's tennis teams of Xavier University of Louisiana will play city rival Loyola at 2 p.m. Friday at XU Tennis Center.

It will be the season opener for the Gold Nuggets, who are ranked third in the NAIA. It will be the home opener and the second dual match for the Gold Rush, tied for sixth in the NAIA and in the preseason top 10 for the third consecutive year.

The XU men lost 6-3 at Nicholls State in their opener last Friday.

Xavier has several in the ITA/NAIA preseason individual rankings:

* Men's singles: Nikita Soifer 22nd nationally/10th in the South; Kyle Montrel 39th/17th.

* Men's doubles: Jordan Harrell-Soifer 13th/fifth.

* Women's singles: Brion Flowers sixth/fourth; Kourtney Howell 21st/ninth.

* Women's doubles: Howell-Flowers third/second.

New individual rankings will be announced March 12.

Both Loyola teams are 1-1, with victories against Tougaloo and losses to West Alabama. A year ago Xavier defeated Loyola 9-0 in the women's dual and 7-2 in the men's.

This is the second season of competition at XU Tennis Center, a $2.5 million facility which opened in October 2012.

Weather website Intellicast.com predicts cloudy skies on Friday afternoon with a high temperature of 54.

XU coach Alan Green said the Gold Nuggets' Saturday match at Southern was postponed and will be rescheduled.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
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Tennessee State Softball Opens 2014 Season on Friday

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State softball team opens the 2014 season at the Music City Classic hosted by Lipscomb University and Belmont University. The Tigers will begin their campaign a day earlier than originally scheduled due to forecasted weather. TSU will kick-off the year with a 1:30pm game on Friday, Feb. 7 against East Tennessee State.

 

The Tigers will face #32 Virginia Tech at 11:30am on Saturday and complete the day at 4:30pm against the host Bison. TSU and Miami (Ohio) will close out the tournament on Sunday morning at 11:00am.

 

The Tigers will play all of their games this weekend at Draper Diamond on the campus of Lipscomb University. You can listen to all games LIVE on tsutigers.com.

 

TSU looks to improve on a 14-35 season with the return of Shea Morris and Olivia Gamache. The pitching duo accounted for every inning pitched a year ago. Morris is on the verge of claiming the top position of almost every pitching category in the TSU record books. The junior finished 10-17 with a 3.17 ERA and 195 strikeouts in 183.1 innings in 2013. Gamache is coming off her best season as she tallied a 3.74 ERA and is now in the Top 10 of seven TSU career pitching categories. Head coach Jeff Dabney is counting on freshman Hannah St. Clair to give the pitching staff help this spring.

 

Sophomore Kiarra Freeman will look to retain her form from last season where she batted .361. Freeman was named to the Ohio Valley Conference All-Newcomer team in 2013 and will roam the outfield for the Tigers. Junior Tayler Shimizu started 20 games a year ago and will join with freshman Courtney Gearlds and sophomore-transfer Carmen Hill to replace graduated centerfielder Jennifer Givens. Givens left TSU with the single-season stolen base record and batted a team-leading .384.

 

Sophomore Lindsey Burgess and Junior Kate Morris handled the majority of the catching in 2013, but the Tigers will now count on freshman Rebekka Gross to handle the receiving duties. Kate Morris will again split time behind the plate as Burgess will move to shortstop.

 

The infield will be built around senior Ashley Haynes who has played shortstop, third base and second base during her first three seasons. In her final season, Haynes will take on the duties at first base. In 2013, the Knoxville product experienced her best season at the plate as she collected 33 hits in 109 at bats for a .303 batting average.

 

Sophomore Jana Hanawahine shared the team lead for long-balls with three and will make the move from short a year ago to second base. Freshman Liz Stansberry is tabbed to hold down the corner at third base.  

 

East Tennessee State (0-0)

2013 Record: 13-34

Conference: Atlantic Sun

2013 Finish: 1-24/10th

Series Record: 2-0

Last Time Played: 2006, Won 1-0

Last Win: 2006, 1-0

 

ETSU returns eight starters from last season's 13-34 squad. Senior Katie Wolff, junior Nicole Fox, and senior Jackie Baird lead the Bucs into the new season. Wolff started 24 games in the circle and finished 6-19 with a 2.96 ERA, while Fox stole a team-best 16 bases last season, and topped the ETSU with 55 hits, 24 runs, and a .333 batting average. Baird (.271) led the Bucs with nine doubles, five homeruns and 25 RBI.

 

#32 Virginia Tech (0-0)

2013 Record: 38-21

Conference: ACC

2013 Finish: 9-11/6th

Series Record: 0-1

Last Time Played: 2001, Lost 1-10

Last Win: N/A

 

The Hokies boast a veteran squad with five seniors and six juniors. VT will be led by Kylie McGoldrick who batted .344 in 157 at bats in 2013. McGoldrick led the team with 11 homeruns and added 28 runs, 13 doubles and 33 RBI. Kelly Heinz is the top returning pitcher after posting a 17-8 record with a 2.68 ERA. Heinz picked up three saves and 169 punch-outs in 156.2 innings.

 

Lipscomb (0-0)

2013 Record: 35-24

Conference: Atlantic Sun

2013 Finish: 18-8/4th

Series Record: 5-11

Last Time Played: 2010, Lost 0-3

Last Win: 2009, 6-5

 

Lipscomb returns seven starters and three pitchers from 2013. Brittany Elmore looks to build on her freshman season where she led the Bisons with a .340 average, 42 runs scored, four triples and 36 stolen bases. Gracey Aguirre (.327) supplied some pop with 14 doubles and seven dingers. Paige Neely (.326) led the team with 42 RBI as she added 10 doubles and ten long balls. In addition, Lipscomb will receive the service of Kelsey Cartwright who was lost after 16 games due to an injury. At the time, the red-shirt senior was batting .378 in 45 at bats with five doubles, a triple, four homeruns and 14 RBI. Heather Parker and Tanner Sanders handled a majority of the work in the circle. Parker tallied a 2.29 ERA in 186.2 innings of work, while recording 143 strikeouts three saves, five shutouts and a 16-12 record. Sanders (18-10) threw 190 innings in her rookie campaign with five shutouts and 136 strikeouts.

 

Miami (Ohio) (0-0)

2013 Record: 20-34

Conference: Mid-American

2013 Finish: 12-10/2nd East

Series Record: 0-1

Last Time Played: 2000, Lost 2-10

Last Win: N/A

 

The RedHawks return the entire starting lineup, including three pitchers, from last year’s 20-34 squad. Jenna Modic, Kayla Ledbetter, Hailey Reed and Taylor Shuey all hit better than .300 a year ago and look to pace the team once again. Modic led the team with a .341 average, while Ledbetter topped Miami with seven homeruns and 33 RBI. Reed and Shuey equaled Ledbetter with nine doubles. In the circle, Megan Mattera tossed a team-high 134.1 innings and compiled a 7-9 record with a 3.60 ERA. Paige Myers finished 8-17 with a 4.15 ERA and fanned 118 batters in 131.2 innings of work.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

UAPB Football Announce Nine National Signing Day Additions

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF ATHLETICS

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) head football coach Monte Coleman has announced that nine high school seniors signed the National Letter of Intent today to attend UAPB and join the Golden Lions for the 2014 season.

The incoming freshmen class features a quarterback, offensive linemen, three defensive linemen, two defensive back and two wide receivers.

"I'm excited with the nine guys we signed so far, we address some areas that we needed to, "said Coleman. "Some of the others guys we will sign over the next few days will help build this 2014 class. "We know there are a lot of guys that look to sign on national signing day with bigger schools and some of them will fall through the cracks and that's what we are waiting on."

UAPB will be returning All SWAC quarterback Ben Anderson who lead UAPB to a 2012 SWAC Championship, will spearhead the offense, along with a good group of receivers and running backs.

"In some of the areas that I felt that we address in this recruiting class was speed. Kavin Alexander a young man from North Little Rock, a 4.2, 4.3 type cornerback, who was heavily recruited, was something we desperately needed. Patrick Rowland and Lawrence Berry both speedy receivers, will help contribute to the good corp. we got coming back," Coleman said."

"As a coaching staff we address some areas on defense, with three outstanding defensive linemen and two good defensive backs. I thought the offense did well but we gave away to many points and way to many yards last year on defense. We wanted to focus over the next few days on recruiting more physical defensive linemen and linebackers."

Coleman noted that more signees are coming in the next couple of days. Signees are listed below

University of Arkansas Pine Bluff

2014 Football Signees

Kavin Alexander DB 5'10 190 North Little Rock HS (North Little Rock, AR)

Lawrence Berry WR 5'11 170 Parkview HS (Little Rock, AR)

Isaiah Briggs OL 6'4 315 Southern Lab HS (Baton Rouge, LA

Kyron Lawson DL 6'6 230 Mills HS (Little Rock, AR)

Lawrence Mosley FS 6'2 195 Craigmont HS (Memphis, TN)

Kaleb McDonald DL 6'2 280 Sam Houston HS (Arlington, TX)

LaEarl Patterson QB 6'1 175 Melrose HS (Memphis, TN)

Eric Reid DL 6'5 240 Pearl-Cohn HS (Nashville, TN)

Patrick Rowland WR 5'10 165 Parkview HS (Little Rock, AR)




By Cameo Stokes, UAPB Sports Information
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

The 2014 Alabama A&M Football Schedule Is Announced

NORMAL, Alabama  -- The Maroon & White football team has released their schedule for the 2014 campaign.

First year Head Coach James Spady will begin his tenure taking on non-conference foes, North Carolina A&T, Tuskegee University, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Bulldog fans will have the opportunity to see the 104th edition of football on "The Hill" four times in Louis Crews stadium. First action for the 2014 Bulldogs will be the 10th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge versus the Aggies of North Carolina A&T University on August 31. After facing the Aggies, A&M will make a stop in Tuskegee, Ala. to take on the Golden Tigers. The September 6 meeting will be a rematch of last year's contest in which the Tigers captured a 23-7 victory in Huntsville. Lastly, for non-conference action, the Maroon & White will drive south to Birmingham, Ala. to take on the Blazers of the University of Alabama at Birmingham on September 13.

After completing the non-conference portion of the 2014 campaign, the Spady led Bulldogs will open Southwestern Athletic Conference play in Houston, Tex. against Texas Southern University on September 20. After facing the Tigers, A&M will face the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State in Itta Bena, Miss. on September 27.

Spending five straight weeks on the road, the Maroon & White will spend the next two weeks in front of the home crowd beginning with their home opener on October 4. The home opener will see the Bulldogs host Grambling State University for Homecoming 2014 and the fifth annual Louis Crews Classic contest.  After the annual celebration, the Bulldogs will then host the Jaguars of Southern University. This October 11 game will be the Hall of Fame Game in which the Athletic Department will introduce the newest induction class.

The Maroon & White will then take a week off to prepare for the 73rd annual Magic City Classic that will take place on October 25 at the legendary Legion Field.

The second half of the season will see the Bulldogs split their last four games between home and the road.  In between the two road trips, November 1 will see the Bulldogs at Jackson State and November 22 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff; they then will play their final home games of the season. Up first A&M will host the Braves of Alcorn State on November 8. Lastly, they will finish their home season hosting Prairie View A&M University on November 15.

2014 AAMU Football Schedule (,pdf)

Aug. 31: vs. North Carolina A&T
Sept. 6: at Tuskegee, 1 p.m.
Sept. 13: at UAB*
Sept. 20: at Texas Southern*
Sept. 27: at Mississippi Valley State*
Oct. 4: Grambling, 1 p.m.
Oct. 11: Southern, 1 p.m.
Oct. 25: vs. Alabama State in Birmingham, 2:30
Nov. 1: at Jackson State*
Nov. 8: Alcorn State, 1 p.m.
Nov. 15: Prairie View, 1 p.m.
Nov. 22: at Arkansas-Pine Bluff*

*Game Times to be determined

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

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Alabama A&M to face North Carolina A&T in MEAC-SWAC Challenge on ESPN network to start 2014

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama  --  New Alabama A&M head football football coach James Spady will make his debut in maroon and white on the biggest of stages.

The Bulldogs will face North Carolina A&T in the 10th Annual MEAC-SWAC Challenge to start the 2014 season in a game set to be aired live on an ESPN network.  

 

Which network has not been determined yet. 

The game will be played at The Citrus Bowl in Orlando on Sunday, Aug. 31st. No kickoff time has been set. 

Alabama A&M's schedule has yet to be announced, but it is known that the Bulldogs will play UAB on Sept. 13 at Legion Field.

 

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