B-CU men, Chicago State women lead after first round

PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida -- On Friday at PGA Golf Club, the Chicago State University women’s team jumped out to the first-round lead, while Bethune-Cookman University took the early lead in the Division I Men's competition at the 28th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship.

The 2014 edition of the Championship features nearly 200 players representing more than 40 colleges and universities. The 54-hole Championship concludes Sunday.

The Bethune-Cookman men’s team, which opened with a 10-over-par 298 total on the Wanamaker Course, took a two-stroke lead over Alabama State University. Savannah State University is in third place at 301.

Both Bethune-Cookman and Alabama State will be competing in NCAA regionals next week.

Bethune-Cookman was led by senior Matthew McKnight, who shot 3-under-par 69 on the Wanamaker Course at PGA Golf Club.

CONTINUE READING

2014 PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship

TOURNAMENT FACTS AND FIGURES:

Dates: May 9-11, 2013

Site: PGA Golf Club, Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Courses: Ryder and Wanamaker
Field List: See who's scheduled to play (.pdf)
Career Expo: Players to explore job possibilities (.pdf)

Last Year: Relive the 2013 tournament

 

Photo Gallery: Career Expo | Welcome Dinner | Friday

Tee Times: See when your favorites will hit the course

 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON TWITTER: Use hashtag #MinorityChamp

 

FRIDAY: Bethune-Cookman men, Chicago State women lead after first round

The Bethune-Cookman men's team opened with a 10-over-par 298 total Friday to take a two-stroke lead over Alabama State. In the women's division, Chicago State carded a 309 to grab a nine-stroke lead over the University of Houston-Victoria. 

 

PREVIEW COVERAGE:

Five division winners return to defend titles at 2014 PGA Minority Championship

Bethune-Cookman University hopes to repeat its men's and women's team championships from a year ago, while Alabama State's Robert Grant is looking to script an encore to his exciting men's individual championship finish as five of the six teams and individual champions from 2013 will return this year to provide another dramatic chapter in this unique competition.

 

  --Notebook: Pioneer Renee Powell to speak at Welcome Dinner

CONTINUE READING

Chicago State Women's Soccer Announces Inaugural Schedule

COURTESY CHICAGO STATE ATHLETICS

CHICAGO, Illinois  -- Chicago State's inaugural women's soccer schedule was released on Thursday (May 7). The 2014 19-game schedule features nine non-conference contests against seven different NCAA Division I conferences and 10 Western Athletic Conference matches.

Head Coach Tony Tommasi and the Cougars will begin their season with a road trip to Arkansas where they will play at Arkansas-Little Rock (Aug. 22) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Aug 24).

The team will then come back to the Windy City and play CSU's first ever home women's soccer games with a three-game home stand vs. North Dakota (Aug. 29), Cleveland State (Aug. 31) and Green Bay (Sept. 5). They follow this stretch with a neutral site contest at Nike Park in Naperville, Ill. with Northern Illinois (Sept. 12).

"Most schedules are done a year or two out," Tommasi said.  "But even with the time crunch we faced putting a non-conference schedule together, I believe we have a schedule that should help our development path."

Three consecutive non-conference games follow the Northern Illinois game before Chicago State's first WAC contest on Sept. 28 at home vs. Kansas City. It is the first of 10 WAC matches to close the regular season. The Broncos of UTPA come to town on Oct 3. UTPA will also be in their inaugural season of women's soccer in 2014.

The Cougars close the regular season with five of their seven contests on the road, including a three game road trip with Utah Valley (Oct. 24), defending WAC champion Seattle U (Oct. 26) and Kansas City (Nov. 1).

The WAC tournament will be held Nov. 6-9 at Seattle U.

Link to entire schedule

COURTESY CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Tuskegee Defeats UAH in Opener of Regional

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama | The University of Alabama in Huntsville softball team fell in the opening game on the NCAA South 1 Regional on Friday afternoon as the top-seeded Chargers dropped a 7-5 decision to No. 8 seed Tuskegee. UAH slips to 43-10 with the setback, while the Golden Tigers improve to 30-14.

UAH will meet North Alabama in an elimination game at 3 p.m. on Saturday, with the winner of that contest playing at 6 p.m. against the loser of Rollins and Tuskegee.

The Golden Tigers jumped in front in the second inning, crossing the plate five times with two outs in the frame. A hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded plated the first run, leadoff batter Cari Driver singled to score a run, and Chante Warner hit a bases-clearing double right on the leftfield line to score three more and give Tuskegee a 5-0 lead.

After a pair of scoreless innings, Tuskegee would tack on another pair of runs in the fifth inning to grab a 7-0 advantage.

The Chargers would then cut into the large deficit with a pair of runs in the sixth as Brianna Sullivan singled in Kaitlyn Bannister and Emily Glover scored on the same play thanks to a Tuskegee error, and UAH would pull closer in the seventh inning.

Bannister made it a 7-4 game when she homered with two outs, scoring Tyler Harrison who had singled in the previous at-bat, and Glover would score UAH's fifth run of the game after doubling, coming home when Mallory McNeal singled into center.

Unfortunately, the Chargers could pull no closer as Latifah Kelly (17-5) earned the complete-game victory. She gave up 11 hits and the five runs, striking out two and walking three.

Glover (14-4) picked up the loss for the Chargers as she was charged with the first four runs.

Helping UAH collect its 11 hits, both Macie Couey and Bannister recorded three hits in the game. Denavia Harrison matched that performance on the other side as she also collected three hits to assist Tuskegee in finishing the day with 10.

The Golden Tigers will face Rollins at noon with a berth to the championship on the line.

Box Score

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA HUNTSVILLE ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

B-CU beats Delaware State, advances to MEAC softball championship

ORMOND BEACH, Florida  -- Bethune-Cookman scored five runs in the first inning in a 9-2 win over Delaware State to advance to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference softball tournament championship Friday.

The Wildcats (25-30) will meet Florida A&M (23-27) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Ormond Beach Sports Complex.

 

B-CU, which lost to the Rattlers 5-1 earlier Friday, needs to beat FAMU twice to claim its fourth league title in five years.

 

“We're focused on that first game (Saturday),” B-CU assistant coach Sabrina Ferguson said. “How we played (Friday) is behind us. We're going to come prepared (Saturday), and our mindsets are good.

 

CONTINUE READING

UPDATED: Semifinals at SWAC Softball Tournament postponed

DECATUR, Alabama  -- The Mississippi Valley State softball team will have to wait an extra day before they can find out if they'll be playing for a ninth SWAC Tournament championship in the last 11 years.

It was announced Friday morning that the semifinal round of the SWAC Softball Tournament has been rescheduled to Saturday at Wilson Morgan Park. The Devilettes will face rival Jackson State at 2 p.m. for the second time of the tournament and the fifth time in the last two weeks. If MVSU loses in the 2 p.m. game on Saturday, then they'll have another shot at JSU in the 5:30 p.m. game against the Lady Tigers.

Meanwhile, the championship game has been rescheduled for Sunday at 10 a.m.

A win Saturday will put MVSU in the championship game against either Texas Southern or Prairie View A&M.

For live stats of the games, click here. 

COURTESY MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION   

Garrett's game-winning hit sends MVSU Devilettes into semifinals

COURTESY MVSU ATHLETICS

DECATUR, Alabama -- For the second straight day at the SWAC Softball Tournament, "The Comeback Kids" of Mississippi Valley State came from behind Thursday to stay in the winner's bracket.

Jahcenda Garrett had a walkoff single to center field in the bottom of the seventh inning to send the Devilettes past rival Jackson State, 8-7, at Wilson Morgan Park. Valley fought its way back from an early 5-0 deficit to beat the No.1-seeded Lady Tigers, who fall into the loser's bracket.

Going into the bottom of the seventh inning, MVSU trailed 7-5 before putting up three runs to secure a spot in Friday's semifinal game at 10 a.m.

"I have to give it to our players and coaching staff, they never gave up," said MVSU head coach Lee Smith. "No matter what situation we've found ourselves in during this tournament, they've kept their focus and gotten the job done. I couldn't be any prouder of our group."

MVSU cut the lead to 7-6 after a bases loaded walk with two outs by Brandi Williams. Garrett followed it up with one of the biggest hits of her career to put away JSU.

The Lady Tigers had taken the momentum early in the game by running out to a 5-0 lead after two innings, but Valley responded with an RBI-single by Tracey Williams in the third inning to cut the lead to 5-1. Then, the Devilettes had its largest offensive output in the fourth inning when Valley put up four runs -- with three of them coming on a home run by Deja Talton, her fifth of the season, that tied the game at five.

JSU, however, fought back with two runs of its own in the top of the fifth inning on a pair of MVSU errors.

After both teams went scoreless in the sixth inning, it was MVSU that came out victorious thanks to the game-winning heroics of the Nashville native Garrett, who leads the Devilettes in batting average.

Cassandra Rivera (5-19) earned the win, giving up five earned runs on seven hits with one strikeout in 3.2 innings of work on the mound.

Talton led the Devilettes with three RBIs and Tracey Williams went 2-for-4 at the plate for Valley, which finished with seven hits in the game. JSU committed four errors in the contest.     
Box Score

COURTESY MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alabama State To Have Strong Contingent At PGA Minority Championship

COURTESY ASU ATHLETICS

PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida – Alabama State's SWAC Champion men's and women's golf teams will have strong representation in this weekend's 28th PGA Minority Collegiate Championship.

The three-time defending conference champion men's team will look to improve on last year's third-place finish on the PGA Golf Club's Wanamaker Course (par 72, 6,840 yards). In addition to men's Aplay, Robert Grant will look to defend his individual title, highlighted by a dramatic eagle on the 18th hole to force a playoff, which he won on the first extra hole.

And while the two-time defending SWAC champion women's golf team competes in this weekend's NCAA Tournament, Mia Campbell, who finished second in 2012, and Darleen Raymond will play individually on the Ryder Course (par 72, 5,745 yards).

Tournament play begins Friday at 7:30 a.m. local time.

"We've continued to practice on what we've focused on all season, which is improving our short game and approach shots to the green," assistant coach Robert Clark said. "The team has done a wonderful job in doing that. This venue calls for the short game to be sharp in order for you to score well."

The 54-hole, stroke-play Championship will feature over 200 student-athletes representing more than 40 colleges and universities. They will be competing for a National Championship in six divisions: Men's Division I, Men's Division II, Men's NAIA, Women's Team Division, Men's Individual Invitational, and Women's Individual Invitational.

"Playing here at the PGA Village is a real honor and privilege for us to come here each year and participate in the PGA Minority Collegiate Championship," Clark said. "Our guys, I think, are the class of the crop. We think we have a good opportunity to finish on top. Last year, the effort was there and we did ok finishing third, but we didn't play very well. With the underclassmen being more experienced, we're looking forward to them doing a really good job this year."

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alabama A&M Bulldogs signs pitcher for 2015

NORMAL, Alabama  -- Glad tidings continue for the Bulldog baseball team fresh off their all-time number of wins in the history of Alabama A&M in Division I.

Hartselle high school All-State pitcher Thomas Brady Wallace inked his named on a national letter of intent to play for A&M next season.

"The need for us was left handed pitching in 2015.  He was on our radar early last year and we wanted him," said head coach Mitch Hill. "He was a weekend pitcher for Hartselle high school which is a powerhouse 5A baseball program in Alabama."

"He made the decision to sign before the end of our season.  He will have the opportunity to get exposure with the teams we play," Hill quoted. "He is throwing mid 80's and is one of the better pitchers in the state of Alabama."

Wallace was a member of Hartselle's 2013 state championship team. The left-hander came in relief to start the third and pitched four shutout innings through the sixth to get the win. He yielded two hits and struck out three.

In 2014 the two-sport athlete, who lettered in basketball, finished with a 7-4 record and led his team to the second round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association playoffs.

"He comes from a winning program and knows how to win," Hill commented.

 

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

West Virginia State Vie For First MEC Baseball Tournament Title

BRIDGEPORT, West Virginia  -- The Mountain East Conference will crown its final champion in its inaugural season this weekend at the 2014 MEC Baseball Tournament at Linda K. Epling Stadium in Beckley, W.Va. 

West Virginia State's Devin Bowles pitched the Yellow Jackets past Urbana, 3-1, on Thursday night at Epling Stadium.

WVSU improved to 31-16 on the year and will take on Concord tomorrow night at 7 p.m. Urbana slipped to 23-20 and will play Shepherd at 3 p.m.

Bowles (5-1) allowed just four hits and one run through eight innings with nine strikeouts and a pair of walks. Joshua Falbo picked up his 11th save of the season
pitching a perfect ninth.

Urbana started Nick Bozman also turned in a solid performance on the mound for the Blue Knights giving up three runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and three walks.

West Virginia State finally broke through in the bottom of the third inning with a pair of runs. Noah Blackhurst singled and Jack Hudson followed it with a double to right field putting a pair of runners in scoring position. Andrew Pickering's fly ball to right field to score Blackhurst, and Trenton Porter singled up the middle to make it 2-0.

Urbana pulled one back in the sixth after Cody Ridinger singled up the middle and Roman Gammell hit a two-out single.

WVSU added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth after Eric Craft walked and moved to second on a single, and then stole third with no out. That steal would be beneficial as he scored on the next play -- a 1-6-3 double play for Urbana.

Falbo then struck out all three batters he faced in the ninth to secure the victory.

MEC Baseball Tournament Central
Box Score 

 

COURTESY THE MOUNTAIN EAST CONFERENCE MEDIA RELATIONS

B-CU Hammers Hampton 9-1 In MEAC

ORMOND BEACH, Florida – Calesha Shelley scored three runs, and Kaitlin Alamprese and Sophia Ortega each drove in two runs as Bethune-Cookman downed Hampton 9-1 to advance in the winner’s bracket  of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament Thursday.

With the run-rule victory of the defending champion Pirates, the Wildcats (24-29) will face Florida A&M  Friday at 1  p.m. at Ormond Beach Sports Complex. A victory there advances the Wildcats to a berth in Saturday’s championship game.

The Wildcats used aggressive base running to capitalize on four Hampton (28-19) errors to pull away with a three-run fourth and a four-run sixth.

“We weren’t taking any time off,” said B-CU assistant head coach Sabrina Ferguson. “The key was to be aggressive and keep the pressure on. Calesha sparked us tonight.”

Shelley had two walks and two hits in addition to a stolen base. Her infield single in the sixth scored Ortega, who had a two-run double earlier in the inning, to end the game.

Alamprese, who went 2-3,  got her RBIs in the first with a two-out single and a third-inning fielder’s choice that scored Kelsey Rodney.

Freshman Bailey Conner picked up the victory, scattering six hits before losing her shutout bid in the sixth. She struck out two.

“Bailey did a good job of keeping them [Hampton] off balance,” Ferguson said.

BOX SCORE



Friday- May 9
G# 9 - 10:00 a.m.                              #3N Norfolk State vs. #2N Hampton
G# 10 - 10:00 a.m.                           #4N Coppin State vs. #1N Delaware State
G# 11 - 1:00 p.m.                            #1S Bethune-Cookman vs. #2S Florida A&M
G# 12 - 3:00 p.m.                             Winner of Game 9 vs. Winner of Game 10
G# 13 - 6:00 p.m.                              Loser of Game 11 vs. Winner of Game 12

Saturday- May 10
G# 14 - 1:00 p.m.                            Winner of Game 11 vs. Winner of Game 13
3:30 p.m.                                                      Game #15 (If Necessary)

COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION AND MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Lady Rams to Make Return to NCAA Division II Playoffs vs. #12 California (Pa.)

CALIFORNIA, Pennsylvania  --  The Winston-Salem State Lady Rams (28-11) will make their third trip to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament for the third time in the past four seasons when they take on the #12 California University of Pennsylvania Vulcans (35-5) in the opening game of the tournament, Friday afternoon. The Lady Rams will enter the tournament as the eighth seed and will take on the top-seeded Vulcans. The two teams are set for a 11:00 a.m. first pitch at Lilley Field on the campus of California University of Pennsylvania.

Friday's game will feature a match-up between two surging teams as the Lady Rams have won 20 of their last 22 games, including a seven-game winning streak to finish the season. The Lady Rams earned the post-season bid by sweeping the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Softball Championship Tournament with a 4-0 record and claiming their third CIAA title in four years.

The Lady Rams will enter the post-season tournament with one of the best defensive infields in the nation with the trio of junior third base Katrina Bartlett, junior Monet Daly, and freshman Allison Woodbury leading the way. Bartlett and Daly both earned first team All-CIAA honors while Woodbury was named to the CIAA All-Rookie team. Woodbury led the team with 260 putouts along with just seven fielding errors while Bartlett added 40 putouts with a team-high 83 assists and only six fielding errors. Daly finished the year as the MVP of the 2014 CIAA Tournament and earned All-Tournament team honors as well. In addition to her defensive presence on the infield, Daly has also notched a pair of pitching victories.

Offensively, the Lady Rams will turn to the trio for their punch as well. Bartlett finished the season with a .406 batting average and led the CIAA with 10 home runs. She also finished the season with a team-high 32 RBI. Daly edged Bartlett for the team with a .408 batting average. She also led the team in with seven doubles and four triples. Also contributing for the Lady Rams is junior outfielder Kiah Ruffin, who has a .359 batting average and has five doubles and a pair of triples.

The WSSU pitching effort has been strong all season long with freshman Mercedes Hargett leading the way. In just her first season with the Lady Rams, she placed second in the CIAA in total wins with a 14-6 pitching record. She also finished second in the conference with a 2.18 earned run average (ERA) and strikeouts (117). For her efforts, she was named to the CIAA All-Rookie team as well as the CIAA All-Tournament team.

The Lady Rams will have their hands full when they take on the top-seeded Vulcans who will enter the tournament with a 35-5 record and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship. The team will also have momentum on their side after winning 30 of their last 31 games. As a team, the Vulcans are batting .340 with senior catcher Natalie Wideman leading the team with a .458 batting average. The Vulcans will also feature the pitching duo of sophomore Alex Sagle who is 23-3 with a 1.40 ERA and freshman Katy Davis, who is 12-2 with a 2.32 ERA.

The two teams are currently scheduled for an 11:00 a.m. first pitch on Lilley Field. There will be a live statistical feed from the game available at www.WSSURams.com. For more information on Lady Rams softball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.

COURTESY WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU Lady Rattlers Cruise To Second Win Of MEAC Tourney

Courtesy Florida A&M Sports Information

Kieifi Myrick slides safely into second base

Lady Rattlers win second close game with run in sixth inning

ORMOND BEACH, Florida (May 8) – Miesha McBride’s RBI single in the sixth inning drove in Raven Moseley with the game winning run as the FAMU Softball team edged past Delaware State, 1-0 in the quarterfinals fo the 2014 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Softball Championships Thursday night at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.

Florida A&M (22-27) advances to Friday’s 1:00 p.m. semifinal clash against Bethune-Cookman, with the winner to earn a berth in Saturday’s championship game.

Kenya Pereira (7-8) pitched her second complete game shutout of the day,
scattering three hits, striking out on and walking one in seven innings.

Christina Robbs of FAMU led with two hits, giving her three in the two games Thursday.

Tara Tursellino (13-6) took the loss for Delaware State, despite striking out seven against two walks, getting out of several jams as FAMU left 12 runners stranded.

Northern Division winner Delaware State (33-16)  falls into the elimination bracket, and will face Coppin State at 10 a.m. in one elimination game, while Hampton and Norfolk State will tangle in the other bout.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Crawford settles into his niche at WSSU

RAY CRAWFORD

Big-hitting transfer has helped Rams reach another D-II regional

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- Kevin Ritsche, the baseball coach at Winston-Salem State, was a little stunned when right fielder Ray Crawford, one of his best players, ran into the wall while chasing a ball in a recent game.

Crawford, the CIAA player of the year, suffered a slight injury that will keep him out of the Rams final two regular-season games, but he’ll be back for next week’s Atlantic Region playoffs.
“I’ll be fine, and I’ve been in the trainer’s room getting rehab so I’ll be good to go,” Crawford said Wednesday night from BB&T Ballpark, where WSSU played second-ranked Lander.

Ritsche said: “I was a little worried, but when I got out there, it wasn’t as bad, and he had a bruised thigh and some bruises in his wrist area, so it wasn’t a major injury. He’ll be good to go once regionals start next week.”

CONTINUE READING

New Orleans UYA to host SWAC baseball tourney

NEW ORLEANS  -- Postseason baseball is coming to the Urban Youth Academy in New Orleans.

The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced Monday that it will hold its postseason baseball tournament at Wesley Barrow Stadium this season. The tourney was expected to be held at LaGrave Field in Fort Worth, Texas, but the conference felt the Urban Youth Academy was a better fit.

The SWAC has maintained close ties to the Urban Youth Academy mission because it has sent at least one team to all seven editions of the Urban Invitational tourney. Grambling State has been involved every year, and its rival -- Southern University -- has also been invited to the tourney.

Duer Sharp, commissioner of the SWAC, issued an official statement on Monday and said that the primary concern of the conference will always be the health and well-being of the players.

"We would like to apologize to the fans, families, coaches and administrators for the delay and inconvenience the decision of switching venues may present," said Sharp as part of a press release. "The health and welfare of the student-athletes will always be our primary concern."

CONTINUE READING

B-CU Football to Host Florida Tech for Upcoming Season

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  -- It was announced Tuesday afternoon by Director of Athletics Lynn W. Thompson that Bethune-Cookman University Football will meet Florida Tech during the upcoming 2014 season, finalizing a 12-game slate for the Wildcats.

Coming off a second consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) title in 2013, Bethune-Cookman will host the Panthers of Florida Tech to Municipal Stadium on September 27. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m.

The meeting with Florida Tech will be the first between the two Sunshine State schools. The Panthers finished their 2013 season with a record of 5-7 overall (1-5 conference). They play in a perennially tough Division II conference with members such as Valdosta State, West Georgia and West Alabama.

The Wildcats open the 2014 campaign under head coach Brian Jenkins, set to enter his fifth year at the helm, August 30, in Miami at Florida International University.

Fans can keep up-to-date with all B-CU Athletics via twitter at Twitter.com/BCUathletics, in addition to the official football twitter page at Twitter.com/BCUGridIron. You can also become a fan of the Wildcats on Facebook at Facebook.com/BCUathletics.

B-CU 2014 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Location Time (ET) 
Sat, Aug 30 FIU Miami, Fla. TBA
Sat, Sep 13 Grambling State Daytona Beach, Fla. 4:00 p.m.
Sat, Sep 20 Central Florida Orlando, Fla. TBA
Sat, Sep 27 Florida Tech Daytona Beach, Fla. 4:00 p.m.
Sat, Oct 04 Delaware State * Daytona Beach, Fla. 4:00 p.m.
Sat, Oct 11 Howard * Daytona Beach, Fla. 4:00 p.m. Homecoming
Sat, Oct 18 Savannah State * Savannah, Ga. TBA
Sat, Oct 25 South Carolina State * Orangeburg, S.C. TBA
Sat, Nov 01 North Carolina Central * Daytona Beach, Fla. 4:00 p.m.
Sat, Nov 08 Norfolk State * Norfolk, Va. 2:00 p.m
Sat, Nov 15 Hampton * Hampton, Va. 1:00 p.m.
Sat, Nov 22 Florida A&M * Orlando, Fla. TBA Florida Blue Florida Classic 
Sat. Nov 29  FCS Playoffs

*MEAC Game
Bold -- Home Game



COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Bethune-Cookman Shuts Out Coppin State In MEAC Opener

ORMOND BEACH, Florida  --  Kelsey Rodney drove in three runs, and Sabrina Anguiano and Shanel Tolbert combined on the shutout as Bethune-Cookman downed Coppin State 6-0 in its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament opener Thursday at Ormond Beach Sports Complex.

The Wildcats (23-29) will meet the Hampton-Savannah State winner Thursday at 7 p.m. Coppin State (12-26) plays the Hampton-Savannah State loser at 4:30 p.m.

Bailey  Conner added a two-run single in the Wildcats’ three-run third inning after Rodney drove in her first run when she was hit by a pitch.

In the fourth, Breanna Chavez scored her second run of the game on an error, then Rodney brought in Wanda Darby and Calesha Shelley to make it a 6-0 game.

Shelley, named a Second Team All Conference selection early Thursday, also scored two runs for the Wildcats.

Anguiano, a freshman, scattered seven hits over her five innings, walking none and striking out three. Tolbert struck out two in her two innings. It was Anguiano’s second shutout of the season.

BOX SCORE

COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU Bests NSU 1-0 To Advance In MEAC Tournament

Lady Rattlers advance to face North Division No.1 Seed Delaware State at 7 p.m. Thursday

ORMOND BEACH, Florida  (May 8) – Senior Christina Robbs singled and later stole home in the top of first for the game’s only run in a 1-0 opening round victory for the Florida A&M University Softball team over Norfolk State University in the 2014 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Softball Championships at the Ormoind Beach Sports Complex here Thursday afternoon.

FAMU (21-27) advances in the winner’s bracket to face Northern Division winner Delaware State at 7 p.m., while Norfolk State (19-25) moved into the elimination round to face North Carolina A&T at 4:30 e p.m.

Robbs reached on a one-out single for FAMU in top of the first, then stole second, and third. Amber Fullwood then reached on a walk, then the pair combined on a double steal with Robbs scoring the game’s only run from third.

FAMU finished with just that one hit by Robbs of Norfolk State’s Jamie Schulle (13-18), who struck out three and walked three while tossing the one-hitter. Freshman Kenya Perrira (6-8) was the winning pitcher for FAMU, scattering four hits while striking out seven against no walks.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Catching up with Former TSU Robert Covington

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- Former Tennessee State men’s basketball player Robert Covington dropped by to recap his first year of playing professional basketball. He was signed by the Rockets, named MVP of the D-League All-Star Game and Rookie of the Year while playing for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

Covington also gives new head coach Dana Ford a vote of confidence and details his summer plans. Watch the full video interview, below.




COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Tennessee State inks Florida Track Star Jemarruse Amos

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  Hurdler and jumper Jemarruse Amos has signed a letter of intent to become a member of the Tennessee State track and field team next season.

“With his ability to participate in the 110-meter hurdles and triple-jump, Amos gives us the ability to continue to be competitive on the track and in the field,” assistant coach Tara Myrick said. “I think he will come in, be a team player, a positive force and have a will to win.”

 

Amos is a highly-touted prospect from Jacksonville, Florida who ranks as the fifth-best 110-meter hurdler in the state and 21^st in the nation (14.04 seconds). He also has the 20^th best triple-jump mark (46 inches) while competing for William Raines High School.

 

The addition of Amos should help soften the blow of losing Michael Johnson, who will graduate this month.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Veney-Battle Named Virginia Union Head Volleyball Coach

Coach Shaquana Veney-Battle
Photo Courtesy VUU Athletics

RICHMOND, Virginia  --  Shaquana Veney-Battle has been named the new Head Volleyball Coach at Virginia Union University.

Veney-Battle comes to VUU after serving as a volleyball coach in Japan, where she trained high-school as well as college-aged student-athletes.  She spent a total of two years overseas preparing student-athletes for college careers.

In addition to her training student-athletes, Veney-Battle created a Special Olympics program in Japan.  The program consisted of training Japanese and American citizens with and without intellectual disabilities to play in the largest unified sporting event in Asia-Pacific.

Veney-Battle has coached numerous high school volleyball and track & field teams in the U.S.A., including AAU National Teams.

Veney-Battle was a stand-out player at Fayetteville State University from 2004-08.  Veney-Battle led the Lady Broncos to the 2007 CIAA Championship and was All-CIAA at libero (defensive specialist) the same year.

Veney-Battle, a Richmond, Va., native, played her high-school volleyball at Varina High School and was a part of the traveling AAU Team from Richmond, Va.

Veney-Battle received her Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education from Fayetteville State in 2008 and received her Master's in Sports Management from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

Veney-Battle is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and has been married since 2010.  She and her husband, Brackery, have one dog, Yoshi.

COURTESY VIRIGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Livingstone College Announces New Women's Basketball Coach

(L) LC Athletics Director Andre Springs and (R) Coach Anita Howard

Salisbury, North Carolina – The Livingstone College Athletic Director, Andre Springs, is proud to announce the hiring of Anita Howard as the new head women's basketball coach for the Lady Blue Bears team. Howard replaced Angelyne Brown, who resigned at the end of the 2013-14season.

"I'm honored to be here at Livingstone and become part of the Blue Bear family," said Howard.

Howard comes to the Lady Blue Bear women's basketball program with a successful coaching career.

"We at Livingstone College are excited to bring in Coach Howard. If you read about her and look at her history she is a winner, and that's the kind of spirit we want on campus," said Coach Andre Springs.

Coach Howard has spent the last two years as the head women's basketball coach at Salem College out of the Great South Athletic Conference, where she built a winless program into a conference championship team. She also had a player named the GSAC Player of the Year while her team finished the regular season undefeated in conference play. Howard was named the GSAC Coach of the Year in 2013.

Howard is no stranger to the CIAA. Prior to coaching at Salem she spent a season as the associate head coach for the Lady Falcons of Saint Augustine's University. She served as the head of basketball operations as well as being the recruiting coordinator and defense coordinator. Howard gained career experience at Shaw University. While serving as an assistant coach, she help guide the Shaw Lady Bears to their 2011 CIAA Conference Championship. She also served as an assistant coach at Winston-Salem State University during their transition back to the CIAA.

Joining Howard on the coaching staff will be Shayla Fields, who is returning as an assistant coach, and Latasha Shipman-Ganus, who will serve as the associate head women's basketball coach.

"I'm excited about my coaching staff," said Howard. "They both come from phenomenal backgrounds so we are looking to build a championship mentality around our student-athletes."

Howard graduated from Armstrong Atlantic State University Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Fine Art and Design. She played one season for AASU where she was the team captain and was named the team's defender of the year. She led AASU to their first ever Peach Belt Conference Championship in 2003 while leading her team to their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance.

Howard also played at Fort Valley State University where she was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and led FVSU to two Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Conference Championships in 2000 and 2001, and one SIAC runner-up finish in 1999.

Howard exemplified the term "student-athlete." While at FVSU she made the Dean's List twice.

"I'm a leader of women, so I like to develop my players as a whole, very similar to the college's theme of holistic learning. It's bigger than getting a ring. We want to make sure we do our due diligence and be citizens within our community," said Howard. "While being a student-athlete, it's about being connected with our community and speaking to the alumni because they are who push the institution."

COURTESY LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

MVSU student-athletes, others recognized at banquet

Banquet Program
Photo Gallery
COURTESY MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
 

ITTA BENA, Mississippi – The Mississippi Valley State Athletics Department recognized its student-athletes on Thursday, May 1 during the annual Athletics Banquet at the Charles Lackey Recreational Building on the MVSU campus.

Student-athletes, faculty, staff, alumni and MVSU family were all recognized during the formal event that featured a presentation by the Department of Mass Communications. MVSU Director of Athletics Dianthia Ford-Kee also presented awards to the Greenwood Leflore Hospital, Thompson Hospitality, Leflore County Civic Center, Chawla Management Company and the Greenwood Mississippi Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Graduating seniors were also recognized during the banquet.

Joyce Chumo, of the MVSU cross country and track and field teams, and Grant Reifers, of the MVSU baseball team, were awarded the President's Award for Academic Excellence for the highest cumulative GPA. Also, Alexandria Garland (volleyball) and Blake Ralling (men's basketball) were bestowed with the Athletic Director's Sportsmanship Award. Ashley Beals (women's basketball) and James Currington were selected as the Athletic Director's Rookie of the Year while Joyce Chumo (cross country / track and field) and Daniel Kibet (cross country / track and field) were named Athlete of the Year.

Meanwhile, the MVSU women's soccer team was recognized for the team with the highest GPA.

Team MVP
Shanesse Spratt (Women's Soccer)
Toussaint Brock (Men's Golf)
Ashley Taylor (Women's Golf)
Jasmyne Sanders (Women's Basketball)
Anthony McDonald (Men's Basketball)
Alexandria Garland (Volleyball)
Jonathan Parker (Baseball)
Daniel Kibet (Men's Cross Country, Men's Indoor Track & Field, Men's Outdoor Track and Field)
Joyce Chumo (Women's Cross Country, Women's Indoor Track & Field, Women's Outdoor Track & Field)
Antonio Griggs (Football - Offensive)
Avery Boykin (Football - Defensive)
Cherchen Galon (Football - Special Teams)
Alexandria Webb (Cheerleading)
Jasmin Brisco (Athletic Training)

President's Award of Academic Excellece
Joyce Chumo (Track and Field / Cross Country)
Grant Reifers (Baseball)

Athletic Director's Sportsmanship Award
Alexandria Garland (Volleyball)
Blake Ralling (Men's Basketball)

Athletic Director's Rookie of the Year Award
Ashley Beals (Women's Basketball)
James Currington (Men's Basketball)

Athletic Director's Athlete of the Year
Joyce Chumo (Track and Field / Cross Country)
Daniel Kibet (Track and Field / Cross Country)

Athletic Director's Special Awards
Greenwood Leflore Hospital
Thompson Hospitality
Chawla Management Company
Leflore County Civic Center
Greenwood Mississippi Convention and Visitors Bureau

FAMU Rattlers Win 4th Straight, Downs JU 5-4 In 10 Innings

Courtesy Florida A&M Sports Information

JACKSONVILLE, Florida Kendal Weeks’ RBI double in the 10^th inning lifted Florida A&M (23-24, 13-10 MEAC) to a 5-4 win over Jacksonville (15-29, 8-12 A-SUN) on Wednesday at John Sessions Field. The win is a season-high fourth straight victory for the Rattlers and 10^th straight win in games decided by one run.
 –  After letting the lead slip away in the ninth,

David Duncan (5-4) earned the win after pitching the final 1 1/3 innings, only allowing one hit with one strikeout and one walk. Jared Walker went 3-for-5 on the night with two doubles.

JU took a 1-0 lead with a run in the bottom of the third inning. Alex Seifert led off the third with a single to center. Seifert would advance to third after a sac bunt from Garret Ruckel and a groundout by Cameron Gibson. Michael Babb’s RBI double down the right line plated Seifert for the early lead.

The Rattlers took their first lead at 2-0 in the fifth inning on Barlow’s two-run single. Walker led off the top of the fifth with double down the left line and Robinson reached on a throwing error by Dolphin shortstop Scott Schaub. Marlon Gibbs tried to lay down a sac bunt to advance the runners, but popped it up back to the pitcher for the first out. Walker and Robinson pulled off the double steal and Barlow then slapped the go-ahead single into right field to give FAMU their first lead of the game.

Robinson’s RBI single in the sixth pushed the FAMU lead to 3-1.

Florida A&M added a run in the top of the ninth to increase its lead to 4-1. Walker recorded his second double of the game to lead off the ninth and then moved to third on a wild pitch. Walker would score the fourth run of the game on a grounder to third by Gibbs.

The FAMU lead didn’t last as the Dolphins tied the game at 4-4 after scoring three runs in the bottom of the ninth. Gibson’s RBI single scored Dylan Dillard from second and Babb’s two-run double into the right-center gap scored Ruckel and Gibson to tie the game.

Florida A&M took the lead for good at 5-4 on Weeks’ RBI double in the top of the 10^th inning. Logan Seymour pinch hit for designated hitter Michael Birdsong and led off with a walk. After Ryan Hutson popped up to short, Weeks crushed a double off the wall in right to bring home Seymour all the way from first in what proved to be the game winner.

Jacksonville reliever Andrew Ciacio (0-4), in his first career appearance, took the loss after giving up two runs on two hits in 1 1/3 innings of work.

The Rattlers close out the regular season at home on Saturday with a single game against North Carolina Central. The game is a make up game that was rained out back on March 23. First pitch at Moore-Kittles Field is scheduled for 2:00 pm.

As always, fans can follow Rattler Baseball on Twitter @FAMUAthletics and live stats will be available via www.FAMUAthletics.com.

Box Score

By Michael Morrell/Special to FAMU Athletics
COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Tennessee State Releases 2014 Football Schedule; Tigers To Split Home Games Between LP Field and Hale

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- On Wednesday, Tennessee State University announced its full schedule for the 2014 football season. The slate includes six home games, five away and one neutral-site contest.

On Aug. 30, Big Blue will square off against Edward Waters in the John Merritt Classic. Waters is an independent NAIA school from Jacksonville, Fla. The Tigers were 1-9 last year including a 63-12 loss at Alcorn State.

 

TSU will hit the road for non-conference action against Alabama State on Sept. 6. Tennessee State is 10-1 all-time against the Hornets, but the two teams haven’t met since 2000.

 

After the 25^th annual Southern Heritage Classic versus Jackson State, the Tigers will host their first September home game in Hale Stadium in 15 years when they host Tennessee Tech on Sept. 20.

 

TSU returns to LP Field on Sept. 27 for the earliest homecoming game since at least 1953 as Big Blue looks to improve to 4-0 against Florida A&M in the Rod Reed era.

 

The Tigers’ first OVC road contest is Oct. 4 at SEMO and then the squad will play back-to-back games in “The Hole”- one against Jacksonville State (Oct. 11) and the other versus UT Martin (Oct. 18).

 

Big Blue will then get a chance for revenge when they travel to the team that ended its season last year, Eastern Illinois, before hosting Eastern Kentucky at LP Field for Senior Day on Nov. 1.

 

After a trip to Austin Peay on the following Saturday and a bye on Nov. 15, TSU will wrap up the regular season at Murray State on Nov. 22.

 

The entire 2014 football schedule can be seen, here.

2014 TSU Football Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time (CT)

Aug 30 Edward Waters Nashville, Tenn.(LP Field) 6:00 p.m., John Merritt Classic

Sep 06 Alabama State Montgomery, Ala. TBA

Sep 13 Jackson State Memphis, Tenn. 6:00 p.m., Southern Heritage Classic

Sep 20 Tennessee Tech * Nashville, Tenn. (Hale Stadium) 2:00 p.m.

Sep 27 Florida A&M Nashville, Tenn. (LP Field) 6:00 p.m. Homecoming

Oct 04 Southeast Missouri * Cape Girardeau, Mo. 1:00 p.m.

Oct 11 Jacksonville State * Nashville, Tenn. (Hale Stadium) 2:00 p.m.

Oct 18 UT Martin * Nashville, Tenn. (Hale Stadium) 2:00 p.m.

Oct 25 Eastern Illinois * Charleston, Ill. 1:30 p.m.

Nov 01 Eastern Kentucky * Nashville, Tenn. (LP Field) 2:00 p.m.

Nov 08 Austin Peay * Clarksville, Tenn. TBA

Nov 15 OPEN

Nov 22 Murray State * Murray, Ky. 1:00 p.m.

Nov 29 FCS Playoffs TBA

* Conference Games