Bethune-Cookman men and women sweep titles for second straight season at 2014 PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship

BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY MEN'S GOLF TEAM 
Courtesy Montana Pritchard/The PGA of America

PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida -- For the second consecutive year, both the men’s and women’s teams from Bethune-Cookman University claimed titles in a thrilling final round Sunday at the 28th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship.

Bethune-Cookman won its seventh title in the Division I Men's competition, while in the Women’s Division, Bethune-Cookman claimed its Championship-record 11th title.

This marks the fourth time that the men and women from Bethune-Cookman have won both titles in the same year.

The 54-hole Championship featured nearly 200 players representing more than 40 colleges and universities competing at PGA Golf Club.

The Bethune-Cookman women's team, which was tied with Chicago State University heading into the final round, used a 4-over-par 292 total to win the division by six strokes. Chicago State was looking for its first title in school history. The University of Houston-Victoria finished third.

Bethune-Cookman’s team total improved in each of the three rounds on the Ryder Course. PGA Professional Scooter Clark, the head men’s and women’s coach, was pleased by the play of both teams.

Photo Gallery: Career Expo | Welcome Dinner | Friday | Saturday | Sunday

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ASU Isaiah Crowell will get NFL shot in Cleveland

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Isaiah Crowell has talent worthy of a draft pick, but will enter the NFL as a free agent with the Cleveland Browns.

So why wasn't he picked?

Even though his gun charges were dropped from when he was at Georgia, it's hard for an NFL team to justify drafting a player who had that kind of brush with the law.

Crowell was dismissed from the team and landed at Alabama State.

Free agent: Isaiah Crowell joins Browns after going undrafted

When you have that hanging over your head, you have to be a dominant player for a team to look past that and draft you. He had dominant moments at Alabama State, but not a dominant career.



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Robert Cain Relieved as TSU Tennis Coach

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- Tennessee State director of athletics Teresa Phillips announced that Robert Cain has been relieved of his duties as the head coach of the TSU tennis programs.

 

Cain was in his second year with the Tiger program that showed improvements on the court this season.

 

“We thank Coach Cain for his two years of service with University and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” commented Phillips.

 

At the conclusion on of the season, the teams were the recipients of the 2013-2014 OVC Sportsmanship Award for Tennis. It marked the third time the TSU programs have swept the awards, also doing so in 2007-08 and 2011-12.

 

Before coming to Tennessee State, Cain spent six years as the head coach at Arkansas Pine-Bluff.

 

A search for Cain’s replacement will begin in the coming weeks.

 

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Jeff Dabney Not Retained as Tennessee State Softball Coach

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- Tennessee State Athletics Director Teresa Phillips announced that softball coach Jeff Dabney will not be retained. TSU is coming off an 18-38 campaign and a 6-20 mark in the Ohio Valley Conference.

The Tigers missed out on the OVC Tournament for the 13th consecutive season.

“We appreciate the effort Coach Dabney has made during his time at TSU to bring quality student athletes to our campus that represent the university through their hard work on the field and classroom,” said Phillips. “At this time, however, we feel it is best to go in a different direction. We wish Coach Dabney the best.”

Dabney coached the Tigers for four seasons, compiling a 58-155 (.272) record. One of the highlights in Dabney’s career in blue was a win over SEC opponent South Carolina in 2012.

Prior to TSU, Dabney served as an assistant coach for two seasons at Southeast Missouri State.

A search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Florida A&M Lady Rattlers To Face Gators In NCAA Regional

COURTESY FAMU ATHLETICS

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (May 11) – The FAMU Lady Rattlers (24-27) will face the Gators of the University of Florida (45-11) on May 15 in Gainesville, Fla.  The pairing was announced tonight on the NCAA selection show, aired live on ESPNU.

The Lady Rattlers, fresh off their romp through the MEAC tournament, watched the show at Buffalo Wild Wings as a group.  The place erupted as their name came across the screen in the Gainesville Regional.

The regional tournament will be double elimination, with the winner advancing to the NCAA Super Regional.  The Gators earned an automatic bid to the tournament as did the Lady Rattlers, but because of their No.5 seeding, they will host and can stay at home as long as they win, leading up to the NCAA Softball College World Series.

The Lady Rattlers last won the MEAC Tournament, advancing to the NCAA Regional in 2009.  They were eliminated by the then ranked No.1 Florida Gators 12-0, followed by a 9-0 loss to Lehigh.  That season, the Florida Gators made it all the way to the championship series in Oklahoma City before being defeated two straight games in a best of three by the Washington Huskies.

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Alcorn State eliminated from NCAA Tennis Tournament

ALCORN STATE BRAVES
2014 SWAC MEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONS
ROSTER

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Alcorn State closed out its tennis season with a 4-0 loss to the No. 8 seed Texas A&M in the first round of the NCAA Tennis Tournament at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center in on Saturday.

Lucas Morviac, Nischay Rawal, and Max Tkachenko finished their matches for ALC (9-9) but were defeated in two sets. The Braves dropped back-to-back doubles matches falling behind 1-0.

#8 Texas A&M, 4, Alcorn State 0
May 10, 2014, College Station, Texas
George P. Mitchell Tennis Center

 

Singles

No. 1 – #19 Harrison Adams (A&M) vs. Ernesto Snatillan (ALC) 6-0, 5-2 unfinished

No. 2 – #22 Shane Vinsant (A&M) def. Lucas Morviac (ALC) 6-2, 6-0

No. 3 – #69 Jeremy Efferding (A&M) def. Nischay Rawal (ALC) 6-1, 6-0

No. 4 – Junior Ore (A&M) def. Max Tkachenko (ALC) 6-2, 6-1

No. 5 – Jackson Withrow (A&M) vs. Nikita Kostikov (ALC) 6-6 (4-0) unfinished

No. 6 – Jordan Szabo (A&M) vs. Garry Armor (ALC) 6-2, 4-0 unfinished

Doubles

No. 1 – #6 Ore/Withrow (A&M) vs. Santillan/Kostikov (ALC) 6-5 unfinished)

No. 2 – #70 Adams/Vinsant (A&M) def. Armor/Rawal (ALC) 8-1

No. 3 – #89 Efferding/Szabo (A&M) def. Tkachenko/Morviac (ALC) 8-2

Order of finish: Doubles 2, 3; Singles 3, 2, 4

 

Team Records: Texas A&M 25-6; Alcorn State 9-9

 

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS 

Bill Nunn, 89, Steelers scout extraordinaire; journalist; former WVSU basketball star passed on Tuesday

During his 46 seasons in the NFL, Bill Nunn was a pioneer in creating opportunities for athletes from traditionally Black Colleges

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania  -- If Dan Rooney can be called the visionary and Chuck Noll the architect in the building of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ dynasty of the 1970s that produced four Super Bowl championships over a span of six seasons, well, then Bill Nunn was a guy who made sure the warehouse was stocked with construction materials.

Bill Nunn is widely known as one of the National Football League’s preeminent scouts of the last 50 years, the man largely responsible for opening the pipeline from the predominantly black colleges in the south to the NFL, but he was so much more than that.

Born William Nunn Jr., he was a college basketball player so talented that he was asked to help integrate the NBA after World War II. He was a journalist – first a sports writer, then sports editor, then managing editor of The Pittsburgh Courier during an era when it was one of the most influential black publications in America. He dabbled in sports promotions, some boxing matches and some Negro League baseball games involving the Indianapolis Clowns playing at Forbes Field. He was the son of William G. Nunn Sr., an editor at The Pittsburgh Courier starting in the 1940s, and the father of Bill Nunn III, an actor whose film credits include “Do the Right Thing,” “Regarding Henry,” “Sister Act,” and “Spider-Man.” And even though Bill Nunn Jr. always contended that he was the third most famous Bill Nunn in his family, he was a pioneer whose work directly created opportunities for hundreds of athletes while helping to throw the doors wide open for thousands more.

Mr. Nunn, 89, died on Tuesday night in the hospital as the result of complications of a stroke he had suffered recently. His death was some 48 hours before what would have been his 46th NFL Draft as a full-time scout for the Steelers.

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Bill Nunn and Roger Guenver Smith Banter in The Burgh in 2011

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Texas Southern Lady Tigers Softball wins 2014 SWAC Championship 6-3 over Mississippi Valley State

Texas Southern Lady Tigers 2014 SWAC Softball Champions

DECATUR, Alabama  -- Texas Southern scored four runs in the sixth inning to capture its first SWAC Softball Tournament championship with a 6-3 win over defending champions Mississippi Valley State at Wilson Morgan Park on Sunday.

With the game tied at one heading into the bottom of fifth, TSU (31-18) took the lead when pinch runner Tiffany Marshall scored on a single by SWAC Co Freshman of the Year, Krystalani Yockman, to go out in front, 2-1.

In the sixth with one out, Brianna Parker drove in Jessica Miller on a ground-out fielder's choice to the shortstop to spark the Lady Tigers. With Princess Daniels at third, and

Chelsea Guenther at second, Thomasina Garza picked up a walk to load the bases.

Garza finished 1-of-2 at the plate with a run scored. She was named tournament MVP after recording three home runs, a double, and nine RBI. She hit .538 in four games while scoring five runs.

Yockman singled again to score Daniels before Briana Simpson slapped a double to drive in a pair of runs to extend TSU's lead, 6-1.Miller, Daniels, and Yockman registered multiple hits for the Lady Tigers. Miller was perfect at the plate with a run scored, Daniels went 2-for-3 with a run scored and Yockman hit 3-of-4 with two RBI. Simpson finished with two RBI on one hit.

Madison Staton (12-6) picked up the win throwing six innings. She gave up five hits, three earned runs, while recording four strikeouts. Staton finished with a tournament high, 10 strikeouts through four games.

In the seventh, MVSU (14-16) began to rally and posted a threat after Omeshia Moffett doubled to left field. Natalia Covarrubias followed with a double to drive in Moffett before Sammantha Jimenez came in relief for Staton.

Brandi Williams singled to left center to keep the MVSU alive, with no outs, scoring Covarrubias to close the gap, 6-3. On the next at bats, Jimenez forced a fly out, follow by a strike out and ground out to the mound, to seal the game.

"This is truly a great feeling," said TSU head coach Worley Barker. "We've been playing our best softball the past couple of weeks. I'm extremely proud of this group of young ladies. Going into this tournament we talked about getting timely hits, pitching the ball well, and playing solid defense. We did really wells in those three facets of the game and we made the plays we had to make. We got contributions from our entire lineup and Madison Staton really stepped up as well as Sammantha Jimenez inside the circle. This was an overall team effort that allowed us to accomplish our goals and win this championship."

Texas Southern captures its second overall title and will receive the SWAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Softball Tournament. The Lady Tigers will face a team to be announced after the NCAA Division I Softball Committee reveals the 64-team field for the 2014 NCAA Softball Tournament on Sunday, May 11, during the selection show at 9 p.m. CT on ESPNU.

Box Score 

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B-CU men extend lead, while women tied with Chicago State

PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman University extended its lead in the Division I Men's competition on Saturday, while Chicago State University and Bethune-Cookman are tied in the women’s division heading into the final round of 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 on Sunday.

 

The Bethune-Cookman women's team, which trailed Chicago State by 12 strokes heading into the second round, improved its team total by 26 strokes to put themselves in position for a third consecutive title in the Championship.

 

The team was led in the second round by junior Andrea Orozco, who followed up an 81 in the opening round with a 2-under-par 70 in round two.

 

“We want to repeat as champions again and we were making it happen playing as well as we did today,” said Orozco. “We are set to win tomorrow and will try to go as low as possible as a team.”

 

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Music mogul Sean Combs receives honorary doctorate from Howard University

WATCH IN 1080P HD, FULL SCREEN -- COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Commencement 2014 Photo Gallery (33 images)

WASHINGTON, D.C.  --  You can call him Dr. Combs.

Rap and music mogul Sean Combs electrified Howard University’s Class of 2014 on Saturday with a commencement speech that was thoughtful, funny and, surprisingly, sentimental.

“Throughout my life, I have rushed through some of my great moments,” he told the crowd, clearly savoring the occasion. “I promised myself if I ever reached this moment I would take my time.”

That’s right folks — the man of many monikers — Sean John, Puff Daddy, P. Diddy and very briefly, Swag, has added a new one, now that he has an honorary doctorate from Howard University. Dr. Diddy? Perhaps on informal occasions. But more formally, please call him Dr. Combs.
   
“Only this family could take one of its sons who already had three name changes and give him a fourth — Dr. Sean Combs.”



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WSSU’s Fields will sign with Oakland Raiders

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- It didn’t take long for Carlos Fields of Winston-Salem State to put behind him the disappointment of not getting selected in the NFL Draft.

A few minutes after the seven-round, 256-player draft ended Saturday, Fields had already lined up a free-agent deal with the Oakland Raiders. He had five teams to choose from, but decided that Oakland was the place for him.



Fields, a linebacker, said he will sign with the Raiders later this week and get a shot at making an NFL roster.

“It was a slow process,” Fields said about watching the three-day draft, “but about the sixth round or so today my phone was ringing off the hook. So it picked up for me in a hurry.”

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TSU's Edwards, Rhaney Selected in the 2014 NFL Draft

Courtesy: Tennessee State Athletics

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Former offensive linemen, Kadeem Edwards and Demetrius Rhaney, were selected on day three of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Edwards, a native of Sanford, Florida will return to the Sunshine State as the Bucs’ fourth selection in the draft, the 143rd pick overall. Rhaney waited until the seventh round and the 250th pick before the St. Louis Rams called his name.

The 2014 draft marks the first time since 2000 for two Tigers to go in the same draft. Tackle Michael Thompson was selected in the 4th round, #100, by the Atlanta Falcons, while WR Avion Black was taken 21 picks later by the Buffalo Bills.

 

The Tiger tandem helped the Ohio Valley Conference to the most selections for an FCS conference, with four. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppollo, Eastern Illinois, and wide receiver Walter Powell, Murray State, were picked by the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals, respectively. The four selections were the most for the OVC since 1996 when five players were taken.

This past season, Edwards was named First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference after starting 13 games for the Tigers. He was the top offensive lineman for the Tigers who finished the season 10-4 overall, 6-2 and second place in the OVC.
 

Following his senior season, Edwards was invited to the 2014 Reese’s Senior Bowl and named an All-American by Beyond Sports Network, BOXTOROW, Sports Network, Heritage Sports Radio Network and to the Associated Press’s Second Team.

Rhaney played in all 12 games his senior campaign, starting 11 at center. At close to 300 pounds, Rhaney excelled at the TSU Pro Day as he clocked a 4.89 in the 40-yard dash and a shuttle time of 4.72. Rhaney impressed in the bench press, recording 24 reps and also hopped 29 inches in the vertical jump.

 

The Fort Lauderdale, Florida product started 22 games for the Big Blue after transferring from Elsworth Community College. Rhaney was taken one pick after the Rams selected Missouri linebacker Michael Sam.

The frontline duo helped earn an at-large berth to the FCS Playoffs and blocked for Tim Broughton who rushed for 1,146 yards (25th-most nationally) and six touchdowns. They also protected a quarterback duo that combined for 26 passes touchdowns and only four interceptions.

After the draft, tight end, A.C. Leonard and safety David Van Dyke signed free agent contracts. Leonard inked with the Minnesota Vikings, while Van Dyke accepted a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Edwards and Rhaney are the first Tigers to be drafted since Javarris Williams in 2009.

 

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19 student-athletes, 3 managers receive Xavier degrees

Head Coach Bo Browder, Jolie Bellow and Athletic Director Jason Horn
at Xavier University of Louisiana

PHOTO GALLERY

NEW ORLEANS — Nineteen student-athletes, current and former, received degrees Saturday at Xavier University of Louisiana's 2014 commencement at the XU Convocation Center.
   
Also graduating were three student managers employed by the athletics department.

Student-athletes graduating (with high schools in parentheses) were:
   
•  Angelica Andreana Alexander, Shreveport, La. (Byrd), women's basketball and track and field, bachelor of science.
   
•  Jolie Therese Bellow, Natchez, La. (Natchitoches Central), women's basketball, bachelor of science.

•  Courtney Regina Bettis, Denver, Colo. (Denver School of Science and Technology), women's basketball, bachelor of science.
   
•  Anthony Shareef Boswell, Slidell, La. (St. Stanislaus), men's basketball, bachelor of science.
   
•  Chelsea Paige Broussard, Arnaudville, La. (Beau Chene), women's basketball and track and field, bachelor of science.
   
•  Amber Queandrea Brown, Decatur, Ga. (home-schooled), women's tennis, bachelor of science.
   
•  Landon E. Bussie, Baltimore, Md. (Woodlawn), men's basketball, master of arts.
   
•  Paige Antoinette Gauthier, Lake Charles, La. (St. Louis Catholic), women's basketball and track and field, bachelor of science.
   
•  Nicholas Pierre Haywood, Monroe, La. (Ouachita), men's basketball, bachelor of science.   

•  James L. Hearn, Newport News, Va. (Woodside), men's cross country, bachelor of science.
   
•  Carmen Chandalear Holcombe, Plano, Texas (Plano West), women's basketball and track and field, bachelor of science.
   
•  Marchelle Rene Jones, Baton Rouge, La. (Episcopal), women's basketball and track and field, bachelor of science.
   
•  Etheral Latrice Lesene, New Orleans, La. (The Colony), women's basketball, bachelor of science.
   
•  Javon Donnell Mead, Baton Rouge, La. (Baton Rouge Magnet), men's cross country and track and field, bachelor of science.
   
•  Shamarri Denise Riddle, Flint, Mich. (Grand Blanc), women's track and field, bachelor of science.
   
•  Charles Lovoy Shaw, Birmingham, Ala. (Woodlawn), men's cross country, doctor of pharmacy.
   
•  Renard E. Smith, New Orleans, La. (McDonogh 35), men's basketball, bachelor of science.
   
•  Danielle Marie Tucker, Rochester, N.Y. (McDonogh 35), women's basketball, bachelor of arts.
   
•  Dannie L. Woods Jr., San Antonio, Texas (Sam Houston), men's basketball, master of arts in teaching.
   
Student-managers graduating were:
   
•  Kamille Dene Deloach, women's basketball, bachelor of science.
   
•  Ariel Chanel Ellis, men's basketball, bachelor of arts.
   
•  Taylor Reneé Loyd, men's basketball, bachelor of science.
   
Mead graduated magna cum laude and received a university service key award. Loyd graduated with honors in English.
   
Xavier is one of 38 U.S. colleges listed as a "Best Buy School" in the 2014 edition of the Fiske Guide to Colleges.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/xulagold 

Florida A&M tops Bethune-Cookman 4-2 to claim MEAC softball championship

ORMOND BEACH, Florida  -- Things didn't start out well for Florida A&M pitcher Kenya Pereira on Saturday.
             

Bethune-Cookman's first four batters of the game got hits, including Kelsey Rodney, who smashed a two-run homer over the left-field fence in the top of the first.

 

But Pereira, a freshman right-hander, did not allow another hit until the fifth inning, and the Rattlers went on to defeat the Wildcats 4-2 to win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament softball championship at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.

 

Pereira, who allowed just two earned runs in 26.1 tournament innings, was named the tourney's outstanding performer, while FAMU's Veronica Wiggins was named oustanding coach. The Rattlers (24-27) allowed a total of three runs to win four consecutive tourney games and advance to the NCAA regionals for the first time since 2009.

 

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ASU's Wenzig Invited to Kansas City Chiefs Minicamp

Bobby Wenzig
Courtesy ASU Athletics

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Former Alabama State University kicker/punter Bobby Wenzig, has been invited to the Kansas City Chiefs minicamp that will take place at the end of May.

Wenzig is arguably the most decorated football player to have ever put on an ASU uniform. He has been a difference-maker for ASU ever since he transferred to the Hornets following a year at Arizona State. He is a two-time All-America selection as well as a three-time All-Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) pick.

The San Diego, Calif., native finished his career averaging 43 yards per punt.  He was a master of being able to down his punts to pin the opposition next to their own goal line as 68 of his 208 punts were downed inside the 20 yard line.  He also had the ability to punt for distance changing field position for the Hornets defense.  He had 61 punts travel over 50 yards.

Wenzig also handled kick off, field goal and PAT duties for ASU.  He hit 35 field goals during his three years and 69 PAT's.  He finished his career with 204 points becoming only the fourth ASU player to score over 200 points during his career.

"I am very happy to have the opportunity to go to Kansas City and compete at the rookie mini-camp! I am going in there as a combo kicker. It gives me the chance to show that I can do in all aspects of kicking and punting.

Alex Smith is also from San Diego and I look forward to meeting him soon."

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SWAC Softball Championship Preview

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- No. 1 West seed Texas Southern and No. 3 East seed Mississippi Valley State will meet for the 2014 Southwestern Athletic Conference Softball Championship on Sunday, May 11, at Wilson Morgan Park in Decatur, Ala.. First pitch is slated for 10 a.m.

TSU (30-18) enters the final round after defeating in-state rivals Prairie View A&M, 5-2, on Saturday. Texas Southern captured the Western  title during the regular season and are led by Thomasina Garza.

For the tournament, Garza connected 6-of-11 with four runs scored, nine RBI and three home runs including two dingers in the win against PVAMU. She is currently batting .407 on the season. The Lady Tigers make their second championship game appearance after capturing the title in 2000.

Defending tournament champions, MVSU (14-34) makes an unprecedented 10th consecutive championship game appearance winning eight titles during the spread.

The Devilettes will have a chance to earn a third straight title after defeating top seeded Jackson State, 4-3. MVSU is powered by Brandi Williams during its 2014 tournament run. Williams has recorded five RBI hitting 5-of-9. Jahcenda Garrett is the only Devilette hitting over 300 on the year posting a .314 batting average.

This will be the third time TSU and MVSU will meet in the SWAC tournament and the first in the title game. The Devilettes defeated the Lady Tigers 7-0 in 2006 and 1-0 in 2013. MVSU holds the series record, 18-4, since 1997, however, TSU won the last meeting during the league's divisional crossover round-up, 17-4, on March 22.

For the meetings, MVSU has outscored TSU 111-66.

 

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

FAMU Overcomes Huge Deficit To Defeat NCCU 9-8

Courtesy Florida A&M Sports Information

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Bennie Robinson’s game-winning RBI double in the bottom of the eighth pushed Florida A&M (24-24, 14-10 MEAC) to a 9-8 victory over North Carolina Central (19-31-1, 12-12 MEAC) on Saturday afternoon at Moore-Kittles Field. Ryan Kennedy’s three-run home run in the fifth tied the game at 7-7 before the Rattlers took the lead for good in the eighth. The win clinches the #2 seed in the Southern Division for FAMU.

The game was resumed from a suspended game due to rain on March 23. The game started with the Rattlers trailing 6-0 in the top of the second inning, with two outs and the bases loaded.

The win is the fifth straight for FAMU and its 11^th straight win in games decided by one run. Robinson extended his consecutive games on base streak to 44 games.

Four Rattlers (Robinson, Kennedy, Ryan Hutson and Marlon Gibbs) recorded multiple hits on the day.

Brandon Fleming (5-4) worked a scoreless eighth and ninth inning for the win. Fleming only allowed one hit with two strikeouts. The pitching staff came in to the suspended game trailing 6-0 but only allowed two runs on the day which was enough to let the FAMU offense to get rolling. William Carrasco started the resumed game and only allowed one run on four hits in 4 2/3 innings pitched.

Christian Triplett, for the Eagles, lined out to first on the very first pitch of the game from Carrasco to strand the bases full.

The Rattlers offense started fast to cut the Eagle lead in half at 6-3 with three runs in the second inning. Hutson led off the bottom of the second with a double to left center. After Devin Perry lined out to the shortstop, Gibbs singled to left with one out to put runners on the corners. Kendal Weeks then smacked a two-run triple into right center to score both Hutson and Gibbs. Jeremy Barlow would plate Weeks from third with a sac fly to center for the third run of the inning.

Florida A&M quickly added another run in the third to make the score 6-4. Peter Jackson singled up the middle and came around to score on Kennedy’s one out double down the left line.

NCCU answered with a run in the top of the fourth inning on Carter Williamson’s sac fly to left that scored Carlos Ortiz, pushing the Eagle lead back to three at 7-4.

FAMU would fight all the way back to take the lead at 8-7 on four runs in the fifth inning. Kennedy’s three-run home run, his eighth of the season, tied the game at 7-7. Hutson doubled down the left line, advanced to third on a fly out by Perry, before coming home for the go ahead run as Gibbs reached on a throwing error by the second baseman.

The Eagles came right back to tie the game at 8-8 with a run in the top of the seventh. Eric Kimber and James Dey recorded back-to-back singles to lead off the inning. Kimber went to third on Dey’s single and scored the tying run from third as Christian Triplett hit into the 6-4-3 double play.

The Rattlers grabbed the lead for good and the final score of 9-8 in the eighth inning. Barlow struck out swinging and Jared Walker popped up to second base for the first two outs of the inning. Jackson then drew a walk to represent the winning run. Robinson followed as he ripped a two out RBI double into the left center gap scoring Jackson from first for the go ahead run.

Eagle reliever Terry McNabb (2-8) suffered the loss after pitching the final 3 2/3 innings. McNabb gave up just one run on two hits with three strikeouts and two walks.

Florida A&M travels to the MEAC Tournament in Norfolk, VA this week. The Rattlers first opponent will be Coppin State on Wednesday, May 14 at 7:30 pm. FAMU will be the #2 seed out of the Southern Division.

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
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Randallstown guard Jerell Cooke picks Morgan State

BALTIMORE, Maryland  -- At first, Jerell Cooke thought he might want to leave Baltimore for college. The Randallstown senior was recruited mostly by junior colleges, so he was preparing himself for a life away from home.

Then Morgan State came calling.



“After the … county championship, the [Morgan State] coach called my [high school] coach,” Cooke said.  “Morgan was looking to offer me and they wanted to recruit me. [I told my coach], ‘Yeah, I like that.’ [He said], ‘Yeah, me too.’”

Cooke committed to the Bears last month, ensuring that his family and friends will be able to see him play in college. The 6-foot-4, 180-pound shooting guard will redshirt his freshman year and then have four years of eligibility to play for the Bears.

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Florida Gators blank S.C. State Bulldogs to open NCAA tourney

GAINESVILLE, Florida  -- Despite a three-week break from competition, it was business as usual for the No. 8 Florida women's tennis team Friday at Linder Stadium.

UF (20-5) had no trouble with MEAC champion South Carolina State (13-6), ending the Bulldogs' season with an efficient 4-0 win in first-round NCAA tournament action.

 

“I thought we played really well,” Florida coach Roland Thornqvist said. “We were a little nervous in the opening 10 minutes of doubles, but managed to play our way through that and executed well.

 

“In these tournaments when you have to play back-to-back days in 90-degree weather, when you are up and have a chance to close it out quickly, it's very important that you do. I thought a two-hour match Saturday was nice, not to have to be on the court for another hour.”

 

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ESPN to air SWAC Softball Tournament semifinal rivalry today

COURTESY SWAC.ORG

DECATUR, Alabama  -- As a  result of the postponed 2014 SWAC Softball Tournament on Friday, May 9, ESPN will noaw air one of two match-ups of the semifinal round.

The Texas Southern versus Prairie View A&M match-up will be aired in place of the original scheduled airing of the SWAC Softball Championship on Saturday, May 10, at 2 p.m. CT on ESPN3. The tape delay will be televised on ESPNU at 9 p.m. CT.

Due to inclement weather on Friday, the tournament scheduled was adjusted with the semifinals, including the Jackson State vs. Mississippi Valley State game also slated for Saturday, May 10, at 2 p.m. The final round is now scheduled for Sunday, May 11, at 10 a.m. CT at Wilson Morgan Park in Decatur, Ala.

 

WATCH LIVE - ESPN3

 

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First Deaf Football Player at Saint Augustine's University Earns His Degree

Javarous Faulk
All-American (Football)
Hometown: Macon, Georgia 

RALEIGH, North Carolina  --  College campuses all over the country are buzzing with excitement, music and celebration as graduates prepare to walk across commencement stages this month. Proud parents and loved ones will cheer as they hear their graduates name called from the stage. Every motivational word spoken by guest speakers will resonate through crowds of tomorrow's leaders on this special day.

Yet, one graduating senior and All-American football player at Saint Augustine's University celebrated his accomplishments in silence.

At the age of three, Javarous Faulk's mother noticed that her son may have been losing his hearing. Today, Faulk is only able to hear sounds and tones through a hearing aid.

Faulk did not let his hearing impairment stop him from obtaining a college degree. On May 4, Faulk earned his Bachelor of Science degree in human performance and wellness.

"I admire Javarous' tenacity to overcome the obstacle of being hearing impaired," said Dr. Derrick Sauls, department chair for SAU's Physical Education, Exercise Science and Athletic Training. "I have watched him continually meet challenges in the classroom, yet he never gave up on himself."

Not only did Faulk not let his hearing impairment stop him from earning his degree, but he also did not let it hinder him on the football field.

"Faulk was one of my better players," said Tremayne Henry, defensive line coordinator for the Falcon Football Team. "He would always be in the office watching game film. He would do whatever he needed to do to perform better on the field."

Coach Henry shared how he and Faulk communicated each game.

"We had developed various hand signals I would give him from the sidelines," Henry said. "After each play, he would look at me and I would give him thumbs-up or thumbs-down. He always wanted to be reassured that he was performing well."

Henry further commented on how he felt when Faulk received his diploma.

"When he walked across the stage at commencement, I felt as if he was one of my own children," Henry said. "After the ceremony, I told him how proud I was of him and that I loved him."

Faulk, a native of Macon, Ga., played defensive end on the Falcon Football Team. In 2012, Faulk, who was an All-American player, tied the university's single-season sack record. Some of his outstanding plays led to other accolades including the Black College Sports Page All-America Third Team, the Don Hansen All-Super Region One Third Team and the All-CIAA First Team. He was also a nominee for the Gene Upshaw Award which goes to the NCAA Division II Lineman of the Year. Entering the 2013 season, he was named to the USA College Football Division II Pre-Season All-America Second Team.

What inspires Faulk to succeed?

"Naysayers, my family and people that look up to me," wrote Faulk. "Graduating from college was really exciting for me. There was a sense of relief at being done with countless assignments and a sense of accomplishment in earning my degree."

Faulk has big plans for his future.

"I want to continue my education," Faulk wrote. "I want other hearing impaired individuals to know that whatever I accomplish that they can do it too."

COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Sixty-Three Student-Athletes Among 210 Saint Augustine's University Graduates

Football Player Javarous Faulk (Left) and Clarence Ganus (Right) Are Among
63 SAU Student-Athletes.

RALEIGH, North Carolina – Sixty-three student-athletes and cheerleaders were among the 210 Saint Augustine's University graduates this past weekend (May 4) at the school's 2014 Commencement, held on the lawn of the campus Quadrangle.

Thirty percent (30%) of the graduating class were student-athletes and cheerleaders. The percentage surpasses last year's percent number (25%) of student-athletes in the 2013 graduating class.

The ceremony capped another successful season for the university's athletic program. Saint Augustine's University won CIAA championships in five sports this season including men's cross country, women's cross country, men's indoor track and field, women's indoor track and field and men's outdoor track and field. The men's track & field team won the NCAA Division II indoor championship for the second consecutive year and are currently ranked No. 1 in Division II in outdoor track & field.

The softball team reached the CIAA Championship Game, and the women's basketball team won the CIAA Team Highest Grade Point Average Award in its sport for the fifth straight season.

Below is a list of the 2014 student-athletes who graduated from Saint Augustine's University and their respective sports:

Bachelor of Science (School of Applied Health and Medical Sciences)

Summa Cum Laude (3.80-4.00 GPA)
Dwayne Hyman – Men's Track & Field/Cross Country
Christopher Octetree – Men's Tennis

Javarous Faulk – Football
Clarence Ganus – Baseball
Jonathan Hailey – Baseball
Jermaine Jones – Football/Men's Track & Field
Jjshaun Pinkston – Football
Brian Richards – Football
Kelly Shaw – Women's Track & Field/Cross Country
Amber Simrel - Volleyball
Anthony Todd – Men's Track & Field
Jameel Walcott – Men's Track & Field/Cross Country

Bachelor of Science (School of Business, Technology and Sport Management)

Summa Cum Laude (3.80-4.00 GPA)
Joshua Easter – Baseball
Byron Munro – Football
Autumn Smith – Women's Basketball/Softball

Cum Laude (3.40-3.59 GPA)
Victoria Davis – Women's Basketball/Volleyball

Audarius Blackwood – Football
Kirsten Bowens – Women's Track & Field/Cross Country
Unique Connor – Women's Track & Field/Cross Country
Alex Edwards – Baseball
Jamie Goff – Volleyball
Stephen Hamilton – Baseball
Javon Harley – Football
Joel Kindred – Men's Basketball
James Quarles – Men's Track & Field
Herman Reaves – Football
Joseph Reed – Football
Chaz Robinson – Football
Jonathan Stallworth – Football
Marcel Streeter – Football
Shawn Sutton – Men's Track & Field
Luther Witherspoon – Football

Bachelor of Arts (School of Liberal Arts and Education)

Summa Cum Laude (3.80-4.00 GPA)
Brittany Brown – Women's Track & Field/Cross Country

Ramaan Ansley – Men's Track & Field
Jaivairia Bacote – Women's Track & Field/Cross Country
Dario Barnes – Football
Devon Burroughs – Men's Track & Field
Calvin Butcher – Baseball
Joshua Edmonds – Men's Track & Field/Cross Country
Brittni Finch – Women's Track & Field
Aru Kok – Men's Basketball
Newton Miller – Football
John Newman – Men's Basketball
Rodricaus Peters – Football
Ashley Ross – Cheerleading

Bachelor of Science (School of Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering)

Cum Laude (3.40-3.59 GPA)
Jennifer Plair – Softball
Justin Williams – Football

Kenishea Donaldson – Women's Tennis
Unique Gupton – Bowling
Bryan Jones – Football
Minyan Murphy – Women's Tennis
Shonquez Nelson – Football
Michelle Shackelford - Softball

Bachelor of Arts and Science (School of Social and Behaviorial Sciences)

Cum Laude (3.40-3.59 GPA)
LaKeisha Ford – Softball
Temperance Jacobs – Women's Basketball/Volleyball

Latricia Bennett – Track & Field
Darien Hardaway – Baseball
Brock Holmes – Baseball
Dane Hyatt – Men's Track & Field
Clarence Peace – Baseball
Ebony Spencer – Women's Basketball/Volleyball/Softball/Tennis
Dahveed Todd – Baseball
Anthony Wright – Football

NOTE: Volunteer men's assistant basketball coach B.J. Williams and baseball student manager Gennetha Williams graduated at Commencement.

COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Ford Picks up First Commitment as TSU Head Coach

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- Tennessee State head men’s basketball coach Dana Ford announced the signing of shooting guard Darreon Reddick on Friday.

“Darreon is a great kid who excels in the classroom as well as on the court,” Ford said. “Darreon is a combo-guard that can play at both guard positions in our system, and he comes from an AAU program (Southwest Illinois Jets) in which the director is a Tennessee State alum, so we look forward to Darreon showing pride in our program.”

Reddick was the top scorer for Belleville East HS this season and the three-year starter averaged 13.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.63 assists per game. He also led East in assists (79) and steals (43), helping the Lancers win a regional before they lost in the sectional to state tournament qualifier Edwardsville.

Rated a two-star recruit by scout.com, Reddick averaged 13.6 points as a junior and 8.1 points as a sophomore.

The 6-foot-3 Belleville, Ill. native also received offers from Bradley, DePaul and Indiana State among others, but chose to become Ford’s first commitment as head coach of the Tigers.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Florida A&M Lady Rattlers Strike Wildcats 5-1 In MEAC Semis

Lady Rattlers are one game away from their 10th MEAC Softball Championship
Courtesy: Florida A&M Sports Information

ORMOND BEACH, Florida  -- The FAMU Women’s Softball team moved one step closer to its’ 10^th MidEastern Athletic Conference title here Friday with a 5-1 semifinal victory over Bethune-Cookman in the 2014 MEAC Softball Championships at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.

FAMU (23-27), which managed to score just two runs in two 1-0 victories in Thursday’s opening rounds, struck early against Bethune-Cookman (24-30), plating three runs in the first inning, on one hit, aided by two Wildcat defensive errors.

Alyssa Weaver, who reached on a leadoff single, advanced on an error and a passed ball, before scoring on a wild pitch for a 1-0 lead. Amber Fullwood, whose fielder’s choice grounder resulted in the first Cookman fielding error at second, along with Kieffi Myrick, who reached on a two out walk, both later scored on a throwing error by B-CU shortstop Sophia Ortega, for a 3-0 lead.

That was enough for freshman pitcher Kenya Pereira (8-8), who turned in her third complete game performance in the circle in two days, allowing one unearned run on three hits, with three strikeouts and three walks.

For the tournament, the Kissimmee, Florida native has pitched 21 innings, allowing just one unearned run on 10 hits, with 11 strikeouts against just four walks in compiling a 3-0 record.

In the top of the fifth, Myrick, who finished with a team-high two hits, lashed a two-run single, scoring Fullwood and pinch hitter Amanda Weaver, to extend the FAMU lead to 5-0.

The Wildcats scored their only run of the game in the bottom of the fifth with two outs, when a FAMU fielding error by second baseman Alyssa Weaver allowed Wanda Darby to score for a 5-1 count.

WHAT’S NEXT: FAMU advances to Saturday’s 1:00 p.m. title game
against the winner of the Bethune-Cookman –Delaware State  game that was to be played at 6 p.m.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

NSU Signs Radio Agreement with Max Media/Star 1310 AM

COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
NSUSPARTANS.COM

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- The Norfolk State University Athletics Department announced Friday that it has signed a radio agreement with Max Media of Hampton Roads to broadcast the Spartans football and men's basketball games on Star 1310 AM in the 2014-15 athletics season.

Star 1310 AM (WGH) will broadcast NSU's 2014 football and men's basketball games as well as the school's weekly news and information program on Saturday mornings. All NSU programming broadcast will also be streamed on www.star1310.com. The audio streaming application is also compatible with Apple and Android mobile devices.

"This Norfolk State partnership with Star 1310 is something we've wanted for quite some time and we are very excited as to what's ahead," said John Shomby, director of operations and programming for Max Media.

"We're very excited to work with Max Media next year," said Matt Michalec, NSU's assistant athletics director for communications. "We had the opportunity to broadcast several basketball games on Star 1310 this past season and were very pleased with the outcome. Max Media runs a first-class operation and we think this gives our program added visibility and our fans a great avenue to follow NSU athletics."

Visit www.nsuspartans.com for more details on NSU programming with Star 1310 AM as the 2014-15 athletics season approaches.

ABOUT STAR 1310 AM WGH
Star 1310 is a 20,000-watt station based in Newport News which serves the entire Hampton Roads area as well as portions of northeast North Carolina. The station is an urban contemporary Christian music format but also features select college sports programming. The station previously was the radio home of ESPN Radio until 2009, when it changed to its current format.



By Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION