2014 SWAC Baseball Tournament seeding and bracket

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced the bracket for the 2014 SWAC Baseball Tournament, held May 14-18 at New Orleans (La.) MLB Urban Youth Academy at Wesley Barrow Stadium.

The double elimination tournament bracket consists of eight teams with split seeding. The seeding is determined as a result of the top four teams from the final regular season standings of the SWAC Eastern and Western Divisions.

Eastern Division champions Alabama State (34-19, 21-3) and Western Division winners Arkansas-Pine Bluff (22-26, 16-7) will enter the tournament as the number one seeds.

UAPB will join Alabama A&M (20-30, 12-9), Prairie View A&M (19-28, 11-12), and Jackson State (27-23, 9-15) in the top of the bracket. ASU will open the tournament in the lower bracket with Texas Southern (23-27, 13-9), Alcorn State (10-40, 10-12), and Grambling State (14-30, 11-13).

Tournament action gets underway on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. CT as No. 2 East seed Alabama A&M will face No. 3 West seed PVAMU. Game two is slated for 12:00 p.m. CT and features No. 2 West seed Texas Southern versus No. 3 East seed Alcorn State.

No. 1 West seed UAPB and No. 4 East seed Jackson State will match-up in game three at 3:00 p.m. CT No. 1 East seed Alabama State and No. 4 West seed Grambling State will close out the first day with game four scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT.

Live audio of all games leading to the tournament's championship can be found on the SWAC Digital Network at www.swac.org.

The final round is scheduled to broadcast live on Sunday, May 18, on ESPN3 at 2 p.m. CT. The game's tape delay is slated to air at on Monday, May 19, at 9 p.m. CT on ESPNU.

WEDNESDAY - MAY 14
GAME 1: No. 2E Alabama A&M vs. No. 3W Prairie View A&M - 9:00 a.m.
GAME 2: No. 2W Texas Southern vs. No. 3E Alcorn State - 12:00 p.m.
GAME 3: No. 1W Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. No. 4E Jackson State - 3:00 p.m.
GAME 4: No. 1E Alabama State vs. No. 4W Grambling State - 6:00 p.m.

THURSDAY - MAY 15
GAME 5: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 3 Loser - 9:00 a.m.
GAME 6: Game 2 Loser vs. Game 4 Loser - 12:00 p.m.
GAME 7: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner - 3:00 p.m.
GAME 8: Game 2 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner - 6:00 p.m.

FRIDAY - MAY 16
GAME 9: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 7 Loser - 9:00 a.m.
GAME 10: Game 6 Winner vs. Game 8 Loser - 12:00 p.m.
GAME 11: Game 7 Winner vs. Game 9 Winner - 3:00 p.m.
GAME 12: Game 8 Winner vs. Game 10 Winner - 6:00 p.m.

SATURDAY - MAY 17 (IF NECESSARY)
GAME 11a: Game 11 Winner vs. Game 11 Loser - 12:00 p.m.
GAME 12a: Game 12 Winner vs. Game 12 Loser - 3:00 p.m.

SUNDAY - MAY 18
GAME 13: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - 2:00 p.m. (LIVE - ESPN3 / TAPE DELAY - ESPNU - MONDAY, MAY 19, 9 p.m.)​

 

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MEAC Announces Baseball Championship Seedings

NORFOLK, Virginia --  The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) will host its 2014 Baseball Championship from Wednesday, May 14 through Sunday, May 18 at the Marty L. Miller Field on the campus of Norfolk State University. The Delaware State Hornets and the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats will enter tournament play as the number one seeds.

Delaware State clinched the northern divisional title with a 17-7 conference record, including sweeping Maryland Eastern Shore to end regular season play. The Hornets are 9-1 in their last 10 conference games and 30-15 overall heading into the tournament.

Bethune-Cookman enters tournament play with a 14-10 MEAC mark and 22-31 overall record. The Wildcats solidified a share of the conference’s regular season divisional title by taking 2-of-3 games against Savannah State to close out the conference season. B-CU earned the top seed over Florida A&M following tiebreaking procedures.

Florida A&M (14-10) earned a share of the southern divisional title following a 9-8 win over North Carolina Central on Saturday. FAMU will enter tournament play as the number two seed in the south, followed by North Carolina Central (12-12) and defending tournament champion Savannah State (11-13) receiving the fourth and final spot.

Norfolk State (14-10) clinched the number two seed in the north. Coppin State (9-15) earned the number three seed, followed by Maryland Eastern Shore at four (8-16).

Norfolk State (N2) will face North Carolina Central (S3) in the opening game. Bethune-Cookman (S1) will meet Maryland Eastern Shore (N4) in game two, followed by Delaware State (N1) against Savannah State (S4) in the third contest. Florida A&M (S2) will take on Coppin State (N3) in the final game of the first day.

Only the top four teams from each division will compete for the tournament title. North Carolina A&T was eliminated from conference play based on its regular season finish.

The championship finale is set for Sunday, May 18 beginning at 1 p.m.

The 2014 MEAC Baseball Championship tournament gets underway Wednesday, May 14 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Marty L. Miller Field in Norfolk, Virginia. Admission is $7 per day or $25 for the four-day tournament. A complete tournament bracket can be found on www.MEACsports.com

 2014 MEAC Baseball Bracket

 Northern Division                                                                               Southern Division

School (MEAC record)                                                                           School (MEAC record)

1.      Delaware State                   17-7                                                     1. Bethune-Cookman       14-10

2.      Norfolk State                     14-10                                                   2. Florida A&M                14-10

3.      Coppin State                      9-15                                                     3. North Carolina Central  12-12

4.      Maryland Eastern Shore     8-16                                                     4. Savannah State           11-13

COURTESY MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Lincoln Repeats As Division II PGA Minority Collegiate Champions!!!

PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida -- For the second-consecutive year, and the sixth time in program history, the Lincoln men's golf team won the PGA Minority Collegiate Championship on Sunday (May 11).

Steven Mallow tied for the lowest score by any individual at the conclusion of the three-round invitational, as the Blue Tigers posted a team score of 893, their lowest ever at this tournament, to beat Texas A&M-International (894) by one stroke.

Mallow finished with a three-round total of 220, carding rounds of 71, 75 and 74. That placed Mallow in a tie with Gary Natal of Texas A&M-International for the lowest score among all players at the three-round, three-day tourney. Natal ended up winning the individual scoring title in a one-hole playoff.

Nick Goeke finished two-strokes back of Mallow, finishing with a 220. Goeke shot a 74 during Friday's (May 9) first round and tallied a 71 in the second round before closing with a 77 on Sunday. Blake Lammers was next with a 226. After shooting identical scores of 76 during the first two rounds, Lammers finished Sunday with a 74. Rounding out Lincoln's team performance was Austin Wheeler, who posted a final sum of 247. Wheeler opened the tourney with a 79 before shooting an 87 on Saturday (May 10) and an 81 on Sunday.

Two other Blue Tigers represented Lincoln at the PGA Minority Collegiate Championship, including Brian Lillevold, who ended up being disqualified during the final round. Lillevold had begun Sunday as the tournament's individual leader after shooting a 70 on Friday and a 74 on Saturday. The other Blue Tiger in action was Kenny Conrad, who finished tied for 13th in the tournament's individual invitational. Conrad finished with a three-round total of 249 after carding rounds of 92, 77 and 80.

Behind Lincoln and Texas A&M-International, California State-Dominguez Hills finished third with a total of 914. Virginia State (921) took fourth and Fayetteville State (955) placed fifth while Johnson C. Smith (1,006) rounded out the field at sixth.

This marks the sixth Minority Collegiate Golf Championship in the history of the Lincoln men's golf program, and the second-straight for the Blue Tigers, who won the 2013 title with a score of 898. Lincoln had also previously won the championship in 2005 (928), 1999 (906), 2001 (904) and 2002 (914).

The 28th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship was played in Port St. Lucie, Fla. on the Ryder Course of the PGA Village.

Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
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AAMU Baseball set for SWAC Tournament

COURTESY AAMU BULLDOG ATHLETICS

NORMAL, Alabama -- With a record setting 2014 regular season in the books, the Alabama A&M baseball team will now attempt to capture tournament championship in New Orleans, Louisiana this week.

Their opponent in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Baseball tournament will be the Panthers of Prairie View A&M University (19-28), who are the third seed from the Western Division. The opening action will take place on Wednesday, May 14, at 9:00 a.m. from the MLB Urban Youth Academy at Wesley Barrow Stadium.

AAMU (20-30) earned the second seed by virtue of its 12 wins in league play. Junior Andrew Utterback is currently ranked third in America in on base percentage (.512) and 16th in batting average (.399).

The 2014 edition of Bulldog baseball eclipsed the 20 win mark for the first time in its Division I era. They have registered the most wins all-time of any Alabama A&M baseball team since the Bulldogs crossed over into Division I in 1999.

The winner of the AAMU/PVAM matchup will move on to the Thursday, May 16, contest while the loser will fall to a 9 a.m., Thursday, May 16, game in the loser's bracket.

The tournament will follow its original schedule at the New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy and will be held from May 14-18. The championship contest on the final day is slated for broadcast on ESPNU.

For more information on Alabama A&M athletics, visit http://www.aamusports.com/. Fans can also find the Bulldogs on Twitter at @aamubulldogs or @AAMU_Baseball or on Facebook at Facebook.com/Alabama-AM-Bulldogs.

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Grant Repeats As Champion; Men Finish Third In PGA Minority Championship

PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida – Robert Grant won his second straight individual championship to highlight Alabama State's play in the 28th PGA Minority Championship.

Grant won by one stroke to successfully defend his title. His two-over par 74 Sunday gave him a three-day total of six-over par 222.

"It's an incredible honor to win this Championship for a second time," said Grant. "It was a battle all day and I feel fortunate to have won."

The win caps off a week to remember for Grant, who, while competing this weekend, was awarded his bachelor's degree in chemistry with a perfect 4.0 GPA in only three years during Saturday's ASU spring commencement exercises.

"Robert has the academic disclipline to pursue any scholarly endeavor," head coach Dr. Gary Grandison said. "This week, he showed the athletic disclipline needed for him to help our team win."

In other men's individual scores, Corey Price shot an even par 72 on the final day in posting a score of 238 to finish in ninth place. Joseph Killebrew had his best round of the tournament on Sunday and finished with a score of 254.

In men's team play, the Hornets could not close the gap on first place despite posting its best team score of the weekend at 297, finishing the weekend with a score of 895. Francis Berthiaume improved his score each day, closing with a final round one-under par 71 to finish the tournament at four-over par 220.

Branson Ferrier shot one-over 73 and finished the championship at 10-over 226. Yann Pfieffer (79) finished at 231, one shot ahead of Jose Rodriguez' 232 after a final round 74. Ian Mmbando shot 233 for Alabama State on the Wanamaker Course (par 72, 6,840 yards).

In women's individual play, Mia Campbell and Darleen Raymond posted the same scores for the third consecutive day. Campbell again shot 81 to finish with a 54-hole total of 243. Raymond again shot 82 to finish three shots behind Campbell at 246 on the Ryder Course (par 72, 5,745 yards).

The ASU men's team will make its third straight NCAA Tournament appearance beginning Thursday at the Auburn Regional.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

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.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

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.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

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 

COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

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.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

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
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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."

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

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

 

COURTESY SWAC.ORG