FAMU Baseball Gets Second Mercy Rule Win of the Weekend to Sweep NC A&T 17-7

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- Florida A&M (21-10, 11-1 MEAC) posted its’ second mercy rule win of the weekend to complete the sweep of North Carolina A&T (8-27, 3-9 MEAC) by a score of 17-7 at War Memorial Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Cameron Johnson helped pace the Rattler offense as he finished the day with five RBI, while going 2-for-4 with a grand slam in the fifth inning. Ryan Hutson added four RBI with his first career home run. FAMU finished the weekend with 44 runs scored on 36 hits with seven doubles, three triples and five home runs.

Five different Rattlers (Alec Wong, Marlon Gibbs, Brian Davis, Ben Ellzey and Johnson) recorded multiple hits in the win.

Rattler starter Chase Jarrell (4-1) picked up his fourth win of the season after working five innings and allowed six runs (five earned) on nine hits with two strikeouts and one walk. JoJo Durden recorded his first save of the season after throwing the final three innings with three strikeouts and one run allowed on two hits.

FAMU scored first with two quick runs in the top of the first inning. Gibbs tripled into right center with one out and scored as Ellzey dropped in a two-out RBI single to center field. Dylan Dillard, who walked earlier in the inning with two outs, came around to score as Johnson recorded an RBI single into right field.

The Aggies answered by scoring three runs in the home half of the first inning to take a 3-2 lead. Timothy Ravare led off with a single to center field, but Willis McDaniel misplayed the ball and allowed Ravare to advance to third base. Milton Rivera then followed with a single just off the glove of Wong, as the infield was playing in, to plate Ravare from third. After a single from Adan Ordonez, both runners advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. Dawnoven Smith then brought home Rivera with an RBI groundout. Ordonez scored the third run of the inning on a sac fly to center field from Ryan Jantsch.

Florida A&M regained the lead for good, at 6-3, with four runs in the third inning as Ryan Hutson hit his first career home run. With two outs and Dillard on first, Johnson drew a walk to put runners at first and second. Shane Gordon then reached on an error by the shortstop as Dillard came around to score the tying run. Hutson then crushed a three-run shot over the fence in left field to give FAMU the lead for good.

The Rattlers picked up a single run in the fourth inning to push their lead to 7-3. Gibbs reached on an error by the third baseman before Davis belted an RBI double into the left center gap to bring Gibbs home.

NC A&T cut the lead to 7-5 with two runs on two hits in the fourth inning. Myles Sowell led off with a walk and Kyle Clary singled to center to put runners on the corners with one out. Keenan Herring then grounded out to third, which allowed Sowell to score. Clary later came around to score the second run of the inning as Forest Kimbrell singled to center field.

FAMU took a commanding lead with seven runs in the top off the fifth inning that made the score 14-5. Gordon led off with a triple off the wall in left center and came home to score on a sac fly to center field by Hutson. Peter Jackson then reached on a bunt single, stole second and moved to third on a groundout to first by Wong. Jackson was later able to score as Gibbs recorded a two-out RBI single up the middle. Davis then singled to right and Miles, Jr. walked to load the bases. Ellzey would draw a bases loaded walk to score Gibbs before Johnson smacked a grand slam to center field, his second home run of his career in as many games.

North Carolina A&T scored a single run in the fifth inning for a score of 14-6. Ordonez doubled down the left line with one out and came around to score on a two-out RBI single up the middle from Jantsch.

The Rattlers tacked on two more runs that made the score 16-6 in the seventh inning. Davis was walked with one out and Miles, Jr. ripped an RBI double into the left center gap as Davis came home to score from first. Miles, Jr. then scored on Ellzey’s RBI single to center field.

NC A&T scored a single run in the bottom of the seventh inning and Florida A&M responded with a run of its’ own in the eighth inning for the final score of 17-7.

Aggie starter Will Greene (1-5) gave up eight runs (three earned) on seven hits with four walks, one strikeout and one hit batter for the loss.

The Rattlers return home on Tuesday, April 12 to face Jacksonville at Moore-Kittles Field. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

As always, fans can follow Rattler Baseball on Twitter @BaseballFAMU and on Facebook. Live stats are also available on the baseball schedule page of FAMUAthletics.com.

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COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

XULA Chatters sets javelin mark at Northwestern State meet

NATCHITOCHES, Louisiana — Drew Chatters broke her Xavier University of Louisiana record in the women's javelin at the Leon Johnson NSU Invitational track and field meet Saturday.
     
Chatters, a sophomore from Lake Charles, La., and a graduate of St. Louis Catholic High School, extended her record with 37.05 meters (121 feet, 7 inches) in her fifth throw of the competition. She placed fifth out of 13 competitors and finished ahead of eight NCAA Division I athletes.
     
Chatters' previous XU mark was 36.54 meters (119-10¾) at the McNeese Cowboy Relays in her hometown on March 14, 2015. She was the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference champion a year ago.
     
Xavier produced 15 top-10 individual finishes. Maliya Vaughan was sixth in the women's 800-meter run with the Gold Nuggets' best time this season, 2 minutes, 27.40 seconds. Christopher August had a men's team season best with 4:13.69 in the 1,500 and placed fifth.
     
Xavier's highest individual finish was in the women's 3,000 steeplechase. Dionysia Love was third in 12:34.02 and produced the Gold Nuggets' fastest time in this event since 2014.
     
The meet, which did not have team scoring, was Xavier's sixth of the outdoor season. Next will be the Southeastern Invitational at Hammond, La., Saturday.
     
Here are all of Xavier's results from the Leon Johnson NSU Invitational:

Women     
100: Chelsea James, 4th in 12:43; Destini Thomas, 8th in 12.75; Martina Wright, 9th in 12.77; Alexis Milton, 10th in 12.97; Katelyn McMorris, 12th in 13:00     
400: Chinyere Jones, 12th in 1:01.24; Janelle Jones, 13th in 1:01.80; Ky'Reon McBride, 14th in 1:02.38   
800: Maliya Vaughan, 6th in 2:27.40     
1,500: Dionysia Love, 4th in 5:23.39; Brianna Pace, 5th in 5:38.22     
5,000: Hannah Finnegan, 4th in 23:27.83     
100 Hurdles: Tylor Row, 8th in 16:02     
400 Hurdles: Tylor Row, 12th in 1:14.17     
3,000 Steeplechase: Dionysia Love, 3rd in 12:34.02; Maliya Vaughan, 5th in 13:14.41;Hannah Finnegan, 6th in 13:56.55; Brianna Pace, 7th in 13:58.03     
400 Relay: Chelsea James, Destini Thomas, Alexis Milton, Clarke Allen, 3rd in 49.27     
1,600 Relay: Kailey Williams, Janelle Jones, Clarke Allen, Kayla Quincy, 4th in 4:02.08     
Javelin: Drew Chatters, 5th in 37.05 meters (121 feet, 7 inches)

Men     
100: Ethan Gipson, 17th in 11.41     
400: Langston Adams, 13th in 54.20     
800: Ammiel Williams, 17th in 2:07.00     
1,500: Christopher August, 5th in 4:13.69; Ammiel Williams, 11th in 4:36.58


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Gold Rush tie XU record for success against NCAA DIs

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana defeated Jackson State 7-2 Sunday at XU Tennis Center and tied its men's program record for dual-match victories in a season against NCAA Division I opponents.

The Gold Rush (12-5), ranked third in the NAIA, are 4-5 this season against teams from the NCAA's highest classification. The XU men also produced four victories in 2013, 2009 and 2008.

Xavier's women lost 6-3 at home to Jackson State.

Karan Salwan, Thomas Setodji, Kyle Montrel and Adam Albrecht won in doubles and singles for the Gold Rush. After Xavier swept the doubles for the eighth time this season, Salwan clinched when he defeated Camilo Patino 6-4, 6-3 at No. 1 singles.

Setodji, a freshman who is 11-0 in singles, defeated Federico Boscarino 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2. Kyle Montrel beat Miguel Gomez Martin 6-1, 7-5 at No. 3, and Albrecht defeated Richie Agarwal 6-2, 6-1 at No. 6.

Xavier improved to 16-1 at home this season in men's doubles. Kyle Montrel and Adam Albrecht completed the sweep of the Tigers (5-16) with an 8-5 victory against Boscarino and Patino on the first court.

The Gold Rush are 6-0 at home this season.

In the women's matchup, Jackson State (8-15) won 2-of-3 in doubles and won a pair of 3-set singles matches to earn its first-ever victory against the Gold Nuggets (8-11) in five duals.

Julia Angermann clinched for the Lady Tigers with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 victory against Charlene Goreau at No. 1. Jana van der Walt and Goreau defeated Karina Ono and Bright Phakamad 8-4 at No. 2 doubles, and Xavier got singles victories in third-set super-tiebreakers from Brion Flowers and Tess Guarino.

Flowers defeated Phakamad 7-6 (8-6), 0-6, 1-0 (10-6) at No. 4, and Guarino beat Ono 1-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-6) at No. 6.

The Gold Nuggets are 2-4 this season against NCAA DIs.

The Rush and Nuggets will play another DI, Alcorn State, at noon Thursday at XU. Seniors Montrel, Manav Chakma and Kevin Chaouat of the Rush and Flowers, van der Walt and Vashni Balleste of the Nuggets will be honored in a prematch ceremony.


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Alabama Supreme Court rules against former ASU AD

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Alabama Supreme Court on Friday overturned a 2015 circuit court decision that found former Alabama State University athletic director Stacy Danley had been wrongfully terminated and awarded him $140,000.

The justices upheld the court’s decision that dismissed ASU’s counterclaim against Danley for unapproved travel expenses, and it reversed the order providing Danley attorneys’ fees.

“We thank the Supreme Court of Alabama for upholding the longstanding legal principles of sovereign and state-agent immunities,” ASU attorney Kenny Thomas said.

Attempts to reach Danley and his attorney, Joseph Fitzpatrick, were unsuccessful Friday afternoon.

In the lengthy opinion, which picked apart due process claims from plaintiffs suing state entities, the Alabama Supreme Court said the lower court erred in awarding Danley damages because ...

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Sims Wins No. 850 as Badgers Sweep Lemoyne-Owen in DH

SHC head coach Frank Sims now holds an 850-831-3 career record
Courtesy Spring Hill College Athletics

MOBILE, Alabama -- The Spring Hill College (SHC) baseball team swept a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) doubleheader away from the LeMoyne-Owen College (LOC) Magicians by the scores of 23-0 and 14-8 at historic Stan Galle Field to hand head coach Frank Sims his 850th career victory.

In the first game, Badger starter Wesley Parrish (6-3) benefitted from a 14-run outburst by his offense in the 4th inning as the senior right-hander cruised to his fourth complete game and his first solo shutout of the season. Parrish allowed just two hits with a walk and nine strike outs.

Dexwin Thompson took the loss for LOC in 3.0 innings with nine hits, three walks and three strike outs. Thompson and his relief, Lawerence Baker, added to their own troubles by hitting a combined nine SHC batters in the game.

At the plate, Garrett Webb enjoyed a 3-for-4 day with a double and an RBI while first baseman Michael Druhan was also 3-for-4 with an RBI. Catcher Alex Jones mashed a three-run homer in the 1st inning and finished the game with two hits and six RBI. Right fielder Ulysses Fluellen picked up two doubles and three RBI as SHC recorded its most runs of the year and tied the team's season high-water mark with 19 hits.

The second game saw the Badgers jump out to a 14-1 lead after five innings, but the Magicians rallied to score seven runs in the 6th frame before reliever Andrew Pierson came in to put out the fire. Starter Dylan Kiene (6-2) was the winner in five innings of work with four hits, a walk and a strike out.

Tyrus Asberry took the loss in the nightcap in four innings with nine hits, two walks and no strike outs while the LOC defense committed seven errors in the field.

William Floros cranked his third home run year while Druhan ripped his ninth dinger of the campaign. Fluellen added a double and a triple with two RBI to his day's totals while catcher Brennan Fontenot had a single and a double with one RBI.

For LOC, center fielder Tyrone Gaston had two hits in the twin bill while second baseman Robert Sheard lifted a three-run home run in the second game. First baseman Cameron Haynes also connected for two doubles in the nightcap.

Following the game, the Badger players rewarded Sims on his 850th career victory (814 coming at SHC) with an ice-water soaking courtesy the team's PowerAid cooler. "It all in good fun," Sims said. "In reality, it's more their achievement than mine. It's a testament to all of the great student-athletes I've coached here at Spring Hill over the past 30 years. They have to go out and do the things it takes to win."

The Badgers (21-14, 12-2 SIAC) will again host the Magicians (2-24, 2-8 SIAC) on Saturday in a conference doubleheader beginning at noon.

COURTESY SPRING HILL COLLEGE ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Peck Has Good Outing, Aggies Lose Two to FAMU

GREENSBORO, North Carolina  –  Junior Robert Peck had redemptive Game 2 pitching performance for the North Carolina A&T pitching staff, but a two-run home run for Florida A&M made the difference as the Rattlers swept a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference baseball doubleheader from the Aggies, 22-11 (in seven innings) and 5-3 at War Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

N.C. A&T (8-26, 3-8 MEAC) and FAMU (20-10, 10-1) will conclude the series Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m., at WMS.

Peck went six innings in the scheduled seven-inning contest of Game 2 where he gave up three runs on five hits, struck out three and only gave up two walks in 90 pitches thrown. Peck (1-3) endured the tough-luck loss after giving up the go-ahead run in the FAMU sixth.

Dylan Dillard led off the frame by singling to left field, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt before stealing third. FAMU put runners on the corners after Ben Ellzey walked. FAMU power hitter Marlon Gibbs then hit a slow roller up the first base line. Peck fielded the ball and fired home but Dillard slid into home plate ahead of the tag to give FAMU a 3-2 lead. In the seventh, Dillard returned to the plate and hit a two-run homer into the wind flying out to right field for a 5-2 advantage.

N.C. A&T showed some grit in the seventh inning, however. Junior Timothy Ravare hit a one-out single to right and moved to second on a wild pitch. Rattler reliever Tyler Reker (RHP) put the tying run on by hitting Milton Rivera with an 0-2 pitch. It led to FAMU replacing Reker with RHP Kendal Weeks. Weeks started his outing by throwing a wild pitch to put both of N.C. A&T’s runners into scoring position ahead of Adan Ordonez’s groundout RBI to second that scored Ravare to put the Aggies down two.

But Weeks did get Dawnoven Smith to pop out to end the game as Weeks earned his third save of the season. Reker (1-1) got the win.

Ravare and Rivera had two hits apiece in the second game to lead the Aggies. Rivera also had two hits in the first game as he extended his hitting streak to 18 games. But Rivera’s Game 1 offense was just the tip of the iceberg.

The Aggies and the Rattlers combined for 33 runs, 25 hits, five errors and 18 walks in the first game. N.C. A&T was hurt because they posted 13 of the 18 free passes. They also hit three batters.

FAMU put together a seven-run second, an eight-run fourth and a five-run fifth to take a 20-3 lead going into the Aggies fifth.

That is when the Aggies offense went to work. Ordonez started the scoring with an RBI single to left. He moved into second on the throw home and Rivera advanced to third. An error by FAMU first baseman Brian Davis on a Jason Davis ground ball allowed Rivera to score ahead of Kyle Clary’s RBI single that scored Ordonez. Lance Jensen then hit his second home run in as many games as his blast went over the right field. The inning ended with N.C. A&T trailing 20-9.

Jensen’s home run was significant because in MEAC play the game is over if a team trails by 10 or more runs after seven. N.C. A&T put themselves in position to extend the game beyond the seventh with a two-out rally in the sixth as Ravare and Ordonez scored on wild pitches to make it 20-11.

Dillard, who was a tough out for N.C. A&T all day, hit a two-run home run in the seventh to put the Rattlers up 11. N.C. A&T did not respond with multiple runs in their seventh, therefore, they were not able to extend the game.B
Tevelle Clark (2-1) took the loss, Ryan Anderson (4-1) was the winner. Clary added two hits for the Aggies and Ravare scored three times.

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COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Daniel Williams shines in Jackson State's scrimmage

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Most Jackson State observers are aware of what receiver Daniel Williams is capable of.

First-year Tigers coach Tony Hughes was still waiting to see it from the two-time All-SWAC wideout though.

Williams showcased his ability for Hughes and everybody else in attendance with a two-touchdown performance at JSU's scrimmage on Saturday.

"I think Dan Williams had a breakout practice finally," Hughes said. "He made some plays, he caught the slant and made a big run and catch after that one. He made a nice run across the field. It was great to see him finally show up."

In the Tigers' first scrimmage, Williams caught one pass for 30 yards. He got involved early in the second scrimmage with a 13-yard reception on the second play of the day.



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Chatters sets javelin mark at Northwestern State meet

KAYLA QUINCY

NATCHITOCHES, Louisiana -- Drew Chatters broke her Xavier University of Louisiana record in the women's javelin at the Leon Johnson NSU Invitational track and field meet Saturday.

Chatters, a sophomore from Lake Charles, La., and a graduate of St. Louis Catholic High School, extended her record with 37.05 meters (121 feet, 7 inches) in her fifth throw of the competition. She placed fifth out of 13 competitors and finished ahead of eight NCAA Division I athletes.

Chatters' previous XU mark was 36.54 meters (119-10¾) at the McNeese Cowboy Relays in her hometown on March 14, 2015. She was the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference champion a year ago.

Xavier produced 15 top-10 individual finishes. Maliya Vaughan was sixth in the women's 800-meter run with the Gold Nuggets' best time this season, 2 minutes, 27.40 seconds. Christopher August had a men's team season best with 4:13.69 in the 1,500 and placed fifth.

Xavier's highest individual finish was in the women's 3,000 steeplechase. Dionysia Love was third in 12:34.02 and produced the Gold Nuggets' fastest time in this event since 2014.

The meet, which did not have team scoring, was Xavier's sixth of the outdoor season. Next will be the Southeastern Invitational at Hammond, La., Saturday.

Here are all of Xavier's results from the Leon Johnson NSU Invitational:

Women

100: Chelsea James, 4th in 12:43; Destini Thomas, 8th in 12.75; Martina Wright, 9th in 12.77; Alexis Milton, 10th in 12.97; Katelyn McMorris, 12th in 13:00

400: Chinyere Jones, 12th in 1:01.24; Janelle Jones, 13th in 1:01.80; Ky'Reon McBride, 14th in 1:02.38

800: Maliya Vaughan, 6th in 2:27.40

1,500: Dionysia Love, 4th in 5:23.39; Brianna Pace, 5th in 5:38.22

5,000: Hannah Finnegan, 4th in 23:27.83

100 Hurdles: Tylor Row, 8th in 16:02

400 Hurdles: Tylor Row, 12th in 1:14.17

3,000 Steeplechase: Dionysia Love, 3rd in 12:34.02; Maliya Vaughan, 5th in 13:14.41; Hannah Finnegan, 6th in 13:56.55; Brianna Pace, 7th in 13:58.03

400 Relay: Chelsea James, Destini Thomas, Alexis Milton, Clarke Allen, 3rd in 49.27

1,600 Relay: Kailey Williams, Janelle Jones, Clarke Allen, Kayla Quincy, 4th in 4:02.08

Men

100: Ethan Gipson, 17th in 11.41

400: Langston Adams, 13th in 54.20

800: Ammiel Williams, 17th in 2:07.00

1,500: Christopher August, 5th in 4:13.69; Ammiel Williams, 11th in 4:36.58

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Alcorn's offense, defense at different points of growth

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Spring practice has essentially been a tale of two sides of the ball at Alcorn State.

It's been quite the learning process for the offense, which lost an abundance of experience from last season, while the defense is attempting to uphold a standard set by former Braves coach Jay Hopson.

Last season, Alcorn State returned nearly everybody on offense, so even though it was the first year under offensive coordinator Fred Kaiss, there was still plenty of veterans on offense.

Some of those standouts, such as running back Darryan Ragsdale, tight end Jordan Payne and quarterback John Gibbs Jr.,are gone now. So the focus has been centered on filling the void.

"The goal (for spring) is establishing replacements," Kaiss said. "We have three linemen that have left, we lost a bunch of receivers, we've got new guys at new positions, but just don't know the system, don't know the position yet."

Kaiss tried to offset the loss of Ragsdale, who rushed for 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns in 2015, with the move of receiver Marquis Warford to running back.

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Saint Augustine’s Falcons Releases 2016 Football Schedule

RALEIGH, North Carolina -- Home games against Shaw University, Fayetteville State University and Carson-Newman University and road games against North Carolina A&T University, North Carolina Central University and Winston-Salem State University highlight the Saint Augustine's University football schedule, which was released Thursday, April 7, 2016.

The Falcons will host four home games at the George Williams Athletic Complex including Oct. 22 against Fayetteville State on Homecoming Day and Nov. 5 against crosstown rival Shaw on Senior Day. The Falcons defeated Shaw 31-24 in Durham, N.C., last season.

The home opener is Sept. 10 against national power Carson-Newman University, which is making its first trip to the George Williams Athletic Complex. The Falcons begin the CIAA season at home against Lincoln (Pa.) on Sept. 24.

The Falcons play six away games including two against former CIAA and current Division I Football Championship Subdivision opponents. The Falcons visit North Carolina A&T in the season opener Sept. 3 and head to North Carolina Central Sept. 17. Two Division I teams are on the schedule for the first time ever. Saint Augustine's University and A&T are squaring off for the first time since 1935.

"We have a challenging non-conference schedule which should prepare us for CIAA play," Falcons' Head Coach Tim Chavous said.

The Falcons play four CIAA away games in October including three straight contests. They face Virginia Union Oct. 1, Livingstone Oct. 8 and defending CIAA champion Winston-Salem State Oct. 15. After the Falcons host Fayetteville State, they visit Johnson C. Smith Oct. 29.

The CIAA title game is slated for Nov. 12 in Durham, N.C. The site is Durham County Stadium.

Below is the 2016 football schedule.
 
Falcon 2016 Schedule

Date	Opponent	Location	Time
Sept. 3	at North Carolina A&T	Greensboro, NC	6 p.m.
SEPT. 10	CARSON-NEWMAN	RALEIGH, NC	1 P.M.
Sept. 17	at North Carolina Central	Durham, NC	6 p.m.
SEPT. 24	LINCOLN (PA)*	RALEIGH, NC	1 P.M.
Oct. 1	at Virginia Union*	Richmond, VA	1 p.m.
Oct. 8	at Livingstone*	Salisbury, NC	1 p.m.
Oct. 15	at Winston-Salem State*	Winston-Salem, NC	1:30 p.m.
OCT. 22	FAYETTEVILLE STATE *#	RALEIGH, NC	1 P.M.
Oct. 29	at Johnson C. Smith*	Charlotte, NC	1 p.m.
NOV. 5	SHAW*	RALEIGH, NC	1 P.M.
Nov. 12	CIAA Championship	Durham, NC	TBA

* - CIAA Games
# - Homecoming
Home Games In Bold

COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU football players tackle spring drills with pride

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M’s spring football routine this year looked a lot like the team’s summer workouts, with players controlling drills under the watchful eye of the team’s strength and conditioning coach.

Next year the team will be able to hold full spring practices — including contact drills — but for two weeks, the group worked out primarily with Parker Brooks. Players worked on different offensive and defensive scenarios without head coach Alex Wood or any of the position coaches.

The drills wrapped up on Friday at Bragg Memorial Stadium, marking the end of the spring phase of FAMU’s program a day before FSU’s spring game in Orlando.

Junior running back Gerald Hearns said the workouts have been just as intense as a regular practice, even though the coaches aren’t watching. Players were flying to the ball, celebrating big plays and a DJ kept up-tempo music playing in the background.

“There’s a lot of pride,” Hearns said. “We’re taking accountability and responsibility. Just for us to take on this task, knowing we couldn’t have spring football. We’ve done a great job coming out here every day taking care of business.”

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Steelers continue hosting pre-draft parade of defensive prospects

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania -- General manager Kevin Colbert said the Steelers planned to focus on the defensive side of the ball during the NFL Draft, and he's sure holding true to his word if pre-draft visitors are any indication.

The Steelers on Friday hosted four more defensive players to bring their total to 16 of 18 pre-draft visitors on that side of the ball. The Steelers are permitted 30 pre-draft visitors until a week before the draft.

On Friday, the Steelers focused on the defensive line with tackle Javon Hargrave (South Carolina State) and defensive ends Quinton Jefferson (Maryland) and Dean Lowry (Northwestern).

The Steelers also met with safety Demontrae Elston (Mississippi), bringing their total to 11 defensive backs hosted in a week, including seven safeties.

The most intriguing visitor was Hargrave, who played for a FCS team.

Hargrave (6-foot-1, 309 pounds) was an Associated Press All-American in 2014-15 and the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2014. Hargrave collected 16 sacks as a junior, including an FCS single-game record six against Bethune-Cookman. Hargrave finished with 29 1⁄2 sacks his last two years and also 45 1⁄2 tackles for losses.



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Three Interceptions, Five Sacks Lead Defense to Victory in NCCU Spring Football Game

DURHAM, North Carolina – Three interceptions and five sacks sparked the Gray defense to a 45-33 victory over the Maroon offense in North Carolina Central University's annual spring football game inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium on Friday.

Sophomore defensive end Antonio Brown (Jacksonville, Fla.) got things started for the Gray team by recording his first of a game-high three sacks on the opening drive.

The Gray unit's three interceptions were all highlights. Freshman defensive back Jaquell Taylor (Raleigh, N.C.) returned an interception 39 yards for a touchdown. Sophomore Brandon Galloway (High Point, N.C.), who has converted from tight end to safety, saved a touchdown with an interception in the end zone. And sophomore Roderick "Dee" Harris (Simpsonville, S.C.) intercepted a pass and showed how an interior lineman can run with an 18-yard return.



The Maroon offense used six explosive plays of 30 yards or more to amass 358 yards of total offense, with 243 yards through the air and 115 yards on the ground.

Freshman running back Dorrel McClain (Cary, N.C.), the 2015 MEAC Rookie of the Year, rushed for 53 yards and two touchdowns (1 yard, 30 yards) on just eight carries for an average of 6.6 yards per run.

Freshman quarterback Naiil Ramadan (Charlotte, N.C.) completed 15-of-26 passes for 215 yards, including a 52-yard bomb to sophomore receiver David Miller (Wilmington, N.C.).

The game ended with a 30-yard touchdown strike from sophomore quarterback Darius Dobson (Charlotte, N.C.) to Marc Bronson.

Standard scoring applied for the offense, plus one point for each first down. The defense tallied four points for each stopped drive, plus one point for an interception or fumble recovery and one point for a three-and-out. No team was allowed to score more than seven points per drive.

The Eagles open the 2016 gridiron campaign on Sept. 3 at Duke University in the Bull City Gridiron Classic.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Alcorn State QB John Gibbs works out for Texans

Alcorn State quarterback John Gibbs Jr. (3) passed for 7,451 yards, 57 touchdowns and 19 interceptions during his collegiate career.
LORMAN, Mississippi -- Alcorn State quarterback John Gibbs Jr. is working out for the Texans on Saturday at their local prospect workout, according to a source not authorized to speak publicly.

For his career, Gibbs passed for 7,451 yards, 57 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He rushed for 2,198 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Gibbs won a SWAC championship last season, passing for seven touchdowns.

The 6-6, 220-pound Booker T. Washington graduate rushed for 335 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He also passed for 19 touchdowns as a junior and rushed for 13 touchdowns.

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Southern hopes FBS pair sets up SWAC title run

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern University will lead into its Southwestern Athletic Conference schedule by facing two FBS opponents.

The Jaguars' 11-game schedule, announced Tuesday, will begin with a Sept. 3 visit to ULM and a Sept. 10 trip to Tulane.

They will then play their SWAC and home opener against Alabama State on Sept. 17. In addition, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Oct. 22, homecoming), Texas Southern (Nov. 5) and Mississippi Valley State (Nov. 19) will pay visits to A.W. Mumford Stadium.

Coach Dawson Odums' squad will have road conference games at Alabama A&M (Sept. 24), Jackson State (Oct. 15), Alcorn State (Oct. 29) and Prairie View A&M (Nov. 12).

The regular season wraps up Nov. 26 against Grambling State in the 43rd Bayou Classic at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

Southern, the 2013 SWAC champion and 2014 finalist, finished 6-5 last season, including 6-3 in the SWAC.

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ASU Hornets Take Game One At Jackson State

JACKSON, Mississippi – The Alabama State baseball team took game one of its three-game weekend series at Jackson State with a 7-4 over the Tigers at Braddy Field.

Alabama State improved to 21-12 overall, 13-0 in league play as the Hornets won game one of a conference series for the 10^th straight time. Jackson State falls to 17-13, 6-4.

Trailing 2-1 after one inning, the score remained the same until the fifth. Oscar Priouleau and Yamil Pagan walked to lead off the inning. Following a sacrifice bunt by Diandre Amion advanced the runners, Carlos Ocasio walked to load the bases. Dillon Cooper's walk scored Prioleau to tie the game at 2-2.

Perhaps the play of the game came in the next at-bat, as Chris Biocic's head first slide into first base negated a would be inning-ending double play as Pagan scored from third for a 3-2 lead. Ray Hernandez' single to left scored Ocasio for a 4-2 ASU lead.

"More than anything else, you want effort. You want your guys to give effort," Alabama State head coach Mervyl Melendez said of Biocic's play that turned what could have been a tied game at 2-2 at the end of the inning into a three-run lead. "Chris didn't have a good at-bat in grounding to the shortstop, but what he did after that was the key to the game. That's what we want our guys to do. In spite of what you do, give effort, and play hard. Chris has always played hard, and because of his effort, it made what could have been a one-run inning a three-run inning."

The Hornets added three huge eighth-inning insurance runs, all with two outs. Pagan's triple down the right field line scored Prioleau to extend the lead to 5-2. Amion then doubled to left center, scoring Pagan for a 6-2 lead. Ocasio then doubled to right center, scoring Amion for a 7-2 lead.

Joseph Camacho (6-0) won his 27^th straight game as the Hornets won for the 31^st time in his last 32 starts. After allowing two first-inning runs, he kept Jackson State off the scoreboard over the final seven innings. He allowed five hits, walked three and struckout seven.

Ocasio went 3-for-4, and Amion 2-for-4 as the Hornets extended their winning streak to five games. Game two of the series is Saturday at 3 p.m., with the live radio broadcast beginning at 2:45 p.m. on bamastatesports.com.

BOX SCORE

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

MEAC's draft candidates stronger than SWAC's

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- There's great tradition with MEAC and SWAC football, but neither FCS conference remains the pipeline they once were for NFL teams.

The two conferences of historically black colleges and universities used to combine annually on 20 to 30 selections in the NFL Draft during the 1960s and '70s and remained in double figures in the '80s and '90s.

Such Pro Football Hall of Famers as Elvin Bethea (North Carolina A&T), Bob Hayes (Florida A&M), Willie Lanier (Morgan State), Shannon Sharpe (Savannah State) and Art Shell (Maryland-Eastern Shore) were drafted from MEAC schools, and the SWAC produced greats such as Mel Blount (Southern), Buck Buchanan and Willie Davis (Grambling State), Walter Payton (Jackson State) and Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State).

Two years ago, no MEAC or SWAC player was chosen - the only time that has happened in the NFL's common draft era, which began in 1967.

Last year, there was one fourth-round selection from each FCS-level conference, the Arizona Cardinals taking Delaware State nose tackle Rodney Gunter from the MEAC and the Baltimore Ravens picking Texas Southern cornerback Tray Walker from the SWAC. Walker died March 18 from injuries suffered in a dirt bike accident.

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Wins for XU Goreau, Flowers, but Southern prevails 5-2

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana got women's singles victories from Charlene Goreau and Brion Flowers, but Southern University swept the doubles and won the dual match 5-2 Wednesday at XU Tennis Center.
    
The Lady Jaguars (6-7) defeated the Gold Nuggets (8-10) for the first time in three tries. Xavier was seeking its first 3-dual win streak against Southern since 2007-09.
    
Southern swept the doubles, then clinched when Darnesha Moore defeated Jana van der Walt 6-4, 6-1 on the second singles court. Goreau, a freshman winning for the 12th time in her last 13 decisions, defeated Laura Syori 6-3, 6-2 at No. 1, and Flowers beat Rufaro Chirewa 6-2, 6-1 at No. 4.
    
Southern's other singles victory came from Nicki Neal in a 6-0, 6-3 decision against Tess Guarino at No. 6. The Lady Jaguars won 8-6 at both of the top two doubles flights and got an 8-1 victory at No. 3 from Syori and XU transfer Amanda Materre against Sha'Nel Bruins and Dasia Harris.
    
Next for Xavier's women and men will be Jackson State at 1 p.m. Sunday at XU. Both XU teams are playing their final six regular-season duals against NCAA Division I opponents.
    
NOTES:  It was the second time in the last three duals and the third time this season that the Gold Nuggets dropped all three doubles matches . . . The Gold Nuggets are 2-3 this season against NCAA DIs . . . XU coach Alan Green announced a date and time change for women's and men's duals at the University of New Orleans. New dates will be April 18 for the women and April 19 for the men. Start time of both will be 2 p.m. The original playing date was April 15.

Results

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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ASU adds JUCO transfer Young-Battle to QB mix

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Brian Jenkins has added Jujuan Young-Battle to the quarterback competition at Alabama State.

A junior college transfer from Ellsworth Community College in Iowa, Young-Battle threw for 3,118 yards and 26 touchdowns in 11 games last season.

Jenkins saw the Orlando native play at Jones High and said he’s been following him ever since. When asked who No. 4 was after Friday’s spring practice, Jenkins played coy at first, but ultimately let the cat out the bag as he foresees a bright future for Young-Battle at ASU.

“He has a chance to be a really good player,” Jenkins said about Young-Battle, who also played receiver in high school.



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3 from XU are repeat winners of GCAC weekly awards

 NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Sha'Nel Bruins, Thomas Setodjiand Christopher Kennie, no strangers to Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player and/or Performer of the Week awards, were honored again Tuesday for their efforts March 28-April 3.
     
Bruins won in GCAC women's tennis for the third consecutive week, the fifth time this season and the sixth time in her career. Setodji, a freshman, won in men's tennis for the third time. Kennie is the men's field performer for the second consecutive week and the fourth time in his career.
     
Bruins, a junior from Colfax, La., and a graduate of Grant High School, won in doubles and singles against NCAA Division I Prairie View A&M and helped Xavier win that dual 6-3. She also won in singles against NAIA No. 11 Northwestern Ohio. Bruins' five GCAC weekly awards are the second-most ever in a season by an XU women's tennis player.
     
Setodji, from Domont, France, was 3-0 in singles and 2-1 in doubles. Setodji and Kevin Chaouat defeated the ITA's second-ranked NAIA doubles team, Daniel Rueda and Thommy Johansson of Northwestern Ohio, 8-6 en route to a 6-3 Xavier dual victory — Xavier's first-ever dual team victory against an NAIA top-5 opponent. Setodji also recorded singles victories against Prairie View A&M and Louisiana-Lafayette.
   
Kennie, a senior from New Orleans and a graduate of Holy Cross High School, produced a career best of 6.65 meters (21 feet, 10 inches) in the long jump at the Mississippi College Twilight Invitational. Kennie's mark in this event is the best by an XU student-athlete this season.
   
 Next competition for these XU teams:
     •  Women's tennis:  2 p.m. Wednesday vs. Southern at XU Tennis Center — note that the start time has been moved up one hour.
     •  Men's tennis:  1 p.m. Sunday vs. Jackson State at XU Tennis Center. The XU women also will play Jackson State at this site and time.
     •  Men's and women's track and field:  9 a.m. Saturday in the Leon Johnson NSU Invitational at Natchitoches, La.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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