No. 3 Rush first in line for at-large bid nationals

NEW ORLEANS — For the second consecutive year, Xavier University of Louisiana has secured the first at-large bid to the NAIA Men's Tennis National Championship.

Xavier (14-7) remained No. 3 in the coaches poll announced Monday afternoon, then learned 90 minutes later it was among the 24 teams to qualify for nationals.

The Gold Rush qualified for nationals for the eighth consecutive year and the eighth time overall.

The NAIA National Championships will be played May 17-21 at Copeland-Cox Mobile Tennis Center in Mobile, Ala. It will be Mobile's 13th consecutive year as host. The NAIA will announce seedings and the bracket Tuesday.

Xavier is 8-1 this season against NAIA opponents, 4-1 against the top 10. The Gold Rush have a pair of victories against No. 9 William Carey and one each against No. 4 Northwestern Ohio and No. 6 Keiser. The Gold Rush lost 5-1 Friday at No. 1 Georgia Gwinnett — the two-time defending national champion — in an NAIA unaffiliated group tournament.

The top-25 appearance is the Gold Rush's 76th in a row. That streak began April 4, 2007. The XU men are in the top 10 for the 46th consecutive time; that streak began May 3, 2011.

Georgia Gwinnett is a unanimous No. 1 for the 17th consecutive poll, dating to the 2014 postseason rankings.

The lowest-ranked team to earn an at-large bid was No. 20 Warner.

NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll

1. Georgia Gwinnett
2. Auburn Montgomery
3. Xavier
4. Northwestern Ohio
5. Dalton State
6. Keiser
7. Lindsey Wilson
8. Coastal Georgia
9. William Carey
10. Aquinas
11. Cardinal Stritch
12. Lewis-Clark State
13. Reinhardt
14. Westmont
15. McPherson
16. Olivet Nazarene
17. Mobile
18. Cumberlands
19. Bethany (Kan.)
20. Warner
21. Middle Georgia
22. Pikeville
23. Campbellsville
24. Tennessee Wesleyan
25. IU Southeast


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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17 current, former Xavier athletes receive degrees

Volleyball graduates CeCe Williams and Franziska Pirkl. Pirkl was magna cum laude.
#xulagrad16 — at Xavier University of Louisiana.

NEW ORLEANS — Seventeen current and former student-athletes received degrees Saturday at Xavier University of Louisiana's 2016 commencement at XU's Convocation Center.
     
It was Xavier's 89th annual commencement. The total number of athletic-related degrees was 20.
     
Student-athletes graduating (with high schools in parentheses) were:
     •  Vashni Korin Balleste, Rock Tavern, N.Y. (Washingtonville), women's tennis, bachelor of arts . . . honors in English.
     •  Jodi Simone Chatters, Lake Charles, La. (St. Louis Catholic), women's volleyball, bachelor of science . . . magna cum laude.
     •  Ryan Derek DeRousselle, Marrero, La. (Archbishop Shaw), men's basketball, master of arts.
     •  Brion J. Flowers, Lafayette, La. (St. Thomas More), women's tennis, bachelor of science.
     •  Whitney Monaté Gathright, New Orleans, La. (John Curtis Christian), women's basketball, bachelor of science.
     •  Emoni Anita Harvey, Memphis, Tenn. (Briarcrest Christian), women's basketball, bachelor of arts.
     •  Jodi De'Shae Hill, Prairieville, La. (Dutchtown), women's volleyball, bachelor of arts . . . cum laude.
     •  Zahri Iman Jackson, Kingwood, Texas (Kingwood Park), women's cross country/track and field, bachelor of science.
     •  Mario Alexander Myles, Stone Mountain, Ga. (Redan), men's tennis, master of arts in teaching.
     •  Simone-Alyse Nicole Elizabeth Newell, Detroit, Mich. (The Roeper School), women's tennis, bachelor of arts . . . honors in English.
     •  Franziska Antonia Pirkl, Munich, Germany (Theodolinden Gymnasium), women's volleyball, bachelor of arts . . . magna cum laude, honors in business.
     •  Xavier A. Rogers, Denton, Texas (Lake Dallas), men's basketball, bachelor of science.
     •  Alesha Noel Smith, Athens, Ga. (Clarke Central), women's basketball, bachelor of arts . . . cum laude, University Service Key Award.
     •  Briana Simms, Hendersonville, Tenn. (Station Camp), women's cross country/track and field, bachelor of science.
     •  Nikita Soifer, Beer Sheva, Israel (Hof Hasharon), men's tennis, bachelor of science.
     •  Jarvis Kelvin Thibodeaux, Houston, Texas (St. Pius X), men's basketball, bachelor of science . . . honors in theology.
     •  Cecily Cymone Williams, Houma, La. (Vandebilt Catholic), women's volleyball, bachelor of science.
     •  Kailey Marie Williams, Fort Worth, Texas (Martin), women's cross country/track and field, bachelor of science.
     Also graduating were:
     •  Omotolani K. Etti, men's basketball student manager, bachelor of arts.
     •  Jasmine Nicole Renard, basketball statistician, bachelor of science.
     •  Ahmad Abdul Azeem Siddiqui, men's basketball student manager, bachelor of science . . . honors in English.
     
Xavier is one of 44 colleges listed as a "Best Buy School" in the 2016 edition of the Fiske Guide to Colleges. Xavier's intercollegiate teams compete in the NAIA and the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. (Cross country competed as a Red River Athletic Conference affiliate member in 2015.)
    
NOTES:  DeRousselle is an XU men's basketball assistant coach . . . Balleste and Flowers will compete for Xavier next week in the NAIA National Tennis Championships at Mobile, Ala.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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North Carolina A&T Aggies Men's Track and Field Earns #21 National Ranking

National Top-25

Regional Top-15

May 2-8 Rankings

GREENSBORO, North Carolina – The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), the governing body of track and field in the USA, released its latest top-25 NCAA Division I team rankings on Monday with the North Carolina A&T men’s track and field team listed among the top-25 for the first time in program history. They jumped an amazing 71 spots from 92nd to 21st in a week.

N.C. A&T’s top-25 slot puts them higher than some schools from big-named conferences such as South Carolina of the SEC and Kansas and Texas Christian of the Big 12. The Aggies’ previous highest ranking was 48th in 2008. The Aggies are ranked eighth in the USTFCCCA southeast region behind Kentucky, South Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech, N.C. State, Louisville and Clemson.

“Our team and staff are excited about our current national and regional rankings,” said director of track and field programs Duane Ross. “We’ve known all season that these guys can compete with anyone in the country at any time. There’s still a lot of competing to do. The goal is the awards podium at the NCAA championships. Once we have that, I’ll celebrate. We don’t want to be the best HBCU track and field team in the country. We want to be the best track and field team in the country…period.”

Mightily assisting in the team’s national ranking were the performances given over the weekend at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Outdoor Track & Field Championships held at N.C. A&T’s Irwin Belk Track as N.C. A&T broke two MEAC records. The USTFCCCA recognized the top-10 college track & field performance in the country from May 2-8 by reviewing every college track & field contest from all levels (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, etc.). Thirteen Aggies made the list, and a few received multiple recognition.

Aggie junior Christopher Belcher had the highest rankings. His performances in the 100 and 200 meters were established as the best in the country for the week, as he marked a MEAC record 10.07 and a 20.39 respectively. Moreover, surpassing simply weekend acclamation, Belcher’s performances elevated him nationally. He ranks third in the nation, second in the east region, in the 100. In the 200, he is fifth nationally and fourth in the east.

When disqualifying the times that were wind-aided, Belcher sits at No. 1 in the country in the 100 and No. 2 in the 200. Though times that are aided by the wind (where the wind measures 2.0 meters per second and above) are considered for qualifying times to NCAA regionals and nationals, they do not count toward any form of record breaking times or marks for conferences, regionals, nationals, etc., making Belcher’s performances even more significant.

“Chris is by far one of the hardest working athletes I’ve ever had. I have to make him take days off from practice,” said Ross. “What makes him so dangerous is that he and I are on the exact same page about how far we want him to go in this sport. He wants it all: the NCAA title, the Olympic trials title, and ultimately the Olympic medal. He’s an absolute joy to coach and watch compete and his future is very bright.”

Over the weekend, Belcher also assisted the 4x100 team in making the USTFCCCA top-10 list. Junior Maurice Eaddy, junior Caleb Gabriel and freshman Rodney Rowe teamed with Belcher to run a MEAC record 39.58 that placed them second in the nation for the week. The 4x1 team is ranked twice among the top-24 teams in the east region. Their 39.58 time has them ranked 11th and their 39.98 time at the Florida Relays (3/31/16) has them ranked 23rd.

Also making the USTFCCCA list for the men was the 4x400 relay team consisting of freshman Justin Hamilton, junior Dorian Claggett, sophomore Corey Aiken, and sophomore Dajuan Harding. The men’s 3:07.67 in the relay put them at third in the country for the week. Harding also had an individual performance rank third in his 46.14 mark in the 400. The last male to make the list was junior Frank Quarles, who won the individual conference title in the men’s long jump over the weekend. In the long jump, Quarles reached 25-feet, 7 ¼-inches in the finals that ranked third and 25-feet, 2-inches in the trials that ranked ninth last week.

As for the women, sophomore India Brown and freshman Kayla White were listed as the top individual performers. USTFCCCA ranked Brown’s times second and fourth in the 100, with her preliminary time of 11.47 and her finals run of 11.50.

Brown was also listed 10th in the in the 200 for her 23.75 sprint in the championships. Brown won MEAC championships in the 100 and 200 over the weekend.

Claiming three individual weekly rankings of her own, White took seventh in the 100 (11.57) and fourth (13.48) and eighth (13.52) in the 100-meter hurdles listings. Her 13.52 helped her win the MEAC title in the 100mh. Brown and White were also ranked together with freshman Yakira Love and sophomore Morgan Knight in the 4x100. The quartet was listed fifth for their 44.96 performance in the event.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Farrier impressing as Morgan State interim coach

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- The 2015 coach of the year in the FCS began last season with an interim label, only to shed it midway through the regular season in what was a spectacular turnaround for his team.

It would be hard for any interim coach to match what Portland State's Bruce Barnum accomplished in earning STATS FCS Coach of the Year - staging a six-win improvement, beating a pair of FBS opponents and leading the Vikings to the national playoffs for only the second time.

But Fred Farrier, the interim head coach at Morgan State, has made a solid impression over the first three months since he was elevated from offensive coordinator to replace Lee Hull, who resigned from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference program after two seasons to become the Indianapolis Colts' wide receivers coach.

The 44-year-old Farrier says he's "chasing championships" at Morgan State. As an assistant coach, he helped the Bears earn a share of the 2014 MEAC title and reach the FCS playoffs for the first time, with his offense setting 35 school records.

"He's been evaluated on a daily, weekly basis here to determine, hey, is he the right guy? That could happen at any time," said Morgan State athletic director Floyd Kerr, whose program is the only one among 124 FCS schools with an interim coach.

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Dylan Dillard’s RBI Triple in the 10th Inning Lifts Florida A&M Over NC Central 5-4

DYLAN DILLARD

DURHAM, North Carolina – Dylan Dillard scored Alec Wong with an RBI triple in the top of the 10th inning to give Florida A&M (26-18, 16-5 MEAC) a 5-4 win over North Carolina Central (24-27, 11-13 MEAC) at the Durham Athletic Park on Sunday afternoon. The FAMU pitching staff combined to hold NC Central hitless over the final 6.2 innings. Sawyer Betts came in to pitch in the fifth inning and went five scoreless innings of relief with no hits, one walk and three strikeouts to earn the win. Betts faced the minimum number of batters. Dillard finished the day 3-for-5 at the plate with a double, triple and four RBI.

Kendal Weeks sat the Eagles down in order in the bottom of the 10th inning to pick up his fifth save of the season. Offensively, Brian Davis also went 2-for-5 with a double, RBI and a run scored.

The Rattlers scored first with three runs in the third inning for a 3-0 lead. Marlon Gibbs and Wong drew back-to-back walks with two outs before Davis scored Gibbs from second with an RBI single to center field. Both runners then advanced on a wild pitch andDillard drove in both Wong and Davis with a two-run single to left field.

NC Central answered to take the lead with four runs (two earned) in the bottom of the third inning for a 4-3 lead. Ellington Hopkins dropped in a bloop single to left field to lead off the inning. Trevor Theissen then reached on a fielding error by Ryan Hutson as runners were now on first and second with no outs. James Dey followed with a single to right field to load the bases and Hopkins scored from third on a groundout to second by Carlos Ortiz. Zachary Marszal plated Thiessen with an RBI single into center field and Dey came home on a single to right field by Tom Prospero that tied the game at 3-3. With runners on the corners, Danny Rodriguez came in for relief of starter Chase Jarrell. Marszal would score the then go-ahead run on a sac fly to left field from Conrad Kovalcik. Rodriguez was able to get Christian Triplett to end the inning on a groundout to short.

FAMU tied the game at 4-4 on an RBI double from Dillard in the fifth inning. Gibbs led off with a single into the right center gap and was later out at second as Wong reached on a fielder’s choice. With two outs, Wong moved to second on a balk and then came around to score the tying run on an RBI double into right center from Dillard.

In the 10th inning with one out, Wong doubled down the right line and Dillard crushed an RBI triple over the head of the centerfielder, Ortiz, to give the Rattlers a 5-4 lead.

Justice Sampson (3-3) suffered the loss after giving up the go-ahead run in the 10th inning. Sampson pitched 0.2 innings with one run on two hits.

Florida A&M returns home this week to end the 2016 regular season with a five game home stand. The Rattlers will face Mercer for a pair of mid-week games on Tuesday and Wednesday with first pitch scheduled for 4:00 PM on both days. FAMU will then close out the regular season against North Carolina A&T next weekend at Moore-Kittles Field. There will be a single game on Friday and a doubleheader on Saturday.

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

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COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alabama State Wins Seventh Straight Outdoor Track Title

NORMAL, Alabama – For the seventh straight year and the 11^thtime overall, the Alabama State Lady Hornets won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships continued Saturday at Alabama A&M University’s Louis Crews Stadium. It marks the fifth consecutive season that the Hornet women have won the SWAC Triple Crown (Cross Country, Indoor Track/Field and Outdoor Track/Field).

In second was Grambling State with 127 points. Prairie View was third (103.50). Alabama State’s Sade Lavallias (22 points through three events) shared the Most Outstanding Track Performer award with Grambling’s Halima Chepkwony (22 points through four events), and Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Sireta Roach won the Most Outstanding Field Performer, racking up 25 points through four events.

Ritchie Beene from Alabama State was named Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year. Full standings, results from day three, and all-conference teams are listed below.

FINAL STANDINGS 
1. Alabama State – 176.5
2. Grambling - 127
3. Prairie View – 103.5
4. Texas Southern – 96
5. Southern – 76
6.  Alabama A&M – 62
7. Alcorn State - 53
8. Arkansas-Pine Bluff - 51
9. Jackson State - 45
10. Mississippi Valley - 24

WOMEN’S DAY THREE HIGHLIGHTS

Alabama State’s Kadijah Gordon won her second event of the meet, claiming the victory in the Triple Jump with a distance of 12.25m. Grambling State’s Darlene Desmangles was second (12.10m) and with a distance of 11.52m, Texas Southern’s DaShavonta Kinney finished third.

Latoya Gilding of Jackson State claimed the gold in the Discus, clearing 49.47m. Southern’s Georgeanna Felder and Jamira Russ rounded out the top three, with Felder (48.04m) finishing second and Russ finishing third with 47.04m.

Grambling State’s 4x100m relay team – Takyra Beverly, Chellane Jones, Creshonda Carter, Ja’lyn Simon – won its event with a time of 44.73. In second was Alcorn State (45.77) and Texas Southern finished third with a time of 45.87.

Brandee Ebert of Alabama State won the 1500m run with a time of 4:48.15. Halima Chepkwony was second with a result of 4:55.20 and in third place was Jackson State’s Stherline Silencieux (4:58.84).

Monica Howard of Alabama State (14.17) held off a late charge from Prairie View’s Deonca Bookman (14.57) to win the 100m hurdles. Bookman finished second, and Jackson State’s Khadijah Qualls finished third (14.87).

Prairie View’s Nekiesha Bailey won the women’s high jump with a leap of 1.76m, which was .02m off the conference record. Alicia Terrell (Alabama State) was second (1.67m), and Aaliyah Chatman of Texas Southern was third with a mark of 1.63m.

Creshonda Carter of Grambling (54.95) took the top spot on the podium in the 400m dash, with Taylor Sunkett of Alabama A&M (55.49) finishing second and Texas Southern’s Breana Dockery claiming third with a mark of 55.55.

Grambling State’s Chellane Jones (11.62) won the women’s 100m dash, and Alcorn State’s Jasmine Robinson was second with 11.75. Winning the bronze medal was Grambling State’s Ja’lyn Simon (11.92).

For the third-straight year, Alabama State’s Tatianna Etienne won the 800m conference crown, doing so in 2:07.70. Teammate Shantia Wilson was second at 2:10.91 and Alabama A&M’s Keanna McIntyre finished third at 2:11.70.

Deonca Bookman (Prairie View) won the 400m Hurdles in 59.80 seconds. Mississippi Valley’s LaKeia Hill (1:02.59) was second, and in third was Southern’s Rykeisha Bankhead (1:02.91).

Grambling’s Chellane Jones was crowned the 200m dash SWAC champion with a time of 24.07 seconds. In second was Alcorn State’s Jasmine Robinson (24.31) and Breana Dockery of Texas Southern earned the bronze (24.44).

In the women’s 5000m run, Artrailia Lesane of Alabama State clocked in at 19:28.35 to win the event. Dynasty Williams of Alcorn State (19:34.09) finished second, and coming in third place was Alabama State’s Sade Lavallias (19:41.27).

During the final event of the championships, Grambling State – Ja’lyn Simon, Creshonda Carter, Dana Broadnax, Chellane Jones -- was able to claim the 4x400m Relay (3:42.18), overtaking Alabama State during the first half of the final leg. Prairie View finished second (3:43.24), and Alabama State (3:44.22) was third.

ALL-CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM
Lori Davis (Alabama State)
Sade Lavallias (Alabama State)
Quinta Collier (Alabama State)
Jamira Russ (Southern)
Sireta Roach (Arkansas-Pine Bluff)
Kadijah Gordon (Alabama State)
Latoya Gilding (Jackson State)
Jada Curbeam (Prairie View)
Keanna McIntyre (Alabama A&M)
Creshonda Carter (Grambling)
Chellane Jones (Grambling)
Takyra Beverly (Grambling)
Ja’lyn Simon (Grambling)
Brandee Ebert (Alabama State)
Monica Howard (Alabama State)
Deonca Bookman (Prairie View)
Tatiana Etienne (Alabama State)
Artrailia Lesane (Alabama State)
Dana Broadnax (Grambling State)

ALL-CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM
Ashley Shepard (Southern)
Georgeanna Felder (Southern)
Darlene Desmangles (Grambling)
Shakalia Williams (Alabama State)
Christine Powers (Prairie View)
Camirey Jackson (Prairie View)
Kenya Wheeler (Grambling)
Chelsea Prather (Alabama A&M)
Tradeshia Conner (Alcorn State)
Chinyere Mbonu (Alcorn State)
Jada Hunt (Alcorn State)
Jasmine Robinson (Alcorn State)
Halima Chepkwony (Grambling)
Taylor Sunkett (Alabama A&M)
Shantia Wilson (Alabama State)
LaKeia Hill (Mississippi Valley)
Dynasty Williams (Alcorn State)
Husniyyah Rogers (Prairie View)
Takara Coleman (Prairie View)
Brandalyn Williams (Prairie View)

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Texas Southern Claims Outdoor Track and Field Title

NORMAL, Alabama  – The Texas Southern Tigers won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships continued Saturday at Alabama A&M University’s Louis Crews Stadium. It marks the fourth consecutive season that the Hornet women have won the SWAC Triple Crown (Cross Country, Indoor Track/Field and Outdoor Track/Field).

In second was Jackson State with 106.50 points. Alabama State finished third with 106 points. Jackson State’s Bentrell McGee won the Most Outstanding Track Performer award, winning the 100m Dash, 110m Hurdles and 200m Dash events. Southern’s Reginald Redding won the Most Outstanding Field Performer, racking up 28 points through three events.

Clyde Duncan from Alabama State was named Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year. Full standings, results from day three, and all-conference teams are listed below.

FINAL STANDINGS
1. Texas Southern – 150.5

2. Jackson State – 106.50

3. Alabama State - 106

4. Southern - 102

5. Grambling State  - 89

6. Prairie View A&M - 80

7. Arkansas-Pine Bluff - 60

8. Alabama A&M – 55

9. Mississippi Valley - 48

10. Alcorn State - 12

MEN’S DAY THREE HIGHLIGHTS

Travis Sanders of Texas Southern prevailed in the men’s high jump, as he cleared 7-00.25 feet in the event (2.14m) in less tries than Grambling’s David Parker to earn the gold. Parker was second, and coming in third place was Dyrez Ribero of Alabama State (2.10m).

Jawalyn Brooks (Texas Southern) earned the victory in the pole vault with a clearance of 4.80m. In second was Southern’s Desmond Thomas with a height of 4.45m, and Texas Southern’s Cassius King passed 4.25m to earn third.

D’Andre Lewis of Texas Southern ran a 3:58.91 in the 1500m run to win the gold, and Jackson State took the remaining two spots went to Jackson State. Raheem Skinner (4:01.63) was second, and James Curtis (4:04.85) was third.

Terrance Jenkins, Justin Davis, Ryan Hall and Kevin Spraggins (Alabama State) won the 4x100m relay with a mark of 40.47 seconds. Southern finished second (40.65) and with a time of 40.77, Alabama A&M finished third.

With a toss of 48.05m, Jackson State’s Deshaun Allen won the gold medal in the Discus. Finishing second was Southern’s Reginald Redding (46.89m) and Roshaine Byfield of Alabama State was third with a throw of 42.74m.

Texas Southern swept the men’s triple jump, with Tevin Kimble (15.09m) winning the event. Harvey Kendall Jr. finished second with a leap of 14.94m, and Ian Williams Jr. (14.87m) was third.

Bentrell McGee of Jackson State clocked in at 14.08 seconds to claim the win in the 110m Hurdles. Shane Martin (Mississippi Valley State) was second at 14.33 seconds, and in third was Prairie View’s Logan Williams (14.47).

Jamael McTear (Grambling State) overtook Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Jerrel Wilson down the stretch to win the 400m dash. McTear won with a mark of 46.50, and Wilson was second with a time of 47.11. Texas Southern’s Darius Birden (47.24) was third.

Bentrell McGee was .05 away from a new conference record, winning the 100m dash in 10.19. Southern took the next two spots on the medal stand, with Tylor Lighten (10.42) in second and Darell Nettles (10.49) coming in third.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Malique Smith (1:53.30) was the winner of the men’s 800m run, with Bryont Brown of Alabama State (1:55.67) was the silver medalist, and in third place was Grambling’s Montieco Harris (1:57.82).

Justin Cooper (UAPB) was able to withstand a late surge from Prairie View’s Logan Williams to claim the gold in the 400m Hurdles. Cooper won with a time of 52.10 seconds. Williams finished second at 52.29, and in third was Alabama State’s Terrance Adams (53.50).

Bentrell McGee of Jackson State’s also won the 200m dash with a time of 20.57, Prairie View’s Samuel Omoera (20.93) was second, and in third was Grambling’s Jamael McTear (20.94).

Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s 4x400m Relay team – Jerrel Wilson, Justin Cooper, Malique Smith, Juwan Parker – won its event with a time of 3:10.11. Prairie View was second (3:13.12) and Alabama State finished third (3:14.00)

ALL-CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM
Hassan Chepkwony (Grambling)

Lawrence Williams (Southern)

Reginald Redding (Southern)

Maurice Jones (Alabama A&M)

Drayton Rolle (Texas Southern)

Romello Nalepa (Mississippi Valley)

Travis Sanders (Texas Southern)

Tevin Kimble (Texas Southern)

Bentrell McGee (Jackson State)

Deshaun Allen (Jackson State)

D’Andre Lewis (Texas Southern)

Justin Cooper (Arkansas-Pine Bluff)

Malique Smith (Arkansas-Pine Bluff)

Jamael McTear (Grambling)

Jawalyn Brooks (Texas Southern)

Jerrel Wilson (Arkansas-Pine Bluff)

Juwan Parker (Arkansas-Pine Bluff)

ALL-CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM
Aaron Albert (Mississippi Valley)

Miles Dortch (Arkansas-Pine Bluff)

Terrell Perry (Texas Southern)

O’Shane Shaw (Alabama State)

William Gordon (Alcorn State)

Harvey Kendall Jr. (Texas Southern)

Akil Bennett (Southern)

Aaron Austin (Prairie View)

David Parker (Grambling)

Samuel Omoera (Prairie View)

Logan Williams (Prairie View)

Bryont Brown (Alabama State)

Tylor Lighten (Southern)

Jerrel Wilson (Arkansas-Pine Bluff)

Shane Martin (Mississippi Valley)

Raheem Skinner (Jackson State)

Yanik Duffus (Southern)

Jaylin Thomas (Southern)

Darrell Nettles (Southern)

Desmond Thomas (Southern)

Darwin Allen (Prairie View)

Brandon Kirby (Prairie View)

William Polley (Prairie View)

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Runners-Up! Lincoln Blue Tigers Takes 2nd at MIAA Championship! Lincoln Men Takes Third

MARYVILLE, Missiouri  --  Diana Cauldwell claimed the High Point Scorer Award after helping the Lincoln women's outdoor track & field team take second at the MIAA Championships. The three-day meet was hosted by Northwest Missouri State University from Friday through Sunday (May 6-8).

Cauldwell won both the triple jump (12.42m) and the long jump (6.19m), and was a member of LU's winning 4x100m relay team. Joining with Chrisdale McCarthy, Kimberly Bailey and Venicha Baker, Cauldwell helped Lincoln win the relay in 45.39. Cauldwell also took fifth in the 100m (12.12).

Bailey won the 100m (11.81) and McCarthy took sixth (12.40). Tina Coombs took fourth in the long jump (5.88m) and seventh in the triple jump (11.84m). In the latter event, Jonelle Campbell finished second with a distance of 12.39m.

Baker won the 200m in 23.80 while Bailey was the runner-up in 24.25. McCarthy, meanwhile, won the 100m hurdles with a time of 13.38. Nadia Harriott took third in the 100m hurdles (14.22), and Kimona Shaw claimed third in the 400m hurdles with a time of 1:00.81.

Jhevere Hall was the winner of the 800m (2:11.50) and placed second in the 1500m (4:37.90). Baker had Lincoln's other victory of the day, as she took first in the 400m in 53.60. Kissi-Ann Brown was the runner-up in that event, timing in at 53.98.

Lincoln scored 138 points to finish behind only Pittsburg State (170 points) at the league title meet. Central Missouri (127) rounded out the top-three, and Fort Hays State (83.6) and Missouri Southern (72.5) respectively finished fourth and fifth. Northwest Missouri (53.2) came in sixth, followed by Nebraska-Kearney (41.1), Southwest Baptist (39.5), Emporia State (36), Central Oklahoma (31.6) and Lindenwood (25.5).

The Lincoln men's outdoor track & field team won four events en route to a third place finish at the 2016 MIAA Championships, hosted by Northwest Missouri State University from Friday through Sunday (May 6-8).

The Blue Tigers opened the final day of the meet by winning the 4x100m relay, as the foursome of Jakiel David, Stephen Rose,Roger Blake and Roberto Smith timed in at 40.74. Smith later won the 100m dash, timing in at 10.40.

Darran Hunter was the victor of the 400m hurdles, finishing in 52.67, while Winston Edwards came in second at 53.34. Alva Henry, meanwhile, clocked in at 54.87 to place fifth in that event.

LU's other win came in the long jump, as Sedeekie Edie turned in the event's longest mark of 7.76m. In the triple jump, Orneldo Thomas placed second with a leap of 14.89m. Owen Smith finished sevneth in the latter event with a distance of 14.27m.

Hunter was the runner-up in the 110m hurdles at 14.58, with Stallone Watson taking third with a time of 14.84. Miguel Bartonplaced eighth in the 400m (58.63) and seventh in the 200m (31.24). In the latter event, Blake placed third (21.54) and Rose came in fourth (21.55).

Lincoln also turned in a third-place finish in the 4x400m relay, with the team of Edwards, Jeromia Riley, Kevon Robinson and Blake clocking in at 3:14.45. Riley rounded out LU's notable finishes with a sixth-place result in the 800m (1:56.14).

Missouri Southern scored 145 team points to win the MIAA Championship, with Pittsburg State (134) and Lincoln (104) rounding out the top-three. Central Missouri (94) took fourth and Northwest Missouri (78) placed fifth. Nebraska-Kearney (62.5) came in sixth, followed by Lindenwood (56), Emporia State (54), Southwest Baptist (47) and Fort Hays State (43.5). 

Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
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Bethune-Cookman sweeps PGA Minority Collegiate titles

PHOTO GALLERIES: Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida  –  Bethune-Cookman swept the Men’s Division I and Women’s Team competitions at the 30th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship, contested at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida, but not without the Wildcat men requiring an extra hole of work.

Although not mathematically impossible, a playoff in college golf is at least mathematically improbable. After three days and 216 holes, Bethune-Cookman and Tennessee State University were implausibly tied, having each taken 907 shots.

Fittingly, both programs reported to the first hole of the Wanamaker Course, where everything started on Friday morning.

Two groups and 25 minutes later, Bethune-Cookman emerged as Men’s Division I champions, having required only 20 shots to Tennessee State’s 21 on the 487-yard, par-5 opening hole.

Playoffs in collegiate team golf are “pretty rare,” according to Bethune-Cookman Head Golf Coach Loritz “Scooter” Clark. “Truthfully, at the end, I was just hoping for a playoff. I wanted an opportunity to see if we could continue it and pull it out. We were able to do just that. What was fun was, on the first green, during the playoff, seeing a different level of focus and determination from all our kids. They earned this. Tennessee State played very well and pushed us.”

Tennessee State’s bid was led by freshman Drew Owens, who was the Division I Men’s medalist at 221.

At 897, Bethune-Cookman’s women again asserted their dominance in the Women’s Team Division, claiming their record fifth consecutive title in the PGA Minority Collegiate Championship. The victory was also the Wildcats’ 13th in the 19-year history of the Women’s Division. A freshman, Shamiso Hatchard, set the tone for Bethune-Cookman’s 30-stroke victory over runner-up Chicago State University (927).

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Tennessee State University Student-Athletes Celebrate Graduation

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Tennessee State University student-athletes celebrated their accomplishments in the classroom as seniors walked across the stage as part of the University’s 2016 spring commencement ceremony at William Jasper Hale Stadium on campus on Saturday morning.

A total of 47 graduates from the TSU Athletic Department heard their name called as part of the ceremony for those graduating in May or with expected summer graduations.

“I’m so excited that we have such a large number of student-athletes graduating this year,” said Dr. Johnnie Smith, TSU Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services. “This is the first year that we have had this many students graduate. It proves that academics and athletics can ride together and students can be successful at both.”

Some of the accomplishments of the group from the 2015-16 academic year alone include three First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference selections, two OVC Defensive Player of the Year Awards, two OVC All-Newcomer team honors, two First Team All-America selections and seven OVC individual medals.

Former U.S. Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. served as the Undergraduate Ceremony speaker on a bright and sunny day at Hale Stadium as TSU student-athletes joined the growing list of the school’s alumni base.

PHOTO GALLERY

VOLLEYBALL
Madison Halterman
Haley Hampton

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Brianna Lawrence

GOLF
Blake Burgett
Kelly Merkel
Sarah Needleman

TENNIS
Kyle Burton

TRACK AND FIELD
Travon Alexander
Shaquille Cragwall
Jalon McCutcheon
Sharrieff Slaughter
Jayla Burr
Clairwin Dameus
Ashontae Jackson
Keshae Johnson
Felicia Oladokun
Jasmine Owens
Oteia Prince
Sharmill Whyatt

MEN'S BASKETBALL
Keron DeShields
Demontez Loman
Tahjere McCall
Jaleel Queary
Xavier Richards
Marcus Roper

SOFTBALL
Lindsey Burgess
Lauren Dreitlein
Olivia Gamache
Taylor Green
Joselynn Yates

FOOTBALL
Andrew Bather
Kilu Fontaine-Ellis
Isaiah Freeman
DeAndre Haynes
Telvin Hooks
Gershom Jordan
Antonio Justice
Sterlin Leveque
Jhaquelle Love
Sebastian Kertchival
Nathaniel McGill
Ryan Mitchell
Hakeem Parker
Thomas Smith
Harold Watson
Duaron Williams
Aaron Woods

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President Barack Obama Delivers the Commencement Address at Howard University

Spike Lee Chronicles Historic Howard University Soccer Team

The "Redemption Song" movie debuts on ESPN’s SportsCenter June 7 but will be online for the launch of the network’s new website The Undefeated on May 17

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Lincoln “Tiger” Phillips calls it, “a setback that led to comeback” regarding his 1971 Howard University national championship soccer team that was stripped of its title by the NCAA, setting the stage for them to redeem themselves in 1974. To Spike Lee and ESPN, it’s called “Redemption Song,” a short film that gives Lee’s ‘Lil Joints series a chance to chronicle a lost story in the annals of HBCU sports history.

A packed audience watched the debut of the film at Howard University’s Crampton Auditorium April 26 as members of the history making team were honored for their championship exploits. Their saga of blending a multi-national team of elite soccer players during the heart of the civil rights movement into what many experts say was the most talented college team ever stands alone. However, the resilience they displayed overcoming the adversity of a system that was prejudiced towards them makes it more compelling.



Phillips, who faced Pele’ in the North American Soccer League after his stellar career as a goalie in Trinidad and Tobago, made Howard soccer one of the most popular student activities on campus during the early 1970’s. The Bison played with a flashy style that merged the talents of players from the Caribbean and Africa. Their matches, on what is now Greene Stadium, drew standing room only crowds just off Georgia Ave. in Northwest D.C. In 1971 Howard became the first HBCU to win a NCAA Division I national championship when they defeated St. Louis University at The Orange Bowl in Miami.

However, the NCAA stripped Howard of its national championship using ambiguous rules. They ruled that four players lost their amateur status by playing with teams in their home countries. In addition to losing the championship they were also given a one-year probation and couldn’t participate in the national tournament.



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PVAMU Marching Storm Band Headed to NYC for 2017 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

To make a donation click here

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- The Prairie View A&M Marching Storm has been selected to perform in the 2017 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®, representing the University and the State of Texas. This will mark the first Parade appearance by the band. The Marching Storm will join the Parade to the call of Let’s Have a Parade, the iconic phrase that has signaled the start of every Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1924.

Each year, the Macy’s Parade Band Committee looks for bands that have the stage presence, musical and marching abilities to captivate more than 3.5 million live spectators and more than 50 million viewers. The Marching Storm was selected from 175 applicants as one of 10 bands to march in the 2017 edition of the annual holiday spectacle. The band will join the revelry along with other iconic Macy’s staples: floats, giant character balloons, clowns and superstar performers galore on Thanksgiving Day 2017, helping to create an unforgettable experience for millions.

“New York audiences expect musical acts with big sound and incredible energy on Thanksgiving morning,” said Wesley Whatley, creative director for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “Macy’s Band Selection Committee is confident our crowds will be blown away in 2017 as we proudly introduce the Big Apple to the Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm!”

”We are thrilled to have this opportunity to showcase our band and represent the State of Texas at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2017. Our students and band staff are excited that we will get to perform for a national – even international- audience. They have worked hard all year and this is certainly a culminating event to a great year for our program,” explained Dr. Timmey Zachery, Assistant Professor and Band Director.

The Marching Storm will spend the next 18 months planning for their Parade appearance. Rehearsals and creative fundraising events not only bring the school and the community closer but also prepare the students for the march of a lifetime.

For more than eight decades, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has given thanks to what Macy’s values most –- its loyal fans. More than 5,000 Macy’s employees and dedicated volunteers work tirelessly to create a spectacular event that entertains the cheerful crowds and provides joy to millions at home watching on Thanksgiving Day. Stretching down a more than two-mile-long route in New York City, the spectacle is alive with gleaming color, music and smiles.

About Macy’s

Macy’s, the largest retail brand of Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE:M), delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at approximately 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, as well as to customers in the U.S. and more than 100 international destinations through its leading online store at macys.com. Via its stores, e-commerce site, mobile and social platforms, Macy’s offers distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy’s is known for such epic events as Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Macy’s flagship stores including Herald Square in New York City, Union Square in San Francisco, State Street in Chicago, Dadeland in Miami and South Coast Plaza in southern California are known internationally and leading destinations for visitors. Building on a more than 150-year tradition, and with the collective support of customers and employees, Macy’s helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities giving more than $70 million each year to help make a difference in the lives of our customers.

About the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade:

With more than 50 million viewers across the country and more than 3.5 million spectators that line up along the streets of New York City each year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a national icon that has grown into a world-famous holiday event. For almost 90 years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has marked the official start of the holiday season. Growing in size and scale, the Parade proudly marches down a more than 2-mile route in New York City with more than 8,000 participants in tow including Macy’s employees, their families, celebrities, athletes, clowns and dance groups spreading holiday cheer. The Parade also features America’s best marching bands, fabulous floats and Macy’s signature giant helium character balloons. For more information on the Macy’s Parade, please visit www.macys.com/parade or call the Parade hotline at (212) 494-4495.

About Prairie View A&M University

Designated an institution of “the first class” in the Texas Constitution, Prairie View A&M University is the second-oldest public institution of higher education in the state. With an established reputation for producing engineers, nurses and educators, PVAMU offers baccalaureate degrees, master’s degrees and doctoral degree programs through nine colleges and schools. A member of The Texas A&M University System, the University is dedicated to fulfilling its land-grant mission of achieving excellence in teaching, research and service. For more information, visit www.pvamu.edu.

To make a donation click here .



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Vice President Joe Biden Speaks at Delaware State University's 128th Commencement Ceremony

Vice President Biden Commencement Address Starts at 2:44:39

UAPB defeats Grambling for division title

GRAMBLING — A huge fifth inning featuring seven runs lifted the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff to a victory over the Grambling State University Tigers, 15-5, Saturday.

The win gave UAPB the weekend series win, and its third straight SWAC West Division title.

For the first time all season, the Tigers went 0-2 during a weekend series and they are in danger of a first-time season sweep by a Southwestern Athletic Conference opponent. The Tigers have been competitive with UAPB and other SWAC teams all season, but Saturday’s loss at Wilbert Ellis Field means a No. 2 seed for the SWAC baseball tournament in New Orleans later this month.

GSU head coach James Cooper was optimistic, shining a positive light on his team’s game performance, the weekend series and the SWAC tournament.

“We’re playing at home; that’s the biggest positive we’ve got,” he said after the game and looking forward to Sunday afternoon’s final series game. “We haven’t swung the bats exceptionally well here. Hopefully we can come out here and use this home-field advantage to give us a chance to win this game tomorrow.”

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Bluefield State Blues men’s tennis hosts NCAA Atlantic regional

BLUEFIELD, West Virginia — The NCAA banners are up again today at Bluefield City Courts as Bluefield State College hosts the 2016 Men’s Tennis Atlantic Regional.

The NCAA selected the Big Blues, the No. 1 team in the region, to host one of the two Atlantic Region tournaments.

Today the No. 4 and 5 teams in the region, West Virginia Wesleyan and Chowan (N.C.), meet at 11 a.m. on the Bluefield courts.

Today’s survivor takes on Bluefield State at 11 a.m. Monday in the regional co-final.

On both days, doubles competition will occupy three courts simultaneously, to be followed by six singles matches. Admission is free.

The other Atlantic Region tournament is scheduled to conclude today in Edinboro, Pa. The two Atlantic Region winners will travel to Denver, Colo., for the national championship tournament on May 18-21.

“This is the seventh (consecutive) year we’ve made it to the NCAAs,” said Bluefield State tennis coach Louis Belt. “This is our fifth year to host the regionals.”

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West’s Banks to WSSU Rams

MOUNT ULLA', North Carolina — West Rowan senior Hezekiah Banks is a mountain of a young man at 6-foot-5, 335 pounds.

The offensive tackle also has run a 5.2 40-
yard dash — serious motoring for a guy his size.

“Hez is a very athletic big guy,” West coach Joe Nixon said. “He was a big part of our offense, and he also was a great character guy.” Banks, who signed last week with Winston-Salem State, spent some youthful years in New York, but his family relocated to Rowan County when he was still in elementary school.

Basically, Banks is an offensive lineman who has the mobility of a defensive lineman. He’s also blessed with extra-long arms. Those attributes explain why he was chosen to play for North Carolina in last December’s Shrine Bowl. Coaches had their pick of 10 offensive linemen from across the state. Banks is one of the guys they wanted.

“The Shrine Bowl was a good experience because there was a lot of talent there on both teams,” Banks said. “I blocked for a back (Freedom’s B.J. Emmons) who is going to Alabama. It was an intense game and we had a week of intense practices before the game.”

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No. 1 Georgia Gwinnett beats No. 3 Xavier 5-1 in final

LAWRENCEVILLE, Georgia — Top-ranked Georgia Gwinnett defeated No. 3 Xavier University of Louisiana 5-1 Friday in the championship round of an NAIA men's tennis unaffiliated group tournament.

The Grizzlies (22-0) won 2-of-3 doubles matches, then closed the dual by winning at the bottom three singles flights. Lachlan McPhee clinched with a 7-5, 6-2 victory against Tushar Mandlekar at No. 5.

The only victory for the Gold Rush (14-7) was at No. 2 doubles. Kyle Montrel and Karan Salwan defeated the ITA's third-ranked NAIA tandem, Matias Hatem and Connor Clements, 9-8 (7-5).

"This was a hard-fought match," XU coach Alan Green said. "Gwinnett is a great team and will be favored to win nationals. We played tough in portions of the match, but Gwinnett had answers for everything. They showed why they are the No. 1 team in the nation."

The loss was Xavier's first this season to an NAIA opponent. The Gold Rush have four victories this season against top-10 teams.

The victory was the 28th in a row for Georgia Gwinnett, the NAIA champion in 2015 and 2014, and secured for the Grizzlies an automatic bid to the national tournament. Xavier, a national quarterfinalist each of the past four seasons, likely will earn its eighth consecutive bid to nationals and its fifth first-round bye in the last six years. The NAIA will announce its next top 25 poll and the 24 national-tournament qualifiers Monday, then announce the pairings Tuesday. The NAIA National Championship will begin May 17 at Mobile, Ala.

Both Xavier and Georgia Gwinnett won 5-0 in the semifinals Friday. The Gold Rush defeated IU Southeast, and the Grizzlies beat 25th-ranked Asbury. Kevin Chaouat and Thomas Setodji won in doubles and singles for Xavier, and Setodji clinched with a 6-1, 6-0 victory against Jacob Rankin.

Results

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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JUCO Three- Point Specialist Signs With Edward Waters

AMARIAH BROWN

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- Junior college transfer Amariah Brown has signed a letter of intent to play at Edward Waters College. Brown, a 5'4 guard from Hartford, Connecticut, comes to EWC from Roxbury Community College in Roxbury Crossing, Massachusetts where she played for head coach Mark Leszczyk. Last season, she helped lead the Tigers to their first National Junior College Athletic Association Division-III National Championship in program history.

Brown led the NJCAA Division-III in three-point shooting, last season connecting on 47.1% of shots from the bonus sphere, while also averaging 10.0 points per contest. In her sophomore season, Brown started 21 of 27 games for RCC, averaging 32.8 minutes per game.

In her freshman year, Brown appeared in 13 games at Lincoln College of New England, where she averaged 22.3 points per game. Brown also shot 57.0% from the floor and connected on 49.5% from three-point range.

Brown played her high school basketball at Bulkeley High School in Hartford, Connecticut.

She will join a Lady Tiger program that set a school-record with 21 wins and finished second in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. Edward Waters will return one of the most experienced teams in the conference next season after losing only one senior.

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Jarvis Christian Takes Two on First Day of RRAC Baseball Championship

Carlos Andrade delivered four RBIs in JCC's triumph over LSUA

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana -- Fourth-seeded Jarvis Christian snared an opening game win and upset #1 LSU Alexandria stay in the winner's bracket of the 2016 RRAC Baseball Championship Friday. The Bulldogs will meet host LSU Shreveport -- which defeated #2 Houston-Victoria -- on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the double-elimination tournament at Pilots Field.

2016 RRAC Baseball Championship (Schedule/Results | Live Audio)

JCC pounded Our Lady of the Lake, 11-6, to start the tournament and earn the reward of facing LSUA on the same day. The Bulldogs kept the momentum while building a 7-3 lead over the Generals and holding off a late charge to win, 7-6.

In its only game of the day, LSUS exacted revenge on UHV with a 14-4 battering. The Jaguars swept all four games against the Pilots during the regular season.

On Saturday, OLLU and UHV will square off in an elimination game at 11 a.m., followed by JCC against LSUS. In the late game at 7 p.m., LSUA will await the winner of the OLLU-UHV contest.

Game 1: #4 Jarvis Christian 11, #5 Our Lady of the Lake 6
Jarvis Christian used a six-run second inning to build a 10-1 lead over OLLU before holding off a late rally by the Saints. Catcher Anthony Ortiz had a double and three RBIs, while Carlos Andrade, Koby Greene, and Nico Maldonado chipped in two RBI's each for the Bulldogs. Tyler Davis and Josh Razo racked up two RBIs each for OLLU. JCC earned a second game today as they advanced to face LSU Alexandria in the late game at 7:30 p.m.

Game 2: #3 LSU Shreveport 14, #2 Houston-Victoria 4
As in the first game, the second inning set the tone for the Pilots defeat of UHV. Notching seven runs in the inning, LSUS built an 8-0 lead and never looked back. Jamal Martin homered and drove in three runs, Justin Danzer, Connor McMullin and RRAC Player of the Year Alex Montero collected two RBIs each. Robert Herrera doubled twice for the Pilots. Brandon Texiera tossed seven innings for LSUS, scattering seven hits and holding UHV to two runs. The Jaguars' Joshua Boothe racked up three hits -- including a triple, while driving in two runs. UHV had swept the season series, 4-0, over LSUS.

Game 3: Jarvis Christian 7, #1 LSU Alexandria 6
First baseman Carlos Andrade sparked the Bulldogs with a three-run homer in the first inning, and he added a run-scoring single in the fifth. JCC picked up two more runs in the sixth inning to build the 7-3 advantage that it carried into the ninth. That's when LSUA staged a rally with a two-run triple from Mark Traylor Jr. after Trace Oliva and Ziggy Sloan had back-to-back singles. Matt Telesco drove in Traylor to put the tying run on base, but JCC was able to survive with two pitching changes and a pair of fly outs. Luke Thornton picked up the win through six innings of work, while Luis Loya and Tyler Cobb helped maintain the Bulldogs' lead.

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