Brackets Set for 2017 CIAA Men's & Women's Basketball Tournament

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) releases its 2017 Women's and Men's Championship Brackets. The single-elimination tournament will be held in two venues this year: Bojangles' Coliseum February 21-22 and Spectrum Center February 23-25. The final championship contests will tipoff at 4:00 p.m. for the women with the men to follow at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 25.

The Northern Division of the women's side concluded the regular season with a three-way tie for the Division Title. Chowan University, Virginia State University, and Virginia Union University all finished the season with a 7-3 division record. While the teams will be awarded Co-Northern Division Champions, the conference utilizes the following tiebreaker protocol to determine tournament bracket seeds: head-to-head competition, point differential, and conference record.

While Hawks split victories with the Trojans, Virginia State was downed twice by the Lady Panthers of Virginia Union. However, Chowan defeated Virginia Union in both meetings this season. Therefore, Chowan is awarded the No. 1 seed with No. 2 Virginia Union and No. 3 Virginia State to follow.

Bowie State University won their final regular season game for a 6-4 division record and No. 4 rank going in to the tournament. Lincoln (PA) University and Elizabeth City State University round out the North at No. 5 and 6, respectively.

In the women's Southern Division, Johnson C. Smith University clinched the title despite today's loss versus Shaw University. The No. 2 ranking fell to a three-way tie with Livingstone College, Winston-Salem State University, and Shaw University holding a 6-4 division record. After the tiebreaker protocol is applied, Livingstone takes the No. 2 with Winston-Salem State and Shaw to follow. The Blue Bears defeated the Rams in both regular season matchups and tops Shaw due to point differential. Livingstone won 88-73 (+15) while Shaw won 63-60 (+3). Winston-Salem State and Shaw also split victories in the regular season and tied in point differential. Winston-Salem State won 65-59 (+6) and Shaw won 66-60 (+6). When conference records are taken in to account, the Rams (9-7) sit atop of the Lady Bears (8-8).

The remainder of the Southern Division is held by No. 5 Fayetteville State University and No. 6 Saint Augustine's University.

Tuesday's Women's Tournament contests are as follows: 10:00 a.m. Bowie State vs. Fayetteville State, 12:10 p.m. Virginia State vs. Saint Augustine's, 2:20 p.m. Shaw vs. Lincoln (PA), and 4:30 p.m. Wisnton-Salem State vs. Elizabeth City State. In the quarterfinals, Livingstone will await the winner of Virginia State & Saint Augustine's for a 10:00 a.m. tipoff on Wednesday while Chowan will await their opponent between Shaw & Lincoln (PA) for their 12:10 p.m. contest. The winner between Winston-Salem State & Elizabeth City State will advance to face Virginia Union at 2:20 p.m. and Johnson C. Smith will play the winner between Bowie State & Fayetteville State at 4:30 p.m.

The men's Northern Division came down to the wire, but was clinched by Virginia Union. The Panthers ended the regular season with an 8-2 record, a tie with Virginia State. In head-to-head competition, both teams won one game each. Virginia Union won 90-71 (+19) while Virginia State won 74-59 (+15). Number 3 was secured by Chowan after today's overtime victory over VUU. Bowie State, Lincoln (PA), and Elizabeth City State round out the bottom three spots.

The Shaw Bears sit atop of the South as the Division Champion with an 8-2 record in division contests. Livingstone and Winston-Salem State faced-off today for the No. 2 seed. WSSU took the victory to tie LC at 6-4 and make a split mark in head-to-head contests. However, Livingstone holds on to No. 2 due to point differential. The Blue Bears won 101-96 (+5) while the Rams won 78-74 (+4). The Broncos of Fayetteville State earned No. 4 atop the tied Johnson C. Smith and Saint Augustine's teams. JCSU defeated SAU twice for the advantage.

Tuesday's Men's Tournament contests are as follows: 6:40 p.m. Lincoln (PA) vs. Saint Augustine's and 8:50 p.m. Johnson C. Smith versus Elizabeth City State. Games will continue on Wednesday evening with Fayetteville State versus the winner of Lincoln (PA) & Saint Augustine's at 6:40 p.m. and Bowie State versus the winner of Johnson C. Smith and Elizabeth City State at 8:50 p.m. Thursday, February 23 encompasses a full slate of men's games starting at 1:00 p.m. with Livingstone and Chowan. The Shaw Bears will play at 3:00 p.m., Virginia Union at 7:00 p.m., and Virginia State versus Winston-Salem State at 9:00 p.m.

For more information regarding the 2017 CIAA Basketball Tournament, visit ciaatournament.org. Follow the CIAA on social media via Facebook (TheCIAA), Twitter (@CIAAForLife), Instagram (@CIAASports), or download the CIAA mobile app available for Apple and Android devices.

CIAA MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

CIAA Announces 2017 All-Conference Basketball Teams

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  -- The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), with its Men's and Women's Basketball Coaches Association and Sports Information Directors Association, announces the 2017 Men's & Women's All-CIAA First Team and All-Rookie honorees. These outstanding student-athletes will be formally recognized today during the annual Tip-Off Awards Luncheon.

Virginia State University garnered three men's honorees with Elijah Moore, Richard Granberry, and Kevin Williams. Several teams warranted two selections each including Saint Augustine's University with Quincy January and Anthony Gaskins, Shaw University's Joshua Cassady and Benji Bell, and Chowan University's Jeremy Smith and Marco Haskins. William Crandell of Winston-Salem State University, Ray Anderson of Virginia Union University, and David Duncan of Livingstone College complete the All-Conference roster.

On the women's side, the VUU Lady Panthers led the way with four honorees in Lady Walker, Alexis Johnson, Brittany Jackson, and Jayda Luckie. Virginia State's Taylor Daniels and Nandi Taylor, Chowan's Jordan Payne (Chowan), Johnson C. Smith's Blaire Thomas, Fayetteville State's Yakima Clifton, Winston-Salem State's Kandace Tate, Bowie State's Kyah Proctor, and Livingstone's Zena Lovette rounded out the 12-team list.

The Men's All-Rookie Team includes Robert Colon (Winston-Salem State), Josh Bryant (Fayetteville State), Roger Ray (Livingstone), John Maynor (Elizabeth City State), and David Belle (Bowie State).

The women's All-Rookie team consists of Malia Rivers (Johnson C. Smith), Kaaliya Williams (Saint Augustine), Mariah Coker (Chowan), Kyaja Williams (Bowie State) and Shantel Bennett (Fayetteville State).

Men's Front Court
#1 Quincy January Saint Augustine's
#20 Elijah Moore Virginia State
#32 Richard Granberry Virginia State
#10 Jeremy Smith Chowan
#22 William Crandell Winston-Salem State
#15 David Duncan Livingstone
#13 Joshua Cassady Shaw

Men's Back Court
#3 Ray Anderson Virginia Union
#1 Benji Bell Shaw
#3 Kevin Williams Virginia State
#0 Anthony Gaskins Saint Augustine's
#3 Marco Haskins Chowan

Women's Front Court
#20 Lady Walker Virginia Union
#15 Jordan Payne Chowan
#23 Alexis Johnson Virginia Union
#42 Blaire Thomas Johnson C. Smith
#3 Kandace Tate Winston-Salem State
#32 Taylor Daniels Virginia State

Women's Back Court
#3 Kyah Proctor Bowie State
#3 Brittany Jackson Virginia Union
#10 Zena Lovette Livingstone
#1 Nandi Taylor Virginia State
#0 Jayda Luckie Virginia Union

Men's All-Rookie Team
#20 Josh Bryant Fayetteville State
#4 Roger Ray Livingstone
#1 Robert Colon Winston-Salem State
#20 John Maynor Elizabeth City State
#11 David Belle Bowie State

Women's All-Rookie Team
#1 Malia Rivers Johnson C. Smith
#5 Mariah Coker Chowan
#30 Kaaliya Williams Saint Augustine's
#14 Shantel Bennett Fayetteville State
#10 Kyaja Williams Bowie State

CIAA Player, Rookie, and Coach of the Year honors will be announced during today's Tip-Off Luncheon.

For more information regarding the 2017 CIAA Basketball Tournament, visit ciaatournament.org. Follow the CIAA on social media via Facebook (TheCIAA), Twitter (@CIAAForLife), Instagram (@CIAASports), or download the CIAA mobile app available for Apple and Android devices.

CIAA MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Jeter's 'football journey' leads to CIAA Hall of Fame

RICHMOND, Virginia -- Golf is DeWayne Jeter's game now.

Check that.

Golf is his addiction.

If the temperature's above freezing, chances are he's strolling out of his home along the fifth hole at Kiln Creek and hitting some balls or playing a round.

Even Jeter's timeshares, in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Massanutten, are geared toward golf. And at 78 he carries a single-digit handicap, so don't try to hustle him.

But the sport of Jeter's youth was football. It was football that took him from Duquesne High School near Pittsburgh to Virginia State University, and it's football taking him to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Hall of Fame.

Jeter and the other members of this year's class will be inducted Friday in Charlotte, N.C., in conjunction with the CIAA's renowned basketball tournament.

CONTINUE READING

South Carolina State Announces 2017 Football Schedule

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- South Carolina State will play 11-games during the 2017 football campaign, the University announced Monday. The Bulldog slate includes five road games and six home contests to be played at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.

Three non-conference contests, including a fourth trip to the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, and eight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference contests make up the 2017 schedule.



SC State opens the campaign Sunday, Sept. 3, against Southern in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Baton Rouge, La. Coach Buddy Pough's team will be making its fourth appearance in the game, which previously was played in Orlando, Fla, before being moved to campus sites last year. The Bulldogs have posted a 3-0 record in the game with wins over Alabama State (27-14) in 2005, Grambling (34-31) in 2009 and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (35-7) in 2015.

"I'm very excited about the six home games we have this upcoming season, it will give our fans a chance to see us play," said head coach Buddy Pough. "When you look at the schedule we have our work cut out for us we play some talented teams."

Other non-conference contests include Charleston Southern, Sept. 9, in the home opener at O.C. Dawson Stadium and Johnson C. Smith, Sept. 16 (Business and Industry Day), also in Orangeburg.

The Bulldogs begin MEAC play on the road Sept. 23 against the reigning MEAC Champion North Carolina Central Eagles in Durham, NC, and then return home for two more league games -- North Carolina A&T State (Former Student-Athlete Appreciation/Greek Day) Sept. 30, and Morgan State (Youth/ROTC/Military Appreciation Day) Oct. 7.

Pough's team will follow its two-game home stand with back-to-back road games at Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach Oct. 14, and Delaware State at Dover, Del. Oct. 21.

SC State hosts Howard and first-year head coach Mike London in its Homecoming game Oct. 28, followed by a bye week Nov. 4. The Bulldogs close out their home schedule Nov. 11 against Hampton (Senior Appreciation/High School Band Day) before facing Savannah State on the road Nov. 18 in the regular-season finale at Savannah, Ga.

Pough's team finished the 2016 season 5-6 overall and tied for third at the MEAC at 5-3.


2017 S.C. State Football Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time
9/3/2017 Southern University (MEAC/SWAC Challenge) Baton Rouge, LA
9/9/2017 Charleston Southern University Orangeburg, SC ­6 p.m.
9/16/2017 Johnson C. Smith University Orangenburg, SC ­ 6 p.m. 
9/23/2017 North Carolina Central University Durham, NC
9/30/2017 North Carolina A&T State University Orangeburg, SC ­ 6 p.m.
10/7/2017 Morgan State University Orangeburg, SC ­ 2 p.m.
10/14/2017 Bethune­Cookman University Daytona Beach, FL
10/21/2017 Delaware State University Dover, DE
10/28/2017 Howard University (Homecoming) Orangeburg, SC ­1:30 p.m. 
11/11/2017 Hampton University Orangeburg, SC ­1:30 p.m. 
11/18/2017 Savannah State University Savannah, GA

Home Games are in bold

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

New Orleans UYA hosts Urban Invitational

NEW ORLEANS -- For the fourth consecutive year, MLB's Urban Invitational was hosted at the Urban Youth Academy in New Orleans. Saturday began with Play Ball, a youth-oriented program rooted in teaching baseball's fundamentals, then featured a six-team, round-robin tournament, featuring Alcorn State's 11-3 win over Prairie View A&M, and Grambling State's 11-5 win against Southern University.

In Saturday's other Invitational matchup at the University of New Orleans' Maestri Field, UNO captured an 8-5 win over the University of Illinois-Chicago during the weekend set, televised on MLB Network.

"You see the passion and energy from these teams, with the way that they play and how excited they are to be here, playing on MLB Network," said Del Matthews, MLB senior director of baseball development. "This is fun. This is what it is all about."

The goal for MLB's expanding youth-oriented initiatives -- a primary focus for MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred -- is to keep baseball pertinent in the lives of its pupils. To Matthews and Darrell Miller, vice president youth and facility development for Major League Baseball, that is what Saturday was actually all about.

"Keep playing," Miller said. "Make sure baseball is a part of their life. It doesn't have to be all of their life, it doesn't have to be all they do. But if it's a part of their life, that's valuable to us."

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Influence of Grambling coach remains strong

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Grambling State University is a small college in north Louisiana. Despite the size, it’s home to legendary figures in the sporting world.

None bigger than Eddie Robinson.

It’s been almost ten years since Coach Eddie Robinson passed away, nearly 20 since he last coached a game. But as the year’s pass, his legend grows. It’s because of how he lived.

“There’s no question. It is alive and well” said former Grambling State University football player Lee Fobbs.

Jim Crow laws influenced whom Robinson recruited and what teams his squad could play. During a time of institutionalized discrimination Robinson excelled.

“It’s pretty amazing that someone could start with so little and make so much” said GSU President Rick Gallot.

Robinson was hired in 1941 by Ralph W.E. Jones, to coach players just a few years younger than he was.

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Catholic High's Tre Square reconnects Southern football with recruiting hotbed

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- It’s about a 20-minute drive from Catholic High’s campus in Baton Rouge’s garden district to A.W. Mumford Stadium — give or take a few minutes, depending on traffic.

Over the years, the Bears produced some of the best football talent to come out of the capital from former NFL pro bowler Warrick Dunn to current LSU running back Derrius Guice.

But in Catholic senior defensive end Tre Square’s lifetime, the Jaguars struggled to find players willing to make the less than 9-mile trip across town.

The last Catholic Bear to suit up for the Jaguars was tight end Brian Washington in the early 2000s.

Washington signed with Southern in 2002, eventually rising to take a starting spot. He was a part of Southern’s most recent Black National Championship team in 2003.

Square doesn’t remember much of Washington’s career, but he was there.

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Roger Cador won't leave until Southern baseball is back on its feet, but he knows the end is getting closer

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Roger Cador won’t die in a Southern uniform. He simply refuses.

After 32 years at the helm of Southern baseball, Cador watched the program grow out of a stolen grocery basket filled with nothing but a few dirty uniforms and a handful of used balls to become one of the most successful historically black college programs in the country.

In 1987, Southern became the first HBCU to win a game in the NCAA tournament. In 2003, Rickie Weeks won the the Golden Spikes Award, given annually to the nation’s top amateur player.

Cador is a legend in the baseball community, but all things come to an end. Cador just hopes it’s on his own terms, whenever that may be.

“I’m not looking to die (in this position),” he said. “Now, I may go out tomorrow and die, but that’s not my goal. My goal is not to die in this program. And I’m not going to hold over this program and make them think it’s my program. I want that to be known. I have no plan of dying in this program.”

Cador has been open about his exit strategy. The Jaguars are struggling to get out from under the NCAA’s thumb after the lack of institutional control ruling it handed down last year. In preparation for the ruling, Cador purged his roster before the start of last season, which helped limit the number of scholarships the Jaguars lost.

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2017 MEAC Basketball Tournament Ticket Books on Sale Now

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Ticket books are on sale now for the highly-anticipated 2017 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament. This year’s tournament gets underway March 6-11 at the Norfolk (Va.) Scope Arena.

Each ticket book contains nine tickets, one for each session, which provides entrance for one (1) person to attend all 23 men’s and women’s games including the championship finals on Saturday, March 11 beginning with the men’s game at 1 p.m. and the women’s title game at 3 p.m.



Ticket books are available for purchase at all 13 member institutions, the Scope Box Office, Ticketmaster outlets, the MEAC Administrative Office and online at ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available by calling the MEAC at (757) 951-2055 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

Ticket books for general admission are available for $140 plus handling fees. Senior and student prices are also available with proper identification for $106.50. Floor seating is also available for weekly packages.

Fans interested in sitting within their university’s fan block are encouraged to contact their institution’s ticket office directly.

For more information about the 2017 MEAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament visit www.MEAChoops.com.

Session 1 - Monday, March 6 - 5 games - 11 a.m.
Session 2 - Tuesday, March 7 - 4 games - 12 p.m.
Session 3 - Wednesday, March 8 - 2 games - 12 p.m.
Session 4 - Wednesday, March 8 - 2 games - 6 p.m.
Session 5 - Thursday, March 9 - 2 games - 12 p.m.
Session 6 - Thursday, March 9 - 2 games - 6 p.m.
Session 7 - Friday, March 10 - 2 games - 12 p.m.
Session 8 - Friday, March 10 - 2 games - 6 p.m.
Session 9 - Saturdays, March 10 - 2 games - 1 p.m.

About the MEAC Tournament

The MEAC Basketball Tournament is a single elimination championship playoff that involves Division I historically black colleges and universities located across the Atlantic coastline: Bethune-Cookman, Coppin State, Delaware State, Florida A&M, Hampton, Howard, Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State, Norfolk State, North Carolina A&T State, North Carolina Central, Savannah State, and South Carolina State.

The tournament games are played at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Virginia. Both the men’s and women’s champion will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Tournament. The North Carolina A&T State University Aggies and the Hampton Pirates won the 2016 women’s and men’s titles, respectively and received bids to the NCAA Tournament.

MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS

2017 Toyota SWAC Basketball Tournament

North Carolina A&T State Women's Track Captures First Indoor Title In School History

WATCH ESPN3 BROADCAST

FINALS RESULTS

LANDOVER, Maryland -- North Carolina A&T State captured its first-ever MEAC women’s indoor championship, tallying 145 points and finishing well ahead of runner-up Florida A&M (94), third-place Hampton (73.5) and fourth-place Norfolk State (72).

Aggies coach Duane Ross was named the meet’s Most Outstanding Coach.

Martha Bissah of Norfolk State was named the meet’s Most Outstanding Runner on the women’s side after adding two more titles to her ledger on Saturday, taking gold in the women’s mile with a time of 4:53.48 and the 3,000-meter run with a 10:13.70.

These titles came in addition to the 800 and distance medley titles she won on Friday.

Morgan Knight of North Carolina A&T State defended her title in the women’s pole vault, leaping 3.52 meters (11 feet, 6.5 inches). It was the first of six event titles on the day for the Lady Aggies; in other field action, Most Outstanding Field Performer Anisa Toppin won the women’s triple jump with a mark of 12.73 meters (41 feet, 9.25 inches).

India Brown gave North Carolina A&T State the women’s 200 title with a time of 24.08, and her teammate Tori Ray won the women’s 400 in 55.77.

Kayla White ran an 8.36 to win gold in the women’s 60-meter hurdles.

The Lady Aggies also took gold in the 4x400m relay, as Ray, Brown, Asya Macon and Taliyah Townsend turned in a time of 3:46.63.

Bethune-Cookman’s Catoria Sirmon won the women’s shot put with a mark of 15.22 meters (49 feet, 11.25 inches).

Shenel Crooke of Morgan State won the 60m dash with a time of 7.41.

COURTESY MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Florida A&M Rattlers Upset Maryland, 5-1

GAINESVILLE, Florida – The FAMU Softball Team (1-8) snapped an early season slide here Saturday morning, knocking off Big Ten foe University of Maryland, 5-1 in their third game of the 2017 Aquafina Softball Invitational at KSP Stadium.

Senior pitcher Kenya Pereira (1-3) went the distance against the Terps (0-8), allowing one run on five hits, striking out three against no walks in seven innings of work.

Pereira scored FAMU’s first run in the top of the second, drawing a leadoff walk, eventually scoring from third on a fielding error for a 1-0 lead.

Maryland tied the game in the bottom of the third at 1-1, but FAMU clinched their first win with a four-run top of the seventh.

Shakayla Nixon scored from second on a Taylor Rosier RBI single for a 2-1 FAMU lead. Tashayla Irvis scored from third on a RBI fielder’s choice grounder by Amber Fullwood for a 3-1 lead.

Rosier scored from third on a fielder’s choice grounder by Jamesia Stoudamire for a 4-1 edge, then Fullwood tallied when Toni Anderson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded for the 5-1 final.

Whtiney Farris led FAMU with three hits, with Rosier and Miesha McBride each finishing with two hits, and Nachelle Watson and Irvis each adding a hit apiece.

FAMU was slated to play FIU at 3:45 p.m. Saturday evening, and close their appearance in the event Sunday morning against Northwestern (La.) State at 9:00.

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

North Carolina A&T State Men's Track Wins First Indoor Title In 21 Years

LANDOVER, Maryland -- The North Carolina A&T State men’s indoor track and field team sprinted to its first title in 21 years after claiming the 2017 MEAC Indoor Championship.

Only 10.5 points separated four teams entering Saturday’s finals on the men’s side with Norfolk State sitting atop the ledger. Maryland Eastern Shore’s Khalil Rmidi Kinini won the mile run in a time of 4:14.86 but Hampton jumped to the top after claiming third, fourth and fifth in the event.

Because of the mile, North Carolina A&T State dropped to fourth but things would change in an instant once the sprints started as Dajuan Harding posted the top and a personal indoor-best time (47.75) in the 400 to claim the title. Hampton’s Charles Graham claimed the 60-meter hurdles as he clocked 7.95 but A&T racked up 15 points and moved to third after placing second, fourth and seventh in the event.

WATCH ESPN3 BROADCAST
FINALS RESULTS

The Aggies blew the meet open once the 60-meter dash commenced as Christopher Belcher (6.65), Rodney Rowe (6.76), Joel Thomas (6.78) and Caleb Gabriel (6.79) finished 1-2-3-4 to total 29 points and move atop the standings with 83.5 points. Belcher returned to the track several minutes later in the 200 and picked up his second individual title as he finished the race with a season-best run of 21.38. Belcher had a tough race as he held off fellow teammates Rowe and Gabriel down the stretch. With the lead comfortably in tow, the Aggies brought the crowd to its feet after posting the top time in the mile relay (3:16.91).

Howard’s Robert Mercer won his fourth MEAC pole vault title and his first since 2015 after posting a mark of 14-06. Christopher Lee of Norfolk State won his second consecutive indoor shot put title (55-3) after a tight battle with Hampton’s Sulaiman Fared. Michael Tiller of Bethune-Cookman closed out his career as a three-time MEAC indoor triple jump champion with a jump of 52-08.75 while Rmidi Kinini also went out in style with his third consecutive 3,000-meter run championship.

The Aggies, which ended Bethune-Cookman’s two-year MEAC Indoor Championship run, won their first MEAC Championship since 1996 behind the strength of 146.5 points. Norfolk State finished as the runner-up with 96 points followed by Hampton’s 91 points. Rmidi Kinini won Most Outstanding Runner for the third straight year while Coppin State’s Steven Thomas was named Most Outstanding Field Performer.

MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Four HBCUs to compete in the 10th annual Urban Invitational at the New Orleans MLB Youth Academy

NEW ORLEANS -- Four Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) will compete at the New Orleans MLB Youth Academy (MLBYA) in the 10th annual Urban Invitational, which is being hosted in New Orleans for the fourth consecutive year from Friday, February 17th to Sunday, February 19th.

Alcorn State University (Alcorn, Mississippi), Grambling State University (Grambling, Louisiana), Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, Texas), and Southern University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) are returning to Major League Baseball's round-robin collegiate baseball tournament designed to highlight HBCUs and their baseball programs. This will be Southern University's 10th Urban Invitational, making them the only school to have participated in every tournament. Grambling State will make its sixth appearance, with both Prairie View A&M and Alcorn State University making their third appearance each.

The four HBCU teams will be joined by teams from the University of New Orleans and the University Illinois at Chicago, which will be making its tournament debut, with additional games throughout the weekend being played at Maestri Field at Privateer Park, the home of the University of New Orleans baseball team.

The games played by the four HBCU teams on Saturday, February 18th will air LIVE from the New Orleans MLB Youth Academy on MLB Network and MLB.com, with play-by-play from Scott Braun and analysis from former All-Star Outfielder Cliff Floyd. Southern University will wear Negro League uniforms in commemoration of Black History Month. Below is the tournament schedule:

Date, Time, Teams, Location
Feb. 17, 11:00a.m., UIC vs. Prairie View A&M, New Orleans MLBYA
Feb. 17, 2:00p.m., UIC vs. Prairie View A&M, New Orleans MLBYA
Feb. 17, 5:00p.m., Grambling State vs. Alcorn State, New Orleans MLBYA
Feb. 17, 6:00p.m., Southern vs. UNO, University of New Orleans

Date, Time, Teams, Location
Feb. 18, 1:00p.m., UIC vs. UNO, University of New Orleans
Feb. 18, 2:00p.m.*, Alcorn State vs. Prairie View A&M, New Orleans MLBYA
Feb. 18, 6:00p.m.*, Grambling State vs. Southern, New Orleans MLBYA

Date, Time, Teams, Location
Feb. 19, 12:00p.m., UIC vs. Grambling State, New Orleans MLBYA
Feb. 19, 1:00p.m., Prairie View A&M vs. UNO, University of New Orleans
Feb. 19, 3:00p.m., Alcorn State vs. Southern, New Orleans MLBYA

*These games will air LIVE on MLB Network and MLB.com.

In addition to tournament play, the New Orleans MLBYA will host youth-focused events before games on Saturday, February 18th. A PLAY BALL event will take place at 11:30 a.m., followed by regional trials for the Scotts MLB Pitch, Hit and Run and the Jr. Home Run Derby skills competitions beginning at approximately 3:00 p.m. The PLAY BALL initiative is proudly supported by MLB sponsors Chevrolet and Scotts.

Former Major Leaguers, including pitcher Marvin Freeman, catcher Lenny Webster and manager Jerry Manuel, as well as Seattle Mariners broadcaster Dave Sims, will attend various portions of the Urban Invitational, particularly the youth events throughout Saturday. Freeman (Jackson State) and Webster (Grambling State) are both HBCU alums. Manuel is a Youth Programs Consultant for MLB.

HBCUs have long offered quality educational and athletic programs and have a proud tradition of attracting outstanding baseball players. Baseball Hall of Famers Lou Brock (Southern University) and Andre Dawson (Florida A&M) played in HBCU baseball programs. In 2015, Earl Burl III, who played for Alcorn State University and was the first player to be drafted out of the New Orleans MLB Youth Academy, was selected. During the 2016 Draft, Tyree Thompson, became the second player to be drafted out of the New Orleans Academy.

MLB's youth initiatives will be well-represented at the 2017 Urban Invitational as 12 players on this year's rosters are alumni of MLB Youth Academies, RBI programs or MLB Development Camps, such as the Breakthrough Series. At least one White Sox A.C.E and RBI program alumni will be represented on each HBCU team in the tournament, six of whom have participated in the Breakthrough Series (BTS): Tyler Laux (BTS), Tyler Gordon (BTS), and Andrew Garcia (BTS) from Prairie View A&M; Reggie Johnson (BTS) and Robert Fletcher II (BTS) from Alcorn State; Marshawn Taylor (BTS) and Nick Wheeler from Grambling State; and Justin Freeman, son of Marvin Freeman, from Southern University. Southern University has two other RBI alumni in J'Markus George (Atlanta Metro RBI) and Niko Hayes-Saltare (Miami Marlins RBI). The Breakthrough Series will have eight total alumni, with three coming out of Southern University, three out of Prairie View, one out of Alcorn State and one player out of Grambling State.

MLB PRESS RELEASE

Around the FCS: NCAA Approves Liberty's Waiver Request for FBS Reclassification Process

LYNCHBURG, Virginia -- Liberty University received notification today (Feb. 16, 2017) that the NCAA has approved its request to enter into the Football Bowl Subdivision reclassification process.
Liberty University submitted the waiver with the NCAA in January, requesting relief to enter into the two-year FBS reclassification process without an invitation to join a FBS conference.

The NCAA academic and membership affairs staff approved the request after seeking feedback from the NCAA Division I Strategic Vision and Planning Committee, the NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committee and the NCAA office of legal affairs.

The NCAA waiver approval was based upon Liberty providing substantial information demonstrating its readiness to begin the reclassification process, Liberty's ability to follow current FBS institutions who have demonstrated viability without a conference affiliation and the university's ability to satisfy FBS requirements.



Starting with the 2017-18 academic year, Liberty's football program will begin the two-year FBS reclassification process.

Liberty will compete as a FBS independent during the 2018 season, which includes having three FBS home games. The football program will be bowl eligible starting with the 2019 season and will be required to play at least five home FBS opponents.

History of Liberty University Athletics and its Football Program:
Liberty fielded its first athletics program during the 1972-73 academic year (men's basketball) and played its first season of football in 1973.

Liberty quickly climbed the collegiate athletics ranks, moving from the NCCAA level (National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association) to gaining full NCAA Division I status in 1988.

Liberty's football program joined the Big South Conference in 2002 and has won eight conference titles (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016).

Liberty made its first-ever NCAA FCS Playoff appearance in 2014 where the Flames advanced to the second round of the playoffs.

"Today is truly historic for Liberty University. This university aspired to compete at the highest levels of NCAA competition and began working toward that dream and vision from the day of its founding in 1971. We are deeply grateful to NCAA leadership and staff for considering this request and for acknowledging Liberty's readiness and the appropriateness of Liberty now moving to FBS football status as an independent. Congratulations to Athletics Director, Ian McCaw and Coach Turner Gill! We are grateful to have had the assistance of Dennis Coleman and his colleagues of Ropes & Gray to help navigate the NCAA process over the last year."

Jerry Falwell, Liberty University President
"This is a very exciting day for Liberty Athletics and our football program. We are grateful for President Falwell's vision and leadership in spearheading Liberty's move to FBS football. We look forward to continuing our upward trajectory of success and meeting the level of competition in FBS."

Ian McCaw, Liberty University Director of Athletics
"This is truly a blessed day from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior for allowing the vision of our late founder Jerry Falwell, Sr., along with the hard work of President Jerry Falwell to come to fruition! It gives our university great national exposure to build Champions for Christ!"

Turner Gill, Liberty University Head Football Coach
Support The Flames Move to FBS - Join the Flames Club Today!

Fans can support Liberty Football and enjoy special game-day privileges by joining the Flames Club. The Flames Club exists to underwrite Liberty Athletics' three-fold mission to train Champions for Christ, provide a world-class student-athlete experience and win with integrity.

Flames Club membership starts at just $60 and members can enjoy preferred parking, seating and pregame hospitality benefits, based upon membership level. All seats at Williams Stadium other than general admission bleacher seats require membership in the Flames Club.

For more information about red reserved bench-back seats, blue premium chair-back seats, or club seats, call the Flames Club at 434-582-CLUB (2582), email FlamesClub@liberty.edu, or visit www.LibertyFlames.com/FlamesClub.

Season tickets are available to purchase now, while renewal statements will be mailed to 2016 season ticket holders in March. Prices for season tickets will remain the same as last year. Fans can fill out the attached order form below for Season Tickets and submit it to tickets@liberty.edu, or order to Flames Ticket Office at (434) 592-SEAT (7328) for more information.

2017 Football Ticket Order Form

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS

Rush, Nuggets defeat ranked teams at Grizzly Invitational

LAWRENCEVILLE, Georgia -- The men's and women's tennis teams of Xavier University of Louisiana earned their first victories of the season against ranked opponents on the opening day of the Grizzly Invitational Friday.

The Gold Rush, ranked second in the NAIA, defeated No. 3 Keiser 5-2. The Gold Nuggets, ranked 19th, beat No. 25 Cumberlands 5-3.

The XULA men also defeated Cumberlands 6-1. The XULA women lost 5-2 to ninth-ranked Keiser.

The XULA men beat a top-3 team for the first time in their history and won for the 18th time in their last 26 duals against top-10 opponents. Antoine Richard and Moses Micheal won in doubles and singles for the Gold Rush. Richard rallied from a 4-1 second-set deficit to defeat Bastien Song 7-5, 7-5 at No. 1 singles and clinch the dual.

"Today's match against Keiser was the real deal. That team is so talented and very deep," XULA coach Alan Green said. "Our guys just stepped up and played like some grown men. I was very proud of our effort."

The Gold Nuggets clinched against Cumberlands when Lacee Ancar won 7-5, 6-3 against Denee Lyttle at No. 4 singles. Charlene Goreau and Brandi Nelson won in doubles and singles.

Against the Cumberland men, Pierre Andrieu clinched at No. 5 singles when he beat Dev Sivam 6-3, 6-4.

The Gold Nuggets (2-4) will play NAIA No. 7 Indiana Wesleyan at 5 p.m. EST Saturday. The Gold Rush (4-2) will travel to Atlanta to play Emory, ranked second in NCAA Division III, in a non-Grizzly Invitational dual at 6 p.m.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Florida A&M Tames Wofford Terriers 17-4 on Friday

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M (1-0) pounded out 17 runs on 18 hits to defeat Wofford (0-1) by a score of 17-4 on Friday at Moore-Kittles Field. JoJo Durden (1-0) earned the win on opening day for the 2nd year in a row for the Rattlers. John Capra led the way at the plate going 4-5 with 4 RBI and 3 runs scored.

The FAMU bats picked up right where they left off last year, as the Rattlers had 6 players with multi-hit performances. Juniors Aubrey McCarty and Ty Russ had great days at the plate in their first career game as Rattlers. McCarty had 3 hits, 2 runs scored and 4 RBI, while Russ went 2-3 with a run scored and 2 RBI. Senior Ben Ellzey, and sophomores Willis McDaniel and Kaycee Reese got in on the action as well, each recording 2 hits and an RBI.

The Wofford Terriers jumped out to a quick lead in the top of the first inning. After the leadoff hitter reached base on a throwing error, Wofford had back to back doubles down the left field line, making the score 2-0. Durden was able to work out of the jam, and the Rattlers quickly answered back in the bottom of the first, scoring 6 runs on 7 hits.

John Capra got things started with a single to center field. After a Brian Davis walk, senior Ben Ellzey singled through the hole at shortstop, loading the bases. McCarty drove in FAMU’s first run on a single to center field. The next 5 Rattler hitters singled making the score 6-2. In the inning, Capra, Oliver, Michaud, and Russ each recorded their first hits as Rattlers.

Wofford answered with two more runs of their own in the top of the second inning, making the score 6-4. In the bottom of the frame, Ellzey led things off with his 2nd hit of the day. The Rattlers would then load the bases with one out, forcing Wofford to make a pitching change. Elliot Lance was able to work out of trouble after Austin Michaud hit a sharp line drive to 3rd base for a double play.

Florida A&M extended its lead to 8-4 in the bottom of the third inning. Ty Russ led off the inning with his second hit of the day. Kaycee Reese was then hit by a pitch and the Wofford pitcher balked, placing runners on 2nd and 3rd for Capra, who ripped his second single, this time to left-center field, scoring 2.

After the first 2 innings, Durden kept the Wofford hitters off balance, and off the scoreboard. Durden allowed 5 hits and 4 runs (3 earned) with 4 strikeouts in 5 innings pitched.

The Rattlers tacked on another run in the bottom of the 5th inning when junior Aubrey McCarty drew a bases loaded walk, making the score 9-4.

With Danny Rodriguez on the mound for Florida A&M, Kaycee Reese laid out to make an amazing 2 out catch in shallow right field to save a run in the top of the 6th inning. Rodriguez had a great performance out of the bullpen, earning his first save of the season, allowing only 1 hit and no runs with 3 strikeouts in 4 innings.

Wofford made another pitching change to start the bottom of the 6th and Michaud led off with a walk. Garrett Wilkinson then entered the game, pinch hitting for Ty Russ, and singled in his first at bat as a Rattler. Reese then laid down a perfect sac bunt to advance the runners to 2nd and 3rd. John Capra promptly delivered his 4th hit of the game making the score 10-4. Brian Davis added a sacrifice fly to center field pushing the lead to 11-4.

FAMU added 6 runs in the bottom of the 7th on 5 hits and one error for a final score of 17-4.

Wofford starting pitcher Adam Scott (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing 6 runs, all earned, on 8 hits in 1.1 innings.

Florida A&M and Wofford will play the second game of the three-game series tomorrow at 1pm at Moore-Kittles field.

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.

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS

Alabama State Sweeps SWAC Indoor Track and Field Championship

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Alabama State men's and women's Indoor Track and Field programs swept league competition for the first time in school history as both programs earned the 2017 SWAC Indoor titles on Friday, Feb. 17 in Birmingham, Ala., and the Birmingham CrossPlex.

On the women's side, the Hornets continued their dominance, as ASU earned its ninth-straight women's indoor title with a 78-points advantage over second place competitor, Texas Southern.

For the men, history was made as the Hornets edged Grambling State by a single point to bring home their first championship title since 2010 .

For a team comprised mostly of rookies, six gold medals were earned for the women during the championship; Lekeyah Blackmon (pole vault - 3.21), Kaila Lewis (60m - 7.50), Tatiana Etienne (800m - 2:16.87), Kaila Lewis (200m - 24.26), Arion Span (1 mile - 5:17.26) and the distance medley relay team of Brandee Ebert, Etienne, Chyna-Joi Staton and Span (13:12.21).

On the men's side the Hornets earned three gold; Roshaine Byfield (shot put - 15.33m), Jamie Brown (long jump - 7.17m) and Norris Spike (60m - 6.76).

Head coach Ritchie Beene earned his 26th program title with the Hornets while being SWAC coach of the year, times two (men's and women's). ASU's Jamie Brown won Most Outstanding Men's Field Performer with 19 points and Arion Span won the Most Outstanding Women's Track Performer award with 26 points.

Complete Results

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

'Plan' is for GSU to play at Solider Field in 2017

GRAMBLING, Louiana -- Grambling is on the verge of taking its traveling show on the road to Chicago's historic Soldier Field.

Grambling recently scheduled a nonconference game with Clark Atlanta University for Sept. 30, and Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs said Wednesday night the "plan" is to play the game at the home of the Chicago Bears.

"It's not finalized. That's why it's to be announced," Fobbs said. "Worst case scenario if we're unable to get that worked out then of course we'll play that game in Atlanta at a neutral sit which is just as good for us because the city of Atlanta is big for us in recruiting.

Grambling finalized its full 11-game schedule over the weekend. Clark Atlanta, a Division II HBCU program from Georgia, was the latest and final addition to the slate.

Instead of playing a non-Division I team at home like the Tigers have done in the past, Grambling was able to hit a big market.

CONTINUE READING

Richmond mom battles GSU over tuition, calls it 'fraud'

RICHMOND, Virginia -- A Richmond mother says her son was promised free college tuition. Then she says Grambling State University in Louisiana pulled the rug from underneath him.

Jessie Bell says it’s all based on a letter she and her son received from the school. Grambling State says they misunderstood.

GSU claims it was a partial scholarship offer and "a good deal for any student attending a four-year university."

Jessie Bell says Grambling State University dangled free tuition and snatched it back when she and her son showed up for move-in day.

Fighting back tears, Jessie Bell calls what happened a damaging financial setback to her family and her son Jaylaan.

"I think it's fraud, and I think they should be held accountable because we stopped looking," said Jessie Bell. "The bigger problem is we stopped looking and we could have had better offers."

The Maggie Walker Governor's school graduate is 16 hours away in Louisiana attending Grambling State University - but not on the scholarship his mom believes he was promised. Jessie Bell says the switch came upon arrival.

CONTINUE READING

Shutdown pitching, clutch hitting power AAMU Bulldogs to season-opening win over Fort Wayne

PHOTO GALLERY

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- The Bulldogs used shutdown pitching and timely hitting Friday to rally past Fort Wayne 8-6 in their baseball season opener.

A&M found itself down 1-0 after the first inning but consecutive singles by Carson McGregory, Carlton Peppers and Cornelious Woods loaded the bases. However, two outs later, Pierre Brewton's hit was booted by the Fort Wayne shortstop, allowing McGregory and Peppers to score for a 2-1 Bulldogs' lead.

The Mastodons tied the score in the top of the third. But a one-out single by Zeth Malcom and back-to-back doubles by McGregory and Peppers put the Bulldogs up 4-2.

The see-saw battle continued in the fifth inning when Fort Wayne scored three runs to retake the lead at 5-4.

But the Bulldogs' timely hitting would come into play in the bottom of the inning.

With one out, Malcom drove the ball over the left-field fence to tie the score. It was the first career home run for the freshman from Hartselle.

And, that was just the beginning for the Bulldogs.

McGregory was walked and Peppers reached first when he was hit by a pitch, moving McGregory to second. One out later, Njike Hunter reached first on an error to load the bases.

Dameyune Mayhand singled to center to score McGregory and Peppers and the Bulldogs were back on top 7-5.

The Mastodons mounted a threat, though, in their half of the sixth when they loaded the bases with no outs.

That prompted Head Coach Mitch Hill to bring in All-SWAC pitcher Brandon Marsonek to relieve Dalton Mitchell, who replaced starter Caleb Gay an inning earlier.

Sporting a Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn haircut from the movie "Major League", Marsonek efficiently enticed a fielder's choice ground ball and two flyouts to right field to shut down the Mastodons in the sixth.

Marsonek faced just four batters in the seventh and the Bulldogs widened their lead to 8-5 on Hunter's RBI single in the bottom of the inning.

He had a 1-2-3 eighth but faced a small threat in the ninth.

Fort Wayne cut the lead to 8-6 after a leadoff home run but the Mastodons left two runners on base without scoring.

Malcom, McGregory, Peppers and Woods each had a pair of hits; Mayhand, Peppers and Brewton each had two runs batted in.

Gay struck out seven and walked just one in 4 1/3 innings and Marsonek had four strikeouts and gave up two walks and two hits in four innings of relief to get the save. Mitchell pitched 2/3 of an inning and was credited with the win.

Saturday's rain forced a schedule change. There will be a single game Saturday at 1 p.m. and a doubleheader Sunday with the time to be announced.

Team Statistics

PITCHING: W: Dalton Mitchell (1-0) L: J. Weber (0-1) S: Brandon Marsonek (1)

Fort Wayne

BATTING: 2B: J. Weber 1 3B: B. Hettinger 1 HR: J. Weber 1 SF: J. Weber 1

BASERUNNING: SB: B. Hettinger 3 CS: J. Boyce 1 HBP: J. Dickson 1

FIELDING: E: J. Boyce 1; B. Logan 1

Alabama A&M

BATTING: 2B: Carson McGregory 1; Carlton Peppers 1 HR: Zeth Malcom 1

BASERUNNING: CS: Pierre Brewton 1 HBP: Carlton Peppers 1

FIELDING: E: Joannes Diaz 1

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ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Four-Run Ninth-Inning Rally Lifts Prarie View A&M Panthers Over Illinois-Chicago

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- A four-run ninth-inning rally lifted the Prairie View A&M University baseball to team a 5-4 come-from-behind rain-delayed win over Illinois Chicago in the opening game of the Major League Baseball Urban Invitational at Wesley Barrow Stadium.

The Panthers (1-0) won the opening game of the season for the first time since 2013. The more than hour rain delay moved Friday's second game against the Flames of the Horizon League to Sunday at 4:30 p.m. following the Panthers-New Orleans game at 1 p.m. at UNO.

Leading off the ninth, Tyler Gordon walked, and Cody Den Beste singled to left center. Steven Williams reached on a fielding error, allowing Gordon to score and Den Beste advanced to third. Following a walk to Tyrone Thomas to load the bases, Corbin Jamison's single to right field scored Den Beste and Williams. Following an out an intentional walk to Kevin Macias to load the basis, Andrew Garcia's single off the glove of UIC third baseman Brandon Gibis scored pinch runner Avery Williams with the winning run.

Jamison went 3-for-4 with three RBI, and Den Beste went 2-for-4 wi
th two runs scored.

Charles Philpott (1-0) earned the win in relief, pitching the final two innings allowing three hits, one run, walked one and struckout three. Edgar Sanchez pitched seven innings, allowing eight hits, three runs, two earned with one walk and two strikeouts.

Prairie View A&M will face Alcorn State Saturday at 2 p.m., with the radio broadcast beginning at 1:45 p.m. on pvpanthers.com and a live television broadcast on MLB Network.

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PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Knockoff Boston College

Photo Courtesy: BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida – Nate Sterijevski's RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning allowed Bethune-Cookman to complete a come-from-behind season opening win over visiting Boston College with a 2-1 score line Friday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

One pitch after redshirt junior shortstop Demetrius Sims (Ann Arbor, Mich.) scored Danny Rodriguez (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) for the tying run courtesy a standup triple to deep right centerfield, sophomore second baseman Nate Sterijevski (Clermont, Fla.) laced a first pitch fastball from Boston College (0-1) reliever Bobby Skogsbergh through the hole at second base to bring Sims home for the game-winning run.

Trailing 2-1 entering the bottom of the ninth, Bethune-Cookman (1-0) sophomore first baseman Danny Rodriguez – the 2017 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year, delivered a single to deep left field with one out. Two batters later, Sims got into scoring position with his standup triple – the second triple of the game for the Wildcats.

The game began with a true pitcher's duel between Bethune-Cookman starter Tyler Norris (Coral Springs, Fla.) and Boston College's Jacob Stevens. The two right-handers went toe-to-toe for six innings, as neither allowed a run in his time on the bump.

Norris scattered two hits around a walk and fanned a career-best tying 11 batters. He matched his 11 strikeouts from a season ago in the season-opening win over Murray State at home. Meanwhile, Stevens countered for the Eagles with four hits allowed, one walk and nine strikeouts on the mound.

However, it would be Boston College to break the scoreless deadlock in the top of the seventh inning.

Catcher Gian Martellini recorded a one-out double off the wall in left center while facing Bethune-Cookman reliever Alexis Herrera (Miami, Fla.). That allowed Brian Dempsey to pinch hit for Anthony Maselli in the seven spot, with Dempsey delivering with a run-scoring single to center field that allowed Maselli to come around from second.

At that point, Boston College led, 1-0.

Joseph Calamita (Lake Worth, Fla.) would come in for Herrera to get the final two outs of the seventh inning for the Wildcats.

Ivan Coutinho (Winter Park, Fla.) would collect the win, working 0.2 innings out of the bullpen in the ninth, striking out one batter in the process. The loss went to Boston College reliever Skogsbergh in what was also the Eagles' season opener for the 2017 campaign.

The Bethune-Cookman offense was led by third baseman Jameel Edney (West Palm Beach, Fla.) with a 2-for-3 night at the plate, followed by five Wildcats with a hit apiece – including the RBI from Sims. One of Edney's hits was a triple in his first at-bat in the first inning.

Boston College was led at the plate by Martellini with two hits in four at-bats, all while adding a run.

Bethune-Cookman and Boston College continue their three-game series Saturday at 1 p.m., back at Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Follow Bethune-Cookman Baseball on Twitter (@BCUDiamondCats) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics).

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Bethune-Cookman Announces 2017 Football Schedule

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida – Bethune-Cookman Football will play 11 games during the 2017 campaign, it was announced Thursday, Feb. 16, by Lynn W. Thompson, BCU Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. The schedule will be one of the toughest in all of FCS (Football Championship Subdivision), as BCU takes to the road to begin the season with four consecutive games away from Municipal Stadium.

The 2017 slate features three non-conference contests, including two against BCS (Bowl Championship Series) opponents. Another game features a perennial FCS power and top 25 opponent. Of the 11 games, seven will take place in the Sunshine State, with four games played inside Municipal Stadium aka The Cage.



"I think fans are going to be excited about the brand of football we will play in 2017, and they are going to want to see us every week as we challenge ourselves physically and mentally against such a tough schedule," admitted second-year head coach Terry Sims. "This schedule gives us the chance to play against some of the best competition on both the FCS and BCS level."

The Wildcats open the season at the University of Miami on September 2, serving as the season opener for the Hurricanes under the direction of second-year head coach Mark Richt. The following weekend, BCU travels to Southland Conference power Southeastern Louisiana on September 9, in Hammond, Louisiana.

On September 16, BCU travels south to Boca Raton, Florida, as the Wildcats take on the Florida Atlantic Owls under the direction of new head coach Lane Kiffin.

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play begins on the road in the nation's capital on September 23, as Bethune-Cookman travels to Howard and another first-year head coach, with the Bison led by former University of Virginia head man Mike London. For BCU's Terry Sims, this will be his first time facing his former employer since becoming head coach at the helm in Daytona Beach. Overall, it will be the first meeting between BCU and Howard since 2014.

Bethune-Cookman will enjoy its home opener on September 30 for Church & Community Day, as the Wildcats welcome Savannah State to Municipal Stadium. Two weeks later, South Carolina State comes to Daytona Beach on October 14, following a bye week for the Maroon and Gold.

BCU travels to Greensboro, North Carolina on October 21 for a matchup against North Carolina A&T, before returning home to face Hampton for a Homecoming weekend in Daytona Beach on October 28. This will be the first meeting between the Wildcats and Pirates since 2014, as Terry Sims faces the Pirates for the first time as a collegiate head coach.

Senior Appreciation Day for the Cats takes place the following week against Morgan State on November 4.

BCU travels to reigning three-time defending MEAC champion North Carolina Central on November 11, before closing the regular season against Florida A&M on November 18 in the annual Florida Blue Florida Classic at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

"It's a tough schedule featuring three non-conference games on the front end that prepares us for the MEAC slate," said Thompson. "These early challenges should have us battle-tested when conference play begins."

Season tickets go on sale on February 27, featuring the highly successful "Hook-up Package" for tickets for all four (4) home games on the home side of the stadium including seats for Homecoming.

Follow Bethune-Cookman Football on Twitter (@BCUGridIron) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics).


Bethune­ Cookman University 2017 Football Schedule

SEP 2 (SAT) / TBD AT MIAMI (FLA.) CORAL GABLES, FL
SEP 9 (SAT) / TBD AT SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA HAMMOND, LA
SEP 16 (SAT) / TBD AT FLORIDA ATLANTIC BOCA RATON, FL
SEP 23 (SAT) / TBD MEAC AT HOWARD WASHINGTON, DC
SEP 30 (SAT) / 4:00 P.M. MEAC VS SAVANNAH STATE DAYTONA BEACH, FL
OCT 14 (SAT) / 4:00 P.M. MEAC VS SOUTH CAROLINA STATE DAYTONA BEACH, FL
OCT 21 (SAT) / 1:00 P.M. MEAC AT NORTH CAROLINA A&T GREENSBORO, NC
OCT 28 (SAT) / 4:00 P.M. MEAC VS HAMPTON DAYTONA BEACH, FL
NOV 4 (SAT) / 4:00 P.M. MEAC VS MORGAN STATE DAYTONA BEACH, FL
NOV 11 (SAT) / 2:00 P.M. MEAC AT NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL DURHAM, NC
NOV 18 (SAT) / TBD MEAC VS FLORIDA A&M ORLANDO, FL

BOLD: HOME GAME

BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Rush blank Colonels, hold steady at No. 2 in NAIA

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's men's tennis program, no stranger in recent years to milestones, produced another Tuesday in a 4-0 home victory against Nicholls State.

It was the first time the Gold Rush (2-2) defeated a non-HBCU member of NCAA Division I without losing a match.

"The guys played well," XULA coach Alan Green said. "They got off to a slow start on a couple of courts but overcame a couple of fired-up Nicholls guys."

After Antoine Richard defeated Bernard Wezeman 6-3, 6-0 at No. 1 singles for the first point of the dual, Karan Salwan and Moses Micheal extended the XULA lead to 3-0 despite losing first sets. Salwan rallied to beat Oleksander Podgursky 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 at No. 3, and Micheal roared back to top Sam Meessen 0-6, 6-4, 6-1 at No. 2.

Then Tushar Mandlekar clinched when he beat Cornelius Schramm 6-1, 6-3 at No. 5.

XULA was in control of the unfinished matches, too. Catalin Fifea at No. 4 and Oran Reznick at No. 6 both were up a set when the dual was halted. The doubles matches were not played. Nicholls is 1-2.

XULA extended its home win streak to 15 duals. Five of the victories in that streak are against DIs.

The second NAIA coaches poll of 2017 was announced while XULA played, and the Gold Rush remained No. 2. It was the NAIA-leading 79th consecutive top-25 appearance for the XULA men — that streak started 10 years ago — and the 49th consecutive top-10 in a streak that began in 2011.

Next for the Gold Rush will be the Grizzly Invitational at Lawrenceville, Ga. The XULA women will play Friday at 11 a.m. against NAIA No. 3 Keiser and at 5 p.m. against Cumberlands, Saturday at 5 p.m. against Emory — second-ranked in NCAA Division III — and Sunday at 10 a.m. against top-ranked and three-time defending NAIA champion Georgia Gwinnett. All times are Eastern. The Georgia Gwinnett dual will be a rematch of last season's national final, which the Grizzlies won 5-2. XULA's women also will play four times in this event, including three matchups with top-10 NAIA teams.

"This weekend is going to be huge for both our teams," Green said. "We are about to find out what we're about."

Results

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