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PALM COAST -- Jordan Taylor signed to play baseball next season at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach at a signing ceremony Tuesday at Flagler Palm Coast High School.
But as he did, the 18-year-old also weighed the possibility of being in the Major League Baseball draft. Specifically, he's considering an offer from the Boston Red Sox that's been in place for a while, but Taylor also has heard from the New York Yankees. A team representative left a phone message saying they will match and exceed the bid from the Red Sox.
It's all very heady stuff for a teenager to consider, but Taylor was outwardly as cool and calm as he was mowing down area hitters the past four seasons. Right now, he's a Wildcat. "I got a lot of interest, but no offers. Bethune showed the most interest, so I decided to go there," Taylor said.
THINKING BIG (LEAGUES)
Jordan Taylor has been a four-year star at Flagler Palm Coast. This year, he’s on pace to shatter the strikeout record. He has also caught the eyes of MLB scouts, too.
It’s March 4. The Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs are hosting district rival DeLand.
In the bottom of the ninth, the game is tied, 4-4. On second base is FPC’s Lorenzo Butler. In the batter’s box, Jordan Taylor digs in. One out. Count is full at three balls, two strikes. Taylor thinks, All right, the pitcher is a freshman. He’s definitely going to throw me a fastball.
DeLand’s right-handed pitcher checks second base, then he delivers the pitch. Taylor grooves a deep fly ball. Adios. “Right off the bat, I knew it was gone,” Taylor recalled Friday, March 25, as he pointed to Portable No. 6, located behind Bulldog Field. The ball smashed off the building, though no windows broke. “Everyone in the crowd erupted. It was nuts,” he said.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- As he has done for the last two seasons, Bethune-Cookman catcher Peter O'Brien helped lead the Wildcats to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title. O'Brien went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs Saturday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, as beat B-CU beat Norfolk State 9-3 to claim a school record-tying sixth straight MEAC championship.
However, if the 'Cats are to make it seven straight next year, they'll probably have to do it without their star catcher. "It could be the last one for me, so it's a big moment," said O'Brien, a junior expected to be selected in the first or second round of next month's Major League Baseball Draft.
"But this is only a small step in what we want to do this year. We want to go get in a regional, win a regional, (win a) super regional and get to (the College World Series in) Omaha. That's the goal for this year."
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman University won the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Baseball Championship title with a 9-3 victory over the Norfolk State Spartans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Saturday afternoon.
The championship crown was the sixth consecutive and 13th overall for the Wildcats. Bethune-Cookman extended it win streak to 46 against conference opponents including tournament play. John Rasberry got the Spartans on the board first with a solo home run in the top of the first. Matt Wright and Alejandro Sanchez countered for the Wildcats to take the 2-1 lead in the bottom of the frame.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Peter O'Brien went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs to lead Bethune-Cookman to its sixth straight MEAC baseball championship with a 9-3 victory over Norfolk State on Saturday at Jackie Robinson Park.
O'Brien earned MEAC tournament Most Outstanding Performer honors, helping the Wildcats (35-22) secure the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Division I tournament next month. John Rasberry went 2 for 5 with a double and a solo homer for NSU (24-29).
Unquestionably one of the top sleepers in the upcoming draft. High character and great talent, a steal for any team looking for an impactful person in the lockerroom and on the field.
Championship Game TV Replay: Monday, 8 PM EST on ESPNU
SHREVEPORT, La. — Southern and Alcorn State advanced to Sunday’s SWAC championship game with impressive wins Friday. The Braves continued their roll through the tournament with a 13-0 victory over Texas Southern, while Southern came from five runs down to defeat Jackson State 14-9. The teams will meet at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday in the championship final.
There will be no repeat championship for the Grambling baseball team. The Tigers fell to Texas Southern 6-4 and were knocked out of the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament on the third day of play at Fair Grounds Field. Grambling led 3-0 after four innings but was outscored 6-1 in the final five innings, including a four-run seventh.
Ugly doesn't begin to cover it, but the Southern Jaguars are not complaining. Southern overcame seven errors, wearing out a ragged Jackson State pitching staff to post a 14-9 victory Friday night at Fair Grounds Field to advance to Sunday's 1 p.m. tournament championship game.
There the Jaguars (29-20) will face former SU assistant Barret Rey and the Alcorn State Braves.
"The one thing that matters is the bottom line," Southern coach Roger Cador said.
Texas Southern bowed out of the Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball tournament with a whimper, suffering a 13-0 seven-inning, run-rule beating at the hands of Alcorn State on Friday afternoon at Fair Grounds Field. Alcorn State, seeded No. 1 in the Eastern Division, moves on to Sunday’s championship game, where it’ll face Southern University. TSU, the Western Division’s No. 4 seed, ended its season at 25-29.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Scott Garner scattered eight hits in seven innings as Bethune-Cookman beat Norfolk State 8-0 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament Friday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The freshman from Port Orange, named MEAC Pitcher and Rookie of The Year earlier this week, helped the Wildcats (34-22) advance to the championship game against Norfolk State, which beat Delaware State 9-3. If B-CU loses at 2 p.m. today, it would play a second game at 6 p.m.
Norfolk State (23-28) scored 25 runs in its first two tournament games, but was shut down by Garner and one scoreless inning by Jordan Dailey and Chris Anselmo.
"We wanted Scott for this game," B-CU coach Mervyl Melendez said. "He's done a good job all season, and he's earned the right to pitch in an important game. Garner (8-2) escaped a bases-loaded situation in the third, and Norfolk State left 14 runners on base.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Freshman Justin Bhatti tossed a four-hitter and senior outfielder John Rasberry (Greenbrier Christian) drove in a season-high four runs to send No. 4 seed Norfolk State to today's MEAC baseball tournament championship round with a 9-3 win over No. 2 Delaware State in the losers' bracket final on Friday night.
NSU (24-28) will face top-seeded Bethune-Cookman at 2 p.m. The Wildcats topped the Spartans 8-0 earlier Friday. NSU must beat Bethune-Cookman twice today to capture its first MEAC baseball title. The Spartans will be making their fifth MEAC championship-round appearance, and first since 2008.
Hampton, VA - Twenty student-athletes representing eleven of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s (CIAA) twelve member schools have been named to the CIAA Commissioner’s All-Academic Team. This year’s team defines the total NCAA DII student-athlete experience with each member excelling on their respective playing fields and courts as well as in their classrooms and communities.
“Being a Division II and CIAA student-athlete means living Life in the Balance,” notes Commissioner Leon G. Kerry. “That means dedicating an equal amount of excellence towards academic pursuits, athletic accomplishment and personal development. This year’s honorees embody that concept and we’re forever proud of them for their hard work .”
Ten CIAA student-athletes were named First Team CIAA Commissioner’s All-Academic Team. Those ten student-athletes boasted a 3.76 overall grade point average. The second team also consists of ten student-athletes, averaging a 3.8 overall grade point average. Johnson C. Smith University placed two student-athletes on this year’s team while Saint Augustine’s continued their dominance on the team with four team members, including two on the first team.
First Team Orolando DuffusSAC Track & Field SR 3.92 St. Catherine, Jamaica Business Administration Tricia Gorman CU Softball SR 3.51 Ambridge, PA Psychology Leford Green JCSU Track & Field SR 3.77 St. Catherine, Jamaica Information Systems Engineering Kalada KienkaSU Men’s Tennis SR 3.95 Lagos, Nigeria Computer Science Lolia KienkaSU Women’s Tennis JR 3.92 Lagos, Nigeria Business/International Relations Allie Kolezynski CU Softball SO 3.93 Strongsville, OH Business Administration Allison Sikes SAC Women’s Bskt. SR 3.61 Richmond, VA Psychology Rhon’Neisha Taylor VSU Women’s Bskt. SR 3.44 Nashville, TN Sport Management Travis Taylor WSSU Football SR 3.75 Newberry, SC Political Science Justin ParkerVSU Football/Golf SR 3.76 Chesterfield, VA HPER
Second Team Adidias Arrington VUU Football SR 3.56 Norfolk, VA Criminal Justice Bryan Aycoth LC Football/T&F JR 3.87 Salisbury, NC Biology Christopher CopelandSAC Track & Field JR 3.66 Suffolk, VA Sport Management Sarah DanaherLUP Women’s Bowling FR 4.00 Waitsfield, VT French/Secondary Education Brucelee Sterile LUP Football JR 3.8 Miami, FL Business Management Maximilian Glodde WSSU Men’s Tennis SR 3.98 Potsdam, Germany Economics & Finance Dallin Gray FSU Football SO 3.95 Colorado Springs, CO Chemistry Jasmine Nixon BSU Volleyball SO 3.80 Middletown, NY Psychology Kathryn Tokarski SAC VB/SB/T&F JR 3.81 Saskatchewan, CAN Human Performance Shermaine Williams JCSU Track & Field SR 3.77 St. Andrew, Jamaica Biology
School Legend
BSU- Bowie State University
CU- Chowan University
FSU- Fayetteville State University
JCSU- Johnson C. Smith University
LC- Livingstone College
LUP-Lincoln University (PA)
SAC- St. Augustine’s College
SU- Shaw University
VSU- Virginia State University
VUU- Virginia Union University
WSSU-Winston-Salem State University
Saint Augustine’s ran their way to the top of this year’s team with three student-athletes from each squad represented. Saint Augustine’s College was headlined by Allison Sikes (Richmond, VA) and Orolando Duffus (St. Catherine, Jamaica). Both student-athletes earned spots on the first team. Sikes, a member of the SAC women’s basketball program, was this year’s CIAA Women’s Basketball Player of the Year and was a three-time All-CIAA selection. She graduated Magna Cum Laude earlier this month. Duffus maintains a 3.92 GPA in Business Administration while also sporting Five NCAA DII Track & Field All American titles. Duffus is a two time member of the CIAA Commissioner’s Scholar-Athlete Team. Duffus was named last year’s CIAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
JSCU’s Leford Green (St. Catherine, Jamaica) was named to the First Team for the Golden Bulls. The All-American Track & Field athlete is a three-time member of the CIAA Commissioner’s All-Academic Team. The senior, Information Systems Engineering major, has maintained a 3.776 grade point average. He was named an Indoor All-American after winning the 400m National Title and was on the 4 X 400m team that took home the national indoor title.
Shaw University also placed two student-athletes of the First Team in Kalada Kienka (Lagos, Nigeria), Lolia Kienda (Lagos, Nigeria). Kalada Kienka has compiled a 3.95 overall grade point average in Computer Science. He was named Shaw’s Outstanding Student in Computer Science, an award usually reserved for senior ranking students. He was also named to the All-CIAA Men’s Tennis Team after helping his team win their seventh straight conference championships. Lolia Kienka was named to the CIAA Women’s Tennis Team after going 16-0 in conference play and maintains a 3.92 GPA in Business/International Relations.
Allie Kolezynski (Strongsville, OH) represents Chowan on the First Team this year. She was named First Team All-CIAA for softball after helping lead her team to a regular season championship. She has maintained a 3.97 grade point average in Business Administration. She was named All-CIAA for softball two years in a row and is a two time member of the CIAA Scholar-Athlete Team. Chowan’s Tricia Gorman (Ambridge, PA) was also named to the team after being named the CIAA Softball Player of the Year. Gorman led all of NCAA DII in RBI this year and maintained a 3.51 GPA in Psychology.
Justin Parker (Petersburg, VA) led the CIAA’s Field Goal category for the 2010 season. This Presidential Scholar with a 3.76 GPA in HPER, finished 8 for 8 (100 pct.) in field goals with a long of 40 yards. He also ranked 2nd in PAT kicking, 32-34 at 94 pct. Parker won the 2011 CIAA Special Teams Player of the Year and was named to the ALL-CIAA Football First Team.
WSSU’s Travis Taylor (Newberry, SC) was instrumental in the Rams football program’s success this season as an offensive lineman. He helped the Rams roll up more than 2,000 rushing yards and 1,999 passing yards anchoring the offensive line. Taylor has a 3.75 GPA in Political Science.
VSU’s Rhon’Neisha Taylor (Nashville, TN) is a two-time member of the team. She helped the Lady Trojans to NCAA post season play after averaging 17.7 points an outing. She was named this year’s Lowe’s Senior Class Award winner and maintains a 3.44 GPA in Sport Management.
The CIAA Commissioner’s Scholar-Athlete Second Team is made up of ten deserving athletes, led by Sarah Danaher (Waitsfield, VT) who maintained a 4.0 GPA in French/Secondary Education. She was Lincoln’s best bowler this season. Livingstone’s Bryan Acoth (Salisbury, NC) has a 3.87 GPA in Biology and led the Blue Bear defense with 67 tackles. BSU’s Jasmine Nixon (Middletown, NY) led the Lady Bulldogs volleyball team in kills and points this season while also maintaining a 3.8 GPA in Psychology.
VUU”s Adidias Arrington (Norfolk, VA) led the Panthers in total tackles with 85 this season. He was an All-CIAA performer and a two-time member of the CIAA Scholar-Athlete Team. He has a 3.56 GPA in Sport Management. JCSU’s Shermaine Williams (St. Andrew, Jamaica earned a spot on the team. Williams helped lead the Lady Golden Bulls to their first-ever CIAA Championship in Track & Field this year. She was an Indoor All-American and this year’s CIAA Outdoor MVP. She has a 3.776 GPA in Biology. Brucelee Sterile (Miami, FL) was named to the team after being named Lincoln’s Male Athlete of the Year. Sterile maintained a 3.8 GPA in Business Management. He was an All CIAA performer at linebacker for the Lions this season and a NCAA Super Region Second Team member.
SAC’s Kathryn Tokarski (Saskatchewan, CAN) was a three-sport athlete for the Lady Falcons and maintained a 3.818 GPA in Human Performance & Wellness. She starred on the SAC volleyball team, softball team, and the track & field team. She was a CIAA First Team member for volleyball and claimed the CIAA Outdoor Championships Javelin title. The Falcons also placed Christopher Copeland (Suffolk ,V A) on the team. He is a five-time NCAA Outdoor Track & Field All-American and claimed both Indoor and Outdoor CIAA high jump titles this season. He has a 3.668 GPA in Sport Management.
FSU’s Dallin Gray (Mebane, NC) rounds out this year’s team. Gray was the starting tight end on the Bronco’s football team this year. He has a 3.95 GPA in Physical Education. This season he caught four touchdowns led the tight end position in total receiving this year.
The CIAA Commissioner’s All-Academic Team is voted on by the CIAA Sports Information Directors’ Association and is in its 14th year. To be eligible for the team a student-athlete must have completed one academic year at a CIAA institution, earned a minimum 3.2 grade point average, and have excelled as a starter or significant reserve in a CIAA sanctioned sport.
PALM COAST -- Jordan Taylor signed to play baseball next season at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach at a signing ceremony Tuesday at Flagler Palm Coast High School.
Jordan Taylor 60 2011 World Showcase
Jordan Taylor BP 2011 World Showcase
Jordan Taylor OF 2011 World Showcase
Jordan Taylor P 2011 World Showcase
