2014 SIAC Baseball Championships - Day Two Recap

OZARK, Alabama — Day Two of the 2014 SIAC Baseball Championship saw two elimination games in the morning and two afternoon games in the tournament's winner's bracket.

GM 8:  Stillman blanks Miles 6-0
The Stillman Tigers faced the Miles Golden Bears in the second round of the 2014 SIAC Baseball Championship, with the Tigers capturing a 6-0 victory.

The Tigers opened the scoring the bottom of the first when Paul Winterbottom scored on a Fernando Tanaka groundout.  In the second inning, Cameron Stallings singled to score Jose Alicea.  In the fifth inning, Stillman added two runs, one on an RBI single and the other on a sacrifice fly.

Stillman would get two more runs in the bottom of the eighth:  first on a Winterbottom double that scored Dunn before Winterbottom scored on a stolen base and an errant throw.

Tiger senior starter Ashton Johnson worked nine innings, striking out six, walking three and allowing only one hit – a single to Austin Freeman.  Miles pitcher Austin Pate threw eight innings allowing four earned runs and a walk while striking out six.

Stillman will meet Tuskegee at 3 pm in the deciding game of the winner's bracket.

GM 7:  Kentucky State Rally Falls Short as Thorobreds Fall to Tuskegee, 5-2
A day after beating top-seeded Albany State in the opening round of the 2014 SIAC Baseball Championship, a Thorobred rally fell short as the Tuskegee Golden Tigers won, 5-2, Thursday afternoon at Historic Eagle Stadium.

Tuskegee plated a run in each the first, second and sixth innings before scoring twice in the bottom of the eighth frame.  In the inning, Travis Hylton singled before Samuel Rodney walked.  Both runners scored when Cameron Duncan singled later in the inning.  The Thorobreds mustered three team hits against Tuskegee but reached base 10 times via walks Thursday's contest.

Junior catcher Marshall Howard went 2-for-2 and scored two runs on Thursday including one in the top of the ninth inning as the Thorobreds tried to come back from a 5-1 deficit. After Howard drew a walk and moved to second when Justin Cain walked, Kyle Clark hit a single to bring Howard home.

Kentucky State had kept things close throughout the game and entered the bottom of the eighth inning behind, 3-1. After loading the bases, Tuskegee's Cameron Duncan hit a clutch 2-RBI single to push the TU lead to, 5-1.

Cameron Summers pitched well for the Golden Tigers, allowing just one hit, but was pulled in the fourth inning after surrendering his fourth walk of the game. Relief pitcher Stanley Smith (1-0) earned the victory after taking over for Summers and pitching 3.0 innings. Smith allowed just one hit and no runs.

Kentucky State starter AJ Garza-Hall (1-7) was saddled with the loss after 6.0 innings on the mound. Garza-Hall allowed seven hits, surrendered four walks and struck out five Golden Tiger batters.

GM 6:  Paine Lions Stave Off Elimination with Ninth-Inning Heroics
The Paine College Lions avoided elimination as they defeated the Claflin Panthers 5-4 in game six of the 2014 SIAC Baseball Championship Thursday at Eagle Stadium in Ozark, Alabama.

Trailing 4-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth, pinch runner Cordale Duncan scored when Jonathan Richey doubled to left field.  Two batters later, Paine faced two outs and runners on first and third; Demonta Streeter hit a shot to left center field to score Jonathan Richey for the game-winning run.

Paine opened the scoring in the game in the bottom of the first inning.  Claflin scored their first run of the contest in the top of the fourth inning before the Lions answered in the bottom of the frame.  Claflin then added two runs in the top of the sixth to build a 3-2 lead.  After Paine scored a run in the bottom of the seventh, the Panthers added a run in the top of the eighth inning to give Claflin a 4-3 advantage going into the final inning.

Paine was guided by Avery Wilson and Streeter, each going 3-for-5 in the game.  Richey and Jon-Tyler Shaw each had two hits in the game.  Thomas Clay paced Claflin with three hits while Johnny Stevenson and Wendell Ferguson both finished with two hits.

Paine's Cornelius Reed got the win in relief, pitching two innings walking three.  Paine starter Adam Martin threw six innings walking five and striking out one before leaving the game.  For Claflin, Darius Boykins took the loss, allow two hits against three batters faced.  Panther starter Anthony Ford pitched 8.1 innings striking out four and walking three.

Paine advances to face the loser of the Tuskegee / Kentucky State contest.

GM 5:  Albany State Remains Alive with 12-5 win over Benedict
The Albany State Golden Rams kept their championship hopes alive with a 12-5 in the first elimination game of the day over the Benedict Tigers.

After plating a run in the top of the second inning, the Rams (29-16) plated five runs in the top of the third, using three bases loaded situations to push runs across.  The Rams also scored in the top of the third, making the score 7-0.

Benedict scored two runs in the bottom of the inning, cutting the deficit to five runs.  Albany State added a run in the fifth, giving the Rams an 8-2 advantage.

Over the final three innings, Albany State outscored Benedict, 4-3, for the final division.

The Tigers out hit the Rams 14-9, but fell victim to four errors in the game.

Rams pitcher Andrew Bacon (7-4) earned the complete game victory, striking out four and walking two over nine innings.  Five Benedict pitchers combined to strike out four in the game.

Hector Carrasquillo went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two runs driven in for the Rams while Ryan Latner finished 2-for-5 with a run scored.  Lashante Grimes led Benedict with three hits and a run while four other Tigers registered two hits each.

Friday's Baseball Tournament Pairings:
9 am - Kentucky State vs. Paine
12 pm - Miles vs. Albany State
3 pm - Tuskegee vs. Stillman
6 pm - Winner of MC/ASU versus Winner of KSU/PC

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2014 SIAC Softball Championships - Day One ReCap

HAMPTON, Georgia  --  Day one of the eight team double-elimination 2014 SIAC Softball Championships began today with four exciting contests at the Gerald Matthews Sports Complex in Hampton, Georgia.

Game 1: Clark Atlanta def. Stillman, 6-2 (Box Score)

While holding a 6-0 lead through the top of the sixth inning, the third-seeded Clark Atlanta University Lady Panthers stunned No. 2 Stillman College with a 6-2 first round victory in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Softball Championship Tournament held today at the Gerald Matthews Softball Complex in Hampton, Ga.

A three-run homer by All-Conference third baseman Breanna Bailey, put the Lady Panthers on the board early in the top of the first inning. Both teams went scoreless through the three innings until freshman pitcher Brittany Gonzalez knocked in one run to give CAU a 4-0 advantage. In an eventful sixth innings, Clark Atlanta produced two runs while Stillman (20-27) gets on the board with a two-run double by Michaela Norman for a 6-2 score that would through seven.

Gonzalez put down five batters in a complete game for CAU while Stillman pitcher Ashley Savage retired 10 batters. CAU senior and All-Conference selection Alia Williams led the Lady Panthers at the plate going 3-for-4 with two runs and one RBI.

With the win, the Lady Panthers (20-21) advance to the second round game tomorrow at 12:00 p.m., against #1 Claflin University.

Game 2: Albany State def. Miles, 9-4 (Box Score)

The Albany State Lady Rams opened the 2014 SIAC Women's Softball Tournament with a 9-4 victory over Miles College. The Lady Rams improved to 19-24 overall and advanced to the second round to play #1W Tuskegee. The Tigerettes advanced with a 15-0 win over #4E Benedict College.

In the first inning, Miles took advantage of a few hits and errors by Albany State to build an early 4-0 lead. The Lady Rams cut their deficit to 4-3 after Chelsea Hicks singled to score Domonique Bryant and Marks hit a two-run homer. In the second inning, Ambrionna Atkism gave ASU a 5-4 lead with another homerun that scored her and Anria Peterson. Peterson started the inning with a double.

Hicks added another homerun in the bottom of the fifth inning to give the Lady Rams a 6-4 lead. ASU added its final three runs in the sixth inning. Malea Maye hit a double to score Atkism. Hicks followed that play with a single to bring home Maye and Bryant to account for the final score.

Hicks led the Lady Rams with four hits and four RBI's.  Atkism added two hits and two RBI's, and Marks also had two RBI's. Alexa Lopez recorded the mound win.

Game 3: Tuskegee def. Benedict, 15-0 (Box Score)

The top-seeded Western Division champion Tigerettes of Tuskegee University scored nine runs in the bottom of the second-inning en route to a 15-0 opening round win against the Lady Tigers of Benedict College.

Latifah Kelly, the 2014 SIAC Starting Pitcher of the Year, pitched five scoreless innings and allowed one hit while retiring 16 of the 17 batters she faced. Tuskegee was led by Karisa Foye and Denavia Harrison, who each hit three-run homers during the second and third innings. 

Tuskegee will next face the Lady Rams of Albany State tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. The Lady Rams won their opening round contest, 9-4, against Miles College.

Game 4: Claflin def. Lane, 8-7 (Box Score) 

Claflin University came from five down to defeat Lane, 8-7, on day one of the 2014 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) softball tournament.  The tournament, which runs through Saturday, Apr. 26, is being contested at the Gerald E. Mathis Complex in Hampton, Ga.

Lane put up three runs in the top of the first to take a quick 0-3 lead.  The Dragons put up two additional runs in the top of the fourth to take a 0-5 lead.  Claflin bats came to life in the bottom of the fourth as they scored four runs off five hits, including a three-run homerun from Briana Pinero, with one Lane error to pull with one, 4-5.  

The Lady Panthers added two runs in the bottom of the fifth to take their first lead of the game, 6-5.  Lane's catcher Jasmine McNeal hit a two-run homer in the top in the sixth to help the Dragons regain the lead, 6-7. A two-run single in the bottom of the sixth by senior Amanda Evans gave Claflin the 8-7 lead heading into the seventh inning.  The Lady Panthers held the Dragons scoreless in the top of the seventh en route to the one run victory.

Markea Sheppard led the charge for the Lady Panthers going 3-for-4 with three runs.  Amanda Evans went 2-for-4 with one run and three RBI's and Alice Boone went 2-for-3 with one run.  Erin Lipps picked up her 18 wins on the mound for the Lady Panthers.  

Lane was led by Sherica Bradford who went 3-for-3 with three runs. Shawnae Campbell was the losing pitcher for Lane. Claflin will face Clark-Atlanta tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. in the semifinal round.

Friday's early contests:

Clark Atlanta vs. Claflin - 12:00 p.m.

Albany State vs. Tuskegee - 12:00 p.m.

Stillman vs. Lane - 2:00 p.m.

Miles vs. Benedict - 2:00 p.m.


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2014 SIAC Track & Field Championship - DAY ONE RECAP

DAY ONE RESULTS / DAY ONE TEAM SCORES

ROCK HILL, South Carolina – The 2014 SIAC Track & Field Championships got started Thursday at Irwin Belk Track on the campus of Winthrop University. After Day One, the women from Albany State and the men from Kentucky State scored a total of 61 points and 37 points respectively, to finish the day in the lead.

The 2014 SIAC Women's Field Athlete of the Year, Euphemia Edem, made a huge statement for Stillman with her 6.11m mark in the long jump. With the win and an NCAA provisional mark, Edem now ranks second in Division II in the long jump. Benedict's Krishanda Campbell-Brown and Albany State's Lanequa Borders finished second and third, respectively, with marks of 5.80m and 5.45m.

Tuskegee's Aaron Bennett claimed the title in the men's shot put with a mark of 14.54m on his first throw. Javonte Brooks-Brown (14.15m) from Kentucky State and Albany State's Jamal Quadir (13.84m) rounded out the top three.

In the women's shot put, Albany State swept the top three spots. CreeAnn Perkins (13.23m) finished first and teammates Brittany Dean (13.13m) and Rhenia Bonner (11.99m) rounded out the top spots.

Tre Adderely from Benedict narrowly missed the NCAA provisional mark of 7.17m with his leap of 7.16m in the long jump to claim gold. Stillman's Solomon Atosona, the 2014 SIAC Men's Field Athlete of the Year, jumped 6.98m to finish second. Benedict's Omar Wallace (6.75m) ended in third.

In the women's hammer throw, the 10 first place points went to Kentucky State following Joscilyn Crain's 42.12m throw. Clark Atlanta's Rita-Ashley Cunningham (40.26m) placed second and Claflin's Jessica Crawford (36.41m) finished third.

Morehouse's Cullen Watkins won the hammer throw with a mark of 42.20m. Javonte Brooks-Brown's mark of 39.62m helped him to a second-place finish for Kentucky State. Teammate Terry Horton placed third with a 36.71m mark.

The 10,000m run was the only final running event on Day One. Morehouse's Shinaola Agbede finished in 33:22.94 for the gold medal. Albany State's Albery Murrey won the silver medal crossing the line in 33:41.16. Claiming the bronze medal was Benedict's Ediberto Crisanto with a time of 34:54.44.

Benedict's Jonnise Pierce (48:36.21) and Astacia Watkins (48:37.43) went 1-2 in the 10,000m run. The 2014 SIAC Women's Track Athlete of the Year, Olivia Traylor, finished in third with a time of 48:47.28.

Preliminaries of the 400m hurdles, 800m run and women's 4x100m relay were also run. Claflin's Makayla Jackson ran a 1:01.73 to lead the qualifying pack of eight in the women's 400m hurdles. Carrie Byrd, also from Claflin, finished the preliminaries of the women's 800m with the leading time of 2:17.83. In the women's 4x100m preliminary relay, Stillman finished first with a time of 47.02, just about one second faster than the second place Claflin team that finished in 48.18.

Stillman's Darrell Jackson led the qualifiers of the 400m hurdles with a time of 53.55. Kentucky State's Kieren Broussard (1:54.10) placed first in the men's 800m prelims.

Day Two events begin Friday at 8 a.m. with the finals in the decathlon and heptathlon.

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New Harris-Stowe president sees an 'awesome opportunity'

St. Louis, Missouri  -- The young man in the dark suit jumped onto the stage Thursday afternoon, grasped the edges of the podium and declared himself a visionary leader.

It was Dwaun J. Warmack’s official introduction as the new president of Harris-Stowe State University, and he wasted little time stating his four main goals, beginning with academic excellence.

“That has to be the core of what we do,” said Warmack, 37.

The three other goals, he said, are establishing a recruitment and retention program, creating a marketing and branding campaign and focusing on “friendraising and fundraising.”

He explained the latter as building more community partners. Warmack comes to St. Louis from Daytona Beach, Fla., where he has served since July 2010 as a vice president at Bethune-Cookman University. Like Bethune-Cookman, Harris-Stowe is among the nation’s more than 100 historically black colleges and universities.



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ESPNU LIVE Softball: Mississippi Valley State vs. Jackson State

Watch Live Here on ESPNU



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BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Mississippi Valley State University will host in-state rival Jackson State during a three-game series beginning on Friday, April 25 at 6 p.m. CT. The Devilettes will open the second day doubleheader on Saturday, April 25 live on ESPNU at 3:32 p.m.  The eastern division matchup will take place at the MVSU Softball Complex in Itta Bena, Miss.

Defending conference champions, MVSU (10-32, 8-6) currently fall in third place in Eastern Division play while JSU (24-26, 14-0) claims spot number one. 

Last season MVSU finished 25-32 and won five straight games at the SWAC Tournament to claim its ninth tournament title in school history. The Devilettes return four of their top players; Yasmin Battle, Omeshia Moffett, Natalia Covarrubias and Cassandra Rivera.

Battle has recorded three triples, 12 RBI while carrying a .300 slugging percent. Moffett leads the Devilettes with 33 hits, 17 stolen bases and she comes in second with a .284 batting average and teammate Covarrubias has 19 RBI, 22 hits and five doubles on the season.

MVSU’s returning pitcher Rivera (5-10) recorded 114.1 innings pitched to go along with 63 strikeouts. She has an ERA of 8.08 while making 40 appearances, including 21 games started. 

Seniors Lauren Aikens and Breea Jamerson have helped lead the Lady Tigers ride on a 14-0 conference record. Aikens guides the JSU offense with a .366 batting average, a league leading 53 total hits and she ranks number two in the conference with 40 RBI.

Jamerson (10-11) anchors the pitching staff with a league leading 10 wins on the season. Jamerson's three saves leads the league in that category and her .255 batting average to opposing teams lead the league as well.

 

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TSU Men's Golf Heads to Alabama for OVC Championships

MUSCLE SHOALS, Alabama -- The Tennessee State men’s golf team will take to the course for the 2014 Ohio Valley Conference golf championships. After four years of play at GreyStone Golf Club in Dickson, Tenn., the championships will be played at The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at The Shoals in Muscle Shoals, Ala., for the first time since 2009. The 11-team field will play the Par-72, 7,187 yard Fighting Joe course.

 

TSU finished eighth last year and was seven strokes out of third place as the final round was rained out. James Stepp and then senior Cameron Scitern tied for third finishing two strokes back. Stepp tied for the lowest score in a round last year as he shot a 4-under, 68 on day two.

 

The championships will consist of 54-holes over three days beginning on Friday, Apr. 25. Stepp will be the first Tiger on the course at 8:50am. Stepp will be followed by Matt Campbell at 9:00am, Andrew Warner at 9:10am, Codie Welborn at 9:20am and Blake Burgett at 9:30am. TSU will be playing with Moreheadt State and SIU Edwardsville for the first round.

 

TSU will face off against Belmont, Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, Morehead State, Murray State, SIUE, Tennessee Tech, UT Martin and defending champions, Austin Peay.

 

Hole-by-hole live results from each day of the championship can be accessed through links at OVCSports.com.

 

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Tailgate on us and AAMU Spring Football on "The Hill"

Tailgating On Us

NORMAL, Alabama  -- Bulldog fans, we invite you to attend this years Tailgate On Us April 26^th beginning at 10:00 am at Louis Crews stadium!!

Tailgating opens in the morning, with events the rest of the day!  Come out and bring your friends and family to this wonderful event!

There will be free food, the football scrimmage at 3 pm, kids stations of activities, contests and prizes for adults, greek strolling, alumni events, band and cheerleader performances, wing cook-off, and much more!!!

The spring game will close out the spring drills the A&M football squad has been participating in for the month.

Head coach James Spady and his staff will look for consistency as he replaces looks to instill a new offense and a new mentality on Bulldog Football.

Fans are asked to come out and set up your grill and enjoy a beautiful day on "The Hill".  Tailgating will be allowed all day in the Louis Crews stadium parking lot in front of the home grand stands. Don't miss out on this event!!!

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

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FAMU Travels To NC Central For Big MEAC Series

Ryan C. Kennedy #33
6'-3" 205 Infielder
HOMETOWN: Merritt Island, Florida
Courtesy: Florida A&M Sports Information

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  – Florida A&M (18-21, 10-7 MEAC), who is coming off a huge win over No. 6 Florida at McKethan Stadium in Gainesville on Wednesday, looks to remain in first place of the MEAC Southern Division with a three game series against North Carolina Central (15-25-1, 10-9 MEAC) beginning on Saturday, April 26. The Rattlers have gone 7-2 over their last nine games including winning three straight.

Central leads the all-time series 10-13, which includes six straight losses for FAMU in Durham, NC. The last victory for the Rattlers over the Eagles in Durham came on April 13, 2011 by a score of 12-9. The series between the two schools only started in 2009 as NC Central resumed their baseball program in 2007 since 1975.

The Eagles had won five straight games the week of April 2-6 but have since lost four straight games and have gone 1-8 in their last nine games since April 8.

FAMU and NCCU split the first two meetings this season in Tallahassee. Florida A&M won game one by a score of 13-5 while NC Central took game two 6-5 in extra innings. Sunday’s game three was rained out with the Eagles leading 6-0 in the top of the second inning and has yet to be determined if that game will be made up.

Rattler catcher Jeremy Barlow went 4-for-6 with a double and a run scored while throwing out two Eagle base runners in the two games, while centerfielder Jared Walker was 5-for-9 with a triple, two runs scored and two RBI. The Rattlers hit .387 as a team in the series. Chase Jarrell and David Duncan started the two games as Jarrell was the only starter to earn the win. Jordan Montague pitched three innings of relief for the save of game one, only allowing one run on four hits.

NCCU is led offensively by Carter Williamson (.345) and Tyson Simpson (.378), while Christian Triplett’s seven home runs is tied with FAMU’s Ryan Kennedy as the MEAC home run leaders.

PITCHING PROBABLES:

                           Florida A&M (18-21, 10-7 MEAC)            NC Central (15-25-1, 10-9 MEAC)

Saturday Gm 1: Fr., RHP Chase Jarrell (4-2, 3.47)            Jr., RHP Kyle Shields (3-3, 3.38)

Saturday Gm 2: Sr., RHP David Duncan (2-4, 4.72)          Sr., RHP Terry McNabb (2-6, 4.13)      

Sunday:             So., RHP Kendal Weeks (2-1, 4.18)        So., RHP Alex Dandridge (1-3, 5.09)     

Rattler Quick Strikes:

• With the success of the 2014 season, the Rattlers have ended three long losing streaks to common opponents. With the 4-3 win on April 23 FAMU recorded its first victory in program history over No. 6 Florida, snapping an 18-game losing streak to the Gators. Florida A&M had also lost 20 straight to Jacksonville before a 6-5 victory back on April 8 at Moore-Kittles Field and ended a run of 13 consecutive losses to Bethune-Cookman with a 5-1 win on April 5 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
  
• In head coach Jamey Shouppe’s first season, FAMU has already won more games (18) than the last two years combined (14). The 18 wins are the most since the Rattlers went 24-30, 10-9 MEAC in 2009.
  
• FAMU is currently 10-7 in the MEAC. Florida A&M won seven games in each of the last two seasons. This is just the sixth time since 2000 that the Rattlers have won double-digit MEAC games (2002, 03, 07, 08, 09) and the most since they went 10-8 in 2009.
  
• 1B/RF Bennie Robinson comes in as one of the nations offensive leaders statistically. Robinson is hitting .411 (8^th) on the year with 65 hits (T-11th) and 94 total bases (T-28^th).
  
• Robinson is currently hitting .411. The last Rattler to hit over .400 with at least 100 at bats this late in the season was Derrick Shaw in 2010. Shaw finished with an average of .421 and was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010 (41^st Rd-Pick 14).
  
• Robinson is also hitting .513 (20-for-39) over the last 10 games with five doubles, a home run and six RBI.
  
• In the last 10 games the Florida A&M bullpen has pitched 45 strong innings with an ERA of 1.80 with 28 K’s and 12 BB. The Rattler bullpen also hasn’t allowed an earned run in five of those last 10 games dating back to the Sunday game at Bethune-Cookman on April 6.
  
• William Carrasco, who only allowed one unearned run in three innings as the starter at No. 6 Florida has been pitching well during the last half of the season. In his last six appearances he is 3-0 with an ERA of 0.51 with 13 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings of work including two saves.
  
• Florida A&M last won the MEAC Southern Division in 1997 and last won the conference championship in 1994.

The Rattlers and Eagles will play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 26, as game times are scheduled for 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm. The series finale will be on Sunday at 1:00 pm.

As always, fans can follow Rattler Baseball on Twitter @FAMUAthletics and live stats will be available via www.FAMUAthletics.com.

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By Michael Morrell/Special to FAMU Athletics
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Alcorn beats XU Rush; qualifying tournament starts Friday

2014 NAIA Unaffiliated Group 2 Tennis Tournament April 25-26 in New Orleans

Click here for information

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana, ranked 10th in NAIA men's tennis, closed its regular season Thursday with a 5-3 loss to NCAA Division I's Alcorn State.

Both teams are 9-10. The Braves snapped the three-dual win streak of the Gold Rush and prevented Xavier from moving above .500 for the first time this season. The Rush were trying for a third consecutive victory against an NCAA Division I opponent.

It was the first Gold Rush loss this season in four duals.

The Gold Rush will play Tougaloo at 9 a.m. Friday at XU Tennis Center in the opening round of the NAIA Unaffiliated Group 2 Tournament. The Xavier-Tougaloo winner will play Oklahoma Baptist or the University of the Southwest in the semifinals at 1 p.m. Friday at the University of New Orleans.

Also at UNO, Xavier's women will play a 2 p.m. Friday semifinal against Oklahoma Baptist or Our Lady of the Lake. Women's and men's championship matches will be played Saturday at Xavier.

Xavier led 1-0 and 3-2 before Alcorn clinched with three consecutive singles victories. Nischay Rawal ended the dual with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 decision against Jordan Harrell at No. 3.

Freshmen Tushar Mandlekar and Adam Albrecht won in singles for Xavier, and Mandlekar and Kevin Chaouat teamed for an 8-2 victory against Garry Amor and Rawal at No. 2 doubles.

Albrecht beat Amor 6-3, 6-0 at No. 6 singles, and Mandlekar defeated Max Tkachenko 6-2, 6-1 at No. 4.

Ernesto Santillan and Nikita Kostikov won in doubles and singles for Alcorn. Santillan and Kostikov beat Kyle Montrel and Nikita Soifer 8-5 at No. 1 doubles, and Santillan beat Montrel 7-5, 6-4 at the top singles flight.

Results


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/xulagold 

Howard University SID Ed Hill, Jr Named CoSIDA Trailblazer

30-year Howard veteran to be honored during CoSIDA Convention in June

Mr. Edward (Ed) Hill Jr.
Courtesy Howard University Athletics
COSIDA STORY LINK

WASHINGTON, D.C.  --  In 1983, Edward (Ed) Hill Jr. gave up a career as a sportswriter to become the assistant sports information director at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Two years later, he was elevated to the top position. Good move for Hill. Great move for College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) and the profession!

Hill is set to receive the 2014 CoSIDA Mary Jo Haverbeck Trailblazer Award during the group's annual workshop June 8-11, 2014 at Orlando, Fla. The award is given annually to a member of the group who is a pioneer in the field of sports information who has mentored and helped improve the level of ethnic and gender diversity within the organization.

"It is truly a great honor to be recognized with the Trailblazer Award," Hill said. "I feel that it is especially noteworthy that I am being honored during the same time that the award is being named for a true 'trailblazer' in the profession, Mary Jo Haverbeck (former associate SID at Penn State and the first recipient of the award).

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2014 Tennessee State Lady Tiger Basketball Camp Information

2014 TSU LADY TIGER BASKETBALL CAMP INFORMATION

Lil Tiger Camp Brochure | Play Day Flyer | Elite Camp Brochure


REGISTER NOW!

Lil Tiger Camp
WHEN: June 2-4
WHERE: Gentry Center
TIME: 9am-12pm
AGES: 5-14 years old, Grades K-8
COSTS: $50
CONTACT: Ashlee McGee 615-963-1356; Amcgee2@my.tnstate.edu
For more information, click here to read the brochure.

TSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PLAY DAY 1WHEN: June 7
WHERE: Gentry Center
TIME: Games start at 8:00am
AGES: Varsity High School teamsCOSTS: $125
CONTACT: Ashlee McGee 615-963-1356; Amcgee2@my.tnstate.eduFor more information, click here to read the brochure.

TSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PLAY DAY 2WHEN: June 18
WHERE: Gentry Center
TIME: Games start at 8:00am
AGES: Varsity High School teamsCOSTS: $125
CONTACT: Ashlee McGee 615-963-1356; Amcgee2@my.tnstate.eduFor more information, click here to read the brochure.

ELITE CAMPWHEN: June 20-22
WHERE: Gentry Center
TIME: Games start at 8:00am
AGES: 8- HS OnlyCOSTS: $200 (Dorms)/ $150 (Commuters)
CONTACT: Ashlee McGee 615-963-1356; Amcgee2@my.tnstate.edu
For more information, click here to read the brochure

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Southern Baseball, SU Army ROTC partner for Throwback Classic

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern University has joined forces with the SU Army ROTC to present the Negro League Tradition series this weekend at Lee-Hines Field when the Jaguars host Grambling State in the regular season home finale.

The "Throwback Classic" features uniforms from the Negro Baseball League worn by both teams in a SWAC Western Division showdown between the two in-state rivals.

Courtesy Southern U. Athletics

Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader is set for a noon first pitch and will air live on Downtown Radio 97.7 FM and GoJagsports.com.  Sunday series finale is set for a 1:07 first pitch and will air live on Cox Sports Television.

 

The SU Army ROTC will provide 200 camouflage SU rally towels to every fan who attends Sunday's game. Also, the first 30 children - ages 12 and under - will receive an SU ROTC squeeze baseball at each game.  

 

Southern is coming off a 13-2 loss on Wednesday to Nicholls State at Lee-Hines Field.

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS 

Coppin State narrows men's basketball coaching search to five finalists

BALTIMORE, Maryland  -- Coppin State has narrowed its search for a new men's basketball coach to five candidates who are scheduled to interview on campus next week, including current Maryland assistant Bino Ranson.

The school says it will introduce its next coach at a news conference on May 5. He will replace Ron "Fang" Mitchell, who was the Eagles' coach for 28 years before not having his contract renewed after this season.

Here's a look at the five candidates, per Coppin State's news release:

Orlando "Bino" Ranson: A current assistant at the University of Maryland, Ranson has strong ties to the Baltimore-Washington area, having coached for two seasons at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. He has played a major role in helping Maryland sign back-to-back top-25 recruiting classes in 2012 and 2013. Ranson led the recruitment of current Terps Charles Mitchell and Shaquille Cleare.

Larry Stewart: Currently in his fifth season with Bowie State and his third as Associate Head Coach.  A standout player at Coppin State from 1988-1991, Stewart led the Eagles to their first ever NCAA Tournament ...

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Jackson State adds depth to backcourt with Yettra Specks

JACKSON, Mississippi  --  Yettra Specks needed more time.

The point guard from Southern-Shreveport committed to Jackson State in March, but he sent his National Letter of Intent nearly a week after the signing period opened on April 16.

“It was tough because knowing that I could stay and play another year and try to get more offers ... it was tough,” Specks said. “But the thing that made me finalize my decision was the coaches, making me feel like I’m at home.”

He finished his freshman season at the junior college and wavered between staying another year or sticking with his commitment to the Tigers. On one side, his junior college coaches advised him to stay another season, which is normal for most players at that level.

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Texas Southern LadyTigers take a 6-4 win over Sam Houston State at Memorial Park

HOUSTON, Texas  --  Texas Southern third baseman Anisha Richardson blasted a three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning to power the Tigers to a 6-4 non-conference softball victory over Sam Houston Wednesday evening at Memorial Park.

The home run broke a 3-3 tie. The victory runs TSU's season mark to 24-16 and Sam Houston now stands 24-21. Texas Southern out-hit Sam Houston 6-4 as the Bearkats also committed three errors.

Texas Southern starting pitcher Alaina Stubblefield was credited with the win while Sammantha Jimenez entered the game in relief picking up the save.

Texas Southern will play a three-game series with Southern University this upcoming weekend on Friday and Saturday. TSU and SU will begin at 3:00 pm on Friday and at 12:00 pm on Saturday. The Lady Tigers wrapped up the Western Division last weekend with a sweep of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

On Saturday the Lady Tigers will also recognize their five sewww.tsuball.com.  
niors in between games two and three. For the latest news regarding Texas Southern Softball please continue to visit

Box Score 

COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION  

GSU students approve athletics fee

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Grambling State University’s athletic programs will get a boost in the fall after students recently approved an athletics fee that university officials say will generate an additional $1 million annually.

After students voted against the athletics fee last year, GSU officials launched an awareness campaign to show the need for another mandatory fee. Students approved the fee late last week with an 820 to 230 vote.

The fee will become effective in the fall. Each student will be assessed $100 per semester.

GSU President Frank Pogue said ...

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Delaware State Hornets Baseball Outlast Navy 13-8

DOVER, Delaware  --   Delaware State scored six times in the bottom of the eighth inning to erase a one-run deficit in a 13-8 win over Navy at Soldier Field today. The Hornets trailed 8-7 before the eighth inning explosion.

Eddie Sorondo singled in the first two runs of the inning to give DSU a 9-8 lead. Charles Dailey and Cameron Onderko had run-scoring singles; and Chris Gonzalez drove in a run on a sacrifice fly in the inning.

The Hornets opened the scoring on back-to-back doubles by Cameron Cecil and Aarron Nardone in the bottom of the first inning. Cecil was two-for-five with a double, while Nardone had two hits and a RBI in four at bats to give him a team high 34 runs batted in this season.

After Navy scored three runs in the top of the second to take a 3-1 lead, the Hornets answered with five runs in the bottom of the inning to pull back on top.

First baseman Chris Gonzalez had the big blow in the inning, a three-run blast over the fence in left field to give the Hornets a 4-3 lead. It was the first home run of his collegiate career. Gonzalez had a career-best four RBI in the game.

Sorondo added a two-run single for the Hornets in the second. He was two-for-three with four RBI in the contest.

After Navy scored a run in the fourth inning to pull to within 6-4, Mike Alexander led off the DSU fourth with his sixth homer of the season to give the Hornets a three-run lead.

The Midshipmen scored two runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh off the Hornets’ bullpen to open up an 8-7 lead.

Onderko had four of DSU’s 18 hits, while six players collected two hits each.

Reliever Eric Sharff (5-3), the Hornets’ sixth pitcher of the game, threw 2.2 scoreless innings to earn the win.

Despite giving up eight runs, DSU pitchers did not allow an earned run due to five Hornet errors.  Travis Blue was two-for-four with three RBI, while Robert Currie had two hits and two RBI in four at bats for the Midshipmen.

Navy’s reliever Sam Sorenson (1-3) allowed two hits and three runs in 0.1 innings to take the loss.

The Hornets return to MEAC action with a three-game series at home against Norfolk State this weekend. The series at Soldier Field begins with a doubleheader on Saturday (Apr. 26) starting at noon. The teams will wrap up the series with a single game on Sunday at 1 p.m. DSU leads Norfolk State by percentage points for first place in the MEAC North race.

DSU SEASON STATS

BOX SCORE

COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Savannah State Men's Golf Hosts MEAC Championship

COURTESY OF SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

SAVANNAH, Georgia  – The Savannah State golf program is set to host the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's golf championship tournament April 25-27 at Crosswinds Golf Club, in Savannah, Ga.

After several years of showcases the MEAC added men's golf to its championship catalog this year as the 16^th sport. Savannah State and Bethune-Cookman University, in Daytona Beach, Florida, have hosted MEAC men's golf showcases in the past.

The showcases demonstrated to the conference that a viable golf championship could be held. By conference teams participating in three showcases, the MEAC conference was given an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Tournament.

Savannah State head coach Art Gelow helmed the initiative to bring golf to the MEAC, and its first championship to Savannah.

"Savannah State is happy to host the first ever MEAC golf championship," Gelow said. "I think it's a huge tribute to the job that we've done in conjunction with the owners and staff at Crosswinds Golf Club over the years."

"We've hosted a Fall Tiger Invitational there and multiple MEAC showcases in the spring with great success," Gelow continued. "The staff and employees at Crosswinds do a great job in helping us to be the premiere host of golf competitions for the MEAC."

Six MEAC teams will be represented in the championship tournament. In addition to SSU and Cookman, North Carolina Central, Hampton University, Maryland Eastern Shore, and Florida A&M will field teams.

The three-round, 72-par tournament will be played over three days, beginning April 25, with the final round played on April 27. Pairings will be announced on Thursday, April 24, and live scoring will be available during the match. Results will be sent out after each round and posted on www.ssuathletics.com.

Crosswinds Golf Club is an 18-hole, traditional Lowcountry golf course, situated off I-95 exit #104 near the Savannah Hilton/Head International Airport.

The winner of the MEAC tournament will continue on to face other Division I institutes in the NCAA Regional Championship May 15-17. The NCAA National Championship is schedule for May 23-28.

For additional information on the web visit www.meacsports.com, and www.crosswindsgolfclub.com

COURTESY SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Kentucky State Crowned 2014 SIAC Men's Golf Champions

COURTESY KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

BESSEMER, Alabama -- The Kentucky State men's golf team used a solid performance on the third and final day of the 2014 SIAC Golf Championship Tournament to secure the conference crown. The Thorobreds finished the three round tournament, played at the Woodward  Golf & Country Club in Bessemer, Alabama, with a championship worthy scorecard of 991.

The Thorobreds, who trailed Morehouse by one stroke heading into the third round, put together a 338 team scorecard in the final round of play, six strokes better than the Maroon Tigers, 344. The solid final day secured the comeback for KSU as they defeated Morehouse (996) by five strokes for the tournament title.

After a slow start in the first round of the tournament on Monday, the Thorobreds bounced back with a single round low team score of 317 on Tuesday to set themselves up for a final push on Wednesday.

"Just like this whole season, this team battled and fought themselves out of a hole and persevered through this whole tournament," Head Coach Harry Stinson said. "They came together early in the season and that showed today with their ability to handle the pressure of competing for a championship."

Sophomore Joseph White (74/82/79, 235) was the top finisher for the Thorobreds, finishing the championship tournament in a tie for third place with a 235 total. After being named to the SIAC All-Conference Second Team after the regular season, White was named to the SIAC All-Tournament Team for his performance during the tournament.

Senior Dylan Riley (91/75/85, 251), an SIAC All-Conference First Team member, capped off his final round for the Thorobreds with an 85 on Wednesday. Riley finished in a tie for 11^th place.

Freshman Hunter Pike (81/77/88, 246) and Gabriel McMichael (90/83/86, 259) both finished in the top-15. Pike slipped a bit in the final round but still finished with the eighth best score of the tournament. McMichael finished in a tie for 14^th place after the final round of play.

"Our freshman played a big part in this team win and are the cornerstone of this team's future," Stinson said of his two first year players.

Senior Julian Jeter-Davis (99/96/99, 294) put up a 99 on his scorecard to cap his tournament performance and finishes his KSU career with a conference championship.

"I'm so happy for our pair of seniors, especially Julian, because he saw ups and downs on the course but still saw the big picture and was the leader of this squad," Stinson said.

Stinson was named the 2014 SIAC Golf Tournament Most Outstanding Coach.

Dominique Worthen of LeMoyne-Owen College held on for the individual low scorecard of the tournament. Worthen, the 2014 SIAC Golfer of the Year, shot a 78 on Wednesday for a tournament total of 224.

Individual Leader Board:

Place	Name	School	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Total
1	Dominique Worthen	LeMoyne-Owen	74	72	78	224
2	Jerrell Hubbard	Paine	81	75	75	231
T-3	Joseph White	Kentucky State	74	82	79	235
T-3	Kelly Allen	Benedict	86	76	73	235
5	Khaliq Dansby	Miles	75	79	85	239
6	Justin McElderry	Morehouse	81	78	82	241
7	Anthony Body	Morehouse	75	81	86	242
8	Hunter Pike	Kentucky State	81	77	88	246
9	Jacob McCurry	Miles	83	86	78	247
10	Jordan Buchanan	Benedict	82	84	84	250
T-11	Bruce Cousin	Morehouse	83	80	88	251
T-11	Dylan Riley	Kentucky State	91	75	85	251
13	Rhalston Jones	Benedict	81	85	87	253
T-14	Palmer Wood	Paine	87	87	85	259
T-14	Gabriel McMichael	Kentucky State	90	83	86	259
T-14	J.T. Hyer	Paine	90	88	81	259
17	Trey Reynolds	Miles	79	90	92	261
18	Robert Johnson	Benedict	85	93	86	264
19	Christopher Norman	Morehouse	86	91	88	265
20	Trevor Barber	Miles	93	88	87	268
21	Jordan Bailey	Paine	91	92	104	287
22	Brandon Henderson	LeMoyne-Owen	107	94	91	292
23	Justin Tate	LeMoyne-Owen	92	94	107	293
24	Julian Jeter-Davis	Kentucky State	99	96	99	294
25	Janko Popovic	LeMoyne-Owen	99	110	101	310
26	Prentice Bell	Paine	115	115	118	348
27	Glen Pickett	Miles	132	120	123	375
28	Sheldon Allen	Morehouse	83	WD	WD	WD
29	McArthur Thompson	Benedict	103	123	WD	WD
30	Christian Colburn	LeMoyne-Owen	135	WD	WD	WD

Team Leader Board:

School	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Total
Kentucky State	336	317	338	991
Morehouse	322	330	344	996
Benedict	334	338	330	1002
Miles	330	343	342	1015
LeMoyne-Owen	372	370	377	1119
Paine	349	342	345	1036

SIAC All-Tournament Team

Name	School
Dominique Worthen	LeMoyne-Owen
Jerrell Hubbard	Paine College
Kelly Allen	Benedict College
Joseph White	Kentucky State
Khaliq Dansby	Morehouse College

Tournament MVP: Dominique Worthen

2014 SIAC Golf Tournament Most Outstanding Coach: Harry Stinson

COURTESY KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION