UAPB celebrates Senior Day with 5-0 win over Pittsburgh

PINE BLUFF, ARKANSAS  --   The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Baseball team celebrated senior day with a 5-0 win over the University of Pittsburgh here Sunday afternoon at the Torii Hunter Baseball, Softball and Little League Complex.

The win gives the Golden Lions their first win over an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent in the new Millennium this season.  This season, UAPB has faced Southeastern Conference members the University of Mississippi and Auburn University, Big 12 members Texas Tech and the University of Oklahoma and Pac-12 member the University of California.  In addition, the Golden Lions faced Conference-USA member Tulane University

UAPB (19-25) punched out a game high eight hits with Vladimir Gomez going three-for-four from the plate.

UP (19-23) finished the contest with four hits with four Panthers finishing with one hit each.

Senior Pitcher Mikey Ramirez (5-4) picked up the win for UAPB as he pitched nine scoreless innings, allowing four hits and striking out six, while T.J. Zeuch(1-4) received the loss for UP as he pitched six innings, allowing six hits, three earned runs and striking out five.

The Golden Lions jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning with Rashawn Tillman scoring on a wild pitch, followed by a Jose Hernandez single to the left side scoring Kirby Campbell.
Isias Alcantar added to the Golden Lion lead in the bottom of the fifth inning with him scoring on a Campbell single to third base, making the score 3-0 in favor of UAPB.

UAPB plated two more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on a Campbell bases loaded walk scoring Andre Davis, followed by a Mitch Bruckshaw hit-by-pitch scoring Joshua Cassidy for the 5-0 finale.

The Golden Lions will return to action on Wednesday, April 30 as they will take on Alcorn State in their final home game of the season in a 2 p.m. start at the Torii Hunter Baseball, Softball and Little League Complex.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION

Alabama State Hornets set school record for wins

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- Alabama State responded to an 80-minute weather delay with three runs in the third, only to have Jackson State rally for five in the fourth.

With one swing of the bat, Richard Gonzalez tied the game and helped the Hornets restore order with an 11-6 win over the Tigers on Sunday afternoon at Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.

"Probably the most important at-bat in the game," ASU baseball coach Mervyl Melendez said. "We went up 3-0, we got down 5-3 in the top of the next inning. You have to answer the call. What is more impressive than anything else is the runs we scored (after the first three) were all with two outs. That says a lot about our guys and their concentration level."

With the win, the Hornets grabbed the series over the Tigers after splitting a doubleheader on Saturday, giving the program its first 9-0 sweep in Southwestern Athletic Conference regular-season series.

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MSU Offense gets win at Blue-Orange Spring Game

BALTIMORE, Maryland  --  The Bears' offense pulled away with an 88-60 win over the defense in Morgan State's annual Blue-Orange spring football game Saturday at sunny Hughes Stadium. The game marked the conclusion of spring practice for Morgan State's first year head coach Lee Hull. The Bears will open the 2014 season on August 30 at Eastern Michigan.

There were plenty of noteworthy items from Saturday's intrasquad game, which used a scoring system that awarded points for big plays other than scoring plays.
 
Coach Hull seemed pleased with the outcome.

"Spring practice has been going great, I think the guys were really into it," said Hull. "They wanted a change and they like the new direction we're going in. It's been pretty fun and I think the guys are enjoying it."

Robert Council scored on a four-yard QB-keeper in the second quarter, and Chris Clack hooked up with Landen Malbrough for a 6-yard touchdown pass to end all scoring during a little over 2 hours of action.

Placekicker Chris Moller was automatic on special teams by converting all four of his field goal attempts.

Quarterbacks Robert Council and Moses Skillon led the passing game.

"I think our quarterbacks played pretty well," said Hull. "It's a new system and we throw the ball a little more than they have done in the past, so I think they did pretty well."

"They still have a lot to learn about anticipating throws, having a clock in their head, and when to take off and run. But I thought they had a pretty good command of the offense."

There were several other highlights during the day:

+ Moses Skillon dropped back and completed a pass to Eme Akonawe who raced down the middle of the field for a 40-yard gain

+ Lamont Brown III had several solid runs, including a run in which he spun off a hit by linebacker Gregory Gibson and picked up 15 yards

+ Herb Walker II had an 18-yard run

+ Jamil Wilson broke runs of 32 and 24 yards

+ Tracy Martin had a 15-yard run

Linebackers Taquon Jackson and Cody Acker, along with safety Peterson Janvier, led the Bears defense. The defense recorded a couple of sacks and also forced a turnover when Eric Alvis intercepted Maurice Lowery and returned it 16 yards.

A few Bears did not play. Quarterback Seth Higgins, sat out spring workouts after surgery on his (right) throwing shoulder. Tight end Willie Gillus (ankle), defensive end Heleiance Gates (foot), defensive tackle Micale Smith-Murray (knee) and safety Paul Eatman (leg) also missed the

In addition to touchdowns and field goals, points are awarded on offense for explosive plays, while the defenders gain points for sacks, tackles for loss, three and outs, and turnovers.
game.

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

ASU Lady Hornets Win their Fifth Consecutive Outdoor Championship; Men Finish Fifth

PHOTO COURTESY SWAC.ORG

NEW ORLEANS — The men had a solid championship finishing fifth overall finishing with 86 points. Grambling won the title of the men's side with 141 points.

The Lady Hornets finished with 236.50 points, well ahead of second-place Southern (138.50). Head Coach Ritchie Beene also received the Women's Outdoor Coach of the Year honors.

"I am excited" said head coach Ritchie Beene. "It was a hard fought victory for our ladies program but; overall I was pleased with all of the performances of our athletes including all that had personal best for the entire weekend."

Johnetta Williams started the day off for the Lady Hornets with a third place finish in the discus throw with a 41.47m (136-01 feet).  Kadijah Gordon added a second place finish in the triple jump with a 12.11m (39-08.75 feet) leap.  Alicia Terrell finished first in the high jump with a mark of 1.71m (5-07.25 feet); Gordon added a sixth place finish in the same event with a 1.55m mark.

After eleven events the Lady Hornets were down 86-78 to Texas Southern after a key disqualification of ASU's 4x100m relay. However, they never gave up as Artailia Lesane won the 1500 meter run in 4:38.95, Shantia Wilson placed third (4:47.26) and Paige Rankine finished fourth (4:48.69) to help ASU regain the lead and never look back enroute to the crown.

"We had to overcome a lot of challenges including our disqualification in the relay, but it just goes back to what we have been telling our athletes all weekend about having character," Beene said. "It showed as the ladies were reliant and did what they were supposed to do to carry out the victory."

Narricka Williams ran a personal best 13.99 in the 100 meter hurdles to take fourth overall. ASU took first and second in the 400 meters with Santina Williams crossing the line in 54.68 and Kimberly Wedderburn in 54.91.

Tatiana Etienne finished first in the 800 meters with a 2:10.21; Jerrica Mahone took third with 2:15.36 and Shantia Wilson finished fourth (2:17.27). Narricka Williams took third in the 400 meters hurdles running a 1:01.58.

The Lady Hornets sweep the 200 meter race with Alexis Ferebee running a personal best 23.48; Santina Williams who finished second with a 23.83 ran a personal best and Latrice Lee finished third with a 24.05 also a personal best.  Gordon wrapped up the event with an eighth place finish in 24.69.

ASU also completed the sweep in the 100 meters with Ferebee winning the event in a personal best 11.52, Lee was next crossing the line in a personal best of 11.69 and Dikerria Wilson finished in third in a personal best time of 11.77.

Lesane (18:17.68) and Rankine (18:48.74) came back for the 5000 meter run to take second and third place finishes, respectively. Shakalia Williams took seventh in the event crossing the line in 20:03.95.

In the final event of the day the women's 4x400m relay finished in first place in a season's best time of 3:37.93. The winning relay consisted of Wedderburn, Etienne, Ferebee and Williams.

On the men's side, Devauntay Brown led the way for ASU with a win in the high jump.  His winning leap was 2.06m (6-09.00 feet). Dyrez Ribeiro finished third in the same event leaping to a mark of 2.02m (6-07.50 feet).

Christopher Amisial took second in the pole vault event with a 4.15m (13-07.25 feet) mark, his teammate decathlete O' Shane Shaw placed third with a 4.05m (13-03.50 feet) and Sylvester Byrd rounded the scoring for the Hornets in the event with a sixth place finish(3.45m). Lee Thrasher took fourth in the discus event (47.65m).

The Lady Hornets turned a slim four-point lead after day two to a rout on the final day as the Alabama State women's outdoor track team won its fifth consecutive SWAC outdoor track and field championship and third consecutive triple crown.

Justin Davis took fifth in the 100 meters with a collegiate best time of 10.54 and Devin O'Neal placed third in the 200 meters with a personal best time of 20.90.  The men's 4x100 meter relay took fourth in a time of 41.39; relay consisted of Davis, Byrd, O'Neal and Ryan Hall.

In the final event of the day the ASU took fifth in the men's 4x400m relay in a time of 3:13.36, the relay consisted of Ribeiro, O'Neal, Hall, and Byrd.

"I am excited about the men's performance for the weekend; we just have to put the pieces together," Beene said. "I am looking forward to next year to bring in some more guys to get the men program back on track. As long as our men stay strong, positive and work together we can get it built."

ASU will begin preparations for any athletes going to the East Regional which will be held in Jacksonville, FL May 24-25.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alcorn State rebounds to earn Men's Tennis Championship

ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY BRAVES
2014 SWAC MEN'S TENNIS TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS
Photo courtesy SWAC.ORG

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana  --  SWAC Tennis Freshman of the Year, Nischay Rewal's victory over Takura Mlambo, lifted Alcorn State to a 4-2 win over Alabama State to claim the 2014 Southwestern Athletic Conference Men's Tennis Championship on Sunday at the City Park / Pepsi Tennis Center.

Rewal earned the victory in No. 3 singles play with set scores of 6-3 and 7-5.

ALC (9-8) stayed unbeaten in league competition winning its eighth championship title overall and fourth in a six-year span.

After dropping doubles play to ASU (7-12), the Braves totaled wins from tournament MVP Ernesto Santillan (No. 1), Nikita Kostiko (No.5) and Garry Amor (No.6).

Santillan earned his match with sets of 6-0 and 6-3 while Kostiko defeated his opponent - 6-2, 6-2. Amor followed with 6-2, 6-3, to take his match to give ALC a cushion for the deciding point.

The Hornets claimed the doubles match-up behind the duo of Dylan Cleary and Jarred Thompson, 8-6 along with Digvijay Naruka and Mlambo, 8-5.

Adam Coyne picked up ASU's only victory in singles defeating Max Tkachenko, 6-2, 6-4.

Alcorn State will face an opponent to be announce during the NCAA Selection Show (Teams) via online stream NCAA.com. The show is slated for April 29 at 5 p.m.

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LIVE RESULTS
DOUBLES

COURT	NO.	#1 Alcorn State vs. #2 Alabama State	RESULTS	FINISH
1	1	Cleary / Thompson (ALST) def. Santillan / Kostikov (ALCN)	8-6	2
2	2	Amor / Rawal (ALCN) vs. Mataba / Coyne (ALST)	DNF
3	3	Naruka / Miambo (ALST) def. Tkachenko / Morviac (ALCN)	8-5	1

SINGLES

COURT	NO.	#1 Alcorn State vs. #2 Alabama State	RESULTS	FINISH
1	1	Ernesto Santillan (ALCN) def.Dylan Cleary (ALST)	6-0, 6-3	1
2	2	Lucas Morviac (ALCN) vs. Ronal Mataba (ALST)
3	3	Nishcay Rawal (ALCN) vs. Takura Miambo (ALST)
4	4	Max Tkachenko (ALCN) vs. Adam Coyne (ALST)
5	5	Nikita Kostikov (ALCN) def. Jarred Thompson (ALST)	6-2, 6-2	2
6	6	Garry Amor (ALCN) def. Stefan Vojnic (ALST)	6-3, 6-3	3

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2014 SWAC MEN'S TENNIS ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Carlos Martinez - Jackson State

Nichay Rawal - Alcron State

Nakita Kostikov - Alcorn State

Adam Coyne - Alabama State

Ronald Mataba - Alabama State

Jose Luque - Jackson State

TOURNAMENT MVP

Ernesto Santillan - Alcorn State

COACH OF THE YEAR

Anthony Dodgen - Alcorn State

COURTESY SWAC.ORG

Grambling State Wins 2014 SWAC Outdoor Track & Field Championship

GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY
2014 MEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONS
PHOTO COURTESY SWAC.ORG

NEW ORLEANS -- The Grambling State Tigers claimed their sixth straight conference title on Sunday at the 2014 Southwestern Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Tad Gormley Stadium. GSU scored 141 points to earn their 10 title overall, earning Bertram Lovell Coach of the Year honors.
 

Southern finished the meet second with 123 points, while Prairie View was third with 109 points. Mississippi Valley State was fourth with 104 points and Alabama State rounded out the top five with 86 points. Texas Southern was sixth (81 pts), Arkansas Pine Bluff seventh (72 pts), Alabama A&M and Jackson State eighth (41 pts). Alcorn State finished 10th (21 pts).

Individually, Erick Thomas from Arkansas Pine Bluff was the championship’s Most Outstanding Field Performer scoring 30 points. Thomas won the Discus Throw with a distance of 163.-02 (49.73) and the Javelin. Meanwhile Daniel Kibet of Mississippi Valley State was the meet’s Most Outstanding Runner making it the second straight year. Kibet earned a total of 33 points. Kibet won the 5000 Meter Run (16:17.87) and the 10000 Meter Run.

Other top finishers included Devin Jenkins from Southern winning the 100 Meter Dash (10.06) along with the 200 Meter Dash (20.13). Jenkins was also on the 4x100 Meter Relay team that earned the top spot clocking in at 40.42. Grambling State’s Sylvester Baisden finished first in the 110 Meter Hurdles (13.88). His teammates Jamael McTear and Darius Taylor won the 400 Meter Dash (47.29) and the 1500 Meter Run (4:06.13) respectively.

Dannie Lucky (Prairie View) crossed the line first in the 400 Meter Run (52.21). Meanwhile his teammate Preston Woodard earned back to back first place honors in the Men’s Triple Jump with a distance of 52-06.00 (16.00m), Devauntay Brown (Alabama State) finished first in the High Jump 6-09.00 (2.06m), Jawalyn Brooks (Texas Southern) came away with the highest mark in the Pole Vault with 14-08.75 (4.49), and Prairie View’s Sorone Batiste won the 800 Meter Run (1:52.94).

Arkansas Pine Bluff ended the day winning the 4x400 Meter Relay crossing the line with a time of 3:10.45.

COURTESY SWAC.ORG

NSU shows off new offense in final spring scrimmage

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- A new offense was introduced, the battle at quarterback intensified and an already stout defense showed significant improvement.

Add to that a general lack of major injuries, and it was a pretty good spring for Norfolk State.

The Spartans completed their final spring scrimmage Saturday at Dick Price Stadium, with rising juniors Tyler Clark and Malik Stokes splitting most of the time behind center.

Coach Pete Adrian, who planned to name a starting quarterback after spring practice, said he will do so after watching film from Saturday. Meanwhile, he was pleased with what he saw in general.

View all 17 photos

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