Benedict To Host South Carolina State In 2014 Season Opener

COLUMBIA, South Carolina  -- Benedict College will host South Carolina State University at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium in their football rivalry on August 30, Benedict Athletic Director Willie Washington announced Tuesday.

Benedict received confirmation from the NCAA granting a waiver to allow the Tigers to open the 2014 season on Aug. 30, five days prior to the official start of competition for Division II schools.

The two football-playing HBCU colleges in South Carolina played last year in the University of South Carolina's Williams-Brice Stadium before an announced crowd of 15,037.

Benedict and S.C. State last met in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium in 2010 before an overflow crowd of 13,349.

Benedict and South Carolina State have met 52 times since their first meeting in 1927. The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 27-10-15. Benedict's last win in the series came in 1961, a 6-0 victory.

Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. For ticket information, contact the Benedict College ticket office at 803-705-4501.

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XU Gold Rush climb one place to No. 9 in NAIA poll

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana moved from 10th to ninth Tuesday in the NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll and extended its streak of top-10 appearances.

It's the 27th consecutive time that the Gold Rush (11-11) have been in the top 10 and the 30th time in the last 31 polls. The XU men have 57 consecutive top-25 appearances dating to April 4, 2007.

Xavier lost 5-1 Saturday at home to third-ranked Georgia Gwinnett in the championship of the NAIA Unaffiliated Group 2 Tournament. Gold Rush highlights since the previous poll include a 5-4 victory against the University of New Orleans -- the third straight year that the Rush beat the Privateers -- and a 5-0 decision over No. 25 Oklahoma Baptist in the semifinals of the unaffiliated group tournament.

The Gold Rush hope to receive an at-large bid to the NAIA National Championship, which will begin May 13 in Mobile, Ala. The 24-team men's field will be announced May 5, with pairings to be revealed the following day.

Defending champion Embry-Riddle (Fla.) is No. 1 for the seventh time in as many polls this season.

The top 25:

1. Embry-Riddle (Fla.)
2. Auburn Montgomery
3. Georgia Gwinnett
4. Vanguard
5. Lindsey Wilson
6. (tie) Cumberland
6. (tie) Westmont
8. Belhaven
9. Xavier
10. Bethany (Kan.)
11. Concordia (Calif.)
12. Northwestern Ohio
13. Aquinas
14. (tie) Graceland
14. (tie) William Carey
16. Coastal Georgua
17. Bethel (Tenn.)
18. Webber International
19. Davenport
20. Warner
21. Lewis-Clark State
22. Pikeville
23. Olivet Nazarene
24. Northwood (Fla.)
25. Oklahoma Baptist


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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MVSU baseball signs Juan Casanova and Renny Tolentino

ITTA BENA, Mississippi  --  Mississippi Valley State head baseball coach Doug Shanks has announced the signing of Homestead High School's Juan Casanova.

The 5-foot-7, 175-pound outfielder finished the 2014 season with a .370 batting average and 10 RBIs for the Broncos. Casanova also spent time as a pitcher. Last season, he went 4-3 with a 3.89 ERA in 36 innings pitched. Over the last two seasons, he successfully stole base 22 out of 25 attempts. As a junior, Casanova was selected to the Miami-Dade County All-District Team as a utility player.  To see Casanova's full statistics, click here.

He becomes to second signee from Florida for the Delta Devils.

Earlier, MVSU signed Renny Tolentino from St. Brendan Catholic High School (Miami, Fla.), a pitcher.   He will join the Delta Devils next season.

Tolentino recently led Mater Academy East to the Regional Semifinals and was named Second Team All-County and District Player of the Year. The senior pitcher hit .532 and posted a 5-1 record with 30 strikeouts and 1.15 ERA on the mound for the Class 2A Scorpions last season.

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Alabama State ideal spot for Montgomery native Whitlow

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Jalen Whitlow wants to continue his college career as a quarterback, not a receiver.

What better place to do so than at his hometown school -- Alabama State.

Coming out of spring practice, the Hornets still weren't settled at quarterback. Daniel Duhart threw for 1,903 yards, 18 touchdowns and just eight interceptions as a starter last season. Solid numbers, but should have posted even better numbers because he had 1,000-yard rusher in the backfield in Isaiah Crowell.

Quinteris Toppings saw action last season as true freshman as he threw for 157 yards, a touchdown and interception in a high-scoring 48-42 win against Prairie View.



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Nedra Brown decides to step out of the coaching realm

Coach Nedra Brown

NORMAL, Alabama - Alabama A&M volleyball coach Nedra Brown has resigned as the head coach.

She has decided to move out of coaching and accepted the Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations/Senior Women's Administrator position at Jackson State University.

"We would like to thank coach Brown for all of her years of service and we wish her much success in the future," said Director of Athletics Bryan Hicks.

Brown's record over seven seasons was 106-110 and 44-12 in SWAC play. A&M finished the 2013 season 11-21 overall and 5-3 in the Eastern Division.

"I've been looking forward for this opportunity for the last three years and this is something I have always wanted to do," said Brown.

"I would like to thank Betty Austin for giving me the opportunity that allowed me to win the four championships, be in seven tournament championship contests and working with the student-athletes. You can't ask for anything better."

"I would also like thank everyone that had an impact on me while I was at Alabama A&M and I want to thank my family, coworkers and colleagues who help me achieve during my time on "The Hill".

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ULM Adds Grambling State to 2014 Baseball Slate

MOROE, Louisiana -- The ULM baseball team has added Grambling State to its schedule and the two teams will battle at Warhawk Field on Tuesday, May 6 at 6 p.m.

ULM has lost just one of its originally scheduled 56 games as the squad enters the month of May. ULM and Southern Illinois were set to battle on the final day of the Carmel Inn Showdown in Thibodaux, La., but heavy rain combined with the Salukis scheduled flight out of New Orleans canceled that meeting.

ULM and Grambling State met in Monroe on April 23rd with the Warhawks claiming a 3-2 walkoff win as Kodie Tidwell delivered a one-out, solo homer in the bottom of the ninth to give ULM the win.

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Powell becomes first MVSU men's basketball signee

ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- Mississippi Valley State Interim Head Men's Basketball Coach Marcus Thomas has announced the signing of Brayden Powell.

Powell, a 6-foot-8, 200-pound forward from Moore, Oklahoma, becomes the first member of the 2014 signing class for the Delta Devils.

"We're glad to have Brayden join the Valley family," said Thomas. "He has a huge upside and can be a contributing member to the team. And not only has Brayden excelled on the basketball court, but he is also a standout student."

Last season, Moore -- who was a finalist for Mr. Basketball -- averaged 16 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and five blocks per game at Moore High School.

2014 Basketball Signees

1. Jordan Jones signs with Mississippi Valley Delta Devils
Jordan Jones, 6'-6" Forward/TE, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Freshman

2. Brayden Powell, Forward, 6'-8" 200, Moore, Oklahoma, Freshman

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