Auburn football slated to play AAlabama State in 2021

AUBURN, Alabama  --  Alabama State has announced a second scheduled football game at Auburn.

After both schools announced in August 2015 that they would play each other for the first time in 2018, ASU announced Friday another game will be played on Nov. 20, 2021.

The announcement of the 2018 game completes Auburn’s commitment to play every in-state Division I-AA school in a six-year period (2012-2018). The first ASU-AU matchup will take place on Nov. 17, 2018.

The 2018 game is the first that Auburn has released to the public for that season. The 2021 game is the third. The Tigers have complete non-conference slCONTates for 2017 and games signed in 2019-21.

ASU athletic director Melvin Hines is a former wide receiver at Auburn and graduated with a bachelor's degree in adult education before starting his coaching career in 1997 as a graduate assistant at Louisville.

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Belle's Record-Breaking Time Caps Impressive First Day By Saint Augustine's University at NCAA D-II Track and Field Championships

BRADENTON, Florida – Fantastic hurdler Tia-Adana Belle (Jr./St. George, Barbados) set another record as Saint Augustine's University posted three top qualifying times on the first day of the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships at IMG Academy Track and Field Stadium.

Already the NCAA Division II women's 400 hurdles record-holder, Belle snapped the championship meet record in her signature event. Well ahead of her competitors, Belle crossed the finish line in 56.14 seconds, surpassing the old record of 56.38 set by Samantha Elliot of Johnson C. Smith University in 2013. Belle now heads to Saturday's finals to defend her national title in the 400 hurdles.

Her record-breaking run capped an impressive day for the Falcons and Lady Falcons, the nation's top-ranked and third-ranked teams, respectively. The men's 4x100 squad of Brent Arceneaux (Sr./Snellville, GA), Burkheart Ellis, Jr. (Sr./Raleigh, NC), Kendall Kee (Sr./Shelby, NC) and Daniel Jamieson (Sr./Windsor, CT) opened the running portion of the meet by winning the second heat and advancing to Saturday's finals in a top qualifying time of 39.50.

The three-time defending champion Falcons continued to display their speed in the men's 100 dash preliminaries. The trio of Kee, Ellis and Jamieson ran three of the four fastest times to reach Saturday's finals. Kee posted the best time (10.27) in winning the second heat while Jamieson and Ellis ran the third- and fourth-fastest preliminary times, respectively. Jamieson, who won the third heat, barely placed ahead of Ellis, who finished second in the first heat (10.291 seconds to 10.298 seconds).

Several other Falcons ran fast times to qualify for Saturday's finals in their respective events. Shawn Rowe (Jr./West Palm Beach, Fla.) ran the second-best preliminary time (50.41) in the men's 400 hurdles to win the first heat. Ornella Livingston (Sr./St. Ann, Jamaica) won the women's 100 dash second heat in 11.50, which was second-fastest in preliminaries.

The women's 4x100 relay quartet of Shamia Lassiter (Sr./Chesapeake, VA), Leah Barker (So./St. Michaels, Barbados), Shakinah Brooks (Jr./Raleigh, NC) and Livingston had the third-fastest prelim time (45.42).

Brooks and Amenze Uhunmwangho (Sr./Ebo, Nigeria) scored the first points for the Lady Falcons. They both garnered All-America honors after Brooks finished fourth (20-8½) and Uhunmwangho tied for eighth (19-9¾) in the women's long jump.

The championship meet continues Friday, May 27, beginning at 9:30 a.m. with the decathlon. The preliminary running events will start at 5:35 p.m.

Watch the championship meet live on ncaa.com. The live results link is -http://www.leonetiming.com/2016/Outdoor/NCAADII/.

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BCU Diamondcats Down NSU 1-0 For MEAC Title

SALISBURY, Maryland – Tyler Norris and Alex Seibold took a combined no-hitter into the ninth, and a Jameel Edney solo home run keyed Bethune-Cookman’s 1-0 victory over Norfolk State Tuesday in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference baseball tournament championship at A.W. Perdue Stadium.

The Wildcats (29-25) won their 18th conference title overall and third under Head Coach Jason Beverlin. Norfolk State finishes the season 29-21.

“We played with focus and energy all through the tournament," Beverlin said. "They were determined to reach a goal they set in the fall and win a MEAC championship and go to the NCAA Regionals.”

In a classic pitcher’s duel with NSU’s Matt Outman, the MEAC pitcher of the year, Norris threw six innings of no-hit ball before handing it over to Seibold, who continued the no-no until Roger Hall singled up the middle to lead off the ninth.

Seibold (6-4) quickly regrouped, getting a fly out, a strikeout, and catcher Clay Middleton throwing out pinch runner Keith Granger on the steal attempt for the dramatic third out. Norris finished with six strikeouts, Seibold three.

This was Seibold’s second scoreless relief appearance against Norfolk State in the tournament and fifth straight against a MEAC team. He hasn’t been scored on in MEAC play since giving up one run against Florida A&M April 16.

Offensively, the Wildcats squandered opportunities, leaving 10 on bases, including a bases-loaded situation in the sixth.

Edney’s homer – his second against Norfolk State in the tournament and seventh of the year – finally broke the scoreless tie.

Edney and Danny Rodriguez each had two hits for the Wildcats, who have won 21 of their last 25 games against conference opposition after getting swept at Florida A&M in the conference opening series.

Rodriguez, who hit .412 (7-17) in four tournament games, was named the tournament MVP while Beverlin was named Outstanding Coach.

Rodriguez was joined on the All-Tournament team by Norris, Edney and Nathan Bond.

“I said it all tournament that we’re a dangerous team when we play that way [Focused and energized]," Beverlin said. "It was a total team effort surrounded by some outstanding performances from Tyler Norris, Alex Seibold, Danny Rodriguez and Jameel Edney.”

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BCU Athletics Launches New Brand Identity

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida - Starting Wednesday, May 25 at 10 a.m., Bethune-Cookman University Department of Athletics launched its' new brand identity and department wide campaign in the first of a three-day series of releases across all of the B-CU athletics social media platforms. Follow along on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.


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Nuggets in final top 25 for 11th time in 12 seasons

NEW ORLEANS — For the fifth consecutive year and the 11th time in the last 12 seasons, Xavier University of Louisiana women's tennis is in the final NAIA top 25 of the year.

The Gold Nuggets (8-14) dropped from 17th to 19th in the postseason coaches poll announced Tuesday. Xavier qualified as an at-large selection for the NAIA National Championship at Mobile, Ala., and lost 5-2 to Northwestern Ohio in the opening round May 17.

The top-25 appearance is the Gold Nuggets' 39th in a row dating to May 1, 2012. They've appeared in the top 25 in 84 of the last 94 polls dating to Feb. 25, 2004 (excluded is the 2005-06 season, when Xavier did not field a team).

Georgia Gwinnett, which defeated Lindsey Wilson 5-4 Saturday in the national final, received all 12 first-place votes to become the first unanimous No. 1 this season.

NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Postseason Top 25 Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses — records through end of season)
Rank Team Record Points Last

1 Georgia Gwinnett (12) 18-2 312 1
2 Lindsey Wilson 21-5 302 3
3 Auburn Montgomery 21-4 292 2
4 SCAD Savannah 18-2 282 4
5 Brenau 17-7 269 5
6 Cardinal Stritch 19-2 260 6
7 William Woods 19-3 250 10
8 Indiana Wesleyan 33-7 245 8
9 Westmont 10-8 231 7
10 Middle Georgia 15-8 223 9
11 Davenport 25-6 209 12
12 William Carey 12-12 200 13
13 Northwestern Ohio 14-10 187 15
14 LSU-Alexandria 12-7 176 19
15 Olivet Nazarene 14-11 168 16
16 Mobile 12-7 162 23
17 Keiser 11-9 148 14
18 Arizona Christian 17-5 147 11
19 Xavier 8-14 137 17
20 Cumberland 12-9 132 18
21 Lewis-Clark State 8-14 103 20
22 McPherson 13-5 99 22
23 St. Thomas (Fla.) 8-8 96 21
24 Reinhardt 12-5 89 24
25 Georgetown (Ky.) 18-9 68 25

Dropped from rankings: none
Others receiving votes: Marian (Ind.) 43, Missouri Valley 31, Southeastern (Fla.) 25, Milligan 21, Morningside 19, Ottawa 17, Asbury 9, Texas Wesleyan 7, SCAD Atlanta 6, San Diego Christian 6,

 Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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NAIA runner-up Rush climb to No. 2 in postseason poll

NEW ORLEANS — Three days after recording the highest-ever finish by a Xavier University of Louisiana team in an NAIA national tournament, the men's tennis team earned a program-record No. 2 ranking Tuesday in the postseason coaches poll.

The Gold Rush (17-8) won three times this past week in the NAIA National Championship at Mobile, Ala., before losing 5-2 to unbeaten Georgia Gwinnett, which won a third consecutive national title.

Xavier was No. 4 in the preseason, climbed to third in the season's third poll March 1 and remained there through May 9 in the final poll before nationals. The top-25 appearance is Xavier's 77th in a row — the streak began April 4, 2007 — and it's the Gold Rush's 47th consecutive top-10 ranking.
This is the third time in four years that an XU tennis team ranked among the top three in the postseason. The XU women were No. 3 in the final polls of 2013 and 2014.

Georgia Gwinnett was a unanimous No. 1 for the 19th consecutive poll.

NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Postseason Top 25 Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses — records through end of season)
Rank Team Record Points Last

1 Georgia Gwinnett (9) 26-0 219 1
2 Xavier 17-8 212 3
3 Lindsey Wilson 17-4 202 7
4 Dalton State 19-6 201 5
5-tie Northwestern Ohio 16-4 188 4
5-tie Auburn Montgomery 19-5 188 2
7 Keiser 20-4 178 6
8 Coastal Georgia 13-4 170 8
9 William Carey 13-8 160 9
10 Aquinas 23-8 154 10
11 Lewis-Clark State 12-10 148 12
12 Cardinal Stritch 17-8 147 11
13 Westmont 10-9 133 14
14 Cumberlands 13-8 122 18
15 Warner 16-5 120 20
16 Olivet Nazarene 15-9 118 16
17 McPherson 13-6 102 15
18 Reinhardt 14-4 101 13
19 Mobile 11-8 99 17
20 Bethany (Kan.) 13-4 92 19
21 Middle Georgia 11-9 75 21
22 Pikeville 11-5 74 22
23 Campbellsville 14-11 65 23
24 Tennessee Wesleyan 18-4 55 24
25 IU Southeast 16-12 45 25

Dropped from rankings: none
Others receiving votes: Missouri Baptist 35, Marian (Ind.) 33, Southeastern (Fla.) 22, Asbury 10, Cumberland 6, Our Lady of the Lake 5, Hastings 5, Indiana Tech 3, SCAD Atlanta 3

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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FAMU baseball coach Shouppe: ‘Those guys gave everything they had’

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M’s record-setting baseball season is over surprisingly early, and head coach Jamey Shouppe has had some time to look back at a tournament run that started with title aspirations and ended with a loss to Norfolk State.

The Rattlers (31-21) went 1-2 in the double-elimination MEAC tournament, dropping games to Bethune-Cookman and the Spartans on Monday in Salisbury, Md., despite being the No. 1 seed from the conference’s South Division.

After two days of weather delays, FAMU’s bats were uncharacteristically cold in the losses, and Shouppe said the team didn’t play its best defense. The pitching finally came through for the Rattlers, but the team’s typically overpowering hitters couldn’t get timely hits.

FAMU lost to Bethune-Cookman 5-2, then lost to Norfolk State 4-2. The Wildcats went on to win the tournament and will represent the MEAC in an NCAA Regional.

“I was numb after the game,” Shouppe said. “I was numb for the next 24 hours after the game. We went cold, offensively. The bats had kind of carried us for most of the season and we were just flat. Nothing went our way.”

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DSU Appoints Dr. James Ammons as New Provost

DR. JAMES AMMONS

DOVER, Delaware -- Delaware State University today announced the appointment of Dr. James H. Ammons as its new Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs after months of searching and days of campus interviews with various stakeholders.

Dr. Ammons – a native of Winter Haven, Fla. – is currently a professor of political science at Florida A&M University (FAMU), his alma mater. His career at FAMU spanned two separate tenures totaling 27 years as a tenured professor and executive administrator – including serving as that institution’s president from 2007-2012 and as its provost and vice president of Academic Affairs from 1995-2001.

In between those FAMU tenures, Dr. Ammons was the chancellor at North Carolina Central University from 2001-2007.

Dr. Ammons’ wealth of experience includes leading each institution’s strategic planning process and aligning those outcomes with academic excellence and quality programs. A few highlights in Ammons’ career are the development of 22 new degree programs, increased enrollment and the re-establishment of the FAMU College of Law.

DSU President Harry L. Williams said the faculty, students, Search Committee, Board of Trustees and Administrative Council selected Ammons as their first choice in this search. “I’m excited about the opportunity to bring Ammons into the fold of DSU,” Dr. Williams said. “We are fortunate to have an individual of such great talents and academic experience. I’m particularly enthusiastic that Ammons has the background and experience which will allow him to hit the ground running.”

Dr. Ammons said that he is excited about the opportunity to join the community of scholars at Delaware State University. “It’s an honor to be a part of the academic excellence that is evident at DSU,” he said. “I have worked across the HBCU arena and I am impressed with the magnitude of innovation and student success that is displayed at Delaware State University.”

Dr. Ammons’ number one priority at Delaware State University is to continue to “move the needle” on retention, graduation and gainful employment at DSU. “Together, we will continue to strive to be a model HBCU and a model for higher educational institutions around the world,” the new provost said.

He has a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Florida A&M, a Master of Science in Public Administration and a Ph.D. in Government, both from Florida State University.

Dr. Ammons will replace Dr. Alton Thompson, who resigned from the University on March 4. The new provost and vice president of Academic Affairs will begin his post at DSU on July 18th.

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Claflin track coach gets top honor

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Claflin University head track and field coach Lincoln London has been named the 2016 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country NCAA Division II Men’s Outdoor Track & Field South Region Coach of the Year. This is London’s second national honor this season, as he earned the same accolade for the 2016 indoor season.

Sophomore Trisana Fairweather was named the 2016 USTFCCCA NCAA Division II Women’s Outdoor Track & Field South Region Track Athlete of the Year.

The award winners were determined by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches. Only those individuals from USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for awards.

London, who in his third year leading the Claflin program, coached athletes to NCAA Automatic times in the 400 meters and the 4×400 meter relay. The relay is ranked No. 1 in the South Region and is No. 2 on the national list.

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Bryan Henry: FAMU Ending doesn’t take away from season

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- We always preach to our Florida A&M team how hard the game of baseball is. Baseball is a game of failure, and it’s more about how you handle and respond to that failure that will determine how good of a player or team you are.

Unfortunately, we now have to wait until next season to respond to the way our season ended.

Our season didn’t end the way we wanted it to end, losing to Bethune-Cookman and Norfolk State Monday in the MEAC Tournament. But hey, that’s baseball.

We will not let two games take away from the incredible season we had this year. That would not be fair to the seniors that have helped build up this program. They helped last year’s team reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history and put up a 30 win season this year for the first time in a long time.

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Recruiting Trail: FAMU wastes no time, offers Creek's Bland after spring game

PORT ORANGE, Florida -- Jelani Bland picked an opportune time to turn in a breakout performance.

With several college coaches in attendance, Bland returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown and added a blocked punt and a sack in Spruce Creek's 35-14 loss to Viera. Following the game, Hawks defensive coordinator DJ Mayo said, the rising senior linebacker picked up his first Division I offer from Florida A&M.

"It just shows that hard work does pay off," Bland said after the game Wednesday. "I'm going to keep putting in more work to be the best I can be."

Coaches from Florida, Lehigh and Valdosta State stood along the sidelines in Viera.

Bland (6-foot-1, 188 pounds) could be one of a handful of seniors to monitor when the football season rolls around. Spruce Creek has produced three Division I signees the last two seasons — Collin Olsen (Florida International), Lawrence Edwards (Georgia Southern) and Bradley Osborne (Navy).



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Florida A&M’s Baseball Season Comes to a Close with 4-2 Loss to Norfolk State

SALISBURY, Maryland – Florida A&M (31-21, 19-5 MEAC) got a strong pitching performance from Chase Jarrell, but was unable to get the offense going in a 4-2 loss to Norfolk State (29-20, 19-5 MEAC) on Monday night at the MEAC Baseball Tournament. The offense scattered eight hits, but couldn’t get that timely hit when they needed it most. Jarrell (6-4) pitched six solid innings and allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits with four strikeouts and one walk. MEAC Player of the Year Dylan Dillard recorded his eighth home run of the season in his final career at bat in the eighth inning.

Alec Wong (2-for-4) and Dillard (2-for-4) had the only two multi-hit games for the Rattlers against the Spartans. Kendal Weeks came in to pitch the final three innings of relief and allowed just one run on three hits with one strikeout.

NSU scored first with an unearned run in the top of the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead. Brian Beard singled to right with two outs and was able to move to second on a fielding error by Peter Jackson. Beard then came home to score from second as Roger Hall reached on a throwing error to first by AJ Elkins that would have ended the inning.

The Rattlers tied the game at 1-1 with an unearned run in the bottom of the second inning. Ben Ellzey singled to right field with one out and Willis McDaniel was then hit-by-pitch to put runners at first and second. Both runners would move up a base on a groundout to short by Elkins. Ellzey later scored the tying run from third as a failed pickoff attempt at second base from Devin Hemmerich sailed over the shortstop and into center field.

Norfolk State regained the lead for good with another unearned run in the fifth inning for a score of 2-1. Ismael Herrera led off with a single up the middle and went to second as Chase Anderson reached on a fielding error by Jacky Miles, Jr. trying to field a sac bunt attempt. Runners would then advance to second and third on Denathan Duke’s sac bunt back to the pitcher before Herrera scored from third on a groundout to short by Angel Rosario.

The Spartans extended their lead to 3-1 with another run in the sixth inning. Hall doubled to the wall in center field to start the inning and took third on a wild pitch with one out. Alex Mauricio then drove in Hall with an RBI single to right field to give NSU a two run lead.

For FAMU in the eighth inning, Dillard blasted his eighth home run of the season, a solo shot to left field, to bring the Rattlers within one run at 3-2.

Norfolk State added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning in what proved to be the final score of 4-2. Duke’s two-out RBI single that dropped in just past Elkins at shortstop scored Justin Lee from second base for the game’s final run.

NSU’s Devin Hemmerich (5-4) pitched a complete game and threw 148 pitches for the win. Hemmerich allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits with nine strikeouts and just one walk.

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BCU Diamond Cats Advance to MEAC Title Game

SALISBURY, Maryland – Bethune-Cookman scored three runs in the sixth inning en route to a 5-2 victory over in-state rival Florida A&M on Monday afternoon in a winner’s bracket semifinal matchup as part of the 2016 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Baseball Championships at A.W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Maryland.

Bethune-Cookman (28-25) trailed 2-1 heading into the top of the sixth inning.

With the bases loaded and one out for the Wildcats, senior right fielder Nathan Bond (Orlando, Fla.) registered a two-run scoring single to left field, allowing Danny Rodriguez (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) and Michael Cruz (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico) to score on the play.

That gave the Wildcats the lead, 3-2.

After Jameel Edney (West Palm Beach, Fla.) was hit by a pitch in the next at-bat, freshman centerfielder Josten Heron (Miami, Fla.) scored Bond from second courtesy a double down the line in left.

With Bethune-Cookman ahead at 4-2, Wildcats fifth-year head coach Jason Beverlin looked towards senior Clint Clymer (Ormond Beach, Fla.) on the hill to try and shut the door on the win in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively.

In the top of the ninth, freshman second baseman Nate Sterijevski (Clermont, Fla.) lifted his first home run of the season over the wall in left, pushing the Maroon and Gold advantage to 5-2.

In the ninth, B-CU reliever Joseph Calamita (Lake Worth, Fla.) closed the game on the mound and earned his third save of the year, advancing the Wildcats to the title game of the MEAC Baseball Championships for a league-record 11th consecutive season.

The Rattlers got on the board first in the ball game when third baseman Bell Ellzey collected a fielder’s choice RBI to score second baseman Alec Wong from third.

That gave FAMU (31-20) the 1-0 lead.

Bethune-Cookman answered with a run in the top of the fourth inning when freshman first baseman Danny Rodriguez recorded his 10th home run of the season with a solo shot to left center. For Rodriguez, it was his third home run of the MEAC Championships in as many games.

The Rattlers stepped back in front in the bottom of the fifth, using a Jacky Miles, Jr. fielder’s choice RBI to plate Wong for the second time in the contest.

The Rattlers had a chance to score more earlier in the game, but B-CU senior right-hander German Hernandezbounced back to collect three consecutive outs after loading the bases with no outs in the second inning.

The win went to B-CU reliever sophomore Alexis Herrera (Miami, Fla.) to improve his record at 2-0 on the year. Herrera tossed 1.2 innings of relief action, allowing one run on two hits, adding a walk and a strikeout. Failing to factor into the decision, Hernandez worked four innings, allowing one run on six hits, two walks and registering six strikeouts.

Calamita picked up the save with an inning of relief work in the ninth.

The loss went to FAMU starter JoJo Durden, dropping him to 2-3 on the year. He went six full innings for the Rattlers, allowing four runs on eight hits, but added seven strikeouts.

Bethune-Cookman will now wait to see who it will face in Tuesday’s MEAC title game. First pitch for the contest is slated for 1 p.m.

Follow Bethune-Cookman Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics), Twitter (www.twitter.com/BCUDiamondCats) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/BCUBaseball) for all of the latest news and updates. Fans also receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year, via the social media outlets or www.BCUathletics.com.

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Alabama State Baseball Wins SWAC Championship

ESPNU REPLAY: http://espn.go.com/watchespn/player/_/id/2811517/size/condensed

NEW ORLEANS – The Alabama State baseball team completed an unprecedented run by winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship with a 7-5 win over defending champion Texas Southern.

Tournament MVP Dillon Cooper capped off a week to remember by going 4-for-5 with two runs scored and four RBI. He hit .714 for the week (10-14), with five doubles, three home runs, nine runs scored and 14 RBI.

Tyler Howe, Yamil Pagan, and Eriq White joined Cooper on the All-Tournament team, as the Hornets (38-15) set a school record for wins while going 28-0 against conference teams this season.

After Diandre Amion and Carlos Ocasio led off the third inning with singles, Cooper's three-run homer to right field on the first pitch gave the Hornets a 3-0 lead.
                                                                                                                                                                                                           
Alabama State extended the lead in the fifth. Ocasio reached based on an error, Cooper hit a bunt single, andChris Biocic walked to load the bases. A RBI groundout by Ray Hernandez scored Ocasio, and Hunter Allen's double to left field scored Cooper for a 5-0 Hornet lead.

After Texas Southern (24-26) got on the board in the sixth, the Hornets added a run in the home half of the inning. Pagan walked with one out, and advanced to second on a passed ball. After a groundout and Ocasio was hit by a pitch, Cooper nearly homered again, drilling a 1-2 pitch off the top of the right center field wall to score Pagan for a 6-2 ASU lead. The Hornets added a run on a throwing error in the seventh for a 7-2 lead.

Angel Alicea (3-0) got the win, throwing six innings, allowing only four hits and two runs, walking six but striking out a career-high nine batters.

Tyler Howe pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and one run, striking out three. Joseph Camacho came in to get the final out in the eighth and worked out of trouble in the ninth to get the save.

The Hornets will learn their NCAA Tournament destination during the selection show on Monday, May 30 at 11 a.m. on ESPNU.

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MEAC Baseball Tournament Postponed for Second Straight Day

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2016 MEAC Baseball Tournament Updated Bracket

SALISBURY, Maryland -- The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Baseball Championship tournament schedule has been adjusted and pushed back another day due to inclement weather.

Game 7 between Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman, scheduled to occur on Sunday at 12 p.m., will now start on Monday, May 23 at 12 p.m. Game 8 between Coppin State and Norfolk State, scheduled for Sunday at 3:30 p.m., will now follow approximately one hour following the first game. The scheduled 7 p.m. game (Game 9) between the losers of Game 7 and Game 8, will begin approximately one hour after the conclusion of the previous game.

All games are played at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium, home of the Delmarva Shorebirds, in Salisbury, Md.

For an up-to-date bracket, please visit www.MEACsports.com.

Fans should refer to the official conference website (www.MEACSports.com), twitter (MEACsports) and or facebook.com at www.facebook.com/MEACsports for up-to-the minute schedule changes, as well as the latest news, live stats, scores and highlights.

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ASU Football adds Charleston Southern to 2016 schedule

Albany State and Chalreston Southern will play on October 8th in Charleston, South Carolina.

ALBANY, Georgia -- The Albany State Golden Rams football program has added a huge addition to its 2016 schedule. Instead of having an open date on Oct. 8, ASU has will play Division I Charleston Southern University in Charleston, S.C. The game with Big South Conference competitors gives the Golden Rams a 10-game slate for the season.

"We're glad to have the opportunity to add Charleston Southern to our schedule," ASU head football coach Dan Land said. "Charleston Southern had great success last year, and they will provide us with some good, solid competition."

During the 2015 season, Charleston Southern finished with a 10-3 overall record and 6-0 league mark in the Big South, winning the conference championship. The Buccaneers earned a spot in the 2015 NCAA FCS Playoffs. They lost in the quarterfinals to Jacksonville State by a 58-38 score.

The Albany State-Charleston Southern game will be played at CSU's Whitfield Stadium Center on Buccaneer Field on Oct. 8. The game time will be determined at a later date.

2016 Albany State Football Schedule (Updated)

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Despite strong start, XULA Rush finish as NAIA runner-up

Results

MOBILE, Alabama — Xavier University of Louisiana men's tennis built an early lead Saturday before losing 5-2 to Georgia Gwinnett in the final of the NAIA National Championship.
     
The Gold Rush (17-8), ranked and seeded third, finished as national runner-up. This was the first XU team in any sport to reach an NAIA final.
     
The Grizzlies (26-0), a unanimous No. 1 in every coaches poll this season, won their third consecutive NAIA championship and stretched their winning streak to 32. They were 2-0 this season against Xavier.
     
Xavier won 2-of-3 doubles. Tushar Mandlekar and Adam Albrecht of the Gold Rush defeated Gilad Berman and Lachlan McPhee 8-5 on the third court, then Xavier took a 2-0 lead when Kyle Montrel and Karan Salwan won 8-3 on court two against Matias Hatem and Connor Clements, the ITA's third-ranked NAIA doubles team.
     
But Xavier missed a doubles sweep by losing in a tiebreaker on the first court for the second straight day. Thomas Setodji and Kevin Chaouat led 6-4 and 7-6 against the nationally top-ranked tandem of Kevin Konfederak and Jordan Cox, but Konfederak and Cox rallied for a 9-8 (7-3) decision.
     
"We had a realy good start in doubles," Xavier coach Alan Green said. "It would've been nice to have a 3-0 lead, and we had some good opportunities to get that third point, but we didn't. Still we were happy with a 2-1 lead. It was a reversal from the last time we played Georgia Gwinnett."
     
Georgia Gwinnett then won four consecutive times in singles and led in the two unfinished matches. Berman beat Chaouat 6-1, 6-0, Konfederak — the NAIA's No. 1 singles player — defeated Salwan 6-2, 6-4, Clements beat Albrecht 6-0, 6-4 and Hatem clinched with. 6-2, 6-2 decision against Montrel.
     
"Overall, Georgia Gwinnett's guys took it to us," Green said. "At times it seemed like there was nothing we could do to stop them."
     
The Setodji-Cox match did not result in a decision — Cox led 7-6 (7-0), 2-0 — so Setodji, a freshman, ended the season with a 17-0 singles record.
     
"Xavier was outstanding," Georgia Gwinnett coach Chase Hodges said. "We were fortunate."
     
It was the final XU competition for Montrel and Chaouat, both seniors. A third senior,Manav Chakma, did not play.
     
"Even though we didn't get the win, it just felt like we won in some way," Montrel said. "We became a closer team. Next time I think we could get it."
     
The appearance at nationals was the eighth overall and eighth in a row for the XU men. They reached the quarterfinals each of the previous four seasons before breaking through with a quarterfinal victory Thursday against sixth-ranked Keiser and a semifinal victory Friday against seventh-ranked Lindsey Wilson. Xavier's 17 victories match the second-most in a season during Green's coaching tenure.

XU-produced graphic which promoted the Gold Rush appearance in the NAIA championship final.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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XU's Green chosen ITA/NAIA National Coach of the Year

MOBILE, Alabama — Xavier University of Louisiana's Alan Green was named Monday the Intercollegiate Tennis Coaches Association/NAIA Men's National Coach of the Year for 2016.
     
Green, in his 13th year at Xavier, has led the Gold Rush to a 14-7 record and its highest-ever national ranking, third. The Gold Rush are 4-1 against NAIA top-10 opponents and have a school-record five victories against NCAA Division I opponents, including first-time decisions over Nicholls State and Troy.
     
"I'm very surprised to have won this," Green said. "This award wasn't made possible without the team putting in the work and working hard and all the support staff that we have."
     
This is Green's second ITA National Coach of the Year Award. He won with Xavier's women in 2013.
     
Green received his honor at a banquet honoring the 24 men's teams and 24 women's teams which qualified for the NAIA National Championships. The Gold Rush have a first-round bye and will play at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the round of 16 against Bethany (Kan.) or Westmont. The Gold Nuggets will play in the first round at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday against Northwestern Ohio. Copeland-Cox Mobile Tennis Center is the site of all matches, and admission is free.
     
Xavier's three other ITA Region IV (South) recipients — Loic Didavi (Men's Assistant Coach of the Year), Kyle Montrel (Men's Senior Player of the Year) and Charlene Goreau (Women's Rookie of the Year) — were recognized at the banquet. Those awards were announced April 29. Receiving NAIA Champions of Character awards were Sha'Nel Bruins of the Gold Nuggets and Montrel. Bruins also was recognized as a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Langston University Tabs Elaine Powell as Women's Basketball Head Coach

LANGSTON, Oklahoma -- Dr. Kent J. Smith, Jr., President of Langston University (LU), announced today the appointment of former WNBA player, Elaine Powell as the new head coach for the women's basketball team.

"We are excited about Coach Powell joining the Langston University Athletics Department as she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team. She has inherited a program with a longstanding history of excellence and we know from her track record, she will ensure that our legacy is preserved," said Dr. Smith.

Coach Powell joins LU Athletics having previously served as an assistant coach for women's basketball programs at Alabama A&M, Ohio University and Grambling State University. She spent nearly a decade playing in the WNBA, where she earned numerous awards and honors. Under former coach and Detroit Pistons player, Bill Laimbeer, she was a three time WNBA champion with
the Detroit Shock. Prior to her professional basketball career, she was a student athlete at Louisiana State University (LSU), where she was a Kodak All American and finished her career as LSU's 11th all-time leading scorer with 1,163 points. She was the first player in LSU history to be drafted into the WNBA.

"Elaine Powell is a proven leader whose dedication and commitment to excellence has shown in her work while coaching at the NCAA DI level for more than 8 years. Prior to her collegiate coaching career, she was a student athlete at LSU, so she comes from a championship pedigree, which is what we strive for here at Langston University. She has served those institutions admirably, investing a great deal in the student athletes. We look forward to her bringing that same enthusiasm, devotion and student centric approach to our program," said Donnita Drain Rogers, Athletic Director for Langston University.

Coach Powell succeeds Cheryl Miller, who had a record of 49-12 and two NAIA Tournament appearances during her two-year stint.

The Lady Lions finished the 2014-15 season with a 29-4 record, and won the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament Championship over Our Lady of the Lake. The Lady Lions finished the 2015-16 season with a final record of 20-8 and received a third straight bid to the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship tournament in Independence, Missouri. Langston received three selections to the Red River All-Conference team; and two students were named to the NAIA Women's Basketball All-America honorable mention team for their efforts.

"Cheryl Miller has been a tremendous asset to the University's sports program and we appreciate all of her efforts to strengthen our women's basketball team. She was a role model both on and off of the court to the players and entire University community. We wish her well in her future endeavors," said Dr. Smith.

COURTESY LANGSTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

FAMU Rally Falls Short in 6-4 NCAA Loss To USF

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- The FAMU Women’s Softball team battled back valiantly from a 5-0 deficit in the late innings, but came up two runs short Saturday afternoon in a season-ending 6-4 setback to South Florida in the Tallahassee Regional at JoAnne Graf Field.
FAMU (27-30) fell behind 1-0 after the first inning, and USF (45-15) added three runs in the second and one more in the fourth to build a 5-0 advantage.

The Lady Rattlers began their comeback bid in the bottom of the fifth, when Whitney Farris’ single to left center scored Miesha McBride for the first FAMU run. Raven Moseley, who walked, then advanced to second and third on two passed balls, scored from third on a USF wild pitch for a 5-2 score.

The Bulls plated their final run in the top of the sixth to extend their lead to 6-2, but FAMU had one last gasp in the bottom of the seventh, aided by two USF errors, scoring two runs to pull to 6-4.

Moseley scored on an error on Tashayla Irvis’ ground ball, then Alexis Day’s sacrifice fly to right scored Farris for a 6-4 score.

FAMU managed to load the bases with two outs, but Kieifi Myrick grounded back to the pitcher to end the game.

The Lady Rattlers finished with six hits, as Farris, Day, Taylor Rosier, Toni Anderson, McBride and Moseley each had singles. Day, Farris and Irvis each had a run driven in.

Veronica Burse (8-12) took the loss for FAMU, lasting into the second before being lifted for Kenya Pereira. Burse allowed four runs on three hits with two walks in one-and-one-third innings, while Pereira allowed two runs on five hits with one strikeout and one walk in five-and-two-third innings.

COACH WIGGINS POSTGAME: After the game, FAMU head coach Veronica Wiggins addressed the media saying: “I’m very proud of my team and the effort they gave at the end. If we had come out with a little more intensity at the start things might have ended differently. But our players set a goal before the season that they wanted to get to the regionals and compete and I think we accomplished that…. I have six juniors who set a goal to win championships, and I look forward to them providing leadership for us next season.

JUNIOR OUTFIELDER WHITNEY FARRIS: “I think what we can take away from this tournament is that we can play with the best teams, that we are definitely one of the best 64 teams in the country.”

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Texas Southern and Alabama State To Meet in SWAC Championship on ESPNU

First pitch is set for 10:30 a.m. and will air live on ESPNU

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- Texas Southern and Alabama State both swept through the 2016 Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament and will meet in the Championship finale on Sunday, May 22 at Wesley Barrow Stadium. First pitch is set for 10:30 a.m. and will air live on ESPNU.

TSU, the defending SWAC Tournament Champions are now 24-25 on the year and enter the title game after defeating Jackson State twice as well as Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the ‘A’ Bracket. In the tournament, Kamren Dukes is pacing the Tigers’ offense, hitting .667 (8-for-12) with a double and three stolen bases. Ryan Lazo is 4-for-11 (.455) with a double, seven RBI, and two stolen bases. Richard Alamo has drawn four walks, tallied four hits, and nabbed five stolen bases in five attempts.

On the hill for the Tigers, Larry Romero, who led the Tigers with a 9-3 record this season, collected the opening round 10-2 win over Jackson State after going eight innings. Romero scattered two runs on eight hits, struck out five and walked two batters.

The Michael Robertson led squad went 13-10 in SWAC West play, coming into the tournament as the three seed out of the division. The Tigers swept all six games against Southern, while splitting with Prairie View A&M, and took two from Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Grambling, who both finished ahead of TSU.

On the season, TSU leads the league and is second in NCAA in stolen bases with 162, while leading the nation averaging 3.38 stolen bases per game. Ryan Lazo has stolen 39 bases for the Tigers this season.

The Hornets head into the title contest with a 37-15 record, defeated Southern and Alcorn State in seven inning contests prior to collecting a second victory from Southern to extend their season playing in the ‘B’ bracket. During the tournament, ASU has been led offensively by Dillon Cooper who has posted .667 average (6-for-9) with two home runs, four doubles and 10 RBI, while drawing four walks and getting hit three times to reach base. SWAC Freshman of the Year Eriq White has reached base all 13 plate appearances in three tournament games, collecting eight hits with two doubles and a home run.

On the hill for the Hornets, three-time SWAC Starting Pitcher of the Year Joseph Camacho and All-SWAC First Team honoree Tyler Howe both picked up their tenth victory of the year. Camacho (10-0) went 4.1, scattering six runs on eight hits, struck out two and walked four in the team’s 27-9 opening round victory over Southern. Howe (10-2) collected the 16-3 victory over the Braves after tossing six of the seven innings. Howe allowed three runs on six hits, struck out eight and walked two.

During the regular season, 2016 SWAC Coach of the Year Mervyl Melendez guided the Hornets to a 24-0 conference record, becoming the first team to post a perfect record in SWAC play since moving to divisional play in 2006. 2016 also marks the third-straight season ASU has captured the regular season title and the Hornets' fourth-straight 30-plus win season. The Hornets lead the SWAC in scoring, averaging 8.8 runs per game with the second-most runs scored this season (447).

The last time the squads faced off was during the 2013 season resulting in a 3-1 decision in favor of the Hornets in the MLB Urban Youth Invitational at Minute Maid Park in Houston on Feb. 24. TSU is looking for the program’s fourth SWAC title while ASU is on the hunt for the squad’s first championship in the program’s history.

Tournament Central

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS