Marshalltown, Iowa - Miko Bernstine describes himself as always being a pretty spiritual guy. Texas Southern University provided the answer to his prayers with an opportunity to play NCAA Division I baseball. The do-everything Marshalltown Community College outfielder Bernstine signed with the Southwestern Athletic Conference school on Friday.
The Des Moines native Bernstine was set to play baseball at Ashford before the opportunity to move from the MCC Tigers to the TSU Tigers arose. "No D-I offers were coming my way. I was getting a lot of offers from NAIA, D-II, stuff like that," Bernstine said before playing in a game Friday in the Carolina-Virginia Collegiate League.
"I just kept praying on it that I would get an offer from a Division I school," he added. Bernstine lead Marshalltown in most offensive categories as he hit .390 with 49 runs scored, 62 hits, five home runs, 42 RBIs and 17 stolen bases.
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Showing posts with label NCAA Division I Baseball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NCAA Division I Baseball. Show all posts
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Jason Beverlin to succeed Melendez at Bethune-Cookman
Daytona Beach, FL - Bethune-Cookman University Athletic Director Lynn W. Thompson announced today, July 26, that an agreement in principal has been reached with Jason Beverlin to become the Wildcats' new Head Baseball Coach.Beverlin, 37, was the pitching coach at the University of Tennessee and played professionally with the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers after being selected by the Oakland A's in the fourth round of the 1994 Major League Draft.
"We have a championship caliber team returning, and we wanted to make sure that we placed significant attention on the pitching aspects of our program." Thompson said. "New bat regulations in college baseball have made pitching and defense more important than ever, and to have a new head coach with extensive knowledge of pitching, professional experience and upper Division I recruiting savvy is the right combination for us to continue our quest to reach the College World Series."
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| B-CU Head Coach Jason Beverlin with his wife, Heather, and sons Cole and Lucas (Courtesy B-CU Athletics) |
"I think it's an extreme honor to join the Bethune-Cookman Athletic Department family," said Beverlin. "Coach Melendez did an unbelievable job here; and while we hope to continue the tradition of success he started here, we want to take that to the next level in getting this program to a Super Regional and the ultimate goal of going to the college world series."
VIDEO INTRO - COACH JASON BEVERLIN
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RELATED ARTICLE: Bethune-Cookman Announces Jason Beverlin as New Head Baseball Coach
Friday, June 17, 2011
Jim Koerner named NCCU's Eagles head baseball coach
DURHAM, N.C. (NCCUEaglePride.com) – With more 10 years of collegiate coaching experience at both the NCAA Division I and III levels, Jim Koerner has been named as the new head baseball coach at North Carolina Central University. Koerner is coming to NCCU from the University at Buffalo, where he helped build the Division I Bulls baseball program as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator since 2005.
“First of all, I’m very excited to be the new head baseball coach here at NCCU,” said Koerner. “NCCU is the complete package for me and my family. The atmosphere and attitude I’ve experienced from the people I have met is exactly what I was looking for. There is a passion for athletics and in this case the baseball program in particular. There is a solid foundation in place with our current players, we are in a great location for college and high school baseball and we play in a gorgeous facility, the Durham Athletic Park.”
His previous stops include a stint at Marshall University from 2003-05 where he also served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the staff, and his first Division I job came at Monmouth University after a three-year head coaching stint at Medaille College in Buffalo, N.Y., where he took a relatively brand-new baseball program and turned it into a winner in a short time. In his final season at Medaille, he improved the Mavericks win total by 15 games, one of the top turnarounds in Division III, and was named the 2003 North East Conference Coach of the Year.
“I am excited about having Coach Koerner as a part of our NCCU athletics program,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree. “We pride ourselves on hiring qualified individuals who have shown passion and dedication to their careers. Coach Koerner has been able to make an indelible mark at each of the institutions he has been associated with in the past and we know that he will do the same here at NCCU.
“Coach Koerner’s career journey includes coach of the year recognition as an NCAA Division III head coach and success as a top recruiter at three NCAA Division I programs, which will definitely bring unique experiences to help take our baseball program to the next level,” said Wicker-McCree. “Most importantly, our students will benefit from his vast knowledge of the game and his great concern for student success.”
Passion and enthusiasm are certainly two character traits that Koerner shares when it comes to the game of baseball.
“I love the game,” said Koerner. “I’ve been involved with this game for a long time. I absolutely have a passion for teaching. Nothing gives me more satisfaction then working with a player from the beginning of August and watching that player mature and get better as the year goes along. To me that’s what it’s all about. If every guy on the team can take those steps to improve and get better and has that desire, the whole team will get better and that’s how you achieve your goals.”
Koerner, who earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from St. John Fisher (N.Y.) and a master’s degree in athletic administration from Marshall, truly believes in emphasizing the student portion of student-athlete.
“I personally believe that there is a direct correlation between academic aptitude and a player’s ability to adjust and improve on the field,” said Koerner. “Excellence needs to be established in all parts of life. It’s not just a baseball thing. I don’t want student-athletes that treat excellence as a light switch. It needs to be a constant process in everything we do. That’s what I am going to stress here.”
Koerner has had 19 players move on to the next level and play professional baseball during his collegiate coaching career, and the 2009 and 2010 Bulls broke 27 all-time and single-season offensive records as he was directly in charge of hitting at the University at Buffalo.
Koerner wants to get this message out to the Eagle nation.
“Get excited about NCCU baseball,” said Koerner. “We’re going to do things the right way on and off the field and we’re going to be a lot of fun to watch. I’m especially looking forward to meeting everybody, so when February rolls around make sure to get out to the ballpark and see us in action.”
During his time at UB, the Bulls had four players earn All-Mid-American Conference, honors including the 2011 MAC Player of the Year in Tom Murphy.
Prior to Buffalo when Koerner held the same position with Marshall University, he coached one of his players to All-Conference USA honors and also helped the Thundering Herd to its first post-season appearance in 10 years. During the 2006 season, Marshall was consistently in the top 5 in most offensive categories and had two players finish in the top 10 in batting.
At Monmouth, where Koerner broke into Division I coaching as an assistant, he helped lead the team to its seventh consecutive conference tournament appearance.
Koerner has also been head coach of several U.S. teams that competed in international tournaments, including the Belgium Open and the Chianti (Italy) Baseball Challenge. Out of college in 1998, he was also signed by the Richmond Roosters of the Independent Frontier League.
A native of Hamburg, N.Y., which is a approximately 14 miles south of Buffalo, Koerner and his wife, Kylie, are the proud parents of a son, Sam, and five-month old daughter, Elizabeth.
By Chris Hooks, Assistant Sports Information Director/ Broadcast Media Coordinator
VISIT: NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
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“First of all, I’m very excited to be the new head baseball coach here at NCCU,” said Koerner. “NCCU is the complete package for me and my family. The atmosphere and attitude I’ve experienced from the people I have met is exactly what I was looking for. There is a passion for athletics and in this case the baseball program in particular. There is a solid foundation in place with our current players, we are in a great location for college and high school baseball and we play in a gorgeous facility, the Durham Athletic Park.”
His previous stops include a stint at Marshall University from 2003-05 where he also served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the staff, and his first Division I job came at Monmouth University after a three-year head coaching stint at Medaille College in Buffalo, N.Y., where he took a relatively brand-new baseball program and turned it into a winner in a short time. In his final season at Medaille, he improved the Mavericks win total by 15 games, one of the top turnarounds in Division III, and was named the 2003 North East Conference Coach of the Year.
“I am excited about having Coach Koerner as a part of our NCCU athletics program,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree. “We pride ourselves on hiring qualified individuals who have shown passion and dedication to their careers. Coach Koerner has been able to make an indelible mark at each of the institutions he has been associated with in the past and we know that he will do the same here at NCCU.
“Coach Koerner’s career journey includes coach of the year recognition as an NCAA Division III head coach and success as a top recruiter at three NCAA Division I programs, which will definitely bring unique experiences to help take our baseball program to the next level,” said Wicker-McCree. “Most importantly, our students will benefit from his vast knowledge of the game and his great concern for student success.”
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| New Eagles Head Baseball Coach Jim Koerner (Photo courtesy MEAC Media Relations) |
“I love the game,” said Koerner. “I’ve been involved with this game for a long time. I absolutely have a passion for teaching. Nothing gives me more satisfaction then working with a player from the beginning of August and watching that player mature and get better as the year goes along. To me that’s what it’s all about. If every guy on the team can take those steps to improve and get better and has that desire, the whole team will get better and that’s how you achieve your goals.”
Koerner, who earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from St. John Fisher (N.Y.) and a master’s degree in athletic administration from Marshall, truly believes in emphasizing the student portion of student-athlete.
“I personally believe that there is a direct correlation between academic aptitude and a player’s ability to adjust and improve on the field,” said Koerner. “Excellence needs to be established in all parts of life. It’s not just a baseball thing. I don’t want student-athletes that treat excellence as a light switch. It needs to be a constant process in everything we do. That’s what I am going to stress here.”
Koerner has had 19 players move on to the next level and play professional baseball during his collegiate coaching career, and the 2009 and 2010 Bulls broke 27 all-time and single-season offensive records as he was directly in charge of hitting at the University at Buffalo.
Koerner wants to get this message out to the Eagle nation.
“Get excited about NCCU baseball,” said Koerner. “We’re going to do things the right way on and off the field and we’re going to be a lot of fun to watch. I’m especially looking forward to meeting everybody, so when February rolls around make sure to get out to the ballpark and see us in action.”
During his time at UB, the Bulls had four players earn All-Mid-American Conference, honors including the 2011 MAC Player of the Year in Tom Murphy.
Prior to Buffalo when Koerner held the same position with Marshall University, he coached one of his players to All-Conference USA honors and also helped the Thundering Herd to its first post-season appearance in 10 years. During the 2006 season, Marshall was consistently in the top 5 in most offensive categories and had two players finish in the top 10 in batting.
At Monmouth, where Koerner broke into Division I coaching as an assistant, he helped lead the team to its seventh consecutive conference tournament appearance.
Koerner has also been head coach of several U.S. teams that competed in international tournaments, including the Belgium Open and the Chianti (Italy) Baseball Challenge. Out of college in 1998, he was also signed by the Richmond Roosters of the Independent Frontier League.
A native of Hamburg, N.Y., which is a approximately 14 miles south of Buffalo, Koerner and his wife, Kylie, are the proud parents of a son, Sam, and five-month old daughter, Elizabeth.
By Chris Hooks, Assistant Sports Information Director/ Broadcast Media Coordinator
VISIT: NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
VISIT: NCCUEAGLEPRIDE
Bethune Cookman's Mervyl Melendez resigns to take baseball job at Alabama State University
Daytona Beach, Florida -- Longtime Bethune-Cookman Baseball Coach Mervyl Melendez has resigned to accept the head coaching position at Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama, B-CU Director of Athletics Lynn W. Thompson announced late Thursday afternoon.
"Mervyl is pound-for-pound one of the best coaches I have ever been around," said Thompson, "but he is a far greater husband, father, and teacher than that. It has truly been an honor to watch him bloom into a legend, and I wish him well in his search for life's next challenge. We truly hate to see him leave the campus, but he can never leave our family."
Melendez has been part of the Bethune-Cookman program for 19 years, first playing for the Wildcats and earning Black College All-American honors then serving as an assistant for three seasons and finally as head coach for the last 12 seasons, during which time he has taken the B-CU program to legendary heights.
Regarding Hornets new $3.9 million baseball complex: Stacy Danley, Athletic Director, says “It gives us a chance to be our best, to recruit the best and to compete at the highest level so I’m excited about where this program is headed. This is just one of many new projects going on. I hope the people out there understand that Alabama State is trying to raise the bar.”
B-CU's baseball coach leaving
DAYTONA BEACH -- The most successful baseball coach in Bethune-Cookman history is departing. And he's taking his coaching staff with him. Mervyl Melendez resigned from B-CU on Thursday to take the head coach position at Alabama State University in Montgomery, Ala.
The 37-year-old, who guided the Wildcats to 11 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships over 12 seasons, is leaving his alma mater for a struggling program in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. "They really wanted me and my staff to take on the challenge," Melendez said. "It's a program that needs a little TLC, and we're going to give it that TLC."
Jose Vazquez, who had been Melendez's associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at B-CU, assistant coach Drew Clark and pitching coach Matt Crane are going to the Hornets, too. "When somebody wants to buy your whole coaching staff, what a compliment that is to Mervyl and your whole program," said B-CU Athletic Director Lynn Thompson. "Mervyl and I have talked often in the past about how this day would come."
Melendez said Alabama State's five-year contract offer "was too good to refuse'.
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"Mervyl is pound-for-pound one of the best coaches I have ever been around," said Thompson, "but he is a far greater husband, father, and teacher than that. It has truly been an honor to watch him bloom into a legend, and I wish him well in his search for life's next challenge. We truly hate to see him leave the campus, but he can never leave our family."
Melendez has been part of the Bethune-Cookman program for 19 years, first playing for the Wildcats and earning Black College All-American honors then serving as an assistant for three seasons and finally as head coach for the last 12 seasons, during which time he has taken the B-CU program to legendary heights.
Regarding Hornets new $3.9 million baseball complex: Stacy Danley, Athletic Director, says “It gives us a chance to be our best, to recruit the best and to compete at the highest level so I’m excited about where this program is headed. This is just one of many new projects going on. I hope the people out there understand that Alabama State is trying to raise the bar.”
B-CU's baseball coach leaving
DAYTONA BEACH -- The most successful baseball coach in Bethune-Cookman history is departing. And he's taking his coaching staff with him. Mervyl Melendez resigned from B-CU on Thursday to take the head coach position at Alabama State University in Montgomery, Ala.
The 37-year-old, who guided the Wildcats to 11 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships over 12 seasons, is leaving his alma mater for a struggling program in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. "They really wanted me and my staff to take on the challenge," Melendez said. "It's a program that needs a little TLC, and we're going to give it that TLC."
Jose Vazquez, who had been Melendez's associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at B-CU, assistant coach Drew Clark and pitching coach Matt Crane are going to the Hornets, too. "When somebody wants to buy your whole coaching staff, what a compliment that is to Mervyl and your whole program," said B-CU Athletic Director Lynn Thompson. "Mervyl and I have talked often in the past about how this day would come."
Melendez said Alabama State's five-year contract offer "was too good to refuse'.
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Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Southern University's Frazier Hall and Cody Hall get drafted by Major League Baseball
Baton Rouge, LA --When the big day began, Frazier Hall had a few phone conversations with baseball people — scouts, advisors and the like — who gave him encouraging news. They told the Southern first baseman that when the second day of the Major League Baseball draft got under way, he might go as early as the seventh round.
Then the waiting began. And continued. And continued. Frazier Hall was about to leave for an afternoon workout when the 16th round began. He took a few more phone calls, then checked his computer. The wait was over. The Los Angeles Angels took Frazier Hall in the 16th round Tuesday, giving him the shot at pro baseball he’s always dreamed of.
Videographer: MLB, SU's Frazier Hall
Less than an hour later, the San Francisco Giants took his teammate, right-hander Cody Hall, in the 19th round. The celebration began.
Frazier Hall, Cody Hall get a shot at pro ball
Frazier Hall and Cody Hall are both off the board.
Southern’s top two baseball prospects were selected within an hour of each other Tuesday during the Major League Baseball draft — first baseman Frazier Hall going in the 16th round to the Los Angeles Angels; right-hander Cody Hall going in the 19th round to the San Francisco Giants.
Frazier Hall earned his second straight Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year award this season, thanks mostly to his sparkling offensive numbers.
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Then the waiting began. And continued. And continued. Frazier Hall was about to leave for an afternoon workout when the 16th round began. He took a few more phone calls, then checked his computer. The wait was over. The Los Angeles Angels took Frazier Hall in the 16th round Tuesday, giving him the shot at pro baseball he’s always dreamed of.
Videographer: MLB, SU's Frazier Hall
Less than an hour later, the San Francisco Giants took his teammate, right-hander Cody Hall, in the 19th round. The celebration began.
Frazier Hall, Cody Hall get a shot at pro ball
Frazier Hall and Cody Hall are both off the board.
Southern’s top two baseball prospects were selected within an hour of each other Tuesday during the Major League Baseball draft — first baseman Frazier Hall going in the 16th round to the Los Angeles Angels; right-hander Cody Hall going in the 19th round to the San Francisco Giants.
Frazier Hall earned his second straight Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year award this season, thanks mostly to his sparkling offensive numbers.
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Saturday, June 4, 2011
Houston Regional: Rice cruises past Alcorn State 14-2
Houston, TX -- By the sixth inning, Rice lefthander Abe Gonzales made up his mind to finish what he started. The top-seeded Owls backed up Gonzales’ first career complete game with season-high 22 hits on the way to a 14-2 victory over fourth-seeded Alcorn State at the Houston Regional.“I didn’t ever think about not going the whole game,” Gonzales said. “I felt like that’s what I should do, I felt like that’s what I could do and it was time to do it.”
Rice will play second-seeded Baylor in a winner’s bracket game at 6 p.m. Saturday at Reckling Park. The Bears beat California 6-4 in the regional opener.
Gonzales held the Braves to a pair runs while keeping the nation’s third-best base-stealing team off the base paths. He allowed seven hits, did not walk a batter and kept coach Wayne Graham from having to use his bullpen early in the four-team, double-elimination tournament. The previous career-high for Gonzales was 6 2/3 innings against East Carolina earlier this season.
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Friday, June 3, 2011
NCAA baseball roundup: Regionals start Friday
The NCAA baseball tournament begins Friday, and the Tallahassee boasts one of the toughest fields, featuring three teams with an RPI ranking of 35 or better. Host Florida State (42-17) is the No. 1 seed and favorite to win the regional thanks to a strong hitting lineup led by James Ramsey and ace pitcher Sean Gilmartin.The Seminoles start regional play against No. 4 seed Bethune-Cookman at 6 p.m. Catcher Pete O'Brien has been the steadiest performer for the Wildcats, who have amassed 46 consecutive MEAC wins.
No. 2 seed UCF (38-21) is the only school in this year's tournament field to claim wins against all three teams in its regional pod during the regular season. The Knights have relied on a talented, balanced hitting lineup anchored by Jonathan Griffin and D.J. Hicks. UCF needs its improving pitchers to step up in order to advance.
The Knights will face No. 3 seed Alabama (33-26) at noon. The Crimson Tide is riding...
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WATCH GAME: Games 1 and 2 on Friday will not be televised but you can watch the FSU Seminoles vs. BCU Wildcats on Seminoles All-Access : CLICK HERE. (UPDATE: The stream will be FREE). Games on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (if necessary) featuring Florida State will be on either Sun Sports or FoxSports Florida.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Alcorn State conjures visions of upset by TSU
Graham sees cause for Rice to be on alertHouston, TX - When the regional pairings were announced for the NCAA baseball tournament, the Rice Owls already had a head-start on scouting reports. "They're not going to surprise us, that's for sure," Rice coach Wayne Graham said of No. 2 seed Baylor and No. 3 seed California being placed in the Houston Regional. "They've already beaten us."
Familiarity and a touch of don't-remind-us history will offer plenty of incentives why the top-seeded Owls can't overlook or underestimate the field in the four-team, double-elimination regional that begins Friday at Reckling Park.
The Owls, the No. 8 national seed, open the regional against fourth-seeded Alcorn State. The appearance of the Southwestern Athletic Conference champion offers another reminder of how quickly things can go awry in the postseason. In 2004, the Owls were the defending national champions and No. 6 national seed heading into the regional opener against Texas Southern.
HOUSTON REGIONAL
Reckling Park, Houston (Host: Rice)
No. 1 Rice (41-19, 16-8 in C-USA)
17th appearance (17 straight), automatic, Conference USA regular-season co-champion and tournament champion, No. 8 national seed
No. 2 Baylor (29-26, 13-14 in Big 12)
17th appearance (third straight), at-large, sixth place in Big 12 Conference
No. 3 California (31-20, 13-13 in Pac-10)
12th appearance (second straight), at-large, sixth place in Pacific-10 Conference
No. 4 Alcorn State (27-28, 19-4 in SWAC)
First appearance, automatic, Southwestern Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament champion
Rice's young pitching staff was thrown into the fire immediately during the Owls' challenging nonconference schedule, as ballyhooed freshmen righthanders Austin Kubitza (6-4, 2.33) and John Simms (3-2, 3.32) each took turns in the weekend rotation when the Owls opened against Stanford. Those young power arms matured in conference play, helping lead the Owls to a share of their fifth CUSA title in the six seasons since they joined the league, as well as their fourth CUSA tournament title.
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Reckling Park, Houston (Host: Rice)
No. 1 Rice (41-19, 16-8 in C-USA)
17th appearance (17 straight), automatic, Conference USA regular-season co-champion and tournament champion, No. 8 national seed
No. 2 Baylor (29-26, 13-14 in Big 12)
17th appearance (third straight), at-large, sixth place in Big 12 Conference
No. 3 California (31-20, 13-13 in Pac-10)
12th appearance (second straight), at-large, sixth place in Pacific-10 Conference
No. 4 Alcorn State (27-28, 19-4 in SWAC)
First appearance, automatic, Southwestern Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament champion
Rice's young pitching staff was thrown into the fire immediately during the Owls' challenging nonconference schedule, as ballyhooed freshmen righthanders Austin Kubitza (6-4, 2.33) and John Simms (3-2, 3.32) each took turns in the weekend rotation when the Owls opened against Stanford. Those young power arms matured in conference play, helping lead the Owls to a share of their fifth CUSA title in the six seasons since they joined the league, as well as their fourth CUSA tournament title.
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Tuesday, May 31, 2011
NCAA: Alcorn State to Face Rice in Houston Regional
Lorman, MS - The Alcorn State Braves will face Rice University Friday at 6PM at Reckling Park on the campus of Rice, in Houston, Texas in one of many NCAA Regionals.The Braves, making their first NCAA baseball appearance, will enter with a 27-28 overall record. Conference USA winner Rice enters with a 41-19 record and are ranked 8th nationally.
ASU, winners of the SWAC tournament, were primed to play in the state of Mississippi. Southern Mississippi didn't get a Regional host birth, however, and are meeting rival Mississippi State in the Atlanta Regional Friday.
Junior pitcher Steve Easter of Chicago, the SWAC leader in wins with eight, says that it doesn't really matter where the Braves are sent:" I had no preference but there were several projected sites. I and we are just happy to be going anywhere."
Easter doesn't know if he will start Friday, but would be ready: "I hadn't really thought about it, but it would really be big to start. As long as I would keep my pitches down and the defense works for me we'd be okay." Easter knows nothing about the Owl lineup, but may by Friday: "I don't know anything about them, but I have faced a couple of their players before. They are always good and them winning their conference says it all. That's all I need to know about them."
The other teams in the Houston Regional are Baylor at 29-26 and California at
31-20. They meet at 3PM Friday.
Should ASU win Friday, they would play at 6PM Saturday. Should they lose they would play at 2PM Saturday.
Games will be broadcast back to Mississippi on WPRL 91.7 FM.
By Alcorn State Athletics
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NCAA: Bethune Cookman is 4th seed, Tallahassee Regional
MEAC Champions B-CU Wildcats to face Florida State Seminoles on Friday, 6 PM EST.When the NCAA Baseball Committee revealed its at-large selections Monday, there was Alabama, number three seed, headed to Tallahassee. Joining Alabama (33-25) in the four-team field are number one seed Florida State (41-16), number two seed University of Central Florida (38-21), and number four seed Bethune-Cookman (35-22). The Seminoles are the number five national seed in this year's tournament. The winner of the Tallahassee Regional will play the winner of the College Station (Texas A&M) Regional in the Super Regionals next week.
A number three seed is much better than a number four. It means not playing the home-standing number one seed in the first game, and also means likely having the support of the home team in the two vs. three game. But that doesn't mean an easy time since the Tide will be playing a team that has already defeated Bama this year.
The double-elimination regional begins Friday at 11 a.m. (CDT), when Alabama plays Central Florida at Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium. Florida State plays Bethune-Cookman on Friday at 5 p.m. (CDT). “It feels good to see our name up there, but it’s a really tough regional,” Crimson Tide Coach Mitch Gaspard said.
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Sunday, May 29, 2011
Face-Off of HBCU Conference Champions Ends in Split
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Saturday’s matchup at Bethune Point Park was just as billed, a tough matchup between the top two teams in HBCU baseball. Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champion Alcorn State traveled to Florida in a late-addition game to face the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, who recently wrapped up their sixth straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) title.Both games of the double-header ended in a defensive battle, both a low scoring affair. The Wildcats put up runs early in both games, defeating the Braves 3-1 in the first outing. In game two, ASU made a comeback victory in the final three innings to split the series with a 4-3 win.
FINAL STATS
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Saturday, May 28, 2011
Moody's Perales sign baseball scholarship with Alcorn State
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| Justin Perales |
"It feels great to sign, but really it's good just to get this out of the way so we can get ready for this week," Perales said. "We've got a lot of goals left to reach, so that's where our focus is now."
Perales, Moody's first baseman, leads the team with a .438 average, and is second on the squad with 7 homers and 42 RBI.
"(Alcorn State) has been on me since the beginning," said Perales, who is expected to be used as a corner infielder and eventually hit in the middle of the lineup. "I went on a visit, and there's not a lot you can do over there. Really, all you'll be able to do is play baseball and work out, so I think that will be good for me to continue to get better."
Videographer: NCSAbaseball; Justin Perales (Baseball Recruiting Video)
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VISIT: ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: ALCORNSPORTS
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Ocala Vanguard graduate has been a force at Bethune-Cookman
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| B-CU OF Matt Wright Daytona State College/Ocala Vanguard |
Wright stars for MEAC champion Wildcats
Matt Wright is making the most of his final collegiate season.
As a result, the Wildcats (35-22) earned the MEAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Baseball Championships, with pairings to be announced at 12:30 p.m. Monday on ESPN.
The senior outfielder heads into regional play hitting .326 with six homers, 17 doubles, a team-high five triples, 32 RBIs and 40 runs scored.
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Sunday, May 22, 2011
Alcorn wins SWAC title
Shreveport, LA - Before Sunday’s Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball tournament championship game, Alcorn State left-hander Brent Blaum and Braves coach Barret Rey shared ties to Baton Rouge. Afterward, they shared the title of SWAC champions.Blaum, a former LSU golfer, tossed 5 1-3 effective innings and the relentless Alcorn offense scored in double figures for the third straight tournament game as the Braves defeated Southern University, 12-6, at Fair Grounds Field to claim the tournament championship and an NCAA Regional berth.
“I never got a ring at LSU, so I finally have ...
CONTINUE
Braves Roll to First SWAC Title
Shreveport, La. - For the first time in school history, Alcorn State is celebrating a SWAC baseball championship. The Braves continued their offensive assault on the rest of the teams in the tournament with a 12-6 victory over Southern in Sunday’s championship final at Fair Grounds Field.
Tournament most valuable player, Alcorn designated hitter, Kilby Perdomo, hit his third home run in four games to give Alcorn a 1-0 lead before the Jaguars had even a chance at bat. Cameron McGriff tied the game in the bottom of the second with a solo shot of his own.
Alcorn State, however carded four run innings in the fourth and sixth, and then added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth to keep the Jaguars at arm’s length all day.
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Flagler Palm Coast baseball standout ready to be B-CU Wildcat
PALM COAST -- Jordan Taylor signed to play baseball next season at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach at a signing ceremony Tuesday at Flagler Palm Coast High School.But as he did, the 18-year-old also weighed the possibility of being in the Major League Baseball draft. Specifically, he's considering an offer from the Boston Red Sox that's been in place for a while, but Taylor also has heard from the New York Yankees. A team representative left a phone message saying they will match and exceed the bid from the Red Sox.
It's all very heady stuff for a teenager to consider, but Taylor was outwardly as cool and calm as he was mowing down area hitters the past four seasons. Right now, he's a Wildcat. "I got a lot of interest, but no offers. Bethune showed the most interest, so I decided to go there," Taylor said.
THINKING BIG (LEAGUES)
Jordan Taylor has been a four-year star at Flagler Palm Coast. This year, he’s on pace to shatter the strikeout record. He has also caught the eyes of MLB scouts, too.
It’s March 4. The Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs are hosting district rival DeLand.
In the bottom of the ninth, the game is tied, 4-4. On second base is FPC’s Lorenzo Butler. In the batter’s box, Jordan Taylor digs in. One out. Count is full at three balls, two strikes. Taylor thinks, All right, the pitcher is a freshman. He’s definitely going to throw me a fastball.
DeLand’s right-handed pitcher checks second base, then he delivers the pitch. Taylor grooves a deep fly ball. Adios. “Right off the bat, I knew it was gone,” Taylor recalled Friday, March 25, as he pointed to Portable No. 6, located behind Bulldog Field. The ball smashed off the building, though no windows broke. “Everyone in the crowd erupted. It was nuts,” he said.
Jordan Taylor- PERFECT GAME PROFILE/TV VIDEOS
Jordan Taylor 60 2011 World Showcase
Jordan Taylor BP 2011 World Showcase
Jordan Taylor OF 2011 World Showcase
Jordan Taylor P 2011 World ShowcaseBethune-Cookman wins 2011 MEAC baseball crown
B-CU earns 2nd 6-peat in 13 years
DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- As he has done for the last two seasons, Bethune-Cookman catcher Peter O'Brien helped lead the Wildcats to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title. O'Brien went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs Saturday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, as beat B-CU beat Norfolk State 9-3 to claim a school record-tying sixth straight MEAC championship.
However, if the 'Cats are to make it seven straight next year, they'll probably have to do it without their star catcher. "It could be the last one for me, so it's a big moment," said O'Brien, a junior expected to be selected in the first or second round of next month's Major League Baseball Draft.
"But this is only a small step in what we want to do this year. We want to go get in a regional, win a regional, (win a) super regional and get to (the College World Series in) Omaha. That's the goal for this year."
Bethune-Cookman wins 2011 MEAC baseball crown
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman University won the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Baseball Championship title with a 9-3 victory over the Norfolk State Spartans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Saturday afternoon.
The championship crown was the sixth consecutive and 13th overall for the Wildcats. Bethune-Cookman extended it win streak to 46 against conference opponents including tournament play. John Rasberry got the Spartans on the board first with a solo home run in the top of the first. Matt Wright and Alejandro Sanchez countered for the Wildcats to take the 2-1 lead in the bottom of the frame.
NSU falls to Bethune-Cookman
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Peter O'Brien went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs to lead Bethune-Cookman to its sixth straight MEAC baseball championship with a 9-3 victory over Norfolk State on Saturday at Jackie Robinson Park.
O'Brien earned MEAC tournament Most Outstanding Performer honors, helping the Wildcats (35-22) secure the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Division I tournament next month. John Rasberry went 2 for 5 with a double and a solo homer for NSU (24-29).
Videographer: nsuathletics; NSU Senior Day
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DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- As he has done for the last two seasons, Bethune-Cookman catcher Peter O'Brien helped lead the Wildcats to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title. O'Brien went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs Saturday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, as beat B-CU beat Norfolk State 9-3 to claim a school record-tying sixth straight MEAC championship.
However, if the 'Cats are to make it seven straight next year, they'll probably have to do it without their star catcher. "It could be the last one for me, so it's a big moment," said O'Brien, a junior expected to be selected in the first or second round of next month's Major League Baseball Draft.
"But this is only a small step in what we want to do this year. We want to go get in a regional, win a regional, (win a) super regional and get to (the College World Series in) Omaha. That's the goal for this year."
Bethune-Cookman wins 2011 MEAC baseball crown
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman University won the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Baseball Championship title with a 9-3 victory over the Norfolk State Spartans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Saturday afternoon.
The championship crown was the sixth consecutive and 13th overall for the Wildcats. Bethune-Cookman extended it win streak to 46 against conference opponents including tournament play. John Rasberry got the Spartans on the board first with a solo home run in the top of the first. Matt Wright and Alejandro Sanchez countered for the Wildcats to take the 2-1 lead in the bottom of the frame.
NSU falls to Bethune-Cookman
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Peter O'Brien went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs to lead Bethune-Cookman to its sixth straight MEAC baseball championship with a 9-3 victory over Norfolk State on Saturday at Jackie Robinson Park.
O'Brien earned MEAC tournament Most Outstanding Performer honors, helping the Wildcats (35-22) secure the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Division I tournament next month. John Rasberry went 2 for 5 with a double and a solo homer for NSU (24-29).
Videographer: nsuathletics; NSU Senior Day
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FAMU: 2011 MLB Prospect Tobi Adeyemi
Unquestionably one of the top sleepers in the upcoming draft. High character and great talent, a steal for any team looking for an impactful person in the lockerroom and on the field.
Videographer: tobiADEYEMI
Videographer: tobiADEYEMI
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Southern and Alcorn State advanced to Sunday’s SWAC championship
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| Championship Game TV Replay: Monday, 8 PM EST on ESPNU |
Errors dash Tigers' hopes for SWAC repeat
There will be no repeat championship for the Grambling baseball team. The Tigers fell to Texas Southern 6-4 and were knocked out of the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament on the third day of play at Fair Grounds Field. Grambling led 3-0 after four innings but was outscored 6-1 in the final five innings, including a four-run seventh.
Southern rallies past JSU
Ugly doesn't begin to cover it, but the Southern Jaguars are not complaining. Southern overcame seven errors, wearing out a ragged Jackson State pitching staff to post a 14-9 victory Friday night at Fair Grounds Field to advance to Sunday's 1 p.m. tournament championship game.
There the Jaguars (29-20) will face former SU assistant Barret Rey and the Alcorn State Braves.
"The one thing that matters is the bottom line," Southern coach Roger Cador said.
Alcorn State bounces TSU from SWAC baseball tourney
Texas Southern bowed out of the Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball tournament with a whimper, suffering a 13-0 seven-inning, run-rule beating at the hands of Alcorn State on Friday afternoon at Fair Grounds Field. Alcorn State, seeded No. 1 in the Eastern Division, moves on to Sunday’s championship game, where it’ll face Southern University. TSU, the Western Division’s No. 4 seed, ended its season at 25-29.
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Garner pitches B-CU into final
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| Coach Mervyl Melendez |
Norfolk State (23-28) scored 25 runs in its first two tournament games, but was shut down by Garner and one scoreless inning by Jordan Dailey and Chris Anselmo.
"We wanted Scott for this game," B-CU coach Mervyl Melendez said. "He's done a good job all season, and he's earned the right to pitch in an important game. Garner (8-2) escaped a bases-loaded situation in the third, and Norfolk State left 14 runners on base.
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NSU to play for MEAC baseball title today
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| NSU Coach Claudell Clark |
NSU (24-28) will face top-seeded Bethune-Cookman at 2 p.m. The Wildcats topped the Spartans 8-0 earlier Friday. NSU must beat Bethune-Cookman twice today to capture its first MEAC baseball title. The Spartans will be making their fifth MEAC championship-round appearance, and first since 2008.
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