TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (July 1) - Florida A&M University rising senior football student-athletes Curis Pulley and LeRoy Vann have received preseason all-star recognition in advance of the coming 2009 campaign.

@ Pulley, a 6-4, 200-pound senior quarterback from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, was named to The Sports Network's "Walter Payton Award Watch List," as of of the 20 leading offensive players in NCAA Division I FCS (Football Championship Subdivision, formerly I-AA).

He played the final 10 games of the season a year ago, leading the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in total offense (2,267 yards), accounting for 24 touchdowns (17 passing, seven rushing). He led FAMU in rushing (885 yards, 7 TDs), while completing 98 of 178 passes for 1,382 yards, capturing first team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference honors.

"The Talented Mr. Pulley," helped shift the Rattler Offense into virtual high gear by midyear, as FAMU finished the year averaging 35.2 points per game, scorinf 40 or more points in their final three games and five of their last seven contests, cracking the 50-point plateau three times.

The transfer from the University of Kentucky was named MVP of the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic and the Florida Classic, presented by State Farm, after leading the Rattlers to decisive victories against Tennessee State (28-21) and Bethune-Cookman (58-35).

@ Returning FCS All-America return specialist LeRoy Vann, a 5-9, 185-pound defensive back from Tampa (Blake High School) has been named to The Sporting News College Football Preview FCS Preseason All-America team.

The scintillating performer shattered school, conference and NCAA records for Division One football in kick returns in 2008, piling up 1,583 combined yards (462 on punts, 1,121 on kickoffs), which ranks him #1 all-time in that category among BCS or FCS players for a single season.

He also ran back six (6) kicks for touchdowns, tying and NCAA record for combined kick returns for scores. Many of his returns came at clutch moments in games, sparking the Rattlers to a sizzling 9-3 finish.

Vann, who also ranked among the team's top tacklers (53 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, 1 Interception) a year ago, captured All-American honors from The Walter Camp Foundation and the Associated Press for his efforts.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (JULY 1) – The Florida A&M University Sports Hall of Fame will enshrine its’ 34th induction class during ceremonies on Friday, September 4, 2009 at the new Florida A&M University Teaching Gymnasium.

The ceremony will begin at 7:00 p.m., with a reception set for the honorees and their guests immediately following the event.

The 2009 class will be comprised of seven persons – five athletes and two supporters of athletics.

• This year’s group of five athletes feature three football players, one basketball performer and one two-sport star.

Headlining the quintet of athletes is four-time All-America receiver Jacquay Nunnally (1997-2000), who still reigns as the NCAA Division I FCS career pass receiving leader with 318 regular season receptions.

Joining Nunnally is two-time All-America left tackle Terry Beauford (1989, 1990), who played several seasons in the National Football League (Green Bay, San Diego) and his FAMU teammate, quarterback Antoine “Tony” Ezell (1988-91), who was the first Rattler quarterback to throw for over 4,000 yards, finishing his career with 6,620 yards – the third highest total in school history.

Also slated for induction is basketball performer Aldwin Ware (1984-88), a Black College All-American in 1988, who led NCAA Division One in steals with 142, helping lead the Rattlers to a 22-8 finish and a berth in the finals of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament.

The fifth athlete to be honored will be Leon “Tex’ Collier (1956-59), a strapping 6-9 two-way tackle for the FAMU Football team, who also played forward for the Rattler Basketball team. Collier played on the 1957 and 1958 basketball conference title winners, three football conference championship teams (1956, 1957, 1958) and the 1957 national championship football team.

• The supporters of athletics are persons who made a significant contribution in a service-related role and/or financially to the program.

This year’s duo of supporters include Keith Miles, the “Voice of The Rattlers,” as the anchor of the FAMU Football Radio broadcasts since 1984 and former Director of FAMU’s Office of Alumni Affairs, and the Rev. Dr. Edward Scott, area dentist and pastor, who has been a staunch supporter of the university and athletics through the Rattler Boosters and the National Alumni Association.

Tickets for the event are $35 and can be purchased from the FAMU Athletic Ticket Office at the front entrance to the FAMU Teaching Gymnasium, beginning mid-July, or from members of the Sports Hall of Fame Steering Committee. Contact Dr. Joseph P. Ramsey, Chairperson at (850) 906-9150.

2009 FAMU SPORTS HALL OF FAME ENSHIREMENT CLASS
Beauford, Terry            Football (1986-90)
Collier, Leon                 Basketball & Football (1956-59)
Ezell, Tony                   Football (1988-91)
Miles, Keith                  Supporter
Nunnally, Jacquay       Football (1997-2000)
Scott, Dr. Edward        Supporter
Ware, Aldwin               Basketball (1984-88)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (June 29) - ESPNU will televise two Florida A&M Football games on Thursday nights as part of the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference television package this fall.

The Winston-Salem State University road game (Sept. 10) and Howard University home game (Sept. 17) will air live nationally on ESPNU beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

The 30th Florida Classic is also tenatively slated to air on one of the ESPN networks, which will be announced later.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (June 29) - The 2009 Florida A&M University Football Schedule is now set with the announcement last week of the starting time for the 30th Florida Classic between FAMU and Bethune-Cookman University in Orlando on November 21.

The 11-game schedule will feature four home games in venerable Bragg Memorial Stadium, kicking off with the 2009 season opener against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival Delaware State University at 6:00 p.m.

FAMU will then have two straight Thursday night games televised live nationally by ESPNU - the September 10 road clash at Winston-Salem State University and the September 17 home bout against Howard University. Both games will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

The Rattlers will then embark on a three-game, four-week road tour, starting off in Atlanta for the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic, September 26 against Tennessee State University in the Georgia Dome, with kickoff slated for 3:30 p.m. Eastern.

The midseason road tour continues after an open date on October 3, as the Rattlers travel to Miami to take on the University of Miami at Pro Player Stadium (formerly Joe Robbie Stadium) on October 10. The start time has not be set for that battle which will mark the 30th anniversary of the Rattlers' 16-13 upset of UM in 1979 at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.

Defending MEAC champion South Carolina State University will draw the Rattlers next in what is sure to be a "Showcase Showdown" between arguably the top two title contenders in 2009, on October 17 at Oliver Dawson/Bulldog Stadium. Kickoff will be 2:00 p.m.

Homecoming 2009 will see the Rattlers back in Bragg after four weeks away on October 24, when they host Norfolk State University at 3:00 p.m., then FAMU heads north to Baltimore for a 4:00 p.m. showdown with Morgan State University at Earl Banks Stadium on October 31.

The month of November will have three games to close out the 2009 campaign, starting off with the final home game for FAMU November 7, as North Carolina A&T State University invades Bragg for a 3:00 p.m. tilt, followed by back-to-back road games, November 14 at Hampton (Va.) University at 1 p.m., ending with the season-ending Showdown In O-Town, November 21, between FAMU and B-CU, starting at 2:30 p.m.

Please note that game times and dates may be subject to change.

2009 FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY RATTLER FOOTBALL SCHEDULE   

Sept. 5            DELAWARE STATE  (6:00)*            HOME
Sept. 10            at Winston-Salem State (7:30) TV            Winston-Salem, NC
Sept. 17        HOWARD (7:30)* TV                    HOME       
Sept. 26            Tennessee State (3:30)@                    Atlanta, GA
Oct. 10            at University of Miami (TBA)                Miami, FL
Oct. 17            at South Carolina State (2:00)*            Orangeburg, SC   
Oct. 24            NORFOLK STATE (3:00)*                HOMECOMING       
Oct. 31            at Morgan State (4:00)*                    Baltimore, MD       
Nov. 7            NORTH CAROLINA A&T (3:00)*        HOME       
Nov. 14            at Hampton University (1:00)*            Hampton, VA   
Nov. 21            Bethune-Cookman  (2:30)$*                Orlando, FL
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(*)-Conference Games; @-Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic 21 – Georgia Dome
($)-Florida Classic 30 – Florida Citrus Bowl; TV-TELEVISED GAMES

   

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. (May 8)  - Florida A&M took advantage of numerous Hampton miscues Friday evening to defeat the Lady Pirates, 8-0 in five innings, advancing to the championship round of the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Softball Tournament at the Ormond Beach  Sports Complex.

Florida A&M (28-30) which dropped a 4-3 decision to Bethune-Cookman University in the semifinals on Friday morning, will face their archrivals for the 2009 MEAC Championship here Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

A second and deciding game, if needed, would start at 3:30 p.m.

The Lady Rattlers, who are 3-1 in the tournament so far, are in search of their ninth league title and their third in the last five years, must defeat Bethune-Cookman (3-0 in tournament play) twice on Saturday to lay claim to the league crown.

In Friday evening’s elimination final, FAMU managed three hits, but were aided by Hampton’s three  errors, three hit-by-pitches, and two wild pitches.
 
Nicole Terryn, Joyce Harold and Jasmine Donaldson had FAMU’s three hits Friday evening, while Tiffany Brents led Hampton (26-23) with two hits.

Amanda Reyes (20-15) in her fourth game on the mound for the Lady Rattlers picked up the win, as she allowed three hits and striking out seven in five innings of work.

Rhianna Green scored FAMU’s first run in the bottom of the of first on a  HU’s infielders error.  Shayla Clark would then be hit by a pitch with the bases loaded scoring Alesha Wells, which was followed by a Harold single up the middle scoring Brianna Weaver.

Raven Johnson would hit into a fielder’s choice to score Terryn, followed a pair of Lady Pirate infielder’s errors which would score both Harold and Johnson, giving the Lady Rattlers a 6-0 lead.

 

FAMU would plate two more runs in the bottom of the third as Donaldson singled up the middle scoring Harold, and then Donaldson would score on a HU’s infielder’s error for the 8-0 final.

Earlier in the day, Florida A&M dropped into the loser’s bracket of as arch rival Bethune-Cookman defeated the Lady Rattlers 4-3, suffering their first loss against a MEAC opponent this season.

FAMU finished with 12 hits led by Rhianna Green with three, followed by Shayla Clark and Jasmine Donaldson with two hits each.

B-CU (20-34) tallied nine hits and were led by Ashley Taylor with a team high three hits, while Allison Garcia finished with two hits.

Garcia (16-24) picked the win for the Lady Wildcats, giving up two earned runs and striking out five in seven innings, while Amanda Reyes took the loss for the Lady Rattlers, as she gave up nine hits, one earned run and struck out seven in seven innings of play.

Green gave FAMU a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as she scored on a Nicole Terryn hit to left field. 

The Lady Rattlers increased their lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the second as Joyce Harold scored on a Green double to left field.

B-CU took advantage of two FAMU infielder’s errors, scoring Ashley Taylor and Ashton Hinds, followed by a Sabrina Ferguson single to left field scoring Garcia, putting the Lady Wildcats ahead 3-2 in the top of the third.

An illegal pitch scored Garcia, increasing the Lady Wildcats lead to 4-2 in the top the fifth.

FAMU pushed across a run in the bottom of the sixth as Donaldson scored on a B-CU’s infielder error, for the 4-3 final

 

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. (May 8)  - Florida A&M took advantage of numerous Hampton miscues Friday evening to defeat the Lady Pirates, 8-0 in five innings, advancing to the championship round of the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Softball Tournament at the Ormond Beach  Sports Complex.

Florida A&M (28-30) which dropped a 4-3 decision to Bethune-Cookman University in the semifinals on Friday morning, will face their archrivals for the 2009 MEAC Championship here Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

A second and deciding game, if needed, would start at 3:30 p.m.

The Lady Rattlers, who are 3-1 in the tournament so far, are in search of their ninth league title and their third in the last five years, must defeat Bethune-Cookman (3-0 in tournament play) twice on Saturday to lay claim to the league crown.

In Friday evening’s elimination final, FAMU managed three hits, but were aided by Hampton’s three  errors, three hit-by-pitches, and two wild pitches.
 
Nicole Terryn, Joyce Harold and Jasmine Donaldson had FAMU’s three hits Friday evening, while Tiffany Brents led Hampton (26-23) with two hits.

Amanda Reyes (20-15) in her fourth game on the mound for the Lady Rattlers picked up the win, as she allowed three hits and striking out seven in five innings of work.

Rhianna Green scored FAMU’s first run in the bottom of the of first on a  HU’s infielders error.  Shayla Clark would then be hit by a pitch with the bases loaded scoring Alesha Wells, which was followed by a Harold single up the middle scoring Brianna Weaver.

Raven Johnson would hit into a fielder’s choice to score Terryn, followed a pair of Lady Pirate infielder’s errors which would score both Harold and Johnson, giving the Lady Rattlers a 6-0 lead.

 

FAMU would plate two more runs in the bottom of the third as Donaldson singled up the middle scoring Harold, and then Donaldson would score on a HU’s infielder’s error for the 8-0 final.

Earlier in the day, Florida A&M dropped into the loser’s bracket of as arch rival Bethune-Cookman defeated the Lady Rattlers 4-3, suffering their first loss against a MEAC opponent this season.

FAMU finished with 12 hits led by Rhianna Green with three, followed by Shayla Clark and Jasmine Donaldson with two hits each.

B-CU (20-34) tallied nine hits and were led by Ashley Taylor with a team high three hits, while Allison Garcia finished with two hits.

Garcia (16-24) picked the win for the Lady Wildcats, giving up two earned runs and striking out five in seven innings, while Amanda Reyes took the loss for the Lady Rattlers, as she gave up nine hits, one earned run and struck out seven in seven innings of play.

Green gave FAMU a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as she scored on a Nicole Terryn hit to left field. 

The Lady Rattlers increased their lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the second as Joyce Harold scored on a Green double to left field.

B-CU took advantage of two FAMU infielder’s errors, scoring Ashley Taylor and Ashton Hinds, followed by a Sabrina Ferguson single to left field scoring Garcia, putting the Lady Wildcats ahead 3-2 in the top of the third.

An illegal pitch scored Garcia, increasing the Lady Wildcats lead to 4-2 in the top the fifth.

FAMU pushed across a run in the bottom of the sixth as Donaldson scored on a B-CU’s infielder error, for the 4-3 final

 

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. (May 8)  - Florida A&M took advantage of numerous Hampton miscues Friday evening to defeat the Lady Pirates, 8-0 in five innings, advancing to the championship round of the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Softball Tournament at the Ormond Beach  Sports Complex.

Florida A&M (28-30) which dropped a 4-3 decision to Bethune-Cookman University in the semifinals on Friday morning, will face their archrivals for the 2009 MEAC Championship here Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

A second and deciding game, if needed, would start at 3:30 p.m.

The Lady Rattlers, who are 3-1 in the tournament so far, are in search of their ninth league title and their third in the last five years, must defeat Bethune-Cookman (3-0 in tournament play) twice on Saturday to lay claim to the league crown.

In Friday evening’s elimination final, FAMU managed three hits, but were aided by Hampton’s three  errors, three hit-by-pitches, and two wild pitches.
 
Nicole Terryn, Joyce Harold and Jasmine Donaldson had FAMU’s three hits Friday evening, while Tiffany Brents led Hampton (26-23) with two hits.

Amanda Reyes (20-15) in her fourth game on the mound for the Lady Rattlers picked up the win, as she allowed three hits and striking out seven in five innings of work.

Rhianna Green scored FAMU’s first run in the bottom of the of first on a  HU’s infielders error.  Shayla Clark would then be hit by a pitch with the bases loaded scoring Alesha Wells, which was followed by a Harold single up the middle scoring Brianna Weaver.

Raven Johnson would hit into a fielder’s choice to score Terryn, followed a pair of Lady Pirate infielder’s errors which would score both Harold and Johnson, giving the Lady Rattlers a 6-0 lead.

 

FAMU would plate two more runs in the bottom of the third as Donaldson singled up the middle scoring Harold, and then Donaldson would score on a HU’s infielder’s error for the 8-0 final.

Earlier in the day, Florida A&M dropped into the loser’s bracket of as arch rival Bethune-Cookman defeated the Lady Rattlers 4-3, suffering their first loss against a MEAC opponent this season.

FAMU finished with 12 hits led by Rhianna Green with three, followed by Shayla Clark and Jasmine Donaldson with two hits each.

B-CU (20-34) tallied nine hits and were led by Ashley Taylor with a team high three hits, while Allison Garcia finished with two hits.

Garcia (16-24) picked the win for the Lady Wildcats, giving up two earned runs and striking out five in seven innings, while Amanda Reyes took the loss for the Lady Rattlers, as she gave up nine hits, one earned run and struck out seven in seven innings of play.

Green gave FAMU a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as she scored on a Nicole Terryn hit to left field. 

The Lady Rattlers increased their lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the second as Joyce Harold scored on a Green double to left field.

B-CU took advantage of two FAMU infielder’s errors, scoring Ashley Taylor and Ashton Hinds, followed by a Sabrina Ferguson single to left field scoring Garcia, putting the Lady Wildcats ahead 3-2 in the top of the third.

An illegal pitch scored Garcia, increasing the Lady Wildcats lead to 4-2 in the top the fifth.

FAMU pushed across a run in the bottom of the sixth as Donaldson scored on a B-CU’s infielder error, for the 4-3 final

 

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. (May 8)  - Florida A&M took advantage of numerous Hampton miscues Friday evening to defeat the Lady Pirates, 8-0 in five innings, advancing to the championship round of the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Softball Tournament at the Ormond Beach  Sports Complex.

Florida A&M (28-30) which dropped a 4-3 decision to Bethune-Cookman University in the semifinals on Friday morning, will face their archrivals for the 2009 MEAC Championship here Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

A second and deciding game, if needed, would start at 3:30 p.m.

The Lady Rattlers, who are 3-1 in the tournament so far, are in search of their ninth league title and their third in the last five years, must defeat Bethune-Cookman (3-0 in tournament play) twice on Saturday to lay claim to the league crown.

In Friday evening’s elimination final, FAMU managed three hits, but were aided by Hampton’s three  errors, three hit-by-pitches, and two wild pitches.
 
Nicole Terryn, Joyce Harold and Jasmine Donaldson had FAMU’s three hits Friday evening, while Tiffany Brents led Hampton (26-23) with two hits.

Amanda Reyes (20-15) in her fourth game on the mound for the Lady Rattlers picked up the win, as she allowed three hits and striking out seven in five innings of work.

Rhianna Green scored FAMU’s first run in the bottom of the of first on a  HU’s infielders error.  Shayla Clark would then be hit by a pitch with the bases loaded scoring Alesha Wells, which was followed by a Harold single up the middle scoring Brianna Weaver.

Raven Johnson would hit into a fielder’s choice to score Terryn, followed a pair of Lady Pirate infielder’s errors which would score both Harold and Johnson, giving the Lady Rattlers a 6-0 lead.

FAMU would plate two more runs in the bottom of the third as Donaldson singled up the middle scoring Harold, and then Donaldson would score on a HU’s infielder’s error for the 8-0 final.

Earlier in the day, Florida A&M dropped into the loser’s bracket of as arch rival Bethune-Cookman defeated the Lady Rattlers 4-3, suffering their first loss against a MEAC opponent this season.

FAMU finished with 12 hits led by Rhianna Green with three, followed by Shayla Clark and Jasmine Donaldson with two hits each.

B-CU (20-34) tallied nine hits and were led by Ashley Taylor with a team high three hits, while Allison Garcia finished with two hits.

Garcia (16-24) picked the win for the Lady Wildcats, giving up two earned runs and striking out five in seven innings, while Amanda Reyes took the loss for the Lady Rattlers, as she gave up nine hits, one earned run and struck out seven in seven innings of play.

Green gave FAMU a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as she scored on a Nicole Terryn hit to left field. 

The Lady Rattlers increased their lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the second as Joyce Harold scored on a Green double to left field.

B-CU took advantage of two FAMU infielder’s errors, scoring Ashley Taylor and Ashton Hinds, followed by a Sabrina Ferguson single to left field scoring Garcia, putting the Lady Wildcats ahead 3-2 in the top of the third.

An illegal pitch scored Garcia, increasing the Lady Wildcats lead to 4-2 in the top the fifth.

FAMU pushed across a run in the bottom of the sixth as Donaldson scored on a B-CU’s infielder error, for the 4-3 final

 

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. (May 8)  - Florida A&M took advantage of numerous Hampton miscues Friday evening to defeat the Lady Pirates, 8-0 in five innings, advancing to the championship round of the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Softball Tournament at the Ormond Beach  Sports Complex.

Florida A&M (28-30) which dropped a 4-3 decision to Bethune-Cookman University in the semifinals on Friday morning, will face their archrivals for the 2009 MEAC Championship here Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

A second and deciding game, if needed, would start at 3:30 p.m.

The Lady Rattlers, who are 3-1 in the tournament so far, are in search of their ninth league title and their third in the last five years, must defeat Bethune-Cookman (3-0 in tournament play) twice on Saturday to lay claim to the league crown.

In Friday evening’s elimination final, FAMU managed three hits, but were aided by Hampton’s three  errors, three hit-by-pitches, and two wild pitches.
 
Nicole Terryn, Joyce Harold and Jasmine Donaldson had FAMU’s three hits Friday evening, while Tiffany Brents led Hampton (26-23) with two hits.

Amanda Reyes (20-15) in her fourth game on the mound for the Lady Rattlers picked up the win, as she allowed three hits and striking out seven in five innings of work.

Rhianna Green scored FAMU’s first run in the bottom of the of first on a  HU’s infielders error.  Shayla Clark would then be hit by a pitch with the bases loaded scoring Alesha Wells, which was followed by a Harold single up the middle scoring Brianna Weaver.

Raven Johnson would hit into a fielder’s choice to score Terryn, followed a pair of Lady Pirate infielder’s errors which would score both Harold and Johnson, giving the Lady Rattlers a 6-0 lead.

FAMU would plate two more runs in the bottom of the third as Donaldson singled up the middle scoring Harold, and then Donaldson would score on a HU’s infielder’s error for the 8-0 final.

Earlier in the day, Florida A&M dropped into the loser’s bracket of as arch rival Bethune-Cookman defeated the Lady Rattlers 4-3, suffering their first loss against a MEAC opponent this season.

FAMU finished with 12 hits led by Rhianna Green with three, followed by Shayla Clark and Jasmine Donaldson with two hits each.

B-CU (20-34) tallied nine hits and were led by Ashley Taylor with a team high three hits, while Allison Garcia finished with two hits.

Garcia (16-24) picked the win for the Lady Wildcats, giving up two earned runs and striking out five in seven innings, while Amanda Reyes took the loss for the Lady Rattlers, as she gave up nine hits, one earned run and struck out seven in seven innings of play.

Green gave FAMU a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as she scored on a Nicole Terryn hit to left field. 

The Lady Rattlers increased their lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the second as Joyce Harold scored on a Green double to left field.

B-CU took advantage of two FAMU infielder’s errors, scoring Ashley Taylor and Ashton Hinds, followed by a Sabrina Ferguson single to left field scoring Garcia, putting the Lady Wildcats ahead 3-2 in the top of the third.

An illegal pitch scored Garcia, increasing the Lady Wildcats lead to 4-2 in the top the fifth.

FAMU pushed across a run in the bottom of the sixth as Donaldson scored on a B-CU’s infielder error, for the 4-3 final

 

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (May 7) – The Florida A&M Men’s Golf team will be among a talented field of teams competing this weekend for the Division One title at the 2009 PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship.
The three-round, stroke play event begins Friday, May 8 lasting through Sunday, May 10 here at The PGA Golf Club.

Coach Marvin Green’s club, which is led by senior James Petty Jr., along with 2009-10 SGA President Gallup Franklin, Shepherd Archie, Elijah Jackson and Wesley Yates, will be seeking the school’s second title this year.

FAMU won the 2000 national title, and has recorded three straight Top Five finishes, after being atop or near the top of the leader board going into the final round.

The PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship originated from a meeting in November 1986 following the Jackson State (Miss.) University Golf Tournament.

The late Dr. Herschel Cochrane, Dr. Joe D. Saunders of the National Negro Golf Association, Jackson State University Golf Coach Eddie Payton, Rose Harper-Elder of the Sports Management Institute and William (Bill) Dickey founder of the Bill Dickey Scholarship Association and the 1999 PGA Distinguished Service Award winner, are credited as the founders of this Championship.

The goal was to elevate the game of golf in minority colleges and universities by giving them a chance to compete in a championship because of being denied opportunities to compete in NCAA Collegiate Golf events.

The first Championship was conducted in the spring of 1987 at Highland Park Golf Course in Cleveland, Ohio. Since 1998, The PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., has been host to the Championship.

In 2006, The PGA of America was granted complete ownership and management of the championship by the National Minority Collegiate Golf Scholarship Fund.

Daily results can be viewed at the PGA official website, www.PGA.com.

 ORMOND BEACH, Fla. ( May 7) - The Florida A&M University Softball team advanced to Friday's semifinals in the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Softball Tournament as they defeated Delaware State, 5-1, in quarterfinal action, here Thursday evening at the Ormond Beach Softball Complex.
 
 FAMU (27-29) won their eighth straight game and captured their 12 win in their last 16 games Thursday evening, after finishing with eight hits, led by Alesha Wells, Brianna Weaver and Nicole Terryn, all with two hits each. Terryn also finished with a game high four RBIs.
   
The Lady Rattlers rode the arm of junior Amanda Reyes (19-17) once again as she got the win - her second of the tournament - by going the distance, allowing five hits, one earned run and striking out four in seven innings of work.
 
 Brittney Ruark (17-11) took the loss for the Lady Hornets (23-21), giving up six hits, five earned runs and striking out three in four and two-thirds innings of work.
 
 It was a game that started out as pitcher's duel, with both pitchers only yielding one hit, after three innings of play.
 
 However, it was Terryn's three-run homer in the bottom of the fourth that broke up the scoring drought, scoring both Courtney Harold and Alesha Wells, giving FAMU a 3-0 lead.
 
 The Lady Rattlers plated two runs in the bottom of the fifth to increase their lead to 4-0, as Brianna Weaver singled to right field scoring Jasmine Donaldson.  Then a Terryn single to up the middle scored Rhianna Green, giving FAMU a 5-0 lead.
 
 DSU pushed across a run in the top of the seventh as Jojo Shields singled to left field scoring Tawny Reeger for the 5-1 final.
 
 WHAT'S NEXT: FAMU will return to action tomorrow as they will face Bethune-Cookman University at 11:30 a.m., in semifinal action, with the winner advancing to Saturday's 1:00 p.m. championship game.
 
 

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. (May 7) - The Florida A&M University Softball team used a four-run first and five-run third to barrell past Maryland Eastern Shore, 10-2 in five innings in the first game of the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Softball Tourney, here Thursday morning at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.
 
FAMU (26-29)  finished with 11 hits, led by Rhianna Green with three hits, followed by Alesha Wells, Brianna Weaver and Shayla Clark, who finished with two hits each.
   
Amanda Reyes (18-17), the 2009 MEAC Pitcher of the Year, picked up the win for FAMU, allowing three hits and striking out six in five innings.
 
Mishayla Truttman (3-6) got the loss for the UMES (20-17), giving up six hits, six earned runs and striking out one in two innings of work.
 
The Lady Rattlers grabbed the early lead in the bottom of the first as Brianna Weaver singled to right field scoring Green for a 1-0 FAMU lead.

Weaver would later score on a Shayla Clark single up the middle for  a 2-0 count, then a UMES infielder’s error allowed both Clark and Nicole Terryn to score for a 4-0 FAMU lead.
 
FAMU increased their lead in the bottom of the third as Megan Moore was walked with the bases loaded, scoring Clark, making the score, 5-0.

A Lady Hawks’ wild pitch cleared the bases for FAMU, scoring Jasmine Donaldson, Raven Johnson and Joyce Harold for an 8-0 advantage, followed by a Weaver single scoring Alysha Wells, making the score, 9-0 FAMU.
 
 The Lady Hawks got on the board in the top of the fourth on a pair of doubles with Hannah Mills scoring a Kendra Saunders double to left field, with Saunders later scoring on an Ebony Hahn double to left field, cutting FAMU’s lead to 9-2.
 
Donaldson scored the Lady Rattlers' final run of the game as Green hit an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth for a 10-2 lead.
 
WHAT'S NEXT: FAMU will return to action at 7 p.m. Thursday, as they take on the winner of the 1:30 p.m. Delaware State-Norfolk State opening round game.

ORMOND BEACH, FLA. (May 7) - The 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Softball Championship gets underway here Thursday, May 7 beginning at 10 a.m. as Florida A&M, the #1 seed in the Southern Division will face Maryland E. Shore, the #4 team from the North.

Also playing at 10 a.m. will by the North's top seed, Howard University, who will face the South's #4 seed, North Carolina A&T.

Games three and four, pitting Bethune-Cookman (South 2) against Hampton (North 3) and Delaware State (North 2) against Norfolk State (South 3), will begin at 1:30 p.m.  

Two second round games will be played in the loser's bracket Thursday at 4:30 p.m., followed by two winner’s bracket contests at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday’s two 7:00 p.m. game winners will advance to the final in the winner’s bracket on Friday at 11:30 a.m.

Four elimination games are slated for Friday as well, beginning at 9:00 a.m. with the winners of Thursday’s 4:30 games against the losers of Thursday’s 7:00 bouts.

The winners of those two early games will meet at 3:30 p.m. Friday, with the survivor of that game advancing to face the loser of the 11:30 a.m. winner’s bracket final at 5:30 p.m.

The winner of Friday’s 5:30 game will face the winner of Friday’s 11:30 a.m. contest in Saturday’s championship finale set for 1:00 p.m.
 
Admission for the 2009 MEAC Softball Championship is $5 for children, students and seniors.  Ticket prices for the entire tournament are $12. Tickets are available at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex beginning on May 7.

MORE FAMU TOURNAMENT NOTES
FAMU riding a wave into tournament
The Florida A&M Lady Rattlers (25-29, 12-0 in MEAC) come into the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship riding a positive swing in recent games…. Winners of six straight and 10 of their last 14, FAMU may be peaking at the right time, after just seven wins in their first 30 games (7-23)… FAMU played their traditional heavy tournament schedule in the first half of the season before diving into league play….. The Lady Rattlers are 18-6 after a doubleheader sweep of Savannah State on March 14, which also handed Coach Veronica Wiggins here 500th career win…..

Lady Rattlers seeking ninth conference title
FAMU, which has won eight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles since the league began championship play in 1993, has endured a two-year title drought (2007, 2008) after winning back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006… Prior to those back-to-back crowns, FAMU had gone five frustrating seasons (2000-01-02-02-04) without a title, as their archrivals, Bethune-Cookman began a run of success winning five straight pennants…. FAMU won six of the first seven league titles (1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999) and have made four other finals appearances (196, 2001, 2002, 2003)…. Overall, FAMU is 52-18 in league tournament play….

FAMU SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS
Year   MEAC Record* Overall
2006        14-0            40-25
2005        11-5            37-33
1999        13-3            34-31
1998        11-3            38-35
1997          9-3            43-22
1995        10-2            20-32
1994        12-0            34-29
1993        12-0            34-25

(*)-Regular season

FAMU finishes fifth perfect MEAC season
Florida A&M finished their fifth perfect season in MEAC this year, turning in a 12-0 record…. That could prove to be feather in their cap as their four previous unbeaten clubs reached the conference finals, with three coming home with the ultimate prize… The lone blemish on the record – the 1996 squad – suffered a pair of heartbreaking 1-0 losses in the finals to Hampton University….

FAMU SOFTBALL’S PERFECT SEASONS
Year    Record *     Final Result
2009        12-0        ??????
2006        14-0        Won MEAC Title
1996        12-0        MEAC Runnerups
1994        12-0        Won MEAC Title
1993        12-0        Won MEAC Title

FAMU seeking first Ormond Beach crown since 1999
The Lady Rattlers will be seeking to win their second title at the Ormond Beach venue, having captured the title of the first tourney held there in 1999…. FAMU is 1-3 all-time in finals at Ormond Beach (W, 1999; L, 2001; L, 2001; L, 2003)…

MEAC Tournament began at Florida A&M in 1993
Florida A&M, the all-time leader in championships for women’s softball in MEAC history, was the first host of the tournament from 1993 through 1998…. FAMU was a near imperfect host, winning all but of the tournaments (1996) held in Tallahassee….

Lady Rattlers remain top of the league
In 17 seasons of softball competition in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, the Lady Rattlers have won 181 regular season games – tops in the MEAC…. FAMU has a 181-50 mark with this year’s tournament looming ahead…

Milestone coach Wiggins hits 500 club
Florida A&M coach Veronica Wiggins is in her 18th season at the helm in Tallahassee, having fashioned a 500-win career with the Lady Rattlers…. The 1990 graduate of FAMU owns a 517-581 career record including this year’s 25-29 rebound season…. After winning back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006, FAMU languished through back-to-back 40-loss seasons and a 12-14 conference mark the past two years, making this year’s performance all the more outstanding…. Because of the tournament-heavy schedule FAMU plays in the first half of the year (25 games in five tournaments in the first seven weeks of the season), the Lady Rattlers have a record which reflect some of that stiffer competition…. But
Wiggins has always believed that the quality competition will help her teams during the rigors of conference play….

FAMU looking for another NCAA trip too…
The Lady Rattlers are hopeful of returning to the NCAA Tournament should they capture the MEAC title, which would be their seventh postseason trip overall and their fourth regional bid all-time…. FAMU’s previous postseason appearances began with NCAA Play-In series in 1995, 1997 and 1998, with their final four trips being of the regional variety in 1999, 2005 and 2006, when the league was awarded an automatic NCAA berth after the tournament field expanded from 48 teams to 64 teams.

Amanda Reyes may be FAMU’s missing piece
In FAMU Softball’s previous title winners, the Lady Rattlers have always had a dominant pitcher…. After two years of struggle as they sought to replace all-time strikeouts and wins leader Danielle Brown and 2006 MEAC Rookie of the Year Tiffany Johnson, now a part of the rotation at Georgia Tech, FAMU may have found an answer to that need in junior twirler Amanda Reyes… The California native, who was a star hurler for nearby Tallahassee Community College, is coming off a super weekend, when she tossed a perfect game and a two-hitter in the three-game series against South Carolina State…. Reyes finished the regular season at 17-17, but posted a perfect 8-0 in league competition… She recorded 170 strikeouts in 215.1 inninings of work with a nifty 2.54 ERA, 19 complete games and three (3) saves…. She has tossed nine shutouts and posted an earlier no-hitter, giving her two no-nos this season…. She ranks nationally in the Top 30 in both saves (23) and shutouts (29)….

Oliphant FAMU’s “Ms. Versatile”
Florida, New York native (no, that’s not a misprint) Melissa Oliphant would likely been listed as “Most Versatile” on this year’s Lady Rattler squad…. The club’s top offensive performer, Oliphant is hitting .327 with five (5) homer runs, 26 RBIs in 52 games…. She has a club-high 18 extra base hits with 10 doubles and three triples, plus the five round trippers, rnaking second in hits (52) and runs (23)…. When she isn’t playing shortstop, Oliphant is in the pitching circle, having turned in an 8-5 record with 44 strikeouts in 90.1 innings, with a 4.11 ERA…

Veterans playing leading roles
Seven upperclassmen have been a big part of the revived FAMU Softball fortunes this season, led by the multi-talented Oliphant…. Seniors Rhianna Green (.302, 4 triples, 15 RBI, 29 runs scored, 13 stolen bases), Nicole Terryn (.300, 5 extra base hits, 14 RBI) and Alesha Wells (.261) are next in the pack behind Oliphant…. Juniors Ashley Jones (.261, 6 doubles, 2 HRs, 17 RBI) and Joyce Harold (.191, eight extra base hits, 12 RBI, 11 stolen bases) have also contributed to the cause as well….

Newcomers having instant impact too
Several new faces have helped fuel the resurgent Lady Rattlers this season, led by Reyes on the mound, along with freshmen Briana Weaver, Raven Johnson, Jasmin Donaldson, Tara Vincent and Megan Moore…. Weaver (.255, 5 extra base hits, 10 RBI), Johnson (.254), Donaldson (.280, 42 hits, 10 RBI, 10 stolen bases), Vincent (.264, 5 extra base hits, 2 HRs, 8 RBI) and Moore (.211, 5 doubles, 13 RBI) have all seen serious playing time this season…. Vincent, who has missed the past 20 games due to injury, is due back in time for the tournament, which is good news for FAMU….

Snake Bites and Ginger Snaps….
Seven of the 13 Lady Rattlers on the roster hail from outside the Sunshine State…. The Harold sisters, Joyce (junior) and Courtney (freshman) are from the Motor City of Detroit…. Amanda Reyes (Scotts Valley) and Rhianna Green (Union City) are this year’s California girls… Decatur, Georgia can lay claim to two freshmen Lady Rattlers, Raven Johnson (Southwest DeKalb HS) and Megan Moore (Decatur HS), while junior Melissa Oliphant hails from one of the best-named hometowns, Florida, New York….. Head coach Veronica Wiggins is the longest tenured softball coach in the MEAC with 18 years of continuous service since taking the reins of the program in 1992…. Wiggins actually had a hand in bringing the fastpitch game to FAMU in 1988, when she served as an assistant coach for two seasons under Sandra Pearsall (1988, 1989), who was hired to convert the Lady Rattlers from slowpitch to fastpitch….

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (May 6) -  Florida A&M’s Amanda Reyes was selected as the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year it was announced Wednesday afternoon.
 
Post season awards were to be distributed to all honorees during a pre-tournament banquet Wednesday night at the Center for Civil Engagement on the campus of Bethune-Cookman University.

All awards are voted on by the conference’s head softball coaches and sports information directors.

Reyes finished the season with a 17-17 record, including three saves, and an ERA of 2.54 in 215.1 innings, second most in the MEAC.  

She was undefeated in conference play with an 8-0 mark, and two saves, and recorded a conference low ERA of 0.36. She led the MEAC in 33 pitching statistical categories including but not limited to saves (3), innings per game (4.68), hits allowed per game (6.73), runs allowed per game (3.58), strikeouts per game (5.53), walks allowed per game (2.11), earned runs per game (2.54) and home runs allowed per game (0.20).

Her consistent play from the circle helped the Lady Rattlers to an unblemished 12-0 overall record and the southern divisional title.

Joining Reyes on the All-MEAC team from FAMU were senior outfielder Rhianna Green of Union City, California and freshman outfielder Jasmin Donaldson of Rockledge, Florida.

Norfolk State led all MEAC teams with five student-athletes who earned post season honors.  Two student-athletes received first team selections and three were named to the second team.  Delaware State and Maryland Eastern Shore picked up four first and second-team honorees followed by Florida A&M who had three named to the MEAC’s post season teams.

Joining Reyes (FAMU) and Hill (NCAT) on the first-team were Alyssa Velazquez (NSU), Meghan Ramsey (NSU), Kelsi Saunders (HAM), Evelyn Garcia (HAM), Tamara Griffin (MSU), Mishayla Truttman (UMES), Andrea Waters (DSU), Rhianna Green (FAMU), and Kendra Saunders (UMES).

Florida A&M will close out its' home baseball schedule Monday, May 11 against the North Carolina A&T Aggies at 1:00 p.m. at Moore-Kittles Field.

This game will close out a three-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference series originally scheduled for March 28-29 that was shortened due to rain.

Monday's game will be critical as the two schools are tied for third in the MEAC standings at 9-8 and pairings for the 2009 MEAC Tournament, set for next Thursday-Sunday, May 14-17 (in Daytona Beach, Florida) will hinge on the outcome of the game.

A win would boost the Rattlers to 10-8 and lock up the #3 seed in the tournament, but a loss would drop them into a three-way tie for fourth with Maryland-Eastern Shore and Norfolk State, both of which finished 9-9 in league play.

The scheduled three-game baseball series between Florida A&M and Texas Southern University will open on Friday, May 8 with a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader at Moore-Kittles Field, rather than with a 1:00 p.m. Thursday single game as previously announced.

Saturday's single game will start at 12 noon.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (May 2) – Florida A&M  junior rightpitcher Amanda Reyes was perfect from the circle Saturday afternoon, tossing the first perfect game ever for the Lady Rattler Softball team in a 7-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference series opening win over South Carolina State on the FAMU campus.

The opening win and the 12-1 victory in the second half of Saturday’s twinbill lifted FAMU to 24-29 overall and 11-0 in the MEAC with only Sunday’s regular season finale (12 noon) remaining.

Reyes (16-17), a Scotts Valley, California native, faced the minimum 21 batters for a seven inning game Saturday, striking out seven against South Carolina State, allowing no walks and no base runners.

The junior righthander, who did a tour at Tallahassee Community College before coming to Florida A&M, had already tossed a no-hitter earlier this season, an 8-0 decision on March 19 against Savannah State.

Saturday’s win boosted her 2009 record against MEAC competition to 7-0, with a possible encore performance coming Sunday in the final game of the series.

In the opener, FAMU finished with 11 hits led by Nicoile Terryn, who had two hits and two runs driven in, followed by two hits each from Joyce Harold and Raven Johnson.

FAMU scored three runs in the third for a 3-0 cushion, adding a pair of runs in the fourth and single runs in the fifth and sixth innings.

Game Two went only five innings as South Carolina State (7-29, 0-11 in MEAC) succumbed early under a 13-hit FAMU attack, falling behind 8-0 after three innings.

The Lady Rattlers broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the bottom of the second, then added five in the third and four in the fourth, after SCSU plated its’ only run of the day in the top of the fourth.

Joyce Harold, Jasmine Donaldson and Melissa Oliphant led a quintet of FAMU performers with two hits in the second game, with Harold and Donaldson each driving in three runs, while Oliphant added a pair of RBIs. Briana Weaver and Megan Moore also had two hits and an RBI each.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Lady Rattlers close out their regular season schedule today at 12 noon against South Carolina State on the FAMU campus.

GREENSBORO. N.C. (May 2) – The Florida A&M Men’s Track team finished eighth in the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship at Irwin Belk Track Saturday.

The Rattler thinclads finished the three-day event with 39 points, while defending champion Norfolk State (133.50) captured the overall men’s title. Hampton (104) and Maryland-Eastern Shore (93.50) finished second and third.

Notable Rattler performances Saturday included Mike White’s second place finish in the pole vault (13 feet, 11 ¼ inches); Daquam Lee’s fifth place in the 800 meters (1:52.19); Demarius Carroll (6th in 14.69) and Carl McKinzie (7th in 14.96) in the 110 hurdles; McKinzie’s sixth in the 100 meters (10.52) and Frank Scott’s seventh place in the shot put (47 feet, 4 ¼ inches).

In the relays, the 4x400 crew of Daquam Lee, Ronald Bolden, Rennie Carty and Stanley Suber finished 10th in 3:14.49, while the 4x100 team of Joe Washington, Craig Scott, Carl McKinzie and Carty finished sixth in 41.47.

GREENSBORO. N.C. (May 2) – The Florida A&M Women’s Track team finished ninth in the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship at Irwin Belk Track Saturday.

Latoya Wright’s regional qualifying finish in the 400 meter hurdles (3rd at 58.96) helped the Lady Rattlers improve on their 11th place finish in last year’s outdoor meet and this year’s indoor championships, with 36.50 total points.

Hampton (119) won the women’s title, followed by Maryland-Eastern Shore (109) and Norfolk State (106).

Other notable FAMU Women’s performances in individual Saturday included: Suelyn Pilliner’s third place in the high jump (5 feet, 5 inches); sixth place finishes by Ashley Gillis in the 200 meters (24.21), Ashante Davis in the triple jump (38 feet, 4 ¾ inches) and LeKendra Cunningham in the 400 meter dash (55.81).

In the relays, the 4x400 combo of Jeanette Hulse, Wright, Gillis and Cunningham ran sixth in 3:46.74, while the 4x100 crew of Gillis, Cunningham, Wright and Ann-Marie Francis finished sixth in 46.22.

GREENSBORO, N.C. (May 1) – The Florida A&M Men’s Track team was running sixth overall after the first day of action at the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the Irwin Belk Track.

Three top 10 finishes generated 14 points for the Rattlers Friday, led by Frank Scott’s third place finish in the discus (143 feet, 8 inches); Antwonne McCloud, who finished fifth in the high jump (6 feet, 6 ¾ inches) and Shuaib Winters finishing fifth in the 5000 meter run (15:38.65).

Carl McKinzie qualified Friday for both of Saturday’s finals in the 100 meter dash (10.61) and 110 meter hurdles (14.81); Daquam Lee (1:53.99) advanced to the 800 meter finals, while Demarius Carroll (14.85) qualified for the 110 hurdles final.

Overall, Norfolk State (51.50 points) held the lead after Friday’s action, followed by Morgan State (20) and host North Carolina A&T (19).

The final day of competition starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, with the men’s and women’s triple jump.  

Early afternoon field events include the men’s shot put, pole vault and javelin events. The championships will conclude with the men’s and women’s 4x400m relay races.  

GREENSBORO, N.C. (May 1) – The Florida A&M Women’s Track team competed during the opening day of 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships Friday at Irwin Belk Track.

The Lady Rattlers had scored three (3) points total after Friday’s opening round, standing in 11th place.

Three Lady Rattlers qualified for Saturday’s finals in four events: Ashley Gillis, who advanced to the finals in the 100 (11.67) and the 200 meters (24.16), along with LaKendra Cunningham in the 400 meters (56.60) and Latoya Wright in the 400 meter hurdles (1:01.72).

In Friday’s finals action, Antoinette Suer finished seventh in the pole vault with a jump of 7 feet, 8 ¾ inches, while Ann-Marie Francis finished eighth in the javelin throw with a toss of 99 feet.

Other notable performers in finals Friday included Takiera Booker, who placed 13th in the shot put (37 feet, 3 ¼ inches); Kelle Ransom, who ran 16th in the 5000 meters (22:29.68), while long jump contestants Tomika Story (15th, 17 feet, 6 inches) and Suelyn Pilliner (16th, 17 feet, 5 ½ inches) finished in the Top 20.

Overall, defending champion Norfolk (Va.) State had piled up 63 points to take the first round lead, followed by Maryland-Eastern Shore (32) in second place.

The final day of competition starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, with the men’s and women’s triple jump.  

Early afternoon field events include the men’s shot put, pole vault and javelin events. The championships will conclude with the men’s and women’s 4x400m relay races. 

GREENSBORO, N.C. (April 30) - The Florida A&M Track teams will be in pursuit of the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) track championships starting Friday at the Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Irwin Belk Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Track action began Thursday with the men's decathlon and the women's heptathlon, and competition continues on Friday with the women’s heptathlon and the men’s decathlon events in the morning.

Other field events for day two include the men’s and women’s long jump, the women’s shot put, women’s pole vault, men’s discus and men’s high jump. The afternoon continues on the track with the men’s 110m hurdles and women’s 100m hurdles beginning at 1:50 p.m. Other running events include the 100m, 200m, 400m and 400m hurdles. The men’s and women’s 5000m races will close out the day’s events.
 
The final day of competition starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, with the men’s and women’s triple jump.  Early afternoon field events include the men’s shot put, pole vault and javelin events. The championships will conclude with the men’s and women’s 4x400m relay races.  A complete schedule of events is available on HYPERLINK "http://www.meacsports.com/?DB_OEM_ID=20800"www.meacsports.com.
 

GREENSBORO, N.C. (April 30) - The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) completed day one of the Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Irwin Belk Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Florida A&M freshman Phil Washington was in the mix in the men’s decathlon action which began Thursday with five events, having
compiled 2,906 points after competing in the 100 meter dash, 400 meter dash, long jump, shot put and high jump.

Freshman Darris Shelton of Norfolk State leads the decathlon events with 3,609 points at the halfway point.

Morgan State’s Dakari Taylor-Watson tallied 3,432 points while Damon Dixon of Hampton posted 3,398 points heading into day two.
 
Competition continues on Friday with the women’s heptathlon and the men’s decathlon events. Other field events for day two include the men’s and women’s long jump, the women’s shot put, women’s pole vault, men’s discus and men’s high jump. The afternoon continues on the track with the men’s 110m hurdles and women’s 100m hurdles beginning at 1:50 p.m. Other running events include the 100m, 200m, 400m and 400m hurdles. The men’s and women’s 5000m races will close out the day’s events.
 
The final day of competition starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, with the men’s and women’s triple jump.  Early afternoon field events include the men’s shot put, pole vault and javelin events. The championships will conclude with the men’s and women’s 4x400m relay races.  A complete schedule of events is available on HYPERLINK "http://www.meacsports.com/?DB_OEM_ID=20800"www.meacsports.com.
 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 28) – Mercer University held off a late charge by Florida A&M for a 9-6 college baseball victory at Moore-Kittles Field on the FAMU campus Tuesday afternoon.

FAMU (19-22) tied the game at 2-2 in the second with two runs on three hits, after the Bears opened the game’s scoring with two runs in the top of the second.

Mercer (19-20) then scored two runs in the top of the third inning to snap that 2-2 tie and take the lead for good at 4-2.

The Rattlers scored a run in the third for close to 4-3, then the Bears plated a single run in the fourth, scored three runs in the sixth and added one run in the seventh to build a 9-3 lead.

However, the Rattlers rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth, leaving a runner stranded as the game ended.

Mercer’s Blake Mainor (5-0) got the win for Mercer, who used six pitchers on Tuesday, while FAMU’s Anthony Espin (6-7) took the hill, working seven innings, allowing nine runs  on 10 hits, striking out four and walking four.

The Rattlers actually outhit Mercer, 12-11, led by Derrick Shaw with two hits and two RBIs, along with Tim Schalch and Jared Jeffries with two hits each. Stavone Martin, Gabriel Rodriguez, John Scott and Kendrick Durant each had a hit and an RBI Tuesday for FAMU.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers host Norfolk State in their final Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference series Saturday (doubleheader at 1:00 p.m.) and Sunday (12 noon).

BALTIMORE -- After winning a pair of tightly-contested games on Saturday, Florida A&M erupted for 16 hits on its way to an 18-2 victory over Coppin State to complete a three-game sweep of their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference series on Sunday at Joe Cannon Stadium.
 
Game three of the series was in stark contrast to the two games on Saturday, which saw the Rattlers (19-21, 8-6 in MEAC) posted 9-8 and a 10-8 victories in the doubleheader.
 
Darryl Evans, Derrick Shaw and Tobi Adeyemi each drove in three runs for the Rattlers, with Shaw and Tim Schalch each finishing with a team-high three hits, followed by Adeyemi, Evans, Jared Jefries and Gabriel Rodriguez with two hits each.

Shaw (1-1) held the Eagles to five hits and two runs over seven innings to pick up the pitching decision for FAMU, fanning three while walking four Sunday.
 
Florida A&M scored in all seven innings highlighted by four-run second which gave the Rattlers a 6-0 lead at that point, and a four-run fifth that extended their lead to 14-2.

Sunday’s win was the fifth straight for the Rattlers, who have moved into third place in the MEAC behind Bethune-Cookman (14-1, 24-21) and Delaware State (9-6, 18-17-1).

With Sunday’s 18-hit performance, the hot-hitting Rattlers have now extended their current run of plate success to 11 games in a row with at least 10 hits.
WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers will host Mercer University (4:00) on Tuesday at Moore-Kittles Field, opening a seven-game homestand to end the 2009 home schedule.
 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 26) – The Florida A&M Women’s Softball team clinched the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference South Division title Sunday with a 6-0 shutout win over archrival Bethune-Cookman University at Sunnyland Park.

The Lady Rattlers (9-0 in MEAC, 22-29 overall) rode the pitching of Amanda Reyes and a 15-hit offensive attack to complete a three-game sweep of the Lady Wildcats (15-32, 5-4 in MEAC).

Reyes (15-17), struck out three with no walks, scattering eight hits in seven innings to improve to 7-0 in MEAC play this season.

Rhiana Green led the Lady Rattlers with three hits, followed by Melissa Oliphant, Briana Weaver, Shayla Clark, Raven Johnson and Jasmin Donaldson with two hits apiece.

Green, Clark and Nicole Terryn each drove in two runs Sunday for FAMU, which scored two runs in the second, one in the third and three runs in the fourth.

Sunday’s win not only clinched the top seed position in the South Division for FAMU in the upcoming Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Softball Tournament (May 7-9 at Ormond Beach, Florida), but has them in prime position to capture the #1 overall seed with three games remaining.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Lady Rattlers will break for spring semester finals, then return to play next Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3, as they host South Carolina State in the regular season finale on campus.

TROY, Ala. (April 25) – The Florida A&M Track teams were in competition Saturday at the Troy (Ala.) University/Coach “O” Invitational.

On the women’s side, the Lady Rattlers had firsts from the 4x100 relay team of LaKendra Cunningham, Ann-Marie Francis, Ashley Gillis and Jeanette Hulse in 47.03, while the 4x400 combo of Nichola Listhrop, Philicia Morgan, Kelle Ransom and Helena Shields finished first in 3:50.74.

Other notable women’s performances included Ashley Gillis winning the 100 meter dash (11.79) and finishing second in the 200 meters (24.53); Latoya Wright winning the 400 meter hurdles (1:02.72); Suelyn Pilliner’s second place finish in the high jump (1.68 meters), along with a second place by Tomika Story in the triple jump (11.91 meters) and a second by LaKendra Cunningham in the 400 meter dash (58.37).


FAMU RESULTS AT TROY INVITATIONAL
Women’s Javelin Throw: Ann-Marie Francis (5th, 32.24 meters); Antoinette Suer (6th, 17.78 meters).
Men’s Pole Vault: Mike White (1st, 5.68 meters).
Men’s Long Jump: Phillip Washington (11th, 5.95 meters).
Women’s Long Jump: Tomika Story (5th, 5.76 meters); Suelyn Pilliner (9th, 5.55 meters); Ashanti Davis (11th, 5.47 meters).
Women’s High Jump: Suelyn Pilliner (2nd, 1.68 meters).
Men’s High Jump: Bryan Turner (1st, 2.03 meters); Antwone McCloud (2nd, 1.93 meters).
Women’s Triple Jump: Tomika Story (2nd, 11.91 meters); Ashanti Davis (5th, 11.35 meters).
Men’s 4x100 Relay: FAMU (Rennie Carty, LaJarvis Cook, Carl McKinzie, Craig Scott), 3rd, 41.74.
Women’s 4x100 Relay: FAMU (LaKendra Cunningham, Ann-Marie Francis, Ashley Gillis, Jeanette Hulse), 1st, 47.03.
Men’s 1500 Meter Run: Paul Williams (5th, 4:12.77).
Women’s 100 Meter Hurdles: Latoya Wright (4th, 14.83).
Men’s 110 Meter Hurdles: Demarius Carroll (3rd, 14.70); Carl McKenzie (5th, 15.24).
Women’s 400 Meter Dash: LaKendra Cunningham (2nd, 58.37); Jeanette Hulse (3rd, 58.59); Nichola Listhrop (7th, 1:00.42).
Men’s 400 Meter Dash: Stanley Suber (2nd, 49.36); Arthur Kinder (12th, 52.84).
Women’s 100 Meter Dash: Ashley Gillis (1st, 11.79); Jesseka Forbes (5th, 12.52).
Men’s 100 Meter Dash: Carl McKinzie (7th, 10.74); Joe Washington (9th, 10.77)l LaJarvis Cook (16th, 11.22).
Women’s 800 Meter Run: Helena Shields (5th, 2:26.43); Philicia Morgan 917th, 2:50.71).
Men’s 800 Meter Run: Daquam Lee (1st, 1:50.87);
Women’s 400 Meter Hurdles: Latoya Wright (1st, 1:02.72).
Men’s 400 Meter Hurdles: Demarius Carroll (5th, 57.76).
Women’s 200 Meter Dash: Ashley Gillis (2nd, 24.53); Whitney Young (7th, 26.95).
Men’s 200 Meter Dash: Joe Washington (10th, 22.34); Rennie Carty (12th, 22.42); Craig Scott (13th, 22.50).
Women’s 3000 Meter Run: Kelle Ransom (6th, 11:52.71).
Men’s 3000 Meter Run: Shuaib Winters (7th, 9:12.07).
Women’s 4x400 Meter Relay: FAMU (Listhrop, Morgan, Ransom, Shields), 1st, 3:50.74.
Men’s 4x400 Meter Relay: FAMU (Carty, Kinder, Lee, Suber), 2nd, 3:17.95.

TROY, Ala. (April 25) – The Florida A&M Track teams were in competition Saturday at the Troy (Ala.) University/Coach “O” Invitational.

On the men’s side, Mike White in the pole vault (5.68 meters) and Daquam Lee in the 800 meters (1:50.87) set meet records in their win, while Bryan Turner (2.03 meters) won the high jump.

Stanley Suber ran second in the 400 meter dash (49.36); Demarius Carroll was third in the 110 hurdles (14.70) and fifth in the 400 hurdles (57.76).

In the relays, the 4x100 crew of Rennie Carty, LaJarvis Cook, Carl McKinzie and Craig Scott ran third in 41.74, while the 4x400 combo of Carty, Arthur Kinder, Stanley Suber and Daquam Lee ran second in 3:17.95.

FAMU RESULTS AT TROY
Women’s Javelin Throw: Ann-Marie Francis (5th, 32.24 meters); Antoinette Suer (6th, 17.78 meters).
Men’s Pole Vault: Mike White (1st, 5.68 meters).
Men’s Long Jump: Phillip Washington (11th, 5.95 meters).
Women’s Long Jump: Tomika Story (5th, 5.76 meters); Suelyn Pilliner (9th, 5.55 meters); Ashanti Davis (11th, 5.47 meters).
Women’s High Jump: Suelyn Pilliner (2nd, 1.68 meters).
Men’s High Jump: Bryan Turner (1st, 2.03 meters); Antwone McCloud (2nd, 1.93 meters).
Women’s Triple Jump: Tomika Story (2nd, 11.91 meters); Ashanti Davis (5th, 11.35 meters).
Men’s 4x100 Relay: FAMU (Rennie Carty, LaJarvis Cook, Carl McKinzie, Craig Scott), 3rd, 41.74.
Women’s 4x100 Relay: FAMU (LaKendra Cunningham, Ann-Marie Francis, Ashley Gillis, Jeanette Hulse), 1st, 47.03.
Men’s 1500 Meter Run: Paul Williams (5th, 4:12.77).
Women’s 100 Meter Hurdles: Latoya Wright (4th, 14.83).
Men’s 110 Meter Hurdles: Demarius Carroll (3rd, 14.70); Carl McKenzie (5th, 15.24).
Women’s 400 Meter Dash: LaKendra Cunningham (2nd, 58.37); Jeanette Hulse (3rd, 58.59); Nichola Listhrop (7th, 1:00.42).
Men’s 400 Meter Dash: Stanley Suber (2nd, 49.36); Arthur Kinder (12th, 52.84).
Women’s 100 Meter Dash: Ashley Gillis (1st, 11.79); Jesseka Forbes (5th, 12.52).
Men’s 100 Meter Dash: Carl McKinzie (7th, 10.74); Joe Washington (9th, 10.77)l LaJarvis Cook (16th, 11.22).
Women’s 800 Meter Run: Helena Shields (5th, 2:26.43); Philicia Morgan 917th, 2:50.71).
Men’s 800 Meter Run: Daquam Lee (1st, 1:50.87);
Women’s 400 Meter Hurdles: Latoya Wright (1st, 1:02.72).
Men’s 400 Meter Hurdles: Demarius Carroll (5th, 57.76).
Women’s 200 Meter Dash: Ashley Gillis (2nd, 24.53); Whitney Young (7th, 26.95).
Men’s 200 Meter Dash: Joe Washington (10th, 22.34); Rennie Carty (12th, 22.42); Craig Scott (13th, 22.50).
Women’s 3000 Meter Run: Kelle Ransom (6th, 11:52.71).
Men’s 3000 Meter Run: Shuaib Winters (7th, 9:12.07).
Women’s 4x400 Meter Relay: FAMU (Listhrop, Morgan, Ransom, Shields), 1st, 3:50.74.
Men’s 4x400 Meter Relay: FAMU (Carty, Kinder, Lee, Suber), 2nd, 3:17.95.

BALTIMORE, Md. (April 25) – The Florida A&M Baseball team swept a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheader from Coppin State, 9-8 and 10-8 here Saturday afternoon.

Saturday’s sweep extended the Rattlers winning streak to four games, as they improved to 18-21 overall and 7-6 in MEAC play, moving into fourth place in the league, while Coppin State (0-26, 0-14) remained winless on the season.

FAMU finished Saturday’s twinbill with 36 hits total, 21 in the first game. Shavone Martin led the Rattlers with seven hits and five RBI on the day, followed by Jared Jeffries with six hits and five runs; Darryl Evans with five hits, five runs scored, a home run and three RBIs and Derrick Shaw, who had four hits, a homer and five RBIs.

Freshman Elliott Bonner (1-1) won the opener for FAMU, fanning four and walking two, while allowing eight runs on 11 hits in nine innings. Kelvin Hale (1-0) was the Game Two winner, working seven innings, allowing eight runs on nine hits with three strikeouts.

In the opening game, FAMU built a 5-0 lead after two innings, but Coppin tied the game with a five-run fifth, then scored a run in the seventh and two in the eighth to take an 8-5 lead.

But in the ninth, the Rattlers scored four runs, with Derrick Shaw’s three-run homer keying the game-winning rally.

In Game two , FAMU finished with 15 hits, once again barging out in front with a four-run first, 4-0. Coppin State scored twice in the third to make the count 4-2, but the Rattlers regained a four-run cushion with two runs in the fourth for a 6-2 lead.

Coppin State scored two runs in the fifth to pull within two runs at 6-4, then FAMU responded with three runs in the sixth to take a 9-4 edge.

The Eagles plated four runs in the bottom of the sixth to close to 9-8, but Stavone Martin’s RBI double scored Darryl Evans with an insurance run for the 10-8 final.

The two clubs were scheduled to close out the three-game weekend series Sunday at 12 noon.

 

BALTIMORE, Md. (April 25) – The Florida A&M Baseball team swept a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheader from Coppin State, 9-8 and 10-8 here Saturday afternoon.

Saturday’s sweep extended the Rattlers winning streak to four games, as they improved to 18-21 overall and 7-6 in MEAC play, moving into fourth place in the league, while Coppin State (0-26, 0-14) remained winless on the season.

The two clubs were scheduled to close out the three-game weekend series Sunday at 12 noon.

Boxscores and game statistics are still to come.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 25) – The Florida A&M Softball team remained perfect in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with a doubleheader sweep of Bethune-Cookman, 2-1 and 10-2 here Saturday afternoon at Sunnyland Park.

With Saturday’s twinbill sweep, the Lady Rattlers improved to 21-29 overall and 8-0 in the MEAC – keeping them the league’s lone unbeaten club in conference play.

Amanda Reyes (14-17) was the winning pitcher in Game One for FAMU, checking the Lady Wildcats (15-31, 5-3 in MEAC) on four hits, with eight strikeouts, allowing one run and one walk.

Meanwhile, the Lady Rattlers finished the opening game with seven hits, led by Rhiana Green with two hits, followed by Nicole Terryn, Alesha Wells, Melissa Oliphant, Jasmin Donald and Joyce Harold with one hit each.

Terryn delivered the game-winning blow for FAMU though, as her sixth inning two-run double proved to be all they needed in the 2-1 win.

Game Two was a blowout as the Lady Rattlers rapped out 17 hits, closing out B-CU in five innings via the eight-run rule.

Green went 4-for-4, with three runs scored and three RBI, while Briana Weaver also went 4-for-4, driving in two runs for FAMU in the second game.

Raven Johnson was perfect at the plate too for the Lady Rattlers, going 3-for-3, scoring three runs, followed by Oliphant, who was 2-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs.

Oliphant (7-5) also pitched a gem for FAMU, working five innings, allowing two runs on five hits. She drove in the game’s first run with a first inning single for a 1-0 lead, then keyed a four-run second inning with a two-run homer, as FAMU took a 5-1 lead.

Green made the score 7-1 in the third with a two-run triple, then Weaver’s two-run single in the fifth sparked a three-run rally to push the score to 10-2.

WHAT’S NEXT: FAMU and Bethune-Cookman will play here Sunday at 12 noon in the final game of the three-game series at Sunnyland Park.

KNIGHTDALE, N.C. (April 24) - The Florida A&M Baseball team rallied for five runs in the top of the eighth inning to overhaul North Carolina Central for a 12-9 victory at Knightdale High School Friday afternoon.

Florida A&M (16-21) overcame a 9-7 deficit with Friday's late-inning rally, giving them back-to-back come-from-behind road wins in the last two days following an 11-10 extra-inning victory at Albany (Ga.) State on Thursday.

For the homestanding Eagles of NCCU (5-27), Friday's setback was their seventh straight loss, and especially tough to take after holding the advantage late in the game.

Friday's bout was the third meeting between the two schools this season, and it proved to be a rollercoaster affair that saw FAMU start the ballgame off with two consecutive doubles by Darryl Evans and Steve Cunningham, giving the Rattlers the 1-0 lead with one out in the top of the first.

Designated hitter Derrick Shaw drove Cunningham in to add one more run to the board making it 2-0 still with one out in the frame. After right fielder Stavone Martin hit another single, first baseman Tim Jones grounded into a 6-4-3 double play keeping the score at 2-0.

NCCU rallied in the bottom of the second to take a 3-2 lead off FAMU starter Tim Schalch, keyed by freshman Ross Plummer's two-run homer over the left field wall.

In the third inning, the Eagles struck for four runs to extend their lead over Florida A&M to 7-2, but the Rattlers began their climb back into contention scoring two runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth for a 7-6 NCCU edge.

However, the Eagles answered back in the bottom of the fifth on a two-run single by Robert Grant, which would widen the margin to three at 9-6.

With the score 9-7 in the top of the eighth, the Rattlers struck the final blow, rallying for five runs with two out to regain the lead for good.

FAMU shortstop Jared Jeffries hit a triple that ignited a five-run inning for Florida A&M that came on the heels of five hits including two triples, that put the Eagles behind 12-9.

Tobi Adeyemi lashed a three-run triple, while Shaw and Gabriel Rodriguez each had RBI singles to power the Rattlers into the lead.

FAMU finished the day with 18 hits, led by Adeyemi, Shaw and Tim Jones with three hits apiece. Adeyemi led with three RBI followed by Shaw and Jones with two runs driven in each. Rodriguez and Cunningham each had two hits, with Rodriguez picking up a pair (2) of RBIs.

Tim Schalch (2-1) went the distance on the mound for the Rattlers, allowing nine runs on 10 hits, with four strikeouts abnd four walks in nine innings of work.

WHAT'S NEXT: The Rattlers continue their road tour in Baltimore Saturday and Sunday in a three-game series against the winless Coppin State Eagles in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 21) – The Florida A&M Baseball team dropped a 16-4 home decision to the Mercer (Ga.) University Bears Tuesday afternoon at Moore-Kittles Field.

The visiting Bears (15-18) pounded out 15 hits Tuesday, including eight extra base hits, capped by four home runs to forge a 14-0 lead after four innings.

FAMU (14-21) finished the day with 12 hits, led by Jared Jeffries, who went a perfect 4-for-4, with two runs scored., followed by Tim Schlach, who was also perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3, while Tim Jones went 2-for-4, driving in two runs.

Freshman Derrick Shaw (0-1) got his first collegiate start on the mound, as the injury-riddled Rattlers have had to dig deep for pitching in recent weeks.

Shaw allowed 14 runs on 12 hits in four innings with one strikeout and four walks, before being relieved in the fifth by Jeffries, who worked the final three innings.

Leading 7-2 after three innings, the Bears broke the game open with a seven-run fourth inning that staked them to a 14-2 advantage.

The Rattlers scored single runs in the first, third and fourth innings, scoring their final two runs in the seventh, after Mercer had pushed their run total to 16, with a two-run rally in the top of the seventh.

Mercer scored three runs in the first inning, then after FAMU scored a run in the bottom of the frame, added two runs in the second to go up 5-1, then added two more in the top of the third for a 7-1 edge.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers embark on a six-game road swing beginning Thursday at Albany (Ga.) State with a 3:00 p.m. single game…. Friday, the Rattlers are in Durham, North Carolina to play a make-up doubleheader with North Carolina Central…. Saturday and Sunday, the Rattlers take on winless Coppin (Md.) State in a three-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference series in Baltimore…. FAMU will host Mercer next Tuesday at 4:0 p.m. in their next home game…
 

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 19) - The South Carolina State Lady Bulldogs captured the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Women’s Tennis Championship here Sunday at the Millbrook Tennis Center, defeating the Florida A&M Lady Rattlers, 4-1.

Sunday’s title win was the fifth consecutive MEAC title and sixth overall for South Carolina State’s women.

SCSU won the number two doubles match, 8-2, while Florida A&M won at the number three doubles, 8-5.

Tied at one-all, the South Carolina State duo of Daria Sekerina and Aniko Kiss topped Florida A&M’s Rachel Pye and Latreece Olagbegi to win the doubles point for the Lady Bulldogs.

South Carolina State then followed with singles wins at the number two, three and six positions.  

Rachel Pye won the lone point for Florida A&M,  with a 6-1, 6-2 win at the number one singles spot.
 
South Carolina State’s Torres recorded a 3-0 mark at the number three singles position and 2-0 mark in doubles play and was named the Outstanding Performer.

The Lady Bulldogs’ Head Coach Hardeep Judge was named the Outstanding Coach for the fifth time on the women’s side.

For Florida A&M, Alexis Brown earned All-Tournament honors at the #5 singles, while the #3 doubles duo of Alice Izomor and Brittney Dean captured All-Tournament honors in doubles.
 
With the win, the Lady Bulldogs receive and automatic berth to the NCAA Division I Women’s Championship.
 
 
2009 MEAC Tennis Championship Match Results
South Carolina State 4, Florida A&M 1 
Apr 19, 2009 at Raleigh, North Carolina
(Millbrook Tennis Center)
   
 
Singles competition
1. PYE,Rachel (FAMUW) def. FRICSKA,Fanni (SCSUW) 6-1, 6-2
2. SEKERINA,Daria (SCSUW) def. OLAGBEGI,Latreece (FAMUW) 6-1, 6-2
3. TORRES,Sarai (SCSUW) def. DURDEN,Kaithline (FAMUW) 6-2, 6-3
4. KISS,Aniko (SCSUW) vs. IZOMOR,Alice (FAMUW) 5-7, 0-3, unfinished
5. CHEN,I-Chun "Amy" (SCSUW) vs. BROWN,Alexis (FAMUW) 4-6, 5-2, unfinished
6. BLODNIECE,Iveta (SCSUW) def. DEAN,Brittney (FAMUW) 6-1, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. SEKERINA,Daria/KISS,Aniko (SCSUW) def. PYE,Rachel/OLAGBEGI,Latreece (FAMUW) 8-4
2. TORRES,Sarai/CHEN,I-Chun "Amy" (SCSUW) def. DURDEN,Kaithline/BROWN,Alexis (FAMUW) 8-2
3. IZOMOR,Alice/DEAN,Brittney (FAMUW) def. FRICSKA,Fanni/VARELA,Titiana (SCSUW) 8-5
 
2009 Women’s All-Tournament Team:
Number One Doubles: Daria Sekerina and Aniko Kiss, South Carolina State
Number Two Doubles: Amy Chen and Sarai Torres, South Carolina State
Number Three Doubles: Brittney Dean and Alice Izomor, Florida A&M
 

Singles:
1. Na-Hyun Baek, Hampton
2. Daria Sekerina, South Carolina State
3. Sarai Torres, South Carolina State
4. Aniko Kiss, South Carolina State
5. Alexis Brown, Florida A&M
6. Iveta Blodniece, South Carolina State

AUBURN, AL (April 18) - The FAMU Rattler Track team turned in eight Top 10 finishes Saturday as they took part in the Auburn University Track Invitational Meet.

Bryan Turner, who had already qualified for the NCAA Regionals in the high jump at 2.10 meters earlier this spring, improved on that mark Saturday, with a leap of 2.16 meters (7 feet, 1 inch), to win the event.

Other notable Rattler performers Saturday included Daquam Lee, who ran fourth in the 800 meters in 1:50.82, just missing the regional qualfying time of 1:50.40; Demarius Carroll, who ran seventh in the 110 hurdles (14.50); Shuaib Winters, who ran eighth in the 5000 meters (15:20.53), and Mike White, who placed ninth in the pole vault (14 feet, 7 1/4 inches).

In the relays, the 4x100 meter combo of LaJarvis Cook, Craig Scott, Joe Washington and Carl McKinzie finished sixth (41.44), while the 4x400 crew of Lee, Alphonzo Johnson, Ronald Bolden and Stanley Suber, ran seventh (3:15.54).

AUBURN, Ala. (April 18) - The Florida A&M Women's Track team competed in the Auburn University Invitational here
Saturday, recording seven Top 10 finishes.

Suelyn Pilliner finished second in the women's high jump (5 feet, 5 3/4 inches) for the top FAMU finish of the day, followed by LaToya Wright's fifth place showing in the 400 meter hurdles (1:01.95), and eighth place finishes by Ashley Gillis in the 200 meter dash (24.43) and Tomika Stroy in the triple jump (39 feet, 2 1/2 inches).

In the relays, the 4x400 "A" team of Gillis, Wright, Nichola Listhrop and Jeanette Hulse ran fourth (3:46.67), while the 4x100 "A" team of Gillis, Wright, Jesseka Forbes and Ann-Marie Francis placed seventh (46.91).

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 19) - The Florida A&M Women's Tennis team fell to defending Mid-Eastern Conference champion South Carolina State, 4-1 in the championship match of the 2009 MEAC Tennis Championshp here at the Millbrook Tennis Center.

The Lady Rattlers (17-8), led by fourth-year head coach Rochelle "Nikki" Goldthreate, reached the finals for the first time since their last title victory in 1997.

South Carolina State captured their fifth straight title Sunday morning.

A complete account of Sunday's title match will be posted later today.

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. (April 19) – The Florida A&M Baseball team dropped the final game of a three-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference set here Sunday, letting an early 3-0 lead slip away as Maryland-Eastern Shore rallied for an 11-4 win at Hawks Field.

Florida A&M (14-20, 5-6 in MEAC) finished the day with 10 hits, led by Jared Jeffries, Tim Jones and Stavone Martin with two hits apiece. Martin, Jones and Daniel Lee each drove in a run for FAMU Sunday.

Elliott Bonner (0-1) took the loss for the Rattlers in relief of starter Tim Schalch, who worked four innings, allowing three runs on three hits, with three walks and a pair of strikeouts.

Bonner allowed eight runs on five hits in four innings, walking four and yielding a home run.

FAMU scored two runs in the first and another in the second to build an early 3-0 lead, but UMES (11-30, 9-6 in MEAC), scored twice in the third and once in the fourth to tie the count at 3-3.

The Hawks took the lead for good in the seventh, scoring three runs for a 6-3 edge, then after the Rattlers scored a run in the top of the eighth for a 6-4 count, UMES put the game away with a four-run rally in the bottom of the eighth inning.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers will have a full week in store as they host Mercer University (4:00) on Tuesday afternoon at Moore-Kittles Field, then faces six road games in four days starting with a Wednesday bout at Albany (Ga.) State, followed by a Thursday twinbill at North Carolina Central, before returning to MEAC play next Saturday and Sunday at Coppin (Md.) State in Baltimore.

PRINCESS ANNE, MD (April 17) – The Florida A&M Baseball team pounded out 39 hits here Saturday to sweep a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheader from Maryland-Eastern Shore, 20-5 and 11-5 at Hawks Stadium.

FAMU (14-19, 5-5 in MEAC) rapped out 22 hits in Saturday’s opener, led by Darryl Evans, who had three hits, scored run times, while driving in six runs with a home run and a double.

Tobi Adeyemi and Jared Jeffries added four hits and an RBI each. Stavone Martin had two hits, including a home run, and three RBI, while Tim Schalch, Steve Cunningham and Daniel Lee added two hits apiece.

Anthony Espin (5-6) got the win for the Rattlers, allowing three runs on four hits in four innings, with two strikeouts and five walks.

The Rattlers put the game on ice early with an eight-run second inning, then added three more runs in the third for an 11-0 cushion, before the Hawks scored two runs in the bottom of the third for an 11-2 score.

FAMU scored two runs in the fourth for extend their edge to 13-2, then the Hawks plated a run in the bottom of the fourth for a 13-3 score.

After a scoreless fifth by both teams, FAMU struck for four runs in the sixth and added three more in the seventh for a 20-3 lead. UMES closed out the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the seventh, ending the game via the conference’s 10-run rule after seven innings.

In the second game Saturday, the Rattlers pounded out 17 hits led by Darryl Evans, who had four hits, a triple and a home run, with two RBIs. Stavone Martin had a two-run homer in the second game, while Lee, Burke and Jeffries each finished with three hits, with Lee driving in a game-high five runs.

Tim Jones (1-3) went the distance on the mound for the Rattlers, allowing five runs on 11 hits with four strikeouts and four walks.

UMES (10-30, 8-6 in MEAC) took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, then FAMU outscored the Hawks, 9-4 over the next five innings to forge a 9-5 lead, capping off the game with two more runs in the seventh.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers will take on UMES Sunday at 12 noon in the series finale.

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 17) – The Florida A&M Rattler Men’s Tennis team saw its’ hopes of a 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title sunk by their longtime nemesis, the Hampton Pirates in heartbreaking fashion, 4-3 Saturday in the semifinals of the MEAC Tennis Championships at the Millsbrook Tennis Center.

Hampton defeated Florida A&M (17-7) in a match that lasted three and a half hours.

Florida A&M took a 3-0 lead after winning the doubles point and capturing wins at the number one and three singles.

Hampton came back to tie the match at three-all with wins at the number four, five and six singles.

The Pirates’ Sung-Kwon Baek and Florida A&M’s Simbarashee Happy competed at the number two singles position to decide the match. Baek won the first set, while Happy won the second.  

With the bout tied at 1-1, Baek defeated Happy, 6-1 to lead the Pirates to their first championship appearance since the 2007 season.

The Pirates will face the Bulldogs in the men’s championship final at 11:30 a.m.

In Saturday’s other semifinal, top seeded and defending champion South Carolina State defeated the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman, 4-0 to earn a spot in Sunday’s men’s title match.  

The Bulldogs won the doubles point and followed with wins at the one, two, and six singles position.

RALEIGH, N.C.  (April 17) - The Florida A&M Lady Rattlers and the defending champion South Carolina State Lady Bulldogs advanced to Sunday’s final in the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tennis Championship with semifinal victories here Saturday morning at the Millbrook Tennis Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The No. 2 Lady Rattlers (14-5) will seek their first MEAC title since 1997 and their sixth overall in Sunday’s 9 a.m. final match.

FAMU defeated Hampton, the top seed in the North, 4-1 to advance to tomorrow’s final in a hard-fought match.

With the two teams tied with one match apiece in doubles play, the Lady Rattlers’ duo of Kathline Durden and Latreece Olagbegi defeated Barenese Myers and Maria Ycaza 9-8 in a match that lasted one and a half hours.
 
During singles action, Hampton tied the match at 1-1 with a win at the number one singles spot, as 2009 MEAC Player of the Year, Na-Hyun Baek defeated Rachel Pye in a hard fought match 7-6, 6-2.

The Lady Rattlers battled back and won the number two, five and six singles positions to advance to Sunday’s final.

In the other semifinal match, South Carolina State Lady Bulldogs (14-5), who earned the top seed in the South, defeated the No. 3 Bethune-Cookman Lady Wildcats 4-0 and will compete for their fifth straight MEAC women’s tennis title and sixth overall.

After winning the doubles points at the number one (8-4) and number two (8-3) spots, South Carolina State’s Daria Sekerina defeated B-CU’s Monika Musilova 6-1, 6-2 for the point at the number two singles spot. The Lady Bulldogs won the match with simultaneous wins at the number three and four singles positions.
 

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 17) – Both Florida A&M Tennis teams advanced to Saturday’s semifinal round of the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tennis Championships following quarterfinal victories on Friday here at the Millbrook Tennis Center.
 
On the men’s side, No. 2 Florida A&M (17-6) ousted Howard University, 4-0 to advance to the 12 noon semifinals against longtime nemesis No. 1 Hampton (9-6), which defeated No. 4 Norfolk State, 4-2 Friday.

Bethune-Cookman defeated Morgan State, 4-1, in the other men’s morning action, advancing to face South Carolina State, the reigning MEAC men’s champion, which defeated Delaware State 4-0, in the second men’s semifinal match tomorrow at 12 noon.

The championships conclude on Sunday, April 19 beginning at 9 a.m. with the women’s championship final followed by the men’s championship final at 11:30 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 17) – Both Florida A&M Tennis teams advanced to Saturday’s semifinal round of the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tennis Championships following quarterfinal victories on Friday here at the Millbrook Tennis Center.
 
On the women’s side, Florida A&M (13-5) topped Delaware State 4-1, and will face Hampton in the second semifinal match Saturday at 8:30 a.m.  

The Lady Rattlers were up 1-0 after the doubles point and captured wins at the number one, four and five singles positions.

The Hampton Lady Pirates (9-6), who earned the top seed in the northern division, topped No. 4 North Carolina A&T 4-0.

The No. 3 southern division seed Bethune-Cookman Lady Wildcats defeated Howard, the second seed in the northern division, 4-0.

The Lady Wildcats will face defending MEAC champion South Carolina State in Saturday’s other semifinal at 8:30 a.m. The Lady Bulldogs advanced after defeating Morgan State 4-0.
 

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. (April 16) - The Florida A&M Rattler Baseball team hits the road Thursday night for the first of two critical Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference weekend series against the Hawks of Maryland-Eastern Shore.

FAMU (12-19, 3-5 in MEAC) face the second-place Hawks (10-26, 8-5 in MEAC) in a Saturday doubleheader here at 1:00 p.m. and a Sunday single game at 1:00 p.m.

The next two weeks are crucial for the Rattlers, who have struggled a bit of late, having dropped eight of their last 12 games and seven of their last eight games.

But most importantly, they are in sixth place in the MEAC at 3-5, four-and-half games off the pace of archrival and defending champion Bethune-Cookman (18-17, 8-1), and need to get some wins under their belt the next two weekends to try and move up in the standings.

Behind B-CU are the Hawks (8-5) and Delaware State (7-2), followed by Norfolk State and North Carolina A&T (4-7), tied for fourth, ahead of the Rattlers in sixth.

Winless Coppin State (0-8, 0-17) the Rattlers' next weekend opponent (April 25-26), is in last (7th) place.

The MEAC Championship Tournament (May 13-17 at Daytona Beach. Florida) takes the top six teams in the final standings and the Rattlers are aiming to move up out of the sixth spot with a strong finish in their final nine league games.

After consecutive road weekends at Maryland-Eastern Shore (April 17-18) and Coppin State (April 24-25), the Rattlers close out their 2009 league schedule at home against Norfolk State, May 2-3 at Moore-Kittles Field.

NEXT HOME GAME: The Rattlers will host the Mercer Bears next Tuesday, April 21 at 4:00 p.m. at Moore-Kittles Field.

MACON, Ga. (April 15) – The Florida A&M Baseball team dropped a two-game set to Mercer University Tuesday and Wednesday here at Claude Smith Field, falling 11-4 on Tuesday night and 14-3 Wednesday afternoon.

FAMU (12-19) rapped out 10 hits in Wednesday’s getaway game, led by Steve Cunningham’s three-hit effort, followed by Tim Schalch and Tobi Adeyemi with two hits apiece.

But the Rattlers fell behind early in Wednesday’s bout, as the Bears (15-15) scored seven runs in the first two innings before FAMU got on the board with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings.

Mercer scored three runs in the sixth to push their lead to 10-2, then the two clubs traded single runs in the seventh as the score changed to 11-3, Bears.

The Bears closed out the scoring in the bottom of the eighth, scoring three more runs for the 14-3 final tally.

Senior Thaddous McBurrows (0-1) got the start for the Rattlers Wednesday, allowing seven runs on four hits with two strikeouts and seven walks.

Mercer, which finished Wednesday’s game with 14 hits – including four home runs – was also aided by the Rattlers, who committed four fielding errors, while issuing 10 walks to Bears batters.

In Tuesday’s series opener, FAMU outhit the Bears, 10-9, led by Schalch with two hits and Darryl Evans, who drove in two runs.

The Rattlers led in the early going, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, before the Bears rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the second, 1-1.

FAMU pushed across another tally in the third for a 2-1 lead, but the Bears struck for four runs in the bottom of the inning for a 5-2 lead, then added three more in the bottom of the fourth to extend their advantage to 8-2.

Mercer made it 9-2 with a run in the bottom of the sixth, then the Rattlers staged a two-run rally in the top of the seventh to close to 9-4.

The Bears got those runs back with single tallies in the seventh and eighth to close out Tuesday evening’s game.

Anthony Espin (4-6) took the loss for the Rattlers, allowing eight runs on seven hits with five strikeouts in five innings of work.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers travel north to Princess Anne, Maryland for a three-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference series with Maryland-Eastern Shore Saturday (1:00 p.m. doubleheader) and Sunday (1:00 p.m. single game), before returning home for a Tuesday afternoon home game against Mercer University at Moore-Kittles Field, starting at 4 p.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 11) – The Florida A&M Baseball team used a 12-hit attack to win the second game of a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheader with Delaware State, 6-4, earning a split of the Saturday afternoon twinbill at Moore-Kittles Field.

The visiting Hornets (14-13-1, 6-2 in MEAC) won the opener, 9-1, rapping out seven hits while captitalizing on six FAMU fielding errors.

DelState also got a iroman pitching performance from Dan Perkins (3-3), who worked all nine innings for a complete game, scattering five Rattler hits, fanning 10 batters against no walks.

DSU grabbed an early 2-0 lead on a run-scoring sacrifice fly by Ross Babineaux and an RBI single by Abe Eubank.

Holding a 3-0 lead after plating a run in the fourth, the Hornets extended their advantage to 6-0 in the fifth when Eubank belted a three-run shot over the left center field wall.

Trailing 7-0 in the seventh, the Rattlers scored their only run of the game when Adam Gordon scored on a DelState throwing error, but the Hornets got the run back and more, plating two tallies in the ninth.

Sophomore Tim Jones (0-3) got the pitching start for the Rattlers in Game One, allowing six runs on four hits, waling six while fanning three Hornet batters, taking the loss.

Florida A&M (12-16, 3-4 in MEAC) wasted no time getting out front in the second game, taking a 1-0 lead in the first on Derrick Shaw’s RBI single, scoring Steve Cunningham from second.

The Rattlers scored three more times in the second on RBI singles by Elliott Bonner, Tim Schalch and Steve Cunningham, to built a 4-0 lad.

After the Hornets scored a run in the top of the third, the Rattlers countered with two runs in the bottom of the inning, as Derrick Shaw scored on a throwing error before Antonio Burke’s RBI single plated Cunningham.

The Hornets scored single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to pull ever closer to the Rattlers, who rode the pitching of sophomore Anthony Espin (4-5) to victory.

Espin pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the sixth with the Hornets down 6-4, getting out of trouble with an inning-ending double play.

The Rattler starter worked into the seventh, allowing four runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts, before being lifted for Adam Gordon, who came on to retire three DSU batters for his second save of the season.

In the second game, Tim Schalch led the Rattlers with three hits and an RBI, followed by Cunningham and Shaw with two hits and an RBI apiece.

WHAT’S NEXT: FAMU and Delaware State will square off in the rubber match of the three-game MEAC series here Sunday at 12 noon at Moore-Kittles Field.

JACKSON, Miss. (April 7) – The Florida A&M Baseball team dropped a doubleheader to the Jackson State Tigers here Tuesday, dropping the opener, 8-4 and losing the nightcap in extra innings, 5-4.
FAMU (11-14) took an early 1-0 lead in Game One, on Tim Jones’ first inning RBI single, which scored Steve Cunningham, who reached on a single.

Jackson State (22-11) scored three runs in the third and three more in the fourth to build a 6-1 lead, before the Rattlers scored a run in the fifth when Jared Jeffries’ sacrifice fly to right scored Darryl Evans for a 6-2 score.

The Tigers answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame, which was more than enough for their starter, Samuel Cline (3-2), who went the distance, pitching seven innings, striking out three, allowing four runs, while scattering nine hits.

Anthony Espin (3-5) took the loss, fanning two, while walking eight and allowing six runs on six hits in three and two-thirds innings Tuesday.

Second baseman Tim Schalch led the Rattlers’ nine-hit attack with two hits.

In the second game, the Rattlers bolted to the early lead again, scoring three runs in the third for a 3-0 cushion, on RBI hits by Tim Jones and Tobi Adeyemi, plus an RBI sacrifice fly by Schalch.

JSU scored a run in the bottom of the third, then took a 4-3 lead with a three-run fifth, before the Rattlers tied the game at 4-4 in the seventh, when Schalch belted another sac fly, scoring Elliott Bonner, forcing extra innings.

FAMU starter Miguel Parga (4-3) pitched into the ninth, but his two-out wild pitch allowed Fred Atkins, who had reached on a leadoff double, to score the game-winning run from third.

Parga worked eight and two-thirds innings Tuesday, striking out six, walking three, while giving up five runs in seven hits.

JSU’s Samuel Cline (4-2) was the winner in relief, coming on in the seventh to work the final two and two-thirds innings, fanning two and allowing one hit.

FAMU outhit the Tigers, 10-9 in the second game and 19-18 in the doubleheader Tuesday. Darryl Evans and Elliott Bonner each had two hits, with Tim Schalch driving in two runs in Game Two.

WHAT’S NEXT: FAMU and Jackson State will complete their three game series here Wednesday at the JSU Baseball Complex starting at 1 p.m. Central Time.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 7) – The Florida A&M Women’s Softball team split a Tuesday home doubleheader with Jacksonville University, winning the second game, 1-0, after dropping the opener, 10-1 at the Lady Rattler Softball Complex.

Florida A&M (16-25) got a shutout performance in the nightcap from junior Amanda Reyes (11-15), who struck out five, walked one while scattering five hits in seven innings.

In the fifth and sixth innings, Reyes pitched out of bases loaded jams and in the seventh, two defensive gems – a leaping catch of a one-out line drive by second baseman Nikki Terryn, followed by shortstop Melissa Oliphant’s diving snare of a sinking liner up the middle to end the game – preserved the shutout.

FAMU plated their only run in the second when Megan Moore’s RBI double scored Ashley Jones, who had reached earlier on a fielder’s choice for a 1-0 lead.

Moore’s double was one of just three FAMU hits in the second game, as Terryn and Jasmin Donaldson each had a hit for the Lady Rattlers in the second game.

In the first game, the FAMU defense committed six errors opening the door for Jacksonville (19-25) to win 10-1.

The Dolphins pounded out 14 hits, while the Lady Rattlers managed just three hits including Melissa Oliphant’s fourth inning solo home run, her fourth of the season, which made the score 8-1.

JU scored one run in the second and five runs in the third, two more in the fourth and two more in the seventh off of FAMU starter Melissa Oliphant (5-3), who struck out two and walked three in seven innings.

WHAT’S NEXT: Florida A&M, which has won seven of their last eight games, will return to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play Saturday and Sunday during a three-game home series against North Carolina A&T…. Saturday’s doubleheader begins at 1:00 p.m. and Sunday’s single game starts at 12 noon.

GAINESVILLE, FL (April 4) – The Florida A&M Women’s Track team ran an abbreviated schedule at this year’s Pepsi Florida Relays at the University of Florida this weekend, capturing four Top 20 finishes.

Suelyn Pilliner turned in the best finish for FAMU with a fourth place showing in the high jump at five feet, seven inches (5’ 7”), while the 1600 sprint medley team of Ashley Gillis, Latoya Wright, LaKendra Cunningham and Nicholas Listhrop placed 11th in 4:01.39.

The 4x200 meter relay crew of Gillis, Wright, Jesseka Forbes and Ann-Marie Francis placed 15th in 1:39.16, while Ashante Davis (37 feet, ½ inch), finished 18th in the triple jump.

LADY RATTLER TRACK NOTABLES AT FLORIDA RELAYS
Women’s 100 Meter Dash: 26-Ashley Gillis (11.97); 54-Ann-Marie Francis (12.48).
Women’s 800 Meter Run: 32-Nichola Listhrop (2:17.08).
Women’s 100 Meter Hurdles: 33-Kierra Holiday (14.66).
Women’s 400 Meter Hurdles: 28-LaToya Wright (1:03.73)
Women’s 4x200 Meter Relay: 15-FAMU “A” (Ashley Gillis, Latoya Wright, Jesseka Forbes, Ann-Marie Francis), 1:39.16.
Women’s 1600 Sprint Medley: 11-FAMU “A” (Ashley Gillis, Latoya Wright, LaKendra Cunningham, Nichola Listhrop), 4:01.39.
Women’s High Jump: 4-Suelyn Pilliner (1.70 meters or 5 feet, 7 inches)
Women’s Triple Jump: 18-Ashante Davis (11.29 meters, or 37 feet, ½ inch).

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (April 4) – The Florida A&M Men’s Track team carved out six Top 20 finishes in a loaded field this weekend at the 2009 Pepsi Florida Relays, hosted by the University of Florida.

Top individual performers for FAMU this weekend included Bryan Turner in the high jump (9th at 6 feet, 8 ¾ inches); Daquam Lee in the 800 meters (11th at 1:52.37) and Antwonne McCloud in the high hump (17th at 6 feet, 4 ¾ inches).

Three Rattler relay crews finished in the Top 20, led by the 1600 sprint medley crew of LaJarvis Cook, Rennie Carty, Stanley Suber and Daquam Lee, which placed 7th in 3:25.36; the 4x200 relay combo of Carty, Cook, Suber and Ronald Bolden, placing 10th in 1:26.26 and the 4x100 quartet of Cook, Carty, Craig Scott and Carl McKinzie, getting 11th with a time of 41.32.

RATTLER TRACK NOTABLES AT PESPI FLORIDA RELAYS
Men’s 100 Meter Dash: 37-Craig Scott (10.99).
Men’s 110 Meter Hurdles: 27-Carl McKinzie (14.56); 30-Demarius Carroll (14.64).
Men’s 400 Meter Dash: 25-Stanley Suber (48.06); 42-Ronald Bolden (50.49).
Men’s 800 Meter Dash: 11-Daquam Lee (1:52.37).
Men’s 1500 Meter Run: 27-Carlos Franklin (4:06.37).
Men’s 5000 Meter Run: 21-Shauaib Winters (15:45.58); 37-Carlos Franklin (16:55.25).
Men’s 4x100 Meter Relay: 11-FAMU “A” (LaJarvis Cook, Craig Scott, Rennie Carty, Carl McKinzie), 41.32.
Men’s 4x200 Meter Relay: 10-FAMU “A” (Rennie Carty, Ronald Bolden, LaJarvis Cook, Stanley Suber), 1:26.26.
Men’s 4x400 Meter Relay: 23-FAMU “A” (Daquam Lee, Alphonzo Johnson, Rennie Carty, Stanley Suber), 3:15.40.
Men’s 1600 Sprint Medley: 7-FAMU “A” (LaJarvis Cook, Rennie Carty, Stanley Suber, Daquam Lee), 3:25.36.
Men’s High Jump: 9-Bryan Turner (2.05 meters, or 6 feet, 8 ¾ inches); 17-Antwonne McCloud (1.95 meters, 6 feet, 4 ¾ inches).

The Green Team proved to be the Mean Green here Saturday evening, as they overwhelmed the Orange Team, 48-0 during Florida A&M University’s annual Spring Football Game at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

A crowd estimated at better than 2,000, watched the veteran-led Green Team pile up 266 total yards, while limiting the Orange men to 134 total yards, including just five (5) net rushing yards on 31 carries.

Senior tailback Demitric Henry scored two touchdowns, opening the game’s scoring by taking a swing pass from quarterback Curtis Pulley, then dashing 16 yards to the end zone for a 7-0 lead with 7:02 left in the first period.

Henry would bolt into the end zone from seven yards out with 8:02 left in the game to end the Green lead to 41-0.

The Green Defense scored three touchdowns, the first coming when Sean Rush scooped up an Orange team fumble on a punt try, waling in from three yards out for a 14-0 Green lead with 5:15 left in the opening quarter.

Junior tailback Philip Sylvester scored the next two Green tallies, plunging in from three yards out with 4:08 left in the first half to give his squad a 20-0 lead at halftime.

Then after a turnover, Sylvester raced in from 14 yards away with 5:41 to go in the third, extending the Green edge to 27-0, before Fabian Wilson picked off an Orange pass and ran it back 59 yards for a score 15 seconds later (5:26) for a 34-0 lead by the end of the quarter.

Henry’s seven-yard run in the fourth quarter, was followed by a 48-yard pick-six by linebacker Gregory Boler, who reached the end zone with just 15 seconds left in the game.

Sylvester led all rushers with 91 yards on eight carries for the Green, opening the game with a 41-yard gallop. He was followed by sophomore Lonvontae Page with 27 yards on seven carries, while Henry had 23 yards on five tries.

Senior quarterback Curtis Pulley ran for 14 yards on three carries, while passing for 96 yards and one score on nine of 13 passing, suffering one interception. Junior quarterback Eddie Battle went 3-of-11 passing for 43 yards.

Sophomore Kevin Elliott led the Green with five receptions for 48 yards, while Adrian Smith added three catches for 38 yards.

For the Orange, Andre Jacobs rushed for a team-high 40 yards on 12 carries. Quarterbacks Brian Gilmore (5 of 13, 63 yards, 1 INT) and Martin Ukpai (3 of 8 for 66 yards, 2 INTs) split time running the Orange offense.

Edmond Baker led the Orange men with three catches for 53 yards, while Jonathan Sanders (2 for 23) and Brandon Hepburn (2 for 15) also saw receiving action Saturday.

Defensively, senior end Joseph Wims finished with five tackles, one sack and 3.5 tackles for loss to lead the crew which finished with 12 tackles for loss, with four sacks and four turnovers forced (three interceptions, one fumble).

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 5) - The Florida A&M Women’s Softball team swept a three-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference series from Norfolk State this weekend, 5-0 and 3-1 on Saturday, plus a 2-1 thriller on Sunday morning.
FAMU (15-24, 3-0 in MEAC) rapped out 25 hits in the three games, while limiting Norfolk State (12-20, 1-5 in MEAC) to 11 hits.
Junior Amanda Reyes (10-15) won Saturday’s first game and Sunday’s outing, while picking up a save in Saturday’s second game, recording 20 strikeouts in 17 innings.

In the opener on Saturday, Melissa Oliphant homered and drove in two runs, while Ashley Jones drove in two more runs to spark the Lady Rattlers to a 5-0 win.

FAMU scored three runs in the first inning and pushed across two more in the fifth, while Reyes was keeping the Spartans at bay, striking out 11 and scattering three hits in seven innings.

In Saturday’s second game, Oliphant (5-2) got the win, working four innings, allowing one run on three hits with one strikeout on the mound, while aiding her own cause at the plate, with a team-high three hits.

Rhianna Green and Megan Moore each had two hits, while Green, Jasmin Donaldson and Joyce Harold each drove in a run.

Norfolk State took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, but FAMU answered with a run in the bottom of the frame, before pushing across single runs in the fourth and sixth.

On Sunday morning, Reyes was back on the mound, fanning five while scattering five hits, allowing one run in the seventh with FAMU holding a 2-0 lead.

The Lady Rattlers scored single runs in the fourth and sixth innings, missing a couple of chances to break the game open.

FAMU finished with seven hits, let by Nicole Terryn with two hits, followed by Green, Oliphant, Jones Harold and Briana Weaver with one hit each.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Lady Rattlers will host Jacksonville University in a doubleheader Tuesday at 4 p.m., then return to MEAC play next Saturday and Sunday as they host North Carolina A&T.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 4) -The Green Team proved to be the Mean Green here Saturday evening, as they overwhelmed the Orange Team, 48-0 during Florida A&M University’s annual Spring Football Game at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

A crowd estimated at better than 2,000, watched the veteran-led Green Team pile up 266 total yards, while limiting the Orange men to 134 total yards, including just five (5) net rushing yards on 31 carries.

Senior tailback Demitric Henry scored two touchdowns, opening the game’s scoring by taking a swing pass from quarterback Curtis Pulley, then dashing 16 yards to the end zone for a 7-0 lead with 7:02 left in the first period.

Henry would bolt into the end zone from seven yards out with 8:02 left in the game to end the Green lead to 41-0.

The Green Defense scored three touchdowns, the first coming when Sean Rush scooped up an Orange team fumble on a punt try, waling in from three yards out for a 14-0 Green lead with 5:15 left in the opening quarter.

Junior tailback Philip Sylvester scored the next two Green tallies, plunging in from three yards out with 4:08 left in the first half to give his squad a 20-0 lead at halftime.

Then after a turnover, Sylvester raced in from 14 yards away with 5:41 to go in the third, extending the Green edge to 27-0, before Fabian Wilson picked off an Orange pass and ran it back 59 yards for a score 15 seconds later (5:26) for a 34-0 lead by the end of the quarter.

Henry’s seven-yard run in the fourth quarter, was followed by a 48-yard pick-six by linebacker Gregory Boler, who reached the end zone with just 15 seconds left in the game.

Sylvester led all rushers with 91 yards on eight carries for the Green, opening the game with a 41-yard gallop. He was followed by sophomore Lonvontae Page with 27 yards on seven carries, while Henry had 23 yards on five tries.

Senior quarterback Curtis Pulley ran for 14 yards on three carries, while passing for 96 yards and one score on nine of 13 passing, suffering one interception. Junior quarterback Eddie Battle went 3-of-11 passing for 43 yards.

Sophomore Kevin Elliott led the Green with five receptions for 48 yards, while Adrian Smith added three catches for 38 yards.

For the Orange, Andre Jacobs rushed for a team-high 40 yards on 12 carries. Quarterbacks Brian Gilmore (5 of 13, 63 yards, 1 INT) and Martin Ukpai (3 of 8 for 66 yards, 2 INTs) split time running the Orange offense.

Edmond Baker led the Orange men with three catches for 53 yards, while Jonathan Sanders (2 for 23) and Brandon Hepburn (2 for 15) also saw receiving action Saturday.

Defensively, senior end Joseph Wims finished with five tackles, one sack and 3.5 tackles for loss to lead the crew which finished with 12 tackles for loss, with four sacks and four turnovers forced (three interceptions, one fumble).

The Rattlers will continue spring practice over the next two weeks, putting in four sessions this week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday at 3:30 p.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m.), then two more next week to wrap up the 15-day regime.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 3) – The Florida A&M Baseball team swept a Friday afternoon doubleheader from North Carolina Central University, 3-2 and 17-1 at Moore-Kittles Field.

FAMU (11-12) rode the pitching of starter Anthony Espin (3-4) and relief ace Adam Gordon to eke past the visiting Eagles (4-15) in the opener, as the duo allowed just two hits in seven innings, combining for six strikeouts.

Espin worked into the seventh, turning in six full innings, scattering two hits after taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning. He fanned four while walking seven NCCU hitters.

Gordon, came on in the seventh, striking out two batters and getting one other Eagle to ground out with the bases loaded to end the threat and the game.

In the opener, FAMU erased a 1-0 Central lead with two runs in the bottom of the first inning to grab a 2-1 advantage, then both clubs scored single runs in the third to end the scoring.

In the second game, the Rattlers wasted little time plucking the Eagles’ wings, scoring five runs in the first and two more in the second for a 7-0 lead, then broke the game open with a seven-run fourth, keyed by Gordon’s first collegiate grand slam home run, staking FAMU to a 14-0 lead.

Tim Jones led a three-run fifth inning rally by belting a solo home run, his third of the year, helping extend FAMU’s lead to 17-1.

In the second game, FAMU belted out 16 hits, led by Jared Jeffries with four hits and three RBI, followed by Tim Jones with three hits and two RBI, along with Gabriel Rodriguez, who had two hits and two runs driven in, plus Steve Cunningham, who also had two hits in the nightcap.

Miguel Parga (4-2) got the win, working six full innings for the Rattlers, scattering four hits and allowing one run, with five strikeouts and three walks. Thaddous McBurrows came on to work a scoreless seventh to close out the game, striking out one.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers travel to Jackson, Mississippi Monday, to face the Jackson State Tigers in a two-game series, playing Tuesday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday, April 8 at 1:00 p.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Masrch 30) - The Florida A&M Football team is in the midst of spring training in preparation for the 2009 season, and is set to cap off the second week of drills this Saturday, April 4 with the annual Orange and Green Football Game at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

Kickoff will be 5:00 p.m.
The Rattlers, under second-year head coach Joe Taylor, will hold four workouts this week - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (all at 3:30 p.m.) in preparation for Saturday's game.

FAMU will have two additional weeks, or six (6) more practice sessions before training ends for the spring.

The Rattlers will open the 2009 regular season at home on Saturday, September 5 against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival Delaware State in the Sports Hall of Fame Game, which will kickoff at 6:00 p.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 29) – The Florida A&M Baseball team split a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheader with North Carolina A&T Sunday, winning the opening game, 8-5, before dropping the second game, 10-2 here at Moore-Kittles Field.

FAMU (9-12, 2-3 in MEAC) had 11 hits in Sunday’s opener, led by Derrick Shaw and Antonio Burke with two hits apiece. Gabriel Rodriguez and Adam Gordon each drove in a pair of runs.

The Rattlers erased a 1-0 A&T lead with a four-run rally in the bottom of the first, then added a single run in the second to build a 5-1 lead.

FAMU extended their lead to 8-1 by the sixth inning with a run in the fourth and two more runs in the sixth.

The Aggies (7-15, 3-2 in MEAC) scored once in the eighth before pushing across three more in the ninth to make the game interesting.

Sophomore Anthony Espin (2-4) turned in a complete game in the opening, scattering nine hits and allowing five runs in nine innings. He struck out six and walked three Sunday.

In the nightcap, the Aggies struck for seven runs in the fifth, turning their 1-0 lead into an 8-0 advantage.

FAMU answered in the bottom of the fifth with two runs in five hits to cut the Aggies’ edge to 8-2, but could not manage much after that, as A&T scored two more runs in the seventh to close out the game.

The Rattlers had nine hits in the second bout, led by Jared Jeffries with three hits and an RBI, followed by Derrick Shaw and Gabriel Rodriguez with two hits apiece.

Miguel Parga (3-2) took the loss for FAMU, despite an ironman performance Sunday. Like fellow mound mate Anthony Espin in the opener, Parga went the distance, turning in a complete game, allowing 10 runs on 10 hits, with two strikeouts in seven innings.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers will host North Carolina Central in a Friday afternoon doubleheader at Moore-Kittles Field, beginning at 2:00.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (March 29) – The Florida A&M Lady Rattler Softball team swept a Sunday doubleheader from Winston-Salem State, 5-1 and 8-1 at South Park Field.

Florida A&M (11-24) pounded Winston-Salem (7-12) for 22 hits in the twinbill, beating out 15 hits alone in the second game Sunday.

Jasmin Donaldson went 3-for-4, while Rhiana Green added two hits and Ashley Jones had a hit and a pair of RBI in the opener.

FAMU scored two runs in the first, then added single runs in the third, fourth and fifth frames to build a 5-0 lead.

WSSU pushed across their only run in the bottom of the sixth in Sunday’s opener.

Junior Amanda Reyes (8-15) got the win for FAMU in the opening game, fanning nine Lady Rams, while allowing two hits with three walks in seven innings.

Melissa Oliphant (3-2) was the winner in the second game, allowing three hits, striking out six batters in seven innings.

Oliphant also helped her own cause, driving in four runs on three hits in the second game, while Rhiana Green went four-for-five, scoring three runs and driving in another.

FAMU drew first blood again in the second game, scoring four runs in the second inning, then adding two more in the fourth, before the Lady Rams plated their lone tally in the fifth.

The Lady Rattlers closed out the game with two runs in the top of the seventh.

The third game of the series will be played Monday at 1:00 p.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 28) – The Florida A&M University Women’s and Men’s Track teams took part in the 2009 FSU Relays at Mike Long Track on the Florida State University campus Thursday through Saturday.

Contending teams dodged weather delays and wet grounds over the three days, but managed to complete the competition by Saturday afternoon.

Notable performances for the Lady Rattlers included wins respectively by Latoya Wright in the 400 meters (1:02.05) and Nichola Listhrop in the 800 meters (2:18.59), as well as by the sprint medley team of Ashley Gillis, Ann-Marie Francis, LaKendra Cunningham and Listhrop (4:10.39).

The Rattler thinclads also notched several firsts too, headed by Stanley Suber in the 400 meters (47.56) and Daquam Lee in the 800 (1:53.05), while Mike White finished second in the pole vault (14 feet, 7 ¼ inches) and the men’s 4x200 relay crew ran second (1:28.37).

In the early going, freshman Phillip Washington, scored 3,181 points in the men’s decathlon, after competing in the 100 meter dash (8th), 110 hurdles (6th), long jump (9th), shot put (11th), high jump (7th) and 400 meter dash (8th).

However, injury forced the talented youngster to bow out of the competition with four events remaining on Friday.

WASHINGTON’S DECATHLON RESULTS/FAMU
•100 Meter Dash: Phillip Washington, 8th, 11.91 – 669 pts
•Men’s Long Jump: Phillip Washington, 9th, 5.57 meters (18-03.25) – 496 pts
•Men’s Shot Put: Phillip Washington, 11th, 7.29 meters (23-11.00) – 324 pts
•Men’s High Jump: Phillip Washington, 7th, 1.69 meters (5-06.50) – 536 pts
•Men’s 400 Meter Dash: Phillip Washington, 8th, 57.65 – 497 pts
• Men’s 110 Meter Hurdles: Phillip Washington, 6th, 16.67 – 659 pts

FAMU’S NOTABLES IN THE FSU RELAYS
•Women’s High Jump: 3-Suelyn Pilliner (1.60 meters, or 5 feet, 3 inches).
•Men’s High Jump: 3-Bryan Turner (2.00 meters, or 6 feet, 6 ¾ inches); 5-Antwone 
McCloud (1.95 meters, or 6 feet, 4 ¾ inches).
•Men’s Pole Vault: 2-Mike White (4.45 meters, or 14 feet, 7 ¼ inches).
•Women’s Long Jump: 5-Suelyn Pilliner (5.26 meters, or 17 feet, 3 ¼ inches);
8-Tomika Story (5.00 meters, 16 feet, 5 inches); 10-Ashante Davis (4.72 meters, or 15 feet, 6 inches).
•Men’s Long Jump: 6-Anthony Hill (6.31 meters, or 20 feet, 8 ½ inches).
•Women’s Triple Jump: 3-Tomika Story (11.57 meters, or 37 feet, 11 ½ inches).
•Men’s Discus Throw: 7-Frank Scott (39.97 meters, or 131 feet, 2 inches).
•Men’s Shot Put: 3-Frank Scott (13.54 meters, 44 feet, 5 ¼ inches).
•Women’s 100 Meter Dash: 6-Ashley Gillis (12.10); 14-Ann-Marie Francis (12.36); 15-Jesseka Forbes (12.39).
•Men’s 100 Meter Dash: 7-Carl McKenzie (10.71); 8-Joe Washington (10.75); 11-LaJarvis Cook (10.87); 15-Rennie Carty (11.22).
•Women’s 400 Meter Hurdles: 1-Latoya Wright (1:02.05).
•Men’s 400 Meter Hurdles: 5-Demarius Carroll (58.03).
•Women’s 400 Meter Dash: 5-Jeanette Hulse (59.01).
•Men’s 400 Meter Dash: 1-Stanley Suber (47.56); 8-Ronald Bolden (50.62); 11-Alphonso Johnson (51.99).
•Men’s 110 Meter Hurdles:  6-Damarius Carroll (14.55).
•Women’s 4x100 Meter Relay: 3-“A” Team (Jesseka Forbes, Latoya Wright, Ann-Marie Francis, Ashley Gillis), 47.21.
•Men’s 4x100 Meter Relay: 3-“A” Team (41.94).
•Men’s 4x200 Meter Relay: 2-“A” Team (1:28.37).
•Women’s 4x400 Meter Relay: 3-“A” Team (4:03.80).
•Men’s 4x400 Meter Relay: 3-“A” Team (3:20.79).
•Women’s Sprint Medley: 1-“A” Team (Gillis, Francis, LaKendra Cunningham, Nichola Listhrop), 4:10.39.
•Women’s 800 Meter Run: 1-Nichola Listhrop (2:18.59).
•Men’s 800 Meter Run: 1-Daquam Lee (1:53.05).
•Men’s 1500 Meter Run: 7-Paul Williams(4:26.45).
•Women’s 5000 Meter Run: 9-Kelle Ransom (20:24.84); 12-Jennie Desir (21:59.41).
•Men’s 5000 Meter Run: 11-Shuaib Winters (16:02.54).

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 28) – The Florida A&M University Women’s and Men’s Track teams took part in the 2009 FSU Relays at Mike Long Track on the Florida State University campus Thursday through Saturday.

Contending teams dodged weather delays and wet grounds over the three days, but managed to complete the competition by Saturday afternoon.

Notable performances for the Lady Rattlers included wins respectively by Latoya Wright in the 400 meters (1:02.05) and Nichola Listhrop in the 800 meters (2:18.59), as well as by the sprint medley team of Ashley Gillis, Ann-Marie Francis, LaKendra Cunningham and Listhrop (4:10.39).

The Rattler thinclads also notched several firsts too, headed by Stanley Suber in the 400 meters (47.56) and Daquam Lee in the 800 (1:53.05), while Mike White finished second in the pole vault (14 feet, 7 ¼ inches) and the men’s 4x200 relay crew ran second (1:28.37).

In the early going, freshman Phillip Washington, scored 3,181 points in the men’s decathlon, after competing in the 100 meter dash (8th), 110 hurdles (6th), long jump (9th), shot put (11th), high jump (7th) and 400 meter dash (8th).

However, injury forced the talented youngster to bow out of the competition with four events remaining on Friday.

WASHINGTON’S DECATHLON RESULTS/FAMU
•100 Meter Dash: Phillip Washington, 8th, 11.91 – 669 pts
•Men’s Long Jump: Phillip Washington, 9th, 5.57 meters (18-03.25) – 496 pts
•Men’s Shot Put: Phillip Washington, 11th, 7.29 meters (23-11.00) – 324 pts
•Men’s High Jump: Phillip Washington, 7th, 1.69 meters (5-06.50) – 536 pts
•Men’s 400 Meter Dash: Phillip Washington, 8th, 57.65 – 497 pts
• Men’s 110 Meter Hurdles: Phillip Washington, 6th, 16.67 – 659 pts

FAMU’S NOTABLES IN THE FSU RELAYS
•Women’s High Jump: 3-Suelyn Pilliner (1.60 meters, or 5 feet, 3 inches).
•Men’s High Jump: 3-Bryan Turner (2.00 meters, or 6 feet, 6 ¾ inches); 5-Antwone 
McCloud (1.95 meters, or 6 feet, 4 ¾ inches).
•Men’s Pole Vault: 2-Mike White (4.45 meters, or 14 feet, 7 ¼ inches).
•Women’s Long Jump: 5-Suelyn Pilliner (5.26 meters, or 17 feet, 3 ¼ inches);
8-Tomika Story (5.00 meters, 16 feet, 5 inches); 10-Ashante Davis (4.72 meters, or 15 feet, 6 inches).
•Men’s Long Jump: 6-Anthony Hill (6.31 meters, or 20 feet, 8 ½ inches).
•Women’s Triple Jump: 3-Tomika Story (11.57 meters, or 37 feet, 11 ½ inches).
•Men’s Discus Throw: 7-Frank Scott (39.97 meters, or 131 feet, 2 inches).
•Men’s Shot Put: 3-Frank Scott (13.54 meters, 44 feet, 5 ¼ inches).
•Women’s 100 Meter Dash: 6-Ashley Gillis (12.10); 14-Ann-Marie Francis (12.36); 15-Jesseka Forbes (12.39).
•Men’s 100 Meter Dash: 7-Carl McKenzie (10.71); 8-Joe Washington (10.75); 11-LaJarvis Cook (10.87); 15-Rennie Carty (11.22).
•Women’s 400 Meter Hurdles: 1-Latoya Wright (1:02.05).
•Men’s 400 Meter Hurdles: 5-Demarius Carroll (58.03).
•Women’s 400 Meter Dash: 5-Jeanette Hulse (59.01).
•Men’s 400 Meter Dash: 1-Stanley Suber (47.56); 8-Ronald Bolden (50.62); 11-Alphonso Johnson (51.99).
•Men’s 110 Meter Hurdles:  6-Damarius Carroll (14.55).
•Women’s 4x100 Meter Relay: 3-“A” Team (Jesseka Forbes, Latoya Wright, Ann-Marie Francis, Ashley Gillis), 47.21.
•Men’s 4x100 Meter Relay: 3-“A” Team (41.94).
•Men’s 4x200 Meter Relay: 2-“A” Team (1:28.37).
•Women’s 4x400 Meter Relay: 3-“A” Team (4:03.80).
•Men’s 4x400 Meter Relay: 3-“A” Team (3:20.79).
•Women’s Sprint Medley: 1-“A” Team (Gillis, Francis, LaKendra Cunningham, Nichola Listhrop), 4:10.39.
•Women’s 800 Meter Run: 1-Nichola Listhrop (2:18.59).
•Men’s 800 Meter Run: 1-Daquam Lee (1:53.05).
•Men’s 1500 Meter Run: 7-Paul Williams(4:26.45).
•Women’s 5000 Meter Run: 9-Kelle Ransom (20:24.84); 12-Jennie Desir (21:59.41).
•Men’s 5000 Meter Run: 11-Shuaib Winters (16:02.54).

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 26) – Florida A&M University freshman Phillip Washington was the lone Orange and Green performer to compete in the first day of the FSU Relays at Mike Long Track on the Florida State University campus Thursday.

Despite rain showers which hampered the opening round of competition, events were held in the men’s decathlon (10 select events) and the women’s heptathlon (seven select events), as well as the hammer throw for women and men.

In the first five decathlon events, Washington, a 6-2, 162-pound freshman from Hallandale High in Hollywood, Florida, had scored 2,522 points, after competing in the 100 meter dash (8th), long jump (9th), shot put (11th), high jump (7th) and 400 meter dash (8th).

Competition continues Friday and will conclude on Saturday, with a full array of track and field events on tap, weather permitting,

THURSDAY’S DECATHLON RESULTS/FAMU
•100 Meter Dash: Phillip Washington, 8th, 11.91 – 669 pts
•Men’s Long Jump: Phillip Washington, 9th, 5.57 meters (18-03.25) – 496 pts
•Men’s Shot Put: Phillip Washington, 11th, 7.29 meters (23-11.00) – 324 pts
•Men’s High Jump: Phillip Washington, 7th, 1.69 meters (5-06.50) – 536 pts
•Men’s 400 Meter Dash: Phillip Washington, 8th, 57.65 – 497 pts

The Florida A&M University Football Team will hold the annual Orange and Green Spring Game on Saturday, April 4 in Bragg Memorial Stadium. Kickoff will be at 5:00 p.m.

The Rattler Football Team will continue its' Spring Training schedule with practices on Thursday (3:30 p.m.) and Saturday (9:00 a.m.) on the FAMU Practice Fields.

Next week's schedule features practices on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (all 3:30), capped off by the annual Orange and Green Spring Game.

WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The likelihood of inclement weather this weekend has forced the Lady Rams’ weekend series to postponed, but the wait won’t be for long.

Instead of a Saturday doubleheader and a single game on Sunday, the Lady Rams and Lady Rattlers will face off in a Sunday doubleheader and a single game on Monday.

The series was originally scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, but weather forecasts for Saturday show a 70% chance or rain and thunderstorms.

The Lady Rams and Lady Rattlers will square off in doubleheader action on Sunday, March 29th beginning at 1:00 p.m. followed by a single game on Monday at noon.

The following FAMU Sports Teams will be in action this weekend:
•BASEBALL: The Rattler Baseball Team will host the Aggies of North Carolina A&T in a three-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference series at Moore-Kittles Field. There will be a Saturday doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. and a single game Sunday at 12 noon.

•FOOTBALL: The Rattler Football Team will continue its' Spring Training schedule with practices on Thursday (3:30 p.m.) and Saturday (9:00 a.m.) on the FAMU Practice Fields... Next week's schedule features practices on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (all 3:30), with the annual Orange and Green Spring Game at Bragg Memorial Stadium, on Saturday, April 4 at 5:00 p.m.

•SOFTBALL: The Lady Rattler Softball Team travels to Winston-Salem, North Carolina for a three-game weekend series beginning Sunday with a 1:00 doubleheader, followed by a Monday single game at 1:00 p.m.

•TENNIS: The FAMU Tennis Teams will host a doubleheader of their own Saturday on the University Courts beginning at 10 a.m., as the women and men host MEAC foe Norfolk State... The men will close out their home schedule later in the day at 2 p.m. against Chicago State, coached by former Rattler tennis standout LeTrone Mason.

•TRACK: The FAMU Track Teams will compete in the Florida State Relays, Thursday through Saturday at Mike Long Track.... Admission is free.

LADY RATTLERS FALL TO FLORIDA STATE, 5-1

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 24) - The Florida A&M Softball team dropped a 5-1 contest to cross town rival Florida State, here Tuesday evening at JoAnne Graf Field.

FAMU (9-24) finished the game with four hits, while FSU (24-9) tallied seven hits.

The Lady Rattlers were led by Rhiana Green with two hits, while both Melissa Oliphant and Jasmin Donaldson finished with one hit each.

Both Monica Montez and Brittany Joseph led the Lady Seminoles from the plate garnering two hits each.

Terese Gober (15-5) got the win for the FSU giving up one earned run and one hit striking out five in three innings of relief, while Amanda Reyes (7-15) took the loss for FAMU, striking out one and giving up five earned runs in four innings of work.

The Lady Seminole grabbed an early 3-0 lead as Shayla  Jackson hit a three-run inside the park homer, scoring both Joseph and Montez in the bottom of the second inning.

A Carly Wynn triple to left center field scored Joseph, followed by a Kaleigh Raftner sacrifice fly to right field scoring Wynn to increase FSU’s lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the fourth.

FAMU scored their only run of the game as Raven Johnson scored on a Green single to left field, for the 5-1 final.

The Lady Rattlers will return to action this weekend as they will open Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play against provisional member Winston-Salem State in a three game series, with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 28 at 1 p.m. and a single game on Sunday, March 29 at Noon, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 22) – The Florida A&M University Football team will opne spring training, or their annual “15 Days of Spring” practice sessions beginning Monday, March 23 at 3:30 p.m..

The 15 practice sessions will be split in half, with the annual “Orange and Green Spring Football Game” set for the middle of the practice schedule on Saturday, April 4 at 5:00 p.m. in Bragg Memorial Stadium.

Spring workouts will be held each week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, except for Week Two, when a Friday session will be held prior to the Spring Game, and Week Four, when the final two workouts (Tuesday and Thursday) will close out the 15-day regimen.

All weekday sessions will start at 3:30 p.m. and the Saturday drills will run from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

FAMU FOOTBALL’S “15 DAYS OF SPRING” PRACTICE SLATE
Week One                                             Week Three
• Monday, March 23 (3:30p)                  • Monday, April 6 (3:30p)
• Tuesday March 24 (3:30p)                  • Tuesday, April 7 (3:30p)
• Thursday, March 26 (3:30p)                • Thursday, April 9 (3:30p)
• Saturday, March 28 (9:00a)                 • Saturday, April 11 (9:00a)

Week Two                                            Week Four
• Monday, March 30 (3:30p)                  • Tuesday, April 14 (3:30p)
• Tuesday, March 31 (3:30p)                 • Thursday, April 16 (3:30p)
• Thursday, April 2 (3:30p)
• Friday, April 3 (3:30p)
• Saturday, April 4/Spring Game (4:00p)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 22) – The Florida A&M Rattlers fell victim to their own fielding miscues here Sunday, dropping a 7-4 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference baseball decision to the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Florida A&M (8-11, 1-2 in MEAC) committed six errors in Sunday’s rubber game, yet trailed just 6-4 after six innings.

Sophomore Tim Jones (0-2) took the mound for FAMU, allowing four hits and four runs in four innings, fanning six Wildcat batters, while walking five. Sophomore Miguel Parga came on in the fifth, fanning four in four innings, scattering three hits and allowing three runs.

B-CU’s Felix Machado (3-1) got the win after working into the sixth, when he was chased by the Rattlers, who struck for three runs in the frame to slice the Wildcats’ advantage to 6-4. Machado scattered eight hits in five and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs, with three strikeouts and three walks.

Andrew Tilka came on in the sixth for B-CU, working three and one-third innings o shutout relief, allowing two hits, fanning three for his first save of the year.

Bethune-Cookman (10-13, 2-1 in MEAC) scored once in the first inning and two in the second, plus a single run in the fourth to build a 4-0 lead.

FAMU got on the board in the fifth, as Tim Schalch scored from third when Steve Cunningham reached on a fielder’s choice grounder, which was thrown away by B-CU first baseman Alejandro Jimenez, for a 4-1 score.

The Wildcats plated two more runs in the bottom of the fifth for a 6-1 advantage, before the Rattlers scored three runs on five hits in the top of the sixth to close within 6-4.

Adam Gordon’s RBI double scored Daniel Lee for a 6-2 score, then Tim Schalch and Steve Cunningham followed with RBI singles to plate two more runs for the Rattlers.

FAMU out hit the Wildcats, 10-8, but left nine runners stranded including leaving the bases loaded in the second inning, when B-CU’s lead was just 1-0. Steve Cunningham, Tim Schalch and Chris Fulman each had two hits for the Rattlers.

The Wildcats scored a run in the seventh to close out the scoring, extending their lead to 7-4.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers return to action next weekend as they host North Carolina A&T, Saturday (1:00) and Sunday (12 Noon) in a three-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference series at Moore-Kittles Field.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 22) – Bethune-Cookman University captured the team title at the 2009 Florida A&M University Spring Invitational Golf Tournament after shooting a final round 309 Sunday at the Killearn Country Club.

The Wildcats were led by Dan Venema, who won individual medalist honors after firing a one-over 73 for a two-day total of 145, edging out South Carolina State’s Roberto Cacho (147), who carded a one-under 71 in Sunday’s final round.

B-CU finished the two-day event with a 601 total, followed by Canisius College (623) and Thomas University (624).

Host FAMU finished seventh overall with a two-day total of 645, led by senior James Petty, who shot a 79 on Sunday to finish with a two-day total of 154.

Other Rattler notables included: Shepherd Archie (155), Wesley Yates (162) and Gallup Franklin (174).

Canadian entry Laval University of Quebec shot 600 for the two-day event, but was ineligible for the title since they were not an NCAA member school.

FAMU SPRING INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNEY
Team Standings
1 – Bethune-Cookman University        292-309-601
2 – Laval University*                            301-299-600*
3 – Canisius (N.Y.) College                  308-315-623
4 – Thomas (Ga.) University                315-309-624
5 – Savannah (Ga.) State University   316-319-635
      South Carolina State University     320-315-635
7 – Florida A&M University                321-324-645
8 – Morehouse (Ga.) College               329-326-655

( )-Tournament winner; (*)-Non NCAA Team (from Canada) not eligible for title

Individual Top 20 – Par 72
  1-Dan Venema, B-CU    72-73-145
  2-Roberto Cacho, SCSU    76-71-147
  3-Mathieu Belanger, Laval    72-77-149*
     Willie Mack, B-CU    75-74-149
     Patrick Lovely, Thomas    74-75-149
     Julien Proulx, Laval    75-74-149*
  7-Steven Hovington, Laval    77-73-150*
  8-Corey Brown, Savannah    77-74-151
  9-Steve Seeler, Canisius    76-76-152
10-Andy Heesom, B-CU    73-80-153
11-James Petty, FAMU    75-79-154
12-Tripp Walker, Savannah    76-79-155
     Shepherd Archie, FAMU   80-75-155
     Charles-Antoine Garon    76-79-155

15-Juan Ronderos, B-CU    73-83-156
     Sean Edey, B-CU        74-82-156
     Hector Arroyave, SCSU    78-78-156
17-Mathieu Gingras, Laval    77-80-157*
     Mike Jantzi            80-77-157
19-Phillip Allen, Morehouse    81-77-158
20-Creighton Drew, Canisius    79-80-159
     Scott Moser, Canisius    79-80-159
 (*)-Non-NCAA (Canadian) players
        
Team Scores – Par 72

Bethune-Cookman University    292-309-601
Dan Venema                  72-72-145*
Willie Mack                    75-74-149
Andy Heesom                73-80-153
Juan Ronderos              73-83-156
Sean Edey                     74-82-156

Laval University             301-299-600*
Mathieu Belanger            72-77-149
Julien Proulx                    75-74-149
Steeven Hovington          77-73-150
Mathieu Gingras               77-80-157
Marc-Andre Champagne   88-75-163

Canisius College            308-315-623
Steve Seeler                    76-76-152
Creighton Drew                79-80-159
Scott Moser                      79-80-159
Evan Smith                       74-86-160
Mike Knott                         86-79-165

Thomas University            315-309-624
Patrick Lovely                      74-75-149
Ben Spooner                        80-76-156
Lance Williams                     80-78-158
Jonathan Guess                   81-80-161
Brian Herrell                         85-83-168

Savannah State Univ.        316-319-635
Corey Brown                         77-74-151
Tripp Walker                          76-79-155
Jamie Montgomery                84-80-164
Riley Baxter                           79-86-165
Ricky Williams                       86-92-178

South Carolina State Univ.    320-315-635
Robert Cacho                           76-71-147
Hector Arroyave                       78-78-156
Alejandro Bernardini                 81-79-160
Robert Biggers                          85-87-172
Javius Bing                              121-121-242

Florida A&M University        321-324-645
James Petty                            75-79-154
Shepherd Archie                     80-75-155
Gallop Franklin                        82-92-174
Wesley Yates                           84-78-162
Elijah Jackson                          DNP

Morehouse College            329-326-655
Phillip Allen                            81-77-158
Olajuwon Ajanaku                  81-80-161
Bryan McElderry                    82-81-163
Thaddeaus Hill                       85-88-173
Darian Bouie                          101-98-199

Individual Contestants
Charles-Antoine Garon         76-79-155
Mike Jantzi                            80-77-157
Vincent Moffett                      88-86-174

    

        
    
    

GREENSBORO, N.C. (March 22) - The Delaware State Lady Hornets won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Bowling Championship title with a victory over the Florida A&M Lady Rattlers, Sunday afternoon at the Gate City Lanes in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The Lady Hornets, who are ranked fourth in the nation, won four straight Baker matches to clinch to the title.

Florida A&M (41-29 overall), led by Interim Coach Sheila Martin, upset defending NCAA National Champion Maryland Eastern Shore, 4-1 in the semifinal round Sunday morning to advance to the championship match for the first time ever in the program’s history.

The Lady Rattlers battled back after a loss to Delaware State Saturday by winning three matches in the double elimination bracket for a chance at the MEAC title.

Adriana Jaime, the 2009 MEAC Rookie of the Year, and sophomore anchor Angela Reynolds led the Delaware State to their first-ever MEAC bowling title after falling in the championship game a year ago.

Delaware State head coach, Kim Terrell-Kearney was named the Outstanding Coach. Terrell-Kearney, the 2009 MEAC Coach of the Year, guided her team to a four straight wins en route to the crown.

The Lady Hornets currently hold a 114-34 mark overall and concluded the regular season at 25-5 in MEAC play.

Maryland Eastern Shore’s Martha Perez earned Outstanding Performer Honors. The sophomore knocked down 869 pins and averaged a 217.25 norm during the qualifying round.

The match was televised in a tape-delayed format and will air on Thursday, April 2nd on ESPNU at 7 p.m.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 21) – The Florida A&M Rattler Baseball team split a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference baseball doubleheader here Saturday afternoon with Bethune-Cookman University, winning the second game, 6-4 in extra innings, after dropping the opener, 9-2.

Florida A&M (8-10, 1-1 in MEAC) out hit the defending MEAC champs, 10-8 in the second game, capturing their first win against their in-state rivals on the diamond in several years.

Tallahassee junior Adam Gordon (1-0) got the win for FAMU in relief of starter David Duncan, who worked into the fifth, fanning four against no walks in four and two-thirds innings, giving up two runs.

Gordon came on in the fifth, scattering two hits, allowing a pair of runs, fanning five and walking four in three and one-third innings.

The Rattlers grabbed a 2-0 lead in the top of the first in Game Two, on RBI singles by Tim Jones and Tobi Adeyemi.

B-CU (9-13, 1-1 in MEAC), scored a run in the bottom of the first, then tied it with a run in the bottom of the second, 2-2.

In the sixth, the Rattlers took a 3-2 lead, when Derrick Shaw, who reached on a leadoff single, scored from third on a Wildcat throwing error, but the ‘Cats tied the game with a run in the bottom of the sixth.

Both clubs scored a run in the seventh, with B-CU’s Jose Ortiz forcing extra innings with a two-out RBI single scoring Alejandro Jimenez, tying the score at 4-4.

In the top of the eighth, the Rattlers plated a pair of runs when Antonio Burke drilled a two-run single to center, scoring Gordon and Adeyemi for a 6-4 FAMU lead.

That was all Gordon would need, as he retired three straight B-CU batters after issuing a leadoff walk to Drew Clark, striking out Mark Brooks to end the game.

Shaw, Burke, Adeyemi and Tim Jones each had two hits for FAMU, which got three RBI from Burke and one each from Adeyemi and Jones.

In the opening game, the Wildcats took control early, scoring two runs in the first, one in the second and three in the third to build a 6-0 advantage after three innings.

FAMU scored single runs in the fourth and fifth, but B-CU answered with a run in the fourth and two more in the seventh.

The Wildcats pounded out 15 hits in the opener to nine for FAMU, which got two hits each from Derrick Shaw and Tim Schalch, each of who drove in a run.

Sophomore Anthony Espin (1-4) took the loss for the Rattlers, working into the eighth inning (7.1), allowing 15 hits and all nine Wildcat runs. He struck out six and walked seven, before being lifted for Gordon, who retired the final two B-CU batters in the eighth, fanning one.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers will shoot for a series win against the Wildcats Sunday in the rubber match at 1:00 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 21) – Bethune-Cookman University holds the first round lead in the 2009 Florida A&M University Spring Invitational Golf Tournament at the Killearn Country Club after play on Saturday.

The Wildcat linksters shot 292 to take the lead over Laval University of Canada (301), Canisius (N.Y.) College (308) and Thomas (Ga.) University (315).

Bethune-Cookman’s Dan Venema and Laval’s Mathieu Belanger both shot even par 72 during Saturday’s opening round to head the individual performers’ list.

Host Florida A&M carded a 321 on Saturday, led by senior James Petty with a three-over 75. Other Rattler competitors included Archie Shepherd (80), Gallop Franklin (82) and Wesley Yates (84).

Sunday’s final round will begin at 8:00 a.m.


FAMU SPRING INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNEY
Team Standings
1 – Bethune-Cookman University        292
2 – Laval University                             301
3 – Canisius (N.Y.) College                  308
4 – Thomas (Ga.) University                315
5 – Savannah (Ga.) State University    316
6 – South Carolina State University     320
7 – Florida A&M University               321
8 – Morehouse (Ga.) College              329

Individual Top 20 – Par 72
1 (tie)    Dan Venema, B-CU          72
             Mathieu Belanger, Laval    72
3 (tie)    Andy Heesom, B-CU         73
            Juan Ronderos, B-CU        73
5 (tie)    Sean Edey, B-CU              74
             Patrick Lovely, Thomas     74
             Evan Smith, Canisius        74
8 (tie)    Willie Mack, B-CU             75
             James Petty, FAMU         75
             Julien Proulx, Laval           75
11(tie)   Tripp Walker, Savannah    76
             Roberto Cacho, SCSU      76
             Steve Seeler, Canisius      76
14 (tie)  Steven Hovington, Laval   77
             Mathieu Gingras, Laval     77
            Corey Brown, Savannah    77
17        Hector Arroyave, SCSU     78
18 (tie) Creighton Drew, Canisius  79
            Scott Moser, Canisius        79
            Riley Baxter, Savannah     79

   

       

GREENSBORO, N.C. (March 21) - The sixth seeded Florida A&M Lady Rattler Bowling team advanced to the semifinals of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Bowling Championship for the first time ever here Saturday, with a victory over fifth-seeded Bethune-Cookman University in the quarterfinals at the Gate City Lanes.

FAMU will take on defending NCAA and MEAC champion Maryland-Eastern Shore in Sunday’s semifinal bout at 9:50 a.m., for the right to meet Delaware State in the 11:45 a.m. title match.
 
Delaware State, the MEAC Northern Division champions, upset the top seeded Lady Hawks of Maryland Eastern Shore to advance to tomorrow’s championship match.
 
The Lady Hornets defeated Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M and Maryland Eastern Shore en route to their second straight championship appearance.
 
The Lady Rattlers earned their first-ever semifinal berth the hard way, going seven games against their Sunshine State rivals, Bethune-Cookman, the fifth seed.

Tied at three-all in Saturday’s quarterfinal bout, the Lady Rattlers won the seventh and deciding game to advance to tomorrow’s semis.
 
The championship match will be televised in a tape-delayed format and will air nationally via ESPNU on April 2.
 

LADY RATTLERS SWEEP SAVANNAH STATE, 8-0, 7-4

Head Coach Veronica Wiggins get 500th career win, Thursday afternoon.


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 19) - Head Softball Coach Veronica Wiggins picked up her 500th and 501st career victories as Florida A&M swept Savannah State, 8-0 and 7-4, here Thursday afternoon at the Lady Rattler Softball Complex.

In game one, FAMU (9-23) pounded out 10 hits as Rhianna Green, Melissa Oliphant and Megan Moore, all finished with two hits each..

Amanda Reyes (7-14) picked up the win for the Lady Rattlers as she pitched her first no-hitter in a Florida A&M uniform.  Reyes struck out four in five innings of work.

Krystle Frost (7-6) took the loss for the Lady Tigers giving up 10 hits and striking out three in four inning of work.

Green scored the Lady Rattlers first run of the game on an Ashley Jones single in the bottom of the first, giving FAMU a 1-0 lead.

The Lady Rattlers scored seven runs in the bottom of  fourth for the eight-run mercy run rule to go in effect for the 8-0 final.

In game two, FAMU blistered out 12 hits, while SSU pumped out six hits.

The Lady Rattlers were led again by Oliphant with three hits, followed by Joyce Harold and Alesha Wells, both with two hits each.

SSU (14-22) has six players to finish with one hit each.

Oliphant (2-2) got the win for the Lady Rattlers as she gave up six hits, three earned runs, and striking out three in six innings of work, while Reyes (1) picked up, her  first save of the season, striking out one in one inning of relief.

Rachel West (6-10) took the loss for the Lady Tigers as she gave up seven earned runs, striking out one in six innings of work. 

SSU took the early 3-0 lead in the top of the first as Brittany Wilson singled to left field scoring Crystal Williams, followed by a Jessica Weimerskirk two-run single scoring Wilson and Brittney Lollis.

FAMU cut into SSU’s lead in the bottom of the second as Harold tripled to right field, scoring Nicole Terryn, who led off the inning with a single.  Then Harold would score on an illegal pitch by a Lady Tiger pitcher, making the score 3-2. 

The Lady Rattlers would tie the score 3-3 in the bottom of the third as Oliphant singles up the middle scoring Shayla Clark, who doubled to led off the inning.

Courtney Harold would give the Lady Rattlers a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning on a Green single up the middle.

FAMU picked up a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth, as Oliphant scored on a Harold single, followed by a Wells single scoring Raven Johnson, giving the Lady Rattlers a 6-3 lead.

The Lady Rattlers had one run cross the plate in the bottom of the sixth to make the score 7-3 as Jasmine Donaldson scored on an Oliphant sacrifice fly to left field.

SSU would score their final run of the game as Shamyra Adams grounded out to second scoring Darnisha Woods, for the 7-4 final.


The Lady Rattlers will return to action on Tuesday, March 24 as they will face cross town rival Florida State at JoAnn Graf field in a 6 p.m. start.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 19) – The Florida A&M Rattler Baseball team prepped for its’ Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opening series this weekend with a 10-0 whitewash of Albany (Ga.) State University at Moore-Kittles Field Thursday afternoon.

Florida A&M (7-9) rapped out nine hits in Thursday’s win, led by junior center fielder Darryl Evans, who went 3-for-5,  scoring two runs, while driving in three more. Freshman Derrick Shaw added two hits and an RBI.

Sophomore pitcher Miguel Parga (3-1) got the win for the Rattlers, tossing a complete game, scattering eight hits, striking out four , while walking five.

FAMU got on the board in the first when Jared Jeffries scored from third on a sacrifice fly by Tim Jones for a 1-0 lead.

The Rattlers made it 2-0 in the third when Evans  doubled and scored on an Albany State throwing error.

In the fourth, the Rattlers plated five runs to build a 7-0 cushion. Tim Schalch’s sacrifice sqeeze bunt scored Tim Jones from third for a 3-0 count. Derrick Shaw made it 4-0, when he scored from third on an ASU fielding error on Adam Gordon’s bunt, which allowed Gordon to advance to second.

Catcher Gabriel Rodriguez lashed a run-scoring triple, plating Gordon, then Evans followed with an RBI double, scoring Rodriguez for a 6-0 lead. Jared Jeffries’s run-scoring double scored Evans for the 7-0 advantage.

Shaw drove in a run in the seventh with a single, scoring Tobi Adeyemi, who had reached on a fielding error for an 8-0 lead, then in the eighth, Evans singled to center field, driving in Schalch and Gordon for the game’s final runs.

WHAT’S NEXT: Florida A&M travels to Daytona Beach, Florida to open Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play against Bethune-Cookman. Saturday’s doubleheader begins at 1:00 p.m. and Sunday’s game starts at 12 noon. All three games will be played at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 18) – The University of South Florida beat out nine hits and took advantage of six FAMU fielding errors to clinch a 7-0 college baseball victory over the Rattlers Wednesday afternoon at Moore-Kittles Field.

Florida A&M (6-9), which managed just three hits in Tuesday’s 6-1 loss to the Bulls, went one better Wednesday, finishing the day with four hits, led by senior shortstop Tim Schalch with two hits, while Steve Cunningham and Derrick Shaw claimed the other two safeties.

Freshman David Duncan (2-4) took the loss on the mound for FAMU, scattering six hits, while allowing four runs (one earned) with seven strikeouts and three walks in seven innings of work.

USF’S Matt Reed (2-0) went the distance for the Bulls, scattering four hits in nine shutout innings, fanning five Rattler hitters, while walking two.

South Florida (10-7) took a 2-0 lead in the first on Todd Brazeal’s two-run double, which scored Sam Mende and Jonathan Kosco. Kosco had struck out, but catcher Adam Gordon’s throw to first was wild, allowing Kosco to go all the way to third, setting the stage of Brazeal’s big hit later in the inning.

In the fifth, Mende singled, then scored on a throwing error by third baseman Derrick Shaw with two outs, extending the Bulls’ lead to 3-0.

USF’s Daniel Rockhold made it 4-0 in the sixth, reaching base after being hit by a pitch, scoring from second when left fielder Tobi Adeyemi misplayed a base hit by Peter Brotons, allowing the ball to roll to the fence.

In the eighth, the Bulls made it 6-0, when Mike Consolmagno hit a two-run single, scoring Junior Carlin and Jordan McGillis, then in the ninth, a throwing error by shortstop Tim Schalch allowed Mende, who reached on a one-out walk, to score from third with the game’s final run.

WHAT’S NEXT: FAMU will host Albany (Ga.) State Thursday at 3 p.m. at Moore-Kittles Field, then open Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play Saturday (1:00-DH) and Sunday (12 noon) against archrival and defending champion Bethune-Cookman at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Daytona Beach, Florida.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 17) – The University of South Florida Bulls made the most of their hits here Wednesday afternoon to ease past the Florida A&M Rattler Baseball team, 6-1 in a non-conference game at Moore-Kittles Field.

USF (9-7), which finished the day with six hits, grabbed a 2-0 lead in the fourth when catcher Andrew Longley hit a two-run double, scoring Todd Brazeal and Sam Mende with two outs after a Rattler error kept the inning alive.

The Rattlers (6-8) scored a single run in the bottom of the fourth as Elliott Bonner scored from second with two outs, when Derrick Shaw’s fly ball to center was dropped by Ryan Lockwood, making the score, 2-1.

The Bulls scored three runs in the seventh on just one hit and one Rattler error to extend their lead to 5-1, then added a run in the ninth to close out the scoring.

FAMU finished the game with three hits, but committed five fielding errors, most of which didn’t hurt them, thanks to a gusty pitching performance by starter Anthony Espin.

Espin (1-3) took the loss, despite pitching out of three bases-loaded jams in the first six innings. He worked six and one-third innings, allowing five runs on five hits, striking out five and walking five.

USF’s Teddy Kaufman (1-0) went the distance on the mound for the Bulls, scattering three hits and allowing one run, fanning 11 Rattler batters, while issuing no walks in nine innings.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers host USF Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Moore-Kittles Field, then take on Albany (Ga.) State at Moore-Kittles on Thursday at 3 p.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 13) – The Florida A&M Men’s Golf Team placed sixth overall in the two-day 2009 Florida State Spring Break Invitational Tournament at the Seminole Golf Course, Wednesday and Thursday, March 12-13.

FAMU shot a two-round 609 as a team, while host Florida State won the event with a 550 team total, just ahead of second-place Troy (Ala.) University (564).

In the individual standings, senior James Petty, Jr. shot a two-under 142 (74-68) for the tourney, finishing 10th overall, after firing a final round four under 68 on Thursday.

Other Rattler performers included Shephard Archie III, who carded a one-over 73 on Thursday, finishing with a 153 (80-73) for the tournament; Wesley Yates (77-80) shot a 157; Elijah Jackson (83-75) carded a two-day 158, while Gallop Franklin (85-79) finished the tourney with a 164.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 14) – The final round of action at the Webster Surgical Center FAMU Relays was contested Saturday at Pete Griffin Track, featuring high school, middle school and collegiate events.
    Listed below are the highlights of the 59th annual Relays for all divisions:

FAMU MEN’S TRACK HIGHLIGHTS
  FAMU’s Bryan Turner qualified for the NCAA Regionals in the high jump (2.10 meters); Carl McKenzie (14.73) won the 110 meter hurdles; Stanley Suber (49.42) won the 400 meter dash and Daquam Lee (1:53.31) and Carlos Franklin (1:59.10), finished 1-2 in the 800 meters and Mike White (4.54 meters) finished first in the pole vault.

  Craig Scott (11.02) and LaJarvis Cook (11.13) ran second and third in the 100 meters, and Demarius Carroll (1:02.66) finished fourth in the 400 hurdles; Mike White (42.68 meters) finished fifth in the javelin; Anthony Hill was fourth in the long jump (6.44 meters).

   In the relays, the 4x100 “A” team (41.52) finished first and the distance medley “A” team finished second (10:40.04).

FAMU WOMEN’S TRACK HIGHLIGHTS
   Headlining the FAMU Women’s top performances were Latoya Wright (1:02.85), who won the 400 meter hurdles; LaKendra Cunningham (57.08), who was the winner of the 400 meter dash, and Tomkia Story (11.39) who won the triple jump.

   The Lady Rattler 1600 sprint medley “A” team ran second (4:23.25); sprinters Ashley Gillis (12.36) and Ann-Marie Francis (12.65) ran second and fourth in the 100 meter dash; Francis ran second (26.22) in the javelin throw; Kierra Holiday (15.09) was third in the 100 meter hurdles; Tomika Story (5.32 meters) and Ashante Davis (5.08 meters) were second and fifth in the long jump.
 
   The trio of Nichola Listhrop (2:23.38), Helena Shields (2:27.86) and Antoinette Suer (2:44.91) ran 2-3-4 in the 800 meter run; Suelyn Pillinier (1.67 meters) was second in the high jump; Listhrop (5:08.99) and Kelle Ransom (5:22.56) were third and fourth in the 1500 meter run; Takeira Booker (10.54 meters) was fifth in the shot put.

   The 4x100 meter “A” team ran second (46.45) and the “B” team finished fourth (48.95); the distance medley “A” team (13:18.18) ran third; the 4x400 “A” team (3:58.43) finished second, with the “B” team (4:05.64) finishing third.

HIGH SCHOOL NOTABLES
   In the high school division, Godby, Rickards, East Gadsden, North Florida Christian, FAMU DRS and Madison County were the local prep schools in the 2009 field.

   Southwest Dekalb (Ga.) High and Stephenson High (Ga.) dominated the competition, winning a combined 21 of the prep events on Saturday.

   Top local girls performers included: Rickards’ Brittany Jones (47.38), who finished first in the 300 meter hurdles; Jasmine Allen (59.68) and Sharla Chavers (1:00.45), of East Gadsden, who finished second and fourth in the 400 meter dash; Rickards girls 4x100 meter relay team (50.60), ran third.

    Godby’s girls 4x800 meter relay team (12:38.03) ran third; East Gadsden’s girls 1600 sprint medley crew (5:20.93) ran fourth and Madison County’s girls (5:39.54) ran fifth; East Gadsden’s girls 4x400 team (4:17.93) finished third; East Gadsden’s Torriah Bell (4.58 meters), ran fourth in the long jump and third in the triple jump (10.27 meters); Godby’s Michelle Edwards (10.95 meters) was second in the shot put and fourth in the discus (28.74 meters).

  Top local boys performers included: Rickards’ Darius Jones won the 300 meter hurdles (40.70), while fellow Raiders JaJuan Harley (11.23) and Gerald McDonald (11.49) were fourth and fifth in the 100 meters; Godby’s Eddie St. Hilaire (22.87) ran fourth in the 110 meter hurdles; Godby’s Alexander Barber ran fourth (42.66) in the 400 meter dash.

  North Florida’s Whitney Strickland won the 800 meters (1:58.47); Rickards’ Jaron Poulos (5:10.78) was fourth in the 1600 meter run; Godby’s “A” Team (43.57), East Gadsden’s and Madison County’s (44.97) “A” teams ran third and fourth in the 4x100 meter relay; Rickards’ 1600 Sprint Medley team (4:01.48) finished third and East Gadsden’s team ran fourth (4:07.02); East Gadsden (3:38.70) placed third in the 4x400 relay.

    Godby’s LaVorrie Johnson (6.69 meters) and Donterious Gee of East Gadsden (6.61 meters) finished 1-2 in the long jump; Godby’s Bakari Harris (12.14 meters) finished third in the triple jump, while teammate Chris St. Hilaire (1.77 meters) was third in the high jump.

    Rickards’ Anthony Floyd (12.92 meters) and Madison County’s Reginald Doston (12.92) tied for second in the shot put, while Godby’s Denzel Bonner (12.84) finished fourth.

    In the discus, the top four finishers were local performers, led by Rickards’ Anthony Floyd (44.18 meters), followed by Godby’s Devin Screen (43.16), North Florida’s Keith Carter (42.00m) and Godby’s Tim Stroman (39.52).

MIDDLE SCHOOL 4X100
   The first-ever middle school competition at the FAMU Relays took place Saturday afternoon in the 4x100 meter relay.

   In the girls 4x100 division, Nims Middle School won in 52.66, followed by Swift Creek Middle (52.79) and Griffin Middle (53.73).

   In the boys 4x100 division, Swift Creek Middle was the winning in 47.35, followed by Nims Middle (49.39) and Griffin Middle (50.67).

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 14) – The final round of action at the Webster Surgical Center FAMU Relays was contested Saturday at Pete Griffin Track, featuring high school, middle school and collegiate events.
    Listed below are the highlights of the 59th annual Relays for all divisions:

FAMU MEN’S TRACK HIGHLIGHTS
  FAMU’s Bryan Turner qualified for the NCAA Regionals in the high jump (2.10 meters); Carl McKenzie (14.73) won the 110 meter hurdles; Stanley Suber (49.42) won the 400 meter dash and Daquam Lee (1:53.31) and Carlos Franklin (1:59.10), finished 1-2 in the 800 meters and Mike White (4.54 meters) finished first in the pole vault.

  Craig Scott (11.02) and LaJarvis Cook (11.13) ran second and third in the 100 meters, and Demarius Carroll (1:02.66) finished fourth in the 400 hurdles; Mike White (42.68 meters) finished fifth in the javelin; Anthony Hill was fourth in the long jump (6.44 meters).

   In the relays, the 4x100 “A” team (41.52) finished first and the distance medley “A” team finished second (10:40.04).

FAMU WOMEN’S TRACK HIGHLIGHTS
   Headlining the FAMU Women’s top performances were Latoya Wright (1:02.85), who won the 400 meter hurdles; LaKendra Cunningham (57.08), who was the winner of the 400 meter dash, and Tomkia Story (11.39) who won the triple jump.

   The Lady Rattler 1600 sprint medley “A” team ran second (4:23.25); sprinters Ashley Gillis (12.36) and Ann-Marie Francis (12.65) ran second and fourth in the 100 meter dash; Francis ran second (26.22) in the javelin throw; Kierra Holiday (15.09) was third in the 100 meter hurdles; Tomika Story (5.32 meters) and Ashante Davis (5.08 meters) were second and fifth in the long jump.
 
   The trio of Nichola Listhrop (2:23.38), Helena Shields (2:27.86) and Antoinette Suer (2:44.91) ran 2-3-4 in the 800 meter run; Suelyn Pillinier (1.67 meters) was second in the high jump; Listhrop (5:08.99) and Kelle Ransom (5:22.56) were third and fourth in the 1500 meter run; Takeira Booker (10.54 meters) was fifth in the shot put.

   The 4x100 meter “A” team ran second (46.45) and the “B” team finished fourth (48.95); the distance medley “A” team (13:18.18) ran third; the 4x400 “A” team (3:58.43) finished second, with the “B” team (4:05.64) finishing third.

HIGH SCHOOL NOTABLES
   In the high school division, Godby, Rickards, East Gadsden, North Florida Christian, FAMU DRS and Madison County were the local prep schools in the 2009 field.

   Southwest Dekalb (Ga.) High and Stephenson High (Ga.) dominated the competition, winning a combined 21 of the prep events on Saturday.

   Top local girls performers included: Rickards’ Brittany Jones (47.38), who finished first in the 300 meter hurdles; Jasmine Allen (59.68) and Sharla Chavers (1:00.45), of East Gadsden, who finished second and fourth in the 400 meter dash; Rickards girls 4x100 meter relay team (50.60), ran third.

    Godby’s girls 4x800 meter relay team (12:38.03) ran third; East Gadsden’s girls 1600 sprint medley crew (5:20.93) ran fourth and Madison County’s girls (5:39.54) ran fifth; East Gadsden’s girls 4x400 team (4:17.93) finished third; East Gadsden’s Torriah Bell (4.58 meters), ran fourth in the long jump and third in the triple jump (10.27 meters); Godby’s Michelle Edwards (10.95 meters) was second in the shot put and fourth in the discus (28.74 meters).

  Top local boys performers included: Rickards’ Darius Jones won the 300 meter hurdles (40.70), while fellow Raiders JaJuan Harley (11.23) and Gerald McDonald (11.49) were fourth and fifth in the 100 meters; Godby’s Eddie St. Hilaire (22.87) ran fourth in the 110 meter hurdles; Godby’s Alexander Barber ran fourth (42.66) in the 400 meter dash.

  North Florida’s Whitney Strickland won the 800 meters (1:58.47); Rickards’ Jaron Poulos (5:10.78) was fourth in the 1600 meter run; Godby’s “A” Team (43.57), East Gadsden’s and Madison County’s (44.97) “A” teams ran third and fourth in the 4x100 meter relay; Rickards’ 1600 Sprint Medley team (4:01.48) finished third and East Gadsden’s team ran fourth (4:07.02); East Gadsden (3:38.70) placed third in the 4x400 relay.

    Godby’s LaVorrie Johnson (6.69 meters) and Donterious Gee of East Gadsden (6.61 meters) finished 1-2 in the long jump; Godby’s Bakari Harris (12.14 meters) finished third in the triple jump, while teammate Chris St. Hilaire (1.77 meters) was third in the high jump.

    Rickards’ Anthony Floyd (12.92 meters) and Madison County’s Reginald Doston (12.92) tied for second in the shot put, while Godby’s Denzel Bonner (12.84) finished fourth.

    In the discus, the top four finishers were local performers, led by Rickards’ Anthony Floyd (44.18 meters), followed by Godby’s Devin Screen (43.16), North Florida’s Keith Carter (42.00m) and Godby’s Tim Stroman (39.52).

MIDDLE SCHOOL 4X100
   The first-ever middle school competition at the FAMU Relays took place Saturday afternoon in the 4x100 meter relay.

   In the girls 4x100 division, Nims Middle School won in 52.66, followed by Swift Creek Middle (52.79) and Griffin Middle (53.73).

   In the boys 4x100 division, Swift Creek Middle was the winning in 47.35, followed by Nims Middle (49.39) and Griffin Middle (50.67).

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 13) – The Webster Surgical Center FAMU Relays opened Friday at the Pete Griffin Track with a handful of events in advance of Saturday’s traditional all-day slate.

On  Friday, collegiate finals for women and men were contested in the javelin throw, the 3,000 meter steeplechase and the pole vault, along with a final in the men’s 5,000 meter run.

• Florida A&M’s Ann-Marie Francis placed second in the women’s javelin throw with a toss of 26.22 meters, while Rattlers Mike White (42.68) and Antwaon McCloud (35.60) placed fifth and eighth in the men’s javelin.

• Antoinette Suer placed fifth in the women’s pole vault at 7 feet, 6 inches, while FAMU’s Mike White won the men’s pole vault with a jump of 14 feet 10 ¾ inches, edging out Florida State’s Warren Harper (14 feet, 4 ¾ inches).

• In the women’s 100 meter hurdles, Kierra Holiday (14.49) and Latoya Wright (15.07) qualified for Saturday’s finals (2:45 p.m.), while three Rattlers advanced to the finals of the 110 meter hurdles on Saturday (2:55 p.m.), including Carl McKenzie (14.77), who finished first overall, along with Phillip Washington (17.56) and Demarius Carroll (24.95).

• In the women’s 100 meters, Ashley Gillis (2nd, 11.93) and Jesseka Forbes (12.34) advanced to Saturday’s finals (3:15 p.m.), while the trio of Craig Scott (10.77), Rennie Carty (10.87) and LaJarvis Cook (10.92) advanced to the finals in the men’s 100 meter dash (3:20 p.m.) on Saturday.

There were also qualifying heats for both women and men in the 100 meter dash, the 100 meter hurdles (women) and 110 meter hurdles (men) on Friday.

Results from the women’s and men’s discus finals were not available at press time.

Saturday’s schedule begins at 8:00 a.m. with the 800 meter run for both collegiate and prep divisions, as well as field events for high school performers.

At 12:30 p.m., the final round of action begins with a middle school 4x100 meter relay, and will feature for the first time senior division level competition in the 100 meter dash at 3:00 p.m. and the 200 meter dash at 5:10 p.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 13) – The Webster Surgical Center FAMU Relays opened Friday at the Pete Griffin Track with a handful of events in advance of Saturday’s traditional all-day slate.

On  Friday, collegiate finals for women and men were contested in the javelin throw, the 3,000 meter steeplechase and the pole vault, along with a final in the men’s 5,000 meter run.

• Florida A&M’s Ann-Marie Francis placed second in the women’s javelin throw with a toss of 26.22 meters, while Rattlers Mike White (42.68) and Antwaon McCloud (35.60) placed fifth and eighth in the men’s javelin.

• Antoinette Suer placed fifth in the women’s pole vault at 7 feet, 6 inches, while FAMU’s Mike White won the men’s pole vault with a jump of 14 feet 10 ¾ inches, edging out Florida State’s Warren Harper (14 feet, 4 ¾ inches).

• In the women’s 100 meter hurdles, Kierra Holiday (14.49) and Latoya Wright (15.07) qualified for Saturday’s finals (2:45 p.m.), while three Rattlers advanced to the finals of the 110 meter hurdles on Saturday (2:55 p.m.), including Carl McKenzie (14.77), who finished first overall, along with Phillip Washington (17.56) and Demarius Carroll (24.95).

• In the women’s 100 meters, Ashley Gillis (2nd, 11.93) and Jesseka Forbes (12.34) advanced to Saturday’s finals (3:15 p.m.), while the trio of Craig Scott (10.77), Rennie Carty (10.87) and LaJarvis Cook (10.92) advanced to the finals in the men’s 100 meter dash (3:20 p.m.) on Saturday.

There were also qualifying heats for both women and men in the 100 meter dash, the 100 meter hurdles (women) and 110 meter hurdles (men) on Friday.

Results from the women’s and men’s discus finals were not available at press time.

Saturday’s schedule begins at 8:00 a.m. with the 800 meter run for both collegiate and prep divisions, as well as field events for high school performers.

At 12:30 p.m., the final round of action begins with a middle school 4x100 meter relay, and will feature for the first time senior division level competition in the 100 meter dash at 3:00 p.m. and the 200 meter dash at 5:10 p.m.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (March 13) - A second half surge  by the Florida A&M University Women’s Basketball team was not enough as they bowed out in the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament to the Hampton University Lady Pirates, 70-58 in the semifinals here Friday afternoon at the Lawrence Joel Veteran Memorial Coliseum.
 
FAMU (14-17) had three players to score in double figures with freshman Antonia Bennett leading the way, scoring 18 points, 15 in the second half.  Senior Stephanie Foster added 16 points, followed by junior Deidra Jones scoring 13.  Freshman Qiana Donald led the Lady Rattlers on the boards with nine rebounds.
 
The Lady Pirates opened up the first half with a 10-0 run, taking a 17-7 lead with 11:52 to go on a Chinyere Ukoh layup.
 
Hampton, would then extend their lead to 19 points on a Quanneisha Perry jumper with 43 second left in the half, giving the Lady Pirates a 38-19 at the half.
 
In the second half, the Lady Rattlers would take an advantage of a Hampton eight-minute scoring drought going on 12-0 run to cut the Lady Pirates lead to four points, 55-51, on a Deidra Jones layup at the 4:14 mark.
 
Hampton then would close out the second half outscoring FAMU, 15-7 for the 70-58 final.
 
Hampton (15-15) was led by Bernadette Fourtune with 19 points, followed by Melanie Warner with 11.  Both Sharella Leslie and Ashlee Finley finished with six rebounds each.

The Lady Pirates advances to Saturday’s championship game against top-seeded North Carolina A&T here at 12 noon.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Mar. 13) – The Florida A&M Rattler Baseball team completed a two-game sweep of Concordia (Ala.) College Friday afternoon with a 15-4 romp at Moore-Kittles Field.

FAMU (6-7) overwhelmed the visiting Hornets (8-16) with an 11-run fourth inning rally that wiped out a 2-1 Concordia lead.

Adam Gordon (1-0) got the win for FAMU in relief of starter Tim Schalch, who worked the first two innings. Gordon finished the final five innings by scattering five hits, allowing three runs, while fanning five batters against one walk.

Jamel Terry (3-5) took the loss for Concordia, working three and one-third innings, allowing give runs on four hits with no strikeouts and two walks.

The Rattlers grabbed the early 1-0 lead in the first when Darryl Evans singled and scored on a base hit by Derrick Shaw.

The Hornets tied the score at 1-1 in the top of the second on Rico Stevens’ RBI single, which plated Benji Williams, then Stevens did it again in the fourth, driving home Terrence Bart with a hit for a 2-1 Concordia lead.

FAMU then broke the game open completely in the bottom of the fourth, sending 15 men to the plate, scoring 11 runs on five hits, aided by three Hornet errors, to re-take the lead at 12-2.

Four of FAMU’s run scored on outfielder’s errors by Concordia, while Tim Jones drove in three runs with two hits in the frame. Evans, Gabriel Rodriguez, Tobi Adeyemi and Antonio Burke each drove in a run as well.

Concordia scored a single run in the top of the fifth, before FAMU tacked on three more in the bottom of the frame for a 15-3 cushion. The Hornets added a final run in the seventh inning.

Evans, Adeyemi and Jones each finished with two hits. Jones drove in three runs and Evans two on the day.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers will host three home games next week beginning Tuesday, as they open a two-game set with the University of South Florida at 3 p.m. They will play USF at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, then face the Albany (Ga.) State Rams on Thursday at 3 p.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Mar. 13) – The Florida A&M Rattler Baseball team completed a two-game sweep of Concordia (Ala.) College Friday afternoon with a 15-4 romp at Moore-Kittles Field.

FAMU (6-7) overwhelmed the visiting Hornets (8-16) with an 11-run fourth inning rally that wiped out a 2-1 Concordia lead.

Adam Gordon (1-0) got the win for FAMU in relief of starter Tim Schalch, who worked the first two innings. Gordon finished the final five innings by scattering five hits, allowing three runs, while fanning five batters against one walk.

Jamel Terry (3-5) took the loss for Concordia, working three and one-third innings, allowing give runs on four hits with no strikeouts and two walks.

The Rattlers grabbed the early 1-0 lead in the first when Darryl Evans singled and scored on a base hit by Derrick Shaw.

The Hornets tied the score at 1-1 in the top of the second on Rico Stevens’ RBI single, which plated Benji Williams, then Stevens did it again in the fourth, driving home Terrence Bart with a hit for a 2-1 Concordia lead.

FAMU then broke the game open completely in the bottom of the fourth, sending 15 men to the plate, scoring 11 runs on five hits, aided by three Hornet errors, to re-take the lead at 12-2.

Four of FAMU’s run scored on outfielder’s errors by Concordia, while Tim Jones drove in three runs with two hits in the frame. Evans, Gabriel Rodriguez, Tobi Adeyemi and Antonio Burke each drove in a run as well.

Concordia scored a single run in the top of the fifth, before FAMU tacked on three more in the bottom of the frame for a 15-3 cushion. The Hornets added a final run in the seventh inning.

Evans, Adeyemi and Jones each finished with two hits. Jones drove in three runs and Evans two on the day.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers will host three home games next week beginning Tuesday, as they open a two-game set with the University of South Florida at 3 p.m. They will play USF at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, then face the Albany (Ga.) State Rams on Thursday at 3 p.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Mar. 13) – The Florida A&M Rattler Baseball team completed a two-game sweep of Concordia (Ala.) College Friday afternoon with a 15-4 romp at Moore-Kittles Field.

FAMU (6-7) overwhelmed the visiting Hornets (8-16) with an 11-run fourth inning rally that wiped out a 2-1 Concordia lead.

Adam Gordon (1-0) got the win for FAMU in relief of starter Tim Schalch, who worked the first two innings. Gordon finished the final five innings by scattering five hits, allowing three runs, while fanning five batters against one walk.

Jamel Terry (3-5) took the loss for Concordia, working three and one-third innings, allowing give runs on four hits with no strikeouts and two walks.

The Rattlers grabbed the early 1-0 lead in the first when Darryl Evans singled and scored on a base hit by Derrick Shaw.

The Hornets tied the score at 1-1 in the top of the second on Rico Stevens’ RBI single, which plated Benji Williams, then Stevens did it again in the fourth, driving home Terrence Bart with a hit for a 2-1 Concordia lead.

FAMU then broke the game open completely in the bottom of the fourth, sending 15 men to the plate, scoring 11 runs on five hits, aided by three Hornet errors, to re-take the lead at 12-2.

Four of FAMU’s run scored on outfielder’s errors by Concordia, while Tim Jones drove in three runs with two hits in the frame. Evans, Gabriel Rodriguez, Tobi Adeyemi and Antonio Burke each drove in a run as well.

Concordia scored a single run in the top of the fifth, before FAMU tacked on three more in the bottom of the frame for a 15-3 cushion. The Hornets added a final run in the seventh inning.

Evans, Adeyemi and Jones each finished with two hits. Jones drove in three runs and Evans two on the day.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers will host three home games next week beginning Tuesday, as they open a two-game set with the University of South Florida at 3 p.m. They will play USF at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, then face the Albany (Ga.) State Rams on Thursday at 3 p.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Mar. 13) – The Florida A&M Rattler Baseball team completed a two-game sweep of Concordia (Ala.) College Friday afternoon with a 15-4 romp at Moore-Kittles Field.

FAMU (6-7) overwhelmed the visiting Hornets (8-16) with an 11-run fourth inning rally that wiped out a 2-1 Concordia lead.

Adam Gordon (1-0) got the win for FAMU in relief of starter Tim Schalch, who worked the first two innings. Gordon finished the final five innings by scattering five hits, allowing three runs, while fanning five batters against one walk.

Jamel Terry (3-5) took the loss for Concordia, working three and one-third innings, allowing give runs on four hits with no strikeouts and two walks.

The Rattlers grabbed the early 1-0 lead in the first when Darryl Evans singled and scored on a base hit by Derrick Shaw.

The Hornets tied the score at 1-1 in the top of the second on Rico Stevens’ RBI single, which plated Benji Williams, then Stevens did it again in the fourth, driving home Terrence Bart with a hit for a 2-1 Concordia lead.

FAMU then broke the game open completely in the bottom of the fourth, sending 15 men to the plate, scoring 11 runs on five hits, aided by three Hornet errors, to re-take the lead at 12-2.

Four of FAMU’s run scored on outfielder’s errors by Concordia, while Tim Jones drove in three runs with two hits in the frame. Evans, Gabriel Rodriguez, Tobi Adeyemi and Antonio Burke each drove in a run as well.

Concordia scored a single run in the top of the fifth, before FAMU tacked on three more in the bottom of the frame for a 15-3 cushion. The Hornets added a final run in the seventh inning.

Evans, Adeyemi and Jones each finished with two hits. Jones drove in three runs and Evans two on the day.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers will host three home games next week beginning Tuesday, as they open a two-game set with the University of South Florida at 3 p.m. They will play USF at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, then face the Albany (Ga.) State Rams on Thursday at 3 p.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Mar. 13) – The Florida A&M Rattler Baseball team completed a two-game sweep of Concordia (Ala.) College Friday afternoon with a 15-4 romp at Moore-Kittles Field.

FAMU (6-7) overwhelmed the visiting Hornets (8-16) with an 11-run fourth inning rally that wiped out a 2-1 Concordia lead.

Adam Gordon (1-0) got the win for FAMU in relief of starter Tim Schalch, who worked the first two innings. Gordon finished the final five innings by scattering five hits, allowing three runs, while fanning five batters against one walk.

Jamel Terry (3-5) took the loss for Concordia, working three and one-third innings, allowing give runs on four hits with no strikeouts and two walks.

The Rattlers grabbed the early 1-0 lead in the first when Darryl Evans singled and scored on a base hit by Derrick Shaw.

The Hornets tied the score at 1-1 in the top of the second on Rico Stevens’ RBI single, which plated Benji Williams, then Stevens did it again in the fourth, driving home Terrence Bart with a hit for a 2-1 Concordia lead.

FAMU then broke the game open completely in the bottom of the fourth, sending 15 men to the plate, scoring 11 runs on five hits, aided by three Hornet errors, to re-take the lead at 12-2.

Four of FAMU’s run scored on outfielder’s errors by Concordia, while Tim Jones drove in three runs with two hits in the frame. Evans, Gabriel Rodriguez, Tobi Adeyemi and Antonio Burke each drove in a run as well.

Concordia scored a single run in the top of the fifth, before FAMU tacked on three more in the bottom of the frame for a 15-3 cushion. The Hornets added a final run in the seventh inning.

Evans, Adeyemi and Jones each finished with two hits. Jones drove in three runs and Evans two on the day.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers will host three home games next week beginning Tuesday, as they open a two-game set with the University of South Florida at 3 p.m. They will play USF at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, then face the Albany (Ga.) State Rams on Thursday at 3 p.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Mar. 12) – The Florida A&M Baseball team snapped a four-game losing streak Thursday afternoon with an 11-1 win over Concordia (Ala.) College at Moore-Kittles Field.

Florida A&M (5-7)  unleashed a 12-hit attack against the visiting Hornets (8-14), scoring once in the first inning, when Tobi Adeyemi scored from third on a double steal play for a 1-0 Rattler lead.

FAMU scored three runs in the second to push their lead to 4-0. Sophomore Tim Jones belted a leadoff home run to left field for a 2-0 count, then Concordia pitcher Antonio Fisher had a bout of wildness, as both Adam Gordon and Tim Schalch scored on wild pitches for a 4-0 lead.

In the third, Concordia plated their only run, as Rico Stevens drew a one-out walk from FAMU’s Miguel Parga, later scoring from third on a sacrifice fly by A.J. Ward for a 4-1 score.

FAMU answered in the bottom of the third with a two-run rally, as Adeyemi scored from third on a passed ball, followed by Tim Jones, who scored on an RBI single by Chris Fullman for a 6-1 lead.

In the fourth, the Rattlers posted their advantage to 9-1 with a three-run rally. Adeyemi hit a run scoring single to score Darryl Evans, who reached on a leadoff single, then Derrick Shaw scored on an RBI double by Tim Jones, who scored the final run himself on a single by Adam Gordon.

Then in the sixth, Gordon belted a two-run homer, scoring Jones ahead of him for the game’s final runs.

Parga (2-1) turned in a complete game pitching performance for the Rattlers Thursday, working seven innings, scattering six hits, allowing one run, while striking out for with no walks.

Adam Gordon led FAMU with four hits including a two-run homer, followed by Tim Jones, who finished with three hits and a homer, scoring four runs.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers will take on Concordia on Friday at 1 p.m. at Moore-Kittles Field in the second game of the two-game series.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Mar. 12) – The Florida A&M Baseball team snapped a four-game losing streak Thursday afternoon with an 11-1 win over Concordia (Ala.) College at Moore-Kittles Field.

Florida A&M (5-7)  unleashed a 12-hit attack against the visiting Hornets (8-14), scoring once in the first inning, when Tobi Adeyemi scored from third on a double steal play for a 1-0 Rattler lead.

FAMU scored three runs in the second to push their lead to 4-0. Sophomore Tim Jones belted a leadoff home run to left field for a 2-0 count, then Concordia pitcher Antonio Fisher had a bout of wildness, as both Adam Gordon and Tim Schalch scored on wild pitches for a 4-0 lead.

In the third, Concordia plated their only run, as Rico Stevens drew a one-out walk from FAMU’s Miguel Parga, later scoring from third on a sacrifice fly by A.J. Ward for a 4-1 score.

FAMU answered in the bottom of the third with a two-run rally, as Adeyemi scored from third on a passed ball, followed by Tim Jones, who scored on an RBI single by Chris Fullman for a 6-1 lead.

In the fourth, the Rattlers posted their advantage to 9-1 with a three-run rally. Adeyemi hit a run scoring single to score Darryl Evans, who reached on a leadoff single, then Derrick Shaw scored on an RBI double by Tim Jones, who scored the final run himself on a single by Adam Gordon.

Then in the sixth, Gordon belted a two-run homer, scoring Jones ahead of him for the game’s final runs.

Parga (2-1) turned in a complete game pitching performance for the Rattlers Thursday, working seven innings, scattering six hits, allowing one run, while striking out for with no walks.

Adam Gordon led FAMU with four hits including a two-run homer, followed by Tim Jones, who finished with three hits and a homer, scoring four runs.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers will take on Concordia on Friday at 1 p.m. at Moore-Kittles Field in the second game of the two-game series.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 12) – The Florida A&M University Football team will conduct spring training, or their annual “15 Days of Spring” practice sessions beginning on Monday, March 23.

The 15 practice sessions will be split in half, with the annual “Orange and Green Spring Football Game” set for the middle of the practice schedule on Saturday, April 4 at 4:00 p.m. in Bragg Memorial Stadium.

Spring workouts will be held each week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, except for Week Two, when a Friday session will be held prior to the Spring Game, and Week Four, when the final two workouts (Tuesday and Thursday) will close out the 15-day regimen.

All weekday sessions will start at 3:30 p.m. and the Saturday drills will run from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

FAMU FOOTBALL’S “15 DAYS OF SPRING” PRACTICE SLATE
Week One                                          Week Three
• Monday, March 23 (3:30p)              • Monday, April 6 (3:30p)
• Tuesday March 24 (3:30p)              • Tuesday, April 7 (3:30p)
• Thursday, March 26 (3:30p)            • Thursday, April 9 (3:30p)
• Saturday, March 28 (9:00a)             • Saturday, April 11 (9:00a)

Week Two                                           Week Four
• Monday, March 30 (3:30p)                • Tuesday, April 14 (3:30p)
• Tuesday, March 31 (3:30p)               • Thursday, April 16 (3:30p)
• Thursday, April 2 (3:30p)
• Friday, April 3 (3:30p)
• Saturday, April 4/Spring Game (4:00p)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida A&M University announced that the 2009 Football Homecoming date will be Saturday, October 24 against the Spartans of Norfolk State University.

Kickoff will be 3:00 p.m. for the culminating event of the annual week-long celebration of the university and its’ great traditions, both academic and athletic.

Plans are being made to pay special tribute during that week to former Olympic gold medalist and All-Pro receiver Robert “Bullet Bob” Hayes, who will be enshrined this August into the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In addition to the Hayes salute, the university will also hold its’ traditional Homecoming Gala which will be centered around the school’s great athletic tradition, recognizing many of the outstanding student-athletes, coaches and teams that have worn the Orange and Green with distinction for over 100 years.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (March 11) - The Florida A&M Men’s Basketball team endured their own version of ‘When Bears Attack” as they were ousted from the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tourney, by the top-seeded Morgan State Bears, 71-41, here Wednesday evening at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
 
FAMU (10-21) was led by junior Brandon Bryant with nine points, followed by senior Joe Ballard with eight.  Ballard also led the Rattlers on the boards with nine.
 
The Bears opened the first half with a 13-2 run capped on by a Reggie Holmes three-pointer at the 12:52 mark.
 
Morgan would extend their lead to 21-5 on a Kevin Thompson free throw, with 7:52 to go in the game, before the Rattlers would make a 15-8 run to cut the Bears’ lead to 29-20 on a pair of Ballard free throws with 1:59 remaining in the half.
 
FAMU would go into the break trailing, MSU 34-20, but the Bears opened the second half with a 12-5 run to take a  46-25 with 15:22 remaining in the game.
 
The Bears continued to pour it on with a 23-12 run to extend their lead to 32 points, 69-37 score with 3:17 left in the game.
 
FAMU senior forward Lamar Twitty would score the final basket of his career with 52 seconds left for a 71-41 final.
 
MSU (21-11) was led by Reggie Holmes with a game high 18 points.  Jermaine Bolden finished with 12 points and dished out six assists, while Marquise Kately dropped in 10.
 
FAMU finished the game shooting 24.5 percent (12-of-49), while MSU shot 38.8 percent (26-of-67).
 
The Bears held the rebounding edge over the Rattlers 52-32.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (March 11) - The Florida A&M Men’s Basketball team endured their own version of ‘When Bears Attack” as they were ousted from the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tourney, by the top-seeded Morgan State Bears, 71-41, here Wednesday evening at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
 
FAMU (10-21) was led by junior Brandon Bryant with nine points, followed by senior Joe Ballard with eight.  Ballard also led the Rattlers on the boards with nine.
 
The Bears opened the first half with a 13-2 run capped on by a Reggie Holmes three-pointer at the 12:52 mark.
 
Morgan (21-11) would extend their lead to 21-5 on a Kevin Thompson free throw, with 7:52 to go in the game, before the Rattlers would make a 15-8 run to cut the Bears’ lead to 29-20 on a pair of Ballard free throws with 1:59 remaining in the half.
 
FAMU would go into the break trailing, MSU 34-20, but the Bears opened the second half with a 12-5 run to take a  46-25 with 15:22 remaining in the game.
 
The Bears continued to pour it on with a 23-12 run to extend their lead to 32 points, 69-37 score with 3:17 left in the game.
 
FAMU senior forward Lamar Twitty would score the final basket of his career with 52 seconds left for a 71-41 final.
 
MSU was led by Reggie Holmes with a game high 18 points.  Jermaine Bolden finished with 12 points and dished out six assists, while Marquise Kately dropped in 10.
 
FAMU finished the game shooting 24.5 percent (12-of-49), while MSU shot 38.8 percent (26-of-67).
 
The Bears held the rebounding edge over the Rattlers 52-32.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (March 11) – The Jacksonville University Dolphins scored six runs in the bottom of the third inning to break a 1-1 tie en route to a 9-4 over the Florida A&M Rattlers in a college baseball game here at Sessions Stadium Wednesday night.

Wednesday’s loss was the fourth in a row for the Rattlers (4-7), which finished the game with 10 hits to 11 for the Dolphins (8-5).

Trailing 1-0 in the second, FAMU tied the game at 1-1, on a solo home run by first baseman Tim Jones.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the third, when the Dolphins struck for six runs on six hits, keyed by a two-run single by Alex Martinez and a two-run double by Alex Swenson, to forge a 7-1 lead.

JU pushed across a single run in the fourth for an 8-1 lead, then FAMU edged back into the game with a run in the fifth, when Darryl Evans grounded to short, scoring Timothy Schlach for an 8-2 game, before scoring two more runs in the sixth.

Tim Jones figured in the two-run rally for FAMU, lashing a run-scoring triple to score Derrick Shaw, who had reached with a leadoff single. Jones scored the final Rattler run from third on a Jacksonville fielding error for an 8-4 score.

The Dolphins pushed across a final run in the bottom of the eighth to close out the game’s scoring.

For FAMU, Jones, Evans and John Scott each had two hits to lead the 10-hit attack, while Thomas Myers led the Dolphins with three hits.

Freshman David Duncan (2-3) took the loss on the mound for FAMU, allowing 10 hits and eight runs in five innings, with three strikeouts, while starter Clay Kollenbaum (1-0) got the win, allowing six hits and two runs with five strikeouts in five full innings of work.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers return home to Moore-Kittles Field to open a five-game homestand Thursday afternoon against Concordia (Ala.) College at 3:00 p.m.

The Florida A&M Women’s Softball team is nearing the halfway point of their 2009 schedule, playing valiantly during their rugged pre-conference schedule.

Coach Veronica Wiggins’ crew has played 24 games through March 8, with a 5-19 record overall against a schedule that has featured four weekend tournaments, with one more left this weekend (Rebel Games, March 13-16) in Kissimmee, Florida near Orlando.

Wiggins Closing On Milestone
Head coach Veronica Wiggins could soon be the third FAMU head coach this school year to hit a coaching milestone.

Wiggins, who is in her 18th season at FAMU, needs three (3) more wins to reach the 500 career win plateau, which would put her in the milestone class with head football coach Joe Taylor, who surpassed the 200-win plateau with a 9-3 record (206 wins after the 2008 season), and volleyball coach Tony Trifonov, who finished his 12th season at FAMU in 2008, having pushed past the 250-win barrier (253 wins to date).

The Season So Far
The Lady Rattlers opened the 2009 campaign 3-1 in the Tiny Laster MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Atlanta (Feb. 7-8), outscoring Southern University (9-3) and Alabama A&M (8-3) on the first day.

On Day Two, FAMU dropped a 2-1 heartbreaker to Mississippi Valley State, then closed out the Challenge with a 3-2 win over Jackson (Miss.) State.

FAMU opened their home schedule on Feb. 11, with a 5-0 setback to crosstown Florida State, then dropped a doubleheader to Georgia Southern on Feb. 17, falling 9-3 and 9-0.

From there, FAMU returned to tournament play, playing five games in the USF Invitational in Tampa, Feb. 20-22.

The Lady Rattlers dropped all five contests, falling to Louisville, 11-3, Jacksonville (Ala.) State, 21-1, Eastern Michigan, 6-4, Rhode Island, 9-6 (in extra innings), and host South Florida, 8-0.

FAMU returned home for a twinbill against Mercer University on Feb. 24, dropping both ends of the doubleheader, 5-1 and 6-0, then headed to Orlando for the UCF Invitational Tournament, Feb. 27 through March 1.

At the UCF event, FAMU edged Tennessee State, 3-2 on Feb. 28 for their lone win in the five-game set. The Lady Rattlers were competitive despite suffering setbacks to Western Michigan (6-0), Stony Brook (7-2), UCF (7-0) and Villanova (7-3).

Last weekend, the Lady Rattlers were in Atlanta at the Buzz Classic, hosted by Georgia Tech, March 6-8, where they went 1-4 for the tourney.

FAMU grounded the Toledo Rockets, 5-3 on Saturday, March 7, while suffering setbacks to Austin Peay (5-2), Akron (5-0), Boston College (7-1) and Tennessee-Martin (3-1).

FAMU’s Leading Ladies
Offensively, Tara Vincent tops the club in batting at .264, with 3 doubles, 2 homer runs and 8 RBIs…. Ashley Jones tops the team in RBIs (10), doubles and is tied for the team home run lead with Vincent and Melissa Oliphant…. Oliphant (.197) has a double and six RBIs, ranked third in runs driven in….. Outfielder Rhiana Green leads the team in stolen bases (7 for 8), followed by Vincent (4 of 5) and Oliphant (3 of 4)…. Junior Joyce Harold leads the team in runs scored (10).

On the mound, newcomer Amanda Reyes (4-11) has been the ace of the staff so far, with 62 strikeouts in 89 innings, followed by Melissa Oliphant (1-1), who has worked 17.2 innings with 16 strikeouts.

WHAT’S NEXT: Florida A&M will tangle with the field of the three-day Rebel Games, Friday through Sunday, March 13-15 in Kissimmee, Florida, before returning home next Thursday, March 19 to host Savannah State University in a 2:00 p.m. doubleheader at the Lady Rattler Complex.

The Florida A&M Rattler Baseball team has gone through the early portion of the 2009 campaign, showing signs of being an improved offensive club.

Coach Robert Lucas’ diamondeers are 4-6 heading into a final six-game pre-conference stretch which begins Wednesday, March 11 against the Jacksonville (Fla.) University Dolphins on the road.

The Season So Far
The Rattlers opened the season at home with a three-game series against Jackson (Miss.) State, February 20-21, dropping two out of three to the Tigers.

On Friday, February 20, FAMU dropped the opening game, 6-2, then rebounded to win the second game, 7-4. On Saturday, February 21,  the Tigers roared in winning the rubber match, 15-4.

The Rattlers then headed to Houston, Texas for another three-game set against Southwestern Athletic Conference competition, taking on the Texas Southern University Tigers in what turned out to be a wild shootout of a series.

On Wednesday, February 25, the Rattlers split a doubleheader with the Tigers, losing the opener, 10-9 in extra innings, before winning the second game, 9-6. On Thursday, FAMU and TSU engaged in a Game Three slugfest, with the Rattlers prevailing, 21-15.

FAMU returned home on Saturday, February 28 to face their third set of Tigers, the Edward Waters College version, outlasting the Jacksonville club, 21-10.

The Campbell (N.C.) University Fighting Camels came to Moore-Kittles for a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 3, taking both ends of the twinbill, 7-0 and 16-6.

This past Tuesday (March 10), the Rattlers dropped a 22-6 decision to the Panthers of Georgia State University.

FAMU’s Leading Men
The Rattlers came into the week hitting a robust .365 as a team, sporting a lineup that features seven players hitting over .300 and four players boasting of a .400 or better average.

Junior centerfielder Darryl Evans (.487, 2 HRs, 19 hits, 12 runs, 9 RBI) heads the hitting charts average-wise, ranking second in runs batted in, ranking first in stolen bases (9 of 10) and tied for the club lead in homers (2)

Freshman Derrick Shaw (.484, 2 HRs, 7 RBI) is tied with Evans for the club home run lead (2); Junior Stavone Martin (.480, 2 doubles, 7 RBI) and sophomore Tobi Adeyemi (.464, 3 doubles, 9 RBI) round out the .400 hitting quartet.

Senior Timothy Schalch (.389,  14 hits, 6 RBI) heads the second tier of Rattler hitters, followed by sophomore Chris Fulman (.375, 1 double, 1 HR, 4 RBI) and junior Adam Gordon (.320, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 10 RBI), the club’s RBI leader.

On the mound, freshman David Duncan (2-2, 4.43 ERA, 20.1 IP, 15 Ks, 2 complete games in 3 starts) tops the fledgling Rattler pitching staff in the early going. Sophomores Miguel Parga (1-1, 8.15 ERA, 17.2 IP, 15 Ks) and Anthony Espin (1-2, 12.89 ERA, 14.2 IP, 12 Ks) have had and up and down start to the season, but still considered the veterans of this young staff, after yeoman’s performances as freshmen a year ago.

WHAT’S NEXT: Following Wednesday night’s bout in Jacksonville, the Rattlers will open a five-game homestand on Thursday, March 12 against Concordia College of Selma, Alabama at 3:00 p.m. at Moore-Kittles Field……. FAMU will play Concordia on Friday, March 13 at 1:00 p.m., then will host the University of South Florida Bulls on Tuesday, March 17 (3:00 p.m.) and Wednesday, March 18 (1:00 p.m.), closing out the stretch next Thursday, March 19 (3:00) against the Albany (Ga.) State Rams.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 10) – The Georgia State Panthers scored 13 runs in the fifth and sixth innings to break open a tight game and roll to a 22-6 win over the Florida A&M Rattlers in a college baseball game Tuesday at Moore-Kittles Field.

Georgia State (9-4) struck for six runs in the first inning off FAMU starter Tim Jones (0-1), then pushed across single runs in the second and third innings to build an 8-5 lead.

Jones worked four innings, allowing eight runs on six hits, fanning five batters, while walking five.

GSU’s John Locklear (3-0) was the winning pitcher, working six innings, scattering seven hits, allowing five runs and fanning eight batters.

The Rattlers (4-6) struck for three runs in the second to cut the Panthers lead to 7-3, then they added two more runs in the bottom of the third to pull within three runs at 8-5.

After a scoreless fourth, GSU rallied for four runs in the fifth to extend their advantage to 12-5, then broke the game open in the sixth inning with a nine-run rally to push the score to 21-5.

Both teams scored a run in the seventh, ending the contest by mutual consent.

FAMU finished with 10 hits Tuesday, led by Daniel Lee, David Duncan and Adam Gordon with two hits apiece. Derrick Shaw and Darryl Evans each drove in a pair of runs.

The Panthers had 15 hits on the day, led by Carl Montz, who had three hits and three RBIs along with a solo homer. Brandon Williams also had three hits and three RBI, while Marc Mimeault had three hits and two RBI.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (March 10) - The Florida A&M University Men’s Basketball Team advanced in the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Basketball Tourney with a 71-58 win over Howard University, here Tuesday night at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

FAMU (10-20) had a trio of players to finish in double figures.  Lamar Twitty finished with a team high 20 points, followed by Dale Hughes with 16  and Larry Jackson with 15.  Twitty led the Rattlers on the boards with eight, while Joe Ballard dished out a game high eight assists.

FAMU as a team finished with an all-time best single-game three point shooting percentage at 68.8 percent (11-of-16)..

Twitty and Hughes both finished perfect from behind the three-point arc, with Twitty going three-for-three, while Hughes went four-of-four.

“We were able to take the ball inside and score, which opened up the perimeter game for us.  We played together as a team and got a lot of good looks at the basket.  We did an outstanding job of rebounding tonight, and that was a big key,” said FAMU head coach Eugene Harris.

Behind the hot shooting of Twitty and Hughes, the Rattlers went up 17-10 in the first half on back-to-back three pointers.  

FAMU would then extend their lead to 21-10 on a four point play by Hughes with 9:17 remaining in the game, capping a 10-0 run.

A Kyle Riley three-pointer for Howard with 47 seconds left in the half, cut FAMU lead to 37-34, but the Rattlers would end the half with a 41-34 lead.

FAMU would pick up in the second half, where they left off in the first half, as they opened with a 9-2 run to grab a 50-36 lead on a Twitty free throw with 16:29 left.

A  layup for Howard’s Yannick Braimbridge layup 13:17 left in the game cut, capped a 9-0 Bison run, cutting the Rattler lead to 50-46.

FAMU regained control of the game, sparked by Larry Jackson, whose three straight field goals would give the Rattlers a 59-51 lead with 8:55 remaining.

A Twitty layup would extend the Rattlers advantage to 14 points, 67-53 with 5:40 to go, but the Bison would cut FAMU’s lead to 67-58 but that would be as close as Howard would get.

Howard (8-22) was led by Kyle Riley with 20 points, while Curtis White added 16 points.  White led the team on the boards with seven.

FAMU finished the game with a hot hand shooting 51.1 percent (24-of-47) from the field, while Howard shot 46.5 percent (20-of-43).
 
The Rattlers will face No. 1 seed Morgan State Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the MEAC Tournament quarterfinal round.

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (March 8) – The Florida A&M University Track teams turned in strong showings at the first University of North Florida Spring Break Open here Friday and Saturday at Hodges Stadium.

On the women’s side, the Lady Rattlers scored 22 top 10 finishes in the two-day event, led by Suelyn Pilliner’s victory in the high jump, with a leap of 1.70 meters, edging out Florida International’s Laurenie Louissaint.

Ashley Gillis (12.140 ran second in the 100 meter dash, one of four FAMU women to place in the Top 10; LaToya Wright (1:01.51) was second in the 400 hurdles and fourth in the 100 hurdles (14.90), while Tomika Story (11.70 meters) and Ashante Davis (11.25 meters) were third and fourth in the triple jump.

In the relays, the 4x100 “A” Team of Gillis, Jesseka Forbes, LaKendra Cunningham and Ann-Marie Francis, finished second (46.57), while the 4x400 “A” combo of Jeanette Hulse, Philicia Morgan, Panancy Ambroise and Helena Shields, ran fifth (3:59.26).

On the men’s side, FAMU recorded 14 Top 10 finishes, headed by Byran Turner’s second place finish in the high jump (2.10 meters); Demarius Carroll’s third (14.86) and Carl McKinzie’s fourth (14.99) in the 110 hurdles and McKinzie’s fourth in the 100 meter dash (10.85).

In the relays, the 4x100 combo of LaJarvis Cook, Craig Scott, Joe Wahsington and McKinzie, ran second (41.72), while the 4x400 crew of Daquam Lee, Mark Williams, Craig Scott and Stanley Suber finished fourth (3:20.10).

RATTLER WOMEN’S RESULTS
Long Jump: Ashante Davis, 8th, 5.07 meters; Suelyn Pilliner, 9th, 5.01 meters; Antoinette Suer, 16th, 4.70 meters.
Javelin: Ann-Marie Francis, 12th, 30.72.
Discus: Takeira Booker, 22nd, 26.40 meters.
100 Meter Hurdles (Prelims): LaToya Wright, 9th, 15.26Q; Kierra Holiday, 10th, 15.36; Oluchukwu Oknokwo, 23rd, 16.82.
100 Meter Dash (Prelims): Ashley Gillis, 3rd, 12.23Q; Sansea Johnson, 4th, 12.33Q; LaKendra Cunningham, 8th, 12.42Q; Ann-Marie Francis, 10th, 12.45; Jesseka Forbes, 12th, 12.51; Whitney Young, 17th, 12.77; Tomika Story, 20th, 13.03.
400 Meter Run: Jeanette Hulse, 7th, 58.33; Nichola Listhrop, 12th, 59.36; Helena Shields, 17th, 1:00.95; Philicia Morgan, 18th, 1:01.67.
800 Meter Run: Kelle Ransom, 20th, 2:27.00; Helena Shields, 25th, 2:31.23; Philicia Morgan, 29th, 2:43.72.
4x100 Relay: “A” Team (Forbes, Cunningham, Gillis, Francis), 2nd, 46.57; “B” Team (Story, Johnson, Young, Wright), 5th, 48.71.
100 Meter Hurdles (Final): LaToya Wright, 4th, 14.90.
100 Meter Dash (Final): Ashley Gillis, 2nd, 12.14; Ann-Marie Francis, 4th, 12.30; LaKendra Cunningham, 7th, 12:52; Sansea Johnson, 8th, 12.55.
1500 Meter Run: Kelle Ransom, 25th, 5:15.62.
200 Meter Dash: LaKendra Cunningham, 7th, 25.37; Ashley Gillis, 8th, 25.38; Jesseka Forbes, 21st, 26.25; Sansea Johnson, 22nd, 26.29; Whitney Young, 25th, 26.41; Kierra Holiday, 37th, 27.56.
400 Meter Hurdles (Final): LaToya Wright, 2nd, 1:01.51; Oluchukwu Oknokwo, 11th, 1:09.72.
Shot Put
4x400 Relay: FAMU “A” (Jeanette Hulse, Philicia Morgan, Panancy Ambroise, Helena Shields), 5th, 3:59.26; FAMU “B” (Johnson, Young, Jennie Desir, Forbes), 9th, 4:15:74.
High Jump: Suelyn Pilliner, 1st, 1.70 meters.
Triple Jump: Tomika Story, 3rd, 11.70 meters; Ashante Davis, 4th, 11.25m; Antoinette Suer, 13th, 9.73m.
Shot Put: Takiera Booker, 14th, 11.08 meters.

RATTLER MEN’S RESULTS
Long Jump: Anthony Hill, 14th, 5.90 meters.
Pole Vault: Mike White, 7th, 4.15 meters.
Discus: Craig Scott, 8th, 41.96 meters.
110 Meter Hurdles (Prelims): Demarius Carroll, 4th, 14.83Q; Carl McKinzie, 5th, 14.97Q.
100 Meter Dash (Prelims): Carl McKinzie, 5th, 10.78Q; Craig Scott, 10th, 11.06; Joe Washington, 15th. 11.13.
400 Meter Run: Stanley Suber, 6th, 48.38; Mark Williams, 9th, 49.08; Arthur Kinder, 21st, 51.44.
4x100 Relay: “A” Team (LaJarvis Cook, Craig Scott, Joe Washington, Carl McKinzie), 2nd, 41.72.
5000 Meters: Shuaib Winters, 15th, 15:41.21; Carlos Franklin, 24th, 15:53.38.
110 Meter Hurdles (Final): Demarius Carroll, 3rd, 14.86; Carl McKinzie, 4th, 14.99.
100 Meter Dash (Final): Carl McKinzie, 4th, 10.85; Craig Scott, 7th, 10.89.
High Jump: Bryan Turner, 2nd, 2.10 meters; Anthony Hill, 8th, 1.85 meters.
Javelin: Mike White, 23rd, 36.52 meters.
Shot Put: Frank Scott, 9th, 12.89 meters.
200 Meter Dash: Rennie Carty, 7th, 22.23; LaJarvis Cook, 14th, 22.46; Joe Washington, 15th, 22.47.
4x400 Meter Relay: FAMU “A” (Daquam Lee, Mark Williams, Craig Scott, Stanley Suber), 4th, 3:20.10.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (March 8) – The Florida A&M University Track teams turned in strong showings at the first University of North Florida Spring Break Open here Friday and Saturday at Hodges Stadium.

On the women’s side, the Lady Rattlers scored 22 top 10 finishes in the two-day event, led by Suelyn Pilliner’s victory in the high jump, with a leap of 1.70 meters, edging out Florida International’s Laurenie Louissaint.

Ashley Gillis (12.140 ran second in the 100 meter dash, one of four FAMU women to place in the Top 10; LaToya Wright (1:01.51) was second in the 400 hurdles and fourth in the 100 hurdles (14.90), while Tomika Story (11.70 meters) and Ashante Davis (11.25 meters) were third and fourth in the triple jump.

In the relays, the 4x100 “A” Team of Gillis, Jesseka Forbes, LaKendra Cunningham and Ann-Marie Francis, finished second (46.57), while the 4x400 “A” combo of Jeanette Hulse, Philicia Morgan, Panancy Ambroise and Helena Shields, ran fifth (3:59.26).

On the men’s side, FAMU recorded 14 Top 10 finishes, headed by Byran Turner’s second place finish in the high jump (2.10 meters); Demarius Carroll’s third (14.86) and Carl McKinzie’s fourth (14.99) in the 110 hurdles and McKinzie’s fourth in the 100 meter dash (10.85).

In the relays, the 4x100 combo of LaJarvis Cook, Craig Scott, Joe Wahsington and McKinzie, ran second (41.72), while the 4x400 crew of Daquam Lee, Mark Williams, Craig Scott and Stanley Suber finished fourth (3:20.10).

RATTLER WOMEN’S RESULTS
Long Jump: Ashante Davis, 8th, 5.07 meters; Suelyn Pilliner, 9th, 5.01 meters; Antoinette Suer, 16th, 4.70 meters.
Javelin: Ann-Marie Francis, 12th, 30.72.
Discus: Takeira Booker, 22nd, 26.40 meters.
100 Meter Hurdles (Prelims): LaToya Wright, 9th, 15.26Q; Kierra Holiday, 10th, 15.36; Oluchukwu Oknokwo, 23rd, 16.82.
100 Meter Dash (Prelims): Ashley Gillis, 3rd, 12.23Q; Sansea Johnson, 4th, 12.33Q; LaKendra Cunningham, 8th, 12.42Q; Ann-Marie Francis, 10th, 12.45; Jesseka Forbes, 12th, 12.51; Whitney Young, 17th, 12.77; Tomika Story, 20th, 13.03.
400 Meter Run: Jeanette Hulse, 7th, 58.33; Nichola Listhrop, 12th, 59.36; Helena Shields, 17th, 1:00.95; Philicia Morgan, 18th, 1:01.67.
800 Meter Run: Kelle Ransom, 20th, 2:27.00; Helena Shields, 25th, 2:31.23; Philicia Morgan, 29th, 2:43.72.
4x100 Relay: “A” Team (Forbes, Cunningham, Gillis, Francis), 2nd, 46.57; “B” Team (Story, Johnson, Young, Wright), 5th, 48.71.
100 Meter Hurdles (Final): LaToya Wright, 4th, 14.90.
100 Meter Dash (Final): Ashley Gillis, 2nd, 12.14; Ann-Marie Francis, 4th, 12.30; LaKendra Cunningham, 7th, 12:52; Sansea Johnson, 8th, 12.55.
1500 Meter Run: Kelle Ransom, 25th, 5:15.62.
200 Meter Dash: LaKendra Cunningham, 7th, 25.37; Ashley Gillis, 8th, 25.38; Jesseka Forbes, 21st, 26.25; Sansea Johnson, 22nd, 26.29; Whitney Young, 25th, 26.41; Kierra Holiday, 37th, 27.56.
400 Meter Hurdles (Final): LaToya Wright, 2nd, 1:01.51; Oluchukwu Oknokwo, 11th, 1:09.72.
Shot Put
4x400 Relay: FAMU “A” (Jeanette Hulse, Philicia Morgan, Panancy Ambroise, Helena Shields), 5th, 3:59.26; FAMU “B” (Johnson, Young, Jennie Desir, Forbes), 9th, 4:15:74.
High Jump: Suelyn Pilliner, 1st, 1.70 meters.
Triple Jump: Tomika Story, 3rd, 11.70 meters; Ashante Davis, 4th, 11.25m; Antoinette Suer, 13th, 9.73m.
Shot Put: Takiera Booker, 14th, 11.08 meters.

RATTLER MEN’S RESULTS
Long Jump: Anthony Hill, 14th, 5.90 meters.
Pole Vault: Mike White, 7th, 4.15 meters.
Discus: Craig Scott, 8th, 41.96 meters.
110 Meter Hurdles (Prelims): Demarius Carroll, 4th, 14.83Q; Carl McKinzie, 5th, 14.97Q.
100 Meter Dash (Prelims): Carl McKinzie, 5th, 10.78Q; Craig Scott, 10th, 11.06; Joe Washington, 15th. 11.13.
400 Meter Run: Stanley Suber, 6th, 48.38; Mark Williams, 9th, 49.08; Arthur Kinder, 21st, 51.44.
4x100 Relay: “A” Team (LaJarvis Cook, Craig Scott, Joe Washington, Carl McKinzie), 2nd, 41.72.
5000 Meters: Shuaib Winters, 15th, 15:41.21; Carlos Franklin, 24th, 15:53.38.
110 Meter Hurdles (Final): Demarius Carroll, 3rd, 14.86; Carl McKinzie, 4th, 14.99.
100 Meter Dash (Final): Carl McKinzie, 4th, 10.85; Craig Scott, 7th, 10.89.
High Jump: Bryan Turner, 2nd, 2.10 meters; Anthony Hill, 8th, 1.85 meters.
Javelin: Mike White, 23rd, 36.52 meters.
Shot Put: Frank Scott, 9th, 12.89 meters.
200 Meter Dash: Rennie Carty, 7th, 22.23; LaJarvis Cook, 14th, 22.46; Joe Washington, 15th, 22.47.
4x400 Meter Relay: FAMU “A” (Daquam Lee, Mark Williams, Craig Scott, Stanley Suber), 4th, 3:20.10.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (March 8) – The Florida A&M University Track teams turned in strong showings at the first University of North Florida Spring Break Open here Friday and Saturday at Hodges Stadium.

On the women’s side, the Lady Rattlers scored 22 top 10 finishes in the two-day event, led by Suelyn Pilliner’s victory in the high jump, with a leap of 1.70 meters, edging out Florida International’s Laurenie Louissaint.

Ashley Gillis (12.140 ran second in the 100 meter dash, one of four FAMU women to place in the Top 10; LaToya Wright (1:01.51) was second in the 400 hurdles and fourth in the 100 hurdles (14.90), while Tomika Story (11.70 meters) and Ashante Davis (11.25 meters) were third and fourth in the triple jump.

In the relays, the 4x100 “A” Team of Gillis, Jesseka Forbes, LaKendra Cunningham and Ann-Marie Francis, finished second (46.57), while the 4x400 “A” combo of Jeanette Hulse, Philicia Morgan, Panancy Ambroise and Helena Shields, ran fifth (3:59.26).

On the men’s side, FAMU recorded 14 Top 10 finishes, headed by Byran Turner’s second place finish in the high jump (2.10 meters); Demarius Carroll’s third (14.86) and Carl McKinzie’s fourth (14.99) in the 110 hurdles and McKinzie’s fourth in the 100 meter dash (10.85).

In the relays, the 4x100 combo of LaJarvis Cook, Craig Scott, Joe Wahsington and McKinzie, ran second (41.72), while the 4x400 crew of Daquam Lee, Mark Williams, Craig Scott and Stanley Suber finished fourth (3:20.10).


RATTLER WOMEN’S RESULTS
Long Jump: Ashante Davis, 8th, 5.07 meters; Suelyn Pilliner, 9th, 5.01 meters; Antoinette Suer, 16th, 4.70 meters.
Javelin: Ann-Marie Francis, 12th, 30.72.
Discus: Takeira Booker, 22nd, 26.40 meters.
100 Meter Hurdles (Prelims): LaToya Wright, 9th, 15.26Q; Kierra Holiday, 10th, 15.36; Oluchukwu Oknokwo, 23rd, 16.82.
100 Meter Dash (Prelims): Ashley Gillis, 3rd, 12.23Q; Sansea Johnson, 4th, 12.33Q; LaKendra Cunningham, 8th, 12.42Q; Ann-Marie Francis, 10th, 12.45; Jesseka Forbes, 12th, 12.51; Whitney Young, 17th, 12.77; Tomika Story, 20th, 13.03.
400 Meter Run: Jeanette Hulse, 7th, 58.33; Nichola Listhrop, 12th, 59.36; Helena Shields, 17th, 1:00.95; Philicia Morgan, 18th, 1:01.67.
800 Meter Run: Kelle Ransom, 20th, 2:27.00; Helena Shields, 25th, 2:31.23; Philicia Morgan, 29th, 2:43.72.
4x100 Relay: “A” Team (Forbes, Cunningham, Gillis, Francis), 2nd, 46.57; “B” Team (Story, Johnson, Young, Wright), 5th, 48.71.
100 Meter Hurdles (Final): LaToya Wright, 4th, 14.90.
100 Meter Dash (Final): Ashley Gillis, 2nd, 12.14; Ann-Marie Francis, 4th, 12.30; LaKendra Cunningham, 7th, 12:52; Sansea Johnson, 8th, 12.55.
1500 Meter Run: Kelle Ransom, 25th, 5:15.62.
200 Meter Dash: LaKendra Cunningham, 7th, 25.37; Ashley Gillis, 8th, 25.38; Jesseka Forbes, 21st, 26.25; Sansea Johnson, 22nd, 26.29; Whitney Young, 25th, 26.41; Kierra Holiday, 37th, 27.56.
400 Meter Hurdles (Final): LaToya Wright, 2nd, 1:01.51; Oluchukwu Oknokwo, 11th, 1:09.72.
Shot Put
4x400 Relay: FAMU “A” (Jeanette Hulse, Philicia Morgan, Panancy Ambroise, Helena Shields), 5th, 3:59.26; FAMU “B” (Johnson, Young, Jennie Desir, Forbes), 9th, 4:15:74.
High Jump: Suelyn Pilliner, 1st, 1.70 meters.
Triple Jump: Tomika Story, 3rd, 11.70 meters; Ashante Davis, 4th, 11.25m; Antoinette Suer, 13th, 9.73m.
Shot Put: Takiera Booker, 14th, 11.08 meters.


RATTLER MEN’S RESULTS
Long Jump: Anthony Hill, 14th, 5.90 meters.
Pole Vault: Mike White, 7th, 4.15 meters.
Discus: Craig Scott, 8th, 41.96 meters.
110 Meter Hurdles (Prelims): Demarius Carroll, 4th, 14.83Q; Carl McKinzie, 5th, 14.97Q.
100 Meter Dash (Prelims): Carl McKinzie, 5th, 10.78Q; Craig Scott, 10th, 11.06; Joe Washington, 15th. 11.13.
400 Meter Run: Stanley Suber, 6th, 48.38; Mark Williams, 9th, 49.08; Arthur Kinder, 21st, 51.44.
4x100 Relay: “A” Team (LaJarvis Cook, Craig Scott, Joe Washington, Carl McKinzie), 2nd, 41.72.
5000 Meters: Shuaib Winters, 15th, 15:41.21; Carlos Franklin, 24th, 15:53.38.
110 Meter Hurdles (Final): Demarius Carroll, 3rd, 14.86; Carl McKinzie, 4th, 14.99.
100 Meter Dash (Final): Carl McKinzie, 4th, 10.85; Craig Scott, 7th, 10.89.
High Jump: Bryan Turner, 2nd, 2.10 meters; Anthony Hill, 8th, 1.85 meters.
Javelin: Mike White, 23rd, 36.52 meters.
Shot Put: Frank Scott, 9th, 12.89 meters.
200 Meter Dash: Rennie Carty, 7th, 22.23; LaJarvis Cook, 14th, 22.46; Joe Washington, 15th, 22.47.
4x400 Meter Relay: FAMU “A” (Daquam Lee, Mark Williams, Craig Scott, Stanley Suber), 4th, 3:20.10.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 11) – Florida A&M University will hold its 59th annual track and field extravaganza – the Webster Surgical Center FAMU Relays – on Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14 at Pete Griffin Track on campus.

For the first time ever, the fabled meet will have a title sponsor, Webster Surgical Center, a Tallahassee-based medical firm, owned and operated by a FAMU alumnus, Dr. Joseph L. Webster, Sr., M.D.

This year’s meet, which gets underway on Friday, March 13 at 9:30 a.m., will feature an array of collegiate events, continuing on Saturday, March 14, at 8 a.m.

Saturday’s schedule will also feature high school competition as well as collegiate entries in two segments - a morning session starting at 8:00; an opening ceremony at 12:15 p.m, followed by the afternoon session, which will begin 12:30, with the first of three new events, a middle school 4x100 meter relay for boys and girls.

The new events set for later in the afternoon, will be a Senior division 100 meter dash for men and women, which will start at 3:00 p.m. and the 200 meter dash for men and women at 5:10 p.m.

The FAMU Relays were founded by the late coach and college professor Robert “Pete” Griffin in 1950.

During the late 1950s through the early 1980s, other spring sports – such as baseball, softball, tennis, golf and swimming - were added to the weekend starting on Wednesday or Thursday, under the title Spring Sports Carnival, which culminated on Saturdays with the Relays.

But since the mid-1980s, the track event has stood alone, expanding to two days in 2002.

The Relays were staged on the current site where Pete Griffin Track is built, only in the 1950s, it was a clay track, which was subject to washouts due to rain.

When Bragg Stadium was completed in 1957, the track was moved to the stadium, where it stayed until 1980, when the current all-weather facility was completed and the stadium was renovated, eliminating the track.

Admission is free for Friday’s session, which begins at 9:30 a.m.with the college javelin throw and the 3000 meter steeplechase.

Tickets for Saturday’s main event sessions will be $5 for adults and $3 for children, 12 and under.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (March 10) - The Florida A&M University Men’s Basketball Team advanced in the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Basketball Tourney with a 71-58 win over Howard University, here Tuesday night at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

FAMU (10-20) had a trio of players to finish in double figures.  Lamar Twitty finished with a team high 20 points, followed by Dale Hughes with 16  and Larry Jackson with 15.  Twitty led the Rattlers on the boards with eight, while Joe Ballard dished out a game high eight assists.

FAMU as a team finished with an all-time best single-game three point shooting percentage at 68.8 percent (11-of-16)..

Twitty and Hughes both finished perfect from behind the three-point arc, with Twitty going three-for-three, while Hughes went four-of-four.

“We were able to take the ball inside and score, which opened up the perimeter game for us.  We played together as a team and got a lot of good looks at the basket.  We did an outstanding job of rebounding tonight, and that was a big key,” said FAMU head coach Eugene Harris.

Behind the hot shooting of Twitty and Hughes, the Rattlers went up 17-10 in the first half on back-to-back three pointers.  

FAMU would then extend their lead to 21-10 on a four point play by Hughes with 9:17 remaining in the game, capping a 10-0 run.

A Kyle Riley three-pointer for Howard with 47 seconds left in the half, cut FAMU lead to 37-34, but the Rattlers would end the half with a 41-34 lead.

FAMU would pick up in the second half, where they left off in the first half, as they opened with a 9-2 run to grab a 50-36 lead on a Twitty free throw with 16:29 left.

A  layup for Howard’s Yannick Braimbridge layup 13:17 left in the game cut, capped a 9-0 Bison run, cutting the Rattler lead to 50-46.

FAMU regained control of the game, sparked by Larry Jackson, whose three straight field goals would give the Rattlers a 59-51 lead with 8:55 remaining.

A Twitty layup would extend the Rattlers advantage to 14 points, 67-53 with 5:40 to go, but the Bison would cut FAMU’s lead to 67-58 but that would be as close as Howard would get.

Howard (8-22) was led by Kyle Riley with 20 points, while Curtis White added 16 points.  White led the team on the boards with seven.

FAMU finished the game with a hot hand shooting 51.1 percent (24-of-47) from the field, while Howard shot 46.5 percent (20-of-43).
 
The Rattlers will face No. 1 seed Morgan State Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the MEAC Tournament quarterfinal round.

 

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (March 11) -  The Florida A&M Women’s Basketball lived to fight another day as they upset No. 2 seed Coppin State, 64-43 in the quarterfinal round of the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tourney, here Wednesday morning at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Wednesday’s win vaults the Lady Rattlers into the semifinal round of the MEAC Tournament against the winner of Thursday’s Delaware State-Hampton game, at 2:30 p.m. on Friday.

FAMU (14-16) had a quartet of players to score in double figures as Deidra  Jones scored a game high 21 points.  From off the bench, Qiana Donald added 12 points, while Stephanie Foster dropped in 11 and Antonia Bennett poured in 10.  Jones and Bennett led the Lady Rattlers on the boards with seven each.

The Lady Eagles opened the first half with a 10-0 run capped off by an Anders layup at the 15:33 mark.

Jones would end FAMU’s scoring drought with a three ball at  the 15:20 mark, cutting CSU’s lead to 10-3.

The Lady Rattlers would cut the Lady Eagles’ lead to four on four different occasions in the first half, staying within striking distance. A Bennett layup at the 1:01 mark left the score, 24-20 Coppin State at intermission.

Then, the Lady Rattlers began the second half with a 10-3 run to take the lead for the first time, 30-27, on Jones three-pointer at the 15:25 mark.

 
Coppin would tie the game at 30-30 on a Whitney Cunningham free throw at the 14:14 mark, before FAMU went on a 7-0 run, capped by a Jones field goal at the 12:58 mark to take the lead for good at 37-30.

The Lady Rattlers would later extend their lead to 12 points, 49-37 on a Bennett jumper with 6:56 left, then would push their edge to the final 21 points for the 64-43 win.

 CSU (14-14)  was led by Danielle Anders with 17 points, while Sesalie Johnson pumped in 10. Tanezia Harden finished a team high five rebounds.

FAMU finished the game shooting 38.9 percent (21-of-54) from the field, whereas CSU shot 34.5 percent (19-of-55).

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (March 10) - The Florida A&M University Men’s Basketball Team advanced in the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Basketball Tourney with a 71-58 win over Howard University, here Tuesday night at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

FAMU (10-20) had a trio of players to finish in double figures.  Lamar Twitty finished with a team high 20 points, followed by Dale Hughes with 16  and Larry Jackson with 15.  Twitty led the Rattlers on the boards with eight, while Joe Ballard dished out a game high eight assists.

FAMU as a team finished with an all-time best single-game three point shooting percentage at 68.8 percent (11-of-16)..

Twitty and Hughes both finished perfect from behind the three-point arc, with Twitty going three-for-three, while Hughes went four-of-four.

“We were able to take the ball inside and score, which opened up the perimeter game for us.  We played together as a team and got a lot of good looks at the basket.  We did an outstanding job of rebounding tonight, and that was a big key,” said FAMU head coach Eugene Harris.

Behind the hot shooting of Twitty and Hughes, the Rattlers went up 17-10 in the first half on back-to-back three pointers.  

FAMU would then extend their lead to 21-10 on a four point play by Hughes with 9:17 remaining in the game, capping a 10-0 run.

A Kyle Riley three-pointer for Howard with 47 seconds left in the half, cut FAMU lead to 37-34, but the Rattlers would end the half with a 41-34 lead.

FAMU would pick up in the second half, where they left off in the first half, as they opened with a 9-2 run to grab a 50-36 lead on a Twitty free throw with 16:29 left.

A  layup for Howard’s Yannick Braimbridge layup 13:17 left in the game cut, capped a 9-0 Bison run, cutting the Rattler lead to 50-46.

FAMU regained control of the game, sparked by Larry Jackson, whose three straight field goals would give the Rattlers a 59-51 lead with 8:55 remaining.

A Twitty layup would extend the Rattlers advantage to 14 points, 67-53 with 5:40 to go, but the Bison would cut FAMU’s lead to 67-58 but that would be as close as Howard would get.

Howard (8-22) was led by Kyle Riley with 20 points, while Curtis White added 16 points.  White led the team on the boards with seven.

FAMU finished the game with a hot hand shooting 51.1 percent (24-of-47) from the field, while Howard shot 46.5 percent (20-of-43).
 
The Rattlers will face No. 1 seed Morgan State Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the MEAC Tournament quarterfinal round.

 

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (March 10) - The Florida A&M University Women’s Basketball team held on for a 54-50 win over South Carolina State in the opening round of the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament, here Tuesday morning at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Tuesday’s victory sends FAMU to the quarterfinals Wednesday against second-seeded Coppin State (14-13) at 10 a.m.

FAMU (13-16) was led by Deidra Jones with 15 points, while Antonia Bennett had a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds, with Stephanie Foster adding 11 points off the bench.

“We told her we need quality minutes from her,” FAMU coach LeDawn Gibson said of Foster, who had started every game in the regular season.  “She stepped up her game, she hit some big jump shots and had some big rebounds for us in the first half.”

SCSU (6-23) was led by Marie Reid with a game high 17 points, followed by Brijan Turner with 10 points. Janell Moore led the Lady Bulldogs on the boards with nine.
 
The Lady Bulldogs jumped out to a 4-0 lead on back-to-back field goals by Marie Reid, then FAMU took the lead, 6-4, thanks to a 6-0 run led by Jarquella Woods and Antonia Bennett.
 
A free throw by SCSU’s Sophilia Hipps tied the score at 10-10 at the 12:31 mark, but FAMU would then go on a 7-2 run to take a 17-12 lead on a Deidra Jones three-pointer with 9:16 left in the half.

SCSU would then go on a 7-3 run, capped off by a Brijan Turner three-pointer, cutting FAMU’s lead to 20-19 with 6:51 left.

The Lady Bulldogs would then take the lead on a LaTeia Bailey free-throw with 4:05 left, capping a 5-0 run, for a 25-24 lead.

A Deidra Jones free-throw with 2:30 to go in the half, would break a Lady Rattler a three minute scoring drought, giving FAMU a 26-25 lead.

The Lady Rattlers would then close out the half with a 7-0 run, to take a 33-25 lead at the half.

In the second half, the Lady Rattlers would take a nine-point lead, 39-30, on a Foster layup with 14:07 left, and would even extend their lead to much as 13 points, 49-36, on a Tameka McKelton layup with 9:44.

A Kristin Johnson layup at the 4:46 mark would cap a 10-2 SCSU run, cutting FAMU’s lead to 51-46.

“We got a little complacent, when we went up 13.  We relaxed a little bit.  Hipps hadn’t hit any shots early on in the game and she stepped up, we got a little relaxed on defense,” said Gibson.

A Bennett free throw at the 3:42 mark would give FAMU a 52-46 lead, but buckets by Reid with 3:28 left and at the 1:40 mark would cut the Lady Rattlers lead to 52-50.

“We told our players, we needed to match a run with a run,” said S.C. State head coach Doug Robertson. “We did that in the second half and we gave ourselves opportunity to win the ball game.”
 
A pair of Foster free throws would end a three-minute Lady Rattler scoring drought  to give FAMU a 54-50 win.

FAMU ANNOUNCES 2009 FOOTBALL SIGNEES

Incoming class features mix of prep, JUCO and transfer players

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Feb. 4) - Florida A&M University announced its' 2009 class of newcomers during National Football Signing Day on Wednesday.

This year's class features a talented mix of high school and transfer players, along with several red shirt freshmen, who will join the active roster this fall.

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CHRIS ATKINS
Pos. DE/LB, Ht: 6'5", Hometown/Previous School: Quincy, FL/East Carolina
Transfer from East Carolina. Graduate from West Gadsden where he was a 5 year letterman and versatile athlete playing S, LB and DE. HS Career totals: 380 tackles, 43 sacks, 114 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions and two block punts.

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COREY ATKINS
Pos. RB, Ht: 5'11", Wt: 193, Hometown/Previous School: Madison, FL/Madison HS
This Madison HS standout with blazing speed and power clocking 4.4..rated a 3 star recruit bt scout.com Atkins rushed for over 1700 yds, 24 Touchdowns and was 2nd Team all state in Class 2A.

 

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…
Jerod Brisbom
Pos:  LB,  Ht:  6-1,  Wt:  215,  Hometown:  / Previous School:  Tampa, Fla. / Hillsborough HS 
This Hillsborough HS product was their top LB for 3 consecutive seasons… Recorded over 100 tackles for three straight seasons… career stats 316 tackles, 13 sacks, 7 FF…Recruited by Iowa State, Bethune Cookman University, FIU.

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 Jay Culpeper
Pos:  OL/LS  Ht:  6-5, Wt:  290,  Hometown / Previous School:  Madison, Fla. / Florida State 
This Madison county high school graduate and was on the state championship team. Versatile offensive lineman and Long Snapper with a great upside considering size….Culpepper will compete in Special Teams for snapping duties in 2009… 4 year letterman at Madison HS… played two seasons at FSU, Criminal justice major.

 Brando Curry 
Pos:  OL,  Ht:  6-6, Wt:  305,  Hometown / Previous School:  Lauderdale, Fla. / Marshall University 
Transfer from Marshall University. HS: Sun Sentinel & Miami Herald 1st team All County both Jr and Sr Year. 1st team all state class 6A as a senior. Rated # 14 recruit out of broward county, no sacks allowed for two consecutive years, Army vs Navy all American game, selected for Dade vs broward all star game in 2007.

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Brandon Davis 
Pos:  OL,  Ht:  6-4,  Wt:  285,  Hometown / Previous School:  Jacksonville, Fla. / Illinois
Highly touted offensive lineman from Jacksonville Fl. 4 star recruit, selected to play in Shrine Bowl, All Conference, Captain of Shrine Bowl, Top 5 offensive lineman in Florida. Recruited by FSU, Miami, Illinois, Tennessee, Ole Miss, WVU, FIU and FAU.

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Jonathan Ferrell
Pos:  S,  Ht:  6-0,  Wt:  195,  Hometown / Previous School:  Tallahassee, Fla. / FAMU DRS 
Gray shirt sophomore from FAMU high school. Recorded 112 tackles his sr year along with 3 int, 2 ff and 7 sacks. Versatile player who can also line up at LB, was 2nd team all state in 2007 and also led the baby rattlers to 2007 state championship.

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 Trevon Fleshmon 
Pos:  TE/DE,  Ht:  6-2,  Wt:  235,  Hometown / Previous:  Jacksonville, Fla. / Forrest HS 
1st team TE shrine bowl, 1st team all county selection, nominated for Army vs Navy all star game, 1st team all state selection.4.5 speed TE with Career stats totaling 67 receptions, 17 TDs, 43 pancakes blocks; on defense 63 tackles, 7 sacks…considered one of the top wrestlers in Florida, Fleshman only loss three matches in High School…Recruited by East Carolina, FIU, UCF and Arkansas State…Criminal justice major.

 

 

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Bobby Jackson
Pos:  OLB,  Ht:  6-2,  Wt:  225,  Hometown / Previous School:  Miami, Fla. / Miami Jackson HS
Recorded 103 Tackles, 18 sacks (school record), 4 FF, 2 Ints, Miami Dade All Dade team. Sr season defensive captain, boasts 4.5 speed, honor student with 3.5 gpa….interests by East Carolina , Marshall, FIU and FAU.

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Rodeshawn Joseph
Pos:  CB,  Ht:  6-1,  Wt:  170,  Hometown / Previous School:   Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. / Boyd Anderson
Aggressive player and lockdown corner with great upside. Selected Broward county all star team, and played in Dade vs Broward game. Recorded 73 tackles, 4 int. Defensive captain during senior season….top 100 athlete in state of Florida Business Management major.

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Abraham Muhieze
Pos:  S,  Ht:  6-1,  Wt:  205,  Hometown / Previous School:  San Diego, Calif. / Grossmont College 
Juco transfer from Grossmont college in CA where he was the team captain and recorded 136 tackles, 7 int , I ret for td, 2 FF,3 blocked punts in one game Totaled 5 blocked punts in his career at Grossmont.. In HS, was versatile athlete who played QB/S… career stats Passed for 4,000 yds and 1300 yds rushing (which is a CA record for total yardages) 56 total touchdowns 43 passing and 13 rushing. At Safety, recorded 118 tackles, 10 Ints (3 returned for a TD)…1st Team All American, 1st Team All State, Red Zone Player of the Year…recruited by Idaho State, Montana State, Texas State Major in Kinesiology.

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Jamil Paris 
Pos:  DE/LB,  Wt:  6-5,  Wt:  245,  Hometown / Previous School:  Gifford, Fla. / Kentucky 
Transfer from University of Kentucky where he played as a true freshman where he recorded 4 sacks, 23 tackles…recorded sack versus Chris Leak in Music city Bowl 2006…HS Sabastian River High where he was the #1 Wk DE in Florida, #13 in the Nation and Florida’s top 100 at # 57….career totals 31 sacks, 113 tackles, 23 tkfls in just two seasons.

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Harrison Sweeting 
Pos:  DE /LB,  Ht: 6-4,  Wt:  235   Hometown / Previous School:  Jacksonville, Fla. / Ed White HS 
Recorded 6 sacks, 93 tackles and 1 int…career stats 167 tackles 13 sacks…honorable mention all state

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Daniel "Troy"Walker
Pos:  P,  Ht:  6-0,  Wt:  195,  Hometown / Previous School:  Wakulla, Fla. / Wakulla HS 
Grey shirt sophomore with tremendous leg power…HS 2007 Wakulla High 1ST Team All State, 1st Team All Big Bend as a Punter averaging 42.1 yds per punt… also Rushed for 7 Touchdowns while playing Running Back at Wakulla…Undefeated wrestling title and was 1ST Team all Big Bend in wrestling.

 

 

 

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Jerry Willis
Pos:  DT,  Ht:  6-4,  Wt:  295,  Hometown / Previous School:  Chicago, Ill. / 
Who has tremendous upside at DT. Former all conference at FB/DT…Willis also received interest from Kentucky State, Grambling and Tenn State.




Updated:  2/4/09- 1: 15 p.m.

 

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FLORIDA A&M RELEASES 2009 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Rattlers to have four home games, plus guarantee tilt with Miami

CONTACT: Alvin Hollins/Ronnie Johnson, Sports Information (850) 599-3200/561-2701

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Jan. 7) - Florida A&M University announced its 2009 football schedule on Wednesday, a lineup which features four home contests and a midseason clash with the University of Miami.

Florida A&M, which finished the 2008 season 9-3 and tied for second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference at 5-3 under first-year head coach Joe Taylor, will open the season at home for the second straight year, September 5 against Delaware State.

The Rattlers will also have home games against Howard University on September 19, Norfolk (Va.) State on October 24 and North Carolina A&T on November 7.

FAMU has yet to designate a Homecoming date, as they await the release of the Florida State home schedule, with hopes of avoiding conflicts for their October and November home weekends.

Highlighting their traditional seven-game road schedule will be an October 10 jaunt to Miami's Pro Player Stadium to take on the University of Miami.

FAMU will open their road schedule on September 12 at Winston-Salem (N.C.) State, then return to the road on September 26 in Atlanta against Tennessee State in the Atlanta Football Classic.

After an open date on October 3, FAMU will take on Miami (October 10) and defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion South Carolina State (October 17) in back-to-back road tilts.

The Rattlers' final three home games will be at Morgan State (Oct. 31) in Baltimore, Maryland; at Hampton (Va.) University (Nov. 14) and against Bethune-Cookman in the 30th Florida Classic in Orlando (Nov. 21).

Game times had not been finalized as of press time.

2009 FLORIDA A&M FOOTBALL SCHEDULE    

Sept. 5          DELAWARE STATE          HOME
Sept. 12     at Winston-Salem State     Winston-Salem, NC
Sept. 19     HOWARD*                    HOME         
Sept. 26     Tennessee State@               Atlanta, GA
Oct. 10          at University of Miami          Miami, FL
Oct. 17          at South Carolina State*     Orangeburg, SC    
Oct. 24     NORFOLK STATE*#          HOME         
Oct. 31          at Morgan State*               Baltimore, MD         
Nov. 7          NORTH CAROLINA A&T*#     HOME         
Nov. 14     at Hampton University*     Hampton, VA    
Nov. 21     Bethune-Cookman*$          Orlando, FL
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(*)-Conference Games; @-Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic 21 - Georgia Dome
(#)-Possible Homecoming dates; ($)-Florida Classic 30 - Florida Citrus Bowl

PITTSBURGH ROLLS PAST LADY RATTLERS, 89-59
Freshman Tameka McKelton leads FAMU with 17 points Friday

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Dec. 19) – The Florida A&M Lady Rattlers dropped an 89-59 decision to the 16th-ranked Pittsburgh Panthers in a women’s college basketball game Friday evening in Gaither Gymnasium.

FAMU (4-5) dropped their third straight game as the nationally-ranked Panthers (9-1) raced off to a big lead early and remained in control throughout.

Pitt opened the game with an 8-0 run over the first two minutes, quickly building their advantage to double digits, 16-2 on a pair of free throws by Shavonte Zellous with 14:43.

The Panthers shot 47.2 percent from the floor and hit 13 of 15 from the foul line to forge a 51-26 lead at the half.

Florida A&M played things a lot closer in the second half, as Pitt just managed to outscore the Lady Rattlers, 38-33.

Pitt, which finished the night with a 52-35 edge in rebounding, was led by Xenia Stewart with 27 points, followed by Zellous with 21 points and seven rebounds and Sophronia Sallard with 11 points.

Freshman Tameka McKelton led FAMU with 17 points, as she knocked down a trio of three-pointers. Antonia Bennett added nine points, while Ashley Hampton tossed in eight points.

Senior Melissa Daniels led FAMU with seven rebounds, followed by Denise Tate with six boards.

WHAT’S NEXT: Florida A&M returns to the court on Tuesday, December 30, when they travel to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech. Tipoff will be 6:00 p.m. at Alexander Coliseum…. FAMU’s next home game will be Saturday, January 3 against Savannah State, which will tip off at 7 p.m. in Gaither Gymnasium.

ALABAMA EDGES LADY RATTLERS, 70-68 IN OT

Senior trio of Foster, Jones and Daniels leads FAMU Wednesday

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (Dec. 17) - In a game, that saw 13 ties and 21 lead changes, the Florida A&M Women's Basketball team dropped a hard fought 70-68 overtime decision to the University of Alabama, here Wednesday afternoon at Coleman Coliseum.

FAMU  (4-4) had a trio of players to score in double figures with Stephanie Foster leading the way with 17 points.  Deidra Jones dropped in 16 points, while Melissa Daniels finished with 10 points.

Freshman Qiana Donald led the Lady Rattlers on the boards with 11 rebounds, while Jones finished with a game high seven assists.

In the first half, FAMU tied the game on three times, while Alabama tied the game four times, before the Crimson Tide took a 27-26 lead at the half.

The Lady Rattlers finished the first half shooting 35.5 percent (11-of-31) from the floor, while the Crimson Tide shot 36.7 percent (11-of-30).

Alabama would push their lead out to five points to begin the second half on a Varisia Raffington field goal with 16:09 remaining gave the Crimson Tide a 33-28 lead.

Later, UA would push their lead to seven points on a Ericka Russell field goal with 12:12 remaining making the score, 39-32.

FAMU's Stephanie Foster broke a three-minute scoring drought for both teams as she hit a pair of free throws with 6:07 remaining, cutting Alabama lead to 41-39.

Then a Melissa Daniels lay-up would tie the game at 41-41 with 5:48 left to go, followed by a Foster three-pointer, which gave the Lady Rattlers a 44-43 lead with 5:36 remaining in regulation.

A Raffington field goal at the 3:22 mark would give the Crimson Tide a 51-46 leading capping a 7-3 run.



FAMU would then go on a 7-2 run to send the game into overtime, capping the surge on a Qiana Donald free throw with 1:13 left.

In the overtime, the Lady Rattlers would score the first two baskets to take a 61-57 lead with 4:31 to play.

A Courtney Strauthers free throw with 3:36 remaining tied the game at 64-64, followed by a Daleisha Corn field goal with three minutes left giving the Crimson Tide a 66-64 lead.

FAMU would tie the game at 66-66 on a pair of Foster free throws at the 2:37 mark of the overtime period.

The Tide would then regain the lead 68-66 at the 2:08 mark on a Magee layup. Alabama would then extend their lead to 69-66 on a Magee free throw at the 1:35 mark of the extra period.

A pair of free throws by Deidra Jones would cut Alabama's lead to 69-68 with 1:27 left, but another Magee free throw with one second left would seal a 70-68 win for the Crimson Tide.

FAMU finished the game shooting 34.7 percent (25-of-72) from the field, while UA shot  32.5 percent (26-of-80).  Both the Lady Rattlers and the Crimson Tide finished with 57 rebounds each.

Alabama (7-3)  was paced by Tierney Jenkins, who finished with a  double-double in 17 points and 10 reounds, while Varisia Raffington added 10 points to round out the Crimson Tide double figure players.  Dedrea Magee led the team in assists with six.

The Lady Rattlers will close out the calendar year at home against the University Pittsburgh on Friday, December 19, at 7 p.m. in Gaither Gymnasium.

RATTLERS DROP CLOSE SHAVE TO TEXAS A&M, 67-57

Senior Lamar Twitty burns Aggies for 27 points in Monday night thriller

CONTACT: Sports Information (850) 599-3200/561-2701

COLLEGE STATION, Tex. (Dec. 15) - The Florida A&M Rattlers pushed Big 12 foe Texas A&M to the limit Monday night before dropping a hard-fought 67-57 decision in a college men's basketball game at Reed Arena.

Florida A&M (2-8) was led by senior Lamar Twitty, the Rattlers' lone scorer in double figures with 27 points, which included a trio of three-pointers. Freshman Yannick Crowder followed with eight points and a team-high seven rebounds, with junior Brandon Bryant and freshman Cecil Bent each adding six points.

Senior guard Joe Ballard also chipped in with five points, four assists, three steals and three rebounds.

Texas A&M (8-1) had three players score in double figures, led by Donald Sloan with 21 points. Center Chinemelu Elonu turned in a double-double with 17 points, 14 rebounds and a school-record six blocked shots, while Josh Carter added 11 points.

The Aggies led 38-26 at the half, only managing to build a double-digit lead with less than eight minutes left in the opening period.

Dale Hughes cashed in a three-pointer with 9:41 left to cut the TAMU lead to 16-12, but TAMU went on a 17-7 run over the next seven minutes to build a 14-point lead, 33-19 with 1:39 left.

The Rattlers closed in on the Aggies with a 7-5 run led by Twitty to close to 38-26 at the break.

Twitty and freshman Cecil Bent keyed an 18-8 Rattler surge to open the second half that pulled FAMU within two points, 46-44 on Bent's jumper in the paint with 9:49 left.

However, the Aggies answered with a 13-2 run of their own, opening up a 59-46 lead with 4:48 left, capped off by a pair of foul shots by Josh Carter.

WHAT'S NEXT: The Rattlers take a break before hitting the road again for a Monday night battle against the Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford, Mississippi. Tipoff will be 7 p.m. Central Time.

RATTLERS RALLY PAST KENNESAW STATE, 63-58

Florida A&M uses clutch foul shooting in 2nd half to edge past visiting Owls

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Dec. 13) - The Florida A&M Rattlers were near-perfect from the charity line in the second half to rally past visiting Kennesaw (Ga.) State, 63-58 in a men's college basketball game in Gaither Gymnasium Saturday night.

FAMU (2-7) snapped a three-game losing skid Saturday, mainly by shooting 12 of 14 from the free throw line, in contrast to an 0 for 8 showing in the first half.

The Rattlers also protected the ball much better, turning the ball over just five times in the second half, while turning up the defensive pressure on the Owls, forcing them into 12 miscues.

Kennesaw State (5-3) led the entire first half, jumping out to a quick 6-2 lead on back-to-back three-pointers by Kelvin McConnell.

The Owls pushed their lead to 10 points, 12-2 on a Johnathan Whipple tip in with 14:50 left in the half, before a Rattler surge cut the KSU lead to one point, 17-16 on a Dunnell Webb jumper with 9:29 to go.

KSU closed out the half with a 15-6 run, capped by Artie Martine, who scored the Owls' last five points on a three-pointer with 1:27 left and a tip in with 39 seconds left to boost his club to a 32-22 halftime edge.

However in the second half, the Rattlers outscored KSU, 41-26, led by senior Lamar Twitty, who scored 14 points in the final 20 minutes, hitting all six of his foul shots, while knocking down a pair of three-pointers.

Kennesaw didn't let go of the game without a fight, extending their 10-point halftime cushion to 12 points on three different occasions. McConnell's three-pointer with 12:38 remaining gave the Owls their last 12-point cushion, 48-36, before the Rattlers clawed their way back into contention.

Twitty, with help from fellow senior Joe Ballard and sophomore Larry Jackson, provided most of the drive to get FAMU ahead, scoring 12 of the Rattlers' points in a furious 18-5 flurry during a 10-minute span.

The second Twitty's two three-pointers during the surge, put FAMU ahead for the first time in the game, 54-53 with 2:27 left. The Rattlers then closed out the Owls with a 9-5 run capped by a Yannick Crowder slam dunk off a full court inbounds pass from Ballard with six seconds left.

Twitty led all scorers with 19 points for FAMU, along with six rebounds, four steals and a trio of three-pointers. Crowder finished with nine points and nine rebounds, followed by Brandon Bryant and Dale Hughes with eight points each.

Kelvin McConnell, who hit a game-high five three-pointers, led the Owls with 17 points, followed by Jon-Michael Nickerson with 16 points. John Allison led KSU with nine rebounds.

WHAT'S NEXT: The Rattlers travel to College Station, Texas for a Monday night bout against Texas A&M. Tipoff will be 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

STRONG FIRST HALF VAULTS GATORS PAST FAMU, 77-55

UF wins 10th straight after shooting 60 percent in opening stanza Friday night

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Dec. 12) – The University of Florida rode a torrid first half shooting performance to a 77-55 victory over Florida A&M in a women’s college basketball game at the Stephen O’Connell Center Friday night.

The win was the 10th straight for homestanding Florida (10-1), while FAMU (4-3) dropped their third straight road game.

The Gators shot 60 percent (18 of 30) from the floor and went five of 10 from three-point range in the opening stanza, while FAMU hit just 29.6 percent (8 of 27) from the floor, breaking open what was a relatively tight contest near the midpoint of the period.

Florida led 16-11 with 11:30 left in the half, then closed out the period with a 30-12 run led by the trio of Marshae Dotson, Jennifer Mossor and Lonnika Thompson who each had seven points in the first 20 minutes.

UF’s Sha Brooks got the Gators rolling with a pair of three pointers in the first half, which helped push their lead to double digits.

In the second half, both clubs shot in the 30 percent range, as FAMU outscored the Gators, 32-31.

Stephanie Foster led FAMU’s second half charge with 16 points, followed by fellow senior Deidra Jones, who added 10 points in the final period.

Foster led all scorers with 21 points, followed by Jones with 15 points. Jones also led FAMU with seven rebounds Friday.

Florida had 12 players score on Friday, led by Sha Brooks with 12 points and Sharielle Smith with 11 points. Smith shared team high rebounding honors with Steffi Sorensen as each player pulled down seven boards.

WHAT’S NEXT: FAMU will return to action next Wednesday, Dec. 17, when they take on the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa in an 11:30 a.m. Central time game, before returning home for a Gaither Gym bout against the University of Pittsburgh next Friday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.

FLORIDA A&M ASSISTANT BOWLING COACH DIES

Tallahassee native had served as assistant for eight seasons

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Dec. 9) - Florida A&M assistant bowling coach Paul Williams passed away suddenly on Tuesday.

Williams, a native of Tallahassee served eight seasons as assistant bowling coach.
 
He was a member of the National Bowling Association, the National Ten Pins Association and the NCAA Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association. Williams also holds a Bronze and Silver Level Certification.
 
He is survived by his wife, Debi Keirnman Williams of 19 years, and a daughter Larissa Williams.

Gators Hold Off Determined Rattler Cagers 73-58

FAMU cashes in 11 three-pointers and plays UF dead even in second half
 
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Dec. 2) - The Florida A&M Men’s Basketball team fought tough for 40 minutes as they dropped a 73-58 decision to instate rival University of Florida, here Tuesday evening at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.
 
FAMU (1-6) played the nationally-ranked Gators dead even (36-36) in the second half, after trailing 37-22 at the break.
 
The Rattlers were led by Lamar Twitty with a game-high 20 points, followed by Brandon Bryant with 16 points.  Joe Ballard finished with a team high seven assists, while both Twitty and Ballard finished with six rebounds each.
 
The Rattlers cut the Gators lead to 12-10 on a pair of Joe Ballard free throws with 14:58 remaining in the first.
 
An Alex Tyus dunk with 9:32 remaining in the first half, would cap off an UF 13-0 run, giving the Gators a 25-10 lead.
 
FAMU would then make a run of their own as they went on a 10-5 surge, capped off by a Brandon Bryant layup with 4:30 to go, cutting the UF lead to 30-20. The Gators finished the first half with a 9-4 run to take a 37-22 lead at the break.
 
FAMU finished the first half shooting 30.4 percent (7-of-23), while UF shot 44.8 percent (13-of-29).
 
In the second half, a Lamar Twitty three pointer cut the Gators’ lead to 39-29 with 17:53 to go capping a 7-2 run.
 
An Allan Chaney layup with 11:29 to go capped a 10-2 Gator run, extending the Florida lead to 15 points, 51-36.
 
A Twitty three pointer cut Florida’s lead to 13 points, 68-55 with 2:36 to go, the closest that FAMU would get the rest of the way.
 
FAMU finished the game shooting 44.2 percent (19-of-43), while UF shot 42.9 percent (24-of-56).  The Gators held the rebounding edge over the Rattlers, 32-29.
 
In the second half,  FAMU out shot UF from the field, with the Rattlers shooting 45.8 percent (11-24), while the Gators shot 40.0 percent (10-of-25).
 
UF (6-1) had a quartet of players to score in double figures with  Nick Calathes, who finished with a team high 16 points.  Both Alex Tyus and Chandler Parson finished with 15 points each, followed by Erving Walker with 13 points.  Tyus led the Gators on the board with six rebounds, while Calathes finished with a team seven assists.
 
FAMU returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 6 as they take on archrival Bethune-Cookman at Gaither Gymnasium in their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener at 7 p.m.

LADY RATTLERS FALL TO MIAMI, 83-69

Lady Rattlers drop second road decision of season Monday night

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (Dec. 1) - The Florida A&M Women's Basketball team dropped a hard-fought 83-69 decision to the University of Miami here Monday night at the BankUnited Center on the UM campus.

Florida A&M (3-2) shot 60 percent from three-point range (6 of 10) to stay within six points, 40-34 at the half, before homestanding Miami (5-2) pulled away with a 43-35 surge in the second half.

The Lady Rattlers long range shooting kept them in contention in the first, getting them twice within two points of the Hurricanes.

A three-pointer by freshman Antonia Bennett slice the 'Canes lead to one point, 23-22 with 5:38 left in the half, but a three-pointer by UM's Vitalija Vasciunaite pushed her club ahead by four points, 26-22 with 5:25 left.

FAMU twice more cut the lead to two points, but the 'Canes closed out the half with a 9-5 run in the last two minutes to lead 40-34 at the break.

Miami came out of the break outscoring FAMU, 21-16 in the first nine minutes of the half, to pull away to a double-digit lead, 61-50 with 11:35 left.

The Lady Rattlers could get no closer as UM extended their lead to as much as 19 points down the stretch.

Florida A&M was led by senior Deidra Jones with 20 points, followed by freshman Antonia Bennett with 18 and senior Stephanie Foster with 14 points, while freshman Qiana Donald (12) and senior Denise Tate (11) led FAMU in rebounding Monday.

Vitalija Vasciunaite led UM with 18 points, followed by Diane Barnes and Latoya Cunningham with 15 points apiece.

WHAT'S NEXT: The Lady Rattlers will host Bethune-Cookman, Saturday, December 6 in Gaither Gym, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

FAMU Volleyball Team to Open NCAA Tourney Friday in Gainesville

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Dec. 1) - The Florida A&M University Women's Volleyball team will make their eighth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division One Championships this weekend, as they take on the University of Florida in the first round of play on Friday, December 5 at the Stephen O'Connell Center. Match time will be 7:30 p.m.

Florida A&M (14-12), recipient of an automatic tournament bid by winning the 2008 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship, will make their fourth straight appearance in Gainesville, and it will be the third time in five years that the Lady Rattlers will draw the University of Florida as an opening round opponent (2004, 2005, 2008).

Florida (25-3), ranked 14/12 in national polls, were winners of the Southeastern Conference title for the 18th straight year. They will be hosting opening round NCAA play for the 17th time in the last 18 years in Gainesville.

Colorado State will face Florida International in Friday's 5 p.m. bout on Friday, prior to the FAMU-UF clash.

Friday's winners will play at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, with the winner of that second round match set to advance to regional play at Colorado State University.

Florida A&M captured its eighth consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title this season with a 3-2 win against Maryland Eastern Shore in the league tournament championship game. The Rattlers enter Friday's match with a 14-12 overall record, including a 7-1 mark in MEAC play.

FAMU features one of the smallest rosters (by number of players) in NCAA Division I volleyball with just eight players on the squad. Despite the lack of depth, the Rattlers have been the MEAC's most successful team for nearly a decade behind head coach Tony Trifonov, an eight-time MEAC Outstanding Coach of the Year recipient.

The 2008 edition is led by sophomore outside hitter Jovana Blazeski, a 6-foot-2 player from Belgrade, Serbia, who averages a squad-best 3.81 kills per set and 3.01 digs per set. Senior middle blocker Samara Ferraz, a 6-foot-1 athlete from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was named the 2008 MEAC Outstanding Performer. She averages 3.72 kills per set on a squad-best .332 hitting with a team-high 0.45 blocks per set.

Florida is led by freshman right-side/setter Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.), who ranks sixth in the SEC in kills per set with 3.29 and second in the league in hitting efficiency with a .360 clip. She also leads the team in total points (386.0) and is second in assists per set (5.58/set) and digs per set (1.89/set). Redshirt freshman outside hitter Kristy Jaeckel (Littleton, Colo.) is 10th in the league with 3.04 kills per set, while freshman outside hitter Colleen Ward (Naperville, Ill.) follows with 2.34 kills per set.

Junior libero Elyse Cusack (Melrose, Fla.), the school's all-time career digs leader, on Saturday became the first player in school history to eclipse the 1,600-dig mark for her career. She currently ranks second in the SEC in digs per set with 4.69 and is third in service aces with 0.39.

Ticket packages for both days may be purchased in advance through the Gator Ticket Office for $10 for adults, $6 for students and senior citizens and $4 for children 12 and under. Single-session tickets also may be purchased beginning the day of the match for $7 for adults, $5 for students and senior citizens and $4 for children 12 and under.

TAYLOR MOVES PAST JAKE GAITHER

FAMU coach Joe Taylor scored his 205th career coaching victory Saturday, moving him past FAMU's Hall of Fame coaching legend A.S. “Jake” Gaither, who had 204 wins in 25 seasons from 1945 to 1969…. Taylor is now in seventh place on the Black College coaches' career wins list

PULLEY HELPS RATTLERS SINK PIRATES, 45-24

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Nov. 15) - Junior quarterback Curtis Pulley accounted for 291 total yards, rushing for three second quarter scores and passing for another, to spark Florida A&M to a 45-24 romp over the visiting Hampton Pirates in the Rattlers' 2008 home finale here Saturday afternoon at Bragg Stadium. The win allowed FAMU to reverse its' 2007 record, going from 3-8 a year ago to 8-3, with the Florida Classic looming next week in Orlando. The Rattlers also improved to 4-3 in the MEAC, while slumping Hampton (5-5, 4-3) have dropped four straight games over the last four weeks. Hampton bolted to a 10-0 first quarter lead, as the Rattlers could not take advantage of two excellent kickoff returns by junior phenom LeRoy Vann, who put FAMU inside the Pirates' 50 twice. Both times FAMU had on field goal blocked and another sail wide, while the Pirates got on the board on a seven-yard TD pass from Herbert Bynes to Justin Brown, with 8:44 left, followed by a Carlo Turavani 40-yard field goal with 3:13 left. But the sun came out in the second quarter, wiping away the gloomy clouds and rain showers and with it, the Rattler offense came to life behind the play of Pulley. The transfer from Kentucky showed why he was a heralded prep star in the Bluegrass State a few years ago, as scored on TD runs of 11, 14 and 30 yards to vault the Rattlers ahead at intermission, 21-10. Sophomore Philip Sylvester, who has been up and down this season, scored on a 38-yard run early in the third period (11:19), before Pulley connected with Isaac West for a 49-yard scoring pass play for a 35-10 cushion. The Pirates finally answered when Bynes hit Dennis Mathis with a 15-yard scoring toss for a 35-17 count with 1:17 left in the third period. FAMU kicker Trevor Scott made good on a 43-yard field goal, his longest of the season, to extend the Rattler lead to 38-17 with 12:40 left in the game, before Sylvester added a four-yard scoring burst with 7:50 to left to make the count, 45-17. Hampton managed a late score, as Bynes hit Jeremy Gilchrist with a two-yard strike as time expired for the final 45-24 score. SATURDAY BY THE NUMBERS: Pulley finished the day with 132 yards rushing on 12 carries and 3 TDs… he also hit six of 14 passes for 159 yards and one TD…. Sylvester rushed for 92 yards and a pair of scores on 13 carries, while Kevin Elliott led FAMU with four pass receptions for 89 yards… Isaac West added two receptions for 70 yards and one TD…. Linebacker Alvis Graham led the Rattler defense with seven tackles, including 4.5 stops for loss and 4.0 sacks… Curtis Holcomb and Vic Arboleda each had interceptions….. The defense held Hampton to a minus 14 yards rushing, forcing Herbert Bynes to throw 61 times for 401 yards and 3 TDs, sacking him seven times…. VANN CLOSING ON RECORDS: Junior LeRoy Vann piled up 219 return yards Saturday, picking up 156 yards on three first half kickoff returns and 63 more yards on four punt returns…. The Tampa native became the first player in FAMU history to record over 1,000 yards in kickoff returns with his first half efforts… He now has 1,002 kickoff return yards and 454 on punt returns for 1,456 combined yards this season…. Vann is 13 yards shy of equaling the NCAA Division I FCS single season record for combined return yards of 1,469 yards set by David Primus of Samford (Ala.) in 1989…. He also 24 yards shy of the FAMU single-season punt return yardage of 478, set by Howard Huckaby in 1988…. TAYLOR MOVES PAST GAITHER: FAMU coach Joe Taylor scored his 205th career coaching victory Saturday, moving him past FAMU's Hall of Fame coaching legend A.S. “Jake” Gaither, who had 204 wins in 25 seasons from 1945 to 1969…. Taylor is now in seventh place on the Black College coaches' career wins list…. WHAT'S NEXT: The Rattlers close out the 2008 regular season next weekend in Orlando against archrival Bethune-Cookman in the 29th Florida Classic, presented by State Farm… Kickoff of the nationally-televised bout (ESPN Classic) will be 2:00 p.m. from the Florida Citrus Bowl…. CLASSIC TICKETS STILL REMAIN: Despite two eight-win teams coming to Orlando next week, ticket sales for this year's Classic have lagged behind those of recent years, likely due to the economy…. Tickets in the second tier on the FAMU side are still available at $40, as are discounted sections of the Citrus Bowl for $25 each.

FAMU 2009 BASEBALL PREVIEW

Coach Robert Lucas’ second-year squad is aiming to challenge archrival Bethune-Cookman for the top spot in the MEAC, and could be in position to do so with a year’s experience under his leadership. Heading the class of returnees seeking to bolster the Rattlers’ chances on the diamond will be pitchers Miguel Parga and Anthony Espin, plus 2008 MVP Jared Jeffries, 2008 MEAC Rookie of the Year Tim Jones, junior infielder Timothy Schalch and junior outfielder Darryl Evans. The Rattlers, which were once one of the dominant baseball clubs in the MEAC in the late 1980s and early 1990s, are seeking their first trip to the throne room since 1994 and armed with some key recruits, could make a strong push to reverse their fortunes in 2009.

Gameday Gives FAMU Positive Exposure

Florida A&M administrators agree on one thing about the ESPN "GameDay" show being on campus this weekend — the publicity will be priceless. But given the show focuses on football, coach Joe Taylor could end up with a recruiting plum. The kind of exposure that FAMU will get is exactly what football prospects have been told they won't get if they play at FAMU, Taylor said. Even though Saturday's game against Hampton won't be televised, he expects the impact of "GameDay" being televised from FAMU will carry some weight during the recruiting period, Taylor said. "This kind of erases that myth," Taylor said Tuesday during his weekly meeting with the media. "You can get that exposure here so it might help us to convince a kid that his dream can come true on this size of campus as well as it can on a larger campus." Another upside could come if FAMU manages to end up at least tied for second place in the MEAC final standings. The second-place team in the league has traditionally received an at-large berth to the playoffs and FAMU could be in that position if it wins its next two games and gets some help from South Carolina State and Hampton. The "GameDay" exposure coupled with five appearances that FAMU will have made on television might be considered by the selection committee, especially if the race comes down to head-head comparisons. Taylor credits the league's commissioner, Dennis Thomas, and FAMU president James Ammons for their efforts to bring the show to the FAMU campus. "For this to be going on says that some good things are going on; look at the (recent) inauguration of Dr. Ammons, the school coming off probation, the football fate," he said. "This is on par for the revitalization of FAMU. I don't think these things happened because somebody says well, let's just do it. I think it's an indication that FAMU is righting its ship." "GameDay" host Chris Fowler, will be joined by the usual cast of Lee Corso, former Ohio State quarterback Kirk Herbstreit and former Heisman Trophy winner and Michigan standout Desmond Howard. During the show, a video segment will highlight campus landmarks and some of FAMU's achievements in education and athletics. Having the backdrop of a Historically Black College will be a first for "GameDay." It's also one of the few times that the show airs from the campus of a Football Championship Subdivision school. "This is huge. I don't know if some of us realize the magnitude of it," Taylor said. "We're talking about exhibiting who you are on a large, national platform . . . the whole nine yards." The show will air from 10 a.m. to noon. FAMU's Marching 100 and cheerleaders also will appear during the telecast.

FAMU 2008 BASEBALL SEASON IN REVIEW

The Rattler Baseball team under the leadership of Coach Robert Lucas, posted a 19-22 record overall and was 11-7 in MEAC play after the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament. FAMU was squarely in the middle of the seven-team pack in the MEAC Baseball race, finishing as the third seed in the six-team league tournament at Norfolk State in May. All-MEAC senior infielder Corey McFadden and fellow senior pitcher Cirilo Manego were two of the veterans on the 2008 squad, which featured a horde of first and second-year performers. 2007 MEAC Rookie of the Year Darryl Evans, along with fellow sophomores Jared Jeffries, Jared Grace, Tim Schalch and Thad McBurrows, blended in with freshmen like 2008 MEAC Rookie of the Year first baseman Tim Jones, plus Steve Cunningham and pitchers Anthony Espin and Miguel Parga, to help the Rattlers to a 1-2 finish in the conference tournament.