2011-12 Peach Belt Conference Yearbook by Carl Segura

Belt

Peach e c n e r e Conf 2011-2012 YEARBOOK

Armstrong Atlantic State University • Augusta State University • Clayton State University Columbus State University • Flagler College • Francis Marion University • Georgia College Georgia Southwestern State University • Lander University • University of Montevallo North Georgia College & State University • UNC Pembroke • USC Aiken

Contents

Greetings from Augusta! We have just finished up another amazing year in the Peach Belt Conference and I am proud to present to you the second annual Peach Belt Yearbook.

[School recaps]

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26

In the following pages you’ll find recaps and highlights from the year, news from around the league and much more. We hope you enjoy!

David R. Brunk PBC Commissioner

[features]

Armstrong Atlantic State University Augusta State University Clayton State University Columbus State University Flagler College Francis Marion University Georgia College Georgia Southwestern State University Lander University University of Montevallo North Georgia College & State University University of North Carolina Pembroke University of South Carolina Aiken

[Sport Recaps]

Young Harris to Join the PBC

187 “Make These Days the Best You Can”

186

189

201

203

192 PBC Banquet Recap

31 Men’s Cross Country 36 Women’s Cross Country 42 Men’s Soccer 52 Women’s Soccer 66 Volleyball 78 Men’s Basketball 96 Women’s Basketball 112 Men’s Golf 119 Women’s Golf 123 Men’s Tennis 131 Women’s Tennis 140 Softball 159 Baseball

197

Tripp Warrick: Living a Life in Balance

[In the News] [Championships Calendar] [year in pictures]

Armstrong Atlantic State University Quick Facts

Founded: 1935 Enrollment: 7,650 Colors: Maroon & Gold Nickname: Pirates Web site: www.aasupirates.com

Recap

President Linda Bleicken

Athletics Director Lisa Sweany

Success in the spring continued with the Armstrong baseball and softball teams both capturing Peach Belt regular season titles with the baseball team also winning the PBC Tournament crown. Armstrong women’s golf notched its first league crown with an 11-stroke victory in the 2012 PBC Championships and sent Jenna Birch to the NCAA National Championships as an individual. Armstrong men’s golf also advanced to the NCAA Regionals.

The Armstrong Atlantic State University athletic department enjoyed an unprecedented 2011-12 campaign, collecting a league-record seven Peach Belt Conference Championships, earning the school’s ninth and 10th NCAA Division II National Championships with crowns in men’s and women’s tennis while also capturing its first Peach Belt Conference Commissioner’s Cup. A glimpse into how special of a year it would be for the Pirates came in the fall when the Armstrong volleyball team won a school- and PBC-record 31 straight games to begin the year, finishing the season with a PBC regular season title and an NCAA Championships berth. The Armstrong women’s soccer team would not only earn the PBC regular season and tournament titles but also advance to the NCAA DII Final Four.

The Armstrong tennis teams then put an exclamation point on the outstanding season by completing undefeated seasons en route to the men’s third NCAA DII National Championship and the women’s seventh, both won at the DII Spring Sports Festival in Louisville. The women upset No. 1-ranked BYU-Hawaii, 5-2, for the title while the top-ranked men blanked No. 2 West Florida, 5-0, in the championship match.

Highlights

Women’s Soccer

* A school-record 18 student-athletes earned AllAmerica honors for the Pirates in 2011-12, led by PBC Players of the Year Kristina Pascutti (women's soccer), Brittany Wolf (volleyball), Georgi Rumenov (men's tennis), April Jowers (softball) and Zach Taylor (baseball). * Armstrong celebrated the 35th Anniversary of Women's Athletics in a February celebration on campus and all former female student-athletes for the Pirates were awarded with an Armstrong "A" letter. * The Pirates featured four Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-Americans in 2011-12 with Kelli Bahr and Kristina Pascutti (women's soccer), Shelby Duff (softball) and Clayton Miller (baseball). * Armstrong collected its most points in the Learfield Sports Director's Cup standings and finished 24th in the national all-sports competition sponsored by NACDA.

[Regular Season Champions] [tournament Champions] [national semifinalists]

Volleyball

[Regular Season Champions]

Women’s Golf

[tournament Champions]

School Recaps

BASEBALL Final Record: 41-16, 20-10 PBC

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY 9th at PBC Championship

Women’s Soccer Final Record: 18-3-3, 9-0-1 PBC

MEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 10-16, 6-12 PBC

Men’s Golf 5th at PBC Championship

Softball Final Record: 45-11, 19-1 PBC

Women’s Tennis

Men’s Tennis

Men’s Tennis Final Record: 30-0, 9-0 PBC

Women’s Tennis Final Record: 29-0, 12-0 PBC [Regular Season Champions]

Baseball

Volleyball Final Record: 36-3, 13-1 PBC

[Regular Season Champions] [tournament Champions] [national Champions]

Women’s Golf 1st at PBC Championship

Softball

[Regular Season Champions] [tournament Champions] [national Champions]

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 13-13, 7-11 PBC

[Regular Season Champions] [tournament Champions]

Augusta State University Quick Facts

Founded: 1925 Enrollment: 7,071 Colors: Blue and White Nickname: Jaguars Web site: www.jaguarsroar.com

Recap

President Athletics Director William Bloodworth Clint Bryant

Augusta State athletics enjoyed another great year in 2011-2012, including a number of teams that achieved success in the Peach Belt Conference and regionally in Division II.

first round.

In the Spring semester Jags’ sports teams continued achieving at a high level, with almost every team making an NCAA tournament appearance. The men’s tennis team made a brilliant run through the NCAA Southeast Regional to make it to the NCAA Championships Festival in Louisville, Kentucky. Their

The men’s cross country team took home their first ever Peach Belt Conference championship with four runners (Dustin Ross, Jaiden Brandt, Robert Blackwelder and Matt Johnson) finishing in the top-12, and finished seventh at the NCAA Southeast Regional. The women’s cross country team finished in third at the PBC Championship and in sixth place at the NCAA Southeast Regional.

Men’s Tennis

The volleyball team continued to build and finished the regular season in a tie for third in the conference. The team hosted to conference championship tournament at Christenberry Fieldhouse and made it to the semifinal round before succumbing to the regular season champion Armstrong Pirates. Alex Rohfling was named to the All-Tournament squad and also earned Freshman of the Year honors.

[national Semifinalists] [Southeast Regional champs]

The Jaguar men’s basketball team could not replicate the success of recent years but still managed a solid year in spite of many new faces. Led by Freshman of the Year Devon Wright-Nelson the Jags went 17-11 this season, but improved throughout the year, going 12-6 in the always competitive Peach Belt Conference.

Men’s Cross Country

The Jaguar women’s basketball team continued it’s upward trend in year two of head coach Nate Teymer’s tenure, earning a berth in the PBC tournament and hanging tough with the defending National Champions from Clayton State before falling in the

[Conference Champions] 4

School Recaps

BASEBALL Final Record: 13-37, 4-26 PBC

MEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 17-11, 12-6 PBC

Men’s Cross Country 1st at PBC Championship

Women’s Cross Country 3rd at PBC Championship

Men’s Tennis Final Record:19-10, 4-5 PBC

Women’s Tennis Final Record: 11-12, 5-6 PBC

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 12-15, 7-11 PBC

Softball Final Record: 33-18, 12-8 PBC

Volleyball Final Record: 17-18, 5-9 PBC

outstanding form carried them to the National Semifinals where they lost to national runner-up West Florida. The women’s tennis squad also made the NCAA Southeast Regional but lost in the first round to the eventual national champions from Armstrong. The softball team continued their quality play in the super-competitive PBC, finishing third behind perennial powers North Georgia and Armstrong. The Jaguars made it all the way to the championship game of the Dahlonega Regional of the NCAA tournament before falling to North Georgia. In addition to all of the news made on the field by ASU, there was a lot of news made off the field as well, highlighted by the Jaguars receiving the prestigious PBC Presidents’ Academic Award at the PBC Banquet in May. The award goes to the PBC institution whose student-athletes are performing the best relative the rest of their school’s student body. Augusta State also announced it will be starting men’s and women’s track and field this coming Fall of 2012 under the stewardship of coach Adam Ward. The PBC hopes to sponsor these sports as official conference sports in the near future. Current schools competing are Clayton State, Columbus State and UNC Pembroke, with Montevallo also starting women’s track and field soon.

Clayton State University Quick Facts

Founded: 1969 Enrollment: 6,600 Colors: Blue and Orange Nickname: Lakers Web site: www.claytonstatesports.com

Recap

President Thomas Hynes

Interim AD Mike Mead

Southeast region honoree paced the men through out the year and led at regionals with a team best 21st place overall finish.

After an historic year in 20102011 Clayton State Laker athletics put together another impressive campaign in 2011-12. The Lakers made known they were once again a program that will continue to be atop the Peach Belt Conference.

After getting off to a slow start the women’s soccer team went a remarkable 9-6-2 for the year marking their first winning season since 2007.

The continued success was marked by a top 3 finish in the Commissioners Cup, second and third place finishes by the women and men’s cross country teams (respectively) at the PBC Championships, three teams making NCAA tournament appearances, sixteen AllConference selections and nine individuals earning conference all-Academic honors.

The men’s soccer team was able to boast two Daktronics all southeast region selections in Chris Klute and Janny Rivera. Men’s basketball also made noise throughout the conference and improved to 16-11 from a prior 10 win season, while placing two players on the PBC All-Conference team in Anthony Salter and Teondre Williams.

Following up their National Championship title from last year the women’s basketball program turned in a successful 29-4 season, led by senior standout Tanisha Woodard. Woodard was a first team All-Conference honoree, the PBC Defensive Player of the Year and a WBCA All-American. In her final campaign she passed the 1,000 point threshold and also recorded only the third triple-double in PBC history.

Finally, the women’s tennis team had an up and down year as they battled injuries but still pieced together a solid, ranking as high as 7th nationally during the year. In addition, Albert Mong’ony was honored as the Laker Award winner, while Tanisha Woodard was selected as the Lady Laker award winner. Winning the H. Mason Barfield Award as the top male academic student-athlete for a second straight year was track and field athlete Robert Spezzacatena, while cross country/track and field athlete Paige Galvin won the Dotty H. Bumbalough Award for being the top female academic student-athlete.

Lakers head coach Dennis Cox was also honored this year as the WBCA Southeast region coach of the year. Before falling just short of another Sweet Sixteen appearance they were able to snag a runner up finish in the PBC tournament behind the Pacers of USCA. As for men’s and women’s cross country, both teams excelled at both the conference and regional levels. Each of the teams had a strong showing at the NCAA Southeast Regional race, where the men improved from the previous year with a 9th place finish and the women held steady with another 7th place finish. Albert Mong’ony, a first team All-Conference and All6

School Recaps

MEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 16-11, 8-9 PBC

Women’s Cross Country 2nd at PBC Championship

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 29-4, 16-1 PBC

Men’s Cross Country 3rd at PBC Championship

Men’s Golf 8th at PBC Championship

Men’s Soccer Final Record: 10-8, 4-4 PBC

McAloose Named Athletic Director

For only the second time in school history, Clayton State Women’s Soccer University has a new athletic Final Record: 9-7-2, 4-4-2 PBC Women’s Tennis director. Carl McAloose will Final Record: 7-13, 6-6 PBC be the Lakers new athletic director, overseeing the institution’s 12-sport NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics program that competes in the Peach Belt Conference. McAloose officially begins his new position at Clayton State on June 4.

"I would like to thank Dr. (Tim) Hynes for the great opportunity he has given me because I think Clayton State has the potential to be one of the top NCAA II athletic programs in the country,” said McAloose. “Mason Barfield has done a great job assembling a fantastic group of coaches, and I hope to continue to build upon his dream.” He added, “I believe with the university leadership and the location of the University, we can do something extremely special. My goal will be to create an outstanding environment for our student-athletes that enable them to be successful in the classroom and in the playing arena." McAloose most recently served as president and CEO of Athletics Staffing & Consulting, a consulting company that supports college and university athletic programs with feasibility studies, strategic planning, compliance reviews, NCAA membership initiatives and conference realignment proposals. Prior to his role with Athletics Staffing & Consulting, he served as the director of athletics at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, FL from 2000 to 2008. Like Barfield at Clayton State, McAloose built the FGCU program from scratch in 2000, overseeing a program with 14 sports and an annual operating budget of $8 million. Along with his experience as an athletic director, McAloose also brings a wealth of experience in athletic conference administration. He served as the commissioner of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference from 1996 to 2000 after serving as the associate commissioner in the Big South Conference from 1992 to 1996. He also served in associate athletic director roles at both Coastal Carolina University and at West Chester University. 7

Columbus State University Quick Facts

Founded: 1958 Enrollment: 8,200 Colors: Red, White and Blue Nickname: Cougars Web site: www.csucougars.com

Recap

President Timothy Mescon

Athletics Director Jay Sparks

On the national level, Columbus State sent five teams to the NCAA Tournament as well as a couple of female track runners to the national meet. The women’s tennis team reached the national quarterfinals for just the second time in school history led by PBC player of the Year, Paola Cigui.

Columbus State University once again excelled in athletics in the 2011-2012 season. After winning its fourth Peach Belt Conference Commissioner’s Cup last season, the Cougars finished in second place in this year’s standings marking the seventh straight season that CSU has finished first or second in the final Commissioner’s Cup standings.

[Paola Cigui]

The Cougars placed seven teams in the top-four of their respectively league standings including both the men’s and women’s tennis teams who finished the year as runners-up. Columbus State hosted an unprecedented six PBC Championships this past year and captured its lone title on the softball diamond. The Lady Cougars captured its first conference tournament title since 2007 and became the first PBC team to win every contest in the tournament despite being the lower seed in all of their games. The men’s basketball team had a resurgent run in the 2012 PBC Tournament winning two overtime thrillers to reach the championship game for the first time since 2005.

[Player of the year]

Highlights

* 12 All-American student-athletes * 21 All-Conference student-athletes * Two Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year award winners * Paola Cigui finished the season with a perfect 23-0 record and was the first CSU female to win PBC Tennis Player of the Year * Assistant tennis coach Eva Huning named National Assistant Coach of the Year for men’s tennis, the first female to receive this honor for a men’s team * Three Academic All-Americans * 23 All-Southeast Region student-athletes 8

School Recaps

BASEBALL Final Record: 30-23, 15-15 PBC

MEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 18-12, 11-6 PBC

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 16-11, 11-6 PBC

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY 4th at PBC Championship

Women’s Cross Country 6th at PBC Championship

men’s Golf 4th at PBC Championship

Women’s Golf 6th at PBC Championship

Women’s Soccer Final Record: 16-4-3, 7-2-1 PBC

Softball Final Record: 40-20, 11-9 PBC

Women’s Tennis

Men’s Tennis Final Record: 23-4, 8-1 PBC

[national quarterfinalists] Women’s Tennis Final Record: 28-3, 11-1 PBC

Flagler College Quick Facts

Founded: 1968 Enrollment: 2,537 Colors: Crimson and Gold Nickname: Saints Web site: www.flaglerathletics.com

Recap

President Charles Abare

Athletics Director Jud Damon

The Flagler College Saints had another excellent season with three teams advancing all the way to the elite eight (men’s soccer, volleyball and softball) and the women’s tennis and men’s and women’s cross country teams advancing to regional play.

Men’s Soccer

Flagler was awarded the Peach Belt Conference’s “Institution of the Year Award” for the second consecutive season. Four teams earned team sportsmanship awards: men’s cross country, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and softball.

[Regular Season Champions] [tournament Champions] [national quarterfinalists]

The men’s soccer team had a banner year as they won the Peach Belt Conference regular and post-season titles and finished with a 17-3-3 overall record. The Saints advanced to the NCAA Division II quarterfinal, a match Flagler hosted. Johan Bergfeld was named the Peach Belt’s Male ScholarAthlete of the Year and was a first-team Capital One Academic All-America® and a second-team NSCAA Scholar All-American. He was the PBC’s Men’s Soccer Player of the Year. John Lynch was tabbed as the conference’s Coach of the Year and was named the NSCAA/Mondo Southeast Region Coach of the Year.

Volleyball

[Regular Season co-Champions] [tournament Champions] [national quarterfinalists]

The volleyball team continued to dominate the Peach Belt as they shared the regular season title, but won the tournament crown for the third consecutive season. The Saints marched through the Southeast Region Tournament before falling in the quarterfinals of the national championships in California. Taylor Mott shared PBC Coach of the Year honors, the third year in a row she has received the award. Olivia Snipes took home Setter of the Year honors while Casey Gnann was named the Libero/Defensive Specialist of the Year. Flagler finished the season 31-7, its 11th consecutive season with 20 or more victories.

Softball

[National quarterfinalists]

The softball team advanced to their first-ever national 10

School Recaps

BASEBALL Final Record: 27-22, 13-17 PBC

MEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 9-17, 2-16 PBC

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 4-22, 2-16 PBC

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY 6th at PBC Championship

Women’s Cross Country 6th at PBC Championship

men’s Golf 7th at PBC Championship

Women’s Golf t-2nd at PBC Championship

men’s Soccer Final Record: 17-3-3, 6-1-1 PBC

Women’s Soccer Final Record: 9-8-1, 5-4-1 PBC

Softball Final Record: 39-20, 11-9 PBC

MEN’S Tennis Final Record: 5-13, 2-7 PBC

WOMEN’S Tennis Final Record: 10-10, 8-4 PBC

championships after winning the Savannah Regional and Dahlonega Super Regional. The Saints finished 39-20 and were led by first-team all-conference pitcher Donna Munafo. Joining Munafo on the NFCA All-Southeast Region firstteam was Breezy Collings. Alona Personius and Lauren Bessent were selected to the second-team. Earning the NFCA Southeast Region Coaching Staff of the Year were head coach Kristen Overton and assistant coach Sam Boatner.

Highlights

* Flagler had a record 112 student-athletes on the PBC Presidential Honor Roll * Alex Bonus (cross country) was selected Capital One Academic All-American * Kristen Overton won her 100th game on Feb. 25, 2012 vs. Saint Leo * Joel Dahlenburg (men’s golf) won PBC Tournament medalist honors for the second consecutive season 11

Volleyball Final Record: 31-7, 13-1 PBC

Francis Marion University Quick Facts

Founded: 1970 Enrollment: 4,019 Colors: Red, White and Blue Nickname: Patriots Web site: www.fmupatriots.com

Recap

President Fred Carter

Athletics Director Murray Hartzler

chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society: baseball players Five Francis Marion University Addison Dunn and Dalton Gress, golfers Sebastian Backlund athletic teams participated in NCAA post-season competition: and Travis Gantt, volleyball players Liz Drewry and Hallie baseball, men’s and women’s cross country, and men’s and Legg, women’s tennis players Mona Blauen and Kerry Hall, women’s tennis. Of the 10 teams that keep win-loss records, women’s soccer players Megan Ogiltree and Lauren Vetock, six registered winning records this past year, and three apsoftball players Tristan Faile and Olivia Ferguson, women’s peared in national poll rankings. Nineteen FMU student-athcross country runner Samantha Smith and men’s cross letes earned PBC All-Academic honors, while twelve received country runner Ryan Woloszyn. All-Conference honors for the efforts on the playing field. Six Patriot student-athletes, representing five sports, were named to their respective Capital One Academic All-District III The Patriot men’s soccer program has a new head coach, John Campbell. He comes to FMU from Dominican College Teams. (NY), where he posted an 86-27-20 record in seven seasons and earned four invitations to the Division II Tournament. Francis Marion’s baseball team ended the 2012 campaign with a 40-18 record, a national Top-10 ranking, and a fourth Six members of the 2011 softball team received NFCA straight appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament – All-America Scholar-Athlete recognition: Tristan Faile, Carson where the Patriots reached the regional title game for the third consecutive season. The squad received the PBC Team Summersett, Chelle Phillips, Olivia Zielinski, Olivia Ferguson, Sportsmanship Award for 2012. Senior OF Buddy Sosnoskie and Cea Knox........Senior middle blocker Danielle Parker, a member of the Patriot volleyball team and owner of a perfect picked up All-Region accolades and was named a Capital 4.00 grade point average, was awarded the 2012 Debra Lee One Academic All-American. The baseball program entered Orander Swamp Fox Academic Award.......The volleyball team the 2012 season ranked first in two NCAA Division II preearned an AVCA Team Academic Award for 2010-11......Longseason national polls and second in another. time athletic trainer (and Francis Marion graduate) Spyder Webb retired.......Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame members The women’s tennis squad finished with an 18-4 record, a Pearl Moore and Sylvia Hatchell both spoke to FMU studentTop 10 national ranking, and the program’s sixth NCAA national tournament bid in the past seven seasons. Senior Jitka athletes as part of the Champs Life Skills program.......Faculty Athletic Representative Dr. D. Allen Clabo attended the Gavdunova (71-8 career singles record) and junior Mona inaugural Division II FAR Advanced Leadership Institute, Oct. Blauen both garnered ITA All-American honors. The men’s tennis team ended with a 10-7 record, a Top 25 ranking, and 14-16, in Indianapolis, Ind. the program’s 16th appearance in the NCAA tournament over the past 18 years. Junior Alex Caspari and freshman Gavin Davison both picked up ITA All-America recognition. The Patriot softball squad finished 2012 with a 31-20 mark, the program’s twelfth 30-win campaign in the past 15 seasons, while also opening up the new FMU Softball Stadium in April. The men’s basketball team posted a 16-12 mark, the program’s fourth straight winning season – a first since 19891993. Twelve of its 18 PBC games were decided by a combined total of 47 points, with four going to overtime.

Francis Marion opened up Cormell Field at Sparrow Stadium with a bang (See story on next page)

Fourteen student-athletes were inducted into the university’s 12

School Recaps

BASEBALL Final Record: 40-18, 19-10 PBC

MEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 16-12, 9-9 PBC

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 9-17, 4-14 PBC

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY 8th at PBC Championship

Women’s Cross Country 9th at PBC Championship

men’s Soccer Final Record: 4-13-1, 2-5-1 PBC

Softball Final Record: 31-20, 8-12 PBC

MEN’S Tennis Final Record: 10-7, 6-3 PBC

WOMEN’S Tennis Final Record: 18-4, 10-2 PBC

Francis Marion stuns Gamecocks 5-4 in stadium opener

Twentieth-ranked Francis Marion plated all its runs with two outs and the Patriots held on for a 5-4 win over ninth-ranked and two-time defending NCAA Division I champion South Carolina, Wednesday evening (April 11) at the opening of the new Cormell Field at Sparrow Stadium.

Volleyball Final Record: 12-18, 4-10 PBC

Francis Marion improves to 27-13, while USC drops to 24-10. FMU sophomore righthander Jeffrey Stoner induced a sharp line-out to right field by USC pinch-hitter Sean Sullivan for the final out with the tying run on second base to send the capacity crowd of 1,755 into a frenzy.

FMU junior first baseman Stephen Tarkenton was 2-for-3 with a pair of runs batted in, while sophomore third baseman Michael Wilson and junior right fielder Jarrod Reed both collected a pair of hits. FMU senior southpaw Matt Broderick (6-1) limited the Gamecocks to two runs on four hits in five frames, while striking out three and walking one. Junior first baseman Christian Walker led South Carolina with a 3-for-4 night that included an RBI single and a mammoth 392foot solo homer to left field. Francis Marion broke up the scoreless contest with three runs in the bottom of the third. Walker got one run back with his solo shot in the top of the fourth. An RBI single drew South Carolina to within 3-2 in the fifth. FMU added a pair of two-out runs in the seventh to go up 5-2, both coming home on Tarkenton’s single up the middle. Single tallies in the eighth and ninth got the Gamecocks to within 5-4, but Stoner got the final out to earn the save. 13

Georgia College Quick Facts

Founded: 1889 Enrollment: 5,500 Colors: Hunter Green and Blue Nickname: Bobcats Web site: www.gcsubobcats.com

Recap

Interim President Stas Preczewski

Athletics Director Wendell Staton

The Georgia College athletic department finished up another outstanding season in 2011-12. The Bobcats had 19 student-athletes selected All-Peach Belt Conference this season, and added a pair of PBC Freshmen of the Year in Shanteona Keys from women’s basketball and golf’s Ryan Trocchio. GC had nine All-Region performers as well.

chosen for that national all-star game.

GC cross country had its first All-Region selections on both the men’s and women’s side this year. Sophomore Allison Lones took 19th at the NCAA Southeast Region Championship. Senior Tyler Mattix was the first all-region runner in men’s history, blistering the course for a 17th place finish. Bobcat cheerleading also won the 2012 PBC Championship, unseating perennial champion Columbus State University.

Softball centerfielder Whitney Okvist stole a schoolrecord 52 bases in as many tries en route to National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) First Team AllAmerica honors. GC has just two First Team All-Americans in school history, the other coming for pitcher Mandy Chandler in 2009.

Men’s Golf

Senior Jerome Leborgne and junior Johan Wadstein teamed for All-American honors in doubles through the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). The Bobcat duo finished No. 7 in the nation thanks to their 13-8 overall mark, adding a 6-3 record in conference play. Leborgne and Wadstein are also just the second pairing to win All-America in doubles, with Erick Siqueira and Justin Pickham earning the spot in 2009.

[South/Southeast Region Champs] [National quarterfinalists]

Bobcat golf capped an amazing season with three golfers taking Ping Division II All-America Honors. Junior Patrick Garrett rode his 72.6 stroke average to a thirdteam selection, adding honorable mention positions for junior Taylor Smith and Trocchio. All-time, Bobcat golf has earned 24 All-America honors, all coming under head coach Jimmy Wilson. More special honors came for basketball’s Ryan Aquino, as he was chosen to the Reese’s Division II AllStar Game, played at the NCAA Finals site in Highland Heights, Ky. He was just the third Bobcat all-time to be

Cheerleading

[Conference Champions] 14

School Recaps

BASEBALL Final Record: 29-21, 19-10 PBC

MEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 17-10, 10-7 PBC

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY 5th at PBC Championship

Women’s Cross Country 7th at PBC Championship

Women’s Soccer Final Record: 5-14, 4-6 PBC

Softball Final Record: 25-24, 9-11 PBC

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 4-22, 2-15 PBC

men’s Golf 3rd at PBC Championship

MEN’S Tennis Final Record: 12-9, 4-5 PBC

Region Champs! #21 GC Golf Takes South/Southeast Region Title

CONOVER, N.C. – The No. 21 Georgia College golf team punched their ticket to the NCAA Finals May 9, winning the NCAA South/Southeast Region Championship by a single stroke. GC put up a 289 on the final day, added to rounds of 291 and 289 for five-over par on the par-72, 7,064-yard Rock Barn Golf & Spa Jones Course. No. 2 Barry University was just one stroke behind in second.

WOMEN’S Tennis Final Record: 13-11, 7-5 PBC

Junior Taylor Smith shot a team-best 70 today, and finished a team-best second at five-under par after previous rounds of 69 and 72. Smith missed a playoff for individual medalist honors by one stroke, carding five birdies in final round action. Classmate Patrick Garrett was one stroke later in seventh place at three-under par. Garrett shot 71-70-72, birdying four straight from the seventh to the 10th hole. Freshman Ryan Trocchio saved his best round for last, firing par after a 74 and 75 for plus-five in 28th place. Trocchio birdied the 13th and 15th, both were holes he bogeyed yesterday. Classmate David Sullivan came next at plus-10 on rounds of 77, 74 and 75. Sullivan finally figured out the 18th, as after a triple and double-bogey the first two days, he recorded a birdie, one of his two on the final round. Sophomore Victor Monte was 12-over par with rounds of 80-73-75. He was one-over on the back nine in the final round. The Bobcats had won the Regional title just once before, in 2008. GC Golf finished fifth during stroke play at the NCAA Finals in Simpsonville, Ky., advancing to medal-match play, where they would fall in the NCAA Quarterfinal round. 15

Georgia Southwestern State University Quick Facts

Founded: 1906 Enrollment: 3,037 Colors: Navy Blue and Old Gold Nickname: Hurricanes Web site: www.gswcanes.com

Recap

President Kendall Blanchard

Athletics Director Jaclyn Donovan

11 to 18-9 this past season en route to capturing the program’s second Peach Belt Tournament appearance. Junior forward Adrian Randall became the first Lady ‘Cane to receive Peach Belt Player of the Week honors in program history. She and Terra Branch would also receive the program’s first PBC All-Conference accolades. Branch, a senior guard, would also join the exclusive 1,000 career-point club.

A pair of upward-trending Hurricane teams experienced breakthrough years in 201112. The spring sports season in Americus belonged to the GSW men’s golf team as the program saw another year of success culminate in representation at the NCAA Championships and a pair of All-American selections.

The Lady Hurricanes tennis team had their best spring season in the PBC and set the program record with the most conference wins in a season.

Coming off a 2010-11 season where they received votes in the national coaches’ poll, the Hurricane golf team kept that momentum rolling right into the 2011 fall season. Coach Danna & Co. recorded team victories at the season-opening Kiawah Island Invitational, the RTJ Grand National Challenge and the AFLAC / Cougar Invitational. Craig Gibson won the individual title at the AFLAC / Cougar Invitational for the second time in three seasons.

[J.p. Griffin]

The Blue & Gold was also represented at the NCAA Championships for the first time in school history thanks to a second-place finish from J.P. Griffin at the South/Southeast Super Regional. Post-season awards were bountiful for the Hurricanes as Craig Gibson (First Team All-PBC), J.P. Griffin (Second Team All-PBC) and Head Coach Andrew Danna (PBC Coach of the Year) were all honored at the conference level. Gibson and Griffin earned All-Southeast honors and were named to the PING All-America Third Team. Perhaps no turnaround has been more prevalent and methodical over the past five years in GSW athletics than the accomplishments of the Southwestern women’s basketball program. The Lady Hurricanes, 1-26 overall in 2007-08, went from 12-14 in 2010-

[t-9th at National Championship]

School Recaps

BASEBALL Final Record: 13-34, 9-20 PBC

Women’s Cross Country 10th at PBC Championship

Women’s Soccer Final Record: 3-15, 0-10 PBC

MEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 12-14, 3-14 PBC

men’s Golf 6th at PBC Championship

Softball Final Record: 22-30, 4-16 PBC

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 18-9, 10-7 PBC

men’s Soccer Final Record: 3-11-2, 0-7-1 PBC

MEN’S Tennis Final Record: 5-14, 0-9 PBC

A pair of GSW teams cracked the national polls during the year, as the men’s golf team was recognized throughout most of the academic year and topped at No. 5, while the men’s basketball team appeared for the second-consecutive season and earned a No. 12 ranking during a threeweek stay to open the 2011-12 campaign. All-in-all, the Hurricane athletic program captured four Peach Belt weekly honors, seven All-Conference selections and 20 All-Academic awards.

Highlights

WOMEN’S Tennis Final Record: 8-13, 3-9 PBC

* Men’s golf climbed to as high as No. 5 in the Golf World/Nike Golf Coaches’ Poll for its highest ranking in school history * J.P. Griffin and Craig Gibson named to the PING All-America Third Team * Men’s basketball reached No. 12 in the NABC Coaches’ Poll for its highest ranking in school history * Phillip Brown named to the 2011-12 Division II Bulletin Super 16 All-American Preseason Men’s Basketball Team * Phillip Brown signed a professional contract in June to play for Pays des Olonnes Basket of the French National 2 League * Mollie McGowan named CoSIDA Academic All-District in women’s tennis * Ethan Vick named CoSIDA Academic All-District in men’s soccer 17

Lander University Quick Facts

Founded: 1872 Enrollment: 3,000 Colors: Royal Blue and Gold Nickname: Bearcats Web site: www.landerbearcats.com

Recap

President Daniel Ball

Athletics Director Jeff May

The Lander women’s basketball and baseball teams reached their highest heights during 2011-12, while two Bearcats earned first-team All-American honors. The Lady Bearcat women’s basketball team, which has reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen the previous two seasons, finally made it to the Elite Eight in 2012 when they downed Wingate University, 72-67, in double overtime in the NCAA Southeast Regional and advanced to San Antonio, Texas.

Lander, which was led by All-PBC seniors Ciara Lyons, Brittni Johnson, Jasmine Judge, posted a 24-8 season and capped their careers by winning 100 games. The Bearcats finished No. 8 in the final national rankings after falling to Rollins in the first round of the Elite Eight. The Lander baseball team, under the direction of third-year coach Kermit Smith, qualified for its second straight Peach Belt Conference Tournament, then advanced all the way to the tournament’s championship game.

a senior, was also crowned the NABC Southeast Region Player of the Year and the PBC Player of the Year after averaging 21.5 points per game. Junior tennis player Paul-Henri Arrigoni was named a first-team All-American for the third time after leading the No. 8 Bearcats to an 18-5 overall record and a spot in the Southeast Regional Tournament. The first-year Lander women’s golf team had an exceptional season as it placed Ashley Shinn and Mariana Martins on the All-PBC team and finished fourth of seven teams in the PBC Championship Tournament. Lander said farewell to Carla Decker, who led the Lander volleyball program for six years. Decker was replaced by Lander alumnus Ashley Stathas. Stathas coached the previous year at Belhaven (Miss.) College. LU also hired a new head coach for the softball program after Lander Athletics Hall of Famer Doug

Women’s Basketball

The Bearcats set a school record for wins in a season as they recorded a 38-20 year. After falling to Armstrong Atlantic in the PBC championship game, Lander earned its first-ever berth into the NCAA Southeast Regional. As the No. 6 seed, Lander upset top-seeded Mount Olive in the first round, then suffered back-toback defeats to Armstrong and Francis Marion.

[Southeast Region Champs]

The Lander men’s basketball team, led by first-team All-American Dwight Tolbert, streaked to an 18-9 overall record, its best season since 2006-07. Tolbert,

[National quarterfinalists] 18

School Recaps

MEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 18-9, 11-7 PBC

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 24-8, 15-3 PBC

men’s Golf 11th at PBC Championship

Women’s Golf 4th at PBC Championship

men’s Soccer Final Record: 8-7-2, 5-2-1 PBC

Women’s Soccer Final Record: 13-5-1, 5-4-1 PBC

Softball Final Record: 26-26, 4-16 PBC

MEN’S Tennis Final Record: 18-5, 7-2 PBC

BASEBALL Final Record: 38-20, 18-12 PBC

Spears returned from a seven-year retirement to coach for one season. After the team posted a 26-26 record – its best season since 2003 – it was announced that former University South Carolina All-American Christina Plew-Whitlock would take over the program. Whitlock coached the previous four years at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, N.Y. The Bearcats were led by four-time All-PBC pitcher Hayley Leissner and two-time All-PBC second baseman Brittney Sheriff.

WOMEN’S Tennis Final Record: 9-11, 4-8 PBC

The women’s soccer team, led by All-Southeast Region and All-PBC players Christina Barbour, Jamie Shaw and Daniel Shaw, tied a school record for wins in a season when the Lady Bearcats went 13-5-1 overall. The Lady Bearcats posted a school-record 11 shutouts during the year.

Highlights

* Lander women’s basketball team reaches Elite Eight for first time * Lander baseball team has best season ever * Men’s basketball’s Dwight Tolbert and men’s tennis player Paul-Henri Arrigoni earn All-American Honors

Volleyball Final Record: 13-19, 3-11 PBC

University of Montevallo Quick Facts

Founded: 1896 Enrollment: 3,200 Colors: Purple and Gold Nickname: Falcons Web site: www.montevallofalcons.com

Recap

President John Stewart III

Athletics Director Jim Herlihy

The University of Montevallo Athletics Department’s 2011-12 year was one of firsts.

The men’s basketball team captured its first Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship, first NCAA Southeast Region Championship and made its first appearance in the NCAA Championship game. The women’s cross country team captured its first Peach Belt Conference Championship, made its first appearance in the NCAA Championship race and had its first individual conference champion, Haley Evans. The women’s volleyball team produced the first female First Team Academic All-American in school history, Anna Garrison, and also captured the school’s first PBC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, also Garrison. The baseball team made its first trip to the PBC Tournament while women’s basketball head coach Cindy Hilbrich made her first appearance as a head coach.

gram history. The Falcons were led by junior Haley Evans who won the PBC Individual Championship by over 30 seconds. The men’s soccer team competed in their second-straight PBC Tournament Championship game and received an atlarge bid into the NCAA Tournament. The men’s basketball team shined in the winter as the Falcons won the PBC Tournament and the NCAA Southeast Region Tournament both firsts for the program. UM then advanced to the Elite Eight where they won a pair of games to advance to the NCAA

Women’s Cross Country

As a group the Falcons had 24 PBC All-Academic performers and 14 All-Conference honorees. Nine of UM’s 11 teams made it to postseason play with four of the teams going on to NCAA competition.

[Conference Champions] [National Qualifier]

On the academic side the student-athletes finished with a GPA above 3.00 for the entire school year including 10 athletes who posted a perfect 4.0 GPA on the year. Volleyball led the department with the highest GPA for the year while four teams posted at least a 3.3 GPA or higher.

Men’s Basketball

The Falcons had an impressive fall with the women’s cross country team capturing the Department’s first Peach Belt Conference Championship for a female squad. The women’s cross country team also made the first trip to an NCAA Championship race in pro-

[tournament Champions] [Southeast Region Champs] [National Finalist]

School Recaps

BASEBALL Final Record: 25-28, 16-14 PBC

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY 7th at PBC Championship

Women’s Golf 6th at PBC Championship

MEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 29-8, 12-5 PBC

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 11-16, 6-11 PBC

Women’s Cross Country 1st at PBC Championship

men’s Golf 10th at PBC Championship

men’s Soccer Final Record: 12-5-4, 5-1-2 PBC

Women’s Soccer Final Record: 6-11-1, 3-6-1 PBC

Championship. The Falcons were led by senior All-American D.J. Rivera and senior Antoine Davis who were both named to the Elite Eight All-Tournament Team. The spring was highlighted by the baseball team making their first trip to the PBC Tournament.

Highlights

* Men’s basketball competed in front of an estimated television audience of 3.1 million viewers for the NCAA Championship * 100 Montevallo student-athletes named to the PBC Presidential Honor Roll * Men’s soccer head coach Ken Hassler has led the Falcons to the PBC Championship game in his first two seasons at the helm * Men’s basketball head coach Danny Young has led the Falcons to the NCAA Tournament seven of the last nine seasons and has advanced to the Elite Eight three out of the last seven seasons * Men’s soccer led the department with five athletes on the All-Conference Teams including one first team selection * Women’s cross country led the department with three first team All-Conference selections

Women’s Tennis Final Record: 6-17, 0-12 PBC

Volleyball Final Record: 13-18, 4-10 PBC

North Georgia College & State UNIVERSITY Quick Facts

Founded: 1873 Enrollment: 5,227 Colors: Royal Blue and White Nickname: Saints Web site: www.saintssports.com

RECAP

President Bonita Jacobs

Athletics Director Lindsay Reeves

North Georgia placed three teams in the NCAA postseason this past year, as the men’s tennis team, women’s soccer team and softball team all finished very strong seasons. Individually, the Saints saw three players receive All-American honors, including the Division II National Player of the Year in women’s basketball standout Jaymee Carnes.

Highlights

* Jaymee Carnes earned Division II National Player of the Year honors, along with Region Player of the Year and PBC Player of the Year. Carnes is the third consecutive student-athlete to receive National Player of the Year recognition. * The men’s tennis program made their first-ever appearance in an NCAA Regional, along with winning a team-record three conference games. * The women’s soccer team earned their first-ever berth in the NCAA Tournament. They also won their first game and made a trip to the Sweet Sixteen. Emily Dover received All-American honors. * The softball team was a win short of their fourth straight trip to the NCAA College World Series, losing in game three of the Super Regionals. Jessica Coan was named All-American and Melissa Dickie was PBC Freshman of the Year. * For the first time in school history, a North Georgia athletic team was broadcast nationally on ESPN3. The softball team was put on the big stage when they took part in the Citrus Classic at Disney.

The women’s soccer team had their best season in school history at 16-3-1, including a second-place finish in the PBC and an NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance. Senior forward Emily Dover received the Golden Ball Award for the most goals scored in conference and also earned All-American honors as well. Three players were named All-Region as Dover, Natalie Douglass and Kelly Penston all earned the honor. Earning the No. 4-seed in the PBC Tournament after a 9-7-1 season, the men’s soccer team had a quality year, but came up just short against Clayton State in the quarterfinals. Jesy Phelps and Rade Tanaskovic received All-Conference honors for their banner seasons. It was a young team on the pitch in 2011-12 for head coach Pat Parris and it looks to be a promising future with that. Despite not reaching the conference tournament, the women’s basketball team still boasted the best player in all of NCAA Division II. Jaymee Carnes was named Player of the Year for her sensational 2011-12 season, after leading the nation in scoring at 25.0 points per game. She set multiple school records in just her sophomore campaign. The team struggled to gain momentum but also showed many bright spots. The 2011-12 men’s basketball season was one of many ups and downs. They finished at 10-18 overall and just

5-12 in conference as the team struggled for much of the season. There will be plenty of new faces on the roster this next season to join PBC All-Conference player Scott Windom, as North Georgia will replace three starters. The men’s tennis program had the best season in school history this past year, as they earned a berth in the NCAA Regionals. With a record of 3-6 in the loaded PBC, the team saw a three-win turnaround from a year ago. The lineup is also very young for Kent Norsworthy and looks to be built for the near future. They were ranked in the top 25 at several times throughout the season and Felipe Friedrich received national recognition as well. 22

School Recaps

BASEBALL Final Record: 24-28, 13-17 PBC

men’s Golf 9th at PBC Championship

Women’s Soccer Final Record: 16-3-1, 8-1-1 PBC

MEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 10-18, 5-12 PBC

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 12-14, 6-11 PBC

Women’s Golf 7th at PBC Championship

men’s Soccer Final Record: 9-7-1, 5-3 PBC

Softball Final Record: 49-10, 17-3 PBC

men’s Tennis Final Record: 14-9, 3-6 PBC

The women’s tennis team went 7-16 but only won one game in the PBC going 1-10 in conference. They started off 4-0 on the season, but faced the difficult Peach Belt Conference schedule and struggled to compete against it. A good recruiting class and a couple of key returnees should bode well for this program in the coming years. It was another highly successful season for the North Georgia softball team, Women’s Tennis as they came up just a win short of their fourth straight trip to the NCAA Final Record: 7-16, 1-10 PBC College World Series. They were ranked in the top 25 throughout the entire season and were ranked in the top five for much of the season as well. A runner-up finish in both the regular season and the PBC Tournament were both firsts for the squad in four years. Senior pitcher Jessica Coan was named AllAmerican as numerous players received All-Conference and All-Region honors as well. Melissa Dickie was named PBC Freshman of the Year for her dominant season. The baseball team made an appearance in the PBC Tournament but went a quick two and out. The pitching struggled for much of the season as the hitting never got on the same page. Both Kenny Bellavance and Blake Hobby received PBC All-Conference honors for their outstanding seasons. The squad will look to bounce back in 2012-13. Both golf teams earned the PBC Sportsmanship Award for the 2011-12 season. The men’s golf team finished ninth at the PBC Championship while the women’s golf team placed seventh. Catalina Olarte became the first North Georgia women’s golfer to be named All-Conference along with All-Tournament. Both teams won the tournament’s they hosted at their home course of Achasta. The men’s team also placed first in the Montevallo Invitational. 23

University of North Carolina Pembroke Quick Facts

Founded: 1887 Enrollment: 5,632 Colors: Black and Gold Nickname: Braves Web site: www.uncpbraves.com

Recap

President Kyle Carter

Athletics Director Dan Kenney

The Braves posted another memorable athletic season in 2011-12 year as the Black and Gold had 22 athletes earn all-conference awards including Sam Miles as Freshman of the Year in men’s soccer, Pardon Ndhlovu as Runner of the Year in men’s cross country, Livia Mahaffie as Runner of the Year in women’s cross country, Jordan Walor as Player of the Year in men’s golf and Meghan Moore as Player of the Year in women’s golf.

– tennis (7-of-8), women’s soccer (12-of18), women’s golf (5-of-8), women’s cross country (6-of-10), volleyball (8-of-14) and men’s golf (6-of-11) – sent more than half of its roster to the laurel. The announcement marked the third-straight year that UNCP reached the century mark with its honorees.

In addition, 28 athletes earned all-region honors, 10 athletes earned all-American honors, nine athletes earned academic all-district laurels and 12 different athletes earned national academic honors.

Pardon Ndhlovu

UNCP had seven teams finish their season with winning records. Two non-conference sports (wrestling and men’s track and field) had four individuals qualify for postseason competition, including an NCAA national champion in wrestling.

Meghan Moore

[Southeast region champion]

[National Runner-up]

The women’s golf, men’s cross country and women’s cross country teams competed in postseason action, as did the men’s golf which made its first-ever appearance in the NCAA national championship round after capturing UNCP’s first-ever Peach Belt Conference Championship.

[National champion]

Not only are the Braves talented in athletic competition, UNCP had a league-best 118 student-athletes grace the PBC Presidential Honor Roll for the second consecutive year. Three UNCP teams football (22), baseball (14) and women’s soccer (12) sent 10 or more student-athletes to the Presidential Honor Roll, while six teams

Mike Williams 24

School Recaps

BASEBALL Final Record: 30-19, 14-15 PBC

men’s cross country 2nd at PBC Championship

Women’s Golf t-2nd at PBC Championship

Softball Final Record: 16-31, 5-15 PBC

MEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 17-12, 11-7 PBC

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 16-12, 12-6 PBC

Women’s cross country 4that PBC Championship

men’s Golf t-1st at PBC Championship

men’s Soccer Final Record: 11-5-2, 3-3-2 PBC

Women’s Soccer Final Record: 9-6-3, 4-4-2 PBC

Women’s Tennis Final Record: 13-12, 3-9 PBC

Volleyball Final Record: 16-16, 7-7 PBC

Williams Captures National Championship

PUEBLO, Colo. – All-American Mike Williams completed an unblemished two-day run through the 165-pound tournament with a 5-2 decision in the national championship match with Findlay's Mason True to help give UNCP an eighth-place finish in the final the team standings at the NCAA Championships. The result gave the Braves their first-ever national championship (team or individual) in wrestling, while giving UNCP its first national championship of any kind since former track & field standout Garry Henry grabbed the title in the 10,000-meter run at the 1982 national championships. Williams booked a takedown in the first period to grab the early lead over True, and then scored two more points on a reversal in the second stanza. He would stretch his lead out to 5-1 with an escape in the third period, but yielded a stalling point to provide the final. 25

University of South Carolina Aiken Quick Facts

Founded: 1961 Enrollment: 3,203 Colors: Cardinal, White and Navy Nickname: Pacers Web site: www.pacersports.com

RECAP

Chancellor Tom Hallman

Athletics Director Randy Warrick

USC Aiken’s 2011-12 athletic campaign was a strong one. The USC Aiken men’s basketball team won the 2011-12 Peach Belt Conference regularseason championship, while the USC Aiken women’s basketball team won the 2012 Peach Belt Conference Tournament title. Four Pacer athletic teams advanced to NCAA regional play with the men’s and women’s basketball, cross country and golf teams all playing in the NCAA Tournament. The USC Aiken golf team advanced to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals.

Men’s Basketball

[Regular Season Champions] Women’s Basketball

USC Aiken had five of its team conclude the year with a national ranking. Numerous Pacer student-athletes claimed individual accolades from the Peach Belt Conference with 18 Pacer student-athletes earning PBC All-Conference plaudits. A total of 23 Pacer student-athletes were selected to PBC All-Academic Teams. USC Aiken had nine Pacer student-athletes garner PBC All-Tournament laurels, while six USC Aiken student-athletes were tabbed to the PBC preseason All-Conference Teams.

[Tournament Champions] Men’s Golf

USC Aiken head men’s basketball coach Vince Alexander was chosen as the 2011-12 PBC Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year. USC Aiken women’s basketball player Hannah DeGraffinreed was selected as the 2012 Peach Belt Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player. In total, 11 Pacers were selected as weekly award winners by the PBC in the 2011-12 athletic year.

[National quarterfinalists] 26

School Recaps

BASEBALL Final Record: 37-18, 18-12 PBC

Women’s cross country 8th at PBC Championship

Women’s Soccer Final Record: 4-12, 1-9 PBC

MEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 21-8, 14-4 PBC

men’s Golf T-1st at PBC Championship

Softball Final Record: 26-17, 10-10 PBC

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Final Record: 27-4, 16-2 PBC

men’s Soccer Final Record: 3-10-4, 1-5-2 PBC

men’s Tennis Final Record: 9-8, 2-7 PBC

Seven Pacers collected All-Region honors, while two Pacers garnered All-America accolades with Matt Atkins and Kayla Harris both tabbed All-Americans in their sport. Atkins was also chosen as an Academic AllAmerican. USC Aiken concluded the year with five student-athletes earning Academic All-Region laurels.

Highlights

* Four USC Aiken teams appeared in NCAA Regional Play (men’s and women’s basketball, golf and cross country) * The USC Aiken men’s basketball team claimed the 2011-12 Peach Belt Conference men’s basketball regular-season title * The USC Aiken women’s basketball team obtained the 2012 Peach Belt Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament title * The Pacers hosted the 2012 NCAA Division II Southeast Regional for the first time in program history * Five Pacer teams concluded their year nationally-ranked (three teams were ranked in top-10 at one point during season) * Six Pacer teams were regionally-ranked at one point during year

Women’s Tennis Final Record: 13-8, 7-5 PBC

Volleyball Final Record: 15-16, 7-7 PBC

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Men’s Cross Country

Men’s Cross Country Augusta State Wins First PBC Men’s Cross Country Championship

(10/22/11) AIKEN, SC - Only two years after establishing a men’s program, the Augusta State Jaguars broke through on Saturday and won their first-ever PBC Men’s Cross Country Championship. The Jaguars had two runners in the top 10 and four runners in the top 12 as they finished with 57 points, edging out UNC Pembroke in the tightest finish in the PBC since 2000. Clayton State finished third while Columbus State was fourth and Georgia College fifth. UNCP’s Pardon Ndhlovu won the individual title with a time of 25:11. The race was held for the first time at the Pacer Path on the campus of USC Aiken. Augusta State’s Dustin Ross was the first Jaguar to cross the line, coming in fourth with a time of 26:38. ASU was able to keep their top four runners within sight of one another over the entire hilly course as Jaiden Brandt was seventh in 26:58, Robert Blackwelder 11th in 27:11 and Matt Johnson 12th with a time of 27:14. UNCP’s Pardon Ndhlovu won the men’s 8k race in a time of 25:11.

2011 PBC Men’s Cross County Champions Augusta State University Jaguars the course in 27:07. Flagler finished sixth overall in the team standings with Montevallo seventh, Francis Marion in eighth and Armstrong Atlantic State ninth. UNCP’s Gary Aycock was voted the PBC Coach of the Year by the league’s head coaches. The top seven men to finish the race were named first-team All-Conference while the 8-14 runners were named second team.

ASU’s grouping was just enough to edge out UNC Pembroke, who had the top two runners in the race. Ndhlovu and teammate Chris Schroll pulled away from the pack less than halfway through, with Ndhovu beating Schroll to the line by 25 seconds. A junior from Zimbabwe, Ndhlovu was not only the PBC Individual Champion, he was named the Runner of the Year, an award voted on prior to the championship recognizing outstanding achievement in the regular season. Ndhlovu was named All-Conference for the third time after finishing second in 2009 and third in 2010.

RESULTS

Clayton State’s Albert Mong’ony finished third in 26:20 as the Lakers finished third overall as a team. Flagler’s Michael Ross was fifth with UNCP’s Zach Bayless sixth.

PHOTO GALLERY

UNC Pembroke’s Pardon Ndhlovu

Flagler’s Corey Mundy finished in eighth place and was the lowest finishing freshman in the field and was named the PBC Freshman of the Year. Mundy, who was also named second-team All-Conference, covered 31

UNCP’s Ndhlovu, Flagler’s Bonus Named Cross Country Academic All-Americans

UNCP’s Ndhlovu, Schroll Advance to National Championships

(11/5/11) CHARLOTTE - The UNCP men’s cross country team matched the same finish as the last two seasons at the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Championships with the UNC Pembroke’s Pardon Ndhlovu exception of Pardon Ndhlovu becoming race and Flagler’s Alex Bonus were both champion and Chris Schroll finishing fourth to named Capitol One Academic AllAmericans as the men’s cross country and track team was announced on Wednes- lead UNCP to a fifth place finish in the meet day. The award is widely regarded as the highest individual honor a student-athlete Saturday morning at McAlpine Park hosted by can achieve, as it measures success in the classroom and success on the course. Queens University of Charlotte. Bonus was placed on the second team while Ndhlovu was named third team. Ndhlovu collected his fourth first place finish Clayton State track standout Robert Spezzacatena was also selected to the third this season, and first ever region title as he was team. The team is administered and selected by the College Sports Information 14 seconds faster than the second place finDirectors of America (CoSIDA). isher from Queens with a time of 30:55.5, while Schroll set a new personal-best in by more than Ndhlovu, a Zimbabwe native, is the most recent all-American in track & field a minute with a time of 31:19.7 as he finished athlete after clinching a fourth place finish in the 10000m run at the 2012 NCAA behind two runners from Queens. With Ndhlovu Division II Outdoor Championships with a time of 31:26.45 in the event. This season he collected 10 top-5 finishes including five first place finishes with two at and Schroll being the top two finishers not on the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships. He led the Braves in four different either of the top two teams, they advance to the national championship race in two weeks. events including the 800m, 1500m, 5000m and 10000m runs which grabbed him USTFCCCA all-region honors. Zach Bayless cracked the top-20 with a 19th place finish after posting a personal-best time During the cross country season, he was named to the USTFCCCA All-Region of 32:48.4 as he was the third finisher for the Team, USTFCCCA All-Academic Team, Peach Belt Conference All-Conference Team, PBC All-Academic Team, USTFCCCA Male Athlete of the Year for the South- Braves. Senior Kevin Clancy was the fourth runner to finish for the Braves and 37th finisher east Region and PBC Runner of the Week for three consecutive weeks (Sept. 6, Sept. 12, Oct. 3). The business administration major garnered PBC Runner of the overall as he clipped less than a second off his Year with his first PBC Individual Champion honor at the PBC Championships with previous personal-best time to register a new a time of 25:11.93 to post the 10th fastest 8K time in school history and lead the one with a time of 33:11.1. Braves to a second place finish in the league. Freshman Jeremy Judd and Andrew Nguyen He also set the school record in the 8K by four seconds at the Charlotte Invitational finished with time of 33:51.4 and 34:31.1, rewith a time of 24:24.20 for an overall third place finish out of 260 athletes and first spectively. Judd was the fifth finisher for UNCP and 65th overall, while Nguyen finished 85th among all NCAA Division II athletes. While maintaining a 3.31 grade point average, he finished the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Championship as region as both ran in their first career 10k race. Cedric champion (marking his fourth first-place finish this season) for the first time in his Wilson rounded out the finishers for the Black career with the second fastest 10K time in school history (30:55.5) to lead UNCP and Gold with a time of 35:32.7 to set a new personal-best for the sophomore. to a fifth place finish in the region. The 10k race was primarily run on limestone with the Black and Gold finishing fifth out of 24 teams. UNCP collected 123 points and was the first PBC team to finish the race. The Black and The senior posted a perfect 4.00 grade point average this year and graduated last Gold finished 84 points in front of PBC ChampiApril with a degree in communications. He is a three-time Academic All-Peach Belt on Augusta State who finished seventh overall. Conference honoree and is a three-time PBC President’s Honor Roll Gold Scholar. Bonus also earned the Flagler College Athletics Director Award for having the high- Queens (N.C.) and Mount Olive advance to est GPA among his fellow male student-athletes. He competed in all six meets last the 2011 NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championship race after finishing first fall and posted a season-best 8K time of 27:40.15 at the PBC Championships. Bonus is the first men’s cross country runner from Flagler College to earn Capital One Academic All-America® honors and the first runner to earn the award since the school became a full-fledged member of Division II in 2009.

Runners of the Week September 6, 2011

Pardon Ndhlovu, UNCP

September 12, 2011

Pardon Ndhlovu, UNCP

September 19, 2011

Dustin Ross, ASU

September 26, 2011 Ian Edwards, CSU October 3, 2011

Pardon Ndhlovu, UNCP

October 10, 2011

Dustin Ross, ASU

October 17, 2011

Zackery Walsh, Montevallo

33:09. Montevallo finished 21st and Francis Marion 23rd.

Men’s Cross Country

(62 points) and second (82 points), respectively. The 2011 NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships takes place on November 19 in Spokane, Wash., at Plantes Ferry Athletic Complex. Augusta State finished seventh in the regional, just ahead of Columbus State in eighth and Clayton State in ninth. ASU’s Dustin Ross ran the 10k in 32:44 while Clayton State’s Albert Mong’ony as 21st in 32:50. Columbus State’s John Neill cracked the top 20 with a time of 32:34 for 18th. Georgia College’s Tyler Mattix finished 17th overall in 32:41. The Bobcats as a team finished 14th, one behind Flagler in 13th. Corey Mundy was the first Flagler Saint to cross the line in a time of

RESULTS

UNCP’s Schroll, Ndhlovu Compete At NCAA Championships

(11/19/11) SPOKANE, Wash. - Sophomore Chris Schroll and Pardon Ndhlovu were the two runners from the UNCP men’s cross country team to compete on the snow covered course at the 2011 NCAA II National Championship on Saturday afternoon at Plante’s Ferry Athletic Complex. Schroll, a Puyallup, Wash., native, competed in his first national championship race after being named to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) all-region team due to his fourth place finish at the regional race which qualified him for the national race. He was less than two minutes slower, with a time 33:02.5, than his personal-best time set two weeks prior at the regional race. He finished 77th overall, while Ndhlovu crossed the finish line with a time of 33:53.7 as the 125th finisher. This was the third appearance for the junior as he grabbed all-American honors his freshman year. Ndhlovu, a Zimbabwe native, was named USTFCCCA Male Athlete of the Year for the Southeast Region as well as an all-region runner as he was the top finisher in regional meet. Besides collecting his first ever region title, he has posted three other first place finishes this season including the Peach Belt Conference Championship. Western State finished first as a team with 27 points followed by Adams State and Grand Valley State with 69 and 100 points, respectively. Ryan Haebe of Western State won the race by finishing with a time of 30:45.1.

Award Winners

Kevin Clancy, UNC Pembroke Russell Lawless, Clayton State Pardon Ndhlovu, UNC Pembroke USTFCCCA All-Academic Honorees Robert Blackwelder, Augusta State CapitalOneAcademicAll-AmericaSecondTeam Jaiden Brandt, Augusta State Kevin Clancy, UNC Pembroke Alex Bonus, Flagler CapitalOneAcademicAll-AmericaThird Team Andrew Henderson, Columbus State Daniel Horseman, Georgia College Pardon Ndhlovu, UNC Pembroke Russell Lawless, Clayton State Capital One Academic All-District Team Tyler Mattix, Georgia College Alex Bonus, Flagler 33

Albert Mong’ony, Clayton State Corey Mundy, Flagler Pardon Ndhlovu, UNC Pembroke John Neill, Columbus State USTFCCCA All-Academic Teams Augusta State Clayton State Columbus State Flagler Georgia College Montevallo

Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Team USTFCCCA All-Southeast Region Team Robert Blackwelder, Augusta State Zach Bayless, UNC Pembroke Alex Bonus, Flagler Robert Blackwelder, Augusta State Evan Brock, Montevallo Tyler Mattix, Georgia College Kevin Clancy, UNC Pembroke Albert Mong’ony, Clayton State Tucker Forbes, Georgia College Pardon Ndhlovu, UNC Pembroke Andy Henderson, Columbus State John Neill, Columbus State Daniel Horseman, Georgia College Dustin Ross, Augusta State Philip Laskey, Georgia College Chris Schroll, UNC Pembroke Russell Lawless, Clayton State PBC All-Conference First Team Albert Mong’ony, Clayton State Zach Bayless, UNC Pembroke Pardon Ndhlovu, UNC Pembroke Jaiden Brandt, Augusta State John Neill, Columbus State Michael Lambert, Flagler Josiah Siegel, Armstrong Pardon Ndhlovu, UNC Pembroke USTFCCCASoutheastRegionAthleteoftheYear Albery Mong’ony, Clayton State Pardon Ndhlovu, UNC Pembroke Dustin Ross, Augusta State

Chris Schroll, UNC Pembroke PBC All-Conference Second Team Charles Anderson, Clayton State Robert Blackwelder, Augusta State Andrew Henderson, Columbus State Daniel Horseman, Georgia College Matt Johnson, Augusta State Tyler Mattix, Georgia College Corey Mundy, Flagler PBC Freshman of the Year Corey Mundy, Flagler PBC Runner of the Year Pardon Ndhlovu, UNC Pembroke PBC Coach of the Year Gary Aycock, UNC Pembroke

Race Results Mercer

Citadel Sand Shark Oglethorpe USC Beaufort Peach Belt Invitational Invitational Invitational I nvitational Dual Championship (Sept. 17 - 8k) (Sept. 24 - 8k) (Oct. 8 - 8k) (Oct. 15 - 8k) (Oct. 18 - 5k) (Oct 22 - 8k) Parker Gordon 29:47/62nd 32:21/26th 29:02/19th 30:44/12th 17:27/4th 31:22/53rd Brandon Lico 32:19/96th 35:34/33rd 31:25/29th 33:47/34th 18:24/7th 31:51/55th Josiah Siegel 33:27/102nd 36:08/35th 32:14/33rd 35:00/42nd 19:50/13th 33:53/60th Scott Lawson 33:43/105th 36:37/36th 33:05/34th 36:06/50th 19:17/9th 35:12/63rd Dustin Scott - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 34:38/40th 19:27/12th 33:41/59th Melissa Carder 34:00/108th - - - - - - - - - - 35:54/49th 19:59/14th 34:29/62nd Ryan Kozusko 35:52/115th 38:43/39th 32:05/31st 35:43/48th 19:01/8th 34:12/61st Joseph Pilz 40:39/124th 44:18/48th - - - - - - - - - - 24:53/17th - - - - - Team Finish/Points 13 of 15/455 6 of 7/148 4 of 4/140 7 of 9/159 2 of 2/40 9 of 9/288

App. State Pacer Charlotte Jaguar Peach Belt Invitational Invitational Invitational Invitational Championship (Sept. 2 - 8k) (Sept. 17 - 8k) (Sept. 30 - 8k) (Oct. 8 - 8k) (Oct. 22 - 8k) Dustin Ross 27:16/48th 26:33/1st 26:34/87th 25:53/2nd 26:38/4th Robert Blackwelder - - - - - 27:30/7th 26:38/93rd 26:16/3rd 27:11/11th Jaiden Brandt 27:43/62nd 27:32/8th 26:57/120th 26:17/4th 26:58/7th Matthew Johnson 28:02/72nd 27:39/9th 27:13/135th 26:44/10th 27:14/12th Clay Holton 28:08/75th - - - - - 28:06/178th 27:59/19th 27:53/23rd Shane Huckeba 28:12/79th 28:06/14th 27:23/141st - - - - - ----Adam Aldridge 29:00/91st 28:09/16th - - - - - 27:29/12th 28:14/28th Jimmy Spencer 29:41/101st 28:29/23rd 29:05/207th - - - - - 36:42/34th Sean Kramer 29:29/100th 29:18/29th - - - - - 28:10/22nd - - - - - Team Finish/Points 10 of 11/262 1 of 8/39 20 of 34/493 1 of 5/31 1 of 9/57 Jacksonville St. Georgia State Greater Louisville JSU Peach Belt Invitational Invitational Classic Invitational Championship (Sept. 2 - 5k) (Sept. 17 - 8k) (Oct. 1 - 8k) (Oct. 8 - 8k) (Oct. 22 - 8k) Albert Mong’ony 15:46/3rd 26:40/14th 25:38/5th 26:14/3rd 26:20/3rd Alex Foss 16:13/6th 27:53/30th 26:51/28th 27:28/23rd 27:30/16th Charles Anderson 16:16/7th 28:47/61st 26:47/26th 27:28/24th 27:24/13th Aryton Azcue 16:59/13th 28:32/57th 27:24/52nd 28:28/47th 28:12/27th Tanner Thomason 17:37/22nd 29:27/72nd 28:31/130th 28:59/61st 30:31/51st Preston Valencia 17:49/26th 30:16/84th 29:01/151st 29:55/74th 28:55/37th Russell Lawless - - - - - 28:53/62nd 27:32/66th 27:33/29th 28:04/25th Team Finish/Points 2 of 8/49 6 of 10/171 4 of 36/143 3 of 10/105 3 of 9/84

Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cross Country

GSW Remembrance Florida State Charlotte JSU Peach Belt Run Invitational Invitational Invitational Championship (Sept. 10 - 8k) (Sept. 23 - 8k) (Sept. 30 - 8k) (Oct. 8 - 8k) (Oct. 22 - 8k) Ian Edwards 26:26/1st 26:29/19th 25:59/58th 26:07/2nd 27:33/18th John Neill 26:57/2nd - - - - - 26:46/104th 27:37/31st 27:43/20th Andy Henderson 28:05/12th 27:55/64th 26:57/119th 26:54/11th 27:11/10th Jacob Mobbs 27:25/5th 28:08/66th 27:27/142nd - - - - - 27:32/17th Brandon Skiles 27:36/8th 28:47/85th 27:44/157th 27:32/28th 28:57/39th Nathan Prickett 27:44/9th 28:34/80th 29:13/214th 28:39/51st ----Nathaniel Reeves 28:22/15th 29:11/93rd 27:34/149th 27:49/36th 29:14/41st Silas Rugut 30:14/32nd 30:16/112th - - - - - 28:49/58th 28:37/32nd Team Finish/Points 1 of 5/25 9 of 17/276 19 of 34/492 2 of 10/93 4 of 9/97 Tampa Pacer UF Disney Peach Belt Classic Invitational Invitational Classic Championship (Sept. 2 - 4mi.) (Sept. 17 - 8k) (Sept. 24 - 8k) (Oct. 8 - 8k) (Oct. 22 - 8k) Mike Lambert 21:02/23rd 27:12/3rd 27:21/52nd 26:53/25th 26:42/5th Alex Bonus 21:47/49th 28:23/21st 28:16/76th 27:47/57th 27:40/19th Corey Mundy 22:08/62nd 27:57/12th 29:50/108th 27:32/45th 27:07/8th Derek Casciano 22:51/78th 28:32/24th 29:13/97th 29:23/119th 29:54/49th Justin Talavera 23:03/81st 28:38/25th 29:18/98th 28:33/90th 28:56/38th Zak Shave 23:05/82nd 28:27/22nd 30:14/114th 29:15/115th 29:36/44th Chad Jones 23:24/92nd 29:20/30th 30:30/119th 29:27/123rd ----Matt Goodman 23:52/99th 29:22/31st 29:31/101st 29:07/112th 29:37/46th Team Finish/Points 9 of 13/250 2 of 8/79 14 of 17/358 12 of 24/307 6 of 9/114 Gamecock Seahawk Pacer Charlotte Wingate Peach Belt Invitational Invitational Invitational Invitational Invitational Championship (Sept. 2 - 5k) (Sept. 9 - 5k) (Sept. 17 - 8k) (Sept. 30 - 8k) (Oct. 13 - 5k) (Oct. 22 - 8k) Ian Wallace 17:16/10th 17:00/34th 28:47/28th 29:01/206th 17:26/7th 29:14/42nd Justin Carter 18:29/17th 18:01/51st - - - - - 29:49/227th 18:31/14th 29:58/50th Alex McIntosh 18:49/18th 18:22/62nd 30:51/41st - - - - - 18:35/16th 29:53/48th Ryan Woloszyn 19:02/20th 18:18/61st 30:28/37th 29:11/211th 18:42/17th 29:36/45th Cody McDonald 19:09/22nd - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ----Justin Koehn 19:34/24th - - - - - 30:01/34th 29:38/221st 18:01/10th 29:15/43rd Michael Bigelow 19:40/25th 19:07/74th - - - - - 31:18/241st 19:18/21st 32:16/56th Justin Albertson - - - - - 18:23/63rd 31:25/43rd 29:52/229th 18:14/12th 29:41/47th Team Finish/Points 4 of 5/87 8 of 10/206 7 of 8/163 32 of 34/958 2 of 5/59 8 of 9/225 Bobcat Mercer Cod Fish Jaguar Peach Belt Invitational UC Irvine Invitational Bowl Invitational Championship (Sept. 2 - 8k) (Sept. 10 - 8k) (Sept. 17 - 8k) (Sept. 24 - 8k) (Oct. 8 - 8k) (Oct. 22 - 8k) Tyler Mattix 28:01/3rd - - - - - 26:38/12th 27:38/59th 26:30/7th 27:08/9th Daniel Horseman 28:26/4th 27:11/24th 26:48/15th 27:28/53rd 26:22/5th 27:25/14th Colin Conroy 28:29/5th 27:45/47th 27:13/20th 29:30/134th 27:23/11th 27:47/21st Philip Laskey 28:53/8th 28:30/54th 27:54/31st - - - - - 28:36/27th 28:42/33th Rob Manning 30:25/14th - - - - - 28:01/34th 29:25/130th 27:49/17th 28:25/30th Nick Widener 33:47/30th - - - - - - - - - - 31:58/214th 30:42/32nd ----Tucker Forbes 31:14/23rd 28:53/94th 28:43/49th - - - - - 28:04/21st 28:52/36th Travis Knight 32:54/28th 29:22/105th 28:41/46th - - - - - 27:53/18th 31:07/52nd Team Finish/Points 2 of 3/42 9 of 10/244 4 of 15/105 12 of 26/396 3 of 5/58 5 of 9/107

Earl Jacoby Pacer Tiger Queens University Peach Belt Memorial Invitational Invitational Challenge Championship (Sept. 3 - 8k) (Sept. 17 - 8k) (Sept. 30 - 8k) (Oct. 14 - 8k) (Oct. 22 - 8k) Zackery Walsh 28:09/17th 27:42/10th 27:34/5th 26:59/71st 27:52/22nd Aaron Bush 28:34/21st 27:57/11th 28:18/6th 27:15/77th 27:27/15th Mark McDonald 29:17/27th 28:11/17th 28:24/7th 28:12/106th 28:08/26th Nick Fasanello 29:32/29th 28:13/19th 28:27/8th 27:55/101st 28:32/31st Jake Davidson 32:55/51st 31:52/46th 31:12/22nd - - - - - 32:17/57th Brian Smith 33:17/53rd - - - - - 31:19/24th 31:11/144th ----Evan Brock 35:02/59th 34:32/49th 33:40/33rd - - - - - 33:35/58th Austin McIntosh - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 31:27/146th 31:38/54th Team Finish/Points 5th of 10/135 4th of 8/95 2nd of 5/33rd 13 of 19/395 7 of 9/148 Gamecock College of Charleston Charlotte Disney Peach Belt Invitational Invitational Invitational Classic Championship (Sept. 2 - 5k) (Sept. 10 - 8k) (Sept. 30 - 8k) (Oct. 8 - 8k) (Oct. 22 - 8k) Pardon Ndhlovu 15:07/1st 25:04/1st 24:24/3rd 25:23/3rd 25:11/1st Chris Schroll 15:36/2nd 25:57/8th 25:27/42nd 25:59/8th 25:36/2nd Zach Bayless 16:48/5th 26:58/8th 26:47/106th 27:45/54th 26:50/6th Cedric Wilson 17:15/9th 27:49/26th 28:57/204th 30:18/151st 28:50/35th Andrew Nguyen 17:37/11th 28:47/42nd 29:11/212th 28:39/96th 29:06/40th Kevin Clancy 17:48/12th - - - - - 27:00/124th 27:39/50th 27:54/24th Adriel Wynn 19:07/21st - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ----Jeremy Judd - - - - - - - - - - 28:19/182nd 28:54/100th 28:23/29th Team Finish/Points 1 of 5/28 3 of 6/81 11 of 34/394 7 of 24/200 2 of 9/62

Women’s Cross Country State was third. The race was run for the first time in Aiken at the Pacer Path on the campus of USC Aiken.

2011 PBC women’s Cross County Champions University of Montevallo Falcons

Montevallo Claims PBC Women’s Cross Country Championship

(10/22/11) AIKEN, SC - The Montevallo women’s cross country team placed four runners in the top 10 as they surprised the field by winning the 2011 PBC Championship on Saturday morning in Aiken, S.C. Junior Haley Evans blazed through the 6k course in 23:16, setting a new school record and claiming the individual championship. The cross country title is the first for Montevallo as a part of the Peach Belt Conference. Clayton State finished second while Augusta

Evans set a 5k school record in her last outing and did the same over a 6k distance with a time of 23:16 on the hilly course, the fourth-fastest 6k time in PBC Championship history. After running with the pack for half the race, she pulled away and finished 32 seconds ahead of Flagler’s Taylor Strekel, who was second. UM’s Kaley Glover finished fifth in 23:54 while In-Mi Matsunaga was seventh in 24:04 and Lauren Recchia 10th with a time of 24:16. Montevallo’s Haley Evans cross the line in first place at the 2011 PBC Cross Country Championships on Saturday in Aiken. Clayton State finished second overall with 77 points, 30 behind the Falcons. Jessica Smith was the first Laker across the line with a time of 24:15 for ninth place. The Lakers scored high after keeping together throughout the course as Paige Galvin, Samantha Walling and Patricia Olleros finished 12th, 13th and 15th, respectively, separated by less than 20 seconds. 36

Women’s Cross Country

Augusta State finished in third place with 82 points, just edging out UNC Pembroke who was fourth with 83. ASU’s Jessica Carpenter finished fourth with a time of 23:52 while UNC Pembroke’s Livia Mahaffie was third overall in 23:49 and Kendra Dorn sixth 24:03. Mahaffie was named the PBC Runner of the Year, an award voted on prior to the PBC Championship meet based on regular-season results. Columbus State saw their run of six straight PBC titles come to an end as they finished fifth overall. Moneque English led the Cougars with a time of 24:09, finishing eighth. Flagler finished sixth while Georgia College was seventh, USC Aiken eighth, Francis Marion ninth and Georgia Southwestern 10th. Flagler’s Taylor Strekel was named the PBC Freshman of the Year as the lowest finishing freshman. Strekel finished second overall with a time of 23:48. UNC Pembroke’s Gary Aycock and Augusta State’s Adam Ward were voted the PBC co-Coaches of the Year by the league’s head coaches. The top seven women to finish the race were named first-team AllConference while the 8-14 runners were named second team.

Results Photo Gallery

Falcons Finish Second at NCAA Regionals; Advance to NCAA Championship

(11/5/11) CHARLOTTE, N.C. - For the first time in program history the University of Montevallo women’s cross country team will compete at the NCAA Championships. The Falcons needed to Montevallo’s finish in the top two Haley Evans

at the NCAA Southeast Region Championship and the Falcons did just that as they finished second among the field of 26 teams. UM edged out third-place Mount Olive by just five points. Juniors Haley Evans (Fairhope, Ala./Fairhope) and Kaley Glover (Opelika, Ala./Beauregard) led the Falcons as they finished 12th and 13th overall in the race, respectively. UM’s top three runners broke the school record for a 6k race including Evans, Glover and freshman Lauren Recchia (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett) who also set the new freshman record for a 6k. Evans completed the course in 22:28.9 which is 48 seconds faster then her previous school record. Glover finished with a time of 22:38.9 to best the record by 38 seconds while Recchia finished 23rd overall with a time of 23:11.4 which topped the school record by five seconds and beat the freshman record by 34 seconds. Sophomore In-Mi Matsunaga (Enterprise, Ala./Enterprise) finished 36th overall with a time of 23:42.9 which ranks fifth in the UM record book. The final runner in UM’s top-five was senior Katherine Schofield (Gainesville, Ga./Brookwood) who finished 62nd overall with a time of 24:11.4 which would have ranked seventh in the UM record book prior to today’s race but comes in at 11th after the top-four runners posted top times. Senior Ginny Davis (Madison, Ala./Bob Jones) finished 93rd overall with a time of 24:50.4 while senior Whitney Adkins (Conyers, Ga./Heritage) finished 144th with a time of 26:18.3. Augusta State was the next-highest PBC team to finish, coming in sixth in the 26-team field. Alicia Connolly finished 22nd overall in 23:10 while Lyndsay Nichols was 37th in 23:42. Clayton State finished seventh and UNC Pembroke eighth. For the Lakers, Paige Galvin finished 25th in 23:14 while Patty Olleros was 26th with a time of 23:17. Georgia College’s Allison Lones was the top non-Montevallo PBC runner to cross the line. The sophomore finished 19th overall in 23:08. Georgia College as a team was 13th in the field.

Results

Runners of the Week September 6, 2011 September 12, 2011 September 19, 2011 September 26, 2011 October 3, 2011 October 10, 2011

Falcons Wrap Up Historic Season at NCAA Championships

(11/19/11) SPOKANE, Wash. - The University of Livia Mahaffie, UNCP Montevallo women’s cross country team concluded its historic 2011 season with a 24th-place finLivia Mahaffie, UNCP ish at the NCAA Championships. The cross country team became the first women’s program at UM to Taylor Strekel, Flagler advance to the NCAA Finals after a second-place finish at the Southeast Region Championships. Taylor Strekel, Flagler The women’s program has been in existence for just eight years but has already soared to the top Livia Mahaffie, UNCP of the Division II ranks. Junior Kaley Glover (Opelika, Ala./ Beauregard) led the team with a 154th Samantha Walling, Clayton State overall finish in a time of 24:42.2.

October 17, 2011

Haley Evans, Montevallo The Falcons competed in the middle of a snow storm with temperatures in the low 20s. Freshman Lauren Recchia (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett) came in second for the Falcons with a 166th place finish. Recchia completed the course in 25:27.3. Junior Haley Evans (Fairhope, Ala./Fairhope), who won the PBC Championship, finished third for the Falcons and 173rd overall with a time of 25:58.7. Senior Katherine Schofield (Gainesville, Ga./Brookwood) came in just two spots behind Evans in 175th with a time of 26:02.6. Senior Ginny Davis (Madison, Ala./Bob Jones) came in 183rd with a time of 27:07.5 while sophomore In-Mi Matsunaga (Enterprise, Ala./Enterprise) finished in 184th with a time of 27:15.1. Senior Whitney Adkins (Conyers, Ga./Heritage) rounded out the Falcons performance with a 186th place finish and a time of 28:54.3. The Falcons finished 20 points behind the University of West Florida who came in 23rd. Augustana won the event with a total team score of 75 while Western State came in second.

North Georgia to Reinstate Women’s Cross Country in 2012

(10/27/11) DAHLONEGA, GA – North Georgia College & State University will reinstate the women’s cross country team for NCAA competition in the 2012-2013 academic year. “We are excited to bring the women’s cross country team back to North Georgia,” said Athletic Director Lindsay Reeves. North Georgia discontinued its cross country program in 2010 due to funding reductions. The team’s coach, Tom Williams, is also an adjunct faculty member at North Georgia and will return to coach the women’s team. Before coming to North Georgia to lead the cross country program, Williams was a legendary coach at Walton High School for 20 years and led his teams to 14 State Championship appearances. With the addition of women’s cross country, North Georgia will have five men’s sports, six women’s sports and one mixed team. “North Georgia College & State University has always been a leader in providing educational opportunities for women, and it’s important to us that our athletic program continues to expand competitive opportunities for women athletes,” Reeves said. 38

Women’s Cross Country

North Georgia was the first public institution of higher education in Georgia to enroll and graduate a woman. It was also the first of the nation’s senior military colleges to include women. The university’s athletic program is primarily funded through student fees and private contributions through the NGCSU Foundation, which supports scholarships and operation costs. Reeves expects that the athletic program can add women’s cross country with no increase to the student athletic fee at this point. North Georgia is considering the possibility of adding other programs in the future.

Award Winners Capital One Academic All-District Team Ashlee Doughty, UNC Pembroke Cassey Lloyd, USC Aiken In-Mi Matsunaga, Montevallo Laura McKnight, Flagler USTFCCCA All-Academic Honorees Carrie Blankenship, UNC Pembroke Jessica Carpenter, Augusta State Kendra Dorn, UNC Pembroke Ashlee Doughty, UNC Pembroke Haley Evans, Montevallo Paige Galvin, Clayton State Allison Lones, Georgia College Livia Mahaffie, UNC Pembroke In-Mi Matsunaga, Montevallo Jacquelyn Nagel, Augusta State Lyndsay Nichols, Augusta State Lauren Recchia, Montevallo Katherine Schofield, Montevallo Jessica Smith, Clayton State Taylor Strekel, Flagler Samantha Walling, Clayton State USTFCCCA All-Academic Teams Augusta State Clayton State Columbus State Flagler Georgia College

Montevallo UNC Pembroke Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Team Ginny Davis, Montevallo Victoria Dobson, Georgia College Haley Evans, Montevallo Paige Galvin, Clayton State Cassey Lloyd, USC Aiken Blair Long, UNC Pembroke Livia Mahaffie, UNC Pembroke In-Mi Matsunaga, Montevallo Mollie McGowan, Georgia Southwestern Laura McKnight, Flagler Lyndsay Nichols, Augusta State Madeleine Pinaire, Flagller Katherine Schofield, Montevallo Samantha Walling, Clayton State Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Honarable Mention London Barnhill, Francis Marion Lauren Brown, Georgia Southwestern Megan Carney, UNC Pembroke Jamesha Cochran, Columbus State LaQuita Daniel, Columbus State Ashlee Doughty, UNC Pembroke Allison Lones, Goergia College Madeline McCane, Georgia College Ashton Passino, Georgia College KayKay Shaffer, Flagler Samantha Smith, Francis Marion USTFCCCA All-Southeast Region Team Alicia Connolly, Augusta State Haley Evans, Montevallo 39

Paige Galvin, Clayton State Kaley Glover, Montevallo Allison Lones, Georgia College Lauren Recchia, Montevallo Taylor Strekel, Flagler USTFCCCA All-Southeast Region Coach of the Year Tommy Barksdale, Montevallo PBC All-Conference First Team Jessica Carpenter, Augusta State Kendra Dorn, UNC Pembroke Haley Evans, Montevallo Kaley Glover, Montevallo Livia Mahaffie, UNC Pembroke In-Mi Matsunaga, Montevallo Taylor Strekel, Flagler PBC All-Conference SecondTeam Moneque English, Columbus State Paige Galvin, Clayton State Keely Gillespie, USC Aiken Allison Lones, Georgia College Lauren Recchia, Montevallo Jessica Smith, Clayton State Samantha Walling, Clayton State PBC Freshman of the Year Taylor Strekel, Flagler PBC Runner of the Year Livia Mahaffie, UNC Pembroke PBC Co-Coaches of the Year Gary Aycock, UNC Pembroke Adam Ward, Augusta State

Race Results

Freshman of the Year Taylor Strekel

App. State Pacer Charlotte Jaguar Peach Belt Invitational Invitational Invitational Invitational Championship (Sept. 2 - 5k) (Sept. 17 - 6k) (Sept. 30 - 5k) (Oct. 8 - 6k) (Oct. 22 - 6k) Lyndsay Nichols 20:25/60th 24:02/2nd 19:31/122nd 25:16/14th 24:45/18th Jessica Carpenter 20:27/61st 24:16/3rd 19:28/120th 25:00/10th 23:52/4th Alicia Connolly 21:13/83rd 24:21/4th 19:51/139th 25:20/15th 24:40/16th Savannah Sutton 21:17/84th 24:56/9th 19:50/138th - - - - - 25:07/27th Jacquelyn Nagel 21:29/91st 25:45/19th 20:19/138th 26:07/19th 24:41/17th Angela Woodward 21:34/95th 26:01/28th 20:43/194th 26:02/18th 25:57/37th Stephanie Cipollone 22:03/103rd 25:59/26th - - - - - 27:31/30th 26:02/38th Camille Jackson 22:35/106th 26:38/39th - - - - - 31:12/40th - - - - - Team Finish/Points 11 of 12/303 1 of 10/37 18 of 36/548 2 of 4/61 3 of 10/82 GSW Georgia State Greater Louisville Foothills Peach Belt Remembrance Run Invitational Classic Invitational Championship (Sept. 10 - 5k) (Sept. 17 - 6k) (Oct. 1 - 5k) (Oct. 8 - 5k) (Oct. 22 - 6k) Jessica Smith 20:22/5th 25:44/43rd 20:00/25th 19:44/30th 24:15/9th Samantha Walling 20:37/10th - - - - - 20:07/31st 19:21/18th 24:21/13th Kourtney Aylor 20:38/12th - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ----Paige Galvin 20:53/13th 25:31/41st 20:14/35th 19:35/27th 24:19/12th Maia Kuhnen 21:44/21st 26:44/51st 20:35/55th 20:19/46th 25:01/25th Holly McNorton 22:32/30th 29:14/60th 22:25/151st 22:03/89th 28:44/56th FeLeshia Dyer 22:51/33rd - - - - - - - - - - 22:40/94th ----Patricia Olleros - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 24:39/15th Gisele Javois - - - - - 26:46/52nd 20:54/73rd 21:29/79th 26:34/43rd Team Finish/Points 2 of 9/56 9 of 9/247 6 of 32/185 6 of 12/157 2 of 19/74 GSW Florida State Charlotte Foothills Peach Belt Remembrance Run Invitational Invitational Invitational Championships (Sept. 10 - 5k) (Sept. 23 - 5k) (Sept. 30 - 5k) (Oct. 8 - 5k) (Oct. 22 - 6k) Moneque English 20:12/4th 20:35/66th 19:54/143rd 19:28/23rd 24:09/8th Moneka English 20:36/9th 20:36/68th 20:13/158th 19:51/35th 24:56/22nd Renee Usher 20:31/7th 20:56/75th 20:17/164th 20:02/41st 24:59/24th Caroline Rotich 20:38/11th 22:00/100th 20:59/207th 20:26/52nd 25:49/35th Shelby Nelson 22:02/23rd 22:38/116th 20:39/188th 20:58/66th 25:28/30th Jamesha Cochran 22:09/24th 22:03/102nd 21:32/223rd 21:23/77th 26:58/48th LaQuita Daniel 25:12/54th 24:21/142nd ----- 24:31/101st ----Lindsey Groenwald - - - - - 21:59.99th 21:39/225th 21:16/74th 26:44/46th Team Finish/Points 1 of 9/50 11 of 17/305 24 of 36/689 8 of 12/171 5 of 10/119

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cross Country Tampa Pacer UF Disney Peach Belt Classic Invitational Invitational Classic Championship (Sept. 2 - 5k) (Sept. 17 - 6k) (Sept. 24 - 5k) (Oct. 8 - 5k) (Oct. 22 - 6k) Taylor Strekel 20:12/27th 23:55/1st 19:42/50th 20:07/49th 23:48/2nd Laura McKnight 20:48/40th 24:47/7th 20:23/78th 20:23/62nd 24:57/23rd Kathleen Casagrande - - - - - 25:06/11th 20:32/83rd 20:01/47th 24:49/19th Nicole Allen 22:18/76th 25:44/18th - - - - - 22:37/169th 27:03/49th Erin Buning 22:49/88th 25:53/23rd 22:34/140th 22:06/153rd 26:36/44th Kaitlyn Shaffer - - - - - 26:51/42nd 22:20/134th 22:11/156th 26:24/42nd Madeleine Pinaire 21:31/95th 27:15/46th 23:08/147th 23:14/188th 28:38/55th Emma Caird 24:53/110th - - - - - 24:23/169th - - - - - - - - - - Team Finish/Points 9 of 14/258 2 of 10/60 15 of 19/397 14 of 28/408 6 of 10/130 Gamecock Seahawk Pacer Charlotte Wingate Peach Belt Invitational Invitational Invitational Invitational Invitational Championship (Sept. 2 - 5k) (Sept. 9 - 5k) (Sept. 17 - 6k) (Sept. 30 - 5k) (Oct. 13 - 5k) (Oct. 22 - 6k) Whitney Wagner 20:39/6th 20:58/27th 25:28/13th 20:19/169th 22:08/10th 25:31/32nd Samantha Smith 22:56/14th 21:56/41st 26:00/27th 21:23/216th 21:55/9th 26:24/41st Diana Levy 24:58/20th 25:30/77th 30:01/61st 24:06/268th 25:39/24th 30:15/62nd Allyson Franklin 25:53/24th 25:53/81st 30:34/65th 24:45/274th 25:31/22nd 30:16/63rd London Barnhill 27:29/29th 27:08/90th 31:25/66th 25:52/277th 25:35/23rd 31:14/65th LaMeshia Jackson - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 23:08/253rd - - - - - 29:53/61st Team Finish/Points 3 of 4/66 8 of 11/226 8 of 10/202 34 of 36/971 3 of 4/76 9 of 10/259 Bobcat Pacer Cod Fish Jaguar Peach Belt Invitational UC Irvine Invitational Bowl Invitational Championship (Sept. 2 - 5k) (Sept. 10 - 5k) (Sept. 17 - 6k) (Sept. 24 - 5k) (Oct. 8 - 6k) (Oct. 22 - 6K) Allison Lones 21:27/5th 20:35/65th 24:38/6th 20:50/69th 24:44/9th 24:19/11th Karissa Ekstrom 21:48/6th 21:27/95th 25:49/22nd 23:05/183rd 26:47/25th 25:47/34th Ashton Passino 21:55/7th 21:12/90th 25:49/21st 22:16/147th 26:11/21st 25:39/33rd Rebecca Shane 21:58/8th 21:16/92nd 25:37/15th 22:04/133rd 26:00/17th 26:14/40th Courtney Timmerman 22:09/10th - - - - - 26:54/43rd - - - - - 28:50/35th ----Victoria Dobson 22:23/12th - - - - - 25:48/20th 22:04/134th 26:29/24th 25:26/29th Catie Tinker 22:56/14th - - - - - 26:07/30th - - - - - 26:49/26th 26:40/45th Madeline McCane 23:09/15th 26:12/34th 26:13/17th 26:47/47th Andrea Byrnes - - - - - 22:09/105th 26:09/32nd - - - - - 27:25/29th - - - - - Team Finish/Points 2 of 4/36 10 of 11/273 4 of 10/84 16 of 23/425 3 of 4/73 7 of 10/147 Bobcat GSW Darton Foothills Peach Belt Invitational Remembrance Run Invitational Invitational Championship (Sept. 2 - 5k) (Sept. 10 - 5k) (Oct. 1 - 5k) (Oct. 8 - 5k) (Oct. 22 - 6k) Lisa Espino 24:26/21st 22:11/24th 22:10/3rd 22:06/90th 27:59/53rd Micah Bucher 25:49/24th 22:30/28th 23:18/11th 21:47/83rd 28:18/54th Millie McGowan 25:50/25th 24:13/46th 23:45/15th 22:46/96th 29:24/58th Kelsey Baker 27:36/29th 23:29/39th 23:34/14th 23:39/97th 28:55/57th Leady Cuellar 27:46/31st 24:45/51st 24:52/19th 24:50/103rd 30:30/64th Katy York 28:06/32nd 27:06/61st 24:40/18th 23:50/99th 29:49/59th Lauren Brown 28:31/33rd 24:46/52nd 24:58/20th 25:02/105th 31:40/67th Team Finish/Points 4 of 4/130 7 of 9/181 2 of 4/47 12 of 12/344 10 of 10/281

Earl Jacoby Pacer Tiger Queens University Peach Belt Memorial Invitational Invitational Challenge Championship (Sept. 10 - 5k) (Sept. 17 - 6k) (Sept. 30 - 6k) (Oct. 14 - 5k) (Oct. 22 - 6k) Haley Evans 20:22/9th 24:49/8th 24:17/4th 18:54/36th 23:16/1st In-Mi Matsunaga 20:37/16th 24:27/5th 24:23/5th 19:16/52nd 24:04/7th Ginny Davis 21:28/27th 25:55/25th 25:18/12th 20:35/104th 25:29/31st Katherine Schofield 21:35/30th 25:14/12th 24:41/7th 20:13/88th 24:54/21st Katie Vanover 21:54/36th 26:14/35th 26:05/22nd - - - - - 27:03/50th Lauren Recchia 21:57/39th 25:40/16th 26:11/24th 19:40/67th 24:16/10th Kaley Glover 22:14/41st - - - - - 24:35/6th 19:35/63rd 23:54/5th Jessi Clark 22:20/42nd 26:46/41st - - - - - 22:16/143rd - - - - - Team Finish/Points 5 of 12/118 3 of 10/66 1 of 6/34 10 of 21/259 1 of 10/44 Gamecock College of Charleston Pacer Charlotte Disney Peach Belt Invitational Invitational Invitational Invitational Classic Championship (Sept. 2 - 5k) (Sept. 10 - 5k) (Sept. 17 - 6k) (Sept. 30 - 5k) (Oct. 8 - 5k) (Oct. 22 - 6k) LivIa Mahaffie 19:58/1st 19:30/16th - - - - - 19:39/27th 19:39/27th 23:49/3rd Annette Sem 20:16/2nd 20:11/32nd - - - - - 20:12/154th 20:36/76th 25:21/28th Julie Sem 20:29/5th 21:00/44th - - - - - 20:53/200th 21:37/133rd 25:51/36th Ashlee Doughty 20:48/7th 20:05/30th - - - - - 19:56/146th 20:31/69th 25:03/26th Carrie Blankenship 20:52/8th 20:34/39th - - - - - 19:34/126th 20:47/84th 24:53/20th Kendra Dorn 21:12/9th 20:52/42nd - - - - - 20:18/166th 20:58/94th 24:03/6th Rebecca Roman 21:29/10th - - - - - 26:08/31st - - - - - 21:31/127th ----Megan Carney 21:43/11th - - - - - 24:58/10th 20:35/185th 20:55/88th 26:10/39th Team Finish/Points 1 of 4/20 4 of 8/122 5 of 10/164 18 of 36/548 9 of 28/313 4 of 10/83 Gamecock Erskine Pacer Charlotte Jaguar Peach Belt Invitational Invitational Invitational Invitational Invitational Championship (Sept. 2 - 5k) (Sept. 9 - 4k) (Sept. 17 - 6k) (Sept. 30 - 5k) (Oct. 8 - 6k) (Oct. 22 - 6k) Keely Gillespie 20:22/4th 16:13/2nd 25:31/14th 19:44/134th 25:02/11th 24:37/14th Brittany May 23:38/16th 19:31/22nd 27:57/50th 23:11/254th 30:09/39th 29:51/60th Kayla Millholland 24:42/19th 18:04/13th 26:55/44th 22:10/236th 27:44/32nd 27:29/51st Alexis Harvin 25:09/21st 19:18/18th 26:57/45th 23:59/266th 29:22/37th 27:53/52nd Cassey Lloyd 27:16/27th 20:59/26th 26:13/34th 26:20/279th 32:38/42nd 31:24/66th Lauren Hodge - - - - - 21:19/27th 31:44/69th 26:22/280th 33:18/43rd - - - - - Team Finish/Points 2nd of 4/61 4th of 5/78 7th of 10/169 33 of 36/962 4th of 4/108 8 of 10/243

Men’s Soccer PBC Quarterfinal: No. 19 Flagler advances to semis with 4-0 over USCA

Final Standings Conference Pts GP Record Win % 1. Flagler 19 8 6-1-1 0.812 2. Montevallo 17 8 5-1-2 0.750 3. Lander 16 8 5-2-1 0.688 4. North Georgia 15 8 5-3 0.625 5. Clayton State 12 8 4-4 0.500 6. UNC Pembroke 11 8 3-3-2 0.500 7. Francis Marion 7 8 2-5-1 0.312 8. USC Aiken 5 8 1-5-2 0.250 9. Ga. Southwestern 1 8 0-7-1 0.062

Overall GP Record 23 17-3-3 21 12-5-4 17 8-7-2 17 9-7-1 18 10-8 18 11-5-2 18 4-13-1 17 3-10-4 16 3-11-2

Win % 0.804 0.667 0.529 0.559 0.556 0.667 0.250 0.294 0.250

Last 10 8-0-2 5-3-2 4-5-1 5-5 4-6 5-3-2 3-6-1 1-5-4 1-8-1

(11/1/11) ST. AUGUSTINE – After a scoreless first half, Eammon Murphy booted in a lofted pass from Johan Bergfeld in the 50th minute to help lead No. 19 (NSCAA Division II Top 25) Flagler College to a 4-0 win over USC Aiken in a Peach Belt Conference Men’s Soccer Tournament Quarterfinal Match Tuesday night at Saints Field. Flagler, the No. 1 seed, advances to the semifinals where it will take on the No. 5 seed Clayton State University on Friday (Nov. 4) at 7:30 p.m. Clayton State upset No. 4 seed North Georgia 1-0 tonight in 42

Men’s Soccer

Dahlonega, Ga. Flagler extended its unbeaten streak to nine matches and improved its record to 13-3-2 overall. The Saints are a perfect 3-0 in PBC Tournament quarterfinals since joining the league in 2009. USC Aiken wraps up its season at 3-10-4 and were winless in its last six matches. The Pacers lost forward Steven Campbell in the 58th minute when he was booked with his second yellow card and had to sit the rest of the match.

#1 Flagler Flagler 4-0 #8 USC Aiken

Flagler 3-2 (ot)

#4 N. Georgia Clayton St. 1-0 #5 Clayton St.

Flagler 3-1

#3 Lander UNCP 2-1 #6 UNCP Montevallo1-0

#2 Montevallo Pol Berenguer scored the insurance goal in the 75th minute #7 FMU after receiving a through ball from Zach Shanahan. Bergenguer broke in on the keeper and lobbed a shot over his head.

Montevallo 2-1 and saved one shot. Flagler out-shot USC Aiken 21-7, including an 8-2 advantage in shots on goal. The Saints also held a 7-6 advantage in corner kicks. Box Score

Mack Hough tacked on his team-leading 10th goal of the season in the 84th minute as he knocked in a saved shot.

PBC Quarterfinal: Pugh delivers as Clayton State men advance in Peach Belt Conference Tournament

Marco Padilla finished the scoring after collecting a loose ball at the top of the penalty box and beat the keeper to the lower left corner.

Flagler’s Joseph Toby

(11/1/11) DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Throughout this 2011 men’s soccer season, Ryan Pugh has struggled offensively for the Clayton State Lakers. However, he delivered when the Lakers needed it the most on Tuesday.

Pugh scored the game-winner late in the second half as Clayton State prevailed in a 1-0 thriller at North Georgia in the first round of the 2011 Peach Belt Camp Bissell recorded Conference Tournament. The victory improves Clayton his eighth shutout of the State to 10-7 overall, and the Lakers will play either season and tallied Flagler or USC Aiken in Friday’s 7 p.m. PBC semifinal two saves. Robert in Augusta. Bolender played the first 81:43 North Georgia’s season ends at 9-7-1. and recorded three saves for Pugh came through for the Lakers in the 83rd minute the Pacers. Corey when he took a right cross from senior forward Matty Pitts finished the Phillips and scored on a header in front of the goal. game in goal for USC Aiken It was the break the Lakers needed after constantly 43

attacking North Georgia with 23 shots to only 10 for the Saints. Clayton State goalkeeper Brian Garcia recorded the shutout with one save, while North Georgia goalkeeper Rade Tanaskovic recorded seven saves. Box Score

PBC Quarterfinal: Braves Victorious Over Lander

UNC Pembroke’s Sean Hoek he pushed a free kick by Jankouskas above the goal to keep the score tied with less than 30 minutes remaining in regulation play. Hanson grabbed five saves in his 90 minutes between the pipes, while Hoek tallied a game-high seven shots. Miles and Payne Clark collected assists on Hoek’s two goals.

(11/1/11) GREENWOOD, S.C. – Transfer Sean Hoek scored the game winning goal in the 78th minute to snap an eight-game losing streak in the series with Lander, and push the UNCP men’s soccer team to the semi-final round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament on Tuesday evening at the Jeff May Complex, 2-1. Hoek registered both goals for the Braves (11-4-2) as he entered the second half with his focus on attacking the Bearcats’ (8-7-2) goal. At the 59:26 mark, he tied the game up at one goal apiece and headed in his second goal of the game from the middle of the box. The victory marks the first time since 2005 the Braves defeated Lander along with snapping a six-game losing streak in the conference tournament play for UNCP, giving the Braves their first win in the postseason since defeating USC Upstate in 2004 to become conference champions.

The Black and Gold outshot the Bearcats 13-9 as the teams combined for 18 fouls. Janakouskas led Lander with four shots while Matthew Atkinson collected five saves in goal. “The win feels good especially after the loss on Saturday to Lander,” said UNCP head coach Phil Hindson. “The guys deserve the win because they played hard and fought for the victory.”

The Braves head to Evans, Ga., to finish out the PBC Tournament as they face Montevallo (11-3-4) in the The Braves rushed the Lander goal in the early semifinals on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The winners of both minutes of the first half but fell victim to a strategic Friday contests will meet in Sunday’s championship Bearcat offense. Sophomore Brett Jankouskas started game at 3:30 p.m. the momentum for the Bearcats in the fifth minute as Box Score he knocked in the first goal of the game. Jankouskas lined up for the free kick slightly in front of the box, but the ball ricocheted off the UNCP’s defenders until PBC Quarterfinal: Falcons Soar Past he rebounded the block shot and sent the ball soaring Patriots in PBC Tournament, 2-0 (11/1/11)MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of through the center of the net. Montevallo men’s soccer team (11-3-4) took control of possession early in its Peach Belt Conference TournaUNCP strikers Hoek, Adam Smith and Sam Miles ment First Round match against Francis Marion Unicontinued the push on Lander’s goal as the Braves versity (4-13-1) and never looked back as the Falcons registered four shots at the half while Lander tallied won 2-0 while dominating possession and out-shootthree. The match proved to be an aggressive battle from the starting whistle as teams collected nine fouls ing the Patriots 22-2. along with a yellow card on Clement Dauchy with four Sophomore goalkeeper Brendan Ledgeway (York, seconds remaining in the first half. England/All Saints) picked up his 10th shutout of the season without having to make a save. Goalkeeper Ryan Hanson played tactical defense as 44

Men’s Soccer

Despite the dominance of possession the Falcons found goals hard to come by as they were held scoreless in the first half. UM out-shot the Patriots 7-1 in the first period but came away empty.

Tournament at Blanchard Woods Park. Flagler will face second-seeded Montevallo, a 1-0 winner over sixth-seeded UNC Pembroke, at 3:30 p.m. Sunday in the championship game at Blanchard Woods Park. The tournament champion earns an automatic berth into the national championship tournament.

Just under 22 minutes into the second half the Falcons persistence paid off as freshman Giuliano Frano (Mississauga, Ontario/St. Marcellinus) used a perfectly placed pass to put junior Shane Howard (County Carlow, Ireland/Old Dominion University) behind the Flagler improves to 14-3-2 overall, while Clayton State FMU defense. Howard delivered with a strike off the drops to 10-8. post and past the FMU keeper to give UM a 1-0 lead. Kevin Keenan gave Flagler a 1-0 lead at 17:22 when Just 13 minutes later Frano again used a perfect pace he nailed a penalty kick to the upper left corner. to put classmate Alex Morton (Hoover, Ala./Hoover) behind the FMU defense. Morton dribbled the ball to Clayton State came back and tied the game at 1-1 the middle of the box and beat the keeper to give UM when Ryan Pugh headed in a deflected free kick at a 2-0 lead. 42:51. Janny Rivera was credited with the assist. Frano had a tremendous game using his speed to beat defenders and his passing skills to free up teammates. He led the team with nine shots including four on goal. Howard and junior Mike Rinzema (Brampton, Ontario/Humber College) each had three shots with one on goal. UM out-shot the Patriots 15-1 in the second half. The Falcons will now travel to Evans, Georgia for the PBC Tournament Semifinals where they will battle No. 6 seed UNC Pembroke who upset the No. 3 seed Lander 2-1 on the road. The Braves gave the Falcons a tough match in their only meeting this season as both teams scored one goal in a double-overtime tie. Box Score

The Lakers took their first lead of the game at 52:21 when Matty Phillips found the back of the net on an assist from Pugh. Flagler’s Joseph Toby tied the game at 2-all at 75:14 when he headed in his own missed shot. Padilla’s game winner came at 92:16 on an assist from Pol Berenguer. Box Score

PBC Tournament: Montevallo Advances to Title Game 1-0

(11/4/11) EVANS, Ga. – For the second-straight season the University of Montevallo men’s soccer team (12-3-4) will take on Flagler College (14-3-2) in the Peach Belt Conference Championship. The Falcons advanced to the title match with a 1-0 victory over UNC Pembroke (11-5-2) in the Semifinal Round.

PBC Semifinal: Flagler Escapes Clayton State 3-2 in Overtime

(11/4/11) EVANS, Ga. – Flagler’s Marco Padilla scored the golden goal in the 92nd minute Friday night to lead the top-seeded Saints to a 3-2 overtime victory over fifth-seeded Clayton State in the semifinal round of the Peach Belt Conference Men’s Soccer

UM’s lone goal came off a penalty kick in the 47th minute of action from senior Phil Jackson (Lincoln45

shire, England/Queen Elizabeth’s). The tally was Jack- Howard led the Falcons with five shots including three son’s fourth game-winner of the season and second in on goal while Sean Hoek led the Braves with four the past three matches. shots and two on goal. The match was a very physical affair with 28 total fouls called including the infraction that led to the penalty kick. UNCP looked to be in control in the first half as they held the Falcons without a shot while taking three of their own. First Team All-Conference performer Brendan Ledgeway (York, England/All Saints) made one save in the first period and four more in the second to pick up his 11th shutout of the season and drop his goals against average to a staggering 0.63.

The Falcons will return to action this Sunday at 3:30 (EST) as they take on the No.1 seed Flagler College in the PBC Championship match. The two teams tied during the regular season and UM bested the Saints last season in the Championship match. Box Score

Flagler Rallies to Claim PBC Men’s Soccer Tournament Title

The second half began with a flash as UM immediately put the pressure on the Pembroke defense. Just over a minute into the period junior Shane Howard (County Carlow, Ireland/Old Dominion University) broke into the box for a point blank shot that was saved by UNCP goalkeeper Ryan Hanson. The rebound came loose and Howard went for the ball but was speared by Hanson which caused the Braves to be called for a foul. Jackson stepped up to the penalty spot and buried the ball into the corner to give UM the 1-0 advantage. The Falcons and Braves would battle back-and-forth the rest of the way as both teams took nine shots a piece. UM would have a few more scoring chances as senior Tyson Eyo (Liverpool, England/Florida Tech) clanked a ball off the post and freshman Alex Morton (Hoover, Ala./Hoover) sailed a ball over the crossbar from point blank range.

(11/6/11) EVANS, GA – After reaching the PBC Tournament title game twice in the past two years and not coming away with the crown, the top-seeded Flagler Saints made the third time the charm as they rallied to beat second-seeded Montevallo 3-1 for their first tournament championship. The Saints, who improve to 15-3-2 overall with the win, were down 1-0 at halftime to the Falcons, but scored three second-half goals, two from Will Fransden, to win. Montevallo falls to 12-4-4 with the loss, the Falcons were the defending tournament champions after beating Flagler last year. With daylight turning to dusk at Blanchard Woods Park, Montevallo went on the attack early but left themselves open to counterattack and were outshot 4-1 in the opening 20 minutes of the game. That changed with a corner kick 30:25 into play as Ricky Davey headed the corner attempt from Phil Jackson 2011 PBC Men’s Soccer Champions Flagler College Saints

Men’s Soccer

PBC All-Tournament Team

Chris Bishop, North Georgia Brett Jankouskas, Lander Troy Watson, USC Aiken Adrian Williams, Francis Marion Stuart Rodgers, UNC Pembroke Shawn Hoek, UNC Pembroke Chris Klute, Clayton State Janny Rivera, Clayton State Brendan Ledgeway, Montevallo Guiliano Frano, Montevallo Tyson Eyo, Montevallo Johan Bergfeld, Flagler Joseph Toby, Flagler Will Frandsen, Flagler

into the crossbar. Guliano Frano was there for the rebound and buried it into the net for a 1-0 lead.

NCAA Tournament: Falcons Fall in NCAA Opening Round, 3-0

(11/89/11) MARS HILL, N.C. – The University of Montevallo men’s soccer team’s (12-5-4) season came to an end in the Opening Round of the NCAA Tournament. The Falcons fell on the road to Mars Hill College (12-5-1), 3-0. UM gave up a pair of first half goals and were never able to recover as the Lions’ defense held strong. The Falcons took nine shots on goal which was one more then the Lions but they were unable to get any past the MHC keeper who had eight saves on the night.

That lead would hold up for the rest of the half as Flagler had problems maintaining possession, but were still able to take shots, outshooting the Falcons 6-8 in the Stephen Bivens got the scoring started for MHC in the first half. 19th minute as Alex Mullen fed Bivens the ball in the box where Bivens was able to beat the UM keeper for Both teams had opthe early lead. Bivens added another first half goal at Tournament MVP portunities to begin the 31:13 mark when he scored off a rebound sent in Pol Berenguer, Flagler the second half as a again by Mullen. Mars Hill outshot Montevallo, 11-6 header from Flagler’s in the opening frame. Six of the Lions’ shots were on Joseph Toby sailed high, followed minutes later by a goal. The Falcons edged the Lions in corner kicks in pair of Falcon shots; one that went wide and another the first half, 4-1. saved by Saints keeper Camp Bissel. Flagler tied the game at the 55:36 mark as Joseph Toby found himself inside the 18-yard-box with all kinds of space and sent a perfect ball to Will Fransden, who headed it home. Flagler struck again 12 minutes later as Fransden did the honors again, this time with his feet. Johan Bergfeld broke free on the right side, sent a ball into Toby who flicked it with his chest over to Fransden.

Brandon Tardioli recorded an insurance goal at the 87:38 mark to make the final tally, 3-0 in favor of the Lions. Tardioli found the back of the net from nine yards out on a pass from Giovanni Malnati. MHC outshot the Falcons, 18-16. Montevallo had eight more corner kicks (9-1) than the Lions. The Falcons were led in shots by a trio of players including senior Tyson Eyo (Liverpool, England/Florida Tech), junior Shane Howard (County Carlow, Ireland/ Old Dominion University) and freshman Giuliano Frano (Mississauga, Ontario/St. Marcellinus) who all had four shots. Eyo led in shots on goal with four.

Montevallo was further hampered by foul trouble as midfielder Ricky Davey picked up his second yellow card of the game at the 72:17 mark, forcing Montevallo to play with only 10. Flagler struck for the third time just 13 seconds later as Pol Berenguer headed a Sophomore goalkeeper Brendan Ledgeway (York, Engfree kick from Kevin Keenan just under the crossbar. land/All Saints) made five saves in the loss. Falcon players played the ball out, but officials ruled that it had crossed the line for a 3-1 lead. The loss ends the Falcons season and the program will bid farewell to three seniors including Eyo, Phil Montevallo pulled out all the stops in the last 20 min- Jackson (Lincolnshire, England/Queen Elizabeth’s) utes, but were unable to come away with the win. UM and Vance Curro (Hoover, Ala./Spain Park). took nine corners to Flagler’s seven but were outshot Box Score by the Saints 15-13. UM collected seven yellow cards in the physical game with three more handed to Flagler. Box Score

NCAA TOURNAMENT: Flagler’s Padilla scores in OT; Flagler defeats LeesMcRae 2-1

(11/11/11) HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Marco Padilla is Flagler College’s “Mr. November” as he scored his second overtime goal in a week as No. 10 (NSCAA Division II Top 25) Flagler College advances to the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional final with a 2-1 doubleovertime win over Lees-McRae College Friday evening at the Coker Soccer Field. Flagler will play the winner of Mars Hill and Coker at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Flagler out-shot Lees-McRae 16-10 and held a 9-4 advantage in shots on goal. The Saints also held a 9-6 edge in corner kicks. Flagler avenged its loss at Lees-McRae, a 2-1 set-back on Sept. 3 at Banner Elk. The win today is Flagler’s first NCAA Tournament win. The Saints had lost its previous two matches. Box Score

NCAA Tournament: Flagler Rolls to Elite Eight with 3-0 Win

(11/13/11) HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Mack Hough’s goal in the third Flagler, the No. 2 seed in the regional, breaks the school record with its 12th consecutive match without minute proved to be all the offense No. 10 (NSCAA a loss (11-0-1) and improved to 16-3-2. Lees-McRae, Division II Top 25) Flagler College needed in a 3-0 win over Mars Hill College in the NCAA Division II Souththe No. 6-seed, ended its season at 16-6-1. east Regional men’s soccer final Sunday afternoon at the Coker Soccer Field. Padilla’s heroics first came a week ago when he scored the golden goal in the 93rd minute in the Flagler will take on the winner of the South Regional Peach Belt Conference Tournament semifinal match between Barry University and Lynn University in a against Clayton State University. national quarterfinal on either Saturday or Sunday at a site and time to be determined. This evening, he one-touched a ball from Will Frandsen (Orange Park, Fla., Orange Park HS) into the back Flagler extended its unbeaten streak to 13 matches, of the net, just 16 seconds into the second overtime the longest in the program’s history. The Saints imperiod, for the victory. proved to 17-3-2 and tied a school record for wins in The Saints got on the board first, just before halftime. a season in the modern era. Flagler won 17 matches back in 2002. Mars Hill ends its season with a 13-6-1 Branden Langenberg (Jacksonville, Fla., Providence School) scored his first collegiate goal when he blast- record. ed a shot, from inside the 18 in the 44th minute, to Hough tapped in a re-directed pass from Pol Berengive Flagler a 1-0 lead. guer for his 11th goal of the season. James Smith, who scored the equalizer in the two In the 22nd minute, Joseph Toby scored his teams match earlier in the year, did so again early in 11th goal of the the second half. He knocked in a free kick in the 54th season when his minute to tie the score 1-all. diving header, off a Berenguer pass, Camp Bissell (Orlando, Fla., Timber Creek HS) came found the back of the up big in goal for the Saints with three saves following net. the goal to keep the game knotted up. His counterpart, Thomas Rusling, made a pair of saves in the last The Saints nearly took a 3-0 10 minutes of regulation to also keep the match tied. lead when Zach Shanahan’s shot in the 37th minute hit The only shot in the first overtime session was the post. a header by Lees-McRae’s Scott Alford, but was wide of the goal. The score would remain 2-0 in favor of the Saints at the half. Bissell finished the match with three saves for the Saints while Rusling recorded seven for the Shanahan would get Bobcats. Flagler’s Johan Bergfeld 48

Men’s Soccer

Players of the Week September 7, 2011: Player Defender Goalkeeper Mack Hough Chris Klute Brian Garcia Flagler Clayton State Clayton State September 13, 2011: Player Defender Goalkeeper Joseph Toby Mike RInzema Joe Cullip Flagler Montevallo UNC Pembroke September 20, 2011: Player Defender Goalkeeper Chris Hobbs Zachry Samples Camp Bissell Lander North Georgia Flagler September 27, 2011: Player Defender Goalkeeper Phil Jackson Dan Reid Camp Bissell Montevallo Flagler Flagler October 4, 2011: Player Defender Goalkeeper Kenny Mena Matthew Osmond BrendanLedgeway Clayton State Lander Montevallo

vantage in shots on frame. Each team took six corner kicks. Box Score

NCAA Tournament: Flagler Falls to Lynn in Shootout in NCAA Quarterfinal (11/19/11) ST. AUGUSTINE – Martin Wehlert’s converted the fourth penalty kick sent No. 20 (NSCAA Division II Top 25) Lynn University to the NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Tournament Semifinals on Dec. 1 at Pensacola, Fla. Lynn and No. 10 Flagler played to a 1-1 double overtime draw, but Lynn held the advantage in corner kicks 4-2 in a national quarterfinal match Saturday night at Saints Field. Lynn moves to 13-4-3 overall while Flagler ends its season at 17-3-3. Lynn will take on No. 2 Franklin Pierce University of Rindge, N.H., in a national semifinal. Franklin Pierce defeated Southern New Hampshire University 1-0 this evening.

In the shootout round, leading scorer Harald Gracholski’a shot was saved by goalkeeper Camp BisOctober 11, 2011: sell. Flagler’s Will Frandsen converted on his attempt Player Defender Goalkeeper to give the edge to the Saints. Julian Halder stepped Johan Bergfeld Gary O’Neill BrendanLedgeway up and put the ball into the back of the net on the secFlagler Montevallo Montevallo ond attempt for the Fighting Knights. Kevin Keenan’s shot went high to put the shootout square a 1-all. October 18, 2011: Player Sam Miles UNC Pembroke

Defender Adrian Williams Francis Marion

Goalkeeper Ryan Hanson UNC Pembroke

October 25, 2011: Player Defender Goalkeeper Joseph Toby Michael Davis Ryan Hanson Flagler UNC Pembroke UNC Pembroke November 1, 2011: Player Manuel Hernandez North Georgia

Defender Stuart Rodgers UNC Pembroke

Goalkeeper BrendanLedgeway Montevallo

redemption in the waning seconds of the match when he scored on a breakaway with just 22 second left. Flagler played the last 19 minutes of the match with a man-advantage due to a Mars Hill player receiving a straight red card.

Sam Shorrocks scored on the third attempt by Lynn and then Pol Berenguer’s shot went high for Flagler. With Lynn leading 2-1, Johnny Mertl found the back of the net forcing a Flagler conversion. Zach Shanahan scored to keep Flagler’s hopes alive. But that is when Wehlert found the bottom right corner to end the shootout. Gracholski got Lynn on the board first when he took a cross from Stefan Wolf in the middle of the penalty box and booted the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal in the 4th minute. Frandsen scored the equalizer in the 53rd minute off a Berenguer cross.

Both keepers were excellent with DiCerbo recording Camp Bissell recorded his ninth shutout of the season five saves and Bissell a season-high 14 saves. Bissell made several spectacular saves late in the match to and recorded three saves. Zac Scott was active bepreserve the tie. Lynn out-shot Flagler 27-17, including tween the pipes for the Lions as he made 15 saves. Flagler out-shot Mars Hill 21-6, including an 18-3 ad- 15-6 on goal. Both teams took six corner kicks apiece. Box Score 49

Award Winners Capital One Academic All-America First Team Johan Bergfeld, Flagler Capital One Academic All-America Third Team Alex Antonescu, UNC Pembroke Capital One Academic All-District Team Scott Berry, USC Aiken Paul Freeman, UNC Pembroke Dan Reid, Flagler Ethan Vick, Georgia Southwestern NSCAA Scholar All-America Second Team Johan Bergfeld, Flagler NSCAA Scholar All-Region Second Team Jesy Phelps, North Georgia NSCAA Scholar All-Region Hon. Mention Milorad Bozickovic, North Georgia Jesus Cruz, Francis Marion Gray Phelps, North Georgia Ethan Vick, Georgia Southwestern Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Team Alex Antonescu, UNC Pembroke Chinedu Arinze, USC Aiken Stephen Beatty, Montevallo Johan Bergfeld, Flagler Scott Berry, USC Aiken Daniel Bougt, UNC Pembroke Chuy Cruz, Francis Marion Vance Curro, Montevallo Paul Freeman, UNC Pembroke Kevin Huet, Georgia Southwestern Cade Jones, Georgia Southwestern Brett Luccia, UNC Pembroke Gray Phelps, North Georgia Jesy Phelps, North Georgia Michael Poole, USC Aiken Dan Reid, Flagler Jack Reynolds, USC Aiken James Romaniw, Georgia Southwestern Kofi Trim, USC Aiken Jackson Tolleson, Montevallo Ethan Vick, Georgia Southwestern Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Honorable Mention Schevon Joseph, USC Aiken Ryuhei Nose, Montevallo

NSCAA All-Southeast Region First Team Pol Berenguer, Flagler Chris Klute, Clayton State Janny Rivera, Clayton State Johan Bergfeld, Flagler Kevin Keenan, Flagler Joseph Toby, Flagler Chris Klute, Clayton State NSCAA All-Southeast Region Second Team Daktronics All-Southeast Region Second Brendan Ledgeway, Montevallo Team Tyson Eyo, Montevallo Sam Miles, UNC Pembroke Sam Miles, UNC Pembroke Mack Hough, Flagler NSCAA All-Southeast Region Third Team Chinedu Arinze, USC Aiken Clement Simonin, Lander PBC All-Conference First Team Matthew Phillips, Clayton State Chinedu Arinze, USC Aiken NSCAA Southeast Region Coach of the Year Johan Bergfeld, Flagler John Lynch, Flagler Alex Blandin, Francis Marion Daktronics All-America First Team Mack Hough, Flagler Joseph Toby, Flagler Kevin Keenan, Flagler Daktronics All-America Second Team Chris Klute, Clayton State Johan Bergfeld, Flagler Brendan Ledgeway, Montevallo Daktronics All-Southeast Region First Team Sam Miles, UNC Pembroke

Flaglerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bergfeld, UNCPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Antonescu Named Academic All-Americans

Flagler senior midfielder Johan Bergfeld and UNC Pembroke sophomore midfielder Alex Antonescu were named Capitol One/CoSIDA Academic All-Americans on Monday. The two players become only the second and third men's soccer players in PBC history to be named to the team and the first since USC Aiken's Plamen Peev in 2004. Bergfeld was named a first-team Academic All-American, the first in PBC history, while Antonescu was named to the third team. The award is largely recognized as the highest individual honor a studentathlete can receive. Bergfeld was named the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year and earned first-team all-conference honors as well being selected to Academic All-District and Academic All-Conference teams. He has started in all 22 matches this season and has scored six goals, with four being game-winners, to go along with five assists for 17 points. In the classroom, the native of Akers Styckebruk, Sweden, is studying business at Flagler with a 3.96 cumulative GPA. Antonescu held the second-highest grade point average among the individuals honored on the PBC All-Academic team with a cumulative 3.97 GPA. The exercise and sports science major played in 17 games with 12 starts to combine for 853 minutes on the field. He registered his first goal of the season in the shutout victory over Brevard before tallying his second goal and first assist of the season in the win over Barton. The midfielder has taken 18 shots, seven of which (.389) were on goal. Last season, the Charlotte native, garnered a spot on the Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll. 50

Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Soccer

Matty Phillips, Clayton State Janny Rivera, Clayton State Clement Simonin, Lander Joseph Toby, Flagler Adrian Williams, Francis Marion PBC All-Conference Second Team Shane Howard, Montevallo Tyson Eyo, Montevallo Will Frandsen, Flagler Shane McKay, Georgia Southwestern Jesy Phelps, North Georgia Chevy Augustine, USC Aiken Mike Davis, UNC Pembroke Gary Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill, Montevallo Mike Rinzema, Montevallo Ryan Hanson, UNC Pembroke Rade Tanaskovic, North Georgia PBC Player of the Year Johan Bergfeld, Flagler

PBC Freshman of the Year Sam Miles, UNC Pembroke

PBC Coach of the Year John Lynch, Flagler

(l-r) Bergfeld, Lynch and Miles

Statistics Points

Individual

Joseph Toby, Flagler Sam Miles, UNC Pembroke Mack Hough, Flagler Brett Jankouskas, Lander Kenny Mena, Clayton State Alex Blandin, Francis Marion Pol Berenguer, Flagler Chris Hobbs, Lander Ryan Pugh, Clayton State Shane Howard, Montevallo

30 29 24 21 20 19 19 19 19 18

S am Miles, UNC Pembroke Joseph Toby, Flagler Mack Hough, Flagler Brett Jankouskas, Lander Alex Blandin, Francis Marion Chris Hobbs, Lander Kenny Mena, Clayton State Shane Howard, Montevallo Ryan Pugh, Clayton State Manuel Hernandez, North Georgia

12 11 11 10 9 9 8 8 8 7

Pol Berenguer, Flagler Joseph Toby, Flagler Matty Phillips, Clayton State Zach Acree, Lander Sam Miles, UNC Pembroke Matthew Osmond, Lander Shaun Herselman, UNC Pembroke

11 8 6 5 5 5 5

Goals

Assists

Phil Jackson, Montevallo Adam Smith, UNC Pembroke Johan Bergfeld, Flagler

Goals-against average B rendanLedgeway, Montevallo Ryan Hanson, UNC Pembroke Camp Bissell, Flagler Brian Garcia, Clayton State Matthew Atkinson, Lander Scott Playle, Lander Rade Tanaskovic, North Georgia Cade Jones, Ga. Southwestern Rober Bolender, USC Aiken Garret Blamire, Ga. Southwestern

Save Percentage

Camp Bissell, Flagler Brendan Ledgeway, Montevallo Ryan Hanson, UNC Pembroke Scott Playle, Lander Brian Garcia, Clayton State Rade Tanaskovic, North Georgia Matthew Atkinson, Lander Robert Bolender, USC Aiken Cade Jones, Ga. Southwestern Nick Lucido, Francis Marion

5 5 5

Team

Goals per game

Flagler 2.57 UNC Pembroke 2.39 Lander 2.06 Clayton State 1.83 Montevallo 1.71 North Georgia 1.59 Francis Marion 0.89 USC Aiken 0.88 Georgia Southwestern 0.88

0.85 0.86 0.91 1.17 1.45 1.48 1.57 1.95 Team Goals-Against Average 1.95 UNC Pembroke 0.80 2.17 Flagler 0.92 Montevallo 0.94 .811 Clayton State 1.28 .798 North Georgia 1.45 .797 Lander 1.47 .746 Georgia Southwestern 2.05 .736 USC Aiken 2.29 .722 Francis Marion 2.30 .711 Shutout Percentage .682 Montevallo 0.52 .661 Flagler 0.48 .651 UNC Pembroke 0.39 Lander 0.24 Clayton State 0.22 North Georgia 0.18 Francis Marion 0.17 Georgia Southwestern 0.13 USC Aiken 0.06

Women’s Soccer PBC Quarterfinal: Pirates Survive, Advance With 1-0 Win

Conference Pts GP Record Win % 1. Armstrong 28 10 9-0-1 0.950 2. North Georgia 25 10 8-1-1 0.850 3. Columbus State 22 10 7-2-1 0.750 4. Lander 16 10 5-4-1 0.550 5. Flagler 16 10 5-4-1 0.550 6. UNC Pembroke 14 10 4-4-2 0.500 7. Clayton State 14 10 4-4-2 0.500 8. Georgia College 12 10 4-6 0.400 9. Montevallo 10 10 3-6-1 0.350 10. USC Aiken 3 10 1-9 0.100 11. Ga. Southwestern 0 10 0-10 0.000

(11/1/11) SAVANNAH, Ga. Junior Kristina Pascutti took advantage of a misplay by the Georgia College defense, scoring the match’s only goal as the top-seeded and No. 19-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University soccer squad knocked off the eighth-seeded Bobcats, 1-0, to advance to the 2011 Peach Belt Conference tournament semifinals.

Final Standings Overall GP Record 24 18-3-3 20 16-3-1 23 16-4-3 19 13-5-1 18 9-8-1 18 9-6-3 18 9-7-2 19 5-14 18 6-11-1 16 4-12 18 3-15

Win % 0.812 0.825 0.761 0.711 0.528 0.583 0.556 0.263 0.361 0.250 0.167

Last 10 7-1-2 6-3-1 8-1-1 6-4 3-6-1 4-4-2 6-2-2 2-8 4-5-1 1-9 0-10

GC defender, although the ball appeared to cross the goal line. Play continued and the Bobcats were able to head into halftime with the match still tied 0-0.

The Pirates (13-2-3) have now advanced to the PBC Semifinals in all seven seasons that Armstrong has sponsored the sport, the longest such streak in league history. Georgia College’s season ends at 5-14, suffering its 11th loss this season by just one goal. The match was eerily similar to the regular season meeting between the two teams on Oct. 19, also a 1-0 win by the Pirates. Armstrong outshot the Bobcats, 15-2, in the first half, and had a golden chance late in the first half as freshman Brianne Matarazzo’s shot from the right was cleared off the line by a

In the second half, each team had clear scoring chances early in an attempt to break the draw. Andye Dawson’s shot from the right side was pushed aside by the Bobcats’ Taylor Cornelius in the 53rd minute, while Georgia College’s Brittaney Borror’s rocket shot in the 65th minute forced Armstrong keeper Meghan Mayville to make a one-handed push save over the bar. Armstrong finally got on the board in the 74th minute when a misplay by the Georgia College back line resulted in a one-on-one chance for Pascutti against Cornelius. Pascutti dribbled the ball to the left, got Cornelius to commit, then poked the ball past for her 12th goal of the season. Georgia College’s Tatum O’Keefe had a pair of shots in the last six minutes for the Bobcats, trying to equalize, forcing one save by Mayville in the 85th minute and missing wide right off of a free kick in the 88th minute. “Nothing’s easy in the postseason, and we knew it was going to be a tough game,” Armstrong head coach Eric Faulconer said. “It was a very tough game when we were over there [two weeks] ago. We just have to finish a little bit better. We created a lot of chances in the first half, but Kristina Pascutti did what she’s been doing all year long, getting us big goals and hers today gave us the opportunity to get into the next round.”

Armstrong’s Nadima Skeff 52

Women’s Soccer

The Pirates finished the match by outshooting the Bobcats, 25-7, while Cornelius made a tremendous 14 saves in net for Georgia College and Mayville made four saves in net for the Pirates. Armstrong held an 8-2 edge in corner kicks while the Pirates were whistled for seven fouls, compared to four for the Bobcats. Each team was whistled offsides twice. Box Score

PBC Quarterfinal: Columbus State Defeats UNC Pembroke 1-0, Advances

able to break through in the 18th minute of action. Jaci Carthers played a ball to Stephanie Lowery, who got the ball on her right foot and fired a perfect shot from 25 yards out that was just out of the reach of the leaping Brittney Bennett. That would prove to be all that Columbus State needed as they limited the Lady Braves to just four shots only one of which was on target.

The Lady Cougars came out firing in the second half taking five shots in the first six minutes. Kiana Nich(11/1/11) Columbus – The third-seeded Columbus State women’s soccer team took down UNC Pembroke olson had the best look hitting a left-footed ball just wide of the far right post. Josefin de Broen, Kelsey by a score of 1-0 Tuesday afternoon in a Peach Belt Conference Tournament Quarterfinals matchup at the Pelletier and Lowery also put dangerous balls into the box but a teammate was unable to get on the other Walden Soccer Complex. CSU improves to 14-3-2 on end of it. the year and advances to take on North Georgia, the No. 2 seed, after their 4-0 win versus Clayton State. Mary Mancin picked up the win between the pipes UNC Pembroke ends its season at 9-6-3. upping her mark to 14-3-2 making the one save she needed to. Britney Bennett suffered the loss falling to “I am very proud of the way our team played today to advance in the PBC Tournament,” said head coach Jay 8-5-3 despite making 10 saves in the match. Entlich. “At this point in the season, every game can end your season which our young team is realizing. “We just need to bring our energy and play a full 90 minutes every game and let the rest play out.”

Columbus State outshot UNCP 21-4 and held a 9-1 edge in corner kicks in the contest. CSU improves to 9-2-1 all-time and 4-0 in PBC Tournament matchups versus the Lady Braves. Box Score

Both teams eased into the flow of the game through the early minutes of the match before CSU was finally

PBC Quarterfinal: Lander Women’s Soccer Downs Flagler, Advances

#1 Armstrong Armstrong 1-0 #8 Georgia College

Armstrong 3-2 (ot)

#4 Lander Lander 1-0 #5 Flagler

Armstrong 1-0

#3 Columbus St. Columbus St. 1-0 #6 UNCP Columbus St. 3-0

#2 N. Georgia N. Georgia 4-0 #7 Clayton St.

(11/1/11) GREENWOOD – Jamie Shaw headed in a corner kick in the 75th minute Tuesday afternoon to lead fourth-seeded Lander to a 1-0 victory over fifthseeded Flagler in the quarterfinal round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament at the Jeff May Complex. Lander now advances to Friday’s semifinals where the Lady Bearcats will be face either No. 1 Armstrong Atlantic or No. 8 Georgia College at 5 p.m., Friday Nov. 4 at Blanchard Woods Park in Evans, Ga. The champion-

ship game is scheduled for 1 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 6 at Blanchard Woods Park. With the win, Lander improves to 13-4-1 and ties the school record for wins in a season. The shutout is Lander’s 11th of the season, which is a new school record. Shaw scored the winning goal off a corner kick by Sarah Piechocki at 75:44. Lander outshot Flagler, 13-3, and led in corner kicks, 8-3. Flagler goalkeeper Cristina Coca had five saves and Lander’s Chelsea Beetch recorded one. Box Score

PBC Quarterfinal: Lady Saints Blast Clayton State 4-0 in PBC Tournament Opener

(11/1/11) DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The 2nd-seeded and 13th-ranked North Georgia women’s soccer team picked up just their second postseason win in school history on Tuesday evening, using a trio of first-half goals on their way to a 4-0 victory over Clayton State in the opening round of the PBC Tournament. It was a milestone win for the Lady Saints (15-1-1), who set a school record for wins in a season and advance to the PBC Tournament Final Four for the second consecutive season.

Dover continued to add to her stellar season, scoring a goal in each half to run her total to 16 for the year, a mark that continues to lead the Peach Belt Conference as the Canton, Georgia, native extends her school record with every goal she records. Kirsten Ross was perfect in goal once again for North Georgia, playing 73 minutes and not allowing a goal while tallying four saves in the win. Alex Dunlap came on in relief and was not tested over the final 17 minutes. Laoise O’Driscoll suffered the loss for the Lakers in goal, giving up all four North Georgia goals and adding three saves in 65 minutes of action. The Lady Saints held a 15-5 advantage in shots, and tallied four corner kicks to just a pair for Clayton State. The Lakers end the 2011 season at 9-7-2, with two of those losses coming to North Georgia. Box Score

PBC Semifinal: Armstrong Rallies to Beat Lander 3-2 in Overtime

(11/4/11) EVANS, Ga. - Junior forward Nadima Skeff netted the “golden goal” in overtime to send the No. 19-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University women’s soccer squad to a 3-2 victory over Lander in the 2011 Peach Belt Conference tournament semifinals and a berth in the championship match on Sunday. The top-seeded Pirates (14-2-3) will now face thirdseeded Columbus State - four-time PBC tournament champions - in the championship at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday at Blanchard Woods Park. Columbus State advanced to the finals with a 3-0 win over No. 13 North Georgia on Friday. Fourth-seeded Lander (13-5-1) sees its season come to a close with the loss.

North Georgia will now have a showdown with 3rdseeded Columbus State in the semifinals after the Cougars defeated UNC Pembroke 1-0 in the opening Tuesday afternoon. Columbus State handed the Lady Saints their only loss of the 2011 season and snatched the 2010 PBC Tournament Championship from North Georgia with a 4-2 victory in the title game. Armstrong had to battle back from an early deficit as the Bearcats scored twice in a two-minute span midway through the first half. Lander’s Christina BarThe senior duo of Natalie Douglass and Emily Dover paced the North Georgia scoring attack, as two goals bour chipped the ball over the head of Pirate keeper Meghan Mayville in the 25th minute, then two minfrom both players propelled the Lady Saints to a 4-0 utes later, Kimberly Kesler’s shot from 10 yards out victory. beat Mayville for a 2-0 lead. It was only the third time this season that the Pirates have stared down a twoNatalie Douglass’ strike in the 26th minute was the goal deficit, and the first time since September 14. game-winner, but the Lawrenceville, Georgia, native was not done there, as she added another score in the 42nd minute off a corner for her fourth goal of the The Pirates started the comeback late in the second half. Senior Kelli Bahr rammed home a rebound off of season. 54

Women’s Soccer

an Erin O’Rourke shot in the 44th minute to make the 2 on the season while the Lady Saints fall to 15-2-1. score 2-1, then the Pirates capitalized on an own goal by the Bearcats with just four seconds before halftime North Georgia got off to a quick start playing in the that equalized things at 2-2. Columbus State defensive third but the Lady Cougars quickly got it together and got on the offensive. In the In overtime, each team had one shot, testing the seventh minute, Jackie Ellis played a ball to Stephanie other’s goalkeeper. Danielle Fey’s shot in the 95th Lowery who took a shot just outside the penalty box minute was stopped by Lander keeper Chelsea which deflected off a Lady Saint and into the goal for Beetch, while Lander’s Christina Barbour was stopped an early 1-0 lead. by Mayville in the 96th minute. Only 65 seconds away from a second overtime period, Skeff delivered a CSU extended their lead less than three minutes later shot from 15 yards out that beat Beetch and sent the when Kelsey Pelletier beat her defender up the right Pirates into the finals. wing and served a ball low into the box which Ellis one-timed to make a 2-0 contest. “What a tremendous battle between two great teams,” Armstrong head coach Eric Faulconer said. The Lady Cougars came out of the break continuing “Lander dominated the game in the first half and we with their attacking mentality and had several opquickly found ourselves down 2-0. We made mass portunities to widen their lead. Ellis nearly got on the substitutions midway through the half and the players end of another goal identical to her first, this time it off the bench brought tremendous energy and pulled was Kiana Nicholson who played it across but it was the game even before halftime. re-directed just wide of the net. The senior also nearly put away a header in the second half as well. “Skeff’s game-winner was a moment of brilliance. She is a special player and that goal will go down as one of Ashley Miller finally put the game away in the 63rd the best in the history of our program. This team is so minute when she was able to chip the NG goalkeeper resilient. They have been battle tested and that is why for her third goal of the season. we play the schedule we do. They have seen it all year and I think that experience paid off tonight.” With the win, Mary Mancin improved to 15-3-2 on the season posting her ninth shutout of the season. Armstrong outshot the Bearcats, 17-7, for the match, Mancin kept the blank sheet by making six saves in while Beetch made 10 saves for Lander and Mayville the contest. Kirsten Ross played the full 90 minutes came up with five stops for the Pirates. Armstrong for North Georgia allowing three goals while registerenjoyed a 7-3 edge in corner kicks, while Lander was ing two saves. whistled for 15 fouls, compared to 11 for the Pirates. The Lady Cougars outshot North Georgia 16-11 in the The matchup on Sunday features the previous five match firing eight shots in each half. CSU also held a Peach Belt Conference tournament winners, and pits (l-R) Columbus State’s Jackie Ellis, Kiana Nicholson, the Pirates and the Cougars in the final for the third Ashton Ziadie & Kansas Bayly time in tournament history. In 2006, the Cougars won the title on penalty kicks, 4-2, after a 1-1 draw. In 2007, Columbus State netted the winner in overtime for a 2-1 victory. Box Score

PBC Semifinal: Columbus State Downs North Georgia 3-0

(11/4/11) Evans, GA – The Columbus State women’s soccer team had a dominating performance in the Peach Belt Conference semifinals and defeated 13th ranked North Georgia 3-0 Friday evening at Blanchard Woods Park in Evans, Georgia. CSU improves to 15-355

slight 8-6 edge in corner kicks. Columbus State will now take on Armstrong Atlantic State University on Sunday, November 6 in the PBC Tournament Finals after they defeated Lander 3-2 in overtime in their semifinal contest. The winner of the match will claim the conference’s automatic bid into the NCAA Division II Tournament. CSU will be looking to win their fifth PBC Tournament championship in the past six years Box Score

Pirates Win PBC Tournament Title, 1-0, On Skeff’s Late Tally (11/6/11) EVANS, Ga. - Junior Nadima Skeff’s goal with 12 seconds left propelled the No. 19-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University women’s soccer team to a 1-0 Peach Belt Conference tournament championship victory over Columbus State on Sunday afternoon at Blanchard Woods Park in Evans, Ga.

Skeff’s goal capped a frenetic final two minutes of action that began with a corner kick for Armstrong (15-2-3), spanned to the other end of the field, then proceeded back to the other end where a long ball bounced twice, then found the PBC Tournament MVP between two defenders at the top of the box. Skeff dribbled into the box, pulled Columbus State (15-4-2) keeper Mary Mancin offher line, then slotted the ball inside the right post for her second straight match-winning tally. On Friday, Skeff put the Pirates into the final with an overtime goal in Armstrong’s 3-2 semifinal win over Lander. This one effectively ended the match as Columbus State was unable to get a shot off in the remaining regulation time. “Our kids are so resilient this year, they just fight and fight and we were able to come up with the goal,” Armstrong head coach Eric Faulconer said. “Columbus State is an outstanding team, we have the ultimate respect for them. It always is close with our two programs, two of the best programs in the Southeast, and today was another example. PBC All-Tournament Team Fanny Forsman, UNC Pembroke “Skeff scored two brilliant goalsthis week, we talk about her being a special Rebekah Stockowski, Flagler player and she was special again today,” Faulconer said. Lorna O’Connell, Clayton State Taylor Cornelius, Georgia College The match began with the Pirates getting the first two shots on goal, but CoJamie Shaw, Lander lumbus State assumed control of the match midway through the first half, Christina Barbour, Lander earning an 8-4 edge in shots at halftime. Taylor Lee, North Georgia Melanie Thompson, North Georgia Stephanie Lowery, Columbus State Each goalkeeper made a tremendous save in the second half to keep the match scoreless - Armstrong keeper Meghan Mayville on a long-range shot Ashton Ziadie, Columbus State from co-PBC Player of the Year Kansas Bayly in hte 75th minute and ColumKiana Nicholson, Columbus State bus State’s Mary Mancin on a driving shot from co-PBC Player of the Year Meghan Mayville, Armstrong Kristina Pascutti in the 83rd minute. Kristina Pascutti, Armstrong Andye Dawson, Armstrong Columbus State finished the match with a 14-12 edge in shots, with Mancin making five saves in net for the Cougars and Mayville making three Tournament MVP saves in net for the Pirates. Columbus State had six corner kicks, compared Nadima Skeff, Armstrong to three for the Pirates, and each team was whistled for offsides once. 56

Women’s Soccer

The win was the second PBC Tournament Championship for Armstrong, who also won the 2009 title. It was the third meeting between the two teams in the PBC Final and the first win for the Pirates after dropping the 2006 title match in penalty kicks and the 2007 match in overtime. Skeff, the tournament MVP, was joined on the PBC All-Tournament Team by Meghan Mayville, Kristina Pascutti and Andye Dawson.

2011 PBC WoMen’s Soccer Champions Armstrong Pirates

NCAA Tournament: North Georgia Downs Wingate 3-1

and finally broke the tie in the 69th minute when Taylor Lee sent a corner kick in the box and Natalie Douglass fought her way to the ball and headed home (11/11/11) SAVANNAH, GA – The 25th-ranked and 4th-seeded North Georgia women's soccer team used her fifth goal of the year to give the Lady Saints a 2-1 advantage. The senior tallied her 2nd game-winner in timely defense and a pair of second-half goals on Friday afternoon to soar past 5th-seeded Wingate Uni- the last three contests with the score. versity 3-1 in the opening round of the NCAA Division North Georgia added some breathing room in the II National Tournament. 77th minute when Caroline Wallace sent a cross in North Georgia (16-2-1) refused to have the final chap- from the corner and Cicely Taliaferro was waiting at the far post and fired a header past Wingate keeper ter written on their already storied season, as they Ashlyn Hardie to give the Lady Saints a 3-1 lead. proved resilient in the second half and buried Wingate (16-4) to put a lid on the 2011 campaign for the Bulldogs.

While Wallace assisted on the final goal of the game, she was on the receiving end early when Abby Trevino and Melanie Thompson connected on back-to-back A two-minute span early in the second half was the headers in the box in the 9th minute and Wallace difference in the game, as Wingate used a goal from Miranda Izabella in the 46th minute to knot the score, finished with a bouncing header over the line to give North Georgia the early lead. The goal was the firstbut just 60 seconds later Bulldog goalkeeper Miriam ever score for the Lady Saints in the NCAA TournaBoucher was awarded a red card to swing the tide ment and propelled North Georgia to a 1-0 halftime right back to North Georgia. advantage. Playing up a man the rest of the game, North Georgia pelted the Wingate defense over the final 43 minutes

Kirsten Ross picked up the win for the Lady Saints in 57

Players of the Week

goal, allowing just the one Wingate goal and tallying eight saves on the game with six of those coming in the second half. Hardie allowed both North Georgia goals in the final 45 minutes and suffered the loss while recording four saves.

September 7, 2011: Player Defender Goalkeeper Brittany D’Addio Fanny Forsman Alli Edens Flagler UNC Pembroke USC Aiken

The Lady Saints made the most of their five corner kicks, scoring on two of them with one coming in each half. North Georgia held an 18-15 edge in shots, while the Lady Saints were whistled for 11 fouls to five for the Bulldogs. North Georgia now advances to the round of 32 and will take 7th-ranked and top-seeded Armstrong Atlantic on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. In the only meeting between the two teams this season, the Lady Saints scored a late goal and forced a 1-1 tie in the final game of the regular season. Box Score

September 13, 2011: Player Andrea Collèn UNC Pembroke

Defender Fanny Forsman UNC Pembroke

Goalkeeper Britney Bennett UNC Pembroke

September 20, 2011: Player Kiana Nicholson Columbus State

Defender Megan Morrow North Goergia

Goalkeeper Kirsten Ross North Georgia

September 27, 2011: Player Defender Goalkeeper Lindsay Zullo Jamie Colcord Taylor Cornelius Flagler Georgia College Georgia College October 4, 2011: Player Defender Goalkeeper Emily Dover Kelli Bahr Chelsea Beetch North Goergia Armstrong Lander

NCAA Tournament: Lowery, Nicholson Lift No. 20 Lady Cougars to 3-1 Win Versus Lees-McRae

(11/11/11) Hickory, NC – Despite allowing a goal in the opening two minutes of play, the third-seeded Columbus State women’s soccer team rebounded to defeat sixth-seeded Lees-McRae 3-1 in the first round of the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Tournament. CSU improves to 16-4-2 on the season and advance to play second-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne in the second round. L-M ends its season with a 13-5-3 mark.

October 11, 2011: Player Emily Dover North Georgia

Defender Kansas Bayly Columbus State

Goalkeeper Laoise O’Driscoll Clayton State

October 18, 2011: Player Kristina Pascutti Armstrong

Defender Kansas Bayly Columbus State

Goalkeeper Laoise O’Driscoll Clayton State

October 25, 2011:

Player Defender Goalkeeper Lees-McRae took the opening kickoff and quickly put Morgan Mitchell Kansas Bayly Meghan Mayville the Columbus State backline under pressure. MaryArmstrong Columbus State Armstrong Beth Sullivan took a shot from about 20 yard which CSU goalkeeper Mary Mancin knocked over the goal November 1, 2011: giving the Bobcats a corner kick. On the ensuing play, Player Defender Goalkeeper Loren Cate Silvia Espelt Cristina Coca Mary Dorn again hit a long range shot this one hitting Flagler Clayton State Flagler the crossbar and ricocheting to Sullivan who easily tapped in the goal for the early 1-0 lead for the sixth kick. Stephanie Lowery calmly stepped up and placed seed. the ball to the bottom right corner knotting the game at 1-1 just 3:23 into the match. From that point forward, Columbus State flexed its muscles and controlled the play of the game. Over Columbus State had several opportunities to get the the final 88 minutes of play, the Lady Cougars outshot go-ahead goal in the first half, but was unable to crack L-M 28-4 including an 18-2 edge in the second half. through. Jaci Carithers had a pair of shots that were headed to the back of the net but an L-M defender A minute and a half after the Bobcats went ahead, Ki- made the save keeping the score tied. Ashton Ziadie ana Nicholson took on a host of L-M defenders getting then ripped a shot from 25-yards out to the upper-left by two before the third defender took the PBC Freshninety, but Kaitlyn Briggs was in perfect position for man of the Year down in the box setting up a penalty

Women’s Soccer

the stop.

With the win, the Pirates (16-2-3) advance to the Southeast Region final for a second straight year and will face the winner of Columbus State and LenoirRhyne in the final on Friday, November 18, at a time to be determined. North Georgia (15-3-3) sees its season come to a close after a first-ever appearance in the NCAA Championships.

Although the Lady Cougars didn’t play their best first half, they were able to dictate the play and headed into the break square at one. An even more aggressive push by Columbus State in the final 45 minutes of action ensued from the break as they fired off seven shots in the opening five minutes. The final shot of that flurry came off the foot of Nicholson who was denied by a diving save by Brigs.

One of the early storylines in the contest would be the performance of Armstrong keeperMaggie Carson, the true freshman making her first start in net for the Pirates after starting keeper Meghan Mayville was injured in the PBC Championship match.

Later in the half, Kansas Bayly, the PBC Co-Player of the Year, had back-to-back chances within a minute but came up on the short end of the stick. Finally in the 67th minute, Lowery struck again with a beautiful free kick that went into the right upper-ninety putting CSU ahead 2-1. Nearly 18 minutes, Nicholson iced the game ripping a shot from just inside the penalty box that went over an outstretched Briggs. For the match, Columbus State held a decisive 28-8 advantage in shots and a 10-2 edge in corner kicks. Lees-McRae was called for 12 fouls while CSU was whistled for six.

It didn’t take long for Carson to face pressure from the Saints as Abby Trevino had a shot hit the crossbar and carom out in the fifth minute, then she made a save on a shot from long range by Kelly Penston in the eighth minute. Armstrong would take a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute as sophomore Andye Dawsondelivered a free kick through traffic in the box and just inside the far post for her fourth goal of the season.

North Georgia held an 8-5 advantage in shots at Mary Mancin earned the win improving to 16-4-2 mak- halftime, but the Pirates kept the one-goal edge into ing four saves in the contest. Briggs did her best to halftime. keep Lees-McRae in the match making seven saves despite allowing three goals. In the second half, the Saints kept up pressure, generating four corner kicks in the first 10 minutes of the The win sets up a rematch with Lenoir-Rhyen who period. A header from Kelly Penston in the 64th minbested Columbus State 1-0 earlier this season. The ute to the far post was cleared off the line by the head Lady Cougars held a 16-9 edge in the match including of forward Kristina Pascutti, and less than 10 minutes a 14-2 edge in the second half but were unable to net later, Armstrong pushed the lead to 2-0 when junior a goal. Since that game, CSU has won 10 of their last Morgan Mitchell headed home a corner kick from 11 matches allowing just six goals during that span. Dawson - the Pirates’ only corner The two sides also squared off last season in the kick of the match. second round of the NCAA Tournament as the Bears upset Columbus State 1-0 in Columbus. North Georgia pressured late Box Score and looked to have pulled to within one goal in the 89th minute, but Sara Kate Rogers NCAA Tournament: No. 7 Pirates Punch tapped in a ball that was headBerth In Southeast Region Final! ing into the goal from an offsides (11/13/11) SAVANNAH, Ga. - The No. 7-ranked Armposition, strong Atlantic State University women’s soccer squad nullifying the tally. tallied goals in each half to notch a 2-0 victory over No. 25-ranked North Georgia in the second round of the NCAA DII Women’s Soccer Championships on Sunday afternoon at the Armstrong Soccer Field. Armstrong’s Erin Holt 59

Armstrong outshot the Saints,

7-6, in the second half but North Georgia finished the match with a 14-12 tally. North Georgia held a 10-1 advantage in corner kicks, but was offsides three times compared to none for the Pirates. Carson made two saves in net for her first career win as a Pirate, while Ross made one save in net for the Saints. “All credit to North Georgia, who has had a fantastic season and gave us everything we could handle today,” Armstrong head coach Eric Faulconer said. “I’m extremely proud of the effort our players gave today. We defended well and we were opportunistic with our scoring chances.”

The midfielder struck it great, but an outstanding save by Caitlin Scruggs kept the game scoreless. Later in the half, Kansas Bayly played a ball into the box which went just over the head of a jumping Kiana Nicholson who was streaking into the box alone. In extra time, CSU kept on the attack outshooting L-R 6-1, but was unable to crack the defense. The best opportunity came when Bayly again served a ball into the box, this time Jackie Ellis was just inches away from connecting as she was wide open in the box.

That setup the all decisive penalty kick shootout. After Laura Linehan made the first attempt for L-R, “Our players showed a lot of resolve today in defendScruggs once again made a play for the hosts denying ing our home field and advancing in the tournament. CSU’s first shot attempt. Each side would bury their We are looking forward to the opportunity to play for a next two attempts keeping the Bears ahead 3-2 in region championship.” the PK shootout heading into the fourth round. Mary Mancin appeared to make the save for Columbus The win was also the 100th win in the seven-year his- State, but the referee ruled she moved off her line to tory of Armstrong soccer. The Pirates are 100-32-13 in early and issued another penalty kick for L-R. Hanna program history, all directed by Faulconer. Kiebel knocked home her second attempt and Elizabeth Hawes clinched the shootout in the fifth round. Box Score

NCAA Tournament: No. 20 Columbus State Falls on Penalty Kicks

(11/13/11) Hickory, NC – The 20th ranked and third seeded Columbus State women’s soccer team had a heartbreaking end to their season as they fell to No. 13 and second seeded Lenoir-Rhyne 5-3 in a penalty kick shootout in the NCAA Southeast Region semifinals. The contest is officially recorded as a tie as the teams played to a scoreless 0-0 draw through double overtime. CSU ends its season with a 16-4-3 record while the Bears now stand at 17-2-1. L-R will now travel to Savannah, Georgia to take on No. 1 seed Armstrong Atlantic State University in the Southeast Region Championship game next weekend. It was a game that saw very limited scoring opportunities with the first shot of the game not registered until the 21st minute of action. After just eight total shots in the first half, the second half saw the play of the game start to open up.

Columbus State outshot Lenoir-Rhyne 23-12 in the game including a 19-8 edge after the opening 45 minutes of play. They also held a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks. The physical contest was whistled for 27 fouls with 12 of them being called on CSU. Box Score

NCAA Tournament: SOUTHEAST REGION CHAMPS! Skeff’s Tally Holds in No. 7 Armstrong’s 1-0 Win

(11/18/11) SAVANNAH, Ga. - Junior forward Nadima Skeff’s goal in the 16th minute sent the No. 7-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University women’s soccer team to its first NCAA Southeast Region title in a 1-0 win over No. 13 Lenoir-Rhyne on Friday at the Armstrong Soccer Field. The Pirates (17-2-3) advance to the 4th round where they will meet the winner of the South Region final between Lynn and Tampa on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at the Armstrong Soccer Field. Lenoir-Rhyne, who were the defending Southeast Region champions, falls to 17-3-1.

Stephanie Lowery had the best look either side would have the entire match. A foul by Lenoir-Rhyne setup a Skeff provided her third match-winning goal in the free kick for Lowery, who broke open a 1-1 tie Friday Pirates’ last four contests in the 16th minute as night off a free kick goal, just outside the penalty box. Courtney Cawley played a ball to the right side of the 60

Women’s Soccer

box. Armstrong forward Kristina Pascutti ran it down then reversed direction and sent the ball to the center of the box, where Skeff tucked it inside the left post for her eighth goal of the season.

The Bears had three corner kicks, compared to one for the Pirates, and Lenoir-Rhyne was whistled for 13 fouls, compared to 10 for the Pirates. Box Score

HEADING TO THE FINAL FOUR! Morgan Mitchell’s Two Goals Send Armstrong To Pensacola

Armstrong outshot the Bears, 10-3, in the first half.

The Pirates had a Armstrong’s Morgan Mitchell Wins a Header couple of golden chances to push the lead to 2-0 early in the second half, as Kristina Pascutti forced a save by Lenoir-Rhyne’s Cait- (11/20/11) SAVANNAH, Ga. - Junior midfielder Morlin Scruggs in the 48th minute, and then Pascutti got gan Mitchell’s two goals - the second coming in the behind the defense in the 60th minute, but her shot 63rd minute to snap a 1-1 tie - have the No. 7-ranked was wide of the mark. Armstrong Atlantic State University women’s soccer team heading to the NCAA Division II Women’s SocLenoir-Rhyne looked to tie things up on a long-range cer Final Four with a 2-1 victory over No. 21 Tampa on shot by Mariel Mena in the 67th minute. Mena’s drive Sunday afternoon at the Armstrong Soccer Field. from nearly 35 yards out hit the crossbar and bounced straight down, but then kicked out into the goal box Mitchell’s header off of a Kristina Pascutti cross beat where Armstrong was able to clear. Tampa keeper Emelie Karstrom, snapping the tie and Armstrong (18-2-3) withstood held off Tampa (16-6-2) Another shot from the Bears’ Catherine Hauck off of a to keep the Pirates advancing in its deepest-ever run corner kick was saved off the line by Emily Cattanach into the NCAA DII Women’s Soccer Championships. in the 76th minute. The match began with Mitchell connecting on a cross Armstrong withstood a 12-3 shot advantage by Lenoir- from Emily Cattanach with a diving header in the Rhyne in the second half, however, to come away with fourth minute to put the Pirates up, 1-0. the victory and the region title, gaining a measure of revenge for last season’s 1-0 loss to the Bears in the Tampa equalized in the 34th minute when Amanda 2010 Southeast Region final. Pennybaker drew a penalty kick for the Spartans, and Brittan Spence - the OT game-winner for Tampa on “It wasn’t pretty at times, but we got the result,” Friday - calmly drove the ball to the right to beat ArmArmstrong head coach Eric Faulconer said. “We made strong keeper Maggie Carson and draw things even at some tactical changes at the start from what we 1-1. normally do and it paid off with the goal. We absorbed a lot of pressure from an outstanding Lenoir-Rhyne It was a tough defensive first half as both teams team in the second half to advance.” totalled just seven shots together. With the match still even, the second half saw both teams start to pick Lenoir-Rhyne finished the match with a 15-13 edge up the offensive tempo. Mitchell had another header in shots while Armstrong keeper Maggie Carson rein the 52nd minute that Karstrom saved, and after a corded her second consecutive shutout in her second corner kick by Tampa, Charlotte White’s shot from the start with two saves. scruggs made five saves for the Spartans missed wide to the left by five feet. Bears. A throw-in deep in Tampa’s half generated the game61

winning chance for Armstrong in the 63rd minute. Pascutti sent the left-footed cross into the box and Mitchell’s glancing header trickled across the line for the goal. Tampa cleared the ball but the assistant linesman signalled the goal immediately. The Spartans had a pair of shots in the next two minutes, but Armstrong held Tampa without a shot over the final 25 minutes to earn the Quarterfinal victory. “I have a ton of respect for coach Lucey and the Tampa program,” Armstrong head coach Eric Faulconer said. “When we started the program in 2005, Tampa was one of the preeminent DII programs, playing at a level we have aspired to reach.”

University Pirates to a 2-0 defeat in the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Final Four on Thursday afternoon at Ashton Brosnaham Park in Pensacola, Fla. The loss ends the Pirates’ season at 18-3-3, while St. Rose improves to 23-1-1, winning its first semifinal match in four tries and advancing to the NCAA Championship match on Saturday against Grand Valley State. GVSU advanced on PKs, 3-2, after drawing 1-1 with Cal State Chico in the other semifinal. St. Rose struck first in the contest in the seventh minute as Carmelina Puopolo’s corner kick bent directly into the goal on the near post to put the Golden Knights up, 1-0.

The Pirates tied their season-record for wins with 18, matching the 2006 squad, and Armstrong soccer is now the fourth sport in the athletic department’s history to reach the national semifinal or final status, joining men’s and women’s tennis and men’s golf.

The Golden Knights kept the pressure on, forcing a clearance off the line by Courtney Cawley in the 14th minute, then breaking through for an all-important second goal in the 31st minute on Gianna D’Errico’s goal off of a through ball from Brittany Barry.

“From the beginning of the season, we made it a goal to reach the Final Four, and this team believed it could,” Faulconer said. “Today was a tremendous effort from our back line to our midfield to our front runners. Morgan Mitchell has a knack for big goals and today she scored the two biggest goals of her career.”

Armstrong dodged another bullet late in the first half as a handball in the box resulted in a penalty kick for St. Rose’s Christina Cuffari in the 45th minute, but Cuffari’s shot was wide. St. Rose outshot the Pirates, 8-4, in the first half and owned all four corner kicks before intermission.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our program than I am today,” Faulconer said. “It’s a great day to be a Pirate!” The Pirates answered the bell in the second half, getting the first two shots after intermission, includArmstrong outshot the Spartans, 13-3 in the secing Andye Dawson’s rocket from the left side that was ond half and finished the match with a 16-7 edge saved by St. Rose keeper Jessica Gerski. in shots. Karstrom made six saves in net for Tampa. Both teams were whistled for 10 fouls each and Arm- Gerski made another save on Kristina Pascutti’s shot strong enjoyed a 5-2 edge in corner kicks. Tampa was in the 62nd minute, then she turned away another whistled for offsides three times while Armstrong was shot by Pascutti in the 80th minute. But Gerski’s four offsides twice. saves in the second half kept Armstrong scoreless and sent St. Rose to the championship match. Armstrong is only the second Peach Belt Conference school to reach the Final Four, joining Kennesaw “It was a tale of two halves,” Armstrong head coach State, who won the NCAA DII National Championship Eric Faulconer said. “In the first half, we were a little in 2003. jittery, being our first time here. We settled down in Box Score the second half and I thought we had the run of play. But all credit to St. Rose, their experience paid off for NCAA Final Four: Missed Opportunities them.

In No. 7 Pirates’ 2-0 Loss To St. Rose

(12/1/11) PENSACOLA, Fla. - A shaky first half and two early goals by No. 10-ranked College of St. Rose doomed the No. 7-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State

“I told our kids not to let one game define the season. We started this program in 2005 and to get here in only seven years is a tremendous accompllishment. 62

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I’m very proud of our kids for all they have done this season.” Armstrong outshot the Golden Knights, 9-7, in the second half as St. Rose finished the match with a 15-13 edge overall in shots. Gerski made five saves in net total for St. Rose while Maggie Carson tallied three saves in net for the Pirates. Pascutti led the Pirates with five shots, including three on goal, while Emily Cattanach added two shots and Morgan Mitchell had one. Cuffari led the Golden Knights with six shots, including two on goal. St. Rose enjoyed a 10-3 edge in corner kicks and the Golden Knights were whistled for six fouls, compared to four for the Pirates. St. Rose was offsides twice. Box Score

Award Winners Capital One Academic All-America First Team Kelli Bahr, Armstrong Capital One Academic All-America SecondTeam Kristina Pascutti, Armstrong Capital One Academic All-America Third Team Kayla Brown, Columbus State Capital One Academic All-District Team Loren Cate, Flagler Catherine Lovin, Columbus State Kaitlin Thomas, Montevallo NSCAA Scholar All-America Second Team Emily Dover, North Georgia Kristina Pascutti, Armstrong NSCAA Scholar All-Region First Team Stephanie Lowery, Columbus State NSCAA Scholar All-Region Second Team Kelli Bahr, Armstrong Kayla Brown, Columbus State Natalie Douglass, North Georgia Mary Mancin, Columbus State NSCAA Scholar All-Region Third Team Loren Cate, Flagler Catherine Lovin, Columbus State

Three PBC Women’s Soccer Players Named Academic All-Americans

Armstrong Atlantic State University senior defender Kelli Bahr and junior forward Kristina Pascutti and Columbus State junior defender Kayla Brown have each been named to the Capital One/CoSIDA Division II Academic All-America Women’s Soccer team, released today. Bahr was placed on the first team while Pascutti was second team and Brown third team. The three are the first Capitol One/CoSIDA Academic All-Americans in the Peach Belt since 2008. It is also only the second time in PBC history three players have received the award, largely acknowledged as the highest individual honor a studentathlete can receive. Bahr is just the second Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-America first team honoree in Armstrong women’s soccer history, joining Kristin Burton (2009), while Pascutti is the first second-team honoree in program history. Burton was a third-team honoree in 2007 and 2008 and Ashley Elam was a third-team honoree in 2007. A fifth-year senior who anchors Armstrong’s defense this season, Bahr carried a 3.88 GPA in receiving her undergraduate degree in early childhood education in May and currently has a 4.00 GPA in her graduate school courses. A two-time Daktronics All-American honoree on the field as well, Bahr has helped the No. 7-ranked Pirates to the NCAA DII Final Four while scoring two goals and one assist and helping Armstrong recod a team 0.83 GAA. The Middleton, Wisc., native is playing this week in Pensacola where she played youth soccer as a child, helping Pensacola Futbol Club to a U-13 state title. Pascutti, meanwhile, was the co-Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year in 2011 for leading the Pirates in goals (12) and points (27). The Lilburn, Ga., native carries a 3.78 GPA in biology and also earned All-Region honors, collecting five gamewinning goals this season. Brown becomes the first women’s soccer Academic All-American in Columbus State history. A first-team All-Conference player and named to the PBC’s All-Academic team, she is currently studying communications at CSU with a 3.90 GPA. Brown started all 23 games for the Cougars on defense, contributing three assists during the season. She was a key part of a CSU back line that led the Peach Belt with a 0.59 goals against average and allowed only 14 goals to be scored against them in 23 games. 63

Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Team Kelli Bahr, Armstrong Danielle Brennan, North Georgia Kayla Brown, Columbus State Ally Canganelli, Georgia Southwestern Loren Cate, Flagler Emily Cattanach, Armstrong Andrea Coll èn, UNC Pembroke Andye Dawson, Armstrong Emily Dodd, USC Aiken Natalie Douglass, North Georgia Emily Dover, North Georgia Fanny Forsman, UNC Pembroke Elke Groothuis, UNC Pembroke Taylor Kerr, Montevallo Rafaela Faria, Flagler Taylor Lee, North Georgia Catherine Lovin, Columbus State Stephanie Lowery, Columbus State Mary Mancin, Columbus State Kristina Pascutti, Armstrong Kaitlin Thomas, Montevallo Tara Whitaker, Flagler Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Honorable Mention Luisa Alvarez, Clayton State Anna Barrow, Georgia College Frankie Berscak, UNC Pembroke Brittany Borror, Georgia College Paige Busby, USC Aiken Kendall Couch, Lander Emily Davis, North Georgia Jennifer Dreasler, Clayton State Alli Edens, USC Aiken Katie Finkle, Lander Britney Hill, Georgia Southwestern Jessica Jagielski, Flagler Alex Knight, Georgia College Lauren MacDonald, Lander Kyle Maguire, USC Aiken Kelsey Martin, North Georgia Michaela Moertzsch, Montevallo Erin O’Rourke, Armstrong Jordan Otto, Armstrong Asgergur Palsdottir, Montevallo Gracie Preston, Georgia Southwestern Haley Powers, Flagler Leanne South, North Georgia Jennifer Starvetsky, Georgia Southwestern Krystal Taylor, Flagler Samantha Vickers, Lander Taylor Yee, Georgia College

Jordan Ziegler, USC Aiken NSCAA All-America First Team Kansas Bayly, Columbus State NSCAA All-America Second Team Emily Dover, North Georgia Stephanie Lowery, Columbus State Kristina Pascutti, Armstrong NSCAA All-Southeast Region First Team Kelli Bahr, Armstrong Emily Dover, North Morgan Mitchell, Armstrong Jamie Shaw, Lander NSCAA All-Southeast Region Second Team Britney Bennett, UNC Pembroke Kayla Brown, Columbus State Andye Dawson, Armstrong Natalie Douglass, North Georgia Fanny Forsman, UNC Pembroke Kiana Nicholson, Columbus State Kelly Penston, North Georgia Lindsey Zullo, Flagler NSCAA All-Southeast Region Third Team Christina Barbour, Lander Mary Mancin, Columbus State Catherine Lovin, Columbus State Kristen Rosato, Montevallo Danielle Shaw, Lander Nadima Skeff, Armstrong NSCAA Southeast Region Coach of the Year Eric Faulconer, Armstrong Daktronics All-America Second Team Kelli Bahr, Armstrong Daktronics All-America Honorable Mention Kansas Bayly, Columbus State 64

Stephanie Lowery, Columbus State Daktronics All-Southeast Region First Team Britney Bennett, UNC Pembroke Morgan Mitchell, Armstrong Kristina Pascutti, Armstrong Daktronics All-Southeast Region SecondTeam Fanny Forsman, UNC Pembroke Mary Macin, Columbus State PBC All-Conference First Team Kelli Bahr, Armstrong Kansas Bayly, Columbus State Britney Bennett, UNC Pembroke Kayla Brown, Columbus State Andrea Collen, UNC Pembroke Emily Dover, North Georgia Fanny Forsman, UNC Pembroke Stephanie Lowery, Columbus State Morgan Mitchell, Armstrong Kristina Pascutti, Armstrong Kelly Penston, North Georgia Jamie Shaw, Lander Lindsay Zullo, Flagler PBC All-Conference Second Team Christina Barbour, Lander Karen Bonilla, Georgia College Loren Cate, Flagler Andye Dawson, Armstrong Natalie Douglass, North Georgia Silvia Espelt, Clayton State Josefina Holsten, Clayton State Megan Morrow, North Georgia Kiana Nicholson, Columbus State Laoise O’Driscoll, Clayton State Kristin Rosato, Montevallo

Women’s Soccer

Danielle Shaw, Lander Natalia Valentine, Clayton State PBC Co-Players of the Year Kansas Bayly, Columbus State Emily Dover, North Georgia Kristina Pascutti, Armstrong PBC Freshman of the Year Kiana Nicholson, Columbus State PBC Coach of the Year Eric Faulconer, Armstrong

(l-r) Faulconer, Pascutti, Bayly, Dover & Nicholson

Statistics Points

Individual

Emily Dover, North Georgia Loren Cate, Flagler Stephanie Lowery, Columbus State Christina Barbour, Lander Kristina Pascutti, Armstrong Kiana Nicholson, Columbus State Morgan Mitchell, Armstrong Natalia Valentine, Clayton State Jamie Shaw, Lander Amalia Arvidsson, UNC Pembroke

37 30 29 27 27 25 25 24 23 19

Emily Dover, North Georgia Loren Cate, Flagler Kristina Pascutti, Armstrong Stephanie Lowery, Columbus State Natalia Valentine, Clayton State Morgan Mitchell, Armstrong Jamie Shaw, Lander Kiana Nicholson, Columbus State Christina Barbour, Lander Nadima Skeff, Armstrong

16 13 12 12 11 11 10 10 9 8

C hristina Barbour, Lander Andye Dawson, Armstrong Kelsey Martin, North Georgia Abby Trevino, North Georgia Taylor Lee, North Georgia Stephanie Lowery, Columbus State Dior McGruder, Clayton State Andrea Coll èn, UNC Pembroke Kiana Nicholson, Columbus State Emily Dover, North Georgia

9 8 7 7 7 5 5 5 5 5

Goals

Assists

Goals-against average

Team

Mary Mancin, Columbus State Britney Bennett, UNC Pembroke Meghan Mayville, Armstrong Kirsten Ross, North Georgia Chelsea Beetch, Lander Laoise O’Driscoll, Clayton State Cristina Coca, Flagler Kaitlin Thomas, Montevallo Taylor Cornelius, Georgia College Annie Stephens, Georgia College

0.57 0.71 0.79 0.84 1.00 1.04 1.26 1.34 1.35 1.50

Britney Bennett, UNC Pembroke Mary Mancin, Columbus State Taylor Cornelius, Georgia College Laoise O’Driscoll, Clayton State Kirsten Ross, North Georgia Annie Stephens, Georgia College Meghan Mayville, Armstrong Alli Edens, USC Aiken Chelsea Beetch, Lander Cristina Coca, Flagler

.887 .838 .833 .822 .813 .812 .805 .768 .768 .743

Save Percentage

Goals per game

North Georgia 2.35 Columbus State 2.26 Armstrong 2.21 UNC Pembroke 2.17 Lander 2.05 Flagler 1.78 Clayton State 1.33 Montevallo 1.17 Georgia College 1.05 Georgia Southwestern 0.78 USC Aiken 0.56

Team Goals-Against Average

Columbus State 0.59 UNC Pembroke 0.68 North Georgia 0.83 Armstrong 0.87 Lander 0.97 Clayton State 1.02 Georgia College 1.41 Flagler 1.59 Montevallo 1.68 USC Aiken 2.05 Georgia Southwestern 2.53

Shutout Percentage

Lander 0.58 Clayton State 0.56 Columbus State 0.52 UNC Pembroke 0.44 North Georgia 0.40 Armstrong 0.38 Georgia College 0.26 Flagler 0.22 USC Aiken 0.19 Georgia Southwestern 0.11 Montevallo 0.11

Volleyball PBC Quarterfinals: Flagler Sweeps Into Semifinals 3-0

Final Standings

Conference GP Record Win % t1. Armstrong 14 13-1 0.929 t1. Flagler 14 13-1 0.929 t3. UNC Pembroke 14 7-7 0.500 t.3 USC Aiken 14 7-7 0.500 5. Augusta State 14 5-9 0.357 t6. Montevallo 14 4-10 0.286 t6. Francis Marion 14 4-10 0.286 8. Lander 14 3-11 0.214

(11/11/11) AUGUSTA, GA – The second-seeded Flagler Saints used big runs in all three sets to sweep #7 Montevallo in the opening match of the 2011 PBC Volleyball Tournament in Augusta. The Saints, who have not lost a PBC Tournament match in their three years as a part of the conference, advance to Saturday’s semifinals against either Francis Marion or UNC Pembroke. Match scores were 25-18, 26-24, 25-21. Flagler (26-6) hit .316 in the match with only 12 errors in their 136 total attacks. Dianna Craine led the charge with 16 kills with only two errors in 40 attacks. Crystal Niederriter and Sophie Meyer each added 11 kills while Rachel Stacy had nine. Olivia Snipes set a single-season school record for assists as she had 47 in the match and also led the team with 12 digs.

Overall GP Record 39 36-3 38 31-7 32 16-16 31 15-16 35 17-18 31 13-18 30 12-18 32 13-19

Win % 0.923 0.816 0.500 0.484 0.486 0.419 0.400 0.406

Last 10 7-3 9-1 6-4 6-4 5-5 4-6 5-5 3-7

and Taylor as part of a 4-0 run to take the second set 26-24. Montevallo once again held tough in the third set and the score was tied at 15 before Flagler went on a 6-2 run to open a 21-17 lead. Craine had two kills during the run, both on short sets from Snipes that found the middle of the UM defense. Taylor provided the matchsealing kill to advance the Saints. Montevallo out-blocked Flagler five to four but the Saints had the edge in digs 64-56. The Saints hit .368 in the first set and .375 in the final set. Box Score

Michelle Walker led the Falcons (13-18) with 11 kills PBC Quarterfinals: UNC Pembroke while Manyi Ati and Michelle Carle had 10 each. Montevallo hit .212 as a team with Anna Garrison generat- Moves into Semifinals (11/11/11) AUGUSTA, Ga. – The third-seeded UNC ing 34 assists. Rachel Wotitzky led UM with 19 digs. Pembroke volleyball team advanced to the semifinals of the 2011 Peach Belt Conference Volleyball ChampiMontevallo held the lead in all three sets including onships with a dominating 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-10) a 10-8 lead in the opener following a kill from Carle. But Flagler answered with six of the next eight points, win over sixth-seeded Francis Marion at the Christenberry Fieldhouse. including four in a row with kills from Craine and Nie-

derriter. Montevallo rallied to tie the set at 16 before a UNC Pembroke has now won five straight matches. service error and kills from Craine, Stacy and Emilee Taylor along with a UM attack error gave the Saints UNC Pembroke (16-15) looked to be racing towards five straight points and a 21-16 lead on the way to a an easy victory in the first set, leading by five at 22-17. seven-point set win. UNC Pembroke would capture six of the next seven points to tie the game at 23-23. The Braves would UM’s best chance to get back into the match came in the second set. Neither team led by more than two not budge though, scoring the next two points to take a 25-23 win. Both teams hit well in the set with UNC points until Stacy and Craine combined for back-toPembroke hitting .229 and Francis Marion hitting back kills to give Flagler a 21-17 lead. Down 22-19, .205. Montevallo fought back with five straight points behind the serve of Garrison. Following an attack error, Walker had back-to-back kills followed by another Flagler error and a Carle kill for a 24-22 lead. But Flagler fought off two straight set points with kills from Stacy

In the second set, things were tight once again with the score tied at 14-14 in the early going. UNC Pembroke would take over from there, going on an 11-5 66

Volleyball

run to close out the game. The Braves’ defense allowed Francis Marion to hit just -.044 in the second set. The third set was all UNC Pembroke. The Braves hit .429 in the set en route to a 25-10 win. Buoyed by the strong performance in the third set, UNC Pembroke finished the match hitting .209 as a team. Francis Marion (12-18) concluded the match hitting .041 as a team. Francis Marion out-blocked UNC Pembroke, 9-6. Ashlyn Rebok guided the Braves’ attack in the match, finishing with a match-high 34 assists.

#1 Armstrong Armstrong 3-0 #8 Lander

Armstrong 3-0

#4 USC Aiken Augusta St. 3-2 #5 Augusta St.

Flagler 3-1

#3 UNC Pembroke UNCP 3-0 #6 Francis Marion Flagler 3-0

#2 Flagler Flagler 3-0 #7 Montevallo

Two UNC Pembroke players were able to secure double-digit kills with Rebecca Morgan leading the way with 12. Heather Bolwerk added 10 of her own. UNC Pembroke’s Marissa Baker led all in the match with 25 digs. Rebok chipped in with 22 digs of her own to claim a double-double. Flagler’s Dianna Craine

No Francis Marion player was able to acquire doubledigit kills with Amanda Mitchell leading the Patriots with eight kills. Hallie Legg led Francis Marion with 17 digs. Box Score

PBC Quarterfinals: Armstrong Sweeps Lander; Advances to Semis

tman led the defensive effort at the net for Armstrong with two solo blocks and three block assists as the Pirates as a team had 10 blocks in the match. Davis led with 15 digs while Ashley Seal had 33 assists and 14 digs. The Pirates committed only seven attack errors in the match.

(11/11/11) AUGUSTA, GA – The Armstrong Atlantic State Pirates hit .361 as a team and cruised into the PBC Tournament semifinals with a 3-0 sweep of eighth-seeded Lander on Friday in Augusta. The Pirates (34-1) will face the winner of the USC Aiken/ Augusta State match on Saturday at 6:00 pm. Lander Lander was led by Magi Nottingham’s nine kills, sees their season come to a close with a 13-19 over- followed by Kiki Hennessey with eight and Hannah all mark. Match scores were 25-11, 25-18 and 25-17. Dedrick with seven. Madison Kubal had 15 digs while Jessica Register led with 26 assists and 10 digs. Box Score The Pirates wasted little time in establishing the pattern of the match, jumping out to an 11-5 advantage in the first set. Armstrong was nearly unstoppable in the opener, hitting .519 with only two errors in their 27 attacks with 15 kills. The Pirates were up only two at 7-5 before going on a 10-2 run that included a stretch of five straight points behind the serve of Jessica Santaniello. The second set was nearly identical as the two teams were close with Armstrong leading 12-10 before going on a 7-2 run with five straight points on the serve of Stacy Davis. Brendyce Budd had two kills in those five points and was a part of the block along with Santaniello that ended the set 25-18.

PBC Quarterfinals: ASU Wins 3-2 Thriller over USC Aiken

Armstrong’s Ashley Seal

Lander responded in the third set with their best effort, collecting three of their five blocks and holding Armstrong to a .231 hitting percentage. Lander’s Jordan Rix drove home a kill that made the score 20-17, but that would be as close as the Bearcats would get as Armstrong scored the last five points of the match, getting two kills from Amanda Jones and the matchclincher from Brittany Wolf. Santaniello and Jones each led the Pirates with 11 kills while Wolf and Budd added eight each. Leia Pit-

(11/11/11) AUGUSTA, GA – Down 12-8 in the fifth set, the fifth-seeded Augusta State Jaguars scored eight of the final 10 points in the match to take the set 15-13 and defeat fourth-seeded USC Aiken 3-2 in the quarterfinals of the PBC Tournament on Friday. With that win, the Jaguars (15-18) advance to the PBC semifinals on Saturday where they will face top-seeded Armstrong Atlantic State. USC Aiken (15-15) sees their season come to a close following their third loss to the Jaguars this year. Match scores were 18-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-21 and 16-14.

USC Aiken took the first and third sets and were in position to win the match outright in the fourth. The Pacers led 13-12 before going on a 6-1 run to lead 19-13. Hannah Tierney had two kills during the run, but a kill from ASU’s Kristen Koch put an end to that and began a string of five straight Jaguar points. Jessica Hanson had back-to-back kills and three of the five points during the run. Down by one a 20-19, the Jaguars got some help from USCA errors as the Pacers recorded three straight attack errors and a service error to give ASU a 23-21 lead. Another attack error and a kill from 68

Volleyball

Alex Rohlfing iced the set for ASU.

Flagler answered with a 9-1 run and led 17-5. Dianna Craine had four kills in a 13-point stretch as Flagler increased the lead to as much as 22-10.

With the crowd of 243 filling the Christenberry Fieldhouse with noise, the fifth set was a back-and-forth affair throughout. The Pacers led 12-8 before backto-back attack errors and a kill from Mandy Irizarry brought the Jaguars to within one. Rohlfing again came through with a big hit that tied the score at 13, but the Pacers had a match point at 14-13 following an ASU error. Koch again provided the big hits with back-to-back kills for the 15th and 16th points as ASU scored three in a row to win the match. Rohlfing had a career-high 23 kills to lead the Jaguars. The freshman had her 11th double-double as she added 10 digs and hit .380. Koch added 13 kills while Hanson had 10. Andria Tagarelli led Augusta State with 18 digs while Krystin Wahlig had 48 assists and 12 digs. Augusta State hit .200 as a team and collected six blocks. Emily Maasen and Endea Ellison led the Pacers with 13 kills each while Susan MacClary added 12 and Shannon Byers 10 with 18 digs. Samantha Lukralle led the Pacers with 29 digs as USCA as a team outdug Augusta State 86-78. The Pacers hit .209 as a team and had nine team blocks. Alex Petcok and Sheila Walsh each had 21 assists. Box Score

PBC Semifinals: Flagler Earns Berth in Championship Match with Sweep of UNC Pembroke

UNC Pembroke rallied back and came out swinging in the second set, leading 7-3 in the early going. The Braves led 9-5 before Flagler put five straight points on the board, four coming on the serve of Emilee Taylor. The Braves did not help themselves much, hitting .080 in the second with eight attack errors. Nevertheless, UNCP got a Heather Bolwerk kill following a Flagler attack error and led 13-10 and again 14-17 after a Rebecca Morgan kill. The Braves maintained that three-point cushion until they were two points away from taking the second set 23-20, but Flagler answered with kills from Craine, Taylor and Rachel Stacy to tie the score at 23. The two teams traded points and were tied at 25 when Flagler took the set with kills from Craine and Sophie Meyer. The second-set loss seemed to deflate the Braves, who hit -.027 in the third set as Flagler took the match. UNCP led 5-4 in the third when Flagler went on an epic run, scoring 12 of the next 14 points for a commanding 16-8 lead. Six of those points were given to Flagler from UNCP errors. The Braves had only six kills on 37 attacks in third as Meyer had three kills for Flagler in the final five points to win the set and the match. Meyer led the Saints with 15 kills with only one error in 27 attacks for a .519 hitting percentage. Craine added 13 kills and 13 digs while Taylor had nine kills and 12 digs. Casey Gnann led the Saints with 22 digs while Olivia Snipes had 46 assists and 10 digs.

(11/12/11) AUGUSTA, GA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Flagler Saints will play for their third consecutive PBC Tournament title after defeating UNC Pembroke 3-0 in the semifinal round at the Christenberry Fieldhouse in Augusta on Saturday. The Saints dominated the first and third Shay Peterson led UNCP with seven kills while Tricia sets and rallied late in the second, match scores were Varno added six and Rebecca Morgan five. Marissa 25-16, 27-25 and 25-12. Baker had 17 digs for the Braves while Ashlyn Rebok added 25 assists and nine digs. With the win, Flagler improves to 27-6 overall while Box Score UNC Pembroke sees their season come to a close with a 16-16 mark. Flagler has now won all eight PBC Tournament matches they have played in since joining the PBC in 2009. The Saints started the match with a nearly flawless first set, hitting .576 as a team with only one attack error in 33 attempts. Flagler led 7-2 in the first before UNC Pembroke was able to put two on the board, but 69

PBC Semifinals: Armstrong Cruises Past Augusta State into Championship Match

league mark, their only losses coming against one another. Flagler defeated Armstrong, handing the Pirates their only loss of the season, on their home floor while Armstrong defeated Flagler in Savannah. The two are both nationally ranked with Armstrong entering the championship #19 and Flagler #24. Box Score

(11/12/11) AUGUSTA, GA – The top-seeded Armstrong Atlantic State Pirates were efficient and effective on Saturday as they swept fifth-seeded Augusta State 3-0 to earn a spot in the tournament Championship Match. With the win, the Pirates will play in the tournament final for the fourth consecutive year and face second-seeded Flagler for the third straight year. Flagler has won the last two tournament titles. The Pirates (35-1) hit .282 in the match while holding Augusta State to 26 total kills and a .112 percentage. ASU never had 10 double-digit kills in any one set, including the first as they were held to eight while Armstrong hit .343. The Pirates jumped out to an early 9-2 lead thanks to Casey Howett, who had three straight service aces. ASU cut that lead down to five at 13-9 following a Jessica Hanson kill and Armstrong ball handling error, but the Pirates scored four of the next six points to maintain a five-point cushion that ballooned to 10 at the end of the set.

Armstrong’s Brittany Wolf

The second set was the most competitive as Augusta State (16-19) maintained a narrow lead until the halfway point. Armstrong led by two at 17-15 before breaking the set open with four out of five points. Kills from Brittany Wolf and Brendyce Budd were part of the final stretch that gave the Pirates the win.

Flagler Wins Third Straight PBC Volleyball Tournament Title

(11/13/11) AUGUSTA, GA – After dropping the opening set, the Flagler Saints roared back to win the next three and their third consecutive PBC Tournament Championship 3-1 over Armstrong Atlantic State on Sunday in Augusta.

The third set was nearly a mirror-copy of the first as the Pirates broke open an early tie with a 6-2 run. With Budd serving, Armstrong got consecutive kills from Budd, Jessica Santaniello and Leia Pittman. Amanda Jones was the most consistent performer for the Pirates with five kills in the third set including the 24th and 25th points.

Flagler becomes the first volleyball team since 2001 to win three straight tournament titles, set scores were 15-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-21. With the win, Flagler (28-6) earns the Peach Belt’s automatic bid to next week’s NCAA Tournament. Armstrong falls in the tournament final for the third year in a row and to 35-2 on the year, both losses coming to Flagler.

Jones led all players with 13 kills in the match while Budd added 10. Santaniello had nine kills and 10 digs while Stacey Davis led Armstrong with 16 digs. Ashley Seal had 37 assists and eight digs.

It was Armstrong who looked to be in control early on, playing a nearly flawless opening set and cruising to a 10-point win. The Pirates hit .450 in the opening stanza with only one attack error and 19 kills. The big blow came midway through the set. Armstrong led 12-10 before going on a 6-0 run capped by a kill from Brendyce Budd. Armstrong answered with back-toback kills from Jessica Santaniello and won five of the final seven points to take the set.

Kristen Koch had a team-high nine kill sfor Augusta State while Alex Rohlfing added eight. Krystin Wahlig had 19 assists and was tied for the team lead with Andria Tangarelli with nine digs. Armstrong Atlantic State and Flagler shared the 2011 PBC Regular-Season Championship, each with a 13-1

Things changed in set two as the two teams were 70

Volleyball

evenly matched PBC All-Tournament Team and played a backMarissa Baker, UNC Pembroke and-forth affair Dianna Craine, Flagler throughout. The Amanda Jones, Armstrong score was tied at Alex Rohlfing, Augusta State 21 when Flagler Brittany Wolf, Armstrong rattled off three points in a row with Tournament MVP kills from Emilee Olivia Snipes, Flagler Taylor and Rachel Stacy combined with a Pirate attack error. Taylor finished the set with a kill.

the edge in blocks nine to six. Brittany Wolf and Amanda Jones each had 13 kills for Armstrong while Santaniello, Budd and Leia Pittman had nine each. Ashley Seal had 45 assists while Stacey Davis led the team with 24 digs. Box Score

NCAA Tournament: Armstrong Routs Tusculum 3-0

(11/18/11) WINGATE, N.C. - The third-seeded Pirates of Armstrong Atlantic State University swept the number six seed Tusculum College Pioneers in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Southeast region quarterfinals Friday afternoon in Cuddy Arena. The Pirates won by scores of 25-15, 26-24 and 25-22 to improve to 36-2 overall.

The third set belonged to Flagler early with a 16-12 lead following one of the six Armstrong attack errors of the set. But the Pirates fought back with six of the next nine points and tailed 19-18 with a block from Budd and Brittany Wolf. The score was tied at 21 Armstrong advances to the region semifinals Saturday when Dianna Craine had back-to-back kills to open a afternoon. Tusculum ends its season at 18-13. small gap. Flagler setter Olivia Snipes finished the set with a sneak-attack kill as she faked a set attempt. Senior outside hitter Brendyce Budd (Page, Ariz.) led the Armstrong attack with 13 kills and 16 digs, hitting Flaglerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defense held strong in the fourth set as Arm- .391 on the afternoon. Junior middle hitter Brittany strong hit .102, their worst percentage of the match. Wolf (Bethlehem, Ga.) added 12 kills with a .556 hitFlagler led 17-13 when Armstrong went on a 5-1 run ting percentage, while junior outside hitter Amanda to tie things at 18. Amanda Jones had two kills durJones(Marietta, Ga.) collected 10 kills. ing that run. The score was tied and 19 and again at 20 before Flagler got two kills from Taylor and an ace Junior setter Ashley Seal (Orlando, Fla.) handed out 41 from Sophie Meyer. Taylor had the kill on the champi- assists to go along with 11 digs. onship point. The Pioneers had four players with at least seven kills. Junior outside hitter Sam Underwood (Muncie, Ind.) had eight kills, six digs and four blocks to lead the Tusculum attack. Freshman outside hitter Brianna Anderson (Fort Wayne, Ind.) added eight kills with a .400 hitting percentage for the Pioneers.

Craine led the Saints with 17 kills while Meyer had 13 and Taylor 12. Tournament Most Valuable Player Olivia Snipes had 41 assists and 19 digs; Casey Gnann led the Saints with 30 digs overall. Flagler out-dug Armstrong 91-79 in the match, but the Pirates held

Freshman setter Georgia Paturalski (Signal Mountain, Tenn.) handed out 15 assists, while sophomore libero Caitlyn Dean (Fort Wayne, Ind.) piled up 16 digs.

2011 PBC Volleyball Champions Flagler Saints 71

The Pirates were in control throughout the opening set, hitting .407 while holding Tusculum to .030. A kill and a block from Wolf put Armstrong on top 11-4. The Pioneers trimmed the lead to four on an ace from Price and kill from freshman middle blocker Taylor Boone (Burnsville, N.C.). Armstrong scored the next four points to push the lead back to eight. A

Budd kill and Tusculum ace capped the flurry. The Pioneers would get no closer than seven the rest of the way. Senior libero Casey Howett (Brooks, Ga.) finished the opening frame with an ace. A pair of blocks from junior middle hitter Leia Pittman (Carthage, Mo.) gave the Pirates a 17-12 lead in the second set. Tusculum used a 6-1 run to cut the lead to two at 21-19 on a kill from Price. A Pittman kill put Armstrong on top 24-21. The Pioneers responded with three straight points to tie it at 24, taking advantage of three Armstrong errors. The Pirates responded with the final two points of the frame, capping the set on a kill from Budd. Kills from Underwood and sophomore middle blocker Kassie Voelker (Morristown, Tenn.) gave the Pioneers a 20-16 lead in the third set. A Wolf kill helped Armstrong trim the lead to two, but Anderson answered with a kill for Tusculum to make it 21-18. The Pirates scored four of the next five points to tie it at 22. Jones had two kills in the key spurt for Armstrong. The Pirates would go on to score the final three points of the set to claim the match, taking advantage of three consecutive Tusculum errors. Armstrong hit .287 on the afternoon, with 47 kills and 14 errors in 115 attacks. The Pioneers had 37 kills and 18 errors in 115 attacks, hitting .165 for the match. The Pirates advance to the regional semifinals for the first time since 2009. Armstrong will look to advance to its first regional final since 2008, when the Pirates won the region and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight. Box Score (l-R) Ashley Seal, Jessica Santaniello & Brendyce Budd

NCAA Tournament: Flagler Blanks Newberry 3-0

(11/18/11) WINGATE, N.C. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Emilee Taylor and Dianna Craine each recorded double-doubles as No. 24 (AVCA Division II Top 25) Flagler College made quick work of Newberry College 3-0 (25-11, 25-9, 25-15) in a NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Quarterfinal Match Friday afternoon at Cuddy Arena. Flagler, the No. 2 seed, advances to take on the No. 3 seed and 21st-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University in what will be the fourth meeting this year between the two schools, tomorrow (Nov. 19) at 4 p.m., in a semifinal match. Armstrong won its quarterfinal match 3-0 over Tusculum. Flagler has won the last two meetings in a row. Flagler extended its winning streak to 13 matches and improved to 29-6 overall. Newberry wrapped up its season with a 16-16 record. Taylor recorded 12 kills and had just one error on 23 swings for a .478 hitting percentage. She added 11 digs to complete her 12th double-double of the season. Craine added 10 kills and 12 digs for her 13th double-double of the year, and her fifth in as many matches. Sophie Meyer added 12 kills and had just one error on 25 swings for an efficient .440 hitting percentage. Olivia Snipes added 37 assists and seven digs while Casey Gnann recorded a match-high 18 digs. Flagler held Newberry to a .051 hitting percentage. The match lasted just eight minutes shy of one hour. Jessica King led Newberry with seven kills and a .294 hitting percentage. Elayni Stokes collected 11 digs and Blair Browning tallied 17 assists and added seven digs for the Wolves. The Saints started off by scoring the first five points in the first set. Three different Flagler players recorded kills and two Newberry players recorded errors (one attacking and the other setting). The Wolves rallied to 5-3, but the Saints went on a 9-1 run and coasted to a 25-11 win. Taylor had six kills and six digs in the set. She hit .625 with one error on eight swings. Newberry hit -.091 as a team. After an Amanda Soper kill tied the second set at 1-all, Craine followed with a kill for the Saints which

Volleyball

Players of the Week

started a 5-0 run and Flagler was never threatened in a 25-9 win. The Saints recorded a .447 hitting percentage in the match with 19 kills and only two errors on 38 swings.

September 6, 2011: Player Specialist Michelle Walker, Montevallo Ashley Seal, Armstrong

Flagler jumped out to a 6-0 lead on Newberry in the third set and never looked back in a 25-15 win. Meyer recorded three kills in the opening run and finished with five kills and a .500 hitting percentage. Box Score

September 12, 2011: Player Specialist Brendyce Budd, Armstrong Olivia Snipes, Flagler September 19, 2011: Player Specialist Alex Rohlfing, Augusta State Casey Gnann, Flagler

NCAA Tournament: Flagler Advances to Region Final Over Armstrong 3-0

(11/19/11) WINGATE, N.C. - The second-seeded and 24th-ranked Flagler College Saints swept number 21 Armstrong Atlantic in semifinal action of the 2011 NCAA Southeast regionals Saturday afternoon in Cuddy Arena. Flagler won by scores of 25-19, 29-27 and 25-14 to improve to 30-6 overall, winning its 14th consecutive match while reaching the regional title match for the third consecutive year. Armstrong ends its season at 36-3 overall, the best overall record in program history.

September 26, 2011: Player Specialist Emily Taylor, Flagler Marissa Baker, UNCP OCTober 3, 2011: Player Specialist Ashlee Crook, Francis Marion Olivia Snipes, Flagler october 10, 2011: Player Specialist Leia Pittman, Armstrong Anna Garrison, Montevallo

Junior outside hitter Dianna Craine (Oshawa, Ontario) had 11 kills, 10 digs and five blocks, hitting .435 on the afternoon to lead the Flagler attack. Sophomore right-side hitter Sophie Meyer (Orlando, Fla.) added 11 kills with a .450 hitting percentage, while sophomore outside hitter Emilee Taylor (Temple Terrace, Fla.) had nine kills and seven digs for the Saints. Senior setter Olivia Snipes (Easley, S.C.) had 38 assists, while junior libero Casey Gnann (Boca Raton, Fla.) collected 19 digs.

october 17, 2011: Player Specialist Manyi Ati, Montevallo Hallie Legg, Francis Marion october 24, 2011: Player Specialist Brittany Wolf, Armstrong Rachel Wotitzky, Montevallo October 31, 2011: Player Specialist Ashlee Crook, Francis Marion Ashley Seal, Armstrong

Junior outside hitter Amanda Jones (Marietta, Ga.) november 7, 2011: had 13 kills to lead the Armstrong Atlantic attack. Player Specialist Sophomore outside hitter Jessica Santaniello (Boca Rebecca Morgan, UNCP Olivia Snipes, Flagler Raton, Fla.) added 10 kills and 10 digs for the Pirates, while senior outside hitter Brendyce Budd (Page, Ariz.) would get no closer than five the rest of the way, with had eight kills and a team-best 12 digs. Junior setter a Taylor kill capping the set. Flagler hit .382 in the Ashley Seal (Orlando, Fla.) handed out 34 assists for opening frame. the Pirates. Flagler used a 7-0 run to take a 12-4 lead in the opening frame, getting two kills each from Taylor and Craine in the spurt. Three consecutive Flagler errors trimmed the lead to three at 15-12. A pair of Armstrong errors, along with a kill from junior middle blocker Crystal Niederriter (Merritt Island, Fla.) pushed the advantage back to seven at 21-14. The Pirates

The second set was tight throughout, featuring 14 ties and seven lead changes. A kill from Jones gave Armstrong a 16-13 advantage. The Saints answered by scoring the next four points, getting two aces from Meyer along with an Armstrong error to take a 17-16 lead. The Pirates answered, using a 3-0 run to take a 24-22 lead. Jones started the flurry with a kill, while two Flagler errors capped it. A Meyer kill and Arm-

strong error tied it at 24. The teams would then trade points, with the Pirates taking a 27-26 lead to serve for the set once again. A Craine kill tied the set at 27, while a block from Craine put Flagler up by one. The Saints went to Craine again, who capped the second frame with a kill to give Flagler a 2-0 lead.

Meyer, an all-tournament selection added nine digs and recorded a .245 hitting percentage for the Saints. Dianna Craine, also an all-tournament selection, recorded her 15th double-double of the season with 14 kills and 13 digs. It was her seventh consecutive double-double. Emilee Taylor added her 13th doubledouble with 14 kills and 11 digs. Snipes, who earned A 7-0 run helped the Saints jump out to a 14-6 lead in all-tournament honors, eclipsed the 50-assist plateau the third set, capped by back-to-back Craine blocks. for the 12th time this season and her 21 digs were The Pirates would never get closer than seven the rest the second-most she has recorded this season. For of the way. A Meyer kill, along with two kills from junior the fifth time this year, Casey Gnann, has surpassed middle blocker Rachel Stacy (Orlando, Fla.) made it the 30-dig mark with a match-high 31. She was also 22-10. Niederriter capped the match with a kill, send- named to the all-tournament team. Rachel Stacy ing Flagler to their third straight regional championchipped in with eight kills, five assists and five total ship match. Flagler hit .423 in the final set, with 15 blocks. kills in 26 swings. Cory McGowan led Wingate with 17 kills and 15 digs. The Saints hit .303 on the match, with 46 kills and Lexi Potter added 16 kills and seven blocks assists. 13 errors in 109 attacks. The Pirates had 40 kills and She hit .412 with just two errors on 34 swings. Susie 21 errors in 121 attacks, hitting .157 for the match. Murach chipped in with 13 kills, 12 digs and six block Taylor had three of Flaglerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seven aces on the day. assists. Anna Hilton recorded a double-double with 12 Flagler advances to the regional championship match kills and 12 digs while Grace Krauser finished with 12 for the third time in as many years. The Saints defeat- kills and four block assists. Maggie Malone collected ed Wingate 3-1 in 2009 to win the regional title, ad20 digs and Liz Willis tallied a match-high 60 asvancing all the way to the NCAA Final Four. The Saints sists and added 13 digs. McGowan, Hilton, Willis and lost 3-0 in the championship match in 2010 to WingKrauser were named to the all-tournament team. ate. The Saints will take on Wingate once again as the Bulldogs advanced with a 3-0 win over Catawba. The first set featured nine ties and four lead changes. Flagler opened a 22-17 lead after an attack error by Box Score McGowan. The Bulldogs followed by going on a 6-1 run to tie the set at 23-all. The Saints had set point Flagler Wins Volleyball Regional after an attack error by Murach, but a serving error Title! tied the score at 24. Flagler jumped ahead 25-24 and (11/20/11) WINGATE, N.C. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sophie Meyer had a had set point again, but a Krauser kill knotted the set career-high 18 kills while Olivia Snipes tallied 52 asat 25. After a kill by Murach, Wingate served set point. sists and 21 digs for her 18th double-double of the season as No. 24 (AVCA Division II Top 25) Flagler won Flagler broke it with a kill by Meyer, but a kill by Murach and an attack error by Crystal Niederriter ended its second NCAA Division II Southeast Region title in the set in favor of Wingate, 28-26. Both teams hit three years with a 3-2 (26-28, 21-25, 27-25, 25-23, under .100. Craine and Meyer led Flagler with five kills 15-13) win over No. 14 Wingate University Sunday apiece. Muraach and Hilton each recorded four. afternoon at Cuddy Arena. Flagler extended its winning streak to 15 matches and improved to 31-6 overall. Wingate had its 32-match undefeated streak snapped and finished the season 32-1. Up next for the Saints will be a trip to the NCAA Division II National Quarterfinals where they will meet the only undefeated team left in the country, top-ranked Cal State San Bernardino (30-0) on Dec. 1.

Wingate broke open a 7-all tie in the second set with an 11-5 run. The Saints were able to close the deficit to three points (21-18) after a double-block by Meyer and Stacy, but that was as close as they could get. Meyer recorded five kills for the Saints while Potter tallied four kills and three blocks for the Bulldogs. Wingate held a 20-13 lead in the third set and seemed primed to sweep Flagler. The Saints went on a 5-1 run to close to within three (21-18) and eventu-

Volleyball

ally rallied all the way back to tie the set at 23 on an ace by Stacy. After a kill by Krauser, Taylor broke Wingate’s first match point with a kill. Krauser added another kill to give Wingate a 25-24 lead, but Taylor again broke up match point. A kill by Craine brought up set point for the Saints and Niederriter pounded home the final kill to give Flagler a hard-fought 27-25 win. Potter recorded six kills for the Bulldogs while the Saints had three players with three kills. In the fourth set, Wingate jumped out to a 9-4 lead, but (l-R) Laura Lancaster, Olivia Snipes & Jillian Unitas Flagler rallied to tie the set at and help lead top-ranked (AVCA Division II Top 25) Cal 20-all on the first of two sucState San Bernardino to a 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-12) cessive kills by Meyer, the latter giving the Saints a win over No. 24 Flagler College in a NCAA Division II 21-20 advantage. Flagler grabbed a 24-22 lead on a Women’s Volleyball National Quarterfinal Thursday set error by Willis, but an attack error by Taylor broke the first set point. Meyer finished the set off with a kill night at Coussoulis Arena. and tied the match at 2-all with a 25-23 win. Stacy, CSUSB improved to 31-0 on the season and extended Taylor and Meyer all recorded five kills for Flagler as its home court winning streak to 65 matches. The the team hit .389 with 18 kills and four errors on 36 Coyotes will take on Hillsdale College in the second swings. McGowan led Wingate with six kills. semifinal tomorrow (Dec. 2). Flagler ended its seaWingate sprinted out to a 7-1 lead in the fifth and de- son with a 31-7 record and had its 15-match winning ciding set, but Flagler responded with six consecutive streak snapped. points of its own to tie the score at 7-all after a kill by Meyer. With the score tied at 12, Taylor recorded a kill to give the Saints a lead and caused the Bulldogs to call a timeout and re-group. Out of the timeout, Craine blasted a kill across the court to set up match point. After a McGowan kill brought Wingate back to within a point (14-13), Krauser’s serve went long and Flagler took the match with a 15-13 win in the final set. Joining Flagler’s and Wingate’s players on the all-tournament team were: Ashley Seal and Brendyce Budd of Armstrong; and, Jenny Young and Jordan Raye of Catawba. Box Score

Flagler falls to top-ranked Cal State San Bernardino 3-0

(12/1/11) SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Priscilla Collings came off the bench to record a match-high 11 kills

“We just didn’t get into a rhythm,” said Flagler head volleyball coach Taylor Mott. “They made it difficult for us to do anything.” Mott completed her 13th year at the helm of the Flagler volleyball program with a record of 304-158 (.659 winning percentage). She is a three-time Peach Belt Conference Coach of the Year and a three-time Florida Sun Conference Coach of the Year. Mott’s teams have recorded 20 or more wins in each of the last 11 seasons. She and her husband, Brian, and their two children, will relocate to Tennessee at the end of the month. “I couldn’t have asked for anything better,” said Mott. “I am really proud of the girls.” Collings hit .357 in a reserve role as she only had one error on 28 swings. Megan Johnson added 10 kills

with one error on 19 swings for a .474 hitting percentage. Two-time AVCA Division II Player of the Year Samantha Middleborn recorded eight kills and added four total blocks. Two-time AVCA Division II All-America Camille Smith recorded a double-double with 33 assists and 12 digs. The Coyotes hit .346 for the match and recorded 7.0 total team blocks. AVCA Division II Third Team All-America Olivia Snipes led the Saints with her 19th double-double of the season with 25 assists and 10 digs. Peach Belt Conference Libero of the Year winner Casey Gnann collected a matchhigh 21 digs. Emy Taylor, Dianna Craine, and Sophie Meyer each recorded six kills. Flagler was held to a .088 hitting percentage. The Coyotes raced out to a 7-2 lead in the first set and never trailed. The Saints closed the gap to 13-10 after a kill by Meyer, but CSUSB countered with a 6-3 run to take control back. The Coyotes held set point (24-17), but the Saints fought off three set points before a Middleborn kill ended the set 25-20. Johnson led CSUSB with six kills and recorded a .600 hitting percentage. Collings added five kills. Flagler jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the second set after a pair of kills by Meyer and others from Taylor and Rachel Stacy. A double-block by Middleborn and Smith tied the set up at 7-all, but Flagler went on a 4-1, capped by a Craine kill to give the Saints an 11-8 lead. The Coyotes closed to 11-10 after a hitting error by the Saints, but Smith followed with a service error to give Flagler a 12-10 lead. A Johnson spike started a 9-1 run by the Coyotes to swing the momentum back to CSUSB. The coyotes went on to take the set 25-16. Taylor recorded four kills for the Saints. Cal State San Bernardino raced out to a 12-4 lead in the third set and never looked back. Flagler rallied to close the deficit with its own 6-1 run as an Abby Meyers kill induced a CSUSB timeout with the score 13-10. But the Coyotes closed the set, and the match, by recording the last eight points in a row. Box Score

Award Winners Capital One Academic All-America First Team Anna Garrison, Montevallo Capital One Academic All-District Team Samantha Lukralle, USC Aiken Danielle Parker, Francis Marion Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Team Marissa Baker, UNC Pembroke Brendyce Budd, Armstrong Ashley Farwell, USC Aiken Anna Garrison, Montevallo Casey Howett, Armstrong Chelsey Kight, USC Aiken Hallie Legg, Francis Marion Samantha Lukralle, USC Aiken Amanda Mitchell, Francis Marion Danielle Parker, Francis Marion

Claire Patten, USC Aiken Leia Pittman, Armstrong Jessica Santaniello, Armstrong Olivia Snipes, Flagler Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Honorable Mention Michelle Carle, Montevallo Liz Drewry, Francis Marion Endea Ellison, USC Aiken Jessica Guidry, Montevallo Emily Maassen, USC Aiken Megan Mooney, Francis Marion Paige Perreault, Francis Marion

AVCA All-America Third Team Olivia Snipes, Flagler Brittany Wolf, Armstrong AVCA All-Southeast Region Team Brendyce Budd, Armstrong Dianna Craine, Flagler Casey Gnann, Flagler Crystal Niederriter, Flagler

Volleyball

PBC First Team All-Conference (l-R) Wolf, Ati, Budd, Pittman, Seal, Niederriter & Snipes Jessica Santaniello, Armstrong Olivia Snipes, Flagler Emilee Taylor, Flagler Brittany Wolf, Armstrong AVCA All-Southeast Region Honorable Mention Leia Pittman, Armstrong Ashley Seal, Armstrong AVCA Southeast Region Coach of the Year Will Condon, Armstrong Daktronics All-Southeast Region First Team Brendyce Budd, Armstrong Dianna Craine, Flagler Crystal Niederriter, Flagler Brittany Wolf, Armstrong Daktronics All-Southeast Region SecondTeam Manyi Ati, Montevallo Casey Gnann, Flagler Jessica Santaniello, Armstrong Olivia Snipes, Flagler PBC All-Conference First Team Manyi Ati, Montevallo Brendyce Budd, Armstrong Crystal Niederriter, Flagler Leia Pittman, Armstrong Ashley Seal, Armstrong Olivia Snipes, Flagler Brittany Wolf, Armstrong

PBC All-Conference Second Team Shannon Byers, USC Aiken Dianna Craine, Flagler Casey Gnann, Flagler Samantha Lukralle, USC Aiken Rebecca Morgan, UNC Pembroke Jessica Santaniello, Armstrong Emilee Taylor, Flagler PBC Player of the Year Brittany Wolf, Armstrong PBC Freshman of the Year Alex Rohlfing, Augusta State PBC Libero/Defensive Specialist of the Year Casey Gnann, Flagler PBC Setter of the Year Olivia Snipes, Flagler Co-Coaches of the Year Will Condon, Armstrong Taylor Mott, Flagler

Montevallo’s Garrison Named First Team Academic All-American

Senior setter Anna Garrison of the University of Montevallo volleyball team was named to the Capital One Academic All-America® Division II Volleyball First Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America. Garrison becomes the first female student-athlete from the University of Montevallo to be named a First Team Academic All-American and just the second student-athlete in school history to receive the honor. Garrison joins UM Hall of Fame member and former baseball player Tony Cappola (1997-00) as the only First Team CoSIDA Academic All-Americans in school history. Garrison has a 4.00 GPA in communication studies. She led the Falcons in assists and had 14 double-doubles this past season. Last season she was named AVCA All-Southeast Region, PBC All-Conference First Team, PBC Co-Setter of the Year, First Team Academic All-District, PBC AllAcademic Team and PBC Specialist of the Week five times. She was also awarded an academic achievement award by the Division II Athletic Directors Association and named a Gold Scholar on the PBC Honor Roll. Her sophomore year she was named Second Team Academic All-District, First Team All-Academic by the PBC, Second-Team All-PBC and was PBC Specialist of the Week three times. She was also named a Gold Scholar on the PBC Presidential Honor Roll. Garrison becomes just the fourth student-athlete at UM to be named CoSIDA Academic All-American. Cappola was named First Team in 2000, UM Hall of Famer and women’s soccer star Adrianne Peters (1999-02) was named Second Team in 2001 and Third Team in 2002 while women’s soccer goalkeeper Corey Gros (2005-08) was named Third Team in 2008.

Statistics Individual

Kills Per Set

Alex Rohlfing, Augusta State Manyi Ati, Montevallo Michelle Walker, Montevallo Rebecca Morgan, UNC Pembroke Emily Taylor, Flagler Amanda Jones, Armstrong Brendyce Budd, Armstrong Dianna Craine, Flagler AshleeCrook, Francis Marion Jessica Santaniello, Armstrong

3.38 3.11 3.08 3.07 2.98 2.96 2.87 2.81 2.68 2.67

Brittany Wolf, Armstrong Crystal Niederriter, Flagler Manyi Ati, Montevallo J essicaHanson, Augusta State Rachel Stacy, Flagler Sophie Meyer, Flagler Abby Meyers, Flagler Brendyce Budd, Armstrong Katie Best, Montevallo Amanda Mitchell, Francis Marion

.406 .359 .343 .338 .297 .288 .256 .233 .223 .221

Ashley Seal, Armstrong Hannah Hill, UNC Pembroke Jessica Register, Lander Rebecca Morgan, UNC Pembroke Madison Kubal, Lander Nicole Bennett, Francis Marion Dianna Craine, Flagler Chelsea Phillips, UNC Pembroke

0.49 0.40 0.39 0.34 0.33 0.30 0.29 0.29

Hitting Percentage

Service Aces Per Set

Emily Taylor, Flagler Claire Patten, USC Aiken

0.28 UNC Pembroke .154 0.26 Lander .114

Leia Pittman, Armstrong Brittany Wolf, Armstrong Jessica Loper, USC Aiken Danielle Parker, Francis Marion Hannah Tierney, USC Aiken Katie Best, Montevallo Rachel Stacy, Flagler Crystal Niederriter, Flagler P aigeTuttle, Augusta State Endea Ellison, USC Aiken

1.16 1.04 0.96 0.93 0.80 0.78 0.78 0.77 0.73 0.70

Blocks Per Set

Assists Per Set

Flagler 13.34 Armstrong 12.20 Montevallo 12.17 UNC Pembroke 11.04 USC Aiken 10.99 Augusta State 10.93 Francis Marion 10.19 Lander 9.90

Digs Per Set

Montevallo 17.36 Flagler 17.31 UNC Pembroke 16.99 Team Lander 16.54 Team Kills per Set USC Aiken 15.75 Flagler 14.21 Francis Marion 15.55 Armstrong 13.17 Armstrong 15.38 Montevallo 13.07 Augusta State 15.30 USC Aiken 12.20 Blocks Per Set Augusta State 12.09 Armstrong 2.33 UNC Pembroke 11.81 Francis Marion 1.97 Francis Marion 11.21 USC Aiken 1.95 Lander 10.52 Flagler 1.80 Team Hitting Percentage Montevallo 1.75 Flagler .254 UNC Pembroke 1.68 Armstrong .249 Augusta State 1.50 Augusta State .205 Lander 1.17 Montevallo .202 Francis Marion .165 USC Aiken .158

Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basketball PBC Quarterfinals: Montevallo Pulls Away From UNCP

(3/2/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Montevallo pulled away in the late stages for a 74-62 victory over UNC Pembroke Friday afternoon in the first quarterfinal of the Peach Belt Conference Championships at Frank G. Lumpkin Center. The victory was the sixth in the last seven games for the

Conference GP Record Win % EAST DIVISION 1. USC Aiken 18 14-4 0.778 2. Augusta State 18 12-6 0.667 3. Lander 18 11-7 0.611 4. UNC Pembroke 18 11-7 0.611 5. Francis Marion 18 9-9 0.500 6. Armstrong 18 6-12 0.333 7. Flagler 18 2-16 0.111 WEST DIVISION 1. Montevallo 17 12-5 0.706 2. Columbus State 17 11-6 0.647 3. Georgia College 17 10-7 0.588 4. Clayton State 17 8-9 0.471 5. North Georgia 17 5-12 0.294 6. Ga. Southwestern 17 3-14 0.176

Final Standings Overall GP Record Win % Last 10 29 28 27 29 28 26 26

21-8 17-11 18-9 17-12 16-12 10-16 9-17

0.724 0.607 0.667 0.586 0.571 0.385 0.346

6-4 6-4 6-4 5-5 5-5 3-7 3-7

37 30 27 27 28 26

29-8 18-12 17-10 16-11 10-18 12-14

0.784 0.600 0.630 0.593 0.357 0.462

9-1 6-4 7-3 5-5 3-7 1-9

Men’s Basketball

Falcons, who improved to 22-7 and advance to face the Augusta State-Georgia College winner on Saturday, March 3 at 6:00 p.m. With the loss, the Braves slipped to 17-12 on the season.

W1. Montevallo Montevallo 74-62 E4. UNCP

Montevallo 63-59

E2. Augusta St.

D.J. Rivera led four Falcons in Augusta St. 71-49 double figures. Drico Hightower tallied 17 points and six rebounds, W3. Georgia College Ryan May booked 14 points and E1. USC Aiken Antoine Davis, the PBC Defensive Player of the Year, netted 11 USC Aiken 48-40 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and two steals. W4. Clayton St. UNCP freshman Griffin Pittman paced the Braves with 14 points, second-team all-conference member Shahmel Brackett pitched in 13 and three steals and K.J. Cooper chipped in 10 points.

Montevallo 70-57

ColumbusSt.75-74(2ot)

W2. Columbus St. ColumbusSt.84-81(ot) E3. Lander

Montevallo jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first 2:02 of the game on an Davis 3-play, a Davis deflection and steal that led to a Rivera layup and a Hightower layup. Brackett got the Braves on the board with a running jumper before Pittman swished a 3-pointer and keyed a 25-3 run that Brackett capped when he hit a trey from the left baseline for a 30-15 Braves’ lead, their largest of the half. The Falcons answered, closing the final 5:15 of the half on a 14-3 spurt as UNCP misfired on six of its last seven field goal attempts and three free throw attempts. UM used a 14-2 run in the first six minutes of the second half to move back ahead 43-35. May swished a three from the right corner and Hightower’s tip in put the West Division’s top seed up by 10 at 45-35 with 13:57 remaining. After Mike Robinson hit a jumper for the Braves, May swished backto-back 3-pointers – his third and fourth of the second half -- to give the Falcons some breathing room at 54-40. The Braves wouldn’t go away, however, and when Brackett nailed a trey from the top of the key, UNCP trailed just 64-58 with 2:33 to play. After a Marvin Fitzgerald free throw put the Falcons up seven, UNCP freshman Ben Jacobs answered with a free throw of his own for a 65-59 deficit. Hightower answered with two free throws and an uncontested layup from May put Montevallo in 79

Montevallo’s Antoine Davis

control 69-60 with less than a minute remaining. Rivera drained three free throws for a 72-60 Falcons’ advantage and Hightower added a pair from the charity stripe before the Braves’ Cooper hit a layup for the final margin. Montevallo shot 53.5 percent overall, including 63.6 in the second half, and hit 50.0 percent of its 3-point attempts (7-of-14). The Braves shot 46.2 percent for the game, but connected on just 3-of-14 (21.4 percent) from long distance. UNCP edged the Falcons on the boards, 30-28. Box Score

PBC Quarterfinals: Dominating First Half Propels Jaguars to PBC Semifinals

(3/2/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. – Augusta State University (17-10) used a dominating first half performance to push past Georgia College (17-10) 71-49 Friday afternoon in the second quarterfinal of the Peach Belt Conference Championships at Frank G. Lumpkin Center. With the win the Jaguars advance to face the University of Montevallo in the first semifinal on Saturday beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Both teams struggled shooting the ball early as they combined for 10 points over the opening five minutes of the game. After going 2-for-8 from the field in the opening five minutes of the first half, the Jaguars went 14-for-21 the rest of the way to pull away from the Bobcats. With the score tied 6-6 with 14:02 to play in the half the Jaguars began 7-0 run capped off by a WrightNelson three-point play. A three-pointer by Quin Bivins with 11:28 to play ended the run and cut the Bobcats deficit to just four points. Just five minutes later with the Jags up by six, ASU began a 10-0 run to take a 28-13 with 3:41 to play in the half. ASU would grow its lead over the final minutes to 19 as the half expired, 38-19. Georgia College shot just 29.2 percent from the field in the first half while Augusta hit 55.2 percent of its shots. GC struggled from deep as they hit just 1-of-7 attempts from beyond the three-point line while ASU did not convert a single three-pointer in the half.

The Bobcats came out in the second half and played even with the Jaguars but it would not be enough as the 19-point halftime deficit proved too much to over come. ASU opened the second half with a 14-4 run to increase its lead to 29 but that would be the Jags largest lead of the contest as the Bobcats began to find their rhythm. An Aquino three-pointer with 4:48 ASU was led by PBC Freshman of the Year Devon left in the half cut the deficit to 15 but that would Wright-Nelson who led all scorers with 22 points be as close as the Bobcats would come as the basand also grabbed 16 rebounds which was also a ket sparked a 10-0 run by the Jaguars to retake a game-high. Harold Doby chipped in 15 points and six 25-point lead. Georgia College was able to knock boards while O’Neal three-points off the lead over the final minute as AuArmstrong had 11 gusta won 71-49. points and six assists. ASU will now battle Montevallo in the PBC semifinals for the third-straight season. UM won the first meeting Georgia College had during the 2010 PBC Tournament while ASU took the a trio of double-digit 2011 meeting, 61-52. scorers including Box Score PBC First Team selection Ryan Aquino PBC Quarterfinals: USC Aiken Survives who led the team with 14 points and Clayton State; Advances to Semis (3/2/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. – Maurice Hubbard scored seven rebounds. Jared Holmes add- 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds Friday evening to lead the USC Aiken men’s basketball team to a 48ed 12 points while 40 victory over Clayton State in the quarterfinal round Tarrence Chatman of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament hosted by had 11. Augusta State’s Dip Metress Columbus State University at the Frank G. Lumpkin Draws up a Play 80

Men’s Basketball

Center. USCA, the top seed in the East, improves to 21-6 overall and advances to Saturday’s 8 p.m. semifinal where it will play the Columbus State/Lander winner. Clayton State, the fourth seed in the West, drops to 16-11. The tournament championship game is set for 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

minutes when they were forced to foul to get possession. USCA connected on 5-of-8 free throws to end the game.

Hubbard connected on 4-of-5 field goals and 3-of-9 free throws, USC Aiken’s while Sterling Council Maurice Hubbard added eight points. The Pacers connected on 23of-36 free throws in the game for 63.9 percent.

(3/2/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. – Columbus State outlasted Lander for a thrilling 84-81 overtime victory Friday night in the fourth and final quarterfinal of the Peach Belt Conference Championships at Frank G. Lumpkin Center.

Clayton State’s Anthony Salter scored a game-high 18 points as he made 6-of-14 field goals and 6-of-7 free throws. Andrew Bachanov added seven points and 11 rebounds in the loss. The first half was a low-scoring affair that featured four ties and seven lead changes, but the Pacers eased out to a 22-15 lead on a Maurice Hubbard dunk with 56.7 seconds left and two free throws by Re’mon Nelson at 12.2 seconds.

For the game, USCA was 12-of-46 from the field for 26.1 percent, including 1-of-16 threes. Clayton State connected on 15-of-46 floor shots for 32.6 percent and missed on all nine of its three-point attempts. The Lakers were 10-of-20 from the free throw line for 50 percent. Box Score

PBC Quarterfinals: Columbus State Downs Lander in OT Thriller

With the win, the Cougars (17-10) move on to Saturday’s 8:00 p.m., semifinal contest against USC Aiken (21-6), the PBC East Division’s top seed and the league’s regular season champion. CSU extended its winning streak in overtime to 12 in a row behind a career-high 25 points and 14 rebounds from Darius Mcknight, who notched his fifth doubledouble of the season. Steve Peterson registered 19 points, five steals, four rebounds and four assists, while Idell Bell tallied 16 points and Jarmarquis Steverson managed 12.

The Lakers cut the lead to 22-17 with 4.8 seconds remaining on a Tim Budd basket.

Lander’s Corey Wright booked 24 points and seven assists to pace the Bearcats (18-9). David Pruett canned five 3-pointers for 15 points, including a trey with two Neither team shot well in the first half with USCA going seconds left to force the extra session. Dwight Tolbert 7-for-29 from the field for 24.1 percent and Clayton had 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Jermel State connecting on 6-of-21 shots for 28.6 percent. Kennedy notched a double-double of his own with 11 points and 13 boards. The Lakers opened the second half with a 5-0 run on a Teondre Williams dunk, a Bachanov field goal and a Mcknight hit 1-of-2 free throws on CSU’s first overtime Salter free throw to tie the game at 22-22 with 17:22 possession for a 72-71 lead and Peterson rattled left in the game. home a 3-pointer for a 75-71 Cougar advantage. After After one more tie and seven lead changes, the Pacers took the lead for good at 32-31 with 9:57 left in the game on a pair of Jesse Seilern free throws.

Wright went 1-of-2 at the free throw line, Peterson slashed to the basket for a layup to put CSU up 77-72 before a perfect pass from Bell to McKnight led to another uncontested layup and a 79-72 Columbus lead.

The Lakers stayed with striking range until the final

Pruett again connected from long range to pull Lander 81

within 79-75. Kennedy made one of two free throws and Wright drilled a 3-pointer for an 81-79 Columbus lead. Steverson put the Cougars up four with a pair from the charity stripe before Kennedy got free underneath for a layup and the Bearcats fouled Ivey, who missed his first attempt and hit the second for the final margin. Lander rushed the ball up the floor but lost control as the clock expired.

67-64 CSU advantage and Steverson added a pair from the charity stripe for a five-point Cougar lead with 2:01 left.

The Cougars shot a blistering 54.8 percent in the first half en route to a 43-31 halftime lead. They drained seven 3-pointers and connected on 17-of-31 field-goal attempts. Mcknight nearly had a double-double in the opening 20 minutes alone, posting 11 points and nine rebounds. Peterson booked 10 points and hit a pair of treys, as did Steverson and Idell Bell. The Cougars pushed their lead out to as much as 17 just 2:31 into the second half before a Corey Wright trey and layup pulled the Bearcats to within 50-38. Lander twice cut its deficit down to 10 on a pair of Cody Waterworth jumpers, only to have CSU answer with two driving layups from McKnight. Tolbert, named the league’s Player of the Year on Tuesday, drilled consecutive 3-pointers -- one from the right wing and one from the left -- to cut the margin to 56-52 at the 10:59 mark. The Cougars responded with a trey from Peterson and a Mcknight layup to put CSU up 62-54 with 6:08 remaining.

But the Bearcats again had an answer. After a CSU turnover, Wright found Pruett in transition on the right wing for a 3-pointer to pull within 69-67. After Peterson missed a 3-point attempt from the left baseline, Wright was fouled and made the first of two free throws. CSU’s Winford Ivey rebounded the miss but stepped on the baseline to give the back to Lander. The Bearcats gave the ball right back when Tolbert slipped while making a cut to the basket and was called for traveling. Forced to foul, Lander sent Ivey to the line and he made both attempts for a 71-68 CSU lead. Wright raced the ball up the left side of the floor and found Pruett, who’s leaning 3-pointer – his fourth of the game -- forced overtime at 71-all. Box Score

PBC Semifinals: Montevallo Punches Ticket to Title Game 63-59

(3/3/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. – The Montevallo men’s basketball team used a 12-0 run early in the second half to punch its ticket to the Peach Belt Conference Tournament championship game Saturday evening when it posted a 63-59 victory over Augusta State in the first semifinal game in Columbus State University’s Frank G. Lumpkin Center. Montevallo, the top seed in the West, improves to 23-7 overall and will face the USC Aiken/Columbus State winner in the title game at 4:30 p.m., Sunday. The winner earns the PBC’s automatic berth into the NCAA Division II National Championship Tournament. Augusta State, the second seed in the East, drops to 17-11.

Wright hit a pair of free throws but another Mcknight basket in the lane kept the Cougar advantage at eight (64-56). Wright answered with a banked-in 3-pointer that narrowly beat the shot clock and then hit a driving layup to get the Bearcats within four at 64-60 with 4:08 remaining. Kennedy’s left-handed layup cut the deficit to 65-62 and Darion Canty put back Kennedy’s miss to pull within 66-64. Bell sank two from the charity stripe for a

Antoine Davis led Montevallo with a game-high 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Drico Hightower had 11 points and nine rebounds and DJ Rivera 11 points. The Jaguars placed four players in double figures led by Tye Beal’s 15 points. O’Neal Armstrong netted 12 points, while Travis Keels and D’Angelo Boyce had 10 each. Harold Doby led ASU in rebounds with eight. Columbus State’s Jamarquis Steverson 82

Men’s Basketball

putback. The Jags cut it to 58-55 on Armstrong’s two free throws at 1:39, but Rivera went 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the final 25.5 seconds to secure the win. For the game, Montevallo connected on 24-of-59 field goals for 40.7 percent, including 2-of-15 threes for 13.3 percent. The Falcons sank 13-of-26 free throws for 50 percent. ASU was 21-of-46 from the field for 45.7 percent, including 8-of-14 threes for 57.1 percent. The Jags sank 9-of-14 foul shots for 64.3 percent. Box Score

Augusta State’s O’Neal Armstrong Drives against Montevallo’s DeMarcus Catchings After tying for the third time in the game at 16-16 with 7:37 left in the first half, Augusta State used a 15-0 run to take a 31-16 advantage with 4:08 remaining. During the scoring spree, Beal netted three treys, including one four-point play, while Armstrong drilled a three and Keels made a two-pointer. Montevallo followed its four-minute scoring drought with a three from Rivera and a fast break layup by Davis to cut the lead to 31-21 at the 3:13 mark. The Jaguars’ Devon Wright-Nelson came back with a three- and two-pointer to make it 36-21 at 2:18, but the Falcons concluded the half (36-25) with a basket underneath by Davis and a Jonas Brown layup. Montevallo made its move following the intermission when it cut the Augusta State lead under double figures at 38-29 when Hightower scored with 18:38 left in the game. Augusta made it 45-34 on a D’Angelo Boyce three at 16:07, but Montevallo responded with a 12-0 run to take a 46-45 lead at 11:11 on Brown’s three pointer. The Falcons started the run with Marvin Fitzgerald’s two free throws, Davis added a three-point play and Hightower and DeMarcus Catchings each had a basket.

PBC Semifinals: Peterson Double OT Jumper Sends Cougars to PBC Championship

(3/3/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. – Columbus State University (18-10) upset the regular season Peach Belt Conference Champions USC Aiken (21-7) in double overtime in the PBC Semifinals Saturday evening in the Frank G. Lumpkin Center. A baseline jumper by CSU’s Steve Peterson with three seconds left on the clock in double overtime proved to be the difference. The Cougars will now take on the University of Montevallo in the PBC Championship on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. CSU was led by Idell Bell who scored 16 points while Peterson added 14. Jamarquis Steverson scored 13 points and Darius Mcknight had a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds. USCA was led by Re’Mon Nelson who scored 18 while Sterling Council added 17. Chase Holmes came in third with 13. Both teams came out of the gate cold as they combined for five points over the opening five minutes. With 10:50 left to play in the first half and the Pacers ahead 7-6, USCA began an 8-2 run capped off by a Nelson layup to take a seven-point lead. CSU answered with four-straight points all coming from the free throw line to cut the lead to just three.

A 5-0 run by Bell beginning at the 5:54 mark tied the After two more ties and two lead changes, Montevallo game for the Cougars as he hit a three and a pair of eased out to a five-point lead at 58-53 on a Hightower free throws to tie the game at 17. CSU took its first 83

lead since the 17:54 mark of the half on a layup by Dimitri Davis but a quick jumper by the Pacers knotted the game back up. The Pacers and Cougars then traded three-point baskets to keep the game tied. A 4-0 run by McKnight gave the Cougars a four-point lead with just 38 seconds left on the clock but a layup as timed expired by Nelson cut the lead to just two as both teams headed into the half. USCA shot 30.3 percent in the first half while the Cougars connected on 28.6 percent. USCA went just 1-of-9 from three-point range and CSU made one better going 2-of-9. Both teams struggled from the free throw line as CSU was 12-of-20 good for 60 percent and USCA was 3-of-7 good for 42.9 percent. Nelson opened the second half with a three to give USCA a one-point lead but the Cougars responded with six-straight points including backto-back jumpers from Steve Peterson. With 15:55 left the Pacers used a 5-0 run to take a one point lead with 14:35 to play. The teams would trade baskets on the next few possessions but with 11:27 to play CSU used a 5-0 run to take a seven-point lead which would be the biggest of the half.

5 while the Pacers found their range going 6-of-10 from beyond the arc. The Cougars jumped out to the early lead in the first overtime period as Steverson and McKnight combined for four points in the opening minute while the Pacers scored just one point on a free throw. Four-straight free throws and a jumper by Council gave the Pacers a three-point lead with 1:26 to play. Both teams struggled to find the bucket over the next minute but a leaning three by Peterson tied the game with 16 seconds left. Nelson attempted a three as the buzzer sounded but it missed the mark to send the game into a second overtime. USCA was just 1-of-6 from the field in the overtime period but converted on 5-of-8 free throw attempts. The Cougars were not much better as they hit 2-of-4 from the field and 2-of-4 from the free throw line.

CSU and USCA traded baskets on the opening few possessions of the second overtime but an oldfashioned three-point play by Rick Alderman gave the Pacers a three-point lead. Peterson answered with a three-pointer of his own to tie the Columbus State’s Steve Peterson Drives by USC Aiken’s game and Jonathan Sterling Council. To see Peterson’s Game-winning shot Murphy hit a layup to put the Cougars up by click here. two. USCA answered with five-straight points to take a 74-71 lead with 35 seconds left on the clock. The Pacers slowly worked their way back into the game and a three-pointer by Nelson tied the game McKnight was fouled on the next possession and hit a with 2:23 to play. A jumper by the Pacers and a pair pair of free throws to cut the lead to just one with 17 of free throws by the Cougars would be all either team seconds left. The Pacers struggled to inbound the ball could produce over the final two minutes as missed and had it knocked out of bounds three times before shots and turnovers produced a 57-57 score at the a misplaced dribble turned the ball back over to the end of regulation. Cougars. Peterson hit a baseline jumper with three seconds left to put the Cougars up by one and a half CSU shot 58.8 percent from the field in the second court heave fell short for the Pacers as the Cougars half while the Cougars hit 54.5 percent. CSU improved won, 75-74. its three-point shooting in the second half hitting 2-of- Box Score 84

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Montevallo Runs Past Columbus State Travis DeShazior 3-pointer pushed to First PBC Tournament Title! (3/4/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. – Montevallo stormed back from an early deficit Sunday afternoon to capture the 2012 Peach Belt Conference Men’s Basketball Championship with a 70-57 victory over host Columbus State in Frank G. Lumpkin Center. With the victory, the Falcons improved to 24-7 and earned the PBC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Cougars (18-11) will likely earn an at-large bid to the Big Dance. The official announcement of the full tournament field will be made at 10:30 p.m., Sunday night from the association’s headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind.

PBC All-Tournament Team

Re’Mon Nelson, USC Aiken the advantage to Devon Wright-Nelson, Augusta State 29-15. Fitzgerald’s Darius McKnight, Columbus State offensive rebound Steve Peterson, Columbus State and layup after a D.J. Rivera, Montevallo Davis miss made for a 36-19 FalTournament MVP cons’ lead – their Antoine Davis, Monteveallo largest of the half -- at the 2:15 mark. The Cougars got baskets from Johnathan Murphy and Jarmarquis Steverson to close the gap to 36-23 at the half.

Rivera’s trey just 39 seconds into the second half put the Falcons up 13 and a Hightower free throw made The tournament title was the first for Montevallo, which was making its second championship game ap- it a 53-39 UM lead with 8:58 to play. After UM missed pearance in its three seasons as members of the PBC. two free throws, Hightower came up with the loose ball and his putback gave the Falcons a 57-42. A Fitzgerald three-point play with 4:01 left gave MonteFalcons’ senior guard D.J. Rivera, the league’s scorvallo it’s largest of the game at 62-44. ing leader in the regular-season, tallied a team-high 22 points, including three 3-pointers, along with six Rivera canned six free throws in the final 2:14 and the rebounds. Backcourt mate Antoine Davis booked 15 Cougars never got within 10 the rest of the way. points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. CSU senior guard Steve Peterson booked a game-high 24 points, six boards and three steals. Darius Mcknight and Paul Darkwa managed 10 points each and combined for 17 rebounds. Peterson helped the Cougars roar out to a blazing start, draining a pair of 3-pointers around a Darkwa jumper in the first three minutes as CSU built an 8-2 lead.

The Falcons shot 51.0 percent for the game and hit 6-of-12 3-pointers and won the rebounding edge, 3735. CSU was held to 35.8 percent from the field (19-of53), including just 3-of-16 from long range. Box Score

The top seed in the PBC’s West Division, the Falcons answered with six straight points to knot the game at 8-all on a Marvin Fitzgerald putback and Davis’ reverse layup gave UM its first lead at the 14:21 mark and sparked a 9-0 spurt. A DeMarcus Catchings’ layup at the 6:40 mark put Montevallo up by 11 at 26-15 and a

2012 PBC Men’s Basketball Champions Montevallo Falcons 85

NCAA Tournament: Anderson Ousts Columbus State 77-64

(3/10/12) MONTEVALLO, Ala. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The 14th-ranked Trojans of Anderson University pulled away late in quarterfinal #1 of the 2012 NCAA Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basketball Southeast Regional in Montevallo, Ala. The Trojans led by just one against Columbus State University at halftime but used a 45-33 second-half advantage to capture the victory, 77-64.

Players of the Week November 21, 2011: November 28, 2011: December 5, 2011 December 12, 2011 December 19, 2011 January 3, 2012 January 9, 2012 January 16, 2012 January 23, 2012 January 30, 2012 February 6, 2012 February 13, 2012 February 20, 2012 February 27, 2012

Clarence Tillman, North Georgia Teondre Williams, Clayton State Dwight Tolbert, Lander D.J. Rivera, Montevallo Liki Turner, Francis Marion Phillip Brown, Georgia Southwestern Corey Wright, Lander Evrik Gary, Francis Marion Dwight Tolbert, Lander Liki Turner, Francis Marion Devon Wright-Nelson, Augusta State Ryan Aquino, Georgia College Dwight Tolbert, Lander D.J. Rivera, Montevallo

The Trojans improved to 25-5 on the season while the Cougars concluded their season with a 18-12 record. AU was led by Denzail Jones and Stephen Cobb who each scored 17 points. Jones added five assists and four rebounds while Cobb had five boards. Taylor Shugart had a double-double with 13 points and 12 boards while Tyrell McDowell chipped in 12 points. CSU was led by Idell Bell who had 17 points while Dimitri Davis had 16 points and seven rebounds. Steve Peterson also added 12 points and seven boards. The Trojans shot 46.3 percent from the field in the game while holding the Cougars to just 36.5 percent. AU was on fire from long-range hitting 13-of-26 shots from beyond the three-point line while the Cougars hit just 6-of-22. Both teams were solid from the free throw line as AU hit 73.7 percent and CSU hit 75.0 percent. CSU jumped out to the early lead in the first half as the Cougars scored six of the opening eight points. Anderson responded with a 10-1 run to take a 12-7 lead with 13:35 to play. After a Jonathan Murphy jumper that cut the Trojans lead to just three, Jones answered with a three to give AU their largest lead up to that point, 15-9. The three sparked an 8-0 run by the Trojans to increase their lead to 11 with just under 12 minutes to play. The Cougars then scored six-straight points to cut it back to five and a jumper by Darius Mcknight cut it down to four just a minute later. Mcknight then connected on a free throw to trim the lead to just three points but once again a Trojan three-pointer put the lead back to six. With 3:22 to play Davis hit a layup to make it a twopoint game but again the Trojans answered with a three to put themselves back up by five. After both teams traded free throws, Davis went on his own three-point run to close out the half and cut the lead to just one, 32-31. The Trojans shot 40.0 percent from the field in the first half and 46.7 percent from three-point range. The Cougars connected on 39.3 percent of their shots and 30.0 percent from three-point range. AU was 5-of-7 from the charity stripe while CSU hit 6-of-10. CSU won the rebounding battle 20-15 while AU edged CSU in turnovers as the Cougars had seven while the Trojans had just six. 86

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After a free throw put the Trojans up by two, a jumper by Paul Darkwa tied the game at 33. The two teams traded baskets on the next few possessions until a Jones three-pointer put the Trojans up by five. CSU answered with a small 5-0 run to tie the game but just minutes later the Trojans again stretched their lead to five. The lead would remain around the five-point mark until the Trojans started a 10-2 run with 6:08 to play to take a 68-56 lead. The run lasted just under three minutes as the Trojans drained a pair of three-pointers and a pair of jumpers.

sessions until a jumper by Jaime Vaughn and a three by Chase Smith put the Bulldogs ahead by six. The Bulldogs would push their lead to eight but a 6-0 run by the Pacers cut that lead to just two with 11:03 left in the period. The Bulldogs would answer with a 6-0 run of their own to push their lead back to eight. The Pacers would mount another comeback with 6:48 to play as they out-scored the Bulldogs 18-4 to close out the half up 35-29. Terrance Dent helped spark the run with back-to-back three-pointers with just over four minutes to play

With 1:16 left in the game a jumper by Nick Trull gave the Trojans their largest lead of the game at 17. A layup with 48 seconds by the Cougars ended the scoring as the Trojans won, 77-62. Box Score

The Pacers shot 52.2 percent from the field and nailed 4-of-6 from downtown. They struggled from the free throw line in the half hitting just 7-of-15. The Bulldogs hit 46.2 percent from the field but only hit 1-of-5 from three-point range. WU was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the half.

NCAA Tournament: Wingate Escapes USC Aiken 73-70

The Bulldogs began to chip away at the lead in the second half and they were able to cut it to just four, (3/10/12) MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The seventh-seeded Bulldogs of Wingate University shot 95.5 percent from five minutes into the period. USCA was able to inthe free throw line to upset the second-seeded Pacers crease its lead to seven with 14:35 to play but a 7-2 run by the Bulldogs made it a one possession game of USC Aiken in the quarterfinals of the 2012 NCAA with 12:01 left. WU was able to take its first lead Division II Men’s Basketball Southeast Regional. The of the half at the 9:32 to play on a three-pointer by Bulldogs missed just one free throw the entire game as they were a near perfect 21-of-22 from the charity Jaime Vaughn that put the Bulldogs up 56-55. The two teams traded the lead on the next few possessions stripe. but a Odell Turner three put the Bulldogs ahead for good at the 5:50 mark. The Pacers were able to get to The Bulldogs improve their record to 21-11 and adwithin one point with 16 seconds to play but a pair of vance to the semifinals to face Anderson University. clutch free throws by Vaughn kept the Bulldogs ahead. The Pacers record fell to 21-8. A last second three-point shot fell short for the Pacers as the Bulldogs won, 73-70 Wingate was led by Jaime Vaughn who poured in Box Score 22 points while Odell Turner produced a doubledouble with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Chase Smith NCAA Tournament: Falcons Hold Off chipped in 13 points as well. USCA was led by Re’Mon Nelson who had 20 points off the bench while Rick Alderman added 18. Joel Gierbolini also had double-digits off the bench with 16.

Bulldogs to Advance 96-87

(3/10/12) Montevallo, Ala. – The 22nd-ranked and top seeded Falcons of the University of Montevallo held off a surging Bulldogs squad from Barton College in the quarterfinals of the 2012 NCAA Division II The Bulldogs shot 54.8 percent from the field and Men’s Basketball Southeast Regional. The Bulldogs 50.0 percent from three-point range. The Pacers shot hit 27-of-30 from the free throw line in the second half 50.0 percent from both the field and three-point range while the Falcons knocked down just 24-of-40 in a and a dismal 55.0 percent from the free throw line. very physical contest. The Pacer bench out-scored the Bulldogs 50-10 but it was not enough. Both teams traded baskets for the opening few pos-

The Falcons improved their record to 25-7 while the Bulldogs fell to 20-10. UM now advances to the semifinals tomorrow night in BankTrust Arena at 7:30 p.m. to face the winner of #24 Lincoln Memorial University 87

and King College.

The Bulldogs opened the second half with a jumper to cut the Falcons lead to 10 and just a few possesUM was led by senior D.J. Rivera (Philadelphia, Pa./ sions later a jumper by Haley made it just a nine-point Binghamton University) who poured in 33 points and advantage. The Falcons would hold onto a five to nine grabbed a team high seven rebounds. He was 11-ofpoint lead the rest of the half as the Bulldogs were un17 from the field while hitting just 8-of-18 from the able to get any closer to the Falcons despite knocking free throw line. He also led the team in steals with down 27-of-30 from the free throw line in the second three. Senior Antoine Davis (Washington, D.C./College half. of the Desert) added 21 points, six boards and six as- Box Score sists while hitting 5-of-10 from the field and 11-of-17 from the charity stripe. NCAA Tournament: Montevallo Rallies Junior Drico Hightower (Augusta, Ga./Angelina College) added 10 points while going perfect from the floor hitting 3-of-3 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Senior DeMarcus Catchings(Arlington, Texas/Cedar Valley College) added nine points and seven rebounds. BC was led by a quintet of players including leading scorer Gerald Boston who scored 21 while hitting 13of-14 from the free throw line. Jaren Suggs added 19 points while Joseph Velez had 17 while going 5-of-5 from the field and 7-of-12 from the free throw line. Aaron Suggs added 12 points while hitting 6-of-7 from the free throw line and Keith Manley had 10 points. The Falcons hit 61.9 percent of their shots from the field and 42.9 percent from three-point range. UM struggled from the free throw line hitting just 64.4 percent of its attempts. The Bulldogs hit 42.9 percent from the field and just 21.4 percent from three-point range. The Bulldogs excelled at the free throw line hitting 78.3 percent including 90.0 percent in the second half. The Falcons won the rebounding battle 35-30 but lost in turnovers as they had 18 and the Bulldogs had just 12. UM capitalized in the paint out-scoring the Bulldogs, 36-24 on the inside.

Past Lincoln Memorial into Championship Game

(3/11/12) MONTEVALLO, Ala. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The 22nd-ranked and top seeded Falcons of the University of Montevallo trailed by 14 points with 8:37 left in the second half but a late 10-0 run and a clutch drive and lay-up by senior Antoine Davis (Washington, D.C./College of the Desert) gave the Falcons a 61-60 victory over #24 Lincoln Memorial University in the semifinals of the 2012 NCAA Division II Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basketball Southeast Regional. The Falcons will now take on #14 Anderson University in the Regional Championship game on Tuesday, March 13 at 7:00 p.m. The Falcons improved their record to 26-7 while the Railsplitters fell to 26-6. UM was led by senior D.J. Rivera (Philadelphia, Pa./ Binghamton University) who scored 16 points and dished out five assists. Davis scored 14 points including the game-winning layup with six seconds left on the clock. He also tied for the team lead with five assists. Junior Drico Hightower (Augusta, Ga./Angelina College) added 14 points while senior DeMarcus Catchings (Arlington, Texas/Cedar Valley College) added four points and a team-high 12 rebounds. The Railsplitters were led by Vincent Bailey and Cam Carden who each scored 13 points. Bailey added seven boards to tie for the team lead. Desmond Johnson also added seven rebounds and seven points. Brandon Armstrong had nine points as well.

For the opening seven minutes of the first half both teams played even basketball but with 12:32 left in the period and the Falcons up 17-14, UM went on a 17-0 run powered by six points from Rivera, six from Davis and four from Catchings. The Falcons would The Falcons shot 39.0 percent from the field and 23.1 maintain a large lead for the remainder of the first half percent from three-point range. UM knocked down 12but a 7-2 run by the Bulldogs to close the half cut the of-17 from the free throw line including 7-of-10 in the Falcons lead to 12, 42-30. second half. 88

Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basketball

42.9 percent from three-point range. UM hit 5-of-7 from the free throw line.

The Railsplitters shot 43.5 percent from the field including 40.0 percent from three-point range. LMU hit 16-of-22 free throws in the game. The Falcons won the rebounding battle 37-32 and made the Railsplitters turn the ball over 15 times which led to 18 Falcon points.

The second half saw the Railsplitters slowly pull away. With 12:48 left and the Railsplitters up by four, LMU began a 10-0 run to take a 57-43 lead with just 8:37 left on the clock. An old-fashioned three-point play by Davis ended the run and gave the Falcons back the momentum. With a near sellout crowd rocking the Falcons began a 10-0 run with 5:09 left powered by Rivera who scored five. The run gave the Falcons a one-point lead with 32 seconds left on the clock.

Rather than waiting for the final shot the Railsplitters drove to the basket with 19 seconds left and drew a foul. Brandon Armstrong hit a pair of free throws to The Falcons came out on fire taking an early 15-6 put the Railsplitters up by one. On the final possession lead but the Railsplitters answered with a 10-3 run to Davis found himself at the top of the key with nine cut the lead to just three points with 10:05 to play. A seconds left on the clock. He used his dribble to get jumper by Jonas Brown ended the run but the Railby the defender and worked his way into the paint. His splitters answered with a jumper from Bailey Vincent layup found the mark giving the Falcons a one-point and a three-pointer from Cam Carden to tie the game lead with six seconds left. The UM defense smothered at 21. Another jumper by Carden gave the Railsplitters the Railsplitters and LMU was unable to get off a shot their first lead of the game with 7:46 left. as time expired. Box Score The two teams then traded baskets on the next few possessions until a Carden three and a pair of Vincent NCAA tournament: Montevallo free throws put LMU ahead by three. UM answered Advances to Elite Eight! with a 7-0 run to take a four-point lead with 1:10 remaing but the railsplitters had the answer in a pair of (3/13/12) MONTEVALLO, Ala. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The 22nd-ranked and top seeded Falcons of the University of Montevallo free throws by Jake Troyli and a Carden three-pointer trailed just once in the 2012 NCAA Southeast Regionas time expired which gave the Railsplitters a 35-34 al Championship game as they coasted to a 86-73 halftime lead. victory over #14 Anderson University. With the win the Falcons advance to their third Elite Eight in school The Railsplitters shot 44.0 percent from the field history and captured their third Region Championship. including 50.0 percent from three-point range. LMU The Falcons will take on the winner of the Central nailed 10-of-13 from the free throw line as well. The Region, #13 Metropolitan State College. Falcons shot 46.4 percent from the field including 89

UM was led by Tournament Most Outstanding Player, D.J. Rivera (Philadelphia, Pa./Binghamton University) who scored 19 points, dished out seven assists and grabbed six boards. With the 19 points, Rivera broke the UM single-season record for points in a season with 698 which broke the previous record held by Greg Brown (2005-2007) who scored 694 during the 2006-07 season. Junior Jonas Brown (Tifton, Ga./Tift County) chipped in 17 points while hitting five threepointers. All-Tournament team member Antoine Davis (Washington, D.C./College of the Desert) chipped in 12 points and eight assists while juniors Drico Hightower (Augusta, Ga./Angelina College) and Marvin Fitzgerald (Milwaukee, Wisc./North Carolina Central) each scored 10 points. Fitzgerald added a team-high seven rebounds while Hightower had five. Anderson was led by All-Tournament player Denzail Jones who scored a game-high 26 points. Fellow AllTournament team member Nick Trull added 12 points and Taylor Shugart had 10. Shugart led the Trojans in rebounds with seven.

once again the Falcons responded by closing out the half on a 11-3 run to go up, 44-30. UM shot 54.3 percent from the field in the first half but hit just 1-of-8 from three-point range. They were a near-perfect 5-of-6 from the free throw line. The Trojans shot 36.7 percent from the field including 33.3 percent from three-point range. AU hit 5-of-8 from the free throw line. The Falcons and Trojans traded baskets over the first five minutes of the second half but with 14:42 left and UM up by just 11, the Falcons began a 10-1 run that included a pair of threes by Brown. Just minutes later Brown and Rivera would combine to hit back-to-backto-back three pointers to put the Falcons up by 24. With 3:18 left in the game and the Falcons up 80-62 the Trojans began to mount a comeback and went on a 10-0 run to cut the lead to just eight with 1:50 left in the game,. A free throw by Rivera ended the drought and the Falcons hit 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to win, 86-73. Box Score

UM shot 48.5 percent from the field including 35.0 percent from the three-point line. The Falcons nailed 15-of-20 from the free throw line. The Trojans shot 43.1 percent from the field including 36.8 percent from three-point range. AU hit 16-of-22 free throws. The Falcons jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead by the Trojans re2012 NCAA Southeast Regional Champions sponded with an 8-0 Montevallo Falcons run to take their only lead of the game on a three-pointer by Tyrell McDowell. UM then went on a NCAA TOURNAMENT: Montevallo Downs 12-0 run to take an 18-8 lead that was capped off by Metro State; Advances to Final Four! a dunk by Rivera. The lead would remain around the (3/21/12) Highland Heights, Ky. - Antoine Davis ten to eight-point mark most of the first half by with scored a team-high 18 points, including five of Mon6:34 to play and the Falcons up 33-22 the Trojans tevalloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s final seven, as the Falcons rallied to beat mounted a small 5-0 run to cut the lead to just six but Metropolitan State 67-65 in the first round of the 90

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NCAA Elite Eight in Highland Heights, Ky., on Wednesday night. The Falcons trailed by as many as eight with under six minutes to play and by six sith 2:40 to go before ending the game on an 11-3 run. With that win, Montevallo advances to the Final Four where they will meet defending national champion Bellarmine on Thursday at 9:30 pm. Bellarmine advanced to the semifinals after beating AlabamaHuntsville 82-73. Metro State led 62-56 with 2:40 on the clock following two free throws from Demetrius Miller. Montevallo answered with a layup from Drico Hightower followed by a Davis steal, one of 10 UM steals in the game. D.J. Rivera was then fouled and sank both free throws to cut the lead to two with 1:54 to play. Following a missed three from Metro, Montevallo took the lead for the first time since the 19:04 mark of the second half as Davis connected on a wild running layup and was fouled. He sank the free throw to complete the three-point play and put UM up 63-62. Metro State, the top seed in the central division, tied it again on a free throw, but Hightower again found success down low for another two-point lead. Metro answered again as Jonathan Morse connected on a layup with 13 seconds left to tie the game at 65. On UM’s next possession, Davis drew the whistle driving down the right side of the lane. He calmly sank both free throws with three seconds on the clock. Metro had one last chance but Rivera had a steal to end the game.

two points and they’d come down and make a 3. That hurts you a little bit, but we stuck together as a team and played hard.” Reggie Evans led Metro State with 20 points while Miller added 16 and Paul Brotherson came off the bench to score 13 and grab a game-high 12 boards. The Roadrunners struggled with their shot, hitting 23 of 62 (.371) for the game and only seven of 24 (.292) from long range. Montevallo hit 47% (26-55) from the field and six of 15 three-pointers, but struggled at the free throw line with only nine makes in 16 attempts. “Our guys played good,” Montevallo head coach Danny Young said. “I thought we battled hard all night long. It just seemed to be 1-5 points and we couldn’t get over the hump it seemed until the very end right there.” Metro State held the rebounding edge 38-35 but dominated with 21 offensive rebounds, leading to a 26-11 edge in second-chance points. Montevallo answered with a 38-28 margin in points in the paint. The Roadrunners started the game down 5-0 after two quick field goals by the Falcons, but back-to-back 3-pointers by Miller tied the game at 8-8 just under three minutes into the game. Trailing 14-13, Brotherson started an 11-0 run with a putback tip-in and a free throw for a 3-point play, and finished the run with a 3-pointer from the top of the key as Metro led 22-14 with 11:24 left in the half.

The Roadrunners stretched that lead to nine points with 8:06 to go on a layup from Morse off an inbounds “It’s what I’d been waiting for, man,” Davis said. “I pass, but Montevallo closed the half with six straight had been struggling the whole game at the free throw points to close the gap to 34-33. UM shot 53.8 perline. I was trying to concentrate and make sure I made cent in the first half, including 5-of-10 from the outthese for my team. They were looking for me to step side, while the Roadrunners made just 5-of-15 from up. I’m a senior, so I’m glad they fell my way.” 3-point range. Davis finished the contest with 18 points, hitting seven of 11 from the field. He came close to tripledouble town as he added 11 assists and seven rebounds. Rivera added 14 points and tied with Davis for the team lead with seven rebounds. Hightower scored 11 while Ryan May added 10. “It still was a struggle because we couldn’t get over that hump,” Davis said. “We’d get it to one point or

Montevallo is making their third Elite Eight appearance and face Bellarmine. “They’re smart and have a lot of returning players,” Young said. “Obviously, they’ve been here before. They played with a lot of poise tonight, knowing what they were going to do down the stretch. They made some big defensive plays tonight down the stretch. So, hopefully, we’re going to have to try to spread them out and 91

try to get them on the move a little bit and try to get after them.” You can see video highlights of the game through NCAA.com right here. Box Score

NCAA Tournament: Montevallo to Play for the National Championship!

(3/22/12) Highland Heights, Ky. - The University of Montevallo took one more step towards realizing their ultimate dream on Thursday night as they upended defending national champions Bellarmine 79-72 in the national semfinals at the Bank of Kentucky Center in Highland Heights, Ky. The Falcons, who won their first game in three Elite Eight appearances on Wednesday, will now play for the Division II National Championship on Saturday at 1:00 against Western Washington. The Knights, ranked #4 in the NABC poll, came up short in their quest to become the first back-to-back champions since 1994, but started the game off strong, holding a six-point lead with under nine minutes to play in the first half. UM responded with eight straight points to take their first lead of the game 21-19 as Jonas Brown hit two three-pointers on either side of a D.J. Rivera fast-break layup.

Davis began the comeback with a running layup in the paint which was followed by two straight buckets from Rivera. A pair of Hightower free throws tied the game at 51 with 13:24 to play and Rivera’s layup on UM’s next possession gave them a lead they would not relinquish. UM led by six following a free throw from Marvin Fitzgerald, but Bellarmine answered with another Dowe three-pointer to cut the lead to three. The Knights would trim the lead down to two on a threepointer by Braydon Hobbs with 8:32 to go. They would not score again for seven minutes. Montevallo put the game away with an 11-0 run, turning to their defense to lead the way. Bellarmine missed 13 consecutive shots from the field, 10 of those three-point attempts, as Montevallo opened up a 73-60 lead with 1:04 to play, quieting the Bellarmine-heavy crowd of 4,213. “When you take a quick shot or have a quick turnover against a team like that, there’s no defense for that,” Bellarmine coach Scott Davenport said. The Knights broke the drought with 43 seconds to play as Jelani Johnson hit a jumper and Bellarmine closed the gap to within five with 11 seconds left. Montevallo was saved by their free throw shooting, which had been their Achilles heel to that point of the game. The Falcons made six of eight free throws in the final 37 seconds; they had only hit eight of their first 21 attempts prior to that stretch.

With the score tied at 24, Bellarmine went on a run, as Chris Dowe hit a three, stole the ball on the next possession and converted a layup in less than 40 seconds. Another Brown three from the Falcons tied the game again at 31, but Bellarmine had another answer as Corbin Maynard drained a three and Jeremy Kendle, named the NABC Player of the Year earlier in the day, had a layup. Montevallo’s Drico Hightower had two layups in the final 1:19 to trim Bellarmine’s lead to 36-35 at the half.

Rivera exploded for 23 points to lead all scorers. The senior AllAmerican hit 11 of 15 shots from the floor and added nine rebounds. Davis again came close to triple-doubledom with 12 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Hightower and Brown added 13 each while Fitzgerald led the team with 10 rebounds.

The Knights opened the second half the way they opened the game: by establishing an early lead. Dowe’s three to open the period was followed by his layup as Kendle also connected to give Bellarmine a 46-39 lead with 17:13 to play.

Montevallo’s Demarcus Catchings

Montevallo put on a shooting clinic in the second half, connecting on 58.6% (17-29) of their shots. Antone 92

Men’s Basketball

“You can’t compare this,” said Rivera, a nephew of the late Hank Gathers from Loyola Marymount. “This is the best time of my life right now, no matter where I am.” Montevallo shot 54% (30-55) in the game and hit half of their three-point attempts. The Falcons also dominated the glass, outrebounding Bellarmine 4328 and owning a 13-4 advantage in second-chance points. UM once again owned the block, outscoring the Knights 44-16 in the paint.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair that featured four ties and 12 lead changes. Montevallo struggled with their shot, but dominated the glass, grabbing five offensive rebounds in the first five minutes of the game. Those second-chance opportunities led to an 11-5 lead, but Western Washington came back with three-pointers from Chris Mitchell and John Allen to take a 12-11 lead. The two teams traded one- and two-point margins for the next 10 minutes until the Vikings strung together back-to-back field goals to go up by three and led at the half 30-26.

“We changed the way we were running our offense, and these guys ran it to perfection and we got a lot of easy baskets,” Montevallo head coach Danny Young That lead grew to seven coming out of the gate in the said. “I think it finally wore on them down the stretch.” second half as Chris Mitchell hit a three on WWU’s first possession, but would grow no more as MontevalDowe finished with 18 points and nine rebounds for lo answered with a 14-2 run over the next five minutes Bellarmine before fouling out with eight seconds to that gave them a five-point lead. Antoine Davis and play. Kendle added 16 and five assists while Braydon D.J. Rivera were the architects of the run, scoring 10 Hobbs scored 13. of the 14 points between them while DeMarcus Catchings added the other four. Montevallo becomes the third Peach Belt Conference team to reach the NCAA National Championship Western Washington came back and took the lead 41Game. Kennesaw State won the league’s only men’s 40 on a three by Mitchell and, following buckets from basketball title in 2004. Augusta State reached the Rivera and Catchings, tied it up again a 44 on a three final in the first of their three straight Elite Eight apby Paul Jones with 12:21 left. pearances in 2008. Rivera’s layup at 13:10 would begin a three-minute Montevallo will face Western Washington, the west scoring draught for the Falcons, allowing the Vikings region champion, in the final. Western Washington to open up a three-point lead. UM cut the lead back defeated Stonehill 71-66 in Thursday’s first semifinal. to one at 9:14 on a remarkable Davis up-and-under The game will be televised nationally on CBS at 1:00 layup. But the Falcons would get no closer. eastern time. An average of 3.1 million viewers have seen this game in recent years. Western Washington put the game away with a 12-1 run over the next three minutes that featured threeYou can see video highlights of the game through pointers from Mitchell and Jones. In fact, the Vikings NCAA.com right here. hit seven straight from the field and eight of their final nine field goal attempts of the game. The lead hit 12 Box Score on two occasions, the last on a Rory Blanche jumper with 5:04 to play. Montevallo Denied Title in National

Championship Bid

Highland Heights, Ky. – Western Washington shot 54% from the field and survived several Montevallo comeback attempts to beat the Falcons 72-65 in the Division II National Championship game on Saturday. Montevallo, making their first appearance in the title game, finishes a remarkable season with a 29-8 overall record. Western Washington takes their first title and improves to 31-5.

Montevallo, who trailed in the second half of their previous two games of the Elite Eight, came back with a Rivera breakaway dunk and layup surrounding a bucket from Drico Hightower to cut the lead to six with 3:46 to play. The lead was down to four with 58 seconds left after Davis hit a free throw for the Falcons, but John Allen hit four straight free throws for the Vikings to keep 93

Montevallo at bay. UM missed three three-point attempts in the final 23 seconds. Western Washington shot an incredible 54% (27-50) from the field including nine of their 19 three-point attempts (.474). Montevallo struggled with their shot, hitting at a 37% rate (24-64) and 4-for-15 from three-point range, including 1-for-9 in the second half. The Falcons also had problems at the free throw line, hitting 56% (13-23). D.J. Rivera once again led the Falcons as he was the highest scorer on the floor with 20 points. Davis added 16 while Hightower had nine points and nine rebounds. Catchings came off the bench to lead the Falcons with 11 boards and added eight points. Montevallo outrebounded the Vikings 39-35 but held a commanding 20-9 edge on offensive rebounds. John Allen led the five Vikings who scored in double figures with 14 points. Mitchell added 13 while Zach Henifin had 12 and Richard Woodworth 10 points and nine rebounds. Western Washington did not fare much better at the free throw line, hitting only half of their 18 attempts. Box Score

Award Winners Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Team Elijah Hayes, Flagler David Pruett, Lander Jesse Seilern, USC Aiken Andrew Smith, Francis Marion NABC Division II All-America Team D.J. Rivera, Montevallo Dwight Tolbert, Lander NABCSoutheastRegion All-District First Team Ryan Aquino, Georgia College Sterling Council, USC Aiken PBC All-Conference First Team Steve Peterson, Columbus State Ryan Aquino, Georgia College Liki Turner, Francis Marion Sterling Council, USC Aiken NABCSoutheastRegionAll-DistrictSecondTeam D.J. Rivera, Montevallo Antoine Davis, Montevallo Liki Turner, Francis Marion Teondre Williams, Clayton State Dwight Tolbert, Lander Daktronics All-America Third Team PBC All-Conference Second Team D.J. Rivera, Montevallo Shahmel Brackett, UNC Pembroke DaktronicsSoutheastRegion Player of the Year Steve Peterson, Columbus State Dwight Tolbert, Lander Anthony Salter, Clayton State Daktronics All-Southeast Region First Team Teondre Williams, Clayton State Ryan Aquino, Georgia College Devon Wright-Nelson, Augusta State Dwight Tolbert, Lander DaktronicsAll-SoutheastRegion SecondTeam Sterling Council, USC Aiken Liki Turner, Francis Marion 94

PBC All-Conference Third Team Evan Mobley, Georgia Southwestern Reâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Mon Nelson, USC Aiken Chris Vanlandingham, Armstrong Scott Windom, North Georgia Corey Wright, Lander PBC Player of the Year Dwight Tolbert, Lander PBC Defensive Player of the Year Antoine Davis, Montevallo PBC Freshman of the Year Devon Wright-Nelson, Augusta State PBC Coach of the Year Vince Alexander, USC Aiken

Men’s Basketball

Statistics Individual

Points per game

Blocks per game

Dwight Tolbert, Lander D.J. Rivera, Montevallo Liki Turner, Francis Marion Teondre Williams, Clayton State Ryan Aquino, Georgia College Scott Windom, North Georgia Chris Vanlandingham, Armstrong Anthony Salter, Clayton State Clarence Tillman, North Georgia Phillip Brown, Ga. Southwestern

21.8 21.6 18.0 17.9 17.6 17.3 17.2 17.1 16.4 16.2

Ryan Aquino, Georgia College Phillip Brown, Ga. Southwestern Liki Turner, Francis Marion Chad July, Flagler Keyshore Williams, Armstrong Devon Wright-Nelson, Augusta State Darius Mcknight, Columbus State Paul Darkwa, Columbus State Joel Gierbolini, USC Aiken Jermel Kennedy, Lander

10.4 9.3 8.9 8.5 8.0 7.8 7.7 7.6 7.1 7.0

Milos Kleut, Ga. Southwestern Jermel Kennedy, Lander Phillip Brown, Ga. Southwestern George Blakeney, UNC Pembroke Ben Jacobs, UNC Pembroke DeVon Jones, Armstrong Darius Mcknight, Columbus State Chris Vanlandingham, Armstrong Zamarius McLendon, Francis Marion Drico Hightower, Montevallo

66.2 66.1 62.2 59.0 58.1 56.1 54.5 53.6 52.9 51.1

Scott Windom, North Georgia Ronald Zimmerman, USC Aiken Dwight Tolbert, Lander Marcus Wright, Francis Marion Mychal Horn, Armstrong Terrance Dent, USC Aiken Jarrod Branco, Flagler Matt Clark, Flagler Evrik Gary, Francis Marion Ryan Lively, Georgia College

43.1 42.8 42.7 42.6 42.1 42.0 41.5 41.4 40.1 39.2

ReboUnds Per Game

Field Goal %

3-Point Field Goal %

Assists per game

Chris Wright, Lander Antoine Davis, Montevallo Marlon Rivera, Ga. Southwestern Mychal Horn, Armstrong O’neal Armstrong, Augusta State Chris Vanlandingham, Armstrong Addison Smith, Flagler Winford Ivey, Columbus State Marcus Wright, Francis Marion Re’mon Nelson, USC Aiken

8.1 5.2 5.0 4.8 4.1 4.0 4.0 3.8 3.7 3.7

Darius McKnight, Columbus State Keyshore Williams, Armstrong Travis Keels, Augusta State Nathan Priest, UNC Pembroke Joel Gierbolini, USC Aiken Phillip Brown, Ga. Southwestern Elijah Smith, North Georgia Andrew Smith, Francis Marion Dwight TOlbert, Lander Demarcus Catchings, Montevallo

2.0 1.8 1.8 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.1

3-point Field Goal %

Armstrong 36.4 Augusta State 36.2 USC Aiken 36.2 Francis Marion 36.2 UNC Pembroke 35.7 Lander 35.7 Flagler 35.0 North Georgia 34.4 Clayton State 33.1 Columbus State 32.9 Montevallo 31.0 Steals Per Game 30.9 D.J. Rivera, Montevallo 2.4 Georgia College 30.2 Chaun Tinney, North Georgia 2.2 Ga. Southwestern Re’mon Nelson, USC Aiken 2.2 Points Allowed Per Game Antoine Davis, Montevallo 2.1 Augusta State 63.1 Dwight Tolbert, Lander 1.9 Georgia College 63.8 Marlon Rivera, Ga. Southwestern 1.8 Ga. Southwestern 64.4 Mychal Horn, Armstrong 1.8 Montevallo 64.7 Steve Peterson, Columbus State 1.7 Clayton State 66.5 Chris Wright, Lander 1.6 Columbus State 67.3 Keyshore Williams, Armstrong 1.6 USC Aiken 67.8 UNC Pembroke 71.2 Lander 74.5 Team North Georgia 75.5 Points Per Game Francis Marion 76.9 Francis Marion 81.6 Flagler 79.7 Armstrong 81.0 Armstrong 82.8 Lander 78.9 UNC Pembroke 77.0 Opponents Field Goal % USC Aiken 76.7 Montevallo 40.0 40.6 Montevallo 74.8 Clayton State Augusta State 41.2 North Georgia 74.1 Ga. Southwestern 41.4 Flagler 71.0 Columbus State 42.1 Clayton State 69.6 42.3 Columbus State 69.4 Francis Marion UNC Pembroke 42.4 Ga. Southwestern 68.2 Georgia College 42.4 Augusta State 68.1 Armstrong 43.2 Georgia College 66.9 Lander 43.9 Field Goal % USC Aiken 44.8 UNC Pembroke 47.4 North Georgia 45.1 Lander 46.6 Flagler 45.2 Armstrong 46.3 USC Aiken 45.5 Lander’s Ga. Southwestern 45.4 Dwight tolbert Montevallo 45.2 Francis Marion 44.5 Augusta State 43.2 Clayton State 42.4 North Georgia 42.0 Flagler 41.9 Columbus State 41.6 Georgia College 41.1

Women’s Basketball PBC Quarterfinals: UNCP ousts hosts columbus state 66-48 (3/1/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. – The UNC Pembroke women’s basketball team shot 56.7 percent from the field in the first half en route to a 66-48 upset victory over host Columbus State University in the quarterfinal round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament at the Frank G. Lumpkin Center. UNC Pembroke, the fourth seed in the East, improves to 16-11 overall, while Columbus State, the second seed in the West, drops to 16-10. The Lady Braves advance to play No. 9 USC Aiken, a 63-55 winner over Montevallo, in Saturday’s 4 p.m. semifinal. The championship game is set for 2 p.m. Sunday. The victory also marks the first time UNCP has won a PBC tournament game since 2003 when the Braves defeated North Florida 95-88 in double overtime in the Lumpkin Center. UNCP was led by Jazmine Kemp and Taylor Gallentine, who scored 14 and 11 points respectively, while Domonique Washington grabbed a team best nine rebounds. The Lady Cougars were led by Dominique Gilbert’s game-high 15 points and nine rebounds. After taking a 3-2 lead in the first minutes of the game, the Lady Braves went on a 9-0 run to go up 12-2 on an Anya Knower bucket. Columbus State interrupted the scoring spree with a Lauren Grisham free throw, then UNCP rattled off 11 more straight points – fueled by two threes from DeDe Cotten and one by Amelia Partin – to take a 23-3 lead at 12:20.

USC Aiken’s Hannah Degraffinreed

Final Standings Conference GP Record Win % EAST DIVISION 1. USC Aiken 18 16-2 0.889 2. Lander 18 15-3 0.833 3. UNC Pembroke 18 12-6 0.667 4. Armstrong 18 7-11 0.389 5. Augusta State 18 7-11 0.389 6. Francis Marion 18 4-14 0.222 7. Flagler 18 2-16 0.111 WEST DIVISION 1. Clayton State 17 16-1 0.941 2. Columbus State 17 11-6 0.647 3. Ga. Southwestern 17 10-7 0.588 4. North Georgia 17 6-11 0.353 5. Montevallo 17 6-11 0.353 6. Georgia College 17 2-15 0.118

Overall GP Record Win % Last 10 31 32 28 26 27 26 26

27-4 24-8 16-12 13-13 12-15 9-17 4-22

0.871 0.750 0.571 0.500 0.444 0.346 0.154

9-1 6-4 8-2 3-7 4-6 3-7 2-8

33 27 27 26 27 26

29-4 16-11 18-9 12-14 11-16 4-22

0.879 0.593 0.667 0.462 0.407 0.154

8-2 6-4 6-4 3-7 4-6 0-10

Chatil Bradford got the Lady Cougars back on the scoreboard with a jumper at 10:35 to make it 23-5, only to have UNCP go up by 23 points at 29-6 on a Jasmine Hairston bucket.

Columbus cut the lead to 31-15 on a Letiecia Davenport bucket at 3:58, but the Lady Braves again came right back to up their lead to 37-19 when Kierra Haney struck underneath the basket and then dealt the final blow of the half on Hairston’s buzzer-beater for a 41-22 lead. The Braves connected on 17-of-30 field goals in the first half for 56.7 percent, while Columbus was 8-for-31 for 25.8 percent. The Cougars opened the second half with a 7-0 run on a three by Bradford and a pair of two pointers by Shan Basley and Gilbert to trim the lead to 41-29. The Braves then netted their first basket of the half at 15:48 to 96

Women’s Basketball

make it 43-29 on a Kemp jumper. A three by Washington pushed the UNCP lead back over 20 points at 53-32 with 10:35 left in the game. Columbus rallied with back-toback threes from Bradford and Lauren Matheney to cut the lead to 56-40 at 8:55, but Kemp answered from underneath the basket with 7:30 remaining. The Cougars didn’t get closer than 16 points the remainder of the game. UNCP connected on 28-of-54 field goals for 51.9 percent, including 6-of-14 threes for 42.9 percent. The Lady Braves sank 4-of-5 free throws for 80 percent.

W1. Clayton State Clayton St. 69-41 E4. Augusta State

Clayton St. 71-63

E2. Lander Lander 74-66 W3. GSW

USC Aiken 52-47

E1. USC Aiken USC Aiken 63-55 W4. Montevallo USC Aiken 54-41

W2. Columbus State UNCPembroke66-48 E3. UNC Pembroke

CSU was 19-of-62 from the floor for 30.6 percent, including 5-of-22 threes for 22.7 percent. The Lady Cougars connected on 5-of-12 free throws for 41.7 percent. Box Score

PBC Quarterfinals: Lander Escapes Georgia Southwestern 74-66

(3/1/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. –Peach Belt Conference east division second-seeded Lander downed west division No. 3 Georgia Southwestern, 74-66, in the second Peach Belt Conference Tournament quarterfinal of the day at the Frank G. Lumpkin Center on the campus of Columbus State University. Lander (21-6) had two players finish in double figures in the game with Brittni Johnson leading the way with 26 points. She scored 18 in the second half. Johnson was 9-for-18 from the field in the game. She hit six 3-pointers. Mukia Myrick was the other Bearcat in double figures with 21 points. She was 6-for-11 from the floor in the game. Georgia Southwestern (18-9) was led by Terra Branch and Jessica Bivins in its loss to the nationally 23rdranked Bearcats. Branch ended her day with 19 points and five rebounds, while Bivins chipped in with 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Lander concluded its win over the Hurricanes shooting 40 percent (24-for-60) as a team. Georgia Southwestern hit 35.1 percent (27-for-77) of its shot attempts as a team in the game. Lander hit 12 3-pointers in the game, connecting on 41.4 percent (12-for-29) of the long-range attempts. The Bearcats led from start-to-finish in the game. Myrick opened the game for Lander by banking in a 3-pointer from the left side. The trey helped lead Lander to an 11-4 lead through the opening three minutes of the contest. Myrick had eight of the 11 points in the opening stretch for Lander. Lander would go ahead by as many as 12 in the first half, but with 4:30 left in the first stanza the Bearcats were up by just five at 29-24. Georgia Southwestern would outscore Lander, 6-5, the rest of the first half to enter intermission down by four at 34-30. Myrick finished the first half with 14 for the Bearcats. Bivins led the way for Georgia Southwestern in the first half with 12 points. Lander shot 44.4 percent (12-for-27) in the first half, while Georgia Southwestern shot 33.3 percent (13-for39) in the first half. 97

The Bearcats began the second half on a 10-0 run over the first almost three and a half minutes to own a 14-point 44-30 lead with 16:38 remaining in the game.

Schreiber scored Augusta State’s second basket at 10:14 to cut it to 11-4, then the Lady Jags trimmed the margin to 16-11 after a three by Peterson and a Schreiber layup at 7:57.

The 14-point lead would not last long with Georgia Hall nailed a three at 5:54 to put Clayton up 19-11, Southwestern going on a quick 8-0 spurt over the next but ASU’s Becky Newhouse answered with two free two minutes to pull back within six points at 44-38 throws at 4:23 to cut the margin to 19-13. with a little over 14 minutes to play in the game. Clayton State stretched its lead to double figures at Georgia Southwestern would get as close as four 23-13 with 2:40 left on a basket by Mobley and a fast over the course of the rest of the contest, but Lander break layup by Griggs. would be able to hold on for the eight-point victory. Tiffany Jaecks scored the half’s final basket to pull Box Score Augusta to 25-18.

PBC Quarterfinals: Clayton State Advances to Semis; Downs Augusta State

The Lakers posted their first double-digit lead of the second half at 33-23 with 15:02 left in the game on a layup by Woodard. Clayton State then used an 8-0 run to extend the margin to 41-26 on a Hall three-point play with 12:42 remaining to play.

(3/1/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. -- The No. 3-ranked Clayton State women’s basketball team placed four players in double figures Thursday afternoon to defeat Augusta State, 69-41, in the quarterfinal round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament hosted by Columbus State University at the Frank G. Lumpkin Center.

The Lady Jags got it back to 10 points at 41-31 with 11:04 left to play on a Brittany White layup, but Keona Dixon’s layup at 7:07 extended Clayton’s lead to 17 points at 52-35.

Clayton State, the top seed in the West Division, improves to 26-2, while Augusta State, the fourth seed in the East, drops to 12-15.

The Lakers ended the game with Clayton State’s a 13-0 run. Drameka Griggs Clayton State connected on 29-of-63 field goals for 46 The Lakers advance to Saturday’s 2 p.m. semifinal percent, including 5-of-17 threes for 29.4 percent. The against the Lander/Georgia Southwestern winner. Lakers sank 6-of-10 free throws for 60 percent. Brittany Hall led the Lakers with a game-high 15 Augusta State was 16-of-51 from the floor for 31.4 points, while Drameka Griggs added 14 points, Tanipercent, including 5-of-14 threes for 35.7 percent. The sha Woodard 11 points, eight rebounds and six steals, Lady Jags made 4-of-11 foul shots for 36.4 percent. and Kayla Mobley 11 points and seven rebounds. Box Score Augusta State was led by Amber Peterson’s 14 points. PBC Quarterfinals: Pacers Survive Laci Schreiber had a team best seven rebounds.

And Advance; Down Montevallo 63-55

After a 2-2 start, Clayton went on a 9-0 run to make it 11-2 at the 12-minute mark on a three-pointer by Hall, a steal and layup by Griggs, a Shannon Smith threepoint play and a Mobley free throw.

(3/1/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. – USC Aiken pulled away down the stretch Thursday for a 63-55 quarterfinal victory over Montevallo in the Peach Belt Conference Championships hosted by Columbus State University at the Frank G. Lumpkin Center.

Women’s Basketball

The victory was the eighth straight for the ninthranked Pacers, who improved to 24-3 on the season.

former Pacers’ assistant coach Cindy Hilbrich, shot 52.2 percent for the game and edged Aiken on the boards, 30-29.

USC Aiken sophomore Kayla Harris, a first-team AllPBC selection, booked a game-high 25 points and eight rebounds. Fellow first-team selection Hannah DeGraffinreed turned in 12 points and Brittany Hill added 10 points and five assists.

USCA didn’t attempt a free throw in the first half but went 15-of-22 from the charity stripe in the second half. The Pacers improved to 20-0 when leading at the half and USCA head coach Mike Brandt improved to 5-0 vs. Montevallo. Freshman Taylor Beverly led Montevallo (11-16) with a Box Score career-high 24 points and pulled down seven boards. Tiffany McClure chipped in 13 points and handed out PBC Semifinals: Clayton State Holds seven assists. Off Lander; Advances to Championship (3/3/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. – Peach Belt Conference west top-seed Clayton State was able to pick up a 71-63 victory over PBC East No. 2 Lander in the first women’s semifinal of the day at the 2012 Peach Belt Conference Basketball Tournament at the Frank G. Lumpkin Center on the campus of Columbus State.

Beverly kept the Falcons close in the first half with 11 points, connecting on 5-of-7 field-goal attempts. Montevallo jumped out in front early at 4-0 and the Pacers led by as many seven midway through the period en route to a 26-23 halftime lead. Beverly’s jumper pulled UM within 32-30 six minutes into the second half. A McClure free throw just 46 seconds later cut the Falcons’ deficit to one only to have the Pacers respond with a 6-0 spurt. Lindsey Sundberg’s trey from the left wing gave the Pacers a 45-36 lead before McClure’s driving layup stemmed the tide. Beverly got free inside for consecutive layups to bring UM within 45-42 before DeGraffinreed’s answered with a layup of her own for a fivepoint USCA lead with 6:28 left. Harris connected on a mid-range jumper and DeGraffinreed added four more points as the Pacers once again pushed their advantage back to nine before a Harris free throw put Aiken up 52-42 with 4:31 remaining.

Clayton State advances to the championship game with the win. They will face the winner of the PBC East No. 1 USC Aiken and PBC East No. 2 UNC Pembroke game at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 4. The Lakers will be looking for their fourth PBC Tournament title. Clayton State (28-2) opened the game by racing out to a 9-3 lead over the first two and a half minutes of the contest. The Clayton State lead had ballooned to 11 with 10:21 remaining in the first half. The Lakers began the opening nine and a half minutes of the game shooting 47 percent (9-for-19) from the field, while Lander shot 22 percent (4-for-18) from the floor over the course of the same stretch.

Clayton State kept adding to its lead over the next seven minutes with the Clayton State’s Lakers owning a 38Tanisha Woodard The Falcons, who shot 66.7 percent in the second 22 lead with 3:04 left in half, continued to claw back when Beverly hit a layup the first half of action. The and Taylor Welch drained a 3-pointer at the 3:36 mark Lakers would eventually go on to cut their deficit in half. to hold the Bearcats scoreless for the final 4:32 of the first half Harris hit a short jumper from the left elbow for a 54- to take a 21-point 43-22 lead into 49 Aiken lead, and after the Pacers missed on three intermission. chances around the basket, McClure’s slashing layup pulled the Falcons to within 54-49 with 1:44 left. But Clayton State concluded the first half Hill canned a pair of free throws and Harris added one shooting 48.6 percent (17-for-35) as from the charity stripe for a 57-49 Aiken lead. a team. Lander (21-7) shot 23.7 perMontevallo, which wrapped up its first season under

cent (9-for-38) as a team in the first stanza.

Lander would open the second half by going on a 17-5 run to cut the Bearcat lead to just nine points at 4839 with 14:22 to go in the game. After a Brittni Johnson 3-pointer from the right corner for Lander with seven minutes remaining in the contest the Bearcats had whittled Clayton State’s lead all the way down to five points at 61-56. The Bearcats would get as close as three the rest of the way, but the Lakers would be able to withstand their valiant second half charge.

Cotton managed nine points and six rebounds. USC Aiken, which never trailed, opened the game with the first six points and closed the first half on a 7-0 run that DeGraffinreed capped with a layup with just 0.4 seconds left. Both teams struggled from the field in the opening 20 minutes. The Pacers shot just 27.3 percent but hit 5-of-11 3-point attempts. The Lady Braves fared slightly better, shooting at a 30.4 clip but connected on only 2-of-10 from long range.

Clayton State ended its victory shooting 46.6 percent (27-for-58) as a team. Lander shot 33.3 percent (24Sundberg gave USCA its first double-digit lead when for-72) as a team in the game. The Bearcats shot 44.1 she banked in a trey from the left wing at the 13:19 percent (15-for-34) in the second half. mark of the second half. DeGraffinreed followed with a jumper for a 38-24 lead and after a Pembroke Four Lakers finished in double figures with Keona Dix- basket, DeGraffinreed took a perfect feed from Kayla on leading the way with 18 points and six rebounds. Harris for a layup and a 40-26 advantage with 12:02 Tanisha Woodard almost picked up her second triple- remaining. double in the last three games in the contest with 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. The Braves countered with treys from Washington and Cotton to pull within 40-32, but that’s as close as Kayla Mobley had 13 points in the contest for Clayton UNCP would get. State, while Shannon Smith was the final Laker in double figures with 10 points. Aiken shot 32.8 percent for the game, compared to 34.0 for Pembroke. The Pacers won the rebounding Ciara Lyons led a trio of Bearcats in double figures battle, 39-35. with 15 points. Mukia Myrick added 14, while Johnson Box Score posted 12 in the Lander loss. Box Score Pacers Capture First PBC Tournament

PBC Semifinals: No. 9 Pacers Oust UNCP; Advance to Title Game

Championship!

(3/4/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. – USC Aiken (26-3) trailed just once during the 2012 Peach Belt Conference (3/3/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. – USC Aiken advanced to Championship Game against Clayton State University the Peach Belt Conference Championships title game (28-3) as the Pacers captured their first Tournament Saturday afternoon with a 54-41 victory over UNC Championship in program history. The Pacers have Pembroke in Frank G. Lumpkin Center. been in the PBC Championship game in three of the last four seasons but used a 57.9 percent shooting The win was the ninth straight for the No. 9 Pacers, first half to take a 10-point lead into halftime and who advanced to the PBC Championship title game for never looked back as they lead the rest of the way. the second consecutive season and for the third time in the last four years. USCA was led by tournament MVP Hannah DeGraffinreed who scored a game-high 18 points. Kayla Harris USCA’s first-team, all-conference performer Hannah also added a huge double-double with 15 points and DeGraffinreed scored a game-high 20 points and Lind- 10 rebounds. say Sundberg netted 11 points and team-high seven rebounds off the bench. Clayton State was led by Keona Dixon who had 15 points while Tanisha Woodard chipped in 11. Kayla Senior guard Domonique Washington paced the Mobley led the Lakers on the glass with eight reBraves with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while DeDe bounds. 100

Women’s Basketball

PBC All-Tournament Team

Kayla Harris hit a layup to open the game to give USCA the early lead but Woodard answered with a three to give Clayton their only Tournament MVP lead of the game Hannah DeGraffinreed, USC Aiken at the 19:27 mark of the first half. The Pacers responded with 11-straight to take a 13-3 lead with 14:30 left in the half. Clayton cut the lead to four on a Mobley jumper with 13:14 to play but USCA had the answer in a Lindsay Sundberg three-pointer on the very next possession. The Pacers would increase their lead to as much as 11 at the 6:52 mark as Daniela Tarailo hit a jumper to give USCA a 24-13 lead.

Brittni Johnson, Lander Domonique Washington, UNCP Tanisha Woodard, Clayton State Kayla Mobley, Clayton State Kayla Harris, USC Aiken

The Lakers once again cut the lead to four with 3:56 left but the Pacers again responded to increase their lead to 10 as the half expired, 30-20. The Pacers shot 57.9 percent from the field in the first half and connected on 50 percent of their three-point attempts. The Lakers shot just 24.2 percent from the field and a dismal 12.5 percent from the three-point arc. USCA opened the second half with a small run to increase its lead to 16 points but the Lakers were able to whittle it down to just four with 9:18 to play. Just minutes late a layup by Shannon Smith cut the lead to just one but the Pacers once again responded with a small 4-0 run to build a cushion. The Lakers pulled

within two with 1:16 left on the clock but three free throws down the stretch ended the Lakers hopes of a championship as the Pacers won 52-47. The Pacers shot 36.4 percent from the field in the second half and just 16.7 percent from three-point land. The Lakers increased their shooting to 40 percent but it was not enough to dig out of the first half hole. Box Score

NCAA Tournament: Lander, Elkins Outlast Limestone 77-68

(3/9/12) AIKEN, S.C. – Precious Elkins picked a great time to have the best game of her Lander career. The junior forward posted a double-double with 29 points and 12 rebounds as the fourth-seeded Lady Bearcats outlasted No. 5 seed Limestone College 77-68 in the first round of the NCAA Southeast Regional Women’s Basketball Tournament Friday night at USC Aiken’s Convocation Center. No. 23 ranked Lander improved 22-7 on the season and will face top seed USC Aiken Saturday night at 7 p.m. in the regional semifinals at the Convocation Center. USC Aiken (27-3) is unbeaten at home this year and defeated the Lady Bearcats twice during the regular season. Clayton State and Wingate will meet in the other semifinal at 5 o’clock. Saturday’s winners will play in the Southeast Regional final at 7 p.m. Monday for the right to advance to the Elite Eight, March 20-21, and 23 in San Antonio, Texas. Limestone finished its season 25-7. The Lady Bearcats are making their fifth straight appearance in the NCAA tournament, and eighth overall. Lander will try to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the third straight year Saturday night.

2012 PBC woMen’s Basketball Champions USC Aiken Pacers 101

Elkins, a transfer from Lenoir-Rhyne University, made an astounding 14 of 19 shots from the floor and hit several big shots down the stretch, carrying

Players of the Week

Lander to victory. She was making just her eighth start of the season and her 29 points are a career high.

November 21, 2011:

Jasmine Judge added 15 points for the Lady Bearcats, including five of eight from 3-point range. Brittni Johnson added a double-double with 11 points and 10 assists.

November 28, 2011:

“We knew that Limestone was a fantastic team,” Lander coach Kevin Pederson said. “I thought both teams matched up really well. We have four good guards and they have really good guards. We thought we had an advantage in the post. We thought that the combination of Kaylyn Small, Keondra Barnes and Precious Elkins was going to be an advantage for us.

December 5, 2011

“At this point of the season, you are just fortunate to get the win and be able to move on,” Pederson added. “We are very thankful to have another chance to play USC Aiken.”

January 3, 2012

December 12, 2011 December 19, 2011

January 9, 2012

Stephanie Hayes paced the Saints with 21 points and added nine rebounds while Kayleigh West posted a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Lauren Pace added 12 points for Limestone.

January 16, 2012 January 23, 2012

Lander made 31 of 70 shots from the floor (44 percent), six of 13 free throws (46 percent) and nine of 26 from 3-point range (35 percent).

January 30, 2012 February 6, 2012

Limestone hit 28 of 59 shots (47 percent), seven of 14 free throws (50 percent) and five of 17 from behind the arc (29 percent). Each team had 39 rebounds.

February 13, 2012

The Saints were on a 21-7 run, wiping out a 14-point deficit, when Lander’s Judge hit her fifth 3-pointer of the night to break a 55-all tie with 6:46 left. The Lady Bearcats would never trail again.

February 20, 2012

Mauri Wells, Armstrong Jaymee Carnes, North Georgia Adrian Randall, Georgia Southwestern Jasmine Judge, Lander Brittany Hill, USC Aiken Jaymee Carnes, North Georgia Ciara Lyons, Lander Dominique Gilbert, Columbus State Tanisha Woodard, Clayton State Dominique Gilbert, Columbus State Jaymee Carnes, North Georgia Kayla Harris, UCS Aiken Jazmine Kemp, UNC Pembroke

February 27, 2012

Ciara Lyons scored on a long pass from Johnson, and Tanisha Woodard, Cayton State Elkins scored two of Lander’s next three baskets to extend the Lady Bearcat lead to 66-58 inside the four- layup off a steal to close Limestone within 68-65 with 1:20 left. minute mark. After Hayes hit a 3 for the Saints, Elkins made another huge basket for Lander. She rebounded Mukia Myrick’s desperation 3-point attempt as the shot clock was expiring, converting a layup to extend the Lady Bearcat lead to 68-61 with 2:40 to go. But Hayes scored twice more including a transition

But Lyons got a pass inside to Johnson for a layup, extending Lander’s lead back to five at the one-minute mark. After West scored for the Saints, Elkins took a long pass from Johnson, almost lost the ball under the basket, but gathered it in and made a layup, falling

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to the floor as she was fouled. Elkins converted the three-point play for a 73-67 advantage with 40 seconds to go. Johnson and Lyons each added a pair of free throws to clinch the victory. Limestone dominated the game’s first five minutes, building a 13-4 lead when Maria Young capped a 7-0 run with a 3-pointer. But Lander responded with 12 unanswered points, holding the Saints scoreless for six minutes. Judge’s long 3-pointer gave the Lady Bearcats their first lead at 14-13 with 10:44 left, and Small scored in the paint to complete the 12-0 run.

While Lander went scoreless over the next two minutes, the Saints made only a small dent in their deficit as they pulled within 48-27. Then Elkins scored on yet another put-back, extending the Lady Bearcat lead to 50-37 with 13:48 left. Limestone then pulled off a rare five-point sequence, closing within 50-42 when West scored inside, was fouled, but missed the free throw. Tia Williams grabbed the offensive rebound and got the ball out to Hayes for a 3-pointer. After Johnson hit a 3 to push Lander’s lead back to 11, the Saints got within 53-51 near the nine-minute mark on a three-point play by Williams, a pair of layups by Hayes, and Danielle Dixon’s short jumper in the paint. The Saints had an opportunity to tie, but turned it over.

Young ended Limestone’s scoring drought with a 3-pointer, tying the game at 16-all at the 9:01 mark. After Barnes scored to put Lander back on top, Limestone ran off the game’s next 10 points. Young’s 3-pointer and a threepoint play by Hayes keyed the run, and Ashley Robinson’s layup gave the Saints a 26-18 advantage with 6:33 to go.

Elkins ended Limestone’s 9-0 run with another basket in the paint, giving Lander a 5551 lead at the eight-minute mark. But Pace’s free throws pulled the Saints back within two, and Pace’s layup tied it at 55 with 7:13 left to complete a 13-2 run. Box Score

The Lady Bearcats pulled back within a possession on Judge’s second 3 of the night, closing them within 28-25 just inside the four-minute mark. Myrick’s 3 cut it to 30-28 and an Elkins put-back tied it at 30all with 2:35 to go.

NCAA Tournament: Lakers Shut Down Tusculum 51-26

Judge’s third trey of the game put Lander in front, 33-30, at the 1:55 mark, capping an 8-0 run. Small’s rebound basket with three seconds left gave the Lady Bearcats a 37-32 halftime lead as they closed the first half on a 19-6 run.

(3/9/12) AIKEN, S.C. – To say the Clayton State Laker women’s basketball team turned up the defensive intensity on Friday against Tusculum was a huge understatement. It was more along the lines of a defensive clinic as Clayton State rolled past Tusculum 51-26 in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional at the Convocation.

Elkins opened the second half by driving the baseline for a layup and added a put-back basket in the paint, expanding Lander’s lead to 41-34 with 17:10 left. Lyons stole an inbounds pass, leading to another Judge 3. Judge collected another Lady Bearcat steal, leading to Johnson’s open 3 to extend Lander’s lead to 48-34 with 15:30 left. It was their largest lead of the game as the Lady Bearcats had runs of 11-2 in the second half and 30-8 overall.

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Clayton State, ranked sixth in the nation in Division II, improves to 29-3 overall and advances to the second round of the NCAA Division II National Tournament. The Lakers will battle South Lander’s Atlantic Conference Jasmine Judge

champion Wingate on Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Convocation Center.

Aughburns grabbed a game-high 18 rebounds. Box Score

The 26 points allowed by the Lakers was the fewest in game against a Clayton State team in program history. The previous mark was 27 against Spelman in 2003. The Lakers also held the Lady Pioneers (17-11) to only eight points in the second half

NCAA Tournament: Pacers Advance With Win Over Catawba

(3/9/12) AIKEN, S.C. – Kayla Harris posted a careerhigh 28 points and the regionally top-seeded and nationally seventh-ranked University of South Carolina Aiken women’s basketball team picked up a 71-69 “That might be the best half of basketball we’ve NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Southeast played all season – we really hunkered down defenRegional quarterfinal victory over Catawba on Friday sively in the half court,” said Clayton State head coach evening at the Convocation Center. Dennis Cox. “That was the difference in the game on a day when we did not play particularly well offensively. The Pacers with the win claimed their second NCAA We really did the job defensively, especially in the half Tournament victory in as many years. Winners of its court.” last 11, USC Aiken (27-3) also ties the school record Like last Sunday in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament championship game against USC Aiken, Clayton State again had a sluggish first half offensively. The Lakers shot only 20 percent from the field with six field goals. However, Clayton State remained in striking range against Tusculum, trailing only 18-16 at halftime. But the Lakers came out with renewed energy in the second half. Clayton State opened the half on a 10-3 run to lead by five points as Brittany Hall drained a 3-point basket and Kayla Mobley’s jumper in the lane gave Clayton State a 26-21 lead at the 17:02 mark. Tusculum never got closer than three points from that moment on, shooting only 3-for-16 (19 percent) from the field in the second half. The Lady Pioneers cut the Laker lead to 10 points on a free throw by Staci Hills at the 6:31 mark, but Clayton State held Tusculum scoreless for the remainder of the game. The Lakers finished the game on a 15-0 run. Keona Dixon started the rally with a 3-point basket, followed by two straight baskets in the lane by Mobley. Tanisha Woodard pushed the Clayton State lead to 20 points on a 3-point play at the 4:53 mark. Mobley and Hall paced a balanced Clayton State attack with 12 points apiece, while Mobley also grabbed nine rebounds. Woodard and Dixon each scored 10 points, with Woodard adding seven rebounds and seven assists. For Tusculum, Hicks scored nine points, and Linda

for most wins in a season with its 27th victory of the 2011-12 season. The Pacers also won 27 games last season.

USC Aiken with its quarterfinal win over Catawba (1911) advances to the regional semifinal round where they will face off against the winner of the fourth-seeded Catawba-fifth-seeded Limestone game at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 10 at the Convocation Center. Kayla Harris (Raleigh, N.C./Wakefield HS) and Hannah DeGraffinreed combined to score 48 of USC Aiken’s 71 points on Friday evening. The First-Team All-Peach Belt Conference performers have now scored 20 or more in the same game twice this season. Harris was 10-for-15 from the floor en route to her career-high 28 points. She was a perfect 8-for-8 at the charity stripe. DeGraffinreed (Raleigh, N.C./Merrimack College) ended her efforts with 20 points on Friday night. She was 6-of-12 from the floor and 8-for-10 from the free throw line. She also had seven rebounds. Daniela Tarailo (Crown Point, Ind./Crown Point HS) was the final Pacer in double figures. She chipped in with 10 points in the Pacer victory. Brittany Hill (Mechanicsville, Va./Quinnipiac) did not score in double figures in the game, but she did manage seven points, five assists, five steals and four rebounds. The Pacer floor general had no turnovers in the contest. Chloe Bully hit five 3-pointers to lead Catawba in its

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minutes remaining at 52-52, but a 7-0 run by the Pacers would garner USC Aiken a 59-52 lead with six minutes left in the contest. The seven-point lead would not last with the Pacers down by one at 67-66 with 1:34 to go in the game. Four straight Pacer free throws over the next 30 seconds then pulled USC Aiken ahead 70-67 with under a minute to play. Long would score for Catawba on its next possession, but strong Pacer defense and a Hill free throw with four seconds left would preserve the two-point win for USC Aiken. Box Score

NCAA Tournament: Wingate Edges Clayton State 64-63

USC Aiken’s Brittany Hill

(3/10/12) AIKEN, S.C. - A Nikki Burton layup with four seconds to go pulled the Wingate University Bulldogs to a one-point 64-63 win over defending national champion Clayton State in the first semifinal of the day at the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional at the University of South Carolina Aiken’s Convocation Center.

A three-pointer with 10 seconds remaining by Drameka Griggs of the Clayton State Lakers looked like the loss. She concluded the game with 19 points in total. game-winning shot, but Wingate’s Burton drove down She was one of two Catawba players with 19 points as court in the next six seconds to deliver the final two Nisha Long also scored 19 in the Catawba loss. points of the game. USC Aiken ended its win shooting 45.5 percent (25for-55) as a team. Catawba shot 50 percent (27-for54) as a team in the Pacer win. The two teams entered intermission even at 31-all. USC Aiken had led by as many as nine in the first half at 31-22 with just over four minutest remaining, but the Indians closed the opening half of play on a 9-0 run to even the game at the halftime break. Harris led the Pacers in the first half with 12 points. The Pacers shot 41.4 percent (12-for-29) from the field in the first half as a team. Catawba connected upon 46.4 percent (13-for-28) of its field goal attempts in the first stanza. The two teams would still be tied with less than 10

Burton led the Bulldog shooting with 16 points, followed closely by Simone Rutledge with 15. Kurie Washington also hit double digits in the game, with 13 points. Defense was the name of the game at the start, with only one foul shot on the boards for the first six minutes of the game. Once scoring got underway, the lead changed six times and the score tied five times. The two teams were equal in offensive rebounds, with 14 each. Wingate pulled ahead with 33 defensive rebounds to Clayton State’s 22. “Clayton State is a great team. Their defensive pressure is relentless,” said Wingate Head Coach Barbara Nelson. “Our key was not feeding their defense with 105

our offense.”

throws to give Lander a six-point lead and a spot in the championship game.

Drameka Griggs led Clayton State in double-digit scoring, with a total of 18 points. Tanisha Woodward contributed 14 points, Keona Dixon had 13 and Brittany Hall scored 11. Clayton State led in steals with 17 to Wingate’s seven, but the effort wasn’t enough to overpower the Lakers, which led 31-25 at the half. The Lakers now take a rest day before facing the winner of the Lander- USC Aiken matchup that began immediately after their win. The two winning teams from tonight’s games will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, March 12 at the USCA Convocation Center to determine the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional champion, which will become part of the Elite Eight in San Antonio. Box Score

NCAA Tournament: Lander Upends USC Aiken to Advance to Regional Finals

(3/10/12) AIKEN, S.C. - Brittni Johnson scored 24 points, including a game-clinching three-pointer with 21.4 seconds left in the game as fourth-seeded Lander upended top-seeded host USC Aiken 61-55 in the 2012 NCAA Southeast Regional semifinal on Saturday. With that win, the Bearcats advance to the regional championship game on Monday night against third-seeded Wingate, who took out second-seed and defending national champion Clayton State in the other semifinal.

The Bearcats relied heavily on their perimeter shooting in the second half as six of their nine made field goals came from behind the arc. Lander shot 44% (23-52) for the game and 43% (10-23) from long range. Judge and Johnson made four three-pointers each with Muke Myrick adding two more. USC Aiken faltered in the second half, shooting only 6-24 (.250) over the final 20 minutes. The Pacers made only one second-half three pointer, but made up for that at the free throw line, where they were 11 for 12 in the contest. The first half was a back-and-forth affair with seven ties and seven lead changes. Lander began the game with a 15-6 run sparked by Johnson, who converted three steals into three layups in the first four minutes. USC Aiken responded with a three from Daniela Tarailo that began a 9-1 run that left the Pacers trailing by only one with 12:14 to go. From there, the two teams traded blows with neither team able to open up more than a three-point advantage. Brittany Hill’s free throws with 46 seconds to go provided USC Aiken with their 37-35 halftime lead. Both teams shot over 50% from the field in the first period. Johnson led all scorers and added six steals, four assists and two rebounds. Judge finished with 12 points while Kayln Small led all players with 13 rebounds, six of those on the offensive glass. Precious Elkins, who had a double-double in Lander’s quarterfinal win over Limestone, had six points and nine rebounds before fouling out.

With the game tied at 53 with 1:28 to go, Lander’s Jasmine Judge hit a long three-pointer, standing three Kayla Harris scored 20 to lead the Pacers, keeping feet behind the arc, that gave the Bearcats a 56-53 edge. USCA answered with a pair of free throws from Hannah DeGraffinreed with 1:13 to play. Neither team was able to do anything on their ensuing possessions, a USCA foul from Brittany Hill giving Lander the ball back with 45 seconds to play. Leading by one, Johnson, a senior from Athens, Ga., received a pass on the right elbow and launched a three-pointer that hit nothing but net to boost the lead to four. USCA sprinted back but Hill’s layup would not fall. Johnson got the rebound and was nearly at the other end of the floor before USCA’s Daniela Tarailo caught her for a foul. Johnson drained both free 106

Lander’s Brittni Johnson

Women’s Basketball

her team in the game singlehandedly in some places. She added six rebounds and two assists. Hill was the only other Pacer to reach double figures with 10 points while Lindsay Sundberg came off the bench with seven points and a team-high 10 rebounds. DeGraffinreed was denied the ball all night and finished with four points and five rebounds.

in the first overtime only to see the Lady Bulldogs rally each time. Tied at 60 going into double overtime, Johnson hit a 3-pointer to give the Lady Bearcats the lead in the first minute. But Burton scored twice, giving Wingate a 6463 lead with three minutes to go, their first lead since the opening half.

Lander advances to the regional championship game for the third consecutive year but will be looking for their first championship and Elite Eight appearance. Wingate has reached the Elite Eight three times before and will be going for their fourth on Monday. Box Score

Small scored inside for Lander, but the Lady Bulldogs tied it at 65 with one of two free throws. Johnson hit another huge 3, this one from the left wing to give the Lady Bearcats the lead for good at 6865 at the 1:25 mark.

Lander Advances to Elite Eight in Double Overtime!

(3/12/12) AIKEN, S.C. – It’s official – the Lander women’s basketball team is among the nation’s elite.

Burton would make a layup to pull Wingate within one. But with the shot clock winding down, Lyons made an acrobatic shot in the lane to restore Lander’s threepoint lead with 20 seconds left.

The Lady Bearcats earned their first-ever trip to the Elite Eight, outlasting Wingate University 72-67 in double overtime Monday night in the Southeast Regional championship game at USC Aiken’s Convocation Center.

Burton tried to rally the Bulldogs again, but she missed a shot and Judge was fouled with six-tenths of a second left and added two free throws. As the final buzzer went off, the exhausted Lady Bearcats were able to celebrate their first Elite Eight appearance.

Lander (24-7) advances to play in the national quarterfinals to be played March 20-21, and 23 in San Antonio, Texas. Regional MVP Brittni Johnson played the entire 50 minutes, including 40 minutes of regulation and two five-minute overtime periods, and led the Lady Bearcats with 20 points. She had two huge 3-pointers in the second overtime. Kaylyn Small also had a huge game for Lander, posting a double-double with 19 points and a career-high 22 rebounds. She also had four blocked shots in 35 minutes of action. Jasmine Judge also played the entire 50 minutes, scoring 13 points for the Lady Bearcats. Ciara Lyons added 12 points.

Lander was certainly relieved after blowing a 13-point lead in the second half. Sarah Wollett’s 3-pointer pulled Wingate within 50-47 with 4:22 to go in regulation. The Lady Bearcats pushed their lead back to five when Mukia Myrick found Small inside for a basket and a 52-47 lead just under the four-minute mark. But Lander committed two offensive fouls and Wingate one offensive foul in the next three possessions. Then the Lady Bearcats built a seemingly safer lead when Small rebounded Wingate’s second missed shot, was fouled, and made two free throws for a 5447 lead.

Nikki Burton led Wingate (24-8) with 21 points, Simone Rutledge added 12 points, and Tish Logan grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds.

But Williams scored to pull the Bulldogs within 54-49 with 1:36 left and Lander committed two turnovers, each resulting in a foul as Burton made three of four free throws to cut it to 54-52 at the one-minute mark.

Lander had a 13-point lead midway through the second half of regulation and twice built four-point leads

Johnson missed a jumper with 30 seconds left, giving 107

Wingate an opportunity to tie or win. Burton missed a shot in the lane, but the rebound went out of bounds off a Lander player. Then, with 10 second left, Williams made a game-tying shot to make it 54-all. Lander had a chance to win in regulation but turned the ball over.

a Lander 3-point attempt air ball, converting a layup for a double-figure lead again at 29-19 with 1:24 to go. The Lady Bearcats led 31-21 at halftime despite going 1-for-13 from 3-point range. But Lander was much more effective than the Bulldogs inside the arc, making 13 of 21 shots while Wingate was 9-for-27. The Bulldogs were 10-for-33 overall before halftime.

The first overtime was just as wild. The Lady Bearcats scored six of the first eight points on a Small basket, Johnson free throws, and a Lyons bucket to lead 6056. But Rutledge scored and Burton made two free throws for a 60-all tie.

Wingate rallied early in the second half, using a 10-2 run to pull within 33-31 with 16:31 left. Tiffany Brown, who missed about 14 minutes of the first half due to injury, hit two 3s during the run. But Judge and Johnson hit 3s, pushing Lander’s lead to 39-31 with 15 minutes left. After Wollett scored off the glass for Wingate, Johnson provided an answer with a 3 from the left wing and a base-line jumper for a 44-35 lead at the 11:30 mark.

Small had a steal, giving Lander a chance to retake the lead. But after a wild scramble for a loose ball, the Lady Bearcats turned it over, and Wingate had a chance to win it with 19 seconds left. But Burton dribbled the ball outside the circle and drove inside the arc and took a shot as time was expiring and missed to the left of the rim, sending the game into double overtime. Both teams started slowly as Lander was 2-for-11 from the floor and 0-for-6 from 3-point range over the game’s first six minutes, and trailed 6-4. But the Lady Bearcats ran off 10 unanswered points to take a 14-6 lead. A Lyons back-court steal and layup tied it at 6-all at the 13:44 mark, Small scored inside, Myrick made a driving layup, Lyons hit a mid-range jumper, and Lyons scored again on a fast-break layup off one-touch passes from Johnson and Myrick for a 14-6 lead at the 11-minute mark. Wingate also started slowly and was 3-for-19 from the floor before finally ending the 10-0 run on Chantal Dunbar’s basket. Judge hit Lander’s first and only 3-pointer of the first half, extending the lead to 19-8. Small’s basket gave the Lady Bearcats the largest lead of the first half at 12 points, 25-13, with 7:40 to go.

The Lady Bearcats got a huge possession when Precious Elkins missed two free throws, but rebounded her second miss, passed the ball out to Judge for a 3-pointer and a 48-37 lead at the midway point of the second half. Elkins hit one of two free throws to match Lander’s largest lead of the game at 12 points, 49-37, at the 9:13 mark. Small made one of two free throws to give the Lady Bearcats their largest lead of the game at 50-37 with 8:23 left. But Kelli Bonner’s quick 3 pulled Wingate within 50-40 with 8:09 remaining. Burton’s steal and fast-break layup closed the Bulldogs within single digits at 50-42 at the 6:40 mark. After a Lander turnover, Wingate had a chance to cut

But Lander went 0-for-5 and committed two turnovers over their next several possessions. Wingate took advantage, rallying within 25-19 with four minutes left when Rutledge scored three baskets in a row. Myrick ended the Lady Bearcat scoring drought with a stop-and-go move to the basket for a layup, and Small rebounded

2012 NCAA Southeast Regional Champions Lander Bearcats 108

Women’s Basketball

Lander transfers Kami Phillips and Rachelle Rasley, also seniors, saw their collegiate careers come to an end as well. Judge led Lander with 15 points, making four 3-pointers in the second half. She finished her career with over 403 made 3s. Small and Lyons scored 11 points apiece for the Lady Bearcats while Myrick and Judge shared team-high honors with seven rebounds apiece. Paris Moore led a balanced Rollins attack with 13 points while Sarah Blackburn added 10 points for the 15th-ranked Tars of Winter Park, Fla. Lander’s Brittni Johnson Cuts down the net

Lander made 22 of 57 shots from the floor (39 perinto its deficit even more but missed a layup. But after cent), 11 of 15 free throws (70 percent) and seven of the Bulldogs blocked a shot, Burton scored in the 21 from 3-point range (33 percent). paint to cut it to 50-44 with 5:24 to go. Rollins made 26 of 64 shots (41 percent), nine of 12 After another Lady Bearcats turnover, Wingate pulled free throws (75 percent) and five of 24 from behind within a possession on Wollet’s first 3-pointer of the the arc (21 percent) while out-rebounding the Lady game, capping a 7-0 run and setting the stage for a Bearcats 42-33. wild finish. Box Score Box Score

Jaymee Carnes Named Daktronics Division II National Player of the Year

Lander Women’s Basketball Falls to Rollins, 66-62 in Elite Eight

(3/20/12) SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Lander University women’s basketball team’s remarkable NCAA Division II run came to an end Tuesday night when the Lady Bearcats lost to Rollins College 66-62 in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals at Bill Greehey Arena on the campus of St. Mary’s University. The Tars (28-5) scored the final 10 points of the game, advancing to play Shaw University in the semifinals Wednesday night at 9:30. Rollins ended the game with an 18-6 run.

(3/21/12) DAHLONEGA, GA – Following the most impressive single-season performance in North Georgia women’s basketball history, Jaymee Carnes has been named the Daktronics Division II National Player of the Year. “What an incredible accomplishment for Jaymee, our program, and for the university,” head coach Buffie Burson said following the announcement. The highest honor in the country comes as no surprise for the sophomore sensation who was named the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year and Southeast Region Player of the Year following her first season at the NCAA Division II level.

No. 24 ranked Lander finished the season 24-8 after making the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time in program history. The Lady Bearcats went scoreless over the game’s final five minutes. Lander’s four-year senior class of Brittni Johnson, Ciara Lyons, Jasmine Judge, Mukia Myrick, Kaylyn Small and Keondra Barnes finished their careers with a 100-27 record. They went to the NCAA Tournament all four years, reaching the Sweet 16 as sophomores and juniors, and the Elite Eight as seniors.

“To be named the Daktronics National Player of the Year while playing in the grueling Peach Belt Conference is remarkable,” Burson said. “She faced so many great players and defensive schemes this season. It was exciting to coach her and watch her work her magic.” A transfer from Wake Forest University, Carnes has

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made an immediate impact on North Georgia, the Peach Belt Conference, and the NCAA Division II level as a whole. North Georgia College & State University continues to be recognized at the highest level, as Carnes becomes the third athlete from the university to earn National Player of the Year over the last three years. Sarah Phillips and Jessica Coan received back-to-back National Pitcher of the Year honors in 2010 and 2011 and Carnes follows in the footsteps of the softball legends with her own Player of the Year honor. North Georgia’s Jaymee Carnes

The Peach Belt Conference is no stranger to the women’s basketball National Player of the Year either, as Lander’s Shannon McKever was the first-ever PBC Player to earn the award when she did so last season. McKever won the award as a senior, while Carnes will have two more chances to repeat as the best player in the nation. “With her strong work ethic and commitment, I look forward to seeing her continue to grow even more as a great player,” Burson said of the development of the nation’s best player. “To win this award as a sophomore is simply amazing.” The native of nearby Gainesville, Georgia, Carnes set multiple Peach Belt Conference records and nearly rewrote the North Georgia record book during the 2011-12 season. Carnes is just the second player in PBC history to lead the nation in scoring, joining Kennesaw State’s Joanna Cuprys who averaged 26.0 points per game in 1996-97. She scored 30-plus points three times and career-high 40 points against Brenau. She finished second in the league and 15th in the nation in rebounds per game with 11.2 recorded 20 double-doubles, which led all of NCAA Division II. She also league and was ranked eighth nationally in blocks.

had a and led the

Carnes led the nation in scoring at 25.0 points per game and finished with 624 points scored, which is the tenth highest scoring total in the history of the Peach Belt Conference. She also set North Georgia records for total points in a season, age in a season, and free throws made. The sharp-shooter holds Georgia NCAA Division II single game records for points in a game with 40, blocks in a game with nine, and field goals made in a game with 16, a mark she accomplished twice in a span of 35 days. The team is sponsored by Daktronics, Inc., an acknowledged world leader in scoring, timing and programmable display systems for virtually every sport at every level of competition. The team is voted on by the members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). 110

scoring averNorth

Award Winners Capital One Academic All-District Team Charlsea Owen, Flagler Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Team Mia Antoine, USC Aiken Jessica Bivins, Georgia Southwestern Brittany Bowen, USC Aiken DeDe Cotton, UNC Pembroke Kristen Dickerson, Francis Marion Jen Knurek, Flagler Porsha Martin, USC Aiken Briana McFarland, Armstrong Charlsea Owen, Flagler Daniela Tarailo, USC Aiken Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Honorable Mention Marie Taylor, Flagler Taylor Welch, Montevallo

Statistics Individual

Points per game

Jaymee Carnes, North Georgia Shanteona Keys, Georgia College Kayla Harris, USC Aiken Terra Branch, Ga. Southwestern Dominique Gilbert, Columbus State Brittni Johnson, Lander Ciara Lyons, Lander Hannah DeGraffinreed, USC Aiken Brittany Christian, Francis Marion Jasmine Judge, Lander

25.0 16.6 15.8 15.7 14.4 13.5 13.4 13.2 12.4 12.3

Mauri Wells, Armstrong Jaymee Carnes, North Georgia Adrian Randall, Ga. Southwestern Dominique Gilbert, Columbus State T.T. Belcher, Francis Marion Carmella Thompson, Francis Marion Kaylyn Small, Lander Treva Mason, Flagler Laci Schreiber, Augusta State Belinda Schaafsma, Georgia College

13.0 11.2 10.2 9.3 9.0 8.2 8.1 7.6 7.3 7.3

Kaylyn Small, Lander Hannah DeGraffinreed, USC Aiken Courtney Bolton, UNC Pembroke D.D. Gipson, Armstrong Kayla Mobley, Clayton State Kayla Harris, USC Aiken Brittany White, Augusta State Shavonne Seymore, Montevallo Ciara Lyons, Lander Jazmine Kemp, UNC Pembroke

58.5 56.7 53.3 49.5 48.6 48.3 48.3 48.3 48.1 47.9

ReboUnds Per Game

Field Goal %

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basketball

WBCA Division II All-America Team Jaymee Carnes, North Georgia Tanisha Woodard, Clayton State WBCADivisionIIAll-AmericaHonorableMention Kayla Harris, USC Aiken Jasmine Judge, Lander Daktronics National Player of the Year Jaymee Carnes, North Georgia Daktronics All-America First Team Jaymee Carnes, North Georgia Daktronics All-America Honorable Mention Tanisha Woodard, Clayton State Daktronics Southeast Region Player of the Year Jaymee Carnes, North Georgia Daktronics All-Southeast Region First Team Jaymee Carnes, North Georgia Tanisha Woodard, Clayton State Hannah DeGraffinreed, USC Aiken PBC All-Conference First Team Jaymee Carnes, North Georgia Hannah DeGraffinreed, USC Aiken Dominique Gilbert, Columbus State

3-Point Field Goal %

Amber Peterson, Augusta State Daniela Tarailo, USC Aiken Jasmine Judge, Lander Terra Branch, Ga. Southwestern Lindsay Sundberg, USC Aiken Emilee Dunton, Francis Marion Brittni Johnson, Lander DeDe Cotten, UNC Pembroke Brittany Christian, Francis Marion Shanteona Keys, Georgia College

Assists per game

43.2 42.3 42.3 40.5 37.6 34.6 34.0 33.2 33.1 32.6

Tanisha Woodard, Clayton State 5.3 Brittany Hill, USC Aiken 5.2 Carmella Thompson, Francis Marion 5.0 Brittany White, Augusta State 4.9 Brittni Johnson, Lander 4.2 Tania Walters, Ga. Southwestern 4.0 Mukia Myrick, Lander 3.8 Latesha Johnson, Flagler 3.4 DomoniqueWashington,UNCPembroke 3.3 Brittany Hall, Clayton State 3.3

Blocks per game

Tania Walters, Ga. Southwestern 2.6 DomoniqueWashington,UNCPembroke 2.5 Drameka Griggs, Clayton State 2.5 Jasmine Judge, Lander 2.5 Ciara Lyons, Lander 2.3 Brittany Hall, Clayton State 2.3

Lander 33.4 Augusta State 33.1 Georgia College 30.2 Francis Marion 29.7 Columbus State 29.0 UNC Pembroke 28.2 Clayton State 28.0 Team Armstrong 26.9 Points Per Game Montevallo 25.3 Ga. Southwestern 73.7 North Georgia 25.0 Lander 73.0 Flagler 24.4 Clayton State 70.6 Points Allowed Per Game USC Aiken 64.4 Clayton State 51.8 Columbus State 63.4 USC Aiken 53.1 North Georgia 63.1 UNC Pembroke 55.0 Armstrong 63.0 Augusta State 59.0 Francis Marion 59.7 Columbus State 59.1 Augusta State 57.9 Lander 60.2 UNC Pembroke 57.8 Montevallo 60.6 Montevallo 56.6 Francis Marion 61.5 Georgia College 52.3 Georgia College 62.0 Flagler 51.3 North Georgia 62.8

Field Goal %

USC Aiken 43.8 Clayton State 42.7 Lander 41.5 Augusta State 40.3 Armstrong 40.2 Ga. Southwestern 39.0 UNC Pembroke 39.0 Columbus State 38.9 Montevallo 38.0 North Georgia 37.8 Francis Marion 36.5 Georgia College 36.2 Flagler 33.5

Jaymee Carnes, North Georgia Adrian Randall, Ga. Southwestern Dominique Gilbert, Columbus State Rachel Brown, Flagler Tanisha Woodard, Clayton State Shacamra Jackson, Clayton State Shannon Smith, Clayton State Krysta Lewis, Georgia College Davia Harris, Montevallo Taylor Beverly, Montevallo

3.1 2.6 2.5 2.0 1.7 1.5 1.2 1.1 1.0 0.9

Tanisha Woodard, Clayton State Brittany White, Augusta State Brittni Johnson, Lander Carmella Thompson, Francis Marion

3.4 3.3 3-point Field 2.8 Ga. Southwestern 2.7 USC Aiken

Steals Per Game

Kayla Harris, USC Aiken Tanisha Woodard, Clayton State PBC All-Conference Second Team Terra Branch, GSW Brittany Hall, Clayton State Brittni Johnson, Lander Jasmine Judge, Lander Ciara Lyons, Lander PBC All-Conference Third Team Courtney Bolton, UNC Pembroke Drameka Griggs, Clayton State Shanteona Keys, Georgia College Adrian Randall, GSW Mauri Wells, Armstrong PBC Player of the Year Jaymee Carnes, North Georgia PBC Defensive Player of the Year Tanisha Woodard, Clayton State PBC Freshman of the Year Shanteona Keys, Georgia College PBC Coach of the Year Dennis Cox, Clayton State

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Goal %

Ga. Southwestern 63.9 Armstrong 66.0 Flagler 71.0

Opponents Field Goal %

UNC Pembroke 35.0 Clayton State 35.3 Columbus State 35.8 USC Aiken 36.9 North Georgia 37.4 Montevallo 38.1 Georgia College 38.2 Francis Marion 38.8 Ga. Southwestern 38.9 Augusta State 39.7 Lander 39.7 34.5 Armstrong 41.1 34.0 Flagler 42.0

Men’s Golf UNC Pembroke Leads PBC Men’s Golf Championships After Opening Day

(4/9/12) PINE MOUNTAIN, GA – The UNC Pembroke Braves shot rounds of 288 and 291 to build a threestroke lead after day one of the Peach Belt Conference men’s golf championship at Callaway Gardens. The Braves are three strokes ahead of USC Aiken who fired the low team round of the day with a 287 in the second round and five ahead of Georgia College. Georgia Southwestern sits in fourth while host Columbus State is fifth and Armstrong and Flagler are tied for sixth. The Braves carried a five-stroke lead into the second round after four players shot an even-par 72 en route to a combined 288. USC Aiken trimmed eight strokes off its first round total to trim a seven-stroke deficit down to just three. Georgia College was just five strokes off the lead in second place after the opening round.

Welborn commenced his day with a 76 in round one. Buoyed by six birdies, Welborn then shot a 3-under 69 in the second round. Georgia College shot rounds of 293 and 291 to sit five back. PBC Freshman of the Year Ryan Trocchio shot back-to-back rounds of one-under 71 to tie for third at 142. Patrick Garrett is tied for 14th after rounds of 76 and 72 while David Sullivan is tied for 17th at 149. Georgia Southwestern’s Craig Gibson tied Dahlenburg for low round of the day as he posted a 67 in the second round. Gibson had six birdies in his round with only one bogey. Columbus State’s Stephen Swanepoel is in fifth at even-par 144 after a 71 in the second round. Teammate Daniel Glidewell is in a tie for 10th with Armstrong’s Cory Griffin at 146. The 2012 PBC Men’s Golf Championships will conclude with the third and final round on Tuesday at Callaway Gardens. Tee times are set to begin at 8 a.m.

PBC Player of the Year Jordan Walor (72-69/141) is just one stroke off the pace set by Flagler’s Joel Dahlenburg who carded a tournament-best 67 in the second round to move atop the individual leaderboard. UNCP’s Jonathan McCurry (72-73/145) is four strokes back in a tie for sixth, Michael Mullman (76-72/148) carded an even-par 72 in the second round and is tied for 14th, Scott Lambert (72-77/149) is tied for 17th and Carson Lanier (72-78/150) is in a tie for 23rd.

UNC Pembroke Wins PBC Men’s Golf Title in Playoff

Three Pacers are currently tied for sixth individually with Matt Atkins (Owensboro, Ky./Henderson State), Gaines Milliner (Aiken, S.C./Aiken) and Taylor Welborn (LaGrange, Ga./Darton) all posting a two-round score of 145. A First-Team All-Peach Belt Conference selection, Atkins shot a 2-under 70 in round one before carding a 75 in the second round. Atkins finished his opening round on Monday with six birdies. Milliner opened with a 73 before posting an even 72 in round two.

UNC Pembroke’s Jordan Walor 112

(4/10/12) PINE MOUNTAIN, GA – UNC Pembroke’s Carson Lanier had a birdie while three other players turned in pars as the Braves beat USC Aiken on the first playoff hole in the 2012 PBC Men’s Golf Championships. The

Joel

Men’s Golf

golfers of the Week September 8, 2011 September 15, 2011 September 22, 2011 September 29, 2011 October 6, 2011 October 14, 2011 October 21, 2011 October 27, 2011 February 9, 2012 February 16, 2012 February 23, 2012 March 1, 2012 March 8, 2012 March 15, 2012 March 22, 2012 March 29, 2012 April 5, 2012

Taylor Wellborn, USC Aiken Kyle Godsman, USC Aiken Jordan Walor, UNC Pembroke Joel Dahlenburg, Flagler Craig Gibson, Georgia Southwestern Justin Grice, Columbus State Howard Duffin, Armstrong Jordan Walor, UNC Pembroke Justin Grice, Columbus State Matt Motes, Armstrong J.P. Griffin, Georgia Southwestern Patrick Garrett, Georgia College Scott Lambert, UNC Pembroke Jonathan McCurry, UNC Pembroke Jordan Walor, UNC Pembroke Joel Dahlenburg, Flagler Jordan Walor, UNC Pembroke Jonathan McCurry, UNC Pembroke

two teams finished three rounds tied at eight-over-par 872 on the 7,052-yard, par-72 Mountain View Course at Callaway Gardens. It is the first time that a team has won the title in a playoff since Columbus State beat USC Aiken in the 1993 championships.

Flagler’s oel Dahlenburg

Hayden Letien missed their par putts for bogeys, giving UNCP at four-man score of 15 on the playoff while USC Aiken had 17. Flagler’s Joel Dahlenburg was the individual medalist after he shot 73-67-73 to finish three-under-par 213. He becomes the first PBC golfer to win back-to-back PBC Championships since Columbus State’s Jaco Rall in 1998 and 99. The senior had two birdies and an eagle on the back nine on Tuesday to finish one stroke ahead of USC Aiken’s Matt Atkins. Atkins had the second-lowest round of the day with a three-under 69, collecting six birdies and an eagle in his round. Georgia Southwestern’s Craig Gibson and the UNCP tandem of Walor and McCurry were all tied for third. For UNC Pembroke, the men’s golf Championship is the first in program history. The Braves had all five of their players shoot 75 or better with McCurry carding a team-best 71. Lambert, Lanier and Michael Mullmann all shot 223 to finish in a tie for 16th. Atkins led the charge for USC Aiken with his 69 as Milliner and Welborn both had 73 and Solis 75. USC Aiken trailed UNC Pembroke by three strokes heading into the final round and fell just short of claiming their 10th PBC Championship.

PBC All-Tournament Team

Matt Atkins, USC Aiken Craig Gibson, Ga. Southwestern Jonathan McCurry, UNCP Jordan Walor, UNCP

USC Aiken tied for the low team round of the day as they erased UNCP’s three-stroke lead with a 290. Georgia College finished third while host Columbus State was fourth and Armstrong Atlantic State fifth.

Georgia College was three strokes behind as Victor Monte shot a team-best 71 on Tuesday followed by Medalist Patrick Garrett’s 72. Joel Dahlenburg, Flagler PBC Freshman of the Year Ryan Trocchio had back-to-back 71s on Monday but could not maintain that consistency on Tuesday with a 77. He finished in a tie for ninth while Garrett was tied for 11th.

Lanier had the only birdie in the playoff as Scott Lambert, Jonathan McCurry and Jordan Walor all had pars on the 427yard, par-4 18th hole for UNC Pembroke. J.P. Solis, Gaines Milliner and Taylor Welborn shot par for USC Aiken, but Matt Atkins and

Columbus State equaled USC Aiken’s team 290 on Tuesday. Justin Grice was tied for the low round of the tournament with a 67. Daniel Glidewell finished in a tie for sixth at two over par while Stephen Swanepoel was tied for 11th two strokes back and Grice tied for 13th. Armstrong’s Cory Griffin finished in the top 10 after shooting three straight rounds of 73 to tie for ninth. Georgia Southwestern’s Craig Gibson tied Grice for

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the low round of the tournament with a 67 in Monday’s second round and finished in a tie for third.

72, birdying four straight from the seventh to the 10th hole today. Freshman Ryan Trocchio saved his best round for last, firing par today after a 74 and 75 for plus-five in 28th place. Trocchio birdied the 13th and 15th, both were holes he bogeyed yesterday.

Results Photo Gallery

Classmate David Sullivan comes next at plus-10 on rounds of 77, 74 and 75. Sullivan finally figured out the 18th, as after a triple and double-bogey the first two days, he recorded a birdie today, one of his two on the round. Sophomore Victor Monte was 12-over par with rounds of 80-73-75. He was one-over on the back nine today. The Bobcats have won the Regional title just once before, in 2008. This will mark GC’s ninth appearance in the NCAA Finals, and the first since 2009.

2012 PBC Men’s Golf Champions UNC Pembroke Braves

Three PBC Men’s Golf Teams Qualify for National Championship!

(5/9/12) CONOVER, NC – For the first time since 2008, three Peach Belt Conference men’s golf teams qualified for the NCAA National Championships as the South/Southeast Super Regional came to a close on Wednesday. Georgia College won the regional event with a three-round score of 869, one stroke ahead of Barry. UNC Pembroke finished fourth and USC Aiken in fifth to advance to the national finals. Georgia Southwestern’s J.P. Griffin also qualified to compete as an individual. USCA’s Matt Atkins took the medalist honors.

UNC Pembroke’s Jordan Walor (7071-71/212) offset a bogey on the par-4 sixth with birdies on both the eighth and 18th holes en route to 1-under-par 71 and a tie for fifth on the final individual leaderboard – just two strokes off the pace set by USC Aiken’s Matt Atkins (-6). McCurry (74-76-70/220) booked 16 pars and a pair of bird-

GC put up a 289 on the final day, added to rounds of 291 and 289 for five-over par on the par-72, 7,064yard Rock Barn Golf & Spa Jones Course. No. 2 Barry University was just one stroke behind in second. Junior Taylor Smith shot a team-best 70 today, and finished a team-best second at five-under par after previous rounds of 69 and 72. Smith missed a playoff for individual medalist honors by one stroke, carding five birdies in today’s action. Georgia Southwestern’s J.p. Griffin

Classmate Patrick Garrett was one stroke later in seventh place at three-under par. Garrett shot 71-70114

Men’s Golf

ies to jump 30 spots on the individual leaderboard and into a tie for 18th, while Carson Lanier (74-7277/223) and Michael Mullman (78-69-76/223) both finished in a tie for 38th place. Scott Lambert (78-7775/230) turned in his best round of the week with a 75 on Wednesday to climb five spots into a share of 82nd place. USC Aiken closed out its three rounds in the regional with a team three-round tally of 880 (294-290-296). Atkins (Owensboro, Ky./Henderson State) concluded the three rounds of the NCAA South/Southeast Regional with a 6-under score of 210. Atkins carded a 70 in all three rounds en route to his first career victory. A First-Team All-Peach Belt Conference selection, Atkins has now obtained three top-5 finishes this season. Atkins is the fourth Pacer to claim individual medalist honors in a regional, joining Scott Brown (2005 and 2006), Scott Usher (2003) and Jamie Stanley (1997). Atkins was one of three Pacers to finish in the top-50 individually at the South/Southeast Regional. Taylor Welborn (LaGrange, Ga./Darton) closed out the regional in 28th at 221 (72-73-76), while JP Solis (Morelia, Mexico/Lico Morelia) ended the tournament in 44th at 224 (80-69-75). Georgia Southwestern finished eighth as a team while Armstrong Atlantic State was tied for 12th and Columbus State 19th.

2012 NCAA South/Southeast Region Champions Georgia College Bobcats was seventh at 870. GC, will face fourth-seeded CSUStanislaus in the national quarterfinals while USCA will take on second-seeded Nova Southeastern. The winners of the quarterfinal rounds will advance to the semifinals which will also be played on Friday in Louisville at the 7,092 Cardinal Club Golf Course. The final two teams will square off for the national championship on Saturday. Georgia College was tied for the second-lowest team round on Friday with a three-under par 285. Ryan Troccio was tied for the low round of the day with a five-under 67, which included a 31 on the front nine as he birdied the first four holes. Taylor Smith was one under par with a 71 in the third round while Patrick Garrett was one over with a 73. Trocchio was the low PBC finisher in the individual standings as he tied for fifth with a three-round total of five-under 210 while Smith was tied for 15th at 215 having shot par or better in all four rounds.

The top five teams and the top two student-athletes not with an advancing team earned a berth into the finals as part of the 2012 Division II Spring Championships Festival. The Festival will be hosted by BellarmFor USC Aiken, all five Pacers finished the 54 holes of ine and the Louisville Sports Commission.The national stroke play at the NCAA Championship in the top-75 championships will be held, May 15-19, at The Cardiindividually. nal Club in Simpsonville, Ky.

Hayden Letien (Sumter, S.C./Sumter) claimed his first

Georgia College, USC Aiken Advance to top-10 finish of the 2011-12 season by tying for ninth. Men’s Golf Match Play The 2011 All-American, who now has four top-10 fin(5/17/12) LOUISVILLE, KY – Both Georgia College and USC Aiken were among the top eight teams at the NCAA Division II National Championships after 54 holes of stroke play and will both move on to the match play national quarterfinals beginning on Friday. Georgia College finished stroke play in fifth place overall with a three-day score of 862 while USC Aiken

ishes as an individual in his career, ended stroke play in the NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Championship with a three-round tally of 4-under 212 (69-71-72). All-Peach Belt Conference selection JP Solis (Morelia, Mexico/Lico Morelia) closed out stroke play by tying for 19th with a three-round score of 216 (74-68-74).

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First-Team All-Peach Belt Conference performer Matt Atkins (Owensboro, Ky./Henderson State) put together his best round of the championship on Thursday to move into a tie for 45th. Atkins posted a 1-under-par score of 71 on Thursday to finish with a three-round score of 222 (77-74-71). Gaines Milliner (Aiken, S.C./Aiken) closed out the 54 holes of stroke play in a tie for 51st at 223 (72-7873). Taylor Welborn (LaGrange, Ga./Darton) tied for 75th at 228 (77-75-76). Georgia Southwestern’s J.P. Griffin, playing as an individual, finished the NCAA Tournament in a tie for ninth place at four-under-par 212. He fired a one-under 71 on Thursday. Josh Creel of Central Oklahoma and Jim Knous of Colorado School of Mines both closed the 54 holes of stroke play tied for the top spot individually at 10-under 206. Creel downed Knous in a playoff to claim the 2012 NCAA Division II individual national championship. Creel posted a par on the 18th hole in the playoff to obtain the national championship. Chico State finished stroke play as the #1 seed, finishing 13 under par for the three rounds with an 851. UNC Pembroke, the the third PBC team in the 20-team field, finished in 10th place. Senior Jordan Walor finished 14th with a 214 total.

USC Aiken, Georgia College Ousted in NCAA Quarterfinal Match Play

LOUISVILLE, KY – The 2012 golf season came to a close for the Peach Belt on Friday as both USC Aiken and Georgia College fell in their match play quarterfinals at the NCAA National Championships. USCA fell to Nova Southeastern 4-1 while Georgia College lost to CSU-Stanislaus 3-2. The national quarterfinal team match between seventh-seeded USC Aiken and second-seeded Nova Southeastern consisted of five points with one point being awarded for each individual match.

Farrer’s 78, put together one of the highlights of his career during his round when he had a hole-in-one on hole No. 8. Welborn’s match would be the first one finished in the quarterfinal. USC Aiken would then drop the next four matches to allow Nova Southeastern to secure the victory. Gaines Milliner (Aiken, S.C./Aiken) fell by six strokes to Nova Southeastern’s Ben Vertz. Milliner posted a 78 in the quarterfinal, while Vertz ended the match with an even 72. Ricardo Celia of Nova Southeastern was able to best Pacer 2012 First-Team All-American Matt Atkins (Owensboro, Ky./Henderson State). Celia ended the showdown with a 2-under 70. Atkins closed out his round with a 76.

NCAA Division II National Freshman of the Year Oscar Lengden of Nova Southeastern carded a 4-under 68 Taylor Welborn picked up the only victory of the day for in the quarterfinal match to best 2009 All-American JP the Pacers, besting Nova Southeastern’s Mitch Farrer Solis (Morelia, Mexico/Lico Morelia), who ended his by four strokes. day with a 1-over 73. Welborn (LaGrange, Ga./Darton), who carded a 74 to

USC Aiken’s Hayden Letien owned a five-stroke lead 116

Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golf

through 11 holes, but in the end current national No. 1 Ben Taylor of Nova Southeastern would overtake the 2011 All-American selection. Letien (Sumter, S.C./Sumter) was even through his first nine holes. He opened the back nine by claiming an eagle on hole No. 10. Letien then birdied No. 11. Unfortunately, Letien would then bogey five of the next seven holes to allow Taylor to come back for a three-stroke victory. Letien finished with a 74, while Taylor posted a 1-under 71. Nova Southeastern moves on to the semifinal round where they will face off against Central Oklahoma. The No. 5-seeded Bobcats took on the No. 4-seed Warriors, with GC picking up wins from Patrick Garrett (Kennesaw, Ga.) and Ryan Trocchio (Norcross, Ga.). Trocchio out-did CSUSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top player in Trevor Blair 71-74. Garrett did Trocchio one better with a 71-75 victory over Chris McCracken at No. 3. At No. 5, David Sullivan (Woodstock, Ga.) fell by two 75-77 to Teddy Schrier, while both Taylor Smith (Mansfield, Ga.) and Victor Monte (Chantilly, Va.) took four-stroke losses. Smith was beaten by Rob Damschen 73-77 at the second spot, while Monte fell 75-79 to Paul Smith in the fourth.

Award Winners Capital One Academic All-American Team Matt Atkins, USC Aiken Jordan Walor, UNC Pembroke Capital One Academic All-District Matt Atkins, USC AIken Tyler Erickson, Armstrong Jordan Walor, UNC Pembroke Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Team Matt Atkins, USC AIken Joel Dahlenburg, Flagler Aaron Ebert, Montevallo Tyler Erickson, Armstrong Patrick Garrett, Georgia College Scott Lambert, UNC Pembroke Victor Monte, Georgia College Tanner Robb, Lander Jacob Tilton, Armstrong Jordan Walor, UNC Pembroke Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Honarable Mention Michael Mullman, UNC Pembroke Matt Motes, Armstrong Matt Rochlin, North Georgia Mariano Lepori, Montevallo

GCAA/PING All-American First Team Matt Atkins, USC Aiken Jordan Walor, UNC Pembroke GCAA/PING All-American Third Team Patrick Garrett, Georgia College Craig Gibson, Georgia Southwestern J.P. Griffith, Georgia Southwestern GCAA/PING All-American Honorable Mention Hayden Letian, USC Aiken Jonathan McCurry, UNC Pembroke Greg Mergel, Flagler Matt Motes, Armstrong Taylor Smith, Georgia College Ryan Trocchio, Georgia College GCAA/PING All-Southeast Team Matt Atkins, USC Aiken Jordan Walor, UNC Pembroke Patrick Garrett, Georgia College Craig Gibson, Georgia Southwestern J.P. Griffith, Georgia Southwestern Jonathan McCurry, UNC Pembroke Greg Mergel, Flagler Matt Motes, Armstrong PBC All-Conference First Team Matt Atkins, USC Aiken Patrick Garrett, Georgia College Craig Gibson, Georgia Southwestern Scott Lambert, UNC Pembroke Jonathan McCurry, UNC Pembroke 117

Matt Motes, Armstrong Rourke van der Spuy, Columbus State Jordan Walor, UNC Pembroke PBC All-Conference SecondTeam Joel Dahlenburg, Flagler Justin Grice, Columbus State J.P. Griffin, Georgia Southwestern Greg Mergel, Flagler J.P. Solis, USC Aiken Taylor Smith, Georgia College Jacob Tilton, Armstrong Ryan Trocchio, Georgia College PBC Freshman of the Year Ryan Trocchio, Georgia College PBC Golfer of the Year Jordan Walor, UNC Pembroke PBC Coach of the Year Andrew Danna, Georgia Southwestern

Statistics

USCA’s Atkins, UNCP’s Walor Named Academic All-Americans

Individual

TOWSON, MD – Peach Belt Conference men’s golfers Matt Atkins of USC Aiken and Jordan Walor of UNC Pembroke were named Capitol One Academic AllAmericans on Wednesday. The two were part of the spring At-Large team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), which does not cover golf specifically. The award is widely regarded as the highest individual honor a student-athlete can achieve, as it measures success in the classroom and success on the course. UNC Pembroke wrestler Shane Nolan was also included on the at-large team.

Scoring Average

Atkins, who was a Second-Team selection, is USC Aiken’s 10th CoSIDA Academic All-American. He is now the 13th Pacer golfer to be honored nationally for his efforts in the classroom. The CoSIDA Academic All-America program does not cover golf specifically. Atkins is the first Pacer golfer to garner Academic All-America status on the Men’s At-Large Team.

Low Rounds

Atkins put together one of the strongest campaigns in Pacer history in the 201112 season, leading the nationally-ranked Pacers with a 72.47 scoring average. The scoring average was the fifth-best single-season scoring average in Pacer history. The First-Team All-Peach Belt Conference selection acquired three top-5 individual finishes this past year. He claimed individual medalist honors with a 6-under score of 210 at the NCAA Division II South/Southeast Regional at the par-72, 7,064-yard Jones Course at the Rock Barn Golf and Spa in Conover, N.C. Atkins carded a 70 in all three rounds en route to his first career victory. In the classroom, Atkins boasts a 3.733 grade point average as a Business Administration major. The 2012 Peach Belt Conference Golfer of the Year, Walor put the lid on his collegiate career on May 17 by finishing in a tie for 14th on the individual leaderboard at the NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Championships at the Cardinal Club in Simpsonville. He concluded the campaign with a school record and PBC-leading 71.38 stroke average – the third lowest average in the PBC and the best stroke average since Clayton State’s Will Wilcox posted a PBC record 71.06 stroke average during the 2008-09 season. Walor, who ranks second in PBC history with eight career victories, won three tournaments this season, including the season-opening Honda of Columbia Fall Classic and the Magnolia Collegiate Invitational in March. He concluded his UNCP career with a 72.4 career stroke average, while posting 31 career top-20 finishes, including 18 tournaments in which he finished in the top-5 on the individual leaderboard. 118

Jordan Walor, UNC Pembroke Matt Atkins, USC AIken Jonathan McCurry, UNC Pembroke Patrick Garrett, Georgia College Craig Gibson, Georgia Southwestern Matt Motes, Armstrong Taylor Smith, Georgia College Scott Lambert, UNC Pembroke Brad Hannah, Lander J.P. Solis, USC Aiken Greg Mergel, Flagler J.P. Griffin, Georgia Southwestern Ryan Trocchio, Georgia College Joel Dahlenburg, Flagler Rourke van dur Spuy, Columbus State 1. 2. 4. 10. 24.

63 65 65 66 66 66 66 66 66 67 67 67 67 67 67 67 67 67 67 67 67 67 67 68 68 68 68 68 68 68 68 68 68 68 68 68 68 68 68 68

71.4 72.5 72.5 72.6 72.7 72.9 73.1 73.3 73.3 73.4 73.4 73.4 73.5 73.5 73.6

Jonathan McCurry, UNC Pembroke Jacob Tilton, Armstrong Craig Gibson, Georgia Southwestern J.P. Griffin, Georgia Southwestern Patrick Garrett, Georgia College Joel Dahlenburg, Flagler Joel Dahlenburg, Flagler Jordan Walor, UNC Pembroke Craig Gibson, Georgia Southwestern Rourke Van der Spuy, Columbus State Joel Dahlenburg, Flagler Will Shenstone, Clayton State Howard Duffin, North Georgia Rourke Van der Spuy, Columbus State Michael Mullmann, UNC Pembroke Matt Atkins, USC Aiken Jordan Walor, UNC Pembroke Joel Dahlenburg, Flagler Justin Grice, Columbus State Joel Dahlenburg, Flagler Craig Gibson, Georgia Southwestern Ryan Trocchio, Georgia College Craig Gibson, Georgia Southwestern JP Griffin, Georgia Southwestern Taylor Welborn, USC Aiken Cory Griffin, Armstrong Kyle Godsman, USC Aiken Justin Grice, Columbus State Craig Gibson, Georgia Southwestern Christopher Hall, Georgia Southwestern Howard Duffin, North Georgia Jordan Walor, UNC Pembroke Patrick Garrett, Georgia College Jordan Walor, UNC Pembroke Matt Atkins--USC Aiken Jordan Walor--UNC Pembroke Justin Grice--Columbus State Jordan Walor--UNC Pembroke Scott Lambert--UNC Pembroke Ryan Trocchio--Georgia College

Women’s Golf

68 68 68 68

Team

scoring average Team UNC Pembroke

Georgia College USC Aiken Armstrong Columbus State Georgia Southwestern Flagler Clayton State Lander Avg. Montevallo 288.8 North Georgia

Taylor Smith--Georgia College Gaines Milliner--USC Aiken J.P. Griffin--Georgia Southwestern JP Solis--USC Aiken

Rounds Strokes 31 8954

34 38 30 31 31 27 25 28 26 27

9926 11120 8826 9147 9160 8088 7542 8596 7991 8317

291.9 292.6 294.2 295.1 295.5 299.6 301.7 307.0 307.3 308.0

Team low rounds 1. 5. 8. 9.

279 279 279 279 280 280 280 281 282

Georgia Southwestern USC Aiken Armstrong Georgia College North Georgia UNC Pembroke Columbus State USC Aiken 5 times

Women’s Golf UNC Pembroke Leads PBC Men’s Golf Championships After Opening Day

(4/9/12) Armstrong Atlantic State University sophomore Kristen Sammarco fired a league-record 65 to help the Pirate women’s golf team tie for the lead at the first round of the 2012 Peach Belt Conference Championships at the Callaway Gardens Lake View Course on Monday.

The 304 round by the Pirates eclipses the previous record of 305, set at the Mercer Eat-A-Peach Collegiate on Sept. 19, 2011. The 304 shot by the Saints today was the lowest round by a Flagler team in the two-year history of the championships and broke the school record for a round (305 at Lady Moc Classic second round, Feb. 20, 2012). Only UNC Pembroke shot a better number, 301 (final round of 2011), in the history of the championships.

Sammarco’s six-under-par 65 is the lowest women’s golf score in Peach Belt history, regardless of tournament, and she holds a commanding seven stroke lead over Flagler’s Elin Karlsson (72) as the only player to break par on Monday. She holed out two eagles in the round, on the par-four 337-yard Hole No. 3 and the par-four, 376-yard Hole No. 17.

Karlsson racked up four birdies, three of which came on the front nine. She was 1-under going into the back nine. Victoria Seenath (Toronto, Ontario, Seminole State College of Florida) is in a tie for sixth place with a 4-over 75. Leslie Choucard (Chessy, France, Mercer University) is part of a threeway tie for 10th place with a 6-over 77. Marie Santacroce (Mattituck, N.Y., Mattituck HS), the conference’s freshman of the year, is tied for 17th place with a 9-over 80. Nicole Keyser (Cary, N.C., Green Hope HS) completes the Flagler contingent with an 11-over 82 and is tied for 22nd place.

Thanks to her record-breaking round, the Pirates as a team shot a school-record 304 to tie with Flagler for the team lead after the first round of action. UNC Pembroke is just two strokes back at 306 with Lander (312) and Columbus State (314) rounding out the top five schools.

Shauna Walor turned in her best round of the spring season to pace the UNCP women’s golf team.

Junior Kelly Pearce is tied for eighth individually after a first-round five-over-par 76, while sophomore Jenna Birch is tied for 15th after a first-round 79. Senior Victoria Bennett is in 27th place after a first-round 84, while senior Kim Knox is tied for 33rd after a first-round 87.

Walor carded a first-round 74 – her lowest round since mid119

Armstrong’s Kristen Sammarco

October – and sits tied for third at the event, while PBC Player of the Year Meghan Moore is tied for sixth after booking a 75 on Monday. Kelly Sumner tallied her best round (77) of the spring as well and is tied for 10th heading into Tuesday, while Jenn Crow is tied for 17th after an opening-round 80 – her best 18-hole score since mid-September. Abby Shipley is tied for 33rd after an opening-round 87. First team all-conference selection Dana Watkins was a late scratch from the tournament due to injury. Columbus State’s Kristin Galek and Lander’s Marian Martins are tied for third in the individual standings after shooting 74. Galek played the back nine one-under with a birdie on 13 while Martins had four birdies on the day, but faltered at 18 with a triple bogey. North Georgia’s Catalina Olarte is tied for eighth after shooting a 75 while Montevallo’s Ashlee Beck is 13th after a 78.

Armstrong Wins PBC Women’s Golf

Golfers of the Week September15, 2011 September 22, 2011 September 29, 2011 October 6, 2011 October 14, 2011 October 21, 2011 October 27, 2011 February 9, 2012 February 16, 2012 February 23, 2012 March 1, 2012 March 8, 2012 March 15, 2012 March 22, 2012 March 29, 2012 April 5, 2012

Kimesha Anthony, Columbus State Kelly Pearce, Armstrong Dana Watkins, UNC Pembroke Dana Watkins, UNC Pembroke Kimesha Anthony, Columbus State Kimesha Anthony, Columbus State Kimesha Anthony, Columbus State Kristen Sammarco, Armstrong Ashlee Beck, Montevallo Catalina Olarte, North Georgia Jenna Birch, Armstrong Nikki Crowley, Columbus State Meghan Moore, UNC Pembroke Kelly Pearce, Armstrong Nikki Crowley, Columbus State Meghan Moore, UNC Pembroke Rachel Uremovich, Lander

served as tournament host. Armstrong’s Kristen Sammarco claimed the individual title, taking the lead generated by her openingday record round of 65 to hold on despite shooting a 79 on Tuesday. Sammarco finished at two-overpar 144, five strokes ahead of Lander’s Mariana Martins. Flagler’s Elin Karlsson was third with UNC Pembroke’s Meghan Moore and North Georgia’s Catalina Olarte tied for fourth.

For Armstrong, the win is their second of the season and first conference title. Birch drove the team, 2012 PBC WoMen’s Golf Champions shooting one-under on the front nine with a birdie at Armstrong Pirates the third. She had four bogeys and another birdie on the back side for a final of 73, the second-lowest Championship! round of the day. Kimberly Knox shot a 75, shaving (4/10/12) PINE MOUNTAIN, GA – The Armstrong 12 strokes off her opening-round total to finish in a tie Atlantic State women’s golf team won their first-ever for 18th. Sammarco, who set a record for the lowest PBC Women’s Golf Championship on Tuesday at Calround in the PBC women’s golf history with a 65 on laway Gardens as they fired a team score of 311 in the Monday, was tripped up by a pair of double bogeys final round to win by 11 strokes. After sharing the day on the fifth and 16th, but kept her round to 79 to win one lead with Flagler, three Pirates shot in the 70s led the individual title, her by Jenna Birch’s 73 to outdistance Flagler and UNC second of the season. PBC All-Tournament Team Pembroke, who finished in a tie for second. Lander Marian Martins, Lander was fourth with Columbus State fifth followed by Mon- Flagler came up just Elin Karlsson, Flagler tevallo and North Georgia. short in their attempt Meghan Moore, UNC Pembroke to repeat their 2010 Catalina Olarte, North Georgia The Championship was held at the 5,849-yard, par-71 championship run, Lake View Course at Callaway Gardens, the second which was also played Medalist time the event has been held there. Columbus State on the Lake View Kristen Sammarco, Armstrong 120

Women’s Golf

Course at Callaway Gardens. The Saints struggled to find birdies on the course as Karlsson was the only Flagler player to break 80 as she had a pair of birdies to shoot a 78. Leslie Couchard and Victoria Seenath were tied for 10th at 158 while Nicole Keyser was tied for 18th.

not part of an advancing team. Birch won her spot in a playoff, holing a chip from 18 feet away.

Columbus State’s Kimesha Anthony

UNC Pembroke made up the two strokes they trailed Flagler to finish in the tie for second. The Braves were led by Meghan Moore who shot a team-low 76 to finish in a tie for fourth. Moore had three birdies on the day, including a two on the par-3 10th. Shauna Walor shot 74-78 to finish in a tie for sixth while Kelly Sumner was tied for 14th at 159. Lander finished their first PBC Championship only two strokes out of that tie for second. The Bearcats shot 316 as a team in the final round, led by Martins 75. Ashley Shinn and Dea Mahendra were tied for 10th at 158.

Birch and Moore will play in the NCAA National Championship from May 16-19 at Persimmon Ridge Golf Club in Louisville. The event is part of the NCAA Spring Sports festival.

After carding a final-round 76 to finish tied for seventh individually with a three-day seven-over-par 223 total, Birch went to a one-hole playoff against Rollins’ Kayla Sciupider for the third and final individual qualifying spot. Playing hole No. 1, Birch’s approach over a greenside bunker left her an 18-foot chip to the hole. Sciupider played her second shot out of the bunker right of the green, and her third shot left her short of the hole. Birch then chipped in for birdie to win the playoff hole and earn the berth.

Moore (77-70-69/216) offset a pair of bogies with five birdies in registering a career-best 3-under-par 69 that put her just four strokes off the pace set by Columbus State’s Kimesha Anthony finished in ninth tournament champion Lilliana Camisa (-6) of Nova place after shooting a 76 in the final round. MonteSoutheastern. Shauna Walor (82-77-77/236) booked vallo was the only team in the field to lower their score a 5-over-par 77 for the second-straight round to jump from round one. Megan Clyne had the low round of up seven spots on the individual leaderboard into a tie the day with an even-par 72. North Georgia’s Catafor 26th place. Jenn Crow (82-82-82/246) and Kelly lina Olarte fired a 75 on Tuesday to finish in a tie for Sumner (85-77-84/246) both finished in a tie for 43rd fourth. place, while Lizzie Bundy (80-83-85/248) finished one spot back in 45th place.

Results

The three-day run gives Moore the honor of the first women’s golfer from UNCP to qualify for the NCAA Photo Gallery Championships. Moore, who now boasts the highest finish for a PBC golfer in the NCAA Super Regional Armstrong’s Birch, UNCP’s Moore round, will be joined at the NCAA Championships by Qualify for National Championships Armstrong Atlantic’s Jenna Birch who grabbed the fi(5/8/12) PACE, FLA. - Armstrong Atlantic State’s nal individual qualifying spot by virtue of a playoff with Jenna Birch and UNC Pembroke’s Meghan Moore both Rollins’ Kayla Sciupider. Saint Leo’s Goeun Lee also qualified as individuals for the NCAA National Champi- qualified as an individual for the national championonships in Louisville, Ky., as the South Regional came ship round. to a close on Tuesday. The two players will be the first Peach Belt women’s golfers from their schools Second-ranked Florida Southern blew away the rest to ever play in the national championships as both of the field for the third-straight day and captured the were among the top three individuals in the regional team title by 12 strokes over the rest of the field. With 121

the team title safely in hand, the Mocs advance to the NCAA National Championship round and will be joined by top-ranked Nova Southeastern and Barry who concluded the event in second and third place, respectively.

moore second, birch 21st at national championships!

PBC-best and school record 76.03 stroke average – the second-lowest total in league history. The Durham native negated a bogey on the par-4 second hole with birdies on the fourth, fifth and ninth holes. She bogeyed the par-3 12th hole and carded a double bogey on the par-4 17th hole, but capped her tournament by booking a birdie on the par-5 18th hole. It was the first time over the course of the 4-round tournament that she had registered par or better on the Persimmon Ridge Golf Course’s final hole.

(5/19/12) LOUISVILLE, KY -- Meghan Moore used the strength of a below-par performance on the front nine to fire an even-par 72 that vaulted the junior into second place at the conclusion of the fourth and final round of the 2012 NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championships on Saturday. Armstrong’s Jenna Birch Birch ended her tournament with a four-day 319 total and a +31 score. She carded rounds of 81-80-79-79 fired a second consecutive 79 to finish in 21st in the for her 21st place finish in the 90-player field over the 70-player field. par-72, 6,283-yard course. Moore (+12) finished two strokes off the pace of national champion Abbey Gittings (+10) of Nova Southeastern who led the Sharks to their fourth-straight team national championship in the process. Gittings turned in a double bogey on the par-4 13th hole to fall into a first place tie with Moore, but the NSU junior birdied both the 15th and 16th holes, and then posted pars on the final two greens, to come away with individual medalist honors. Moore’s finish is the best individual national finish by a Peach Belt Conference women’s golfer in league annals and the best finish for a PBC golfer, male or female, since USC Aiken’s Jeff Goff captured the individual national championship in 2008. Moore also concluded her junior campaign with a

The first Armstrong women’s golfer to compete in the NCAA Championships, Birch returns to an Armstrong team that will have four other returnees for 2012-13 after capturing the school’s first Peach Belt Conference Championship in 2012.

Award Winners NGCA Division II All-America - Second Team Meghan Moore, UNC Pembroke NGCA All-America Honorable Mention Jenna Birch, Armstrong NGCA All-South Region Meghan Moore, UNC Pembroke Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Team Jenna Birch, Armstrong Leslie Choucard, Flagler Tracey Marshall, Montevallo Kelly Pearce, Armstrong Casey Truelove, North Georgia Dana Watkins, UNC Pembroke PBC All-Conference First Team Kimesha Anthony, Columbus State Jenna Birch, Armstrong Nikki Crowley, Columbus State Meghan Moore, UNC Pembroke Dana Watkins, UNC Pembroke UNC Pembroke’s Meghan Moore 122

Men’s Tennis

PBC All-Conference SecondTeam Mariana Martins, Lander Catalina Olarte, North Georgia Kristen Sammarco, Armstrong Ashley Shinn, Lander Shauna Walor, UNC Pembroke PBC Freshman of the Year Marie Santacroce, Flagler PBC Golfer of the Year Meghan Moore, UNC Pembroke PBC Coach of the Year Brian Padgett, Columbus State

Marie Santacroce, Flagler Elin Karlsson, Flagler Leslie Choucard, Flagler Rachel Uremovich, Lander

Statistics Individual

Scoring Average

Meghan Moore, UNC Pembroke Jenna Birch, Armstrong Kimesha Anthony, CSU Kristen Sammarco, Armstrong Dana Watkins, UNC Pembroke Nikki Crowley, CSU Mariana Martins, Lander Catalina Olarte, NGCSU Ashley Shinn, Lander Shauna Walor, UNC Pembroke Dea Mahendra, Lander

76.0 76.5 77.0 77.6 77.7 77.8 78.6 79.0 79.1 79.3 79.3

80.1 72 Meghan Moore, UNC Pembroke 80.6 31. 73 Kimesha Anthony, Columbus State 80.8 73 Nikki Crowley, Columbus State 80.9 73 Jennifer Brueshaber, Columbus State 73 Kimesha Anthony, Columbus State Low Rounds 73 Jenna Birch, Armstrong 1. 65 Kristen Sammarco, Armstrong 73 Nikki Crowley, Columbus State 2. 68 Kimesha Anthony , Columbus State 73 Ashley Shinn, Lander 3. 69 Nikki Crowley, Columbus State 73 Nikki Crowley, Columbus State 69 Marie Santacroce, Flagler 73 Catalina Olarte, North Georgia 69 Rachel Uremovich, Lander 73 Victoria Seenath, Flagler 69 Meghan Moore, UNC Pembroke 73 Jenna Birch, Armstrong 7. 70 Kelly Pearce, Armstrong 70 Kristen Sammarco, Armstrong 70 Jenna Birch, Armstrong Team 70 Meghan Moore, UNC Pembroke scoring average 11. 71 Nikki Crowley, Columbus State Team Rounds Strokes Avg. 71 Dana Watkins, UNC Pembroke UNC Pembroke 24 7580 315.8 71 Meghan Moore, UNC Pembroke Lander 14 4434 316.7 71 Lauren Benetti, Flagler Columbus State 22 6975 317.0 15. 72 Rylie Wilson, Lander Flagler 22 7030 319.5 72 Dana Watkins, UNC Pembroke Armstrong 18 5768 320.4 72 Shauna Walor, UNC Pembroke Montevallo 20 6671 333.5 72 Kimesha Anthony, Columbus State North Georgia 22 7450 338.6 72 Lauren Benetti, Flagler 72 Catalina Olarte, North Georgia 72 Dana Watkins, UNC Pembroke Team low rounds 289 Columbus State 72 Meghan Moore, UNC Pembroke 1. 2. 295 UNC Pembroke 72 Nikki Crowley, Columbus State 3. 299 Columbus State 72 Kimesha Anthony, Columbus State 4. 302 Lander 72 Jenna Birch, Armstrong 303 UNC Pembroke 72 Kimesha Anthony, Columbus State 5. 303 Lander 72 Megan Clyne, Montevallo 303 Columbus State 72 Elin Karlsson, Flagler 8. 304 5 times 72 Jenna Birch, Armstrong

Men’s Tennis

Armstrong’s Mikk Irdoja

Top-Ranked Pirates Collect Eighth Straight PBC Tournament Title

(4/22/12) GREENWOOD, S.C. - The top-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University men’s tennis team blanked No. 8 Columbus State, 5-0, to notch the Pirates’ eighth straight Peach Belt Conference tournament title on Sunday at the Joe Cabri Tennis Center in Greenwood, S.C. Conference The Pirates (24-0) have won every league tournament men’s tennis title since 2005 after blanking the Cougars (22-3) on Sunday, halting Columbus State’s six-game win streak. Armstrong collected three quick

GP 1. Armstrong 9 2. Columbus State 9 3. Lander 9 4. Francis Marion 9 t5. Augusta State 9 t5. Georgia College 9 7. North Georgia 9 t8. USC Aiken 9 t8. Flagler 9 10. Ga. Southwestern 9

123

Record 9-0 8-1 7-2 6-3 4-5 4-5 3-6 2-7 2-7 0-9

Win % 1.000 0.889 0.778 0.667 0.444 0.444 0.333 0.222 0.222 0.000

Final Standings Overall GP Record 30 30-0 27 23-4 23 18-5 17 10-7 29 19-10 21 12-9 23 14-9 17 9-8 18 5-13 19 5-14

Win % Last 10 1.000 10-0 0.852 7-3 0.783 7-3 0.588 4-6 0.655 5-5 0.571 7-3 0.609 3-7 0.529 4-6 0.278 1-9 0.263 2-6

doubles wins to take a 3-0 lead heading into singles play. PBC Doubles MVPs Georgi Rumenov and Mikk Irdoja defeated Gordan Divljak and Quentin Rayniere, 8-2, at No. 1 doubles, while No. 16-ranked Sven Lalic and Pedro Scocugliaavenged an earlier season loss to No. 6-ranked Martin Shishkov and Olivier Simonet with an 8-2 win at No. 2 doubles. Eudaldo Bonet and Matus Mydla then completed the doubles sweep with an 8-3 win over Adi Malicbegovic and Michael Trebuhov at No. 3 doubles.

where we would like to go, we must play much better.”

The Pirates then won at the two top singles spots to clinch the match. PBC Singles MVP Rumenov beat No. 23-ranked Simonet, 6-0, 6-4, at No. 1 singles, while No. 3-ranked Bonet beat No. 48-ranked Divljak, 6-1, 6-2, at No. 2 singles.

In the deciding doubles match, Adi Malicbegovic and Michael Trebuhov rallied from being down 5-2 at third doubles to defeat Giovani Santos and Brandon Sloan 8-6.

CSU (23-3) got on the board first in doubles play as sixth-ranked Olivier Simonet and Martin Shishkov easily defeated Mathew Guida and Rodrigo Magan 8-1 at the second position. First and third doubles were very competitive with each team exchanging blows. The Saints (14-9) recorded a victory at first doubles when Felipe Friedrich and Mateus Camasmie took down Quentin Rayniere and Gordan Divljak 8-6.

In singles action, Rayniere gave the Cougars their third victory of the day taking down Guida 6-2, 6-3 at third singles. Almost simultaneous, Shishkov and Trebuhov won at fourth and fifth singles, respectively to clinch the match for Columbus State. Shishkov won his match 6-1, 6-3 against Magan while Trebuhov won 6-0, 6-3 over Santos.

2012 PBC Men’s Tennis Champions Armstrong Pirates

Both Divljak and Danilo Sardelli were up a set in their matches when play was called while 23rd ranked Simonet lost the first set against Friedrich 6-2.

NCAA Tournament: Columbus State Downs North Georgia 5-1

(4/28/12) COLUMBUS, GA – The eighth-ranked Columbus State University men’s tennis team downed 25th ranked North Georgia 5-1 Saturday morning in the NCAA Southeast Region Bracket Two Semifinals. The match took place at the Mary V. Blackmon Tennis Center on the campus of CSU.

NCAA Tournament: Augusta State Upends Lander 5-3

(4/28/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. -- Augusta State registered a 5-3 victory over ninth-ranked Lander Saturday afternoon in the second round of the NCAA Southeast Regional at the Mary V. Blackmon Tennis Center on the Columbus State University campus.

With the victory, the Cougars will advance to tomorrow’s finals and will take on the winner of the other semifinal match between Lander and Augusta State. The finals will begin at 3:00 p.m. at the Blackmon Tennis Center.

Eight days after the third-seeded Bearcats eliminated ASU from the Peach Belt Conference Championships in Greenwood, S.C., the sixth-seeded Jaguars exacted revenge to advance to Sunday’s regional final at 3:00 p.m., vs. No. 2 seed Columbus State.

“North Georgia played really well today,” said CSU head coach Evan Isaacs. “I give them a lot of credit and I think we play decent but in order to advance

The doubles teams of Victor Guimaraes-Victor Cabellos and Jenner Stevenson-Jan Labas got the Jags (169) on the board when they netted wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles, respectively, to put ASU in front 2-1 124

Men’s Tennis

headed into singles.

8-5 victory. The Victors – Cabellos and Guimaraes – won 8-3 at No. 2 and when Jenner Stevenson and Jan Labas claimed an 8-3 win at No. 3 doubles, the Jags were staked to a 3-0 lead heading into singles.

The Bearcats won at No. 6 singles to square the match at 2-all before Guimaraes won in straight sets (6-2, 6-2) at No. 5 singles to put the Jags back in front 3-2. Lander (18-5) posted a straight sets win at No. The Cougars clawed back in the match, pulling even at 2 singles to knot things up at 3-all before ASU closed 3-all with wins at No. 4, No. 3 and No. 6 singles. Fernandes put ASU back in front with a straight sets win (6-3, 6-2) at No. 1 singles before CSU’s Gordan Divljak knotted the match at 4-all with a win at No. 2 singles over the Jags’ Boturao. Down to the final match, ASU’s Guimaraes battled back from a 6-0 loss in the first set to win 7-5, 6-3 and send the Jags to their first trip to the NCAA Championships.

NCAA Tournament: Georgia College Beats Francis Marion 5-2

Augusta State’s Victor Guimares and Victor Cabellos (4/30/12) SAVANNAH, Ga. - The fourth-seeded and No. 29-ranked Georgia College men’s tennis team advanced to the final of the NCAA Southeast Regional out the match with Victor Cabellos’ victory at No. 3 with a 5-2 win over fifth-seeded and No. 10-ranked singles. Jaguar senior Bernardo Fernandes, at No. 1 Francis Marion on Monday afternoon at Bacon Park in singles, sealed the win when he bounced back from Savannah. dropping the second set in a tiebreaker with a 6-1 win in the third set. The Bobcats (12-8) advance to face top-ranked and

top-seeded Armstrong in the regional final on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. The winner earns a berth in the NCAA Round of 16, to be played as a part of the NCAA’s Divi-

NCAA Tournament: Augusta State Stuns Columbus 5-4; Advances to Festival

(4/29/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. -- Augusta State vaulted out to a big lead, gave it all back, and then rallied for a dramatic 5-4 victory over Columbus State in the third round of the NCAA Southeast Regional at the Mary V. Blackmon Tennis Center on the CSU campus. With the victory, the sixth-seeded and 12th-ranked Jaguars (17-9) equaled their most wins in a season since 2007 and also earned a trip to the Round of 16 in Louisville, Ky. The Cougars, ranked No. 8 in the nation and seeded No. 2 in the regional, saw their season come to an end at 23-4. ASU returns to action May 16-19 at the NCAA National Championships at the Top Gun Tennis Academy in Louisville, Ky., as a part of the 2012 NCAA DII Spring Championship Festival. The Jags’ No. 1 doubles team of Bernardo Fernandes and Henrique Boturao put ASU on the board with an

Players of the Week February 7, 2012

Georgi Rumenov, Armstrong

February 14, 2012

Eudaldo Bonet, Armstrong

February 21, 2012

Georgi Rumenov, Armstrong

February 28, 2012

Alex Caspari, Francis Marion

March 6, 2012

Mikk Irdoja, Armstrong

March 12, 2012

Alex Caspari, Francis Marion

March 19, 2012

Matus Mydla, Armstrong

March 26, 2012

Vincent Verpeaux, Lander

April 2, 2012

Georgi Rumenov, Armstrong

April 9, 2012

Georgi Rumenov, Armstrong

April 16, 2012

Johan Wadstein, Georgia College

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Lichtenstein and Drew Owen at No. 2 doubles.

sion II Spring Sports Festival on May 16-19 in Louisville, Ky. Francis Marion falls to 10-7 with the loss. Georgia College took a 2-1 lead heading into singles play with a pair of doubles wins. Wictor Andersson and Leo Bernardes downed Jack Bishop and Jonathan Hain, 8-4, at No. 2 doubles, while Tyler Franks and Alex Schubert beat Dirk Bair and Tim Ruepke, 8-1, at No. 3 doubles. Francis Marion earned its doubles point at No. 1 doubles as the fifth-ranked duo of Alex Caspari and Gavin Davison bested the ninth-ranked duo of Jerome Leborgne and Johan Wadstein, 8-6. The Bobcats claimed four of six first sets in singles play. The Bobcats earned a singles point at No. 5 singles with Andersson’s 6-3, 6-0 win over Ruepke, but Francis Marino got one back in six singles with Bair’s 6-4, 6-3 win over Franks. Wadstein knocked off Bishop for the Bobcats, 6-4, 6-4, at No. 2 singles, then the clincher came at No. 3 singles, when Bernardes downed Davison, 6-4, 6-3, to give Georgia College the berth in the final.

NCAA Tournament: Pirates Blank Bulldogs

The Pirates took the first set in all six singles matches. No. 32-ranked Lalic closed out a 6-2, 6-1 win over Martinez at No. 4 singles, then Scocuglia clinched the match with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Forbes at No. 5 singles.

NCAA Tournament: Armstrong Heads To Louisville; Beats Bobcats 5-0

(5/1/12) SAVANNAH, Ga. - The top-ranked and undefeated Armstrong Atlantic State University men’s tennis team is headed to Louisville after a 5-0 blanking of No. 29-ranked Georgia College in the NCAA DII Southeast Regional on Tuesday afternoon at Bacon Park in Savannah. The Pirates (26-0) will head to the Top Gun Tennis Academy for the NCAA’s Round of 16 as a part of the 2012 NCAA DII Spring Sports Festival in Louisville. Armstrong will take on Queens (NY) in a first-round match on May 16 at 2:00 p.m. The Pirates are making their eighth straight NCAA Round of 16 appearance and Armstrong is hoping to add its third NCAA DII Men’s Tennis National Championship after capturing the titles in 2008 and 2009. The Bobcats finish their 2012 season with a 12-9 record.

(4/30/12) SAVANNAH, Ga. - The No. 1-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University men’s tennis team blanked Wingate, 5-0, to advance to the Southeast Armstrong notched wins in all three doubles matches Region final of the 2012 NCAA Division II Men’s Tennis to take a commanding 3-0 lead heading into singles Championships at Bacon Park on Monday. play. The duo of Eudaldo Bonet and Matus Mydla collected an 8-3 win over Tyler The Pirates (25-0) will take on the winner of Franks and alex Schubert at No. 3 doufourth-seeded Georgia College - 5-2 winners over bles, while the top-ranked duo of Mikk fifth-seeded Francis Marion - at 2:00 p.m. on Irdoja and Georgi Rumenov bestTuesday. The winner advances to the Round of 16 as ed the No. 9-ranked a part of the 2012 NCAA DII Spring Sports Festival in duo of Jerome Louisville, Ky. Wingate, who picked up their first-ever Leborgne and NCAA regional win yesterday against Mount Olive, Johan Wadends its season at 19-7. stein, 8-2, at No. 1 Armstrong swept all three doubles matches for a doubles. quick 3-0 lead heading into singles play. The topranked duo of Mikk Irdoja and Georgi Rumenov The No. 16-ranked defeated Flavio Rathsam and Neal Towlson, 8-1, duo of Sven Lalic at No. 1 doubles, then Eudaldo Bonet and and Pedro ScocugMatus Mydla collected an 8-2 win over Ryan lia rallied from a Forbes and Diego Martinez at No. 3 6-3 deficit, windoubles. No. 16-ranked Sven ning five straight Lalic andPedro Scocuglia fingames to take ished off the doubles sweep the No. 2 douArmstrong’s with an 8-4 win over Matt bles match, Georgi Rumenov 126

Men’s Tennis

8-6, over Wictor Andersson and Leo Bernardes.

ville, Ky.

In singles play, the Pirates won two quick matches to clinch the victory. No. 3-ranked Bonet blanked Wadstein, 6-0, 6-0, at No. 2 singles, then No. 32-ranked Lalic downed Andersson, 6-0, 6-2, at No. 5 singles.

With the victory, the Jaguars improved to 18-9 on the season and will take NCAA Tournament: No. 1 Pirates Survive Queens (NY), 5-0, In NCAA Round on the winner of Concordiaof 16 Grand Canyon (5/16/12) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The top-ranked Armthis afternoon strong Atlantic State University men’s tennis team was at 4:00 p.m., tested in doubles against No. 25-ranked Queens (NY) in the Elite 8. on Wednesday, but prevailed with a 5-0 win over the Knights to advance to the quarterfinals of the NCAA The Jaguars, DII Men’s Tennis Championships at the Top Gun Tenwho entered nis Academy in Louisville. the postseason ranked The Pirates (27-0) advance to face No. 6 Hawaii No. 21 in the Pacific - 5-0 winners over Shaw - in the Quarterfinals Augusta State’s Henrique Boturao nation, swept on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at the EP Tom Sawyer State the three Park. doubles matches and got victories in singles at No. 2 from Henrique Boturao and No. 4 from Jan Labas. Armstrong found itself trailing in all three doubles matches against the Knights, but rallied to win all Boturao won the clinching point over Drury’s Roman three to take a 3-0 lead. The duo of Eudaldo Bonet Gonda. He took the first set 7-6 (7-0) and his 6-3 win and Matus Mydla trailed Queens’ duo of Diego Mein the second set sent the Jaguars into the Elite 8. drano and Jesse Smith, 5-2, before completing an 8-6 win at No. 3 doubles. The top-ranked doubles duo NCAA Tournament: Pirates Head to of Georgi Rumenov and Mikk Irdoja fought off a late break to beat the No. 16-ranked duo of Atilla Toth and Semifinals with Win over Hawaii Pacific Nikolaj Wulff in a tiebreaker, 9-8 (7-4). (5/17/12) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The top-ranked ArmAt No. 2 doubles, No. 17-ranked Sven Lalic and Pedro strong Atlantic State University men’s tennis team advanced to the NCAA Semifinals with a 5-1 win over Scocuglia also faced a late deficit but rallied to win, No. 6 Hawaii Pacific on Thursday afternoon at EP Tom 9-7, over Claudio Andrade and Tyrone Ewels. Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Ky. The Pirates then claimed a pair of straight-set singles The Pirates (28-0) return to the semifinals for the first wins to clinch the match. Daniel Regan defeated time since winning back-to-back NCAA DII National Wulff, 6-1, 6-1, at No. 6 singles, then No. 12-ranked Championships in 2008 and 2009 with today’s win Mydla bested Andre Pellegrino, 6-1, 6-2, at No. 3 over Hawaii Pacific, who falls to 15-5 on the season. singles. Armstrong will face No. 3 Lynn at 1 p.m. on Friday in the semifinal match at the Top Gun Tennis Academy. NCAA Tournament: ASU Drops Drury

5-2

(5/16/12) LOUISVILLE, KY. -- The Augusta State Men’s Tennis squad extended its best season in school history Thursday when the Jaguars defeated Drury University 5-2 in the Round of 16 at the NCAA Championships at EP Tom Sawyer State Park in Louis-

Armstrong took two of three doubles matches in a mirror of the regular season meeting between the two teams in March. Eudaldo Bonet and Matus Mydla collected a quick 8-0 win over Gerald Moretti and Stephan Weling at No. 3 doubles, while No. 17-ranked Sven Lalic and Pedro Scocuglia knocked off Adriana

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Locorotonto and Georgi Yordanov, 8-1, at No. 2 doubles. No. 4-ranked Patric Guenther and Petr Michnev of HPU upset top-rankedGeorgi Rumenov and Mikk Irdoja, 8-5, at No. 1 doubles - handing the Pirates’ duo only their second loss of the season, with the first coming to the same team back in March. Needing three singles wins, the Pirates got a quick 6-2, 6-2 win by No. 3-ranked Bonet over No. 37-ranked Yordanov at No. 2 singles, while No. 12 Mydla followed with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Moretti at No. 4 singles. No. 28-ranked Lalic finished off the match with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Locorotondo at No. 5 singles.

with three straight games to take the set and seal the victory.

NCAA Tournament: Pirates Blank Lynn, 5-0, To Advance To Championship Match (5/18/12) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The No. 1-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University men’s tennis team blanked No. 3 Lynn, 5-0, on Friday afternoon to advance to the NCAA Division II Men’s Tennis Championship Match at the Top Gun Tennis Academy in Louisville, Ky.

The Pirates (29-0) will play for their third NCAA Division II championship, taking on No. 2 West Florida - a 5-0 winner over Augusta State in the other semifinal match - at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Armstrong captured back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009 and join the Pirate women in playing for a title tomorrow. Lynn ends its season 22-4.

In the regular season, Armstrong won a 9-0 matchup with Lynn on March 2nd in Savannah.

NCAA Tournament: Jags claim epic match over Grand Canyon, 5-4

(5/18/12) AUGUSTA, Ga. - Augusta State senior Henrique Boturao rallied for a three-set victory at No. 2 singles early Friday morning to clinch a 5-4 Jaguar victory and the send ASU to its first-ever Final Four appearance at the NCAA Championships at EP Tom Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Ky.

Armstrong got off to a quick start in doubles for the first time in the Round of 16. Top-ranked Mikk Irdoja and Georgi Rumenov rebounded from just their second loss of the season with an 8-2 victory over No. 3-ranked Vlad Cirla and Willi Wolfer at No. 1 doubles. No. 17-ranked Sven Lalic and Pedro Scocuglia followed with an 8-4 victory over Max Kouyate and AmWith the victory, the Jaguars registered their schoolrecord 19th victory of the season and advance to take aury Van Haelen at No. 2 singles, then Eudaldo Bonet and Matus Mydlafollowed with an 8-5 victory over on West Florida in the National Semifinals this afterAlessio Iannozzi and Luca Pavanelli at No. 3 doubles. noon at 2:00 p.m. The Jaguars, who entered the postseason ranked No. 21 in the nation, claimed two of three doubles matches to grab a 2-1 lead. Team Victor (Cabellos and Guimaraes) won 8-4 at No. singles for ASU and the Jags’ No. 3 team of Jan Labas and Jenner Stevenson also claimed at 8-4 victory.

The Pirates then won the first set in all six singles matches to get a huge leg up in the match. Daniel Regan closed out No. 6 singles with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Van Haelen, then No. 4-ranked Irdoja - the only member of the Pirates who played in the 2009 title

Guimaraes then gave the Jags a 3-1 lead with a straight-sets win at No. 5 singles (6-1, 6-2). Labas put ASU in position to clinch the match with a 7-5, 7-5 victory at No. 4 singles. Grand Canyon, ranked No. 9 the nation, countered with wins at No. 3 singles and No. 1 singles to force a 4-all tie before the match was suspended last night due to darkness. Boturao won the first set, 7-6 (8-6), before GC’s Frederic Schoelzel took the second set 6-1. In the third set, Boturao actually trailed 4-3 before responding

Armstrong’s Matus Mydla (l) and Eudaldo Bonet (r) 128

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match - followed with the clinching 6-4, 6-2 win over No. 40-ranked Pavanelli at No. 3 singles. The two teams met during the regular season - a 9-0 win by the Pirates on February 25th in Columbus, Ga., but head coach Simon Earnshaw expects Saturday’s match to be more tight. “We played them so early in the season that it’s hard to know what the matchup will be like tomorrow,” Earnshaw said. “They’re having a great season and playing way better than when we played them. They will be fired up like crazy to play us tomorrow.”

2012 National Champions! Tennis Academy in Louisville, Ky.

NCAA Tournament: Jags Fall In Final Four

The Pirates (30-0) returned to the top of DII men’s ten(5/18/12) AUGUSTA, Ga. – West Florida, the second- nis after also capturing titles in 2008 and 2009, doing ranked team in the nation, blanked Augusta State 5-0 so in dominating fashion on the scoreboard - although the singles play was much tigher than the final score Friday afternoon in the Final Four of the NCAA Men’s Tennis Championships at EP Tom Sawyer State Park in would indicate. West Florida ended its season at 28-3 after winning 19 in a row coming into the ChampionLouisville, Ky. ship match. The loss brought the winningest season in school history to an end at 19-10. The Jaguars were making Armstrong got out to a 3-0 lead after doubles on the Argos, picking up an 8-5 win at No. 1 doubles in a their first-ever trip to the NCAA Championships and their first-ever appearance in the National Semifinals. showdown of the top-ranked duo of Georgi Rumenov and Mikk Irdoja against the No. 2-ranked duo of Kevin Ducros and Bruno Savi. The Pirates won fairly easily The 21st-ranked Jaguars earned a berth in the Final at No. 2 doubles with No. 17-ranked Sven Lalic and Four earlier in the day with a thrilling 5-4, come-from behind victory over No. 9 Grand Canyon. ASU defeated Pedro Scocuglia defeating No. 18-ranked Leandro Ferreira and Andrey Pozhidaev and then collected an Drury on Thursday, 5-4, to advance to the Elite Eight. 8-6 win by Eudaldo Bonetand Matus Mydla at No. 3 doubles over Mike Lue and Domenico Sano. Senior Henrique Boturao won the clinching point in each of the first two matches vs. Drury and Grand In singles play, the Pirates won all six first sets, makCanyon. ing it look like it would be an easy 5-0 win, but West Florida battled back in the second sets on all courts. The match marked the final career appearance in a Jaguar uniform for Boturao and fellow seniors Bernar- No. 12-ranked Matus Mydla came up with the first point, getting a 6-2, 6-4 win over Leandro Ferreira do Fernandes and Jenner Stevenson. at No. 4 singles. Top-ranked Georgi Rumenov then finished off the win, downing No. 7 Kevin Ducros, 6-4, ARMSTRONG CLAIMS MEN’S TENNIS 6-4, at No. 1 singles.

NATIONAL TITLE!

(5/19/12) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The top-ranked and undefeated Armstrong Atlantic State University men’s tennis team captured its third NCAA Division II Men’s Tennis National Championship with a 5-0 win over No. 2 West Florida on Saturday afternoon at the Top Gun

This is the third time that the Armstrong men and women have both won the NCAA DII National Championship and this is also the first time that both teams have run the table, finishing undefeated for the 2012 season.

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Award Winners

Jerome Leborgne, Georgia College Johan Wadstein, Georgia College Paul-Henri Arrigoni, Lander Bernando Fernandes, Augusta State ITA National Rookie to the Year ITA Southeast Region Arthur Ashe Leadership Sven Lalic, Armstrong and Sportsmanship Award ITA National Player to Watch Jerome Leborgne, Georgia College Georgi Rumenov, Armstrong PBC All-Academic Team ITA National Assistant Coach of the Year Ross Armstrong, Lander Eva Huning, Columbus State Oscar Axelsson, Lander ITA Southeast Region Rookie of the Year Ryan Bartz, Georgia Southwestern Sven Lalic, Armstrong Chris Eastwood, Georgia Southwestern ITA Southeast Region Player to Watch Paul-Henri Arrigoni, Lander Georgi Rumenov, Armstrong Adam Hunt, Flagler ITA Southeast Region Coach of the Year Jerome Leborgne, Georgia College Simon Earnshaw, Armstrong Stephen Moore, Georgia Southwestern ITA Southeast Region Assistant Coach of the Josh Rees, USC Aiken Year Georgi Rumenov, Armstrong Eva Huning, Columbus State Tim Ruepke, Francis Marion ITA Southeast Senior Player of the Year Matt Vansant, Georgia Southwestern Mikk Irdoja, Armstrong ITA All-Americans PBC All-Conference First Team Singles Georgi Rumenov, Armstrong Paul-Henri Arrigoni, Lander Mikk Irdoja, Armstrong Eudaldo Bonet, Armstrong Eudaldo Bonet, Armstrong Alex Caspari, Francis Marion Matus Mydla, Armstrong Mikk Irdoja, Armstrong Alex Caspari, Francis Marion Georgi Rumenov, Armstrong Gavin Davison, Francis Marion Vincent Verpeaux, Lander

PBC All-Conference First Team Doubles Teams Alex Caspari & Gavin Davison, Francis Marion Mikk Irdoja & Georgi Rumenov, Armstrong Jerome Leborgne & Johan Wadstein, Georgia College PBC All-Conference Second Team Singles Bernardo Fernandes, Augusta State Sven Lalic, Armstrong Jerome Leborgne, Georgia College Jose Martinez, Flagler Matus Mydla, Armstrong Olivier Simonet, Columbus State PBC All-Conference Second Team Doubles Teams Henrique Boturao & Bernardo Fernandes, Augusta State Sven Lalic & Pedro Scocuglia, Armstrong Martin Shishkov & Olivier Simonet, Columbus State PBC Freshman of the Year Sven Lalic, Armstrong PBC Player of the Year Georgi Rumenov, Armstrong PBC Coach of the Year Simon Earnshaw, Armstrong

Statistics Singles leaders

All Singles - Min. 8 decisions

Player Team Sven Lalic ARMSTRNG Matus Mydla ARMSTRNG Mikk Irdoja ARMSTRNG Georgi Rumenov ARMSTRNG Eudaldo Bonet ARMSTRNG Pedro Scocuglia ARMSTRNG Daniel Regan ARMSTRNG Michael Trebuhov CSU Quentin Rayniere CSU Danilo Sardelli CSU

W 23 21 19 21 21 17 15 12 23 22

L 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 2

Pct. 1.000 1.000 1.000 .955 .955 .944 .938 .923 .920 .917

Player Team Georgi Rumenov ARMSTRNG Alex Caspari FMU Vincent Verpeaux LANDER Paul-Henri Arrigoni LANDER Bernardo Fernandes ASU Felipe Friedrich NGCSU Jerome Leborgne GC

W 21 14 7 9 15 10 10

L 1 2 2 4 8 6 9

Pct. .955 .875 .778 .692 .652 .625 .526

#1 Singles - Min. 8 decisions

#2 Singles - Min. 8 decisions

Player Team Eudaldo Bonet ARMSTRNG Gordan Divljak CSU Johan Wadstein GC Jose Martinez FLAGLER Patrick Stiebinger USCA Henrique Boturao ASU

W 18 12 14 5 7 14

L 1 5 6 3 5 12

Pct. .947 .706 .700 .625 .583 .538

Player Team Mikk Irdoja ARMSTRNG Quentin Rayniere CSU Leo Bernardes GC Adam Jonsson LANDER Victor Cabellos ASU

W 14 15 12 6 12

L 0 2 5 4 10

Pct. 1.000 .882 .706 .600 .545

Player Team Matus Mydla ARMSTRNG Martin Shishkov CSU Samuel Poutignat LANDER Jan Labas ASU Jonathan Hain FMU

W 14 10 8 16 9

L 0 1 2 6 5

Pct. 1.000 .909 .800 .727 .643

#3 Singles - Min. 8 decisions

#4 Singles - Min. 8 decisions

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Oscar Axelsson LANDER

5 3 .625

Player Team Sven Lalic ARMSTRNG Michael Trebuhov CSU Victor Guimaraes ASU Oussama Zoghlami CSU Diego Zegarra LANDER Alex Schubert GC Adam Hunt FLAGLER Tim Ruepke FMU Lucas Gobbi USCA

W 12 7 17 7 10 8 5 5 4

L 0 1 4 2 4 4 3 5 4

Pct. 1.000 .875 .810 .778 .714 .667 .625 .500 .500

Player Team Pedro Scocuglia ARMSTRNG Daniel Regan ARMSTRNG Danilo Sardelli CSU Dirk Bair FMU Oscar Axelsson LANDER Jenner Stevenson ASU Brandon Sloan NGCSU Jake Koonce GSW

W 8 8 16 9 6 11 7 4

L 0 0 2 2 2 11 7 4

Pct. 1.000 1.000 .889 .818 .750 .500 .500 .500

#5 Singles - Min. 8 decisions

#6 Singles - Min. 8 decisions

Women’s Tennis

Doubles leaders

All Doubles - Min. 8 decisions

Player Team W L Eudaldo Bonet/Matus Mydla ARMSTRNG 28 1 Mikk Irdoja/Georgi Rumenov ARMSTRNG 27 2 Victor Cabellos/Victor Guimaraes ASU 23 4 Gordan Divljak/Quentin Rayniere CSU 22 4 Sven Lalic/Pedro Scocuglia ARMSTRNG 22 4 Jan Labas/Jenner Stevenson ASU 8 2 Alex Caspari/Gavin Davison FMU 13 4 Oscar Axelsson/Adam Jonsson LANDER 6 2 Adi Malicbegovic/Michael Trebuhov CSU 19 8 Wictor Andersson/Leo Bernardes GC 14 7

#1 Doubles - Min. 8

Player Team Mikk Irdoja/Georgi Rumenov

Pct.

.966 .931 .852 .846 .846 .800 .765 .750

ARMSTRNG 27 2 .931 Alex Caspari/Gavin Davison FMU 13 4 .765 Oscar Axelsson/Adam Jonsson LANDER 6 2 .750 Adam Jonsson/Vincent Verpeaux LANDER 8 4 .667 Gordan Divljak/Quentin Rayniere CSU 7 4 .636 Martin Shishkov/Olivier Simonet CSU 10 6 .625 Jerome Leborgne/Johan Wadstein GC 13 8 .619 Henrique Boturao/Bernardo Fernandes ASU 15 11 .577 Mateus Camasmie/Felipe Friedrich NGCSU 12 9 .571 Jose Martinez/Gino Ramirez FLAGLER 4 4 .500

#2 Doubles - Min. 8 decisions

Team W L .704 Player Gordan Divljak/Quentin Rayniere CSU 15 0 .667 Sven Lalic/Pedro Scocuglia decisions ARMSTRNG 22 4 W L Pct. Victor Cabellos/Victor Guimaraes ASU 21 4

Pct.

1.000 .846 .840

Martin Shishkov/Olivier Simonet CSU Mathew Guida/Rodrigo Magan NGCSU Tyler Franks/Kasper Konyves GC Bruno Orlandini/Harrison Silvy USCA

5 3 .625 11 8 .579 9 7 .562 5 4 .556

#3 Doubles - Min. 8 decisions Player Team W L Pct. Eudaldo Bonet/Matus Mydla ARMSTRNG 28 1 .966 Jan Labas/Jenner Stevenson ASU 7 2 .778 Adi Malicbegovic/Michael Trebuhov CSU 18 8 .692 Giovani Santos/Brandon Sloan NGCSU 12 6 .667 Maxime Coulomb/Jenner Stevenson ASU 10 5 .667 Paul-Henri Arrigoni/Samuel Poutignat LANDER 7 4 .636 Wictor Andersson/Leo Bernardes GC 10 6 .625 Dirk Bair/Tim Ruepke FMU 9 8 .529

Women’s Tennis The Pirates celebrate their national title

No. 3 Pirates Notch Ninth Straight PBC Women’s Tennis Tournament Title

(4/22/12) GREENWOOD, S.C. - The No. 3-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University women’s tennis team notched its ninth straight Peach Belt Conference tournament title with a 5-0 win over No. 7 Columbus State on Sunday afternoon at the Joe Cabri Tennis Center in Greenwood, S.C.

The Pirates (23-0) have now won 18 out of the 22 Peach Belt women’s tennis tourFinal Standings naments sponsored by the Conference Overall league. Columbus State suf GP Record Win % GP Record Win % Last 10 fers just its second loss of the 1. Armstrong 12 12-0 1.000 29 29-0 1.000 10-0 season, falling to 25-2 with 2. Columbus State 12 11-1 .917 31 28-3 .903 8-2 both losses coming against the 3. Francis Marion 12 10-2 .833 22 18-4 .818 7-3 4. Flagler 12 8-4 .667 20 10-10 .500 6-4 Pirates. 5. Georgia College 12 7-5 .583 24 13-11 .542 6-4 USC Aiken 12 7-5 .583 21 13-8 .619 6-4 7. Clayton State 12 6-6 .500 20 7-13 .350 3-7 8. Augusta State 11 5-6 .455 23 11-12 .478 5-5 9. Lander 12 4-8 .333 20 9-11 .450 3-7 10. Ga. Southwestern 12 3-9 .333 21 8-13 .381 2-8 UNC Pembroke 12 3-9 .250 25 13-12 .520 5-5 12. North Georgia 11 1-10 .091 23 7-16 .304 2-8 13. Montevallo 12 0-12 .000 23 6-17 .261 0-10

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Armstrong swept all three doubles matches for a quick 3-0 lead heading into singles play. PBC Doubles MVPs Barbora Krtickova and Aleksandra Filipovski collected an 8-3 win

over Paola Cigui and Milica Tomic at No. 1 doubles, while the No. 10-ranked duo of Marlen Hackeand Olga Kalodzitsa beat Carlin Weikard and Olivera Jokic, 8-6, at No. 2 doubles. No. 15-ranked Kathleen Henry and Clara Perez finished the doubles sweep with an 8-4 win over Andrea Redrado and Renata Paiva at No. 3 doubles. The Pirates then clinched the title with PBC Singles MVP Filipovski’s 6-3, 6-1 win over Tomic at No. 2 singles and No. 30-ranked Clara Perez’ 6-3, 6-2 win over Sandra Jung at No. 6 singles.

19-2 on the season. Freshman Julia Graf and junior Tereza Baranova followed with an 8-2 victory at No.2 doubles, while junior Kerry Hall and sophomore Kimberley Hurter completed the sweep with a hard-fought 8-5 decision at the third doubles position. Gavdunova, ranked 11th among Division II singles players, quickly gained the Patriots’ fourth point with 6-0, 6-0 victory at the top singles spot. The two-time All-American is now 18-2 in singles competition this season and 71-8 for her career. Wingate freshman Tiffany Williams defeated FMU sophomore Caitlin Siney 6-3, 6-1 at the No.6 singles flight to cut the deficit to 4-1. However, Graf then provided the decisive point with a 6-0, 6-2 victory at No.5 singles. Wingate ends its season 18-5. The Patriots have beaten the Bulldogs 10 straight times dating back to 1998.

NCAA Tournament: Columbus State Blanks Georgia College 5-0

2012 PBC woMen’s Tennis Champions Armstrong Pirates

NCAA Tournament: Francis Marion Passes Wingate 5-1

(4/29/12) COLUMBUS, GA – Tenth-ranked and thirdseeded Francis Marion University swept the three doubles matches en route to a 5-1 win over 29thranked and sixth-seeded Wingate University, Sunday afternoon (April 29) in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional #2 women’s tennis tournament at the Mary V. Blackmon Tennis Center. The Patriots, now 18-3, advance to the regional title match on Monday at 2 p.m. against host Columbus State University. The seventh-ranked and secondseeded Cougars blanked 30th-ranked and seventhseeded Georgia College 5-0 in Sunday’s other semifinal. The regional champion advances to the Division II Sweet Sixteen, May 16-19, in Louisville, Ky. Senior Jitka Gavdunova and junior Mona Blauen earned FMU’s first point with an 8-1 win at No.1 doubles. The pair, ranked seventh nationally, improves to

(4/29/12) COLUMBUS, GA – The seventhranked Columbus State University women’s tennis team used three convincing doubles victories and two dominating singles matches to cruise past 30th ranked Georgia College 5-0 Sunday morning in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Southeast Region bracket two is being hosted by Columbus State at the Mary V. Blackmon Tennis Center on the campus of CSU. “I felt like we set the tone in doubles today,” said CSU head coach Evan Isaacs. “Georgia College never gave up and kept coming at us to the very end. It was a good test for us to get ready for a tough match tomorrow.” The Lady Cougars (26-2) were dominant all morning long especially in doubles play as no CSU pair lost more than three games. Olivera Jokic and Carolin Weikard got Columbus State on the board first taking down May Johnson and Leah Pridgeon 8-3. Just a minute later, Paola Cigui and Milica Tomic recorded the victory at first doubles defeating Kayla Barksdale and Lisa Setyon-Ortenzio 8-2. Renata Paiva and Andrea Redrado completed the doubles sweep with an 8-3 win over Ivana Marevic

132

Women’s Tennis

and Michelle Lingner.

was the Southeast Region bracket two final and took place at the Mary V. Blackmon Tennis Center on the campus of CSU.

In singles play, Sandra Jung was on top of her game wearing down Lingner at sixth singles. The freshman did not lose a game in the entire match as she defeat- “I’m so proud of these girls today”, said CSU tennis ed Linger 6-0, 6-0. In the clinching match, Redrado coach Evan Isaacs. “They have been so focused on took down Pridgeon 6-2, 6-0 at fifth singles. this goal this year and they have worked their tails off to achieve it.” Tenth-ranked Cigui, 49th ranked Weikard and Jokic all won the first set in their matches while Tomic was up With the victory, the Lady Cougars improve to 27-2 5-4 in the first set against Setyon-Ortenzio at second setting a new school record for wins in a season. It will singles. also be the fourth that CSU has advance to the Round of 16 with the last coming in 2006.

NCAA Tournament: Flagler Knocks Off Columbus State was once again dominant in doubles Erskine, 5-1 (4/30/12) SAVANNAH, Ga. - The No. 25-ranked Flagler College women’s tennis team advanced at the NCAA Southeast Regional with a 5-1 victory over No. 37 Erskine on Monday at Bacon Park in Savannah, Ga. The fifth-seeded Saints (10-9) advance to Tuesday’s region final against No. 3-ranked and host Armstrong at 10:00 a.m. The match is a rematch of last year’s Southeast Region final and the winner advances to the Round of 16 in Louisville, Ky., as a part of the DII Spring Sports Festival on May 16-19.

play sweeping all three matches. Andrea Redrado and Renata Paiva got CSU on the board first at third doubles. The duo was in control the entire match as they defeated Kerry Hall and Kimberley Hurter 8-2. Just a few minutes later, Paola Cigui and Milica Tomic finished off seventh-ranked Mona Blauen and Jitka Gavdunova 8-3 Columbus State’s Paola Cigui at first doubles. After a tough few games at second doubles, Carolin Weikard and Olivera Jokic turned it on winning the final six games to defeat Tereza Baranova and Julia Graf 8-3.

Flagler notched wins at all three doubles matches to take a commanding 3-0 lead heading into singles play.The duo of Krista Ingrilli and Esther Santiago, 8-3, at No. 3 doubles, then the duo of Rachel Gould and Barbora Sebkova beat Mika Goyette and Tessa Rheault, 8-5, at No. 1 doubles. Veronica Figueroa and Freshman SanJennifer Saviano finished off the doubles sweep with a 9-7 win over Corin Hallman and Victoria Stephens at dra Jung was the first Lady Cougar No. 2 doubles. to finish off her opponent by winErskine got on the board in singles play as Hallman ning sixth singles 6-1, bested Figueroa, 6-2, 6-3, at No. 1 singles, but Flagler wrapped up the match with a 6-4, 6-0 win at No. 6-0 over Caitlin Siney. In the clinching match, Jokic finished off Hurter 6 singles by Ingrilli over Miller and a 6-4, 6-2 win by 6-0, 6-1 to send her teammates Santiago over Stephens at No. 5 singles. running on to the court to celebrate the victory.

NCAA Tournament: Columbus State Punches Ticket to Louisville

(4/30/12) COLUMBUS, GA – The seventh-ranked Columbus State University women’s tennis swept its way to the Round of 16 Monday afternoon as the Lady Cougars defeated 10th ranked Francis Marion 5-0 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The match

Tenth-ranked Cigui was up a set against 11th ranked Gavdunova at first singles while Tomic and Weikard were both trailing in their respective matches when play was called. At fifth singles, Redrado

133

Players of the Week

was just two games away from a victory of her own.

NCAA Tournament: Pirates Blank Augusta State

February 7, 2012

(4/30/12) SAVANNAH, Ga. - The No. 3-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University women’s tennis squad took a step closer to Louisville with a 5-0 blanking of No. 40 Augusta State in the 2012 NCAA DII Women’s Tennis Southeast Regional on Monday morning at Bacon Park.

Jitka Gavdunova, Francis Marion

February 14, 2012

Mona Blauen, Francis Marion

February 21, 2012

May Johnson, Georgia College

February 28, 2012

Aleksandra Filipovski, Armstrong

March 6, 2012

Aleksandra Filipovski, Armstrong

March 12, 2012

Paola Cigui, Columbus State

March 19, 2012 Barbora Krtickova, Armstrong The Pirates (24-0) will now fifth-seeded Flagler - a 5-1 winner over fourth-seeded Erskine - at 10:00 a.m. on March 26, 2012 Paola Cigui, Columbus State Tuesday for a berth in the NCAA Round of 16 in Louisville, Ky., as a part of the 2012 NCAA DII Spring Sports April 2, 2012 Margot Simon, USC Aiken Festival. Armstrong has made 17 straight NCAA Round April 9, 2012 Paola Cigui, Columbus State of 16 appearances dating back to 1995 and the Pirates have captured six NCAA DII National ChampiApril 16, 2012 Barbora Krtickova, Armstrong onships. Augusta State ends its season at 11-12 after 16th at 11:00 a.m. Flagler, who lost to the Pirates in the loss. the Southeast Region final for a second straight year, finishes the 2012 season at 10-10. Armstrong took a quick 3-0 lead after doubles play against the Jaguars. The No. 2-ranked duo of Aleksandra Filipovski and Barbora Krtickova defeated Victoria Armstrong got off to a quick start in doubles play, dropping just four games in sweeping all three matchLindqvist and Liv Pettersson, 8-0, at No. 1 doubles, es. The No. 2-ranked duo of Aleksandra Filipovski while the No. 10-ranked duo of Marlen Hacke and and Barbora Krtickova beat Rachel Gould and BarOlga Kalodzitsa also notched an 8-0 win over Julie bora Sebkova, 8-2, at No. 1 doubles, while the No. Fontaine and Roberta Oliviera at No. 2 doubles. No. 15-ranked Kathleen Henry and Clara Perez completed 10-ranked duo of Marlen Hacke and Olga Kalodzitsa downed Veronica Figueroa and Jennifer Saviano, 8-1, the doubles sweep with an 8-2 win over Marina Ferat No. 2 doubles. The No. 15-ranked duo of Kathleen reira and Lissa Murakami at No. 3 doubles. Henry and Clara Perez completed the doubles sweep A pair of 6-0, 6-0 singles wins then clinched the match with an 8-1 win over Krista Ingrilli and Esther Santiago at No. 3 doubles. for Armstrong. Filipovski blanked Lindqvist at No. 2 singles, then Hacke claimed the win over Murakami at The Pirates won the first set in all six singles matches, No. 5 singles. then quickly clinched the match with No. 30-ranked Perez’ 6-0, 6-0 win over Laura Ospina at No. 6 singles NCAA Tournament: Armstrong and No. 24-ranked Hacke’s 6-1, 6-1 win over Ingrilli at Advances Past Flagler 5-0 No. 5 singles. (5/1/12) SAVANNAH, Ga. - The No. 3-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University women’s tennis team punched its ticket to Louisville with a 5-0 victory over No. 25 Flagler at the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional on Tuesday morning.

The Pirates (25-0) will be making their 18th consecutive trip to the NCAA’s Round of 16 when it travels to the Top Gun Tennis Academy in Louisville, Ky., for the NCAA’s DII Spring Sports Festival. Armstrong will face Drury University in a first-round match on May

NCAA Tournament: Lady Cougars Sweep Their Way to National Quarterfinals

(5/16/12) LOUISVILLE, KY – The seventh-ranked Columbus State University women’s tennis team knocked off 22nd ranked Lewis 5-0 Wednesday morning in the NCAA Tournament Round of 16. The match took place at the EP Tom Sawyer State Park in Lousiville, Kentucky. 134

Women’s Tennis

With the victory, the Lady Cougars advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinal Round against top-ranked BYU Hawaii. It is only the second time in program history that CSU has reached the quarterfinals of the national tournament.

day - at 9:00 a.m. at the EP Tom Sawyer State Park on Thursday in the Quarterfinals. Drury finishes its season with a 19-5 overall record. The Pirates won all three doubles matches as the second-ranked doubles team of Aleksandra Filipovski and Barbora Krtickova downed Beatriz Juan and Stefanie Monsch, 8-5, at No. 1 doubles, while No. 11-ranked Marlen Hacke and Olga Kalodzitsa beat Pelagie Gamo and Jelena Schaeftlmeier, 8-4, at No. 2 doubles. No. 17-ranked Kathleen Henry and Clara Perez finished off the doubles sweep with an 8-2 win over Ellen Bennett and Abbey Sharpe at No. 3 doubles.

CSU (28-2) took a commanding 3-0 lead after sweeping all three doubles matches. Renata Paiva and Andrea Redrado put the first victory on the board for the Lady Cougars as they defeated Katie Hargrove and Kendra Mills 8-3. At first doubles, sixth-ranked Paola Cigui and Milica Tomic recorded a victory over 25th ranked Zsofia Kranczicki and Brianna Markgraf 8-2. In the most exciting match of the day, 13th ranked Olivera Jokic and Carolin Weikard outlasted 33rd ranked Armstrong picked up all six first sets in singles play, Bayley Brown and Zsofia Lanstiak 9-8. The Lady Couthen No. 7-ranked Filipovski picked up the gar duo won the tiebreaker 7-3. first singles win with a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Gamo at No. 2 singles, then No. Columbus State continued to show their strength 30-ranked Clara Armstrong’s down in the singles lineup as Sandra Jung and Jokic Barbora Krtickova notched victories at sixth and fourth singles, respectively. Jung didn’t drop a game versus Mills sweeping the Lewis player 6-0, 6-0. In the clinching match, Jokic downed Markgraf 6-0, 6-1. Perez finished off In the other matches, fifth-ranked Cigui won the first the match with set over 25th ranked Lanstiak 6-2 while the second a 6-0, 6-1 win set was tied at 3-3. Kranczicki won the only set of over Benthe day for Lewis (24-3) as she took the first set nett at No. 6-3 over 43rd ranked Tomic at second singles. 6 singles. At third singles, Weikard was just two games away from recording a victory as she won the NCAA Tourfirst set 6-0 and was leading the second 4-1. nament: Pirates Redrado was also up a set at fifth singles.

Advance to Semifinals 5-1 over Hawaii Pacific

NCAA Tournament: Pirates Advance At NCAAs With 5-0 Win Over Drury (5/16/12) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The No. 3-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University women’s tennis team advanced to the Quarterfinals of the 2012 NCAA DII Women’s Tennis pionships with a 5-0 win over No. 23 Drury on Wednesday morning at the Top Gun Tennis Academy in Louisville.

(5/17/12) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The No. 3-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University women’s tennis team collected a 5-1 win over No. 5 Hawaii Pacific to advance to the NCAA Division II Women’s Tennis Semifinals on Friday at EP Tom Sawyer State Park in Louisville.

Cham-

The Pirates (27-0) move to face No. 2 Barry - a 5-2 winner over California (Pa.) on Thursday - in the semifinals in a rematch of the semifinal 5-3 win by the Bucs last season. The de-

The Pirates (26-0) will now face No. 5 Hawaii Pacific - a 5-0 winner over Colorado Mesa on Wednes135

State University Thursday afternoon as they eliminated the Lady Cougars in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal Round. The match took place at the Top Gun Tennis Academy in Louisville, Kentucky.

Armstrong’s Marlen Hacke fending DII national champions, Barry and Armstrong did not meet this season and both come into the match unbeaten on the year. Hawaii Pacific finishes the season with a 16-7 record. Armstrong had to wait nearly two hours past its scheduled start time due to a long-running Round of 16 men’s match between Concordia (NY) and Grand Canyon. When play finally began, the Pirates came out quickly, getting three doubles wins as the No. 2-ranked duo ofAleksandra Filipovski and Barbora Krtickova downed No. 22 Vivian Hansen and Magdalena Smejova, 8-5, at No. 1 doubles. No. 17-ranked Kathleen Henry and Clara Perez defeated Lea KruseUtermann and Zora Vickova, 8-1, at No. 3 doubles, while No. 11-ranked Marlen Hacke and Olga Kalodzitsa downed Celina Goetti and Ielyzaveta Rybakova, 8-5, at No. 2 doubles.

The Seasiders proved to be too much for the Lady Cougars in double action as they swept all three matches to take a commanding 3-0 lead. BYU Hawaii recorded their first victory of the day at second doubles as the fifth-ranked duo of Yuan Jia and Marietta Tuionetoa lost just one game to 13th ranked Olivera Jokic and Carolin Weikard winning the match 8-1. Sixth-ranked Paola Cigui and Milica Tomic managed to win two games from top-ranked Annie Hwang and Sherry Liu before falling 8-2 at first doubles. At third doubles, Marika Kobayashi and Tanja Rebholz defeated Renata Paiva and Andrea Redrado 8-3. In singles action, BYU Hawaii (28-0) notched a victory at second singles as fourth-ranked Liu defeated 43rd ranked Tomic 6-1, 6-0. In the clinching match, Rebholz took down Jokic 6-0, 6-1 at fourth singles.

In a top-five showdown, topranked Hwang was up a set against fifthranked Cigui when play was called. However, Cigui was leading the In singles, the Pirates got just one straight-set win second set of with No. 7 Filipovski downing No. 35 Goetti, 6-4, 6-2 action 3-1. At at No. 2 singles - when things got a little tight in the third singles, remaining matches. Three of the matches went to eighth-ranked third sets, including Hawaii Pacific’s Rybakova coming Jia was leadup with a 1-6, 6-0, 6-2 win over No. 21 Hacke at No. 5 ing Weikard Columbus State’s Andrea Redrado singles. 6-0, 5-2 while Kobayaashi With No. 6 Krtickova in a second-set tiebreaker to was up 6-3, 2-1 against Redrado at fifth singles. At the win and both Kalodzitsa and Henry up in their respecsixth spot, Tuionetoa won the first set 6-3 over Sandra tive matches, No. 30-ranked Perez came up with the Jung and was leading the second 3-2. clincher with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 win over Shuler at No. 6 singles. BYU Hawaii has yet to lose more than two matches this season in dual action. The Seasiders have seven NCAA Tournament: Columbus State national championships in program history with the Falls to BYU-Hawaii last coming in 2007. (5/17/12) Louisville, KY – Top-ranked BYU Hawaii won all five matches against seventh-ranked Columbus The Lady Cougars finished the season with a 28-3 136

Women’s Tennis

record with all three losses coming against teams that four of the first six first sets. Armstrong, however, put are currently ranked in the top-three in the nation. The a quick fourth point on the board when No. 2-ranked 28 wins are also most in program history. Krtickova defeated No. 12-ranked Valladares, 6-2, 6-0, at No. 1 singles. Paola Cigui also had a season to remember for Columbus State as she finished the year with a perfect 23-0 The key point in the match came at No. 6 singles record. She becomes the first player (male or female) when No. 30-ranked Perez found herself trailing, 5-4, in CSU history to finish the season with a perfect in the first set but won six straight games, taking a record. The sophomore was 4-0 against nationally 7-5, 3-0 lead in the second set. ranked foes and lost just four sets this season. Barry, meanwhile, closed out a couple of singles wins Armstrong Women’s Tennis Advances as Matuszak defeated No. 20-ranked Henry, 6-2, 6-1, at No. 4 singles and No. 46 Stas defeated No. to National Championship Match! (5/18/12) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After a one-year absence, 17-ranked Kalodzitsa, 6-3, 6-4, at No. 3 singles. the No. 3-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University women’s tennis team is back into the NCAA DII Women’s Tennis National Championship match after a 5-2 win over No. 2 Barry on Friday morning at the Top Gun Tennis Academy in Louisville.

With the Pirates rallying in the other three matches, Perez closed out Wendling, 6-3, in the second set, clinching the match for a second straight day in the NCAA Championships for the PBC’s Freshman of the Year.

The Pirates (28-0) won a battle of unbeatens in knocking off the defending champion Bucs (26-1) in a rematch of last year’s semifinal match won by Barry. Top-ranked and undefeated BYU-Hawaii awaits the Pirates after the Seasiders won, 5-0, over Abilene Christian in the other semifinal match. Armstrong opened up quickly in doubles, jumping out to big leads in all three matches. No. 2-ranked Aleksandra Filipovski and Barbora Krtickova knocked off No. 15-ranked Mona Mansour and Cristina Valladares, 8-4, at No. 1 doubles, then No. 11-ranked Marlen Hackeand Olga Kalodzitsa closed out Olivia Matuszak and Julie Stas, 8-4, at No. 2 doubles.

ARMSTRONG WINS WOMEN’S TENNIS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!

(5/19/12) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Armstrong Atlantic State University senior Kathleen Henry captured a secondset tiebreaker to lift the No. 3-ranked Pirates to their seventh NCAA Division II Women’s Tennis National Championship in a 5-2 win over top-ranked BYUHawaii on Saturday morning at the Top Gun Tennis Academy in Louisville, Ky.

No. 17-ranked Kathleen Henry and Clara Perez closed out the doubles sweep with an 8-6 win over Linda Fritschken and Caroline Wendling at No. 3 doubles. In singles, Barry took

2012 National Champions! 137

The Pirates completed an undefeated season, going 29-0 in winning their fourth NCAA DII Women’s Tennis title in the last five seasons. BYU-Hawaii - gunning for their eighth title - suffered their first loss of the season and fell to 29-1. The two teams now are tied for the most DII women’s tennis titles in NCAA history with seven. BYU-Hawaii got out to a very quick doubles lead and took No. 1 doubles behind the top-ranked doubles duo of Annie Hwang and Sherry Liu, 8-1, over second-ranked Barbora Krtickova and Aleksandra Filipovski. The Pirates got their first doubles point at No. 3 doubles as No. 17-ranked Kathleen Henry and Clara Perez notched an 8-5 win over Marika Kobayashi and Tanja Rebholz, then the No. 11-ranked duo of Marlen Hacke and Olga Kalodzitsa convered a late break to come up with an 8-5 win over No. 5-ranked Yuan Jia and Marietta Tuionetoa at No. 2 doubles and give Armstrong the crucial 2-1 lead heading into singles play. Armstrong got off to a fantastic start in singles play, winning five of six first sets in the singles matches. No. 30-ranked Clara Perez picked up the first point in singles with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Marietta Tuionetoa at No. 6 singles, then No. 21-ranked Marlen Hacke notched a 6-1, 7-6 (4) win at No. 5 singles put the Pirates just one singles match away from the title. BYU-Hawaii did not go down quietly. Top-ranked Hwang prevailed in a Top 10 battle at No. 1 singles with a 6-3, 6-1 win over No. 6-ranked Barbora Krtickova, and the Seasiders rallied for a second set win at No. 2 and No. 3 singles. That’s when Henry, down 5-3 at one point in the second set, battled back with a break to force a tiebreaker. Henry raced out to a 4-0 lead in the tiebreak, then watched a shot go long on match point from BYU-Hawaii’s Tanja Rebholz for a 7-2 victory in the tiebreaker and the national title for the Pirates. The appearance in the national championship was the 15th for the Pirates and the other national championship titles came in 1995, 1996, 2005 and 2008-10. Rachel Gould, Flagler Helene Nordgreen, Montevallo Yulia Shvetsova, Montevallo Michelle Lingner, Georgia College Margot Simon, USC Aiken Martina Dedaj, Clayton State Cayce Bradley, Lander ITASoutheastRegion Arthur Ashe Leadership ITA All-Americans andSportsmanshipAward Barbora Krtickova, Armstrong Kathleen Henry, Armstrong Aleksandra Filipovski, Armstrong PBC All-Academic Team Olga Kalodzitsa, Armstrong Eliza Adusumilli, Lander Kathleen Henry, Armstrong Mona Blauen, Francis Marion Marlen Hacke, Armstrong Andrea Cediel, USC Aiken Paola Cigui, Columbus State Marie Cercelletti, Clayton State Milica Tomic, Columbus State Aleksandra Filipovski, Armstrong Jitka Gavdunova, Francis Marion Jitka Gavdunova, Francis Marion Mona Blauen, Francis Marion Kerry Hall, Francis Marion Wilson/ITA National Coach of the Year Kathleen Henry, Armstrong Simon Earnshaw, Armstrong May Johnson, Georgia College ITA National Player to Watch Barbora Krtickova, Armstrong Paola Cigui, Columbus State Mollie McGowan, Ga. Southwestern ITA Southeast Region Rookie of the Year Mia Winterbottom, UNC Pembroke Clara Perez, Armstrong PBC All-Academic Team Honorable Mention Charlotte Fabricius, Clayton State

Award Winners

138

ITA Southeast Region Player to Watch Paola Cigui, Columbus State ITA Southeast Region Coach of the Year Simon Earnshaw, Armstrong ITA Southeast Senior Player of the Year Jitka Gavdunova, Francis Marion PBC All-Conference First Team Singles Mona Blauen, Francis Marion Paola Cigui, Columbus State Marina Ferreira, Augusta State Aleksandra Filipovski, Armstrong Jitka Gavdunova, Francis Marion Barbora Krtickova, Armstrong PBC All-Conference First Team Doubles Paola Cigui & Milica Tomic, Columbus State Jitka Gavdunova & Mona Blauen, Francis Marion Barbora Krtickova & Aleksandra Filipovski, Armstrong PBC All-Conference Second Team Singles Marie Cercelletti, Clayton State Veronica Figueroa, Flagler Marlen Hacke, Armstrong Kathleen Henry, Armstrong

Women’s Tennis

Olga Kalodzitsa, Armstrong Lisa Setyon-Ortenzio, Georgia College PBC All-Conference Second Team Doubles Marlen Hacke & Olga Kalodzitsa, Armstrong Kathleen Henry & Clara Perez, Armstrong Lisa Setyon-Ortenzio & Kayla Barksdale, Georgia College PBC Freshman of the Year Clara Perez, Armstrong PBC Player of the Year Paola Cigui, Columbus State PBC Coach of the Year Simon Earnshaw, Armstrong Armstrong Coach SImon Earnshaw

Statistics Singles leaders

All Singles - Min. 8 decisions

#4 Singles - Min. 8 decisions

Player Team W Aleksndra Filipovski ARMSTRNG 24 Paola Cigui CSU 23 Clara Perez ARMSTRNG 23 Marlen Hacke ARMSTRNG 22 Mona Blauen FMU 18 Tereza Baranova FMU 12 Olivera Jokic CSU 23 Andrea Redrado CSU 20 Kathleen Henry ARMSTRNG 20 Jessica Gardefjord ARMSTRNG 9

L 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 1

Pct. 1.000 1.000 1.000 .957 .947 .923 .920 .909 .909 .900

Player Team Marlen Hacke ARMSTRNG Julia Graf FMU Kathleen Henry ARMSTRNG Olivera Jokic CSU Kayla Barksdale GC Madeline Johnson CSU Rachel Gould FLAGLER Roberta Oliveira ASU Shelby Bickel UNCP Kimberley Hurter FMU Andrea Cediel USCA

Player Team Paola Cigui CSU Jitka Gavdunova FMU Barbora Krtickova ARMSTRNG Marina Ferreria ASU Niki Polcerova UM May Johnson GC Mia Winterbottom UNCP Lisa Setyon-Ortenzio GC Marie Cercelletti CLAYTON Manon Hermens USCA

W 23 17 17 12 8 7 15 6 7 4

L 0 2 4 5 4 4 9 4 5 4

Pct. 1.000 .895 .810 .706 .667 .636 .625 .600 .583 .500

Player Team Olivera Jokic CSU Clara Perez ARMSTRNG Marlen Hacke ARMSTRNG Andrea Redrado CSU Julia Graf FMU Esther Santiago FLAGLER Roberta Oliveira ASU Lissa Murakami ASU Madeline DiNunzio UNCP Charlotte Fabricius CLAYTON

W 10 8 14 8 7 9 6 5 12 4

L 0 0 1 1 1 5 4 4 11 4

Pct. 1.000 1.000 .933 .889 .875 .643 .600 .556 .522 .500

Player Team Aleksndra Filipovski ARMSTRNG Mona Blauen FMU Margot Simon USCA Marie Cercelletti CLAYTON Lisa Setyon-Ortenzio GC Brandi Cordell LANDER Jennifer Saviano FLAGLER Carolin Weikard CSU Milica Tomic CSU

W 22 18 8 7 7 5 8 8 4

L 0 1 1 1 3 3 6 8 4

Pct. 1.000 .947 .889 .875 .700 .625 .571 .500 .500

Player Team Clara Perez ARMSTRNG Jessica Gardefjord ARMSTRNG Andrea Redrado CSU Kerry Hall FMU Sandra Jung CSU Alyze’ Pagal CLAYTON Julie Maline USCA Julie Fontaine ASU Monica Espitia UNCP

W 15 9 8 7 11 7 7 10 11

L 0 1 1 1 2 4 4 7 9

Pct. 1.000 .900 .889 .875 .846 .636 .636 .588 .550

Player Team Tereza Baranova FMU Olga Kalodzitsa ARMSTRNG Milica Tomic CSU Barbora Sebkova FLAGLER Ivana Marevic GC Eliza Adusumilli LANDER Liv Pettersson ASU

W 12 14 12 8 10 6 8

L 1 3 3 5 7 5 7

Pct. .923 .824 .800 .615 .588 .545 .533

#1 Singles - Min. 8 decisions

#2 Singles - Min. 8 decisions

#3 Singles - Min. 8 decisions

W 8 10 14 11 14 8 9 7 13 4 4

L 0 1 2 2 4 4 5 4 11 4 4

Pct. 1.000 .909 .875 .846 .778 .667 .643 .636 .542 .500 .500

#5 Singles - Min. 8 decisions

#6 Singles - Min. 8 decisions

139

Doubles leaders

All Doubles - Min. 8 decisions Player Team W L Pct. Paola Cigui/Madeline Johnson CSU 13 0 1.000 Kathleen Henry/Clara Perez ARMSTRNG 26 1 .963 Aleksndra Filipovski/Barbora Krtickova ARMSTRNG 27 2 .931 Marlen Hacke/Olga Kalodzitsa ARMSTRNG 25 3 .893 Mona Blauen/Jitka Gavdunova FMU 19 3 .864 Renata Paiva/Andrea Redrado CSU 23 4 .852 Paola Cigui/Milica Tomic CSU 13 3 .812 Kerry Hall/Caitlin Siney FMU 8 2 .800 Olivera Jokic/Carolin Weikard CSU 11 3 .786 Marina Ferreria/Lissa Murakami ASU 11 3 .786

#1 Doubles - Min. 8 decisions Player Team W L Pct. Aleksndra Filipovski/Barbora Krtickova ARMSTRNG 27 2 .931 Mona Blauen/Jitka Gavdunova FMU 19 3 .864 Paola Cigui/Milica Tomic CSU 13 3 .812 Milica Tomic/Carolin Weikard CSU 9 3 .750 Helene Nordgreen/Niki Polcerova UM 7 6 .538 Victoria Lindqvist/Liv Pettersson ASU 8 7 .533 Kayla Barksdale/Lisa Setyon-Ortenzio GC 9 8 .529 Rachel Gould/Barbora Sebkova FLAGLER 10 9 .526 Juliana Chiang/Natalia Escobar NGCSU 11 11 .500

#2 Doubles - Min. 8 decisions

Marie Cercelletti/Charlotte Fabricius CLAYTON 5 3 .625 Cayce Bradley/Brandi Cordell LANDER 5 3 .625 Shelby Bickel/Leigh-Anne McAfee UNCP 7 7 .500 Hannah Herlocker/Leigh-Anne McAfee UNCP 5 5 .500

Player Team W L Pct. Paola Cigui/Madeline Johnson CSU 11 0 1.000 Marlen Hacke/Olga Kalodzitsa ARMSTRNG 25 3 .893 Olivera Jokic/Carolin Weikard CSU 11 3 .786 Tereza Baranova/Julia Graf FMU 13 4 .765 Veronica Figueroa/Jennifer Saviano FLAGLER 11 6 .647 May Johnson/Leah Pridgeon GC 5 3 .625

#3 Doubles - Min. 8 decisions

Player Team W L Pct. Kathleen Henry/Clara Perez ARMSTRNG 25 1 .962 Renata Paiva/Andrea Redrado CSU 19 4 .826

Kerry Hall/Caitlin Siney FMU 8 2 .800 Marina Ferreria/Lissa Murakami ASU 10 3 .769 Kerry Hall/Kimberley Hurter FMU 6 3 .667 Ivana Marevic/Leah Pridgeon GC 5 4 .556 Krista Ingrilli/Esther Santiago FLAGLER 9 8 .529 Andrea Cediel/Gina Kothari USCA 7 7 .500

Softball PBC Quarterfinals: Burns’ Blast Keys Saints Rally

Final Standings

Conference GP Record Win % 1. Armstrong 20 19-1 0.950 2. North Georgia 20 17-3 0.850 3. Augusta State 20 12-8 0.600 t4. Columbus State 20 11-9 0.550 t4. Flagler 20 11-9 0.550 6. USC Aiken 20 10-10 0.500 7. Georgia College 20 9-11 0.450 8. Francis Marion 20 8-12 0.400 9. UNC Pembroke 20 5-15 0.250 t10. Lander 20 4-16 0.200 t10. Ga. Southwestern 20 4-16 0.200

(4/21/12) COLUMBUS, GA – Trailing 6-3 to the seventhseeded Georgia College Bobcats, North Georgia’s Tiffanie Burns launched a three-run home run to tie the game and key the Saint’s 7-6 comeback win in the first game of the PBC Tournament in Columbus. North Georgia (44-7) won the game in the bottom of the seventh on a bases-loaded walk to Katherine Martin to advance to the semifinal round on Saturday.

Georgia College (2524) started the game off strong, getting a three-run home run from Haley Burnett, the first of her two homers on the day, in the top of the first to open up a 3-0 lead. North Georgia responded with two in the bottom of the first on an RBI single from Hilary Cox and an RBI groundout from Karlie Gillam. North Georgia’s Tiffanie Burns

The Saints tied things at three apiece in the

Overall GP Record 56 45-11 59 49-10 51 33-18 60 40-20 59 39-20 43 26-17 49 25-24 51 31-20 47 16-31 52 26-26 52 22-30

Win % 0.804 0.831 0.647 0.667 0.661 0.605 0.510 0.608 0.340 0.500 0.423

Last 10 7-3 7-3 4-6 8-2 5-5 3-7 4-6 3-7 2-8 5-5 5-5

bottom of the second as Burns doubled with one out and then scored one batter later as Callie Fernandez singled. Georgia College came back with single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. In the fourth, Mikayla Sparks bunted home Natalie Lampert while in the fifth Burnett sent her second homer over the center field fence. In the sixth the Bobcats led off with a Shahlisa Shirley single, which was enough to chase NGCSU starter Jessica Coan, who was hit with all six earned runs in the game. The Saints brought in Melissa Dickie who got two outs while runners moved to second and third. Whitney Okvist brought home the run with a high chopper just in front of home plate. North Georgia started the sixth with a walk and got another baserunner thanks to one of GC’s three errors, setting up Burns’ heroics. In the seventh, the Saints led off with a single from

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#2 North Georgia

North Georgia. Augusta State (3116) will await the announcement of the NCAA Tournament field for an at-large selection.

North Georgia 7-6 #7 Georgia College

North Georgia 9-0

#3 Augusta State USC Aiken 3-0 #6 USC Aiken

Columbus State 4-1

#1 Armstrong Armstrong 7-5 #8 Francis Marion

The Pacers struck early, scoring all three of their runs in the first inning. Kaitlyn White led off the game with a double, but was gunned out trying to stretch it into a triple at third base. Following singles from Victoria Burkett and Whitney Clary, Kayla Denham bounced a double off the center field wall that scored both runners.

Columbus State 6-0

Lindsey Jones followed with another single to score Denham, giving the Pacers five hits in their Columbus State 3-1 first six at-bats. That was enough #5 Columbus State to chase ASU starter Emily Headrick (L, 16-6) who pitched only Rochelle Shuman, who then moved to second on an error. Georgia College then chose to intentionally load two-thirds of an inning, giving up all three earned runs. The Jaguars turned to Heather Hughes, who got the bases with no outs, bringing Martin to the plate. GC reliever Erica Bell (L, 8-4) got Martin to a 3-2 count a groundout to end the inning. but missed with the next pitch on the inside to bring in Augusta State threatened in the bottom of the first as the winning run. Kacee Camp led off with a single and then to third on Dickie (W, 18-0) picked up the win with two innings of a double from Kristen Jones. But back-to-back strikeouts from Kornegay got out of the inning. relief work, allowing two hits and a walk.

#4 Flagler

From then on, the game was a pitching duel as Kornegay and Hughes put zeros on the scoreboard for the rest of the game. ASU had runners on first and second in the third, but another Kornegay strikeout ended the threat. USCA had a Burnett drove in four runs all told for Georgia College, runner on second with one going 2-for-4. Okvist was 2-for-3 with an RBI and stole out in the fifth, but Hughes her 52nd base of the season, the third-highest single- induced a pair of groundouts to end the inning. season total in PBC history. Burns was the only Saint to collect two hits in the game, going 2-for-3 with with two runs scored and three RBIs. Cox, Gillam, Martin and Fernandez had the other RBIs for the Saints.

Box Score

Augusta State’s best chance came in the sixth as Hannah PBC Quarterfinals: Kornegay, Pacers Vaughn led off with a double, Upset Jaguars 3-0 followed by a walk and an (4/21/12) COLUMBUS, GA – India Kornegay pitched a error to load the bases with three-hit shutout as sixth-seeded USC Aiken upended no outs. Lauren Yeargan third-seeded Augusta State 3-0 in the quarterfinals of then grounded to third the PBC Tournament on Saturday in Columbus. With and the Pacers got a the win the Pacers (26-16) advance to the PBC semi- force out at home finals on Sunday where they will meet second-seeded plate. Kornegay 141

USC Aiken’s India Kornegay

then struck out the next two batters to get out of the jam. In all, Korenegay (W, 20-11) struck out 10 in seven complete innings, becoming the school’s all-time leader in shutouts with 16. The sophomore also became the first Pacer pitcher to ever win 20 games in a season. Hughes pitched 6.1 innings, allowing five hits and no runs with one strikeout. White finished the game 4-for-4 for USCA, including a double. Jones was 2-for-3 with four other Pacers collecting one hit each. Denham led the team with two RBIs. Camp, Vaughn and Jones collected the three hits for ASU, all in the top three spots in the order. The bottom six hitters for Augusta State went a combined 0-16 in the contest. ASU also left seven runners on base. Box Score

PBC Quarterfinals: No. 6 Pirates Advance To PBC Softball Semifinals With 7-5 Win Over FMU

Flagler or fifth-seeded Columbus State. Armstrong moves to 44-8 on the season while Francis Marion falls to 31-20. Meeting the Patriots for the third time in five days and Francis Marion starter Taylor Luff for the second time, Saturday’s game started off much better for the Pirates. After squeaking out a 1-0 win with only one hit against Luff, the Pirates jumped on top with single runs in both the first and second innings. Heather Walker’s RBI single in the first staked Armstrong to a quick 1-0 lead, then a Shelby Duff RBI groundout in the second made the score 2-0. Francis Marion got one back in the top of the third on Ashley Jaramillo’s RBI single, bringing the Patriots to within one. Armstrong loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth inning on a walk to Ashley Buckett, a double by Ashley Schwab and a single by April Jowers - her 100th hit of the season - then Francis Marion left fielder Jazz Holliday dropped a routine fly ball to left, allowing all three runners to score and putting Armstrong up, 5-1.

A home run by Octavia Ferguson in the top of the fifth made the score 5-2, but Duff followed in the bottom of (4/21/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. - The sixth-ranked and the fifth with a two-run triple to center field and a 7-2 top-seeded Armstrong Atlantic State University softball advantage. squad advanced to the 2012 Peach Belt Conference Tournament semifinals with a 7-5 win over A single run by the Patriots on a Destinea Schneider eighth-seeded Francis Marion on SaturRBI single in the sixth made the score 7-3, and Holday afternoon at Cougar Field in Columliday briefly atoned for her error with at two-run home bus. run in the top of the seventh, but PBC Pitcher of the Year Megan Barnwell retired Kayla Ellingsen on a The Pirates popup to second with a runner on to close out the 7-5 stretched victory. their win streak Barnwell improved to 21-3 on the year, scattering 11 to 18 hits and five runs in the complete-game victory, walkwith the ing two while striing out two. victory, Luff (9-7) took the loss, giving up eight hits and seven advancing runs - four earned - in 4 2/3 innings pitched, walking to a 1:30 four and striking out four. p.m. semifinal matchup Duff went 2-for-4 with three RBIs to pace the Pirates with either offensively, while Schwab went 2-for-3 with two runs fourthscored. Jowers went 2-for-4 to notch her 330th career seedArmstrong’s hit, tying her with Brantley Mack of Lander for the ed Baillie Peach Belt Conference’s all-time hits lead. Temples 142

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Jaramillo went 3-for-3 with an RBI to lead the Patriots, CSU down in order in the third, fourth, sixth and sevwhile Schneider went 2-for-3 and Holliday drove in two enth innings. Munafo struck out five and did not allow with her home run. a walk. Box Score Flagler threatened in the third, putting runners at first and third with two outs thanks to two errors. But PBC Quarterfinals: Long Ball Lifts Russell got out of it with a grounder to third, one of 15 Columbus Past Flagler to PBC Semis ground-ball outs for the CSU defense. (4/21/12) COLUMBUS, GA – Casey Googe hit a twoBox Score run homer and Taylor Turner added a solo shot as fifth-seeded Columbus State downed fourth-seeded Flagler 3-1 in the final quarterfinal game of the PBC Tournament on Saturday. With the win the Cougars (37-18) advance to Sunday’s semifinal game against #1 Armstrong at 1:30 pm. Flagler (34-17) will await the NCAA Tournament selections to see if they have received an automatic bid.

With one on and one out in the top of the first inning, Googe launched the third pitch she saw over the center field fence for a 2-0 CSU lead. The homer was her 20th of the season, tying the PBC mark for singleseason home runs, last accomplished by Kennesaw State’s Cambria McKay in 2004.

PBC Semifinals: North Georgia Advances to Championship Game

(4/22/12) COLUMBUS, GA – North Georgia scored seven runs in the second inning on the way to a 9-0, five-inning shutout win over USC Aiken in the first semifinal of the 2012 PBC Softball Tournament in Columbus. Eight of the nine North Georgia batters collected at least one hit while Pilar Harden homered and Hilary Cox drove in three. With the win, the Saints return to the PBC Championship Game for the fifth straight season and have won the last three tournament titles.

After a scoreless first, the Saints (45-7) blew the game open in the second scoring seven Flagler answered with a runs, all with two outs. Columbus State’s Taylor Turner run in the bottom of the Callie Fernandez started first as Lauren Roudathe surge with a two-run bush led off with a bunt single to center field, single, then stole second. Alona Peronious drove in scoring Kayla Minger and Katherine Martin. the only RBI of the game for the Saints with her single A walk and hit batter loaded the bases once again in the next at-bat. and was the end of the day for USCA starter India Kornegay, who appeared to have stiffness in her shoulTurner led off the second with a solo home run, takder. Kornegay (L, 20-12) went 1.2 innings with three ing a 3-2 pitch far beyond the left-field wall. That strikeouts and five earned runs. She was replaced by cushion would be all CSU starter Mollie Russell (W, 18-10) would need as, after giving the two hits in the Samantha Lamm, whose wild pitch allowed the third first, she would allow only one more hit the rest of the run to score. Cox then drove in two more with a single to left center and Karlie Gillam doubled to left to score game. another. Russell went the distance, allowing the one unearned run and striking out one. The complete game was her Katherine Martin, making her second at-bat of the inning, drove in the final run with a double to right cenleague-leading 25th of the season. ter to score Gillam. A fly ball brought the inning to an Russell was matched by Flagler’s Donna Munafo (L, end, but not before seven runs crossed the plate. 16-5) who settled in after the second inning and set 143

That was more than enough support for North Georgia starter Melissa Dickie (W, 19-0) who pitched all five innings and allowed only two hits while striking out a pair. Her only trouble spot was in the fourth as USCA’s Whitney Clary led off with a single and moved to second on a passed ball. After a strikeout, the inning came to an end on a great defensive play as North Georgia’s Minger, playing in right field, made a diving catch on a shallow fly ball off the bat of Cortney Sadler, then doubled up Clary who left the bag at second.

That was enough to chase Armstrong starter Celia Blome (L, 3-3) who did not get an out in the foruth and was charged with four earned runs. Blome was replaced by PBC Pitcher of the Year Megan Barnwell, who gave up the fifth run of the inning on a fielder’s choice from Branigan Wix.

Clary and Nicole Borden had the two hits for USC Aiken, who fall to 26-17 on the year.

No Pirate had more than one hit in the contest as Shelby Duff, April Jowers, Ashley Buckett and Blome each had one. Blome was the only Armstrong player with an extra base hit as she doubled with two outs in the seventh but was stranded on base.

That was more than enough run support for Russell (W, 19-10) who needed only 82 pitches, 68 of them for strikes, to finish the game. Russell struck out seven without issuing a walk and retired nine in a row at one point before the Pirates got a baserunner on North Georgia put the game away in the bottom of the the lone CSU error of the game. She never allowed fourth with Harden’s solo home run to start things off. more than one hit in any inning and Armstrong only Rochelle Shuman followed with a double and moved had a baserunner reach second base once. to third on a wild pitch, then scored on Cox’s sacrifice fly to right. Columbus State capped the scoring in the seventh inning as Morgan Staffins launched a line drive solo Shuman was the only Saint to have more than one home run that bounced off the top of the center field hit for North Georgia, going 2-for-2 with a pair of runs wall. Staffins finished the game 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Four of North Georgia’s nine hits were for scored and two RBIs. Waugh and Turner also had two extra bases with Fernandez driving in a pair. hits each for Columbus State.

North Georgia will try for their fourth straight tournament championship later on Sunday as they face the winner of the second semifinal between Armstrong Atlantic State and host Columbus State. Box Score

PBC SEMIFINALS: Russell, Columbus State Shut Down Top-Seeded Pirates; Advance to Title Game

CSU returns to the championship game for the first time since 2007 when they completed a run of three straight tournament titles. North Georgia is seeking their fourth straight PBC title. Box Score

(4/22/12) COLUMBUS, GA – Mollie Russell pitched a complete-game four-hitter and the Columbus State offense put up five runs in the fourth inning on the way to a 6-0 win over top-seeded Armstrong Atlantic State in the second semifinal of the PBC Tournament. Columbus State advances to the championship game at 4:00 on Sunday to take on North Georgia.

Columbus State Wins PBC Softball Tournament!

COLUMBUS, GA – Tournament Most Valuable Player Mollie Russell allowed only one hit and one unearned run while Casey Googe bashed a three-run home run to lead the fifth-seeded Columbus State Cougars to a 4-1 win over North Georgia in the championship game of the PBC softball tournament on Sunday. The win The Cougars (38-18) did all their damage in the explo- gives Columbus State (39-18) their first tournament title since 2007 and the PBC’s automatic sive fourth, starting the inning with four straight hits. bid to the NCAA Regional Tournament. North Casey Googe started the attack with a double and Georgia (45-8) will be one of the two host sites then scored as Kara Gordon singled. That was folfor the NCAA Tournament when the fields are lowed by a single from Morgan Staffins, who went all the way to third on a throwing error as Gordon scored. released on April 30. Kori Waugh then doubled to left, scoring staffins. Russell, who pitched a four-hit shutout ear144

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Katherine Martin and a wild pitch put runners at second and third with one out. Russell struck out Sarah Johnson and got Kayla Minger to ground out to second to end the inning.

2012 PBC Softball Champions Columbus State Cougars lier in the day in CSU’s semifinal win over Armstrong, finished the tournament with 21 innings pitched and a 0.00 ERA with only two unearned runs allowed. The junior hurler limited North Georgia to only two base runners in the first three innings, both of those coming with second-inning walks. After being held to only one runner in the first two innings by North Georgia starter Jessica Coan (L, 23-7), Columbus State broke through in the third. Kristen Gregory began with a single to right, CSU’s first hit of the game, and then stole second. Morgan Knight drew a two-out walk to set the stage for Googe. After sending a long foul ball out to left field, the sophomore took the 2-2 pitch from Coan over the center field wall, making the score 3-0. Googe set the PBC single-season home run record with that blast, her 21st of the year and second of the PBC Tournament.

The Saints, winners of the last three PBC Tournaments, pushed across their only run of the game in the seventh. Russell issued back-toback walks to Martin and Johnson, the both moved to second and third on a wild pitch. Martin then scored on a passed ball. With no outs, Russell retired the final three Saints with two ground outs and a foul out to secure the title. Googe was the only player in the game to finish with more than one hit as she went 2-for-4 with the three RBIs. Turner added the other run as she PBC All-Tournament Team went 1-for-3. Shelby Duff, Armstrong April Jowers, Armstrong The Championship is Kaitlyn White, USC Aiken the fourth for ColumIndia Kornegay, USC Aiken bus State, the first Melissa Dickie, North Georgia since three wins in Hilary Cox, North Georgia a row from 2005-07. Tiffanie Burns, North Georgia CSU becomes the first Casey Googe, Columbus State #5-seed to win the Taylor Turner, Columbus State PBC Softball TournaMost Valuable PLayer ment. Mollie Russell, Columbus State Box Score

NCAA Tournament: Munafo and Flagler knock off No. 9 Armstrong

(5/4/12) SAVANNAH, Ga. – Donna Munafo tossed a two-hit complete game shutout to help lead Flagler CSU added another run in the fourth as College to a 1-0 8-inning win over No. 9 (NFCA Division Kori Waugh led off with a double and II Top 25), and No. 2 seed, Armstrong Atlantic State later scored on Taylor Turner’s RBI single University in the opening round of the Savannah Reup the middle. The Cougars threatened to gional which is part of the NCAA Division II Southeast put more runs with two more hits in the inRegional Friday afternoon at the Armstrong Softball ning, but the North Georgia defense solidi- Field. fied to end the threat.

Columbus State’s Mollie Russell

North Georgia responded in the fourth as Karlie Gilliam finally got to Russell with a base hit. A walk to

Flagler, the No. 7 seed, advances into the winner’s bracket game and will face No. 12 Lenoir-Rhyne University, the No. 3 seed, at 11 a.m. tomorrow (May 5). The Saints snapped their six-game losing streak and improved to 35-17. Armstrong has now lost two in a

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row and fell to 44-10. The Pirates play in an elimination game tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. against Catawba College.

Georgia. The game took place at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium. With two-outs in the top of the sixth, Gordon lined a ball to centerfield that Kristen Jones dove for and missed allowing the junior to race around the bases for a triple. On the first pitch Staffins saw, the first baseman delivered for CSU lacing a single to left-centerfield driving in the game-winning run.

Munafo (17-5) was efficient with her pitches as she only tossed 74 in eight innings of work. After allowing a lead-off single in the first, she retired the next 22 batters in a row. Miunafo only allowed two base runners in the entire game. She retired 15 batters on ground outs.

From there, Mollie Russell continued her great postseason run retiring Augusta State in order in the sixth and seventh as the Lady Cougars recorded their first NCAA Tournament win since 2007.

All of the offense came in the top of the eighth. Robyn Draper led off the inning with a single up the middle. Breezy Collings sacrificed her to second and Alona Personius singled to the gap in left-center. Two batters later, Hayley Cravenhit a two-out single into the hole To end the game, Russell retired the last nine batters at shortstop where Baillie Temples made a nice diving she face and 14 out of the final 15. The junior did not stop, but she couldn’t get anyone out and Draper easily scored from third. The Pirates had an opportunity in the bottom of the eighth with a runner at second and only one out, but could not plate the tying run. Craven went 2-for-4 with the only run batted in for the game. Megan Barnwell (21-4), the Peach Belt Conference Pitcher of the Year, also went the distance and scattered seven hits and walked four batters. Shelby Duff and Brittany Cooley each singled for the Pirates.

Columbus State’s Casey Googe

Flagler’s seven hits this afternoon were the most it has had since it played Columbus State University on Apr. 1.

allow a hit after the first inning on her way to her 28th complete game of the season. Russell (21-10) struck out six batters and walked just two.

Flagler and Lenoir-Rhyne met earlier in the season at the Mid-South Classic in Spartanburg, S.C on Mar. 3. The Bears came away with a 7-4 win. Box Score

NCAA Tournament: Late Innings Heroics Lift Lady Cougars Past Augusta State

(5/4/12) DAHLONEGA, GA – Morgan Staffins laced a two-out single to left-centerfield driving in Kara Gordon from third base giving Columbus State University a 2-1 victory over Augusta State in the opening game of the NCAA Southeast Regional played in Dahlonega,

Augusta State starter Heather Hughes looked dominant to begin the game striking out the first two batters she faced. With two-outs, Augusta State decided to go right after Casey Googe, the Peach Belt Conference single-season home run record holder. The sophomore once again stepped up for the Lady Cougars launching her 22nd home run of the season over the left-centerfield wall. After the blast, Kara Gordon reached base on an infield single but a fly out ended the inning.

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Augusta State (31-17) came right back in the bottom of the first as leadoff batter Kacee Camp reached base on a swinging bunt right in front of the plate. After back-to-back strikeouts, a wild pitch allowed Camp to move up to second. On the next pitch, Jessica Thornton singled up the middle tying the game at one. In the third, Branigan Wix hit a single just past a diving third baseman into leftfield to lead off the frame. Next up was Nina Rubio who lined into a double play as she hit a ball straight back to the pitcher. ASU had their best scoring threat since the first in the bottom of the third as Camp drew a one-out walk. A fielding error on Gordon put two runners on for the middle of the Jaguar order. However, Russell dug deep inducing a soft liner to second and a groundout to get out of the jam. Hughes was tough on Columbus State (40-18) in the middle innings of the game retiring eight batters in a row until Wix recorded her second single of the game in the fifth inning. With Rubio batting, Wix stole second but was stranded on a Rubio popped out. After the sixth inning rally, the Lady Cougars put runners on the corners with two-outs in the seventh inning after pinch-hitter Lucy Lamb singled down the rightfield line but Hughes ended the threat getting Morgan Knight to fly out. Kara Gordon and Branigan Wix had the lone multi-hit games going 2-for-3. Both Casey Googe and Morgan Staffins were 1-for-3 with a RBI. Kacee Camp was 1-for-2 for Augusta State while Jessica Thornton was 1-for-3 with a RBI. Heather Hughes (10-9) was struck with the loss tossing all seven innings allowing two runs on seven hits. Box Score

NCAA Tournament: Saints Edge King College 1-0 in Southeast Regional Opener

(5/4/12) DAHLONEGA, GA – Senior Pilar Harden sparked another late inning North Georgia win as the top-seeded Saints took game two of the NCAA Southeast Regional 1-0 over King College on Friday afternoon at The Hill.

North Georgia’s Pilar Harden The Watkinsville, Georgia, native smacked a two-out triple to deep right field in the bottom of the fifth, bringing Katie Block home to score the game’s lone run. Jessica Coan (24-7) was dominant in the circle for the Saints tossing her fourth complete game shutout of the season scattering just three hits and striking out 11. After allowing a one-out double in the first, Coan settled down not allowing another hit until the seventh inning. Tornado starter Hannah Light (20-5) was equally impressive holding the potent Saints offense at bay all afternoon. While Coan was overpowering hitters with her rise ball, Light changed speeds and worked the corners letting her defense make the plays. Offensively, Harden led the charge for North Georgia going 2-3 with an RBI to register her 14th multi-hit game of the season. Katie Block went 1-1 with a run scored after coming on as a pinch runner for Callie Fernandez in the third. After recording two quick outs in the fifth, Light ran into trouble as Block lined a single to left and Harden followed with yet another clutch hit. The Saints were threatening once again in the sixth with runners on first and second and one out, but Sarah Johnson lined into a double play as Tornado shortstop Christina Melcher made a great play. King College’s lone threat came in the seventh when Melcher and Fallon Thomas hit back-to-back singles

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to start the rally. Coan would respond by striking out Kendall Brabson. Christy Kooch came to the dish trying to shock the top-seeded Saints, but she flared a blooper to shallow left field and North Georgia shortstop Tiffanie Burns made a diving catch and doubled off Melcher to end the threat and the game. Box Score

NCAA Tournament: Munafo Handcuffs No. 12 Lenoir-Rhyne, 2-0

(5/5/12) SAVANNAH, Ga. - Flagler College righthander Donna Munafo hurled her second straight shutout, Armstrong’s Shelby Duff limiting No. 12-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne to just one hit in a 2-0 win, sending the Saints into Sunday’s champion- NCAA Tournament: Campbell Blanks ship game of the 2012 NCAA DII Softball Southeast Indians, 1-0, To Keep Pirates Alive Regional in Savannah. (5/5/12) SAVANNAH, Ga. - Armstrong Atlantic State University freshman Caitlin Campbell hurled a six-hit Munafo limited the Bears (47-12) to just a first-inning shutout to keep the host and No. 9-ranked Pirates single, walking two while striking out eight in improvalive at the NCAA DII Softball Southeast Regional with ing to 18-5 on the season. a 1-0 win over Catawba on Saturday afternoon. The Saints (36-17) got both of their runs in the third inning on a single by Robyn Draper, a double by Breezy Collings and an infield single by Alona Personius. Lenoir-Rhyne starter Dawon Millwood (33-7) then walked both Hayley Craven and Kristen Chapman with the bases loaded for the two runs.

The second-seeded Pirates (45-10) advance to another elimination game at 4:00 p.m. against third-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne, with the winner advancing to Championship Sunday. Catawba (33-19) sees its first NCAA postseason appearance come to a close with the loss.

Millwood took the loss for the Bears, giving up six hits and two runs in seven innings of work, walking four while striking out one.

Armstrong loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the first inning against Catawba starter Brittany Murray (16-12), but Murray got out of the jam without allowing a run to score.

Draper had two hits to lead the Saints at the plate, while Haily Jarman had the Bears’ lone hit of the game with her first-inning single. Box Score

The Pirates finally broke through in the second inning when Ashley Schwab worked a two-out walk, then Shelby Duff delivered an RBI double to left center field, ending a 18 1/3 scoreless inning streak by Armstrong that dated back to the first round of the Peach Belt Conference tournament. With the one-run lead, Campbell (20-3) then sealed the deal with a six-hit shutout, walking one while striking out four. The Armstrong defense turned two double plays behind Campbell as the freshman delivered her fourth shutout of the season. Murray was the hard-luck loser for the Indians for a second straight game as she gave up six hits and one run in six innings of work, walking two while striking out one.

Flagler’s Breezy Collings

Duff finished the game 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles 148

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and an RBI to lead the Pirates at the plate, while April Jowers, the nation’s leading hitter, went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles.

inning. With the win, the Saints (47-8) advance to the Southeast Dahlonega Regional Championship game on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. North Georgia is undefeated over the last three years in regional play, winning their 14th consecutive game over the last four years.

Alli Justice led the Indians at the plate with a 2-for-3 day. Box Score

Columbus State drops their first game since the middle of April as they fall to 40-19 on the year. The Cougars will look to fight back in the loser’s bracket, as they will play in game five of the tournament on Saturday evening against Augusta State or King College.

NCAA Tournament: Saints Walk-Off Columbus State 2-1, Advance to Regional Championship

(5/5/12) DAHLONEGA, GA – Down to their final three outs in game three of the NCAA Southeast Regional, 11th-ranked and top-seeded North Georgia battled back to score two runs and walk-off with a 2-1 victory over 5th-seeded Columbus State at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium.

The Cougars got their only run of the game in the third inning when a passed ball brought Branigan Wix racing home to give Columbus the early lead.

With just one hit over the first six innings, the Saints had one last chance against the Cougars and made the most of the seventh inning. Rochelle Shuman led off the frame and struck out, but reached base on the play, the first of a series of costly mistakes by the Cougars. Hilary Cox followed and grounded out to second, but Nina Rubio booted the grounder and the Saints were in business with two on and no outs. After a fielder’s choice for the first out of the inning, Katherine Martin laced a grounder to third that was thrown wildly to first by Kristen Gregory to load the bases. Sarah Johnson followed and singled to second to plate the tying run and keep the bases load for Kayla Minger. With Minger looking for some walk-off magic, the junior grounded out to first and the Cougars came home for the force out. Casey Googe then fired down to first attempting for the inningending double play, but the throw hit off the diving Minger and rolled into right field to bring Martin racing home for the winning run and walk-off victory. In total, the Cougars committed four errors in the seventh

The Saints were held hitless until the sixth inning when Tiffanie Burns lined a clean single up the middle to break up the perfect game by Mollie Russell, but Burns was stranded at second later in the frame when Pilar Harden scorched a liner up the middle that was snagged by the leaping Morgan Knight in center field. Tossing another gem in the circle was true freshman Melissa Dickie (20-0) who came out and allowed just two hits and no earned runs to stay perfect on the year. Making her NCAA Tournament debut, Dickie allowed a pair of hits in the third inning before retiring the Cougars in order over the final four innings. Russell (21-11) was the tough-luck loser for Columbus State, allowing just two hits and two unearned runs. She tallied one strikeout and did not issue a walk. Box Score

NCAA Tournament: ASU Advances Past King, 5-1 (5/5/12) DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Augusta State jumped on top 3-0 against King College Saturday afternoon and advanced in the NCAA Southeast Dahlonega Regional with a 5-1 victory at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium.

Jaguar senior shortstop Kacee Camp enjoyed a 4-for-4 effort and scored two runs. Jessica Thornton went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored. Thornton, Lauren Yeargan and North Georgia’s Hilary Cox 149

NCAA Tournament: Lenoir-Rhyne Eliminates Armstrong 4-0

(5/5/12) SAVANNAH, Ga. - No. 12-ranked LenoirRhyne rode the arm of SAC Pitcher of the Year Dawon Millwood into the NCAA DII Softball Southeast Region championship day with a 4-0 shutout of host and No. 9-ranked Armstrong on Saturday afternoon, eliminating the Pirates.

Augusta State’s Kacee Camp Macy Terry each drove in a run.

The Bears (48-12) advance to Sunday’s noon matchup with Flagler and must beat the Saints twice to advance out of the regional. Flagler, meanwhile, needs just one win to advance to the Super Regional. Armstrong wraps up its season with a 45-11 record after making its 10th appearance in the NCAA Championships in the last 12 seasons.

With the victory, the Jaguars improved to 32-17 and advanced to take on Columbus State at 6:30 p.m. in an elimination game.

Lenoir-Rhyne scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning on Haily Jarman’s one-out double to right center field. The Bears looked to have scored an insurance run in the frame as, with runners Senior righthander Emily Headrick (17-6) allowed on second and third and one out, Sara Adkins’ fly ball six hits and one run in 5.0 innings. She tallied one strikeout before Heather Hughes worked the final 2.0 to left was snared by a diving Ashley Schwab. Jarman tagged from third and apparently had scored, but the innings. Pirates appealed and Jarman was ruled to have left Camp singled to open the game and moved to second third early, ending the inning with just one run crossing the plate. on a Hannah Vaughn sacrifice. Kristen Jones singled sharply through the left side and Jessica Thornton laid The Bears then put the game out of reach in the sixth down a perfectly-executed suicide squeeze to plate inning as Tameron Sealey led off the inning with a Camp. triple to right field, then scored on a Carlee Carpenter When King pitcher Hannah Light’s errant throw to first RBI single. Jarman followed with an RBI single off of reliever Caitlin Campbell, then a sacrifice fly to left wasn’t handled, Jones scored all the way from first. field by Jessica Fellmeth plated the third run of the Thornton promptly stole second before Macy Terry singled down the right field line to chase home Thorn- inning. ton. That was more than enough offense for Millwood, who fashioned a two-hit shutout, walking one while The Tornado (34-19), from Conference Carolinas, got a run back in the bottom of the third before the Jags answered with a pair of runs in the fifth. Camp provided the spark with a leadoff single and Thornton lined an RBI-triple to right. One batter later, Yeargan slapped an RBI-double to right-center to chase home Thornton. Light scattered 10 hits in 6.0 innings, yielding three earned runs with a pair of strikeouts and a walk. Rachael Wilmoth closed out the game with an inning of scoreless relief. Box Score Armstrong’s April Jowers 150

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striking out two to improve to 34-7 on the season with her 18th shutout of the year. Barnwell (21-5) took the loss for the Pirates, giving up four hits and four runs in five-plus innings of work, walking two while striking out two.

more excited for the ladies,” said ASU head coach Melissa Mullins. “We talked yesterday about the adjustments we had to make and we fought hard today and did all the little things.”

NCAA Tournament: Jags Punch Out Cougars, 5-1

The Jags added an insurance run with two outs in the sixth on a Renae Kimbell single, a passed ball and a Laura Brown RBI-double to left.

Columbus got on the board first in the bottom of the April Jowers had a bunt single in the sixth inning as first before the Jags came back with a pair of runs in the two-time PBC Player of the Year wrapped up her the second and added two more in the third. Thornincredible season with a NCAA Division II-leading .565 ton reached on a leadoff single in the second, moved batting average as well as 105 hits on the year, both to second on a sacrifice and took third on a throwing a school and Peach Belt record. She finishes with 334 error on Lauren Yeargan’s grounder. After Hannah hits, eighth-most in NCAA Division II softball history. Vaughn struck out, the pitch got away from catcher Casey Googe and then her throwing error allowed both The Pirates also saw the end of four other senior’s Thornton and Yeargan to race home. careers with All-PBC outfielder Baillie Temples (3rd all-time home runs in Armstrong history), All-PBC first Freshman centerfielder Molly Walton started out a baseman Whitney Galloway, All-PBC designated player two-out rally in the third with a single to left. Senior Heather Walker and catcher Ashley Buckett playing rightfielder Kristen Jones roped a triple to right-center their final games in Armstrong uniforms on Saturday to score Walton and Thornton followed with an RBIsingle to center. Box Score

(5/5/12) DAHLONEGA, GA – Augusta State advanced to the championship game of the NCAA Southeast Dahlonega Regional Saturday evening with a 5-1 victory over Columbus State at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium.

ASU chased Columbus State starter Mollie Russell (21-12) after 4.0 innings and Taylor Turner worked the last three frames for the Cougars. Box Score

With the victory, the fourth-seeded Jaguars (33-17) earned the right to face tournament host and No. 1 seed North Georgia (46-8) on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. A victory by ASU would set up a rematch with the Saints at 3:30 p.m.

NCAA Tournament: Flagler Advances to Super-Regional 9-7

(5/6/12) SAVANNAH, Ga. – Lauren Roudabush’s tworun single in the fifth inning proved to be the winning margin in Flagler College’s 9-7 win over No. 12 (NFCA Division II Top 25) Lenoir-Rhyne University in the championship game of the Savannah Regional in the NCAA Division II National Tournament Sunday afternoon at the Armstrong Softball Field.

Jaguar senior third baseman Jessica Thornton paced the squad with a 2-for-3 effort with an RBI and a run scored. ASU combined for seven hits as a team vs. the Cougars after racking up 10 hits in the first game of the day vs. King College.

The Saints won all three games of the regional and will advance to next weekend’s Super Regional at North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega in a best-of-three series. The winner advances to the NCAA Division II National Championships in Louisville, Ky. The Saints knocked off No. 9 Armstrong and No. 12 Lenoir-Rhyne twice. Flagler is 7-0 all-time at the Armstrong Softball Field.

Senior righthander Emily Headrick (18-6) went the distance, yielding just four hits and an unearned run. She struck out one and pitched around five walks. “I couldn’t be

Augusta State’s Kristen Jones

Flagler improved to 37-17 while Lenoir-Rhyne ended its season with a 48-13 record.

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Flagler wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard. Alona Personius hit a two-run single in the first inning. Undaunted, the Bears scored twice in the home half of the first, the first runs Flagler had allowed in the tournament. The Saints took the lead for good on an RBI-double by Marissa Blake in the second. Flagler sent eight batters to the plate in the third and plated four runs. Personius had an RBI double and three batters later, Lauren Bessent hit a single to right-center to produce Flagler’s fifth run and chase Lenoir-Rhyne starter Dawon Millwood (34-8) from the game. Blake greeted the reliever, Lauren Harris, with a two-run double to left-center. Now trailing 7-2, Jessica Fellmeth hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the third to keep the Bears in the game.

NCAA Tournament: North Georgia Edges Jaguars, Advance to Super Regional

(5/6/12) DAHLONEGA, GA – The top-seeded North Georgia softball team advanced to their fourth straight NCAA Southeast Super Regional on Sunday defeating fourth-seeded Augusta State 1-0 in the Dahlonega Regional Championship at The Hill. Jessica Coan (25-7) capped a perfect 2-0 weekend for the Saints (48-8), tossing her second complete game shutout of the regional, striking out eight and scattering just three hits. In 14 innings of this weekend’s regional games, Coan allowed zero runs and just six hits, while striking out 19 batters. The pitching of Coan and Melissa Dickie led the Saints to victory as their offense mustered just four runs, only one of which were earned.

“It’s a tribute to the great pitching we saw this weekend,” said North Georgia head coach Mike Davenport. But the Saints took a commanding 9-4 lead in the fifth “Emily Headrick kept us off balance all afternoon.” on Roudabush’s hit and held off a Bears rally in the bottom of the fifth. North Georgia capitalized on each of their opponents mistakes and limited Blake went 3-for-3 with two doubles, three runs battheir own, committing just three ted in and scored a run. Personius went 3-for-4 with a errors to their opponents six. double, three RBI and scored a run. Robyn Draper had three hits, including a double, and scored twice. For the second straight day the Saints capitalized on early Donna Munafo (19-5) pitched 4.1 innings and allowed miscues, as a throwing error led seven hits, five earned runs before giving way to Katie to the eventual game-winning run Enright. She tossed the final 2.2 innings and did not crossing the plate. allow a run to earn her fifth save of the year. In the home-half of the first with Fellmeth went 3-for-3 with the home run, and knocked Rochelle Shuman on first, senior in four runs for the Bears. Hilary Cox lined a one-out single to left field. A bobble allowed ShuMillwood tossed 2.2 innings, surrendered nine hits man to move up to third and an erand seven runs. rant throw that missed the cut-off sent her racing home. This is Flagler’s second appearance in NCAA postseason play. The Saints went 2-2 in last year’s Dahlonega Emily Headrick (18-7) picked up Regional. The 16 hits were the most by the Saints this the loss tossing a complete season since Feb. 19 when they had 18 hits against game, allowing one unearned Eckerd. The nine runs scored was more than the total run surrendering five hits runs in Flagler’s previous nine games. and striking out three. Box Score North Georgia’s Jessica Coan 152

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After getting the lead, Coan was in shutdown mode retiring the final 14 batters she faced. North Georgia has now won 12 consecutive NCAA Regional games and will make yet an other appearance in the NCAA Super Regionals this coming weekend. The 2012 senior class also picked up their 200th career win over the weekend, now holding an incredible win total of 202 wins. Cox, Coan and Pilar Harden will go down as one of the most successful senior classes in school history. Box Score

Enright finished the last two innings and allowed two hits and one run. Lauren Ely collected a pair of singles and scored a run. Marissa Blake singled and scored two runs while Draper and Bessent knocked in two runs apiece.

Jessica Coan (25-8) went the distance and surrendered nine hits and two earned Flagler’s (5/11/12) DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Flagler College sent 10 runs. Donna Munafo batters to the plate in the third inning and took advantage of four errors en route to an 8-2 win over No. 11 Karlie Gillam collected two singles for North Georgia. North Georgia College & State University in the first Kayla Minger also singled twice and drove in a run. game of the best-of-three series in the NCAA Division II Southeast Super Regional Friday night at Haines The two teams will meet at 2 p.m. tomorrow (May & Carolyn Hill Stadium in Dahlonega. 12). Should North Georgia win the first game, the two teams will meet again at 4:30 p.m. to decide the seFlagler won its fourth game in a row and imries winner and advance to the NCAA Division II Softproved to 38-17 overall. North Georgia fell to ball Championships May 16-19 at Louisville, Ky. 48-9.

NCAA Super Regional: Flagler Takes Advantage of North Georgia Errors, Win Game One 8-2

Tori Jolley led off the third with a base hit through the left side. Sarah Albino came on to pinch run and took second when Marissa Blake hit a grounder to North Georgia shortstop Tiffanie Burns. She booted the grounder and everyone was safe. Lauren Roudabush followed with another grounder to short, but Burns bobbled the ball and then threw the ball away allowing Albino to score. Two batters later, Robyn Draper’s grounder found Burns who committed her fourth error of the inning and Flagler took a 3-0 lead. Alona Personius added an RBI single and Laure Bessent hit a two-run single up the middle to put Flagler ahead 6-0.

NOTE: The 8-2 loss by North Georgia at home was its worst loss at home since losing to Alabama-Huntsville 9-1 on Mar. 13, 2011. Flagler is now 2-10 all-time vs. North Georgia and have won the last two games in the series. Tonight’s win at Dahlonega was the first time a Flagler team has won at North Georgia in five games. Box Score

NCAA Super Regional: Saints Slide by Flagler in Must Win, Force Decisive Third Game

(5/12/12) DAHLONEGA, GA – The North Georgia softball team forced a decisive game three in the NCAA Southeast Super Regional on Saturday afternoon, takDraper added a two-run triple in the fourth to push the ing game two 3-0 over Flagler College at The Hill. lead to 8-0. The Saints (49-9) won the pitchers duel shutting out North Georgia tallied a run in the bottom of the fifth to their opponent for the 16th time this season, while avoid the mercy rule and plated one more in the sixth. Flagler (38-18) was shutout for the first time this year in postseason play. Donna Munafo (20-5) tossed five innings, scattered five hits and allowed one run to earn the victory. Katie Melissa Dickie (21-0) was masterful once again toss153

Pilar Harden launched her eighth homer of the season, a solo shot, to left center. In the home half of the seventh Flagler threatened, starting the inning with back-to-back singles by Personius and Lauren Bessent. Dickie buckled down and retired the next three hitters in a row striking out Marissa Blake to seal the victory. Box Score

North Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Melissa Dickie

NCAA Super Regional: Flagler Triumphs Over No. 11 North Georgia, 4-1 Advance to World Series

ing a complete game shutout and scattering three hits, while striking out three. Dickie continues to impress during her freshman campaign, as the Daktronics Southeast Region Pitcher of the Year has not allowed an earned run in her last 21 innings of work.

(5/12/12) DAHLONEGA, GA - Flagler College split a doubleheader with No. 11 (NFCA Division II Top 25) North Georgia College & State University, losing the The complete game shutout was her seventh of the first game 3-0 and winning the final game 4-1 in eight season and she held an opponent to three hits or innings to win the NCAA Division II Southeast Super fewer for the 15th time this season. Regional Saturday at the Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium in Dahlonega. Flagler advances to the NCAA DiviDonna Munafo (20-6) was the tough luck loser tossing sion II Softball National Championships May 16-19 in a complete game and allowing three runs on eights Louisville, Ky. hits, while striking out four. Both offenses were quiet early until North Georgia opened the scoring in the top of the sixth inning, plating a pair of runs on two hits. Senior Hilary Cox got the rally started when she was plunked by Munafo. Karlie Gillamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sac bunt attempt was successful and Alona Personius came off the bag early on the throw.

Flagler got on board first when Tori Jolley singled home Collings in the second inning. The score would remain the same until the bottom of the seventh. Tiffanie Burns belted a lead-off double, moved to third on a ground out and scored two batters later on a sacrifice fly.

With runners on first and second and no outs Katherine Martin lined single to left field bringing pinch runner Katie Garrett racing home. With heads up base running Martin moved up to second on the throw. After a Sarah Johnson groundout Kayla Minger delivered another big hit for North Georgia, singling through the left side to bring pinch runner Taylor Merritt charging home. Munafo was able to get out of the jam as North Georgia tried to pull a fast one on Flagler as Martin was gunned out at home. North Georgia added an insurance run in the top of the seventh when

2012 NCAA Southeast Super Regional Champions Flagler Saints 154

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Lauren Ely drew a two-out walk to get things started in the eighth for Flagler. She took second on a wild pitch and Robyn Draper ripped a triple to the gap in rightcenter to give Flagler a 2-1 lead. Collings followed with a single to plate Draper and pinch runner Becca Millage later scored on an error. Katie Enright (9-4) tossed a complete game and scattered nine hits and allowed one run. She retired 14 batters on ground outs.

UCO added another in the second for insurance. Hannah Justus led off the inning with a bunt single in front of the plate. She moved to second on a sacrifice and advanced to third on a ground out. A walk gave the Bronchos runners at the corners and Kayce Raines singled to right to plate Justus. That’s all Rachael Steverson (27-5) would need. She went the distance and scattered seven hits and allowed just two runs. Steverson induced 14 ground outs. She retired the last seven batters in a row.

Draper had two of Flagler’s six hits, scored a run and drove in one.

Edwards singled twice and scored a run while Devyn Frazier collected a pair of singles for the Bronchos.

Dickie (21-1) took the loss for North Georgia. She allowed six hits and two earned runs.

Donna Munafo (20-7) took the loss in the circle for the Saints. She surrendered eight hits and four runs

Harden singled twice for North Georgia. Flagler will be making its first-ever appearance in the national championships. The Saints are in their fourth year as a program and advanced to the regionals last season. Box Score

NCAA World Series: No. 2 Central Oklahoma strikes early and holds off Flagler, 4-2

(5/16/12) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Megan Whitmire socked a 2-2 pitch over the left-center field wall in the first inning to give No. 2 (NFCA Division II Top 25) University of Central Oklahoma a 3-0 lead and then held on for a 4-2 win in the first round of the NCAA Division II Softball National Championships Wednesday evening at Knights Field. Central Oklahoma improved to 45-7 while Flagler fell to 39-19.

Draper went 2-for-2 with a run scored for Flagler. Box Score

NCAA World Series: Flagler Ends NCAA Run with 5-2 Loss to St. Joseph’s (5/17/12) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Flagler College committed five errors, the most since a Mar. 3 loss vs. LenoirRhyne University, and were eliminated from the NCAA Division II Softball Championships after a 5-2 loss to Saint Joseph’s College of Indiana Thursday afternoon at Knights Field. Flagler wraps up its season at 39-20 while Saint Joseph’s lives to fight another day and improved to 40-20. Saint Joe’s will face the defending national champion, UC San Diego, at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow in another elimination game. The Saints broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning when Tori Jolley hit a two-run double to right-center.

NFCA All-America selection Nathalie Timmermans drew a two-out walk in the top of the first to get things started for the Bronchos. Kacie Edwards followed with a single up the middle and then Whitmire hit the home run. Lauren Roudabush and Robyn Draper sandwiched a pair of bunt singles around a sacrifice hit by Lauren Ely to put runners on the corner for the Saints. Breezy Collings grounded out to second to bring Roudabush home and Alona Personius singled home Ely and Flagler was right back in the game, 3-2.

That looked like all Flagler would need, but three costly errors was all it took in the sixth inning to see the lead turn into a deficit. Kylie Weeks led off the inning by reaching on a fielding error by Alona Personius. Stephanie Winter hit a sharp grounder to short where Lauren Bessent fielded the ball cleanly, but on the force attempt at second base, she threw the ball away. A wild pitch allowed the runners to move up a base but when Robyn Draper threw down to third to catch Weeks, the ball sailed into the

155

outfield and the Pumas were on the board. Shawn Hoskins singled through the left side in a drawn in infield to plate the tying run. Four batters later, Rachel Weaver homered to left-center and SJC grabbed a 5-2 lead. That was all of the insurance Sarah Franklin (18-9) would need. She went the distance and scattered seven hits and allowed two runs. Franklin induced 12 fly outs. Lauren Roudabudsh collected two singled while Robyn Draper singled and doubled for the Saints. Katie Enright (9-5) tossed six innings, allowed five hits and five unearned runs. This was Flagler’s first appearance in the softball national championships. Box Score

Award Winners CoSidaAcademicAll-AmericaFirstTeam Kacee Camp, Augusta State CoSidaAcademicAll-AmericaSecondTeam Shelby Duff, Armstrong CoSida Academic All-Region Team Olivia Ferguson, Francis Marion Kristen Hobbs, UNC Pembroke PBC All-Academic Team Sara Broderick, Francis Marion Arielle Buchholz, Lander Gabby Buck, Georgia Southwestern Kacee Camp, Augusta State Jessica Coan, North Georgia Hilary Cox, North Georgia Kayla Denham, USC Aiken Shelby Duff, Armstrong Caitlin Duvall, Georgia College Tristan Faile, Francis Marion Olivia Ferguson, Francis Marion Sarah Fuller, Lander Katie Garrett, North Georgia Kristen Hobbs, UNC Pembroke Natalie Klemann, UNC Pembroke Brittney Sheriff, Lander Kellie Van Dyke, UNC Pembroke Erin Vick, Georgia Southwestern Lauren Wilcox, Armstrong NFCA All-America First Team April Jowers, Armstrong Whitney Okvist, Georgia College NFCA All-America Third Team Casey Googe, Columbus State

ASU’s Camp, Armstrong’s Duff Named Academic All-Americans

TOWSON, MD – Augusta State senior shortstop Kacee Camp and Armstrong junior outfielder Shelby Duff were named Capitol One CoSIDA Academic All-Americans on Wednesday. Camp was placed on the first team while Duff was named second team. The two players are the seventh and eight softball players in Peach Belt Conference history to be named an Academic All-American, widely regarded as the highest honor a student-athlete can achieve. The team is selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). A senior biology major with a 3.88 GPA, Camp finished the season as well as she started, ending with a .390 average, 35 runs scored, 20 extra-base hits, 27 RBI, and a .451 on-base percentage. She led the Jaguars to the NCAA Southeast Regional for the fourth consecutive season. She has already been named first-team All-Peach Belt Conference for the season. Camp becomes the first CoSIDA Academic All-American in Augusta State softball history. She graduated in May with a 3.88 GPA in biology. Named to the PBC Presidential Honor Roll four times, the Harlem, Ga., native was also named to the PBC softball All-Academic team. Duff, who was named to the second team as an outfielder, is just the second Armstrong player to earn Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-America softball honors in the program’s history. The Springfield, Ga., native carries a 3.63 GPA in radiologic sciences and was a first-team All-Peach Belt Conference and NFCA All-Region outfielder, hitting .416 with six home runs and 30 RBIs in helping the Pirates capture the 2012 Peach Belt Conference regular season title. She joins Jessica Strong, who was a third-team Academic All-American outfielder in 2009, as the only players to earn the academic honor from Capital One and CoSIDA. 156

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NFCA All-Southeast Region First Team Whitney Galloway, Armstrong PBC Player of the Year Hayley Burnett, Georgia College Karlie Gillam, North Georgia April Jowers, Armstrong Kacee Camp, Augusta State Pilar Harden, North Georgia PBC Pitcher of the Year Jessica Coan, North Georgia April Jowers, Armstrong Megan Barnwell, Armstrong Breezy Collings, Flagler Kelsea Martin, Georgia College PBC Freshman of the Year Hilary Cox, North Georgia Donna Munafo, Flagler Melissa Dickie, North Georgia Shelby Duff, Armstrong Whitney Okvist, Georgia College PBC Coach of the Year Pilar Harden, North Georgia Brittney Sheriff, Lander Ted Evans, Armstrong Donna Munafo, Flagler Baillie Temples, Armstrong Taylor Turner, Columbus State Jessica Thornton, Augusta State NFCA All-Southeast Region Second Team Heather Walker, Megan Barnwell, Armstrong Armstrong Lauren Bessent, Flagler PBC All-Conference Karlie Gillam, North Georgia Second Team February 14, 2012: Morgan Knight, Columbus State Lauren Bessent, Player Pitcher Freshman April Jowers Jessica Coan Taylor Turner Alona Personius, Flagler Flagler Armstrong North Georgia Columbus State Mollie Russell, Columbus State Haley Burnett, Baillie Temples, Armstrong Georgia College February 21, 2012: Player Pitcher Freshman Heather Walker, Armstrong Breezy Collings, Breezy Collings Jessica Coan Alexis Mercer Daktronics All-America First Team Flagler Flagler North Georgia Armstrong April Jowers, Armstrong Melissa Dickie, February 28, 2012: Daktronics All-America Third Team North Georgia Player Pitcher Freshman Jessica Coan, North Georgia Robyn Draper, Shelby Duff Mollie Russell Brea Hartley Daktronics All-America Honorable Mention Flagler Armstrong Columbus State UNC Pembroke Melissa Dickie, North Georgia Katie Enright, Flagler March 6, 2012: Casey Googe, Columbus State Casey Googe, Player Pitcher Freshman DaktronicsSoutheastRegion Player of the Year Columbus State Casey Googe Mollie Russell Katie Carnes April Jowers, Armstrong Emily Headrick, Columbus State Columbus State Francis Marion DaktronicsSoutheastRegionPitcheroftheYear Augusta State March 12, 2012: Melissa Dickie, North Georgia Ashley Jaramillo, Player Pitcher Freshman Daktronics All-Southeast Region First Team Francis Marion April Jowers Kelsey Gilliam Tiffanie Burns Armstrong Columbus State North Georgia Megan Barnwell, Armstrong India Kornegay, USC Haley Burnett, Georgia College Aiken March 19, 2012: Kacee Camp, Augusta State Hayley Leissner, Player Pitcher Freshman Shelby Duff Donna Munafo Karlee Wilson Breezy Collings, Flagler Lander Armstrong Flagler UNC Pembroke Pilar Harden, North Georgia Taylor Luff, Francis Whitney Okvist, Georgia College Marion March 27, 2012: Player Pitcher Freshman DaktronicsAll-SoutheastRegion SecondTeam Mason Moreland, Lindsey Jones Mollie Russell Taylor Turner Hilary Cox, North Georgia Ga. Southwestern USC Aiken Columbus State Columbus State Karlie Gillam, North Georgia Alona Personius, Morgan Knight, Columbus State Flagler April 2, 2012: Player Pitcher Freshman Kelsea Martin, Georgia College Mollie Russell, April Jowers Donna Munafo Lauren Roudabush Donna Munafo, Flagler Columbus State Armstrong Flagler Flagler Alona Personius, Flagler Taylor Turner, April 9, 2012: Mollie Russell, Columbus State Columbus State Player Pitcher Freshman Heather Walker, Armstrong Olivia Ferguson India Kornegay Caitlin Campbell PBC All-Conference First Team Francis Marion USC Aiken Armstrong Megan Barnwell, Armstrong April 16, 2012: Kacee Camp, Augusta State Player Pitcher Freshman Jessica Coan, North Georgia Whitney Galloway Melissa Dickie Taylor Turner Armstrong North Georgia Columbus State Hilary Cox, North Georgia Shelby Duff, Armstrong

Players of the Week

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Statistics Individual

Stolen Bases

Whitney Okvist, Georgia College 52 April Jowers, Armstrong 28 Jessica Thornton, Augusta State 27 Mason Moreland, Ga. Southwestern Molly Walton, Augusta State 17 Whitney Little, Flagler 15 Lauren Bessent, Flagler 15 Destinea Schneider, Francis Marion Natalie Bellantoni, Georgia College Shelby Duff, Armstrong Atlantic State

Batting Average

April Jowers, Armstrong .565 Shelby Duff, Armstrong .416 Whitney Okvist, Georgia College .412 Brittney Sheriff, Lander .405 Kacee Camp, Augusta State .390 Alona Personius, Flagler .366 Tristan Faile, Francis Marion .361 Casey Googe, Columbus State .360 Kristen Hobbs, UNC Pembroke .355 Sara Broderick, Francis Marion .355

Innings Pitched

Runs

Casey Googe, Columbus State 54 Whitney Okvist, Georgia College 54 Shelby Duff, Armstrong 53 April Jowers, Armstrong 50 Morgan Knight, Columbus State 46 Sarah Johnson, North Georgia 39 Mason Moreland, Georgia Southwesterm 39 Baillie Temples, Armstrong 37 Jessica Thornton, Augusta STate 36 Kacee Camp, Augusta State 35

Hits

April Jowers, Armstrong Shelby Duff, Armstrong Alona Personius, Flagler Casey Googe, Columbus State Whitney Okvist, Georgia College Kacee Camp, Augusta State Brittney Sheriff, Lander Pilar Harden, North Georgia Sara Broderick, Francis Marion Tristan Faile, Francis Marion

Runs Batted In

105 77 68 67 66 64 64 61 60 60

Casey Googe, Columbus State 55 Baillie Temples, Armstrong 49 Whitney Galloway, Armstrong 48 Morgan Staffins, Columbus State Alona Personius, Flagler 42 Haley Burnett, Georgia College 41 Morgan Knight, Columbus State 41 Ashley Jaramillo, Francis Marion 40 Breezy Collings, Flagler 39 Tristan Faile, Francis Marion 39

223.0 217.1 205.0 180.1 177.1 175.2 165.2

Earned Run Average Mollie Russell, Columbus State Melissa Dickie, North Georgia Donna Munafo, Flagler Hayley Leissner, Lander Kelsey Davis, Lander Jessica Coan, North Georgia Katie Enright, Flagler India Kornegay, USC Aiken Kalyn Loverich, Flagler Taylor Turner, Columbus State

Wins

Jessica Coan, North Georgia Mollie Russell, Columbus State Melissa Dickie, North Georgia Megan Barnwell, Armstrong Atlantic State Caitlin Campbell, Armstrong Atlantic State Donna Munafo, Flagler India Kornegay, USC Aiken Emily Headrick, Augusta State Hayley Leissner, Lander Kayla Ellingsen, Francis Marion

Saves

Home Runs

Casey Googe, Columbus State 22 Morgan Knight, Columbus State 11 Breezy Collings, Flagler 10 Tiffanie Burns, North Georgia 9 Morgan Staffins, Columbus State Kara Gordon, Columbus State 9 Baillie Temples, Armstrong 9 Pilar Harden, North Georgia 8 Katherine Martin, North Georgia 7 Karlie Gillam, North Georgia 7

Jessica Coan, North Georgia Mollie Russell, Columbus State India Kornegay, USC Aiken Hayley Leissner, Lander Donna Munafo, Flagler Megan Barnwell, Armstrong Emily Headrick, Augusta State Caitlin Campbell, Armstrong Melissa Dickie, North Georgia Kayla Ellingsen, Francis Marion

Katie Enright, Flagler Heather Sexton, Augusta State Mollie Russell, Columbus State Emily Headrick, Augusta State Erica Bell, Georgia College Jessica Martin, Ga. Southwestern Hayley Leissner, Lander Megan Barnwell, Armstrong Atlantic State Jessica Coan, North Georgia India Kornegay, USC Aiken

158

Strikeouts

Jessica Coan, North Georgia India Kornegay, USC Aiken Mollie Russell, Columbus State Megan Barnwell, Armstrong Atlantic State Hayley Leissner, Lander Donna Munafo, Flagler Taylor Luff, Francis Marion Emily Headrick, Augusta State Melissa Dickie, North Georgia Kayla Ellingsen, Francis Marion

15 15 14

332 260 191 164 157 149 135 114 109 108

Team

Batting Average

149.2 145.2 133.0 0.93 1.15 1.22 1.28 1.38 1.44 1.58 1.78 1.83 1.86

Armstrong .310 Francis Marion .291 Columbus State .290 North Georgia .288 Georgia College .279 Unc Pembroke .270 Lander .270 Flagler .263 Augusta State .254 USC Aiken .249 Georgia Southwestern .241

Runs

Armstrong 308 Columbus State 302 North Georgia 286 Francis Marion 225 Flagler 224 Augusta State 217 Georgia College 215 Lander 178 25 Georgia Southwestern 159 21 USC Aiken 134 21 UNC Pembroke 123 21 Home Runs 20 Columbus State 69 20 North Georgia 49 20 Armstrong 45 18 Francis Marion 25 14 Flagler 21 11 Augusta State 19 Lander 14 5 Georgia College 9 3 USC Aiken 9 3 Georgia Southwestern 9 3 UNC Pembroke 9 3 Earned Run Average 2 North Georgia 1.39 2 Columbus State 1.44 2 Flagler 1.47 2 Lander 1.78 2 Francis Marion 2.09 Augusta State 2.17 Armstrong 2.59 Georgia Southwestern 2.64 USC Aiken 2.82 UNC Pembroke 2.85 Georgia College 3.46

Baseball

Strikeouts

North Georgia 458 Francis Marion 330 Columbus State 329 Flagler 326 USC Aiken 291 Armstrong 281 UNC Pembroke 253 Lander 245 Georgia Southwestern Augusta State 191 Georgia College 165

Runs Allowed

213

North Georgia 108 Flagler 122 Augusta State 125 Columbus State 127 USC Aiken 132 Francis Marion 137 Lander 137 Armstrong 155 UNC Pembroke 179 Georgia Southwestern Georgia College 197

188

Baseball PBC Tournament: Rodriguez’s PinchHit Lifts Falcons to PBC Tournament Win

loser at 9 a.m. on Thursday.

Headley began the winning sequence with a one-out single through the right side. Rodriguez then took the (5/9/12) COLUMBUS, GA – Freshman pinch hitter third pitch from Pacer reliever Jake Padgett and drove Vinny Rodriguez lofted an RBI double to deep right it onto the warning track just in front of the fence center field to score Josh Headley with the winning run some 390 feet from home plate. in the bottom of the 10th inning as the University of Montevallo made its Peach Belt Conference TournaFalcons’ closer Wes Rich (4-3) earned the win with 1.2 ment debut a successful one with a 5-4 victory over scoreless innings. USCA reliever Tyler Stephan (1-1), 13th-ranked USC Aiken, Wednesday morning (May 9). who preceded Padgett, was tagged with the loss. The eight-team double-elimination tournament is being played at 5,000-seat Golden Park in downtown Columbus, Ga. Montevallo (25-26), the West Division’s second seed, advances to face the Armstrong Atlantic State University/North Georgia College & State University winner on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. USCA (34-17), the East Division’s third seed, meets the AASU/North Georgia

The Falcons took a 4-0 advantage with four runs in the bottom of the third, thanks in part to some wildness from USCA starter Ryan Milewski. A pair of hit batters and a single loaded the bases with no outs. Will Fulmer scored the game’s first run when Milewski uncorked a wild pitch that went to the backstop. Designated hitter Chris Ross then hooked a 1-0 offering into the right field corner for a two-run double.

Final Standings Conference GP Record Win % EAST DIVISION 1. Armstrong 30 20-10 0.667 2. Francis Marion 29 19-10 0.655 3. USC Aiken 30 18-12 0.600 4. Lander 30 18-12 0.600 5. UNC Pembroke 29 14-15 0.483 6. Flagler 30 13-17 0.433 WEST DIVISION 1. Georgia College 29 19-10 0.655 2. Montevallo 30 16-14 0.533 3. Columbus State 30 15-15 0.500 4. North Georgia 30 13-17 0.433 5. Ga. Southwestern 29 9-20 0.310 6. Augusta State 30 4-26 0.133

Overall GP Record Win % Last 10 57 58 55 58 49 49

41-16 40-18 37-18 38-20 30-19 27-22

0.719 0.690 0.673 0.655 0.612 0.551

5-5 6-4 7-3 6-4 4-6 4-6

50 53 53 52 47 50

29-21 25-28 30-23 24-28 13-34 13-37

0.580 0.472 0.566 0.462 0.277 0.260

4-6 3-7 3-7 4-6 4-6 2-8

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Ross moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and then came home with the fourth run of the frame on a sacrifice fly to center by Blaine Rosenberg. The Pacers crept to within 4-1 in the top of the fifth. Left fielder Nick Aranas was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and moved to third on a single by designated hitter Bill Gerstenslager. Aranas then scored as the Falcons turned a double play on a ground ball

to short by Ty Barkell. USCA cut the margin to 4-3 by scoring twice in the sixth without the benefit of a hit. A hit batter and two walks loaded the bases with two outs. With Gerstenslager at the plate, Pacer leadoff batter Bryce Baur scored on a wild pitch and a handful of pitches later Will Tankersley scampered home on Michael Shreves’ second wild offering of the at bat. Montevallo senior Kirk Waligora saved a run in the top of the eighth with a diving catch in deep center field off the bat of the speedy Stephen Carmon. The catch prevented a sure lead-off triple. However the next Pacer batter, catcher Josh Miller, knotted the score at 4-4 with a towering solo home run to left that chased Shreves from the contest.

Wednesday afternoon to lead the No. 11-ranked Armstrong Atlantic baseball team to a 4-0 victory over North Georgia College in the first round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament at Golden Park. Armstrong (37-13), the top seed in the East Division, will face Montevallo (W2), a 6-5, extra-inning winner over USC Aiken, at 12:30 p.m., Thursday. North Georgia (24-27), the fourth seed in the West Division, drops to the loser’s bracket and will play USC Aiken (E3) at 9 a.m., Thursday. Hall (9-2) struck out four, walked three and allowed five hits. North Georgia’s Phillip Taylor (0-3) suffered the loss after striking out one, walking four and allowing three earned runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning.

The Falcons threatened in the last of the eighth, but Austin Dubberly was tagged out at home on a safety squeeze attempt. Dubberly singled to center with one The two teams endured a 2:27 rain delay at the top of out and moved to third on a single by Rosenberg that the third inning. was errored on in left field. Armstrong took a 3-0 lead in the third inning. Taylor USCA took its initial lead with a manufactured run walked the bases loaded -- Drew Walker, Alex Frederin the top of the ninth. Gerstenslager singled to left ick and John Roberts – then the Pirates got back-tocenter and was replaced by pinch runner Dylan Durback RBI singles from Chris Zittrouer and Cody Powell ham, who moved to second on a sacrifice and a bases-loaded walk by Will Thomas. bunt, to third on a fly ball to center, and then The Pirates stretched their lead to 4-0 in the sixth, came home on an RBI single through the right side by third baseman J.J. Loker. when, again, with bases loaded – Casey Maloney walked, Walker reached on a fielding However, Montevallo answered with error and Frederick singled – Dennard’s a manufactured tally of its own in the RBI groundout plated Maloney. bottom of the ninth. Vincente Andrews For Armstrong, Zittrouer batted 2-forwalked with one out and was removed for pinch runner Zack Willoughby, who advanced to 4. Box Score third on a single by Heath Peterson and scored on a sacrifice fly to left by Ross. Willoughby beat the relay throw home with a head-first slide to the outside part of home plate. Dubberly (2-for-4) and Gerstenslager (2-for-3) were the lone batters to record multi-hits. Box Score

PBC Tournament: Hall’s Complete Game Leads Armstrong Past North Georgia 4-0 (5/9/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. – Armstrong’s Chandler Hall tossed a complete game shutout

Armstrong’s Ethan Bader

Baseball

PBC Tournament: Lander Baseball Upsets Georgia College, 5-0

the opening round of the 2012 Peach Belt Conference Baseball Tournament.

(5/9/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. – Lander’s Chris Thomas, the recently crowned Peach Belt Conference Pitcher of the Year, tossed a four-hit, complete-game shutout Wednesday night in leading the Bearcats to a 5-0 upset victory over Georgia College in the first round of the PBC Tournament at Golden Park.

Because of rain on Wednesday afternoon at the downtown Golden Park, the contest was played on CSU’s on-campus facility Ragsdale Field. The remainder of the eight-team double-elimination tournament will however be played at Golden Park.

Lander, the No. 30-ranked team and the fourth seed in the East, improves to 35-16 and will face the winner of Francis Marion (E2)/Columbus State (W3) winner at 7:30 p.m., Thursday. Lander’s 35 victories is a singleseason school record.

FMU drops to 34-15 and falls into the losers’ bracket where they will meet 28th-ranked Georgia College on Thursday at 4 p.m. Georgia College was shutout by 30th-ranked Lander University 5-0 also on Wednesday evening.

Georgia College, the No. 28-ranked team and the top seed in the West, drops to 29-20 and will face the Francis Marion/Columbus State loser at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

In Wednesday’s other first-round action, the University of Montevallo edged 13th-ranked USC Aiken 6-5 in 10 innings and 11th-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University blanked North Georgia College & State University 4-0.

Thomas (8-2) struck out 11 and didn’t allow any walks Leibrandt (7-5), the son of former major league pitchin 30 batters faced. er Charlie Leibrandt, threw 141 pitches, striking out GC’s Matt Kaplan (2-3) suffered the loss, striking out eight and walking only one. six, walking four and allowing four earned runs on six hits in six innings pitched.

Trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the ninth, the Patriots strung together three straight singles by catcher Jacob Golliday, second baseman Brock McCallister, and right fielder Jarrod Reed to load the bases with one out. However, Leibrandt recovered to fan pinch-hitters Austin Smetana and John Jones to end the game.

Lander took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Jordan Owens’ RBI single drove in AJ Nunziato, who had reached on a walk. The Bearcats extended the lead to 3-0 in the sixth after Kevin Starr’s RBI single to second, coupled with a GC fielding error, plated Owens, and Jeff May later sent Kevin Starr home with an RBI single.

Reed finished the game 3-for-4, while both Golliday and McCallister were 2-for-3.

Lander scored its final two runs in the seventh when Ian Harvey, who reached on a double, later scored on a wild pitch, and Owens’ sacrifice fly plated Harvey.

Junior All-Conference pitcher Spencer Jordan (9-4) suffered the loss as he allowed three runs, all earned, on six hits in six innings. He struck out five and walked four.

For Lander, Owens batted 2-for-3 with one run scored and two RBI, while May went 2-for-4 with one RBI. Box Score

PBC Tournament: Leibrandt-Led Cougars Edge Francis Marion 4-1

(5/9/12) COLUMBUS, GA – Junior left-handed pitcher Brodie Leibrandt scattered 10 hits and stranded the tying runs on base in the bottom of the ninth inning as Columbus State University outlasted sixth-ranked Francis University 4-1, Wednesday evening (May 9) in

Jordan struggled through the top of the first as he opened the game with back-toback walks, the first of

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Columbus State’s Brodie Leibrandt

which eventually came around to score on Eric Weiss’ RBI single through the left side. Francis Marion evened the score in the last of the second frame with a single tally. Senior center fielder Buddy Sosnoskie singled through right side to lead off. Golliday attempted to bunt Sosnoskie to second but ended up reaching on a single when he eluded the pitcher’s tag along the first base line. Both runners then moved up on a sacrifice bunt by McCallister. Reed then plated Sosnoskie with an RBI single up the middle that was fielded by the shortstop behind the second base bag. Leibrandt then retired the next two batters to avoid further trouble and strand two Patriots on base.

USC Aiken’s Kelly Holt

The Pacers opened the scoring in the very first inning as senior Stephen Carmon reached base on a one-out single and moved to second on an error by pitcher CSU (30-21) went back ahead in the top of the fourth Taylor Keinat. The very next batter, junior Josh Miller, by a 2-1 count when left field J.D. Pullen drilled an RBI hit a bloop single to left field to score Carmon and give singled through the right side. The Cougar advantage the Pacers an early 1-0 lead. would increase to 4-1 on consecutive run-scoring singles by Brett Teschner and Weiss with no outs in USCA scored its second run of the game in the second the seventh. inning as junior Adam Anderson reached on a two-out single to left field. He then advanced to second on FMU failed to get a runner on base in only one inning a wild pitch and was brought home by a single from (sixth), and the Patriots stranded six runners in scorjunior Bryce Baur who beat out a slow roller to second ing position. base. Teschner, Weiss, and Pullen all had two hits for the Cougars. FMU left fielder Tyler Boyd robbed Teschner of a third hit when he made a leaping catch at the left field wall in the third inning. Box Score

The runs continued to pour in for the Pacers in the fourth as Anderson and Baur hit back-to-back homeruns to put the Pacers up 5-0. The homeruns were the first for both Anderson and Baur on the season. Anderson hit a two-run homerun which scored senior Tyler Bourdo who had reached on a hit by pitch while Baur launched a solo shot. Both homeruns PBC Tournament: USC Aiken Bashes were to left field. After a groundout, Miller hit a double North Georgia 11-2, Advances (5/10/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. – 13th-ranked USC Aiken down the left field line which chased Keinat from the game. He pitched 3.2 innings with a pair of strikeouts, used 16 hits including three homeruns to end North Georgia College and State University’s Peach Belt Con- nine hits and five earned runs given up. ference Tournament trip with an 11-2 victory in game USCA added another run in the fifth as junior Bill Gernumber five of the 2012 PBC Tournament. stenslager hit a one-out double to left centerfield. He was brought home by the very next batter, freshman The eight-team double-elimination tournament is beTy Barkell, who hit a single to left centerfield to give ing played at 5,000-seat Golden Park in downtown USCA a 6-0 lead. Columbus, Ga. USCA (35-17), the East Division’s third seed, advances to face the loser of the Armstrong Atlantic State University/University of Montevallo on Friday at 9:00 a.m. North Georgia (24-28), the West Division’s fourth seed, is eliminated from tournament play.

The Saints threatened in the bottom of the fifth as they loaded the bases with two outs but a strikeout ended the threat and kept the shutout alive for the Pacers.

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North Georgia finally broke through in the sixth as senior Matthew Black reached on a two-out walk on four straight pitches. Senior Terrell Jones then hit a single through the left side to move Black to second. The RBI came off the bat of freshman Andrew Gordon who hit a single to right field which cut USCA’s lead to 6-1. The Saints tacked on another run in the seventh as senior Jordan Erisman reached on a two-out single after the first baseman dropped a foul ball earlier in his at bat to extend the inning. Junior Derek Hooper followed with a single to left field to move Erisman to second. Junior Kenny Bellavance provided the RBI single through the right side to cut the lead to four.

Thursday afternoon (May 10) on the second day of the 2012 Peach Belt Conference Baseball Tournament. Armstrong (38-13) advances to a winners’ bracket game on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Montevallo (25-27) falls into the losers’ bracket where the Falcons will face USC Aiken on Friday at 9 a.m. USCA eliminated North Georgia College & State University 11-2 earlier on Thursday. Malone earned his fourth save of 2012, while Armstrong starter Scott Strickland improves to 9-3. Strickland fanned eight and walked six in 6.2 innings. Montevallo starter Alex Guilford (3-6) was tagged with the hard-luck loss as he allowed five runs, but only one was earned.

The Pacers put the game out of reach in the ninth as freshman Will Tankersley hit a three-run homerun to left field to chase relief pitcher Jacob Beauchamp from the game. Beauchamp pitched 4.1 innings of relief with a pair of strikeouts and a walk. He allowed five hits and four runs. The Pacers then loaded the bases on an error by the third baseman, a single to left field and a walk. Bourdo then drove in the fourth run of the inning with a fielder’s choice to second base. The bases then got loaded again as Anderson hit a ball off the second base umpire. Baur followed with a sacrifice fly to left field to put the Pacers up, 11-2.

Catcher John Roberts and second baseman Will Thomas paced the Pirates with a pair of hits each, while second baseman Will Fulmer and third baseman Andrew Hill both had two hits for the Falcons. Armstrong manufactured its first run in the top of the fourth for a 1-0 lead. Roberts reached on a throwing error and advanced to second on the play. He moved to third on a groundout and came home on a successful safety squeeze bunt by Jones.

Junior Kelly Holt (6-4) took home the win for the Pacers as he pitched 8.0 innings with 10 strikeouts and five walks. He allowed eight hits and two runs including one earned. Keinat (4-5) was tagged with the loss.

In the fifth, the Pirates pushed the lead to 4-0 on back-to-back nearly identical RBI infield singles by Jones and Thomas. Lead-off man Casey Maloney plated the third run of the frame with a single to right center field.

Baur and Tankersley led the Pacers with three RBI each. Baur was 2-for-4 on the day while Tankersley Montevallo dented the scoreboard, almost literally, as was 2-for-5. Miller went 3-for-6 with an RBI and Ander- first baseman Heath Peterson blasted a 395-foot solo son was 3-for-5 with a pair of RBI. home run to lead off the bottom of the sixth to trim the margin to 4-1. It was his 14th round-tripper of the North Georgia was led by Hooper who went 3-for-5 year. Later in the frame, left fielder Zack Willoughby at the plate while five others had one hit each. Beldrilled an RBI-triple off the right field fence to make it lavance and Gordon provided the lone RBI for the a two-run contest at 4-2. Saints. Both teams scratched singles tallies in the seventh – Box Score Armstrong on a 390-foot solo blast to left-center field PBC Tournament: Malone Closes Door by Chris Zittrouer and Montevallo on an RBI-single to right from designated hitter Chris Ross. The Pirates on 5-3 Pirate Win (5/10/12) COLUMBUS, GA – Freshman reliever Chess escaped further trouble in the bottom of the seventh when Malone entered the game and induced Blaine Malone pitched 2.1 scoreless innings and allowed 11th-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University to es- Rosenberg to line-out to second with two outs and the cape with a 5-3 win over the University of Montevallo, bases loaded. 163

Malone issued a lead-off walk in the eighth, but then coaxed a double play grounder back to the mound to wipe out the baserunner. He tossed a perfect 1-2-3 ninth inning to close out the Pirate win. Box Score

in the sixth when Boyd, who reached on a hit by pitch, stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error, scored on Paulhus’ RBI single. The Patriots added two more runs in the seventh on RBI singles by Stephen Tarkenton and Dickerson that scored Sosnoskie and Tarkenton respectively.

PBC Tournament: Patriots Pound Bobcats 12-2

(5/10/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. – The No. 6-ranked Francis Marion baseball team pounded out 17 hits Thursday afternoon and defeated No. 28 Georgia College, 12-2, in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament loser’s bracket at Golden Park. FMU, the second seed in the East, improves to 35-15 overall and will play the Lander/Columbus State loser at 12:30 p.m. Friday. Georgia College, the top seed in the West, ends the season at 29-21. Matt Broderick (8-2) earned the win on the mound for the Patriots after striking out four, walking one and allowing two earned runs on eight hits in six innings pitched. Don Sandifer was credited with a save with two strikeouts in three innings.

FMU continued the scoring barrage with three more runs in the eighth on Jacob Golliday’s two-RBI single and Tarkenton’s RBI double to go up 10-2. Dickerson and Wilson scored the Patriots’ final runs in the ninth on McCallister’s RBI single and a basesloaded walk. For FMU, Wilson batted 4-for-6, Dickerson 3-for-5 with two RBI, Boyd 2-for-3, Paulhus 2-for-4 with one RBI, and Tarkenton 2-for-6 with two RBI The Bobcats’ Donaldson batted 2-for-4 with one RBI. Box Score

PBC Tournament: Lander Edges Columbus State 6-5

(5/10/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. – Colby Painter’s solo home run over the right field wall in the eighth inning Georgia College’s Mike Guinane (3-7) was tagged with Thursday night led the No. 30 Lander baseball team the loss, striking out four, walking one and allowing six to a 6-5 victory in the second round of the Peach Belt earned runs on 10 hits in 6.2 innings of work. Conference Baseball Tournament at Golden Park. GC got off to a good start when the Bobcats jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on back-to-back RBI singles by Cody Maas and Jeremy Donaldson. The Patriots stormed back in the top of the third to take a 3-2 advantage on Jarrod Reed’s two-RBI double down the left field line that drove in Michael Wilson and Brian Paulhus, and Buddy Francis Sosnoskie’s sacrifice Marion’s fly that sent Brock Buddy McCallister across the Sosnoskie plate. FMU stretched its lead to 4-2 in the fourth on Rhodes Dickerson’s single up the middle that plated Tyler Boyd, then made it 5-2

Lander (36-16), the fourth seed in the East Division, will meet the USC Aiken/Montevallo winner at 4 p.m., Friday. The Bearcats’ 36 wins is a single-season, school record, while the victory also marks the furthest a Lander team has ever advanced in the PBC Tournament. Columbus State (30-22), the third seed in the West, drops to the loser’s bracket and will face Francis Marion, a 12-2 winner over Georgia College, at 12:30 Friday. Lander’s Ross Davis (3-3) earned the win in relief as he struck out seven, walked one and allowed just two hits in 5.2 innings pitched. CSU’s Drew Dades (4-3) took the loss after striking out two, walking two and allowing one earned run on one hit in 1.1 innings.

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The Bearcats jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Ian Harvey led off with a single and later scored on a Columbus State error, and Jordan Owen’s RBI single plated AJ Nunziato. After cutting the margin to 2-1 in the bottom of the inning when Cyle Rasmus scored from third on a double play, CSU knotted the game at 2-all in the third inning when Navarro Hall walked, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored when Brett Teschner’s pop fly landed in the middle of three Lander players. The Bearcats got back on top at 3-2 in the fourth when Jeff May, who walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch, later scored on a Columbus fielding error.

USC Aiken’s Nick Aranas Beasley (9-4) earned the win after walking four and allowing three earned runs on two hits in seven innings pitched. Thomas McCleod was credited with his second save of the season after striking out one, walking one and allowing one earned run on two hits in three innings pitched.

The Cougars took their first lead of the game at 5-3 in the fourth. Seth Corbitt doubled, moved to third on Rasmus’s bunt single and scored on a fielder’s choice, then Cameron’s Scott’s RBI single plated Hall and J.D. Pullen.

Montevallo’s Devon Davis (2-4) suffered the loss, striking out two, walking one and allowing three runs (none earned) on four hits in 4.2 innings pitched.

Patrick Grady’s fifth inning homerun over the left field wall – his sixth of the season – cut the Cougar lead to 5-4 in the fifth, then the Bearcats tied the game at 5-all in the seventh on Kevin Childs’ bases-loaded walk.

With bases loaded and one out in the first inning, Montevallo took a 2-0 lead on back-to-back, basesloaded walks that plated Will Fulmer and Vincente Andrews. In all, Beasley registered four walks and hit two batters before striking out the final two to get out of the inning.

For Lander, Grady batted 2-for-3 and Nunziato went 2-for-5. For the Cougars, Corbitt went 2-for-3, and Teschner and Scott both batted 2-for-5. Box Score

PBC Tournament: Pacers Hold Off Montevallo 7-5

USC Aiken finally got on the board in the fifth inning and took a 3-2 lead on an RBI double by Stephen Carmon and a pair of RBI singles from Bryce Baur and Josh Miller.

(5/11/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. – USC Aiken’s Derek Beasley overcame a shaky start to strike out 10 and lead the Pacers’ baseball team to a 7-5 victory over the University of Montevallo in the Peach Belt Conference Baseball Tournament’s loser’s bracket Friday morning at Golden Park. USCA, which is ranked No. 13 and is the third seed in the East Division, improves to 36-17, and will face Lander at 4 p.m., Friday. Montevallo, the No. 2 seed in the West, finishes the season at 25-28.

The Pacers stretched their advantage to 4-2 in the sixth when Ty Barkell’s single scored Nick Aranas. Will Fulmer’s solo homer in the seventh cut the Pacer lead to 4-3. But USCA came right back in the bottom of the inning and increased its lead to 6-3 after Aranas’ two-RBI double sent Will Tankersley and Carmon home. Montevallo rallied in the eighth and made it 6-4 when Austin Dubberly singled, advanced to second on Josh Headley’s single and later scored on a fielder’s choice coupled with a throwing error.

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season and in the process drove in a pair of runs. Lead-off batter Michael Wilson continued his hot hitting in the tournament with a 2-for-3 effort that included one run scored and one driven in.

The Pacers responded with one run in the bottom of the inning to go up 7-4 when Baur, who reached on a bunt single, later scored when Montevallo second baseman Fulmer dropped an infield pop fly with two outs.

Right fielder Eric Weiss was the lone Cougar with multiple hits as he was 2-for-4. Each of the top four batters in the CSU line-up recorded one hit.

The Falcons scored their final run in the ninth on Andrews’ solo homer over the right field wall.

Both squads squandered scoring opportunities in the first with FMU leaving two on and CSU stranding a runner at third.

For USCA, Carmon batted 3-for-5, Aranas 2-for-3 and Baur 2-for-5.

FMU junior first baseman Rhodes Dickerson’s fifth hit in three tournament games ignited a two-out Patriot rally in the second. Catcher Brian Paulhus followed with a walk and Wilson then laced an RBI-single to right center to plate Dickerson for a 1-0 lead.

Dubberly went 2-for-3 for Montevallo. Box Score

PBC Tournament: Ashcraft and Stoner Manage 4-1 FMU Win

(5/11/12) COLUMBUS, GA. – Junior right-hander Gary Ashcraft and sophomore righty Jeffrey Stoner combined on a six-hitter and senior center fielder Buddy Sosnoskie went 4-for-5 to lead sixth-ranked Francis Marion University to a 4-1 win over Columbus State University, Friday afternoon (May 11) in an elimination game of the 2012 Peach Belt Conference Baseball Tournament.

Two great defensive plays by FMU in the bottom of the second preserved the lead. Ashcraft fielded a hard come-backer to throw out a runner heading from second to third. Right fielder Jarrod Reed made a running catch in deep right-center and then threw back to first to double off a Cougar base runner and end the inning.

The Patriots fight off elimination for a second straight contest, up their record to 36-15, and advance to face 11th-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. If FMU wins that game, the two teams will play again on Saturday at 3 p.m.

CSU knotted the game at 1-1 in the last of the fourth. Center fielder Navarro Hall led off with a single, stole second, moved to third on a groundout, and crossed home plate on an RBI-single up the middle by Cougar catcher Brett Teschner.

Columbus State ends its season at 30-23.

FMU quickly regained the advantage in the next half inning when Sosnoskie laced a two-out RBI double near the left-field line that scored Reed all the way from first base.

CSU got its lead-off batter on base in five of the first six innings, but Ashcraft and Stoner managed to hold the Cougars to a lone tally. Ashcraft (6-0) remains unbeaten by allowing five singles in five innings, while fanning three and walking no one.

The Patriots added single runs in the eighth – on a sacrifice fly by Dickerson – and the ninth – on a scorching two-out RBIdouble to left center by Sosnoskie – innings to take a 4-1 advantage. Stoner then retired the Cougars in order in the last of the ninth.

Stoner tossed four scoreless frames to earn his eighth save of 2012. He allowed just one single and one walk, while striking out three. CSU starter Levi Futo (3-4) allowed only six hits and three runs in 7.2 innings. He struck out four and issued four bases-on-balls.

Sosnoskie’s two doubles give him a confer-

Sosnoskie registered his fourth four-hit game of the

Francis Marion’s Spencer JOrdan 166

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ence-leading 21 for the season, one shy of the Patriot single-season record set by Jeff Parsons in 1988. CSU had beaten the Patriots by an identical 4-1 score on Wednesday evening in the first round of the tournament. The Cougars listed eight seniors on their 2012 roster. Box Score

PBC Tournament: USC Aiken Survives, Beat Lander 9-3

(5/11/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. – The No. 13-ranked USC Aiken baseball team dealt No. 30 Lander its first loss of the Peach Belt Conference double-elimination tournament Friday afternoon when the Pacers pounded out 18 hits en route to a 9-3 victory at Golden Park. The two teams will meet again at 7 p.m. Saturday in the elimination round to see who will face either Armstrong Atlantic or Francis Marion for the conference championship on Sunday. The conference champion earns an automatic berth in next week’s NCAA Division II Southeast Regional. USCA, the third seed in the East, improves to 37-17, while Lander, the fourth seed in the East, slips to 3617.

USCA continued its assault with two more eighthinning runs. Aranas tripled and went home on a wild pitch, and Baur singled in Anderson. The Bearcats prevented the shutout with three runs in the ninth inning. Ian Harvey’s double plated pinch runner Tyler Wilson, AJ Nunziato’s fielder’s choice scored Colby Painter, and Harvey went home on Patrick Grady’s RBI single. For USCA, Gerstenslager batted 3-for-4, Tankersley 3-for-5, Ty Barkell 2-for-3, Aranas 2-for-4, and Baur and Miller 2-for-5. For Lander, Painter went 3-for-4, Grady 3-for-5, and Jeff May 2-for-4. Box Score

PBC Tournament: #6 Patriots Survive Elimination Game Over #11 Pirates

(5/11/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. – Sixth-ranked Francis Marion University Patriots survived a late rally by the 11th-ranked Pirates of Armstrong Atlantic State University to survive in the 2012 Peach Belt Conference Tournament, 9-7.

The eight-team double-elimination tournament is being played at 5,000-seat Golden Park in downtown USCA’s Wyatt Brown (7-2) earned the win after striking Columbus, Ga. out five, walking one and allowing seven hits in eight scoreless innings. FMU (37-17), the East Division’s two seed, came into the game with one loss while Armstrong (38-14), the Lander’s Kyle Tate (3-2) suffered the loss after striking East Division’s one seed, came in undefeated. With out one and allowing six earned runs on 10 hits in 4.1 the win the Patriots and Pirates will play a win-orinnings pitched. go-home game tomorrow, May 12 at 3 p.m. with the winner advancing to the PBC Championship game on The Pacers took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on Sunday. Will Tankersley’s solo home run over the left centerfield wall. Senior Jarrott Hooks took home the win to improve to 7-0 on the season as he pitched 6.0 innings with USCA’s big inning was the third when the Pacers talseven strikeouts and three walks. Sophomore Jeflied four runs and stretched their lead to 5-0. Josh frey Stoner came in and pitched the final 1.1 innings Miller’s fielder’s choice drove in JJ Loker, while Nick picking up his second save of the day and ninth of the Aranas and Bill Gerstenslager added RBI singles that season. scored Miller and Tankersley. Aranas later stole home. Junior Ross Beach of Armstrong took home the loss The Pacers scored one run each in the fifth and sixth pitching 1.2 innings with a pair of walks and five runs innings on an RBI double by Tyler Bourdo and Miller’s given up. RBI single that drove in Gerstenslager and Baur to extend the lead to 7-0. The Patriots opened the scoring in the very first inning as sophomore Tyler Wilson led off with a triple to right 167

centerfield. Senior Brock McCallister followed with a single through the right side to give FMU a 1-0 lead. A walk and a single loaded the bases for the Patriots with no outs but back-to-back-to-back weak groundballs allowed the Pirates to survive the inning with just one run allowed. The Pirates responded in the top of the second as junior Chris Zittrouer led off with a single that just got past the second baseman. Sophomore Clayton Miller followed with a double down the left field line to score Zittrouer and was then gunned down at third trying to stretch the double into a triple.

relief with two strikeouts and two walks. He allowed three runs off of three hits. Sosnoskie’s record-breaking double in the eighth led to FMU’s ninth run of the game as he hit a lead-off double to right center and then moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. A groundout by junior Stephen Tarkenton sent Sosnoskie home for the 9-7 lead. FMU was led by Sosnoskie who went 4-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Wilson, McCallister and Paulhus all added two hits each.

Armstrong was led by Walker who drove in three runs FMU retook the lead in the bottom of the inning as while going 1-for-5 at the plate. Three Pirates had two McCallister hit a two-out triple down the right field line hits each including Miller, Cody Powell and Tanner to score Wilson who had reached on a fielder’s choice. Jones. Senior Buddy Sosnoskie added to the lead as he hit a Box Score double down the left field line to score McCallister and put the Patriots up 3-1. The double gave Sosnoskie 22 for the season which tied the FMU school record for doubles in a season which was set back in 1988 by Jeff Parsons. He would later break the record in the bottom of the eighth with a double to right center. Junior Jacob Golliday followed with a single to right center to score both Sosnoskie and junior Jarrod Reed who had reached on a walk earlier in the inning to extend the Patriots lead to four. Golliday would be the final batter that Armstrong starter Beach would face as he left the game after 1.2 innings of work. The Patriots tacked on three more runs in the third as Wilson hit an RBI double to centerfield to score senior Tyler Boyd. Just one batter later junior Jarrod Reed hit a two-RBI single to right field to score Wilson and senior Brian Paulhus to give FMU an 8-1 lead. The Pirates began to work their way back into the game in the fourth as a pair of errors cost the Patriots three runs. Senior Alex Frederick drew a bases loaded hit by pitch and was followed by a two-RBI single from senior Drew Walker to cut the Patriots lead to just 8-4.

Armstrong’s Cody Powell

PBC Tournament: Bader, Powell Power Pirates Into PBC Baseball Championship Game

(5/12/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. - Sophomore Ethan Bader hurled a four-hitter and sophomore Cody Powell delivered a key three-run home run to lead the No. 11-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University baseball squad into the 2012 Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship Game with a 5-1 win over No. 6 Francis Marion on Saturday afternoon at Golden Park.

Both teams went scoreless over the fifth, sixth and seventh innings until the Pirates broke through in the eighth with a walk and back-to-back-to-back singles to score their fifth run of the game. A sacrifice fly by Frederick scored Armstrong’s second run of the inning to cut the lead to just two. A groundout RBI by Walker The top seed in the East Division, Armstrong (39-14) chased reliever Don Sandifer from the game as the will face either Lander or USC Aiken in Sunday’s 1 lead was cut to 8-7. Sandifer pitched 1.2 innings of o’clock championship game. The champion receives 168

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the PBC’s automatic berth into next week’s NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Tournament. The Pirates, making their third appearance in the championship game, captured the tournament crown in 2007. Francis Marion (37-16), the second seed in the East Division, will await a possible at-large bid into the regional tournament.

PBC Tournament: Lander Beats Aiken; Advances to Championship Game

(5/12/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. - The No. 30-ranked Lander baseball team exploded for four runs in the eighth inning Saturday night and went on to defeat No. 13 USC Aiken, 7-4, at Golden Park and earn a spot in Sunday’s Peach Belt Conference Tournament championship game against Armstrong.

Ethan Bader (11-4) threw just 98 pitches - 71 for strikes - in the four-hit complete game, striking out 10, Lander (37-17), which is the fourth seed in the West walking one and allowing just one earned run. Division, will be making its first-ever appearance in the championship game after setting a new school record FMU’s Jeremy Knab (0-1) suffered the loss after strik- for wins in a season. Lander and No. 11 Armstrong ing out two, walking five and allowing two runs (one are scheduled to start at 1 p.m. to see who will earn earned) on two hits in five innings. The Patriots’ Knab, the PBC’s automatic berth into the NCAA Division II Justin Turbeville, Will Chandler and Tyler Smith comSoutheast Regional Tournament. bined for the three-hitter. Tyler Boyd gave Francis Marion the early 1-0 lead in the third inning with a solo home run over the left field wall. The Pirates took a 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the inning when, with bases loaded,Drew Walker’s sacrifice fly plated Tanner Jones and Will Thomas scored on a fielding error.

USC Aiken (37-18), which is the third seed in the East Division, must wait to see if they earn a berth into the regional tournament. Lander’s Ross Davis (4-3) earned the win in relief after striking out three, walking one, and allowing one earned run on four hits in 3.2 innings of work. Tied at 3-all, Jeff May and Colby Painter had back to back singles to lead off the eighth and both scored on Ian Harvey’s fielder’s choice coupled with a throwing error. AJ Nunziato followed with a two-run homer over the right field wall to put the Bearcats up 7-3.

Armstrong’s Cody Powell prevented the Patriots from tying the game in the top of the sixth inning when he caught Brock McCallister’s fly ball in right field and gunned down Brian Paulhus at the plate on the sacrifice fly attempt for the third out. Powell then put the game out of reach in the bottom of the eighth inning when he stroked a three-run homer over the left field wall for his sixth home run of the season and the Pirates’ final runs. FMU’s Paulhus was the only player with multiple hits with two. Powell finished the game with the home run and three RBIs for the Pirates while Clayton Miller added a double. Box Score Lander’s A.j. Nunziato

The Pacers’ Ryan Milewski (7-1) was tagged with the loss, striking out two and allowing three runs on four hits in two innings pitched. Lander took a 1-0 first-inning lead when Harvey, who reached on a single, later scored on a throwing error. But USCA tied it at 1-1 in the bottom of the inning on Josh Miller’s solo home run over the left field wall. The Pacers took a 2-1 lead in the second after Bill Gerstenslager scored on Tyler Bourdo’s RBI single. Lander came right back in the fourth and made it 2-2 on Harvey’s sacrifice fly. 169

Starting pitcher Brandon Miller pulled the Bearcats out of a fourth-inning jam when, with runners on first and second, he set down three straight Pacers with a pair of strikeouts and a foul fly. Lander regained the lead at 3-2 in the sixth inning when May reached on an error, advance to third on an error and went home on Nunziato’s groundout. But USC Aiken answered in the seventh and tied the game at 3-all on Miller’s RBI single that scored JJ Loker.

2012 PBC Baseball Champions Armstrong Pirates

The Pacers scored the final run of the game in the ninth on Miller’s RBI single that drove in Bryce Baur.

four in five innings.

For Lander, Painter batted 2-for-4, and Nunziato and May both went 2-for-5.

Scott Elitzsky (4-2), the starter for the Bearcats, was magnificent outside of the home run to Roberts. He did not allow another hit the rest of the way in his 8 1/3 innings of work and Armstong did not get a baserunner against him until a leadoff walk in the seventh.

For USCA, Miller went 3-for-5 and Gerstenslager 2-for5. Box Score

The game turned in the top of the ninth inning when PEACH BELT TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS! leadoff hitter Casey Maloney’s ground ball to short resulted in a high throw to first, pulling Owens off the No. 11 Pirates Down Lander, 3-1 (5/13/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. - No. 11-ranked Armstrong bag and allowing Maloney to reach. A sacrifice hit by Atlantic State University scored twice in the top of the Frederick followed by Drew Walker being hit by a pitch put runners at first and second with one out. Cory ninth inning to snap a 1-1 tie and capture the 2012 Hopper came on in relief for the Bearcats and Roberts Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship stroked an RBI single to right field, scoring Maloney with a 3-1 win over No. 30-ranked Lander on Sunday with the go-ahead run. afternoon at Golden Park in Columbus, Ga. Clayton Miller followed one out later with a line shot up the middle, plating Walker with an insurance run.

The Pirates (40-14) earn the Peach Belt’s automatic berth into the NCAA Championships, which begin on May 17 at a site to be announced tonight with a 10:00 p.m. selection show. The berth is the Pirates’ 13th in the last 23 seasons and the tournament title is the second as Armstrong also won in 2007. Lander (3718) must now await word of a possible at-large berth after advancing to its first PBC Tournament final.

Freshman and PBC Tournament MVP Chess Malone then closed

Each team plated a run in the second inning as the Pirates’ John Roberts hit a solo home run in the top half of the inning, while Lander’s Erik Lunde doubled in a run in the bottom half. Lander had five hits through the first two innings against Armstrong starter Travis Morris, but Morris settled down to hold the Bearcats at bay through three more innings of work, exiting in the sixth after giving up just one run, walking three and striking out

Armstrong’s Chess Malone 170

out the ninth, giving up just one hit to earn the win in his third appearance in the tournament. Malone (3-1) hurled four innings of three-hit shut-

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out ball, walking one while striking out five and for the tournament pitched 7 1.3 innings of four-hit, one-run ball, earning a win and a save. Malone was joined on the All-Tournament team by John Roberts and Ethan Bader, who hurled a four-hit complete game 5-1 win over Francis Marion on Saturday to put the Pirates into the championship game. Box Score

PBC All-Tournament Team

Buddy Sosnoskie, Francis Marion Michael Wilson, Francis Marion Josh Miller, USC Aiken Wyatt Brown, USC Aiken Patrick Grady, Lander Chris Thomas, Lander Ethan Bader, Armstrong John Roberts, Armstrong

Most Valuable PLayer

Chess Malone, Armstrong

NCAA Tournament: Jordan helps Patriots avoid Pirate Attack

(5/17/12) MOUNT OLIVE, NC – Junior right-hander Spencer Jordan pitched seven strong innings and senior second baseman Brock McCallister collected three hits and a pair of two-out RBIs to lead fourthseeded and sixth-ranked Francis Marion University to an 11-2 win over third-seeded and seventh-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University, Thursday morning (May 17) in a first-round game at the 2012 NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Baseball Tournament.

Sophomore shortstop Michael Wilson, junior third baseman Stephen Tarkenton, junior catcher Jacob Golliday, and senior designated hitter Brian Paulhus all had two hits. That 16-hit attack backed the pitching of Jordan (10-4) who allowed only one earned run on four hits in seven innings. He struck out four and walked three. Junior righty Don Sandifer finished the contest with two hitless and scoreless frames.

Armstrong southpaw Chandler Hall (9-3), who beat the Patriots during the regular season in Savannah, took the loss on Thursday. He surrendered six runs (four earned) on eight hits in six innings. FMU took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Tarkenton singled up the middle with one out. Golliday followed with a double to left field that advanced Tarkenton to third, and both runners continued around to score when the relay throw was wild and rolled all the way to the right field line. The advantage increased to 3-0 in the fifth when Paulhus was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a bunt single by Luke Tollison, and crossed home plate on McCallister’s first two-out base hit. Jordan did not allow his first hit until R.J. Dennard led off the bottom of the fifth with a single to left center.

The six-team, doubleelimination tournament is being hosted by Mount Olive College on its Scarborough Field.

Francis Marion (38-16) advances to face the Tusculum/Catawba winner on Friday at 7 p.m. FMU snaps string of tournamentopening losses as the Francis Marion’s Brock Mcallister Three consecutive runPatriots had dropped their scoring singles by Golliday, first game in each of their Tyler Boyd, and Paulhus expanded the Francis Marion past five post-season tournaments dating back to the lead to 6-0 in the top of the sixth. Armstrong loaded 2009 NCAA regional at USC Aiken. the bases with no outs in the bottom of the frame, but Jordan escaped by allowing only one run – that on an Armstrong (40-15) will meet the Mount Olive/Lander RBI groundout by catcher John Roberts. winner on Friday at 3 p.m. McCallister finished the game 3-for-6 with a run scored and the two driven in. He led a Patriot lineup that all saw every starter get at least one hit and seven different player record RBIs.

Francis Marion plated four runs in the top of the eighth, started by junior Rhodes Dickerson’s first extra-base hit as a Patriot, a double to left center that drove home Paulhus. Altogether, FMU was 8-for-14 with runners in scoring position. 171

The first two Pirate batters in the bottom of the eighth reached and that forced Jordan from the game in favor of Sandifer. Third baseman Drew Walker drove home Armstrong’s second tally with a groundout to first, but that was all the damage the Pirates could inflict.

Box Score

NCAA Tournament: Lander Upsets TopSeeded Mt. Olive 7-5

(5/18/12) MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – Freshman Colby Painter blasted a three-run home run over the right field fence Friday afternoon to lead the No. 20 Lander “We played well today,” said FMU head coach Art Inbaseball team to a 7-5 upset victory over top-seeded abinet in the post-game press conference. “We talked and No. 4-ranked Mount Olive College in the first about being more aggressive offensively and the need round of the NCAA Division II Tournament at Scarborto score more runs if we wanted to be around on Sun- ough Field. day (last day of the tournament). “We have a low-key team. They don’t get too high or too low. We played near-perfect baseball today, but it’s just one game and the most important game is now tomorrow. We will need to continue to excel in all three phases: pitching hitting, and fielding.” Jordan commented on his outing by saying, “I was able to locate my fastball today, and then I could make use of my change-up. It also helped that the team got me a lead. It is a lot easier to pitch with the lead. After we went up 3-0, they got a few hits but I was able to bear down and contain the damage.”

Sixth-seeded Lander (38-18) will play Armstrong Atlantic later this evening. Top-seeded Mount Olive (44-9) will play Catawba in the next game. The championship game is set for Sunday with the winner advancing to the Division II World Series, May 26-June 2, at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C. The win is the Bearcats’ first-ever in the regional tournament and sets a new school record for victories in a season. Trailing 5-3 with two outs in the ninth, Lander cut the Trojans lead to 5-4 on Jeff May’s RBI single that scored Jacob Tisdale. After Erik Lunde’s single down the left field line pushed Aaron Poole to second, Mount Olive changed pitchers.

“In the bullpen before the game I had all four pitches working. I was able to mix in my off-speed pitches, then (catcher) Jacob (Golliday) helped me spot my fastball. I knew my change-up would have to be big for The Trojans’ Matt Dillon, who started the game and me today if I was going to have success.” threw 178 pitches, was relieved by Chris Hinton, a sidearm pitcher. Painter drove Hinton’s first pitch over His battery mate Golliday added, “Spencer got ahead the fence. of the batters today and really pitched well.” On playing after a car accident earlier this week in which he was hit in the driver’s side door, Golliday said, “It’s funny. This is the second straight season I have been in a car accident a couple of days before regionals. (On Monday) I expected to wake up the next day and be really sore. As bad as it looked, I really only had a small bruise on my leg.”

Lander’s Ross Davis (5-3), who earned two wins in last week’s Peach Belt Conference Tournament, was awarded the victory after striking out three, walking one and allowing one earned run on four hits in four innings pitched. Lander starter Chris Thomas, the PBC Pitcher of the Year, struck out two, walked three and allowed three earned run on nine hits in five innings of work.

McCallister added, “It means a lot getting into the win- Dillon (9-2) suffered the loss after striking out six, ner’s bracket. We do have a laid-back team, but this walking six and allowing five earned runs on nine hits is the regionals. If you can’t get up for this game, you in 8.2 innings pitched. can’t get up for anything.” Concerning his two-out clutch hitting, he added, “I try to keep my approach the same and just try to put the ball in play and hit it hard.

Mount Olive took a 2-0 lead in the second inning on Mike Mercurio’s two-RBI single up the middle that plated Cameron Sherrer and Nick Gaeta. 172

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Lander bounced back in the third to tie the game at 2-2 after May scored on AJ Nunziato’s RBI single and Painter advanced home on a bases-loaded hit by pitch. The Trojans regained the lead at 3-2 in the third on Braden Reitano’s sacrifice fly that sent Jacob Rogers across the plate.

two-on, one-out jam in the fourth with a popout and a strikeout, then stranded two more in the sixth with an inning-ending strikeout. In the ninth, a two-RBI single by Jacob Tisdale brought the Bearcats to within one run, 3-2, with two outs, but Bader induced a popup into shallow left field by Colby Painter to end the game.

The Bearcats came right back in the fourth and tied it at 3-all when, with bases loaded and no outs, Kevin Childs, who reached on an error, scored on Painter’s RBI single.

Bader collected his third complete game of the year with the win, improving to 12-4 on the season by giving up just five hits and two runs in nine innings of work, walking three while striking out nine. The 12 wins in a season ties him with Chuck Christopher In the fifth, the Trojans went up 4-3 on Gaeta’s sacri(1985), Bill Gearhart (1988) and Jon Dobyns (2003) fice fly that scored Geno Escalante then made it 5-3 in for the most wins in a single season in Armstrong the seventh on Will Bynum’s shot down the right field baseball history. line that drove in Reitano. Todd Hughson (3-4) took the loss for the Bearcats, For Lander, May went 2-for-3, Painter and Lunde both giving up three hits and two runs in 5 1/3 innings of went 2-for-4 and Ian Harvey 2-for-6. work, walking five while striking out four. Box Score For the Trojans, Sherrer batted 3-for-4, Antonio Callaway 2-for-4, and Escalante 2-for-5. NCAA Tournament: Patriots fall to Box Score Pioneers in late NCAA action

(5/18/12) MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. - Aaron Guinn delivered four hits and Alexi Colon homered twice as second-seeded and second-ranked Tusculum College (5/18/12) MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. - Armstrong Atlantic remained undefeated in the NCAA Division II SouthState University sophomore Ethan Bader hurled a east Regional with a 7-2 win over fourth-seeded and 150-pitch complete-game five-hitter to help the No. sixth-ranked Francis Marion University early Saturday 7-ranked Pirates stave off elimination at the NCAA morning. Due to postponements caused by Thursday Southeast Regional with a 3-2 win over No. 20 Lander night rain, the contest did not finish until 2:30 a.m. on Friday evening at Scarborough Field in Mount Olive, N.C. Both teams advanced to Saturday’s third round. Francis Marion meets Lander at 1 p.m. while Tusculum will With the win, the Pirates (41-15) advance to Satmeet the winner of that game at 8 p.m. urday’s action and will take Catawba at 4:30 p.m. Lander (38-19) will take on the loser Francis Marion/ The Pioneers pounded out 14 hits against three Tusculum, who play later Friday, on Saturday afterPatriot pitchers in support of starting pitcher Taylor noon at 1 p.m. Rakes (10-1). Rakes scattered 10 hits, all singles, in a complete game victory. Armstrong broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning with two runs, on an RBI single by Drew Tusculum never trailed after a pair of runs in the top Walker and an infield RBI single by Will Thomas. of the second. With one out, Heath Comerford and Nate Reid delivered one-out singles and Tripper CrisThe Pirates stretched that lead to 3-0 in the seventh son walked to load the bases. Lukas Graves brought on an RBI groundout by John Roberts. in the first run with a groundout, then Guinn’s first hit made it 2-0. Bader, meanwhile, kept stranding Bearcat runners and pitching out of tough situations. He got out of a One inning later, Carlos Santana brought home a third

NCAA Tournament: Pirates Stay Alive with 3-2 Win over Lander

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run with a groundout.

Patriot closer Jeffrey Stoner (6-3) relieved starter Gary Ashcraft with two outs and the bases loaded in the fourth. The sophomore right-hander pitched 4.1 innings, his longest outing since moving into the closer role, and allowed one run on four hits with four strikeouts.

In the fourth, Francis Marion fought back with two runs of its own. Singles by Jarrod Reed and Stephen Tarkenton got things started, and Tyler Boyd singled home one run, and an error cut the deficit to 3-2. Francis Marion got no closer. In the fifth, Colon’s 20th homer stretched the lead back to 4-2; then Cody Coffman delivered his eighth homer in the seventh, a solo blast to right.

Three Patriot hurlers held Lander to an 0-for-10 day with runners in scoring position.

NCAA Tournament: FMU Survives in NCAAs as Sosnoskie Sparks Patriots

Junior designated hitter Jacob Golliday bunted to move Tarkenton over to third, but he reached safely when no Bearcat covered first base. Senior left fielder Tyler Boyd, appearing in his 191st career game, was then hit by a pitch from Lander starter Scott Elitzky (43) to load the bases with no outs.

Sosnoskie ignited Francis Marion’s offense in the bottom of the second. The Statesville, N.C., native legged Rakes allowed just one earned run, while striking out out a high chopper to first base for an infield single. Third baseman Stephen Tarkenton, after failing to get a career-best nine. Jarrod Reed and Jacob Golliday had two hits apiece for the Patriots. Starter Matt Brod- down a sacrifice bunt, doubled off the left field line to send the speedy Sosnoskie all the way around to erick (8-3) took the loss. score. Box Score

(5/19/12) MOUNT OLIVE, NC – Senior center field Buddy Sosnoskie had three hits, including a two-run homer, and scored three runs to spark sixth-ranked and fourth-seeded Francis Marion University past 20th-ranked and sixth-seeded Lander University 10-3, Paulhus plated a second run with a sacrifice fly to left Saturday (May 19) afternoon in an elimination game field, before junior first baseman Rhodes Dickerson at the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Baseball walked to reload the bases with one out. Leadoff Tournament. man Michael Wilson drove home FMU’s third run with fielder’s choice grounder. Francis Marion (39-17) advances to face unbeaten Tusculum College at 8 p.m. on Saturday evening. If FMU wins that contest, the Patriots will advance to the Ashcraft was able to escape trouble in the top of the third with some defensive work of his own. Bearcat regional title game on Sunday at 5 p.m. right fielder Kevin Childs laced a double over the first base bag to lead off the frame. After moving to third Lander ends its most successful season in school on a ground out to second, Ashcraft knocked down a history with a 38-20 record after come-backer to mound by Ian Harvey and held Childs making its first-ever NCAA Tourat third while throwing to first for the second out. Ashnament appearance. craft then covered first on a chopper wide of first to Dickerson for third out. Sosnoskie finished the

Francis Marion’s Don Sandifer

day 3-for-4 with four runs batted in. He now has 88 hits this season, one shy of the team record of 89 set by Barrett Kleinknecht in 2009. FMU senior catcher Brian Paulhus was 2-for-3 on Saturday with a run scored and two driven in.

Patriot right fielder Jarrod Reed singled past the first baseman to lead off the last of the third and Sosnoskie followed with a two-run line-drive homer to right center field as the FMU advantage expanded to 5-0. It was Sosnoskie’s second long ball of the year and the third of his two-year stay in Florence. Ashcraft departed in the fourth after allowing a twoout single and then walking three consecutive batters to force in a run. Second baseman Erik Lunde picked

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up the RBI. Francis Marion head coach Art Inabinet then brought in Stoner. His first batter, Harvey, reached on a two-out infield error that plated Lander’s second run, but Stoner got All-Conference shortstop AJ Nunziato to fly out to end the rally.

ing and closing. Even though I didn’t start the game, I needed to go in and give the team some strong innings. My cutter and change were working well today.”

When asked about the home run, Sosnoskie said, “I didn’t know it was going out, but I hit it solid and on Sosnoskie was hit by a pitch in the fifth, and after a line.” Concerning the quick turnaround from last Golliday walked, Elitzky was replaced by righty Michael night’s late game that ended at 2:15 a.m., he added White. Boyd collected an infield single and the ball was thrown away at second base allowing Sosnoskie “Today’s a brand new day. It usually takes me a while to score. Paulhus then ripped an RBI single between to get to sleep. I had a sandwich and that was it this third baseman and the bag to up the margin to 7-2. morning. Today is show and go day.” Box Score Singles to right by Jacob Tisdale and Childs put two Bearcat runners on with one out in sixth, but Stoner NCAA Tournament: Pirates Eliminated retired the next two batters to end the threat. Wilson with 11-0 Loss to Catawba ended the frame with a lunging catch of a liner by Har- (5/19/12) MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. - Junior pitcher Ross vey in the 5.5 hole that might well have scored two. Whitley tossed a three-hit shutout and fifth-seeded

Catawba pounded out 15 hits to advance to championship Sunday with an 11-0 win over third seeded Armstrong Atlantic State Saturday evening in the third round of the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional at Mount Olive, N.C.

The Patriots manufactured a run in the sixth when Wilson walked, moved to second on wild pitch, advanced to third on ground out, and scored on a foul ball sacrifice fly by Reed. Lander scored its third run on an RBI double to left center by Weston Lawing in the top of the seventh. The Bearcats threatened again in the eighth with two runners on, but Stoner induced back-to-back fly outs to Sosnoskie in center.

With the victory, Catawba advances to play secondseeded Tusculum Sunday at 1 p.m. Tusculum is scheduled to play Francis Marion Saturday night at 8 p.m. If Francis Marion wins, all three teams will advance to Sunday, each having one loss. If Tusculum wins, Catawba will need to beat the Pioneers twice Childs led Lander at the plate with a 3-for-3 afternoon, Sunday. while Tisdale registered two hits. Sosnoskie accounted for the final two runs of the contest in the eighth frame with a two-run single through right side. “Today we were able to get out on top early,” said Inabinet. “Stoner came on and held them down during the middle innings and we were able to score a few more runs. The final score was not indicative of the how close the game was, especially in the middle innings. “Stoner gave us a lift. He’s been our closer. He’s started some games for us. Today, he came in and gave us a chance to pull away from them. That was a big homer by Sosnoskie. The ball jumps out of here to right field and he got all of it.” Stoner commented, “It’s a different mentality start-

Armstrong finishes the season 41-16. Whitley (7-3) struck out 14 in a dominating performance. Only twice did the Pirates have a base-runner reach scoring position. Meanwhile five players had at least two hits for the Indian attack. Catawba got all the offense it needed in the top of the first when Garrett Furr singled home Chris Dula and Ryan Bostian for a 2-0 lead. Brett Underwood’s two-run double in the third, then a Julio Zubillaga tworun single in the fifth chased Armstrong starter Scott Strickland(9-4). The Pirates never found an answer for Whitley, who retired the first seven batters he faced, including five strikeouts. Armstrong had its first solid chance to score in the

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third. With one out, Drew Walker walked to become his team’s first baserunner. Casey Maloney singled one out later to put runners on the corners. Whitley coaxed a pop out from Alex Frederick to end the threat.

regional title game on Sunday at 5 p.m.. The Patriots will face the winner of Tusculum/Catawba College for the right to go to the Division II National Finals in Cary, N.C., May 26-June 2. Tusculum and Catawba will play earlier on Sunday in an eliminaton game at 1 p.m.

In the seventh, Catawba blew the game open with a four-run seventh. Furr and Zubillaga singled, then advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Underwood. Danny Parisi walked to load the bases with two outs for Keaton Hawks. Hawks delivered a bases-clearing triple to the right-centerfield fence. One batter later, Hawks scored on a single by Dula.

This is the fourth 40-win season for the Patriots, including their third-in-a-row, and all have come under the direction of head coach Art Inabinet, who is now three wins shy of 500 for his career. The only previous regional championship for Francis Marion came in 2006.

Furr finished with three hits and was one of four Indians with at least two RBI. Beard also had three hits. Travis Morris came out of the Armstrong bullpen to toss two shutout innings, walking one and striking out two. Box Score

Sandifer, a pre-season All-American and last year’s Peach Belt Conference Pitcher of the Year, picked up his first win (1-4 record) since last year’s regional tournament – on the same Scarborough Field at Mount Olive College. The Bamberg native allowed three runs on 11 hits with eight strikeouts and two walks in seven innings. Sophomore closer Jeffrey Stoner made his second appearance of the afternoon and pitched two scoreless frames, allowing only one hit. Sophomore shortstop Michael Wilson led FMU at the plate with a 3-for-5 night that included three runs scored and two driven in. Senior second baseman Brock McCallister (2-for-5), senior designated hitter Brian Paulhus (2-for-4), and junior first baseman Rhodes Dickerson (2-for-5) all had two hits and one RBI apiece. Every Patriot position player recorded at least one hit. McCallister tied the single-season FMU record for at bats (239), while senior center fielder Buddy Sosnoskie finished 1-for-4 with two runs batted in and tied the team record of 89 hits in a season. Former Patriot shortstop Barrett Kleinknecht set both marks in 2009.

NCAA Tournament: Patriots Advance to Paulhus and Sosnoskie finished Saturday’s two games Regional Championship with four hits apiece. The Patriots eliminated Lander (5/19/12) MOUNT OLIVE, NC – Playing its third game in less than 24 hours, Francis Marion University rode the strong starting pitching of junior right-hander Don Sandifer to claim a 9-3 victory over second-seeded and second-ranked Tusculum College, Saturday (May 19) night in a semifinal game at the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Baseball Tournament.

University 10-3 on Saturday afternoon, after losing to Tusculum 7-2 in the early morning hours of Saturday in a game that started on Friday night at 11:40 p.m.

On Saturday night however, Francis Marion took the early 1-0 lead in its first at bat. Wilson led off with a single to right center and advanced to third when Jarrod Reed’s grounder to first was thrown away at With the win, its second of the day, sixth-ranked and second base – the first of six Tusculum miscues. Wilfourth-seeded Francis Marion (40-17) advances to the son came home on Sosnoskie’s RBI fielder’s choice 176

Baseball

grounder to first, a ball almost identical to Reed’s grounder, which the Pioneers again tried to turn into a double play. Sosnoskie then advanced to third when Tusculum starter Adam Sigmon (8-2) threw away a pick-off attempt at first, but the speedy Patriot was stranded there when Stephen Tarkenton struck out.

with back-to-back strikeouts that stranded runners on second and third. In the seventh, Sandifer fanned Comerford to end a Pioneer threat that included three singles. Wilson saved one run by spearing one of the singles deep in the hole between short and third and keeping the ball in the infield.

Looking to add to their lead, the Patriots registered three singles in the top of the second, but could not push across a second run. Tusculum threatened in their half of the second when designated hitter Heath Comerford earned a two-out walk and catcher Nate Reid singled through the left side, Sandifer recovered to strike out shortstop Tripper Crisson to end the threat.

Francis Marion added three insurance runs in the eighth, all coming with two outs. Wilson singled to right field and moved up one base on a passed ball. McCallister singled up the middle and Wilson came home when the ball was kicked away into center field. Reed reached on a bunt hit and Sosnoskie followed with an RBI single to left center. Tusculum reliever Dylan Hochevar tried to pick Sosnoskie off first base but his throw went awry and Reed scored from third.

After stranding another runner in scoring position in the third, the Patriots finally picked up a hit in that situation in the top of the fourth and in the process doubled their advantage to 2-0. Senior left fielder Tyler Boyd reached on a single that he chopper over the third baseman with one out. After stealing second, he came home on Rhodes Dickerson’s long RBI single to right center. In the Pioneers’ half of the fourth, first baseman Cody Coffman and Comerford both singled, but Sandifer got Reid to ground out to Wilson at shortstop to end the threat. However, Tusculum did get to Sandifer in the fifth frame. Crisson led off with a single, was sacrificed to second, and scored on right fielder Aaron Guinn’s run-scoring single to center. After a double by third baseman Cade Stallings moved Guinn to third, both came home on Coffman’s triple over Sosnoskie in deep center field. However, Francis Marion responded with four runs in the top of the sixth and regained the lead for good at 6-3. Tarkenton led off with a single up middle, but was erased on Jacob Golliday’s fielder’s choice bunt. Boyd then worked a four-pitch walk, moving Golliday to second, and the Patriot catcher scampered home on Paulhus’ RBI double over third base bag to knot score at 3-3. Wilson plated both Boyd and Paulhus with a clutch two-out, two-run single through right side, and then he advanced to second on an outfield throwing error. McCallister upped the margin to 6-3 with an RBI single down the right field line that scored Wilson and chased Sigmon from the mound. Sandifer again escaped trouble in the last of the sixth

The Patriots totaled 14 hits and took advantage of four walks from Pioneer pitchers. When asked about his starter, Inabinet explained “That might have been the best game I’ve seen Don pitch since he’s been here. I am so happy for him. Our bats woke up and we scored some runs. Now we get to play one more game. “I am proud of all our guys. We won two games on short rest (after losing to Tusculum in a game that ended at 2:15 a.m. on Saturday morning). Hopefully we will have enough to get the job done tomorrow and have a chance to play next week in Cary. We came so close last year.” Sandifer explained, “It’s my biggest win here as a Patriot. I wanted to give our team a chance to win. Every situation you go through in your head – what you want to do – and tonight I hit my spots. I wanted to keep the ball in, and if I missed, it would to the inside. They (Tusculum) hit us pretty good last night. We were determined not to make the same mistakes.” Wilson also said, “We all tried to match Don’s effort. He kept out-doing us position players, so it became a good battle within our squad. Our bats woke up and we were able to give Don something to work with.” Sosnoskie added, “This has been my favorite two years of my life. I am not worried about any stats (including the hits record) – I couldn’t care less about those as long as we win. We have 25 or 26 guys out here who want to win a championship for coach. We

177

want to get to Cary. We were so close last year, now we want to put everything out there.” Box Score

the All-Tournament Team. FMU sophomore closer Jeffrey Stoner (6-4), the third of three Patriot hurlers, was saddled with the loss. He allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits in four innings. The Martinez, Ga., native had pitched in both of Francis Marion’s games on Saturday, earning one win and logging 6.1 innings. Catawba scored twice in the top of the first off FMU starter Spencer Jordan. Dula led off with a long double to base of the right center field fence. A single and a four-pitch walk loaded the bases with no out. After a strikeout, tournament Most Outstanding Player Julio Zubillaga plated the first run with a two-strike bloop RBI single to center. The second tally came home on a wild pitch, but Jordan recovered to strikeout Cameron Beard and strand three Indian base runners.

NCAA Tournament: Patriots Rally but Fall Short of Series Berth, Lose 8-4

Francis Marion threatened in the bottom of the first. Wilson and McCallister both singled through right side (5/20/12) MOUNT OLIVE, NC – First baseman Chris with no outs. After Jarrod Reed struck out, Sosnoskie Dula rapped out three hits and drove in three runs to skewed a ball toward the hole between short and lead sixth-seeded and 21st-ranked Catawba College third, but Catawba shortstop Brett Underwood saved to an 8-4 win over fourth-seeded and sixth-ranked a run by making a diving stop in the hole. However Francis Marion University, Sunday evening (May 20) in the infield single loaded the bases with just one out. the championship game at the NCAA Division II SouthThird baseman Stephen Tarkenton then lofted a fly east Regional Baseball Tournament. ball to medium-depth left field, and Wilson beat the throw home for what looked like the first Patriot run. Francis Marion ends its season at 40-18 and finishes However on appeal, Wilson was ruled to have left third as the regional runner-up for the third consecutive before the catch and so FMU was denied its first run season. The Patriots finish with their fourth 40-win and Catawba was out of the inning. season, and third in a row. FMU was looking to win its second region championship, the first coming in Boyd singled to right field in the next FMU frame, and 2006. advanced to second on a wild pitch, but was left there as the next two Patriots were retired. The Indians (43-15) earn their first-ever berth in the Division II National Finals in Cary, N.C., May 26-June Catawba struck for two more runs in the top of the 2. Catawba had beaten Tusculum College 6-1 earlier third on an RBI single to center by catcher Greg Lawon Sunday to advance to face FMU in the title contest. son. Beard followed with a run-scoring bunt single that started as a safety squeeze. Playing their final games in a Patriot uniform, senior outfielders Buddy Sosnoskie and Tyler Boyd each regFrancis Marion finally got to Catawba starter Nick istered three hits, a run scored, and one run batted in. Lomascolo in the bottom of the fourth. Sosnoskie Sosnoskie set a new single-season team record with started the rally with a double just inside first base 92 hits, breaking the previous mark of 89 set by Barbag, his school-record 25th two-bagger of the year. He rett Kleinknecht. Boyd appeared in his 194th game moved up a base on Tarkenton’s fly out to center, and for the red, white, and blue. catcher Jacob Golliday walked on a full-count offering to place runners at first and third with one out. FMU sophomore shortstop Michael Wilson and senior second baseman Brock McCallister each had two hits Boyd drilled a run-scoring single through the right side apiece. Both Sosnoskie and Wilson were named to 178

Baseball

to plate Sosnoskie and draw FMU within 4-1. After Brian Paulhus lined out to left field, pinch-hitter Luke Tollison bounced an RBI single up the middle on an 0-2 pitch to cut the margin to 4-2. Wilson followed with a drive to right field that hit the top of the fence and bounced back into play for an RBI double, but Tollison was nailed at the plate on a beautiful relay throw from Zubillaga. That play could have put the Patriots ahead, but none-the-less brought FMU to within 4-3. After a quick 1-2-3 inning from senior southpaw Matt Broderick in the top of the fifth, the Patriot bats again came alive in their half of the frame. McCallister reached on a single to right center, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, and crossed home with the tying run on a run-scoring single up the middle by Sosnoskie. Following a pitching change, Tarkenton was hit by a pitch and Golliday flared a single to right field to load the bases with one out. The Indians then turned a slick 6-4-3 double play on a grounder by Boyd to end the threat. Stoner entered the contest in the top of the sixth with runners on first and third and no outs. He retired the Indians without a run, thanks in large part to a longrunning catch by Boyd in left center to end the inning. Catawba then struck for the deciding two runs in the top of the seventh. Zubillaga led off with an infield single, Underwood reached on an error, and Lawson poked a soft single to left that loaded the bases with nobody out. Ironically, both Underwood and Lawson were unsuccessful at sacrificing and thus had to hit away with two strikes. With a light rain beginning to fall, Stoner retired the next Indian on a line-out to right, but Keaton Hawks plated the go-ahead run with a single to right and Dula pushed across a second run with a sacrifice fly.

the ninth with the rain coming down as hard as it had all day on three ground balls to Underwood at shortstop. Three of Brooks’ four complete innings were of the 1-2-3 variety. Eleven Patriot seniors donned the red, white, and blue uniforms for the final time on Sunday. This group finished as the winningest four-year class in the program’s history with 159 victories. “I thought we played well enough to win today, but left too many runners on base,” said FMU head coach Art Inabinet. “We could have won, but not today. Catawba was just a better team. Our kids did a lot of good things today, but just didn’t get the key hits, and they (Catawba) did.” Jordan commented on his effort that came on short rest after he won the team’s tournament opener on Thursday, “I just didn’t make the pitches, and thus could not get ahead like I did Thursday.” Boyd, one of four four-year letterwinners on the squad, said “You don’t ever want the last game of the year to come around. But we can’t let our heads dip down, we have a lot to be proud of.” Sosnoskie offered this, “It always hurts to lose the last game of the year, and maybe a little worse this year than it did in 2011 (last year’s regional title game loss). These past two seasons in Florence at FMU have has been the best two years of my life. I am so glad I came here. I plan on wearing this (rain-soaked) jersey all the way home.” In earning All-Tournament Team recognition, Sosnoskie finished the five games 9-for-21 with five runs scored and seven RBIs, while Wilson was 7-for-22 with six runs scored and five driven in. Box Score

In the last of the eighth, Tarkenton led off with a single through the left side. After a fly out, Boyd singled through right side to put the tying runs on base. However Catawba reliever Craig Brooks (2-0) got Paulhus to pop out and fanned Tollison looking to end the Patriot rally. The Indians added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the ninth on a two-run triple to the right center field fence by Dula. Brooks retired the Patriots in order in the bottom of 179

Four PBC Baseball Players Named Academic All-Americans

Four Peach Belt Conference baseball players were named Capitol One Academic All-Americans on Thursday. UNC Pembroke’s Josh Haley and Eitan Maoz were selected along with Francis Marion’s Buddy Sosnoskie and Armstrong Atlantic State’s Clayton Miller. The four players selected is – by far – the most the Peach Belt has ever had in a single season. Only 10 league baseball players up to this year had received what is widely held as the the highest honor a student-athlete can receive. The team is selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Haley and Maoz are the first two CoSIDA Academic AllAmericans in the history of the baseball program in Pembroke. They are the second and third CoSIDA Academic All-Americans for the UNCP athletic department this year, joining men’s soccer’s Alex Antonescu who was decorated with the honor in December. Haley, a Jackson Springs product who maintained a 3.50 grade point average as an Exercise & Sports Science major, started all 49 games and led the Braves with a .391 (77-for-197) batting average to go along with 19 extra-base hits (3 HR), 16 RBI and a team-best 61 runs scored. A force on the base paths, the senior ranked second in the PBC with 34 stolen bases (39 attempts) and also booked a .523 slugging percentage and a .474 on-base percentage. Defensively, he was solid from his starting centerfield position as well where he turned in a .985 fielding percentage. Maoz, a native of Canada who maintained a 3.87 grade point average as an Exercise & Sports Science major, played in 38 games (37 starts) for UNCP and missed 2-1/2 weeks late in the season with a broken ankle. Regardless, the utility player still managed a .348 (48-for-138) batting average with 10 extra-base hits (3 HR), 32 RBI and 28 runs scored. He also scored 80 percent (8-for10) on stolen base attempts, while also registering a .464 slugging percentage and a .421 on-base percentage. He, too, was a defensive stalwart, booking a .984 fielding percentage in a handful of starts in the outfield, as well as first base. Sosnoskie becomes the third Academic All-American for the Patriot baseball program, joining right-handed pitcher Sammy Ward (1980) and outfielder Alex Lee (2010). The Statesville, N.C., native has compiled a 3.38 grade point average as a marketing major. He was named to the 12-member second-team. On the diamond, Sosnoskie led FMU with a .391 average, 56 runs batted in, and a .444 on-base percentage. He set team singleseason records for hits (92) and doubles (25). He shared the team lead in runs scored (51), while also hitting a pair of home runs and stealing nine bases. He finished the year with a 12-game hitting streak, compiled 27 multi-hit games and 15 multi-RBIs games, and reached base safely in 53 of 58 games. In both his seasons at FMU, Sosnoskie garnered All-Conference and AllRegion accolades. Off the field, he was named to the 2012 Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Team; is a member of Chi Alpha Sigma, the national college athlete honor society; and has been honored by inclusion on the both the PBC Presidential and FMU Swamp Fox AthleticAcademic honor rolls. Miller is the fourth Armstrong baseball player to earn Academic All-America honors from Capital One and CoSIDA, joining catchers Chris Milisits (1993), David Harriman (2002) and Michael Pelley (2004). He is also the fourth Academic All-America this year among Armstrong student-athletes and brings the all-time total of Pirates who have earned Academic All-America honors to 14. Miller, who was named to the third team as a designated hitter, carries a 3.37 GPA in rehabilitation sciences. The Augusta, Ga., native hit .287 with one home run and 27 RBIs in 2012, helping Armstrong capture the Peach Belt Conference regular season and tournament titles. 180

Award Winners CapitalOneAcademicAll-America SecondTeam Josh Haley, UNC Pembroke Buddy Sosnoskie, Francis Marion CapitalOne AcademicAll-America ThirdTeam Eitan Maoz, UNC Pembroke Clayton Miller, Armstrong Capital One Academic All District Team Michael Barnhill, Armstrong Devon Hallett, Flagler Thomas McLeod, USC Aiken Cody Powell, Armstrong PBC All-Academic Team Mike Barnhill, Armstrong Kenny Bellavance, North Georgia Jordan Erisman, North Georgia Patrick Grady, Lander Josh Haley, UNC Pembroke Devon Hellett, Flagler Derek Hooper, North Georgia Erik Lunde, Lander Eitan Maoz, UNC Pembroke Thomas McLeod, USC Aiken Ryan Milewski, USC Aiken Clayton Miller, Armstrong Kenny Miller, Columbus St. A.J. Nunziato, Lander Heath Peterson, Montevallo Cody Powell, Armstrong Heine Rivera, Georgia College John Sgromolo, Flagler BuddySosnoskie,Francis Marion Tyler Stephan, USC Aiken PBC All-Academic Honorable Mention Justin Appel, Augusta State Kip Custer, Augusta State TylerDaniel,GeorgiaSouthwestern Austin Dubberly, Montevallo Max Gagnon, UNC Pembroke JarrodTaylor,GeorgiaSouthwestern

ABCA/Rawlings All-America First Team Zach Taylor, Armstrong ABCA/Rawlings All-Region First Team A.J. Nunziato, Lander Zach Taylor, Armstrong Chris Thomas, Lander Ethan Bader, Armstrong ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Second Team Will Fulmer, Montevallo Stephen Carmon, USC Aiken R.J. Dennard, Armstrong Josh Miller, USC Aiken Nick Aranas, USC Aiken Josh Haley, UNC Pembroke Buddy Sosnoskie, Francis Marion Spencer Jordan, Francis Marion Danny Brown, Flagler Braxton Lewis, UNC Pembroke Cody Maas, Georgia College Daktronics All-Region First Team Chris Thomas, Lander A.J. Nunziato, Lander Nick Aranas, USC Aiken Cody Maas, Georgia College Daktronics All-Region Second Team Ethan Bader, Armstrong Danny Brown, Flagler Spencer Jordan, Francis Marion Chandler Hall, Armstrong Braxton Lewis, UNC Pembroke Josh Miller, USC Aiken Will Fulmer, Montevallo Josh Haley, UNC Pembroke Zach Taylor, Armstrong R.J. Dennard, Armstrong Eitan Maoz, UNC Pembroke NCBWA All-America First Team Zach Taylor, Armstrong NCBWA All-America Honorable Mention Josh Haley, UNC Pembroke NCBWASoutheastRegion Co-PlayeroftheYear Zach Taylor, Armstrong NCBWA All-Region First Team A.J. Nunziato, Lander Zach Taylor, Armstrong Josh Haley, UNC Pembroke

Baseball

Players of the Week February 7, 2012: Player Cameron Scott Columbus Sate

Pitcher Brantley Hattrich UNC Pembroke

Freshman Danny Brown Flagler

February 14, 2012: Player Pitcher Freshman Clayton Miller Todd Hughson Jordan DeLoatch Armstrong Lander UNC Pembroke February 21, 2012: Player Pitcher Freshman Zach Taylor Brodie Leibrandt Danny Brown Armstrong Columbus State Flagler February 28, 2012: Player Pitcher Freshman Brett Moreland Chase Gilreath Taylor Keinat Flagler Columbus State North Georgia March 6, 2012: Player Pitcher Freshman Brock McCallister Chris Thomas R.J. Dennard Francis Marion Lander Armstrong March 12, 2012: Player Pitcher Freshman John Sgromolo Chandler Hall Will Tankersley Flagler Armstrong USC Aiken March 19, 2012: Player Pitcher Freshman Heath Peterson Brad Isom R.J. Dennard Montevallo UNC Pembroke Armstrong March 27, 2012: Player Buddy Sosnoskie Francis Marion

Pitcher Michael Shreves Montevallo

Freshman Jacob Beauchamp North Georgia

April 3, 2012: Player Nick Aranas USC Aiken

Pitcher Brodie Leibrandt Columbus State

Freshman Will Tankersley USC Aiken

April 9, 2012: Player Pitcher Freshman Josh Haley Michael Shreves R.J. Dennard UNC Pembroke Montevallo Armstrong April 16, 2012: Player Cody Maas Georgia College

Pitcher Ethan Bader Armstrong

Freshman Ty Barkell USC Aiken

April 23, 2012: Player Pitcher Freshman John Roberts Chris Thomas Chess Malone Armstrong Lander Armstrong May 1, 2012: Player Pitcher Freshman Jordan Owens Chris Thomas Will Tankersley Lander Lander USC Aiken

181

Chris Thomas, Lander NCBWA All-Region Second Team Josh Miller, USC Aiken Will Fulmer, Montevallo Nick Aranas, USC Aiken Spencer Jordan, Francis Marion Ethan Bader, Armstrong Braxton Lewis, UNC Pembroke PBC All-Conference First Team Heath Peterson, Montevallo Will Fulmer, Montevallo Travis Echols, Georgia College A.J. Nunziato, Lander Josh Miller, USC Aiken Cody Maas, Georgia College Patrick Grady, Lander Zach Taylor, Armstrong Josh Haley, UNC Pembroke Nick Aranas, USC Aiken Brett Moreland, Flagler Chris Thomas, Lander Spencer Jordan, Francis Marion Ethan Bader, Armstrong Danny Brown, Flagler Braxton Lewis, UNC Pembroke PBC All-Conference Second Team John Sgromolo, Flagler Jordan Owens, Lander Tyler Bourdo, USC Aiken Drew Walker, Armstrong Stephen Carmon, USC Aiken John Roberts, Armstrong Cameron Scott, Columbus State R.J. Dennard, Armstrong Buddy Sosnoskie, Francis Marion Will Tankersley, USC Aiken Kenny Bellavance, North Georgia Cody Powell, Armstrong Ryan Milewski, USC Aiken Matt Broderick, Francis Marion Brodie Leibrandt, Columbus State Blake Hobby, North Georgia Matt LaMothe, Georgia College PBC Player of the Year Zach Taylor, Armstrong PBC Pitcher of the Year Christ Thomas, Lander PBC Freshman of the Year Will Tankersley, USC Aiken PBC Coach of the Year Joe Roberts, Armstrong

Statistics

Casey Maloney, Armstrong Caleb Saggus, Augusta State Nick Aranas, USC Aiken Eric Weiss, Columbus State Navarro Hall, Columbus State

Individual

Batting Average

Buddy Sosnoskie, Francis Marion Josh Haley, UNC Pembroke Brett Moreland, Flagler Will Tankersley, USC Aiken Josh Miller, USC Aiken Zach Taylor, Armstrong Will Fulmer, Montevallo Matthew Black, North Georgia Nick Aranas, USC Aiken Ty Barkell, USC Aiken

.391 .391 .385 .377 .376 .373 .361 .357 .357 .353

Casey Maloney, Armstrong Zach Taylor, Armstrong Josh Haley, UNC Pembroke Stephen Carmon, USC Aiken J.D. Pullen, Columbus State Vincente Andrews, Montevallo Will Fulmer, Montevallo Navarro Hall, Columbus State Buddy Sosnoskie, Francis Marion Michael Wilson, Francis Marion

66 63 61 57 53 51 51 51 51 51

Buddy Sosnoskie, Francis Marion Brock McCallister, Francis Marion A.J. Nunziato, Lander Brett Moreland, Flagler Stephen Carmon, USC Aiken Will Fulmer, Montevallo Josh Miller, USC Aiken Zach Taylor, Armstrong Josh Haley, UNC Pembroke Ty Barkell, USC Aiken

92 83 81 80 79 79 79 78 77 76

Zach Taylor, Armstrong Heath Peterson, Montevallo Josh Miller, USC Aiken Cody Maas, Georgia College Jordan Owens, Lander Buddy Sosnoskie, Francis Marion Brett Teschner, Columbus State Nick Aranas, USC Aiken Cameron Scott, Columbus State A.J. Nunziato, Lander

71 69 57 56 56 56 55 52 49 49

Zach Taylor, Armstrong Heath Peterson, Montevallo Will Tankersley, USC Aiken Vincente Andrews, Montevallo Jordan Owens, Lander Cody Maas, Georgia College Jay Laurienzo, Flagler Chris Ross, Montevallo Josh Miller, USC Aiken Nick Aranas, USC Aiken

15 14 11 10 9 8 8 7 7 7

Stephen Carmon, USC Aiken Josh Haley, UNC Pembroke J.D. Pullen, Columbus State Patrick Daugherty, Georgia College Zach Taylor, Armstrong

45 34 28 23 21

Runs

Hits

Runs Batted In

Home Runs

Stolen Bases

182

Innings Pitched

20 20 19 19 16

Ethan Bader, Armstrong Scott Strickland, Armstrong Chandler Hall, Armstrong Brodie Leibrandt, Columbus State Spencer Jordan, Francis Marion Michael Shreves, Montevallo Chris Thomas, Lander Mike Guinane, Georgia College Alex Pearce, UNC Pembroke Matt Broderick, Francis Marion

115.0 109.0 106.1 100.1 97.0 95.0 92.2 87.2 86.1 83.1

Danny Brown, Flagler Wyatt Brown, USC Aiken Drew Dades, Columbus State Chris Thomas, Lander Brodie Leibrandt, Columbus State Matt Broderick, Francis Marion Brad Isom, UNC Pembroke Ross Davis, Lander Thomas McLeod, USC Aiken Reese Patten, North Georgia

2.18 2.36 2.37 2.43 2.51 2.59 2.67 2.70 2.71 2.79

Earned Run Average

Wins

Ethan Bader, Armstrong Spencer Jordan, Francis Marion Chandler Hall, Armstrong Derek Beasley, USC Aiken Scott Strickland, Armstrong Atlantic State Matt Broderick, Francis Marion Alex Pearce, UNC Pembroke Chris Thomas, Lander Blake Hobby, North Georgia Jarrett Hooks, Francis Marion

12 10 9 9 9 8 8 8 8 7

Braxton Lewis, UNC Pembroke Max Rusch, Flagler Jeffrey Stoner, Francis Marion Matt Lamothe, Georgia College Taylor Grover, USC Aiken Wes Rich, Montevallo Ross Davis, Lander Zack Hula, Georgia College Chase Gilreath, Columbus State Jarrett Hooks, Francis Marion

11 9 9 7 7 7 6 6 5 4

Ethan Bader, Armstrong Spencer Jordan, Francis Marion Chris Thomas, Lander Derek Beasley, USC Aiken Jeffrey Stoner, Francis Marion Kelly Holt, USC Aiken Mike Guinane, Georgia College Scott Strickland, Armstrong Todd Hughson, Lander Brandon Miller, Lander

119 95 92 89 88 87 77 76 70 70

Saves

Strikeouts

Baseball

Team

Georgia Southwestern

170

Batting Average

Home Runs

Runs

Earned Run Average

USC Aiken .337 Francis Marion .314 UNC Pembroke .312 Georgia College .302 Armstrong .299 Columbus State .298 Montevallo .294 Flagler .290 North Georgia .286 Lander .281 Augusta State .238 Georgia Southwestern .236

Montevallo 46 USC Aiken 45 Armstrong 40 Lander 39 Columbus State 30 Georgia College 29 Flagler 28 UNC Pembroke 25 Francis Marion 14 Augusta State 13 North Georgia 13 Georgia Southwestern 9

Armstrong 457 USC Aiken 404 Lander 386 Francis Marion 385 Columbus State 376 Montevallo 357 Georgia College 351 UNC Pembroke 329 North Georgia 295 Flagler 249 Augusta State 206

Francis Marion 3.42 USC Aiken 3.57 Columbus State 3.62 Lander 3.91 Flagler 4.14 UNC Pembroke 4.20 Armstrong 4.44 Georgia College 4.53 North Georgia 5.16 Georgia Southwestern 5.41 Augusta State 5.42 Montevallo 6.56

183

Strikeouts

Lander 504 USC Aiken 493 Francis Marion 416 Armstrong 368 Flagler 367 Georgia College 362 UNC Pembroke 338 Columbus State 319 Georgia Southwestern 310 North Georgia 270 Montevallo 265 Augusta State 221

Runs Allowed

Flagler 238 UNC Pembroke 239 Francis Marion 240 Columbus State 250 USC Aiken 261 Georgia College 282 Lander 282 Armstrong 289 Georgia Southwestern 299 North Georgia 322 Augusta State 363 Montevallo 426

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Young Harris Becomes 14th Member of the Peach Belt Conference The Peach Belt Conference welcomed its 14th member as Young Harris College officially joined the league on July 1. The Peach Belt extended an invitation to the Mountain Lions, who are transitioning into NCAA Division II and is a candidacy year one member, in January. The Mountain Lions will be immediately eligible for all regular-season championships without automatic bids, and all other PBC awards, including all-conference and all-academic honors for its student-athletes. Young Harris will not be eligible for participation in any PBC Championships which award automatic bids to NCAA Tournaments until they become a full-fledged member of NCAA Division II. “Young Harris is a perfect fit for our conference,” said PBC Commissioner David R. Brunk. “The commitment they have made to provide a quality academic and athletic experience for their student-athletes will enable them to be competitive in our league immediately. The foundation they have established in a short time will allow them to continue to grow and be successful for years to come, and we are excited to be able to share in that growth and success. President Cathy Cox and Athletic Director Randy Dunn have made a commitment to both Division II and the Peach Belt Conference, and we welcome them with open arms.” The addition of Young Harris brings the Peach Belt to 14 member institutions, the most the conference has had in its 21-year history. Located about two hours north of Atlanta, in the town of Young Harris, Ga., the college will play basketball in the PBC west division, giving both the east and west the same number of teams for the first time in three years. YHC becomes the first new member of the Peach Belt since Flagler College and the University of Montevallo joined 187

in 2009. North Georgia College & State University and Georgia Southwestern State University both joined the PBC in 2006 while making the transition from the NAIA. Young Harris joins Flagler as the only private institutions in the Peach Belt. “We are very excited that the Peach Belt wants Young Harris College to be a part of this prestigious Division II conference,” said YHC President Cathy Cox. “I would like to thank Commissioner Brunk and all of the member-institution presidents for their support. The Mountain Lions look forward to competing against some of the best student-athletes in Division II athletics.” Young Harris was founded in 1886, making it the third-oldest institution in the Peach Belt behind Lander University (1872) and North Georgia (1873). “We are extremely honored to join the Peach Belt Conference, which is comprised of such an elite group of institutions,” said Dunn. “Not only will this provide our student-athletes with the opportunity to compete at the highest levels of NCAA DII, it will also give our institution regional and national exposure.” Currently, the Mountain Lions field men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer and men’s and women’s tennis, all of which are PBC Championship sports. YHC will add men’s and women’s lacrosse as well as competitive cheerleading this fall. Founded in 1991, the Peach Belt is the home to 32 NCAA Division II National Championships, including the 2012 men’s and women’s tennis titles won by Armstrong Atlantic State University. The PBC hosts 13 championship sports with 14 members in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida and Alabama. About Young Harris College: Young Harris College is a private, baccalaureate degree-granting college located in the beautiful mountains of north Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires and empowers students through the highest quality liberal arts education. Long known for nurturing students during the first two years of college, Young Harris College received accreditation in 2008 to grant bachelor’s degrees. The College currently has approximately 900 students across four divisions—Fine Arts, Humanities, Mathematics and Science, and Social and Behavioral Sciences—and plans to increase enrollment to 1,200 over the next few years. The historic campus in Young Harris, Ga., is currently undergoing major campus improvements to accommodate the College’s growth, including recent completion of a 200-bed, LEED Silver-certified residence hall, Georgia’s first higher education facility north of Atlanta to achieve this certification, a 57,000-square-foot, LEED-certified recreation center, the second higher educational recreation facility in Georgia to achieve this certification, and a 148-bed, apartment-style residential village. In 2011, the College was granted candidacy for NCAA Division II athletics. For more information, visit www.yhc.edu.

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‘Make these days the best you can’

Clayton State’s Zac Bradley grateful for life after freak accident By Brian Hendrickson, NCAA.org (12/11/11)

Zac Bradley would love to play his X-Box on Christmas Day. The Clayton State basketball player longs to feel the controller in his nimble hands. The next time he gets to play, Bradley intends to spend a 24-hour stretch with his NBA 2K basketball, Madden NFL and NCAA Football video games. Sometimes, the sophomore asks friends to come over to play in front of him just so he can feel the excitement. Clayton State basketball player Zac Bradley has a positive attitude this holiday season despite his accident. But Bradley won’t be disappointed if his body isn’t ready. He doesn’t subscribe to that emotion these days. Instead, Bradley and his family will celebrate this holiday as a miracle – one he knows he came close to attending only in memory after a tree fell on his car during a thunderstorm last spring. The accident left him paralyzed and near death. There have since been early gifts delivered for this Christmas: A healed mind, recovered use of his arms, a Clayton State community that has celebrated him repeatedly, and a family to visit with, laugh with and hold this holiday – something none of the Bradleys are taking for granted this year. “Just to be here,” Zac said, “and able to celebrate with my family is an awesome feeling.” Family has always been a priority to the Bradleys. But the perspective is sharper this season. A year ago, opportunity was flowing in abundance. His jovial, outgoing personality quickly made Zac recognizable and popular from the moment he stepped on Clayton State’s campus on the southern edge of Atlanta. He was enjoying a successful freshman year, posting a 4.0 GPA in his first semester – something head coach Gordon Gibbons can’t recall seeing from another rookie. He played 15.9 minutes per game in his first season, scored 15 points off the bench in the Lakers’ final regular-season game and was given captain consideration for his sophomore year. He worked out on campus the afternoon of May 26, part of his offseason plan to build strength and improve his shooting, then headed to pick up his friend Asia Green from work at a nearby Old Navy store. Severe weather wasn’t forecasted, but when the thunderstorm flared up that afternoon it fit the trend of weird spring weather in the South. Devastating storms had already made headlines in Missouri and Alabama, and the rest of the South felt the effects of the unusually severe weather. This storm fit that trend and caught the community off guard. School employees watched nervously from their office windows 189

as the dark clouds gathered. Gibbons, who left school early for a round of golf, got caught in the sudden downpour and watched as the storm’s fierce winds bent pine trees toward the ground. A tree struck by lightning fell on Zac's car as he was driving home from a basketball workout. The storm was raging when Zac picked up Green and turned down North Lee Street – a divided boulevard near campus lined on all sides by pines, oaks and maple trees. As Zac steered his Kia Soul down the forested drive, lightning struck one of the trees and caused the top to tip over the road. The timing was tragically precise: The tree landed on the roof over the driver’s seat of Zac’s car, compressing the roof down to the base of the window and pinning Zac inside. The tree was so large that the first witnesses at the scene didn’t realize a car was underneath. Green broke her arm and suffered a serious spinal injury that required surgery. But Zac was trapped inside for more than an hour as rescue workers removed the tree and cut him free with the Jaws of Life. His prognosis was bleak. There was a hematoma in Zac’s brain, along with skull and neck fractures. Three different vertebrae had been broken, and his spine was twisted. Seven hours of surgery were required the night of the accident just to relieve the life-threatening pressure on Zac’s brain. A second procedure was needed days later to repair his spine. His 13-year-old sister, Ashley, screamed when doctors told the family Zac may never walk again. She became so emotional that she had to be removed from the room. His mother, Senovia, went numb. “Am I dreaming?” she wanted to believe. “Am I going to wake up?” Zac pulled through the touch-and-go moments, but his recovery was rife with challenges. An artery was cut during the spinal surgery, delaying the repair. He developed pneumonia and lived with a breathing tube for several weeks. Zac had to learn how to chew food and swallow again. He had to redevelop his strength and coordination to hold a fork and brush his teeth. After three months of therapy and practice, he was able to put on a shirt. There were many emotional breakdowns, but spurred by his family’s unwavering Christian faith, a single thought kept pushing him forward. “Make these days the best days you can make it,” Zac said. “I took that on. And I’m doing better now, and I’m thankful for it.” The support of the Clayton State community has had a significant impact on Bradley as he continues recovery. But Zac had help making those days great. His hospital room became crammed with visitors immediately after the accident: The Clayton State men’s and women’s basketball teams crowded in, along with the cheerleading squad and university officials. Constant deliveries of food rolled in – some purchased, much of it home made. And when Zac woke in the hospital after several sedated weeks, he was greeted by hundreds of get-well cards. What started as a tragedy created deeply personal impacts. Zac’s girlfriend, Sara Diggins, said she and Zac were on the brink of a breakup at the time of the accident. But the events made them reconsider the importance of their relationship, and they’ve been together since. They’ve seen other members of the community make similar personal evaluations after hearing Zac’s story. Now, strangers routinely approach, eager to testify to the impact his example made in their lives. “He’s always said that he’s been strong on his faith and knowing that God has a plan for him,” Diggins said. “We talk about it all the time. We talk about all the things that God has accomplished with the accident.” But those conversations always have a forward-facing view. It’s the only direction Zac wants to look. So rather than stay home after a four-month hospital stay, Zac 190

insisted on attending Laker Madness – the school’s official kickoff to basketball season – where his introduction with the team drew roars from the crowd. He’s been coming back since: Zac is listed as a medical redshirt on the roster. His locker bears his name and number, waiting for his return. He parks his electric wheelchair at the end of the Lakers’ bench during each home game, where Zac’s teammates receive him as if expecting to see him rip off his warm-ups and assume his usual spot in the backcourt. Zac attended Laker Madness and has remained a part of the school's basketball program. “If you guys don’t play hard, I’m coming out there!” Gibbons heard Zac yell during one game. “I’m gonna jump up there and dunk it.” The Clayton State community hasn’t left his side, either. The school held a series of fundraising events in early December as part of Zac Bradley Benefit Week. It sold T-shirts bearing his name, organized a blood drive and a gospel concert, and donated the gate receipts from a basketball double-header toward a fund intended to help the Bradleys purchase a handicapped-accessible van. Several hundred people attended each event, kicking off a fund-raising effort that so far has raised several thousand dollars toward the Help Hope Live fund in honor of Zac. And before tipoff of the men’s basketball game, Gibbons stood next to Zac at halfcourt and handed him a frame containing his retired jersey. “We’re breaking it out of that case when he’s ready to go,” Gibbons told the crowd. One of the team captains then grabbed the frame and raised it up, whipping fans into a frenzy. As Gibbons recalled those moments, the memory of Zac’s signing day came back to mind. It seemed ordinary then – the typical handshake, and the typical family predictions: “Zac is going to bring special things to Clayton State,” said Zac’s father, Nathan. Gibbons has heard those comments before. But after seeing the charity and the cheers that have enveloped the school since Zac’s accident, he agrees with the projection. “I’ve never seen anything like the feeling that hit our campus, and has remained on our campus, through this whole ordeal,” Gibbons said. “And to think that the guy had just been a freshman and hadn’t really been a star yet. He was just a freshman that already had a reputation for being an outstanding young man and an outstanding student, and it spread throughout the campus. You could feel it.” And Clayton State will continue feeling it. In January, Zac will return to campus for a full slate of classes, determined to get his life moving back in a normal direction. He isn’t easing back into school, either: Zac enrolled for 13 credits of biology, American literature, American government and CPR. He refused the option of taking online classes, too, determined to taste the life of a normal college student. Because Zac Bradley’s injury wasn’t related to But before that day, Zac and his family will first savor a competition, medical expenses were not covered by holiday they know they have been blessed to share. the NCAA Catastrophic-Injury Insurance Program. A Help Hope Live Fund has been “I can’t just look at it as a holiday,” Nathan said. “I have established to honor Zac and help with medical a lot to be thankful for because he’s still here. He can costs. To contribute, contact Kristen Davis, eat. He’s joking. We’re laughing. That’s really what it’s Assistant Director of Athletics and Senior Woman all about.” Administrator for Clayton State University, or visit HelpHopeLive.org.

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Armstrong earns Commissioner’s Cup

A record-setting athletic season has resulted in Armstrong Atlantic State receiving their first-ever PBC Commissioner’s Cup, presented at the league’s annual meetings in Hilton Head on Tuesday night. The award is presented annually to the best overall athletic department in the league, as determined by regularseason standings. A founding member of the Peach Belt, the 2011-12 Commissioner’s Cup is the first in school history. Armstrong set a league record this season by winning seven regular-season championships. The Pirates began the year with the women’s soccer crown fol2011-12 Commissioner's Cup Standings

School

Max Possible

Total Earned

Armstrong 118 88.5 Columbus State 120 86.5 Clayton State 89 56 USC Aiken 121 73.5 Augusta State 99 58.5 UNC Pembroke 127 75 Georgia College 113 61.5 Lander 118 62.5 Flagler 137 69 Montevallo 116 56 Francis Marion 108 50.5 North Georgia 110 48.5 Georgia Southwestern 113 27

Rating

.750 .721 .629 .607 .591 .591 .544 .530 .504 .483 .468 .441 .239

*Numbers in parentheses indicate maximum number of points that can be awarded for each sport. Ratings are determined by taking the maximum number of points available to each school, depending on how many sports each has, and dividing by the number of points won, based on conference finish through the regular season (except golf and cross country which are based on championship results).

lowed by a co-Championship in volleyball. Armstrong flexed their true muscle in the spring, winning league titles in baseball, softball, men’s tennis, women’s tennis and women’s golf. The previous record of PBC titles was five, set twice before. Even with those titles, the Pirates just edged out Columbus State, who finished second despite not winning a title this year, but finishing in the top four in seven sports. Clayton State was third in the standings after winning the women’s basketball title and finishing second in women’s cross country. The PBC Commissioner’s Cup is determined by calculating the number of points possible to each school, given the number of sports they participate in, divided by the number of points earned during the year. Points are determined by placement in the final regular-season standings of each of the PBC’s 13 championship sports.

Garrison and Bergfeld Named PBC Scholar Athletes of the Year The University of Montevallo’s Anna Garrison and Flagler College’s Johan Bergfeld were named the female and male Peach Belt Conference StudentAthletes of the Year at a year-end awards banquet in Hilton Head, S.C., site of the league’s annual meetings. The two were selected by the PBC’s Faculty Athletics Representatives, who looked at information on each candidate and based their vote on 50% academic accomplishment, 30% 192

athletic achievement and 20% leadership qualities. The scholar-athlete award is the highest individual award presented by the Peach Belt. Garrison graduated from Montevallo this May with a degree in communication studies and a minor in public relations with a 3.972 GPA. A first team Capitol One Academic All-American - the first UM female student-athlete to ever receive the honor - she also received an Academic Achievement Award from the Division II Athletic Directors Association, was named Academic All-District three times and PBC Presidential Honor Roll Gold Scholar three times. From LaVergne, Tenn., she was named to the President’s List eight times and received the Senior Elite honor from the communications department, an honor given to the most outstanding senior within each major at UM. She was equally impressive on the volleyball court. A four-year starter for the Falcons she was named the 2010 PBC Setter of the Year and leaves the school with the second-most assists in UM history. She spent three of her four years as a part of the Peach Belt Conference (UM joined the league in 2009) and amassed 3,737 assists to sit 10th on the PBC all-time list. She is the only UM player ever to have 3,000 career assists and 1,000 career digs. A two-time PBC All-Conference performer she was named a PBC Specialist of the Week nine times in her career. In addition to her academic and athletic accomplishments, Garrison served as the vice president of the UM Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, coaches a club team and is a member of Campus Outreach. She becomes the first Montevallo student-athlete to be named a PBC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Bergfeld graduated from Flagler in May with a degree in business administration with minors in economics, finance and marketing and a 3.96 GPA. The native of Akers Styckebruk, Sweden, was named a Capitol One Academic All-American - only the second men’s soccer player in PBC history to receive the honor. He was also named an NSCAA Scholar All-American and to the Alpha Chi and Sigma Beta Delta honor societies. A four-year player at Flagler, three of those in the PBC (Flagler joined the conference in 2009) he has been named to the President’s Academic Honor Roll Gold Scholar three times. He was a part of the Society for the Advancement of Management’s Case Team which placed third nationally this spring. On the field, Bergfeld was named the 2011 PBC Player of the Year after leading the Saints to their second PBC regular-season championship and first tournament title last fall. A third-team Daktronics All-American, he started all 23 matches in the midfield, scoring six goals - four of them game-winners - with five assists. Under his direction and leadership, Flagler won the southeast region and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight. He leaves the school a three-time first-team All-Conference selection and is now playing professionally for Orlando City on their Under 23 roster. Bergfeld becomes the first Flagler player to ever be named a PBC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The North Georgia Student-Athlete Advisory Committee has been awarded with their second consecutive PBC Make-A-Wish award for most funds raised while Georgia College was recognized with the Most Improved Award at the league’s annual meetings in Hilton Head. The Peach Belt Conference as a whole increased their giving to the Make-A-Wish foundation for the 193

third year in a row and should threaten to win the national award for conference giving. North Georgia set a league record by raising $12,000 for Make-A-Wish, eclipsing their own mark of $10,625 last year. The Saints remain the only PBC school to reach the five-digit mark in their annual campaign, which they have now done for two years in a row. North Georgia will also look to lead the nation in giving for a second straight year after pacing Division II institutions across the country last year. The record-setting effort was led by senior Hilary Cox who serves as the North Georgia Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President. The softball standout is also the PBC SAAC Executive Director and the National SAAC Representative, representing every Division II athlete in the country. Young Harris was second in the tally with $6,510 while Flagler added $5,399. Overall, Peach Belt Conference institutions raised $36,059, an increase of over $10,000 from last year with half of the 14 schools giving a thousand or more. Among that number is Georgia College who won the Most Improved Award after boosting their efforts from $500 a year ago to $2,434 this year. That amount is the fourth-highest in the Peach Belt. The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 66 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and more than 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 171,000 wishes in the U.S. since inception. Make-A-Wish and NCAA Division II entered into a partnership in 2003.

Augusta State Wins Presidents’ Academic Award

The Augusta State University athletic department was presented with their first-ever Peach Belt Conference Presidents’ Academic Award at the league’s annual meetings in Hilton Head. The award recognizes excellence in academics concerning all of an institution’s student-athletes. 2011-12 is the seventh year the award has been presented. This spring, the Peach Belt Conference asked each of the league’s 13 members to submit an average GPA for the undergraduate student body and a GPA for all student-athletes. These two numbers were then used to create a ratio identifying which school’s athletes were performing the most ahead of the curve in comparison to the student body. Schools were not measured against one another, just their athletes to their students. Augusta State had the highest ratio at 1.100, but at 10 of the 13 PBC member institutions the student-athletes had, on average, a better GPA than the general student body. The Presidents’ Academic Award is part of a larger conference program to highlight the accomplishments of PBC student athletes in the classroom as well as on the field. Past Winners: UNC Pembroke, 2010-11; UNC Pembroke, 2009-10; USC Aiken, 2008-09; Georgia Southwestern, 2007-08; Armstrong, 2006-07; Armstrong, 2005-06

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ing the best overall sportsmanship for the 2011-12 season and culminates the PBC’s season-long sportsmanship recognition program. The program presented an award following each championship season to the team in that sport that best exemplified the spirit of sportsmanship and generally conducted themselves with a high degree of integrity, character and class. The team award is selected by other teams who competed in that sport. Points were awarded based on how each team finished in the voting.

Flagler Claims Second Institution of the Year Prize Flagler College received their second consecutive PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award at the annual meetings in Hilton Head on Tuesday night. Flagler becomes the first school to earn the award in consecutive seasons since it was founded in 2008. The award is given annually to the institution display-

The Saints once again led the Peach Belt Conference, earning team sportsmanship awards in four sports in 2011-12. The Saints won in softball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and men’s cross country and have taken 13 team sportsmanship awards in the last three years, more than any other PBC institution. PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award Winners: Flagler, 2011-12; Flagler, 2010-11; North Georgia, 2009-10; Francis Marion, 2008-09

Columbus State Training Staff gains Accolade

The Peach Belt Conference announced that Columbus State University has been named the 2011-12 Training Staff of the Year at the league’s annual meeting in Hilton Head. The award was presented to CSU head athletic trainer Jared Sandler at Tuesday’s awards banquet, who accepted on behalf of his entire staff. The award is voted on by PBC Athletic Trainers. “I am fortunate to have an incredibly supportive administration, excellent team physicians, accommodating coaches, and a hard working staff,” said Sandler. “We are honored and humbled to receive this award from our athletic training peers.” Sandler and the CSU training staff faced a monumental challenge in 2011-12 as they were tasked with hosting four Peach Belt Conference tournament championships this year. Over 1,000 PBC student-athletes participated in the basketball, baseball, softball and golf tournaments hosted by CSU. Two of those events, the baseball and golf, were held at off-campus sites requiring the CSU staff to set up mobile treatment areas. Sandler accepted the award on behalf of his staff which includes graduate assistants Ashley Pearce, Adam Rooks, Kelli Seremet and Kathleen Simone. The CSU training staff also works closely with the Hughston Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Clinic and head team physician Dr. Champ Baker, Jr. Julio Llanos is the Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine at CSU and oversees the sports medicine program. 195

PBC Hands Out First Ever SunTrust Minority Postgraduate Scholarships The Peach Belt Conference (PBC) and SunTrust Banks, Inc., are proud to announce that Georgia Southwestern State University senior women’s basketball player Jessica Bivins and senior men’s soccer player Kofi Trim have been awarded PBC-SunTrust Minority Postgraduate Scholarships. The scholarship provides financial support to a deserving Peach Belt minority student-athlete in pursuit of postgraduate college degree. Bivins, who graduated from GSW this May, was awarded the Spring scholarship while Trim was awarded the Fall scholarship in December. “The PBC-SunTrust Postgraduate Scholarship will highlight my road to success tremendously,” said Bivins. “I am blessed to be in a position to show that all student-athletes are capable of excelling on and off the court and receiving this honor signifies that all the hard work and sacrifice has paid off.” A native of Orlando, Fla., Bivins was also named a recipient of the NCAA Ethnic Minority and Women Enhancement Scholarship. She received her undergraduate degree in exercise science from GSW with a 3.41 GPA and will attend the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University this fall with the goal of earning a doctorate in physical therapy. “SunTrust has a long and proud history of supporting a variety of education initiatives that allow people to achieve their goals and foster economically healthy and vibrant communities,” said Kevin Blair, chairman, chief executive officer, and president of SunTrust Bank, Georgia Region. “We are pleased to partner with the Peach Belt Conference, and to award this scholarship to Jessica Bivins in recognition of her excellence in the classroom and on the court.” On the court, Bivins was one of two players to start in all 27 games for the Hurricanes. She was third on the team in scoring with 11.6 points per game. She was also third on the team with 2.6 assists and an integral part of a team that set NCAA-era school records for total victories and conference wins. “Jessica Bivins is the epitome of the NCAA student-athlete,” said PBC commissioner David R. Brunk. “The dedication she has shown not only to her coaches and teammates but to her academic goals is truly astonishing and we are so proud to be able to work with SunTrust to help her reach those goals.” Bivins was named to the PBC Presidential Honor Roll for three straight years and the twice to the women’s basketball All-Academic team. A member of Who’s Who, she completed a 125-hour Practicum at Phoebe Sumter Hospital’s Physical Therapy Clinic last summer and will finish a 500-hour internship at a clinic in Orlando this summer. She plans to pursue a career in physical therapy. Trim, who played on the men’s soccer team and graduated from USC Aiken in December, is the winner of the fall graduate scholarship. “I am truly honored to be the recipient of such a prestigious award,” said Trim, who plans to begin graduate school in the fall. “This award solidifies the fact that hard work and dedication are still rewarded and cherished. I appreciate SunTrust’s support of this scholarship program, and offer many thanks to USC Aiken and the Peach Belt conference for all that they have done for me in my personal development. A native of San Juan, Trinidad, Trim graduated with a business degree in marketing from USC Aiken in December with a 3.837 cumulative GPA. A two-year starter on the Pacer soccer team defense, he made nine starts in 2010. He was named to the PBC All-Academic team and received the Division II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award. Trim balanced his athletic responsibilities with consistent classroom work and on-campus involvement. He was named the Most Outstanding Marketing Student of 2011 while participating on the School of Business student advisory board. He also served as a Pacesetter and Spirit Club member and was named to the USCA Dean’s List and the PBC Presidential Honor Roll. “Students like Kofi Trim are the reason we worked with SunTrust to create this award,” said PBC commissioner David R. Brunk. “What he has been able to do on the field, in the classroom and on campus speaks to his dedication and commitment to not only making himself the best he can be, but to providing leadership and camaraderie to those around him.” Trim plans to pursue a career in marketing and advertising with the goal of beginning his own agency to serve Trinidad and Tobago and other developing Caribbean nations.

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Montevallo Wins Inaugural Connecting COmmunities Award

The University of Montevallo athletic department was awarded the first-ever SunTrust Connecting Communities Award at the Peach Belt Conference annual awards dinner at the annual meetings on Tuesday night. Montevallo won for their inaugural ‘MOO Day’ which brought local elementary school children to the campus for a full day of athletic-related activities. The award is sponsored by SunTrust Banks, Inc., an official partner of the Peach Belt Conference. MOO DAY - the Montevallo Official Olympics - allowed UM coaches and athletes, especially foreign athletes, to conduct an Olympic-style festival with basketball, soccer and track and field events. 125 students from Montevallo Elementary School were divided into six ‘countries’ and participated in every event. Each country was partnered with UM student-athletes and staff to serve as coaches and evaluators. Over 22 Falcon student-athletes and 12 staff members coordinated the event. “This was a way for them to put a face with the school and ultimately make a connection with a real Norwegian studentathlete, Irish student-athlete, etc.,” said Montevallo athletic director Jim Herlihy. “We believe all children should have the opportunity to attend college and live the dream of achieving and obtaining a college degree, but more importantly have an opportunity to be exposed to different cultures outside of their geographical radius and make exercise fun with a goal towards a healthier lifestyle.” For the contests, each country was given their national flag and taught to cheer their teams in the native language. Staff

members on bicycles monitored all events and awarded bonus points for sportsmanship. Points were kept and tallied for each country. After three and a half hours of competition, participants returned to the UM Arena for a medal ceremony, which awarded gold, silver and bronze to each winning team. Additional awards were given to the most sportsmanlike country. This was followed by a group pizza picnic where the elementary school students were quizzed about their experiences and what they learned. The event was coordinated with the Montevallo Connection Organization. UM plans to make this an annual event. In all, seven Peach Belt Conference school submitted entries for the SunTrust Connecting Communities award. The award is designed to recognize efforts undertaken by PBC member institutions to reach out and be a partner with their local and regional communities. The award provides a cash prize to be given to the winning schools’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Tripp Warrick: Living a Life in Balance Tripp Warrick has been around athletics all of his life.

When your father, Randy Warrick, has been the Director of Athletics at one institution for all of your life there really is no choice. Still, Tripp has embraced the opportunity, as he has followed his father to the University of South Carolina Aiken where his father is in his 34th year with the athletic department. Randy was the head baseball coach 197

at USC Aiken for 11 years before solely focusing his efforts on the administrative efforts of the NCAA Division II institution. Tripp has not let the daunting prospect of playing baseball at the institution where his father is in charge get to him. Instead, the 21-year-old has become the human embodiment of everything that NCAA Division II “Life in the Balance” is all about. The “Life in the Balance” approach in NCAA Division II notes that the student-athlete experience at the level is a comprehensive program of learning and development in a personal setting. Not only a member of USC Aiken’s nationally-recognized baseball program, Tripp Warrick is also a Chemistry major at USC Aiken. Tripp has put the same fervor into his studies that he has put into his baseball efforts as he enters his senior year boasting a 3.985 grade point average. Warrick hit .333 in the 2012 season for the nationally-ranked Pacers. The junior was also most recently elected the Student Body President at USC Aiken. In a Division II student-athlete model that emphasizes six key attributes in learning, balance, resourcefulness, sportsmanship, passion and service, Tripp has unknowingly proven that the model is obtainable and finding the right balance is exactly what every college student at this level should try and do everyday. In fact, Peach Belt Conference Commissioner David Brunk used Tripp as an example of what finding the right balance is all about at a meeting with the NCAA in Indianapolis in the spring of 2012. Tripp plans to continue his efforts in the classroom into medical school after graduating from USC Aiken in the spring of 2012. Baseball will not be a part of his studies at the next level, but the balance and integration he obtained from his time as a Division II student-athlete will have more than prepared him for his life ahead.

New Sports on the Horizon for Several Schools

This year five Peach Belt Conference schools announced the addition of new sports to their respective intercollegiate athletics offerings. Augusta State will be starting men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, Columbus State and Georgia College will be adding volleyball, Montevallo will begin women’s track and field and Young Harris will be starting men’s and women’s lacrosse and competitive cheer. 198

Clayton State AD Mason Barfield Retires He started the athletic program at Clayton State University from scratch in 1989; now, 22 years later, Mason Barfield is leaving Laker athletics on its strongest ground. Barfield made the announcement on Tuesday, Aug. 30, that he will be retiring this year as athletic director at Clayton State. The only athletic director in the history of athletics at Clayton State, Barfield’s last official day will be Oct. 21, 2011. He leaves behind a program that he started with one sport at the NAIA level in 1990, and developed it into a highlycompetitive program at the NCAA Division II level, and a program that won its first national championship, in women’s basketball, this past March.

However, Barfield’s biggest challenge came in the winter of 1995 when the Clayton State administration announced the intention to move the athletic program to NCAA Division II status and join the Peach Belt Conference. To make that happen, Barfield oversaw the unprecedented move of starting up five new sports – women’s soccer, men’s golf, women’s tennis and men’s and women’s cross country – with competition in those five sports beginning in the fall of 1995, just six months after the announcment of the additions.

“Mason Barfield was first and foremost a university leader. While his more than two-decade focus was on athletics and student athletes and athletic programs, that focus was guided by his commitment to this University and its commitment to learning,” says Clayton State President Dr. Thomas J. “Tim” Hynes. “He followed the rules; he put student learning and student success first; he believed and proved, together with his coaches and staff, that a program could do those things, and succeed competitively. He is seen as a campus leader whose voice is to be respected and valued.

Dr. Richard A. Skinner, Clayton State’s president at that time, recalls the most important aspects to this dramatic expansion of Clayton State athletics.

“For me personally, I have come to rely on his perspectives on this university and on athletics and on higher education. I will miss him a great deal.” A native of Hahira, Ga., Barfield was hired as the athletic director and men’s head basketball coach at Clayton State in the fall of 1989 after serving one year as an instructor and men’s assistant basketball coach at Kennesaw State University, three years of teaching and serving as boy’s head basketball coach at Lassiter High School in Marietta, Ga., and three years of teaching and coaching at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Ga. Over the first five seasons as an NAIA program, he built the Laker men’s basketball program into a highly-competitive team in the Georgia Athletic Conference, winning consecutive regular season conference championships in 1994 and 1995, and winning more games than all but one four year intercollegiate program in the state over his last three seasons. In addition, he also helped institute both women’s basketball (1991) and men’s soccer (1992) at Clayton State.

“When I told Mason the time was right for us to move into NCAA Division II, I told him I would help him recruit student-athletes but only if I could say the following to them: you are a STUDENT-athlete, so graduate; we owe you and your teammates the chance to be competitive; you represent Clayton State University every time you put on a uniform, grab a golf club, or run any distance — make us proud of you as a person,” he says. Skinner also recalls Barfield’s response. “Mason paused and took a deep breath and said, “we can do better than that.” remembers Skinner. “He was right and the student-athletes did do better, much better than any of us could have imagined. And if Mason never made a basket, holed a putt, or did a header for a goal, he created an environment in which much was expected and more was delivered. Mason Barfield IS athletics at Clayton State and we shall not see his like again.” In looking back on his 22 years at Clayton State, it’s not surprising to realize that Barfield’s sense of accomplishment still fits within the parameters of his 1994 conversation with Skinner. Noting that his first mandate was

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to start a men’s intercollegiate basketball team, and his second mandate was to create a competitive Division II program, Barfield says, “I fulfilled my obligation to the University, and have done so with a great sense of pride in that we did it the right way. We respected our responsibility to the academic integrity of our programs and student-athletes, and our athletes’ responsibility to represent Clayton State as good citizens has brought a great deal of positive recognition to this institution.” After the first few years of transition into the Peach Belt Conference, Laker athletics began to take shape at the Division II level under Barfield’s leadership. Since 2000, Clayton State has won 14 Peach Belt Conference regular season championships and finished conference runnerup on 11 occasions. In addition, Laker teams have also won eight Peach Belt tournament titles and finished as tournament runner-up four times, establishing Clayton State as an elite power in the Peach Belt. The Lakers combined PBC Commissioner’s Cup points total since 2000 distinquishes the program as one of the top three most successful programs over that period of time.

mendous academic endeavor. Therefore, since resouces were stretched during these formative years, I utilized the resources available us in a way that prioritized substance over style, with an emphasis on attaining quality people to both fill our student-athlete rosters and lead our programs as coaches and staff. “My philosophy of success has always put a higher value on people of substance who represent your program over the style of uniform or shoes that you wear.”

“Mason Barfield is not only a superb athletics director, he is one of the finest people I have known,” says University of Wisconsin – Green Bay Chancellor Dr. Thomas K. Harden, president of Clayton State University from 2000 to 2009. “As president, I was always confident that in all his decisions and actions, Mason kept the interest of students foremost in his mind. Always honest and forthcoming, I knew I could trust him to make excellent decisions and lead the Lakers in ways that made me proud to be associated with the program. His mark of excellence is evident in all aspects of the athletic program at Clayton State, and he has positioned athletics At the national level, Clayton State teams have advanced for further success. He has worked tirelessly as a great to the NCAA Division II National Tournament 27 times ambassador for Clayton State. since 2000, including three “Final Four,” six “Elite Eight” and 14 “Sweet 16” appearances. The culmination of that “Those who know Mason also know that he is a dedisuccess was last spring when the Laker women’s basket- cated family man. I am happy for him to reach the point ball team captured Clayton State’s first-ever NCAA Divi- in his professional life that he can now devote more time sion II national championship, defeating Michigan Tech, to his family.” 69-50, on Mar. 25, 2011, in the title game in St. Joseph’s, Mo.. Barfield’s future plans do indeed include “going home” to Hahira, a move that will allow him to pursue some “The one thing I would like to stress more than anypersonal obligations to family and to pursue some thing else is that this has been a team effort on behalf future professional opportunities. As for his time at of everyone here at this institution. It’s been the most Clayton State, as the only administrator at Clayton State important ingredient to our success,” he says. “What to serve under all four presidents (and interim president we’ve accomplished here is directly related to the literMichael Vollmer), and the University’s senior adminisally hundreds of people here at Clayton State, and in our trator in terms of length of service, Barfield notes that community, who have supported what we have done all of the University’s leaders, beginning with founding over the past 22 years. president Dr. Harry S. Downs, have been men in the right place at the right time, and not just for the athletic “I firmly believe this athletic program’s best days are program, but for the institution. still ahead, for it will continue to reflect the continued success of this great institution and the wonderful future The same might be said for the athletic director. When that lies ahead for it.” he was hired by Downs in 1989, as a one-year college coach with no experience as an athletic director, Downs Barfield also points out that such wide-spread support told him, “Mason, you’ve never done this before, but was a necessity, given the challenging circumstances neither have we. So we’re going to learn how to do this that accompanied the building of the athletic program. together.” “We created a NCAA Division II intercollegiate program at the same time the institution’s mission was changed from that of a small, two-year community college in 1986, to a senior college unit offering four year degrees,” he points out. “Since we began putting our athletic program together in 1989, Clayton State has added more than 30 baccalaureate degree and eight graduate level degree programs while almost doubling its enrollment. Needless to say, there was a great demand for the institution’s resources to focus on accomplishing this tre-

And learn they did. **Carl McAloose assumed the Director of Athletics position at Clayton State as of June 4th, 2012. For more information on his hire click here.**

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Championships Calendar FALL CHAMPIONSHIPS Cross Country (Men’s and Women’s) PBC Championships Oct. 20, 2012 Men: 9 am; Women: 9:45 am (Central) Hosted by Montevallo NCAA Championships Regionals - Nov. 3, 2012 Charlotte, N.C. Finals - Nov. 17, 2012 Joplin, Mo.

Women’s Soccer PBC Tournament First Round - Oct. 30, 2012 Top 8 teams - at higher seed Championships - Nov. 2, 4, 2012 Blanchard Woods Park Evans, Ga. NCAA Championships 1st & 2nd Rounds: Nov. 9 & 11, 2012 3rd Round/Quarterfinals Nov. 16 & 18, 2012 Finals - Nov. 29 & Dec. 1 Blanchard Woods Park Evans, Ga.

Men’s Soccer PBC Tournament First Round - Oct. 30, 2012

Top 8 teams - at higher seed Regionals - March 16-19, 2013 Championships - Nov. 2, 4, 2012 Elite Eight - March 27-28 & 30 Blanchard Woods Park Highland Heights, Ky. Evans, Ga. Women’s NCAA Championships NCAA Championships Regionals - March 15-18, 2013 Opening Round - Nov. 7, 2012 Elite Eight - March 26-27 & 29 1st & 2nd Rounds San Antonio, Texas Nov. 9, 11, 2012 Quarterfinals - Nov. 17, 2012 Finals - Nov. 29 & Dec. 1 Blanchard Woods Park Evans, Ga.

SPRING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Regionals - May 5-7, 2013 Finals - May 15-17, 2013 Daytona Beach, Fla.

Track & Field (Men’s and Women’s) PBC Championships TBD NCAA Championships Finals - May 23-25 Pueblo, Colo.

Volleyball

Tennis (Men’s and Women’s)

Softball

PBC Tournament Nov. 16-18, 2013 Hosted by Flagler St. Augustine, Fla.

PBC Tournament April 12-14, 2013 Palmetto Tennis Center Sumter, S.C.

NCAA Championships Regionals Nov. 29 - Dec. 2, 2012 Finals - Dec. 6-8, 2012 Pensacola, Fla.

PBC Tournament April 20-21, 2013 Top 8 teams single elimination Site TBA

NCAA Championships Regionals - April 27-29, 2013 Finals - May 8-10, 2013 Surprise, Az.

WINTER CHAMPIONSHIPS

Golf (Men’s and Women’s)

Basketball (Men’s and Women’s)

PBC Tournament April 19-21, 2013 Callaway Gardens Hosted by Columbus State

PBC Championships March 7-10, 2013 Hosted by Columbus State Top 4 in each division

NCAA Men’s Championships Regionals - May 6-8, 2013 Finals - May 20-23, 2013 Hershey, Pa.

Men’s NCAA Championships

NCAA Championships Regionals - May 10-12, 2013 Super Regionals May 17-18, 2013 Finals - May 23-26, 2012 Salem, Va.

Baseball PBC Tournament May 8-12, 2013 Top 8 teams Site TBA

NCAA Championships Regionals - May 15-19, 2013 World Series - May 26-31 NCAA Women’s Championships Cary, N.C. 201

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2011-12 Year in Pictures 203