Tigers To Host HBCU Classic

February 20, 2008
SAVANNAH, Ga- The Savannah State baseball team will open the 2008 season by hosting the HBCU Classic. The Tigers will welcome North Carolina Central, Chicago State and Norfolk State to the city for the round robin tournament which takes place February 22-24. All games will be played at Tiger Field.

A preview of the participating teams:

SAVANNAH STATE: Carlton Hardy returns for his third season with the Tigers. Coming off a 31-23 season, SSU lost 16 lettermen as well as their entire starting pitching staff. The left side of the infield will be solid with the return of shortstop Brandon Javis (.318, 7 home runs and 37 RBI) and third baseman Alfred Arnold (.244, 18 RBI). Nate Wormley (.311, 16 RBI) and Kyle Wilkerson (.242, 18 RBI) will anchor the outfield.

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL: The Eagles were 21-24 last year and won the regular season title in the CIAA. With 16 returnees, NCCU wil be playing their first year in Division I. Head coach Henry White, who was CIAA Coach of the Year in 2007, welcomes back shortstop Juston Goodson, who was the CIAA Rookie of the Year last season. Also back is third baseman Robert Landis who batted .369. The Eagles led Division II in stolen bases last year, swiping 209 in 241 attempts.

CHICAGO STATE: Husain Mahmoud will begin his first year as head coach of the Cougars. CSU, which is in a rebuilding stage, has 14 newcomers. Road games at Cincinnati, Kansas, Jackson State, Southern and Notre Dame line the schedule.

NORFOLK STATE: The Spartans were .500 a year ago posting a 25-25 record. NSU also set a single season school record for Division I wins. Joey Seal (75 strikeouts) and Leon Schabacker (65 strikeouts) will be the top pitchers. Second team All-MEAC selection Moriba George (.284, 21 RBI) is back to play shortstop. Outfielders Billy Canady (.264) and Jerrod Farley (.243) are also back. The duo combined to steal 24 bases a year ago.

Savannah State will play North Carolina Central on Feb. 22 at 10:00 am. On Feb. 23, the Tigers are schedule to play Chicago State at 1:30 p.m. SSU closes out the tournament at 1:30 on Feb. 24 when they play Norfolk State.