RRAC/Sooner Challenge

The Knights will play their first home games at Quick Trip Ballpark(Grand Prairie Air Hogs) in Grand Prairie as part of the RRAC/Sooner challenge.

The challenge will feature Northwood University and Texas Wesleyan University from the RRAC along with Lubbock Christian University and Oklahoma City University from the Sooner Conference.

Friday, Feb. 5th will feature NU vs LCU at Quick Trip Ballpark in a 1pm double header. At the same time, TWU will take on OCU at LaGrave Field in Fort Worth. Saturday will see NU take on OCU and TWU vs LCU.

The two day event features some of the best teams in all of NAIA baseball. LCU is coming off of a National Championship and is tabbed in the NAIA Pre-Season Coach's poll as the nations #1 team. OCU is close behind, coming in at #3 after a third place finish in last years NAIA World Series. Northwood, coming off of back to back RRAC Titles, is currently ranked #25, entering the poll for the first time in ten years. TWU, finishing runner-up the last two years to the Knights, is currently ranked #28.

Harris Enjoying Instructional League In The Dominican

Former Knight outfielder, RJ Harris, is spending his winter under the sun of the Dominican Republic. Harris was selected as one of the Mets prospects to go to the Dominican to work on his game before he begins his second year in the minor leagues. Harris is coming off quite a year as he was selected as the RRAC Player Of The Year and then was selected by the NY Mets in the 14th round of the MLB Draft.

Knights Back In Top 25 Coach's Poll

The Knights have gotten back in the top 25 coaches poll for the first time in 10 years. The Knights came in at number 25 when the poll was released on Tuesday. It was just three years ago that the Knights finished the year with a 16-32 record. The last two years have resulted in the Knights finishing 26-25 (RRAC Champions) and 36-19 (RRAC Champions). The Knights have high hopes for 2010 as they continue to strive towards the NAIA World Series in Lewiston.

Recognition in the pre-season poll is another step as the current Knights continue to strive towards bringing the program back to national prominence. Special thanks are in order to those who have impacted the program in the past two years, those who have accepted the challenge to bring the program back. The following are those who have helped in getting the program turned around, these individuals have stuck it out even when the going got tough.

Robert Garza-Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator (07-present)

Raymond Bergara-Assistant Coach/ Pitching Coach (09-present)

Hagan Keele-2B (09)/student assistant coach (present)

Justin Balich- C/DH (06-08)

Chaney Stout- Utl. (07-present) 2B Gold Glove 07

Alberto Gutierrez- P (06-09) 1st Team RRAC 08&09

Chris McGuire- C (07-08) 2nd Team RRAC 07&08

RJ Harris- OF (08-09) RRAC MVP 09 Mets 14th round

Justin Parks- CF (04-08) 1st Team RRAC

Cody Via- (05-08) Huge walk off HR getting Knights into 08 RRAC Tourney

Alex Braly- P (08-09)

Tyler Marrujo- P (06-09)

Josh Matthews- P (08-present)

Garret Randle- P (08-present)

Randy Richter- Utl. (07-present)

Bryan Root- OF/1B (06-08) 2nd Team RRAC 08

Tyler Rucker- P (07-present)

Ron Santos- C (08-09) 2nd Team RRAC 09

Justin Coats- 2B (09-present) 2nd Team RRAC DH

Carey Crain- OF (09) 1st Team RRAC/Honorable Mention All American/NU RBI Record Holder

Thomas Huggins- 1B (09-present) 2nd Team RRAC

Roger Ibarra- C (09-present)

Humberto Miranda- 2B (09-present) 2nd Team RRAC 09

Jeff Sakowski- OF/P (09-present) 2nd Team RRAC 09

Kal Saldana- Utl. (09-present)

Anthony Washington- OF (09-present)

Thank you all for your contributions!

Check out the pre-season poll by clicking on the title of this article.

Knights Picked To Win RRAC For Third Straight Year

The NAIA Conference Ratings were released on Monday, ranking Northwood 1st in the Red River Athletic Conference. The Knights are coming off of back to back RRAC Championships.

The Knights RRAC rival Texas Wesleyan University is ranked second followed by UT-Brownsville and Bacone College.

The Knights return nine position players who had significant playing time last year. There are a few new position players expected to have an immediate impact on this years squad. Catcher Johnny Aldaz is expected to hit in the middle of the Knights line-up after an impressive fall where he was named MVP of the Knights Fall World Series. Aldaz, a junior transfer from Cisco Junior College will split time behind the plate with Sr. Matt Redding. Sam Houston State transfer, Justin Keithley, will be looked upon to add an offensive boost to the top of the Knights line-up which has to replace two of the country's best hitters from a year ago in RJ Harris and Carey Crain. Shortstop, Darby Walker, will add his experience to the mix as he looks to fit into the line-up at a variety of spots. Walker was named Freshman of the Year in the Lonestar Conference following his first year at West Texas A&M. Freshman, Adam Humes will add depth for the Knights at first base. Humes impressed in his first fall with his defensive skills and constantly developing offensive ability. Humes will be counted on the fill in at times for Thomas Huggins who is coming off of major leg surgery after breaking his leg in the RRAC Conference Tournament in 09.

The Knights biggest improvement will be seen on the mound as they have added both depth and talent. A host of newcomers are expected to have a major impact on this years club; Kane Kimrey(Howard College), Trent Montgomery (NE Oklahoma), Corey Sartor (Howard College), Frank Abbl (Mesa CC/Diamondbacks), George Isabel (Garden City CC), Sean Ayala (NCTC), Darby Walker (Cisco JC), Chase Campbell (Alvin CC), and Nick Coronado (Irvine CC).

You can see the Knights on February 5th as they take on defending National Champions, Lubbock Christian University, at Quick Trip Ballpark in Grand Prairie.

Will Power Wednesday's

The Knights are on their way home to enjoy Thanksgiving with friends and family but before they left they had a little competing to do. The event was one on one Tug of War.

The team was split into weight divisions then drafted by Coach Garza and Coach Bergara. Coach Garza's team got off to a hot start by winning the first four bouts. The tide began to change at the half way point as Bergara's team started making a comeback. By the time the final match rolled around, some 90 minutes after the event began, it was down to the final two heavyweights, 6'3 225 lb Garret Randle and 6'4 230lb Nick Coronado. Randle pulled to the early lead nearly pulling Coronado across the victory line but Nick weathered the early storm and wore down Randle eventually pulling out the win as the rope slipped from Randle's hands. With the final victory Coach Garza's team went home with the team win.

You can check this match-up out on you tube by clicking on the title of this artilce.

Black Knights End Series With Authority

The Black Knights ended the fall world series with a 2 game sweep Tuesday afternoon. Both games were ugly with the final game ending on a walk off run rule home run by Johnny Aldaz. Aldaz ended the day going 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBI. The Black Knights racked up another 12 runs on 12 hits while striking out just twice.

On the mound Corey Sartor dominated through three innings of work, striking out 7 of the 10 batters he faced. The lone hit Sartor surrendered was on a solo home run by White Knights shortstop Shane Bagley.

For their efforts, Corey Sartor was named most outstanding pitcher of the series and Johnny Aldaz was named series Most Valuable Player.

The Fall World Series ends the Knights fall practice schedule, they will now start their off season strength and conditioning program. The Knights open up their season on the road as they will take on Houston Victoria on January 29th. The Knight's home opener is against Austin College on Tuesday February 2nd at 1pm.

Black Knights Take Game One of Knights Fall World Series

Behind an offensive explosion from the first four hitters in Coach Garza's Black Knights line-up, his team pounds Coach Keele's White Knights in the opening game of the three game fall world series.

The game got off to a rocky start in the first for the White Knights as Justin Coats hit a harmless fly ball to Dewitt Knight in right field that was misplayed into a leadoff double, setting the tone for the offensive onslaught that followed. The Black Knights pounded out 12 runs on 10 hits. The Black Knights top four hitters did the following damage; Justin Coats 1-3 3runs, Darby Walker 2-2 2 RBI 1 triple, Jeff Sakowski 2-4 2 RBI, Johnny Aldaz 2-4 4 RBI 1 HR.

On the mound, Garret Randle, threw 3 innings for the Black Knights, giving up 1 run on 3 hits while striking out 3. For the White Knights, Kane Kimrey threw 2 &1/3 innings, giving up 6 runs 4 earned on 6 hits while striking out 2.

Game 2 will be played today with a start time of 3:15. The Black Knights will look to close out the series by sending Jr lefty Corey Sartor to the mound. The White Knights will counter with Jr righty Sean Ayala.