McNeese Softball advances to Regional Championship game with win over Minnesota

Photo courtesy of McNeese Athletics Communications

SEATTLE, WASINGTON (May 21, 2023) For the second straight year, McNeese softball is headed to the regional championship game after a 1-0 win over Minnesota late Saturday night.  The Cowgirls (46-15) will face the No. 7 overall ranked team in the nation and the regionals No. 1 seed Washington (40-12) at 3 p.m. (CT) Sunday.  The Cowgirls must defeat the Huskies twice if they want to advance to their first Super Regionals in program history.

Freshman Corine Poncho took advantage of her first start in the regional tournament and provided the game winning RBI in the second inning with a two out single through the left side that scored Mariana Torres from second.  Torres reach base on a one out walk then moved into scoring position on a ground out by Rylie Bouvier.

Ashley Vallejo (19-8) tossed another gem and picked up her seventh shutout of the season.  The shutout by the Cowgirls is the first shutout by a Southland Conference in the NCAA Tournament since 2009.

Vallejo allowed six hits with three strikeouts, and one walk.  The three strikeouts marked 300 for her career.

The other Cowgirl hit of the game came from Chloe Gomez who singled up the middle in the third inning.

Minnesota (38-19) used three pitchers in the game with starter Jacie Hambrick taking the loss to fall to 7-7 on the year.  Hambrick allowed one earned run on one hit with two walks and one strikeout in 2.0 innings.

McNeese State softball punches ticket to NCAA Tournament

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (May 13, 2023) Fans are invited to join the 2023 Southland Conference Tournament Softball Champions, McNeese Cowgirls at Mr. Bill’s Seafood Express on Sunday, May 14 for the NCAA Selection Show that will begin at 6 p.m. (CST) on ESPN2.  Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

The 64-team double-elimination bracket that spreads among 16 regional locations will take place May 19-21.

The Sixteen regional winners will then advance to the super regional, a two-team, best-of-three style format held either May 25-27, or May 26-28.

The eight super regional winners earn spots in the 2023 Women's College World Series that begins on Thursday, June 1. The WCWS begins in double-elimination format, before the final two teams play a best-of-three series for the national championship.

McNeese (44-14) earned the Southland’s automatic bid with a 1-0 (8 inning) win over Southeastern on Saturday to advance to its ninth NCAA Tournament.

Last second 3-pointer lifts No. 11 Loyola Chicago over No. 8 Miami (Fla)

Story and Photos by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

DALLAS, TEXAS (March 15, 2018) With 3/10 of a second to go in the game, starting forward Donte Ingram connected from three-point range to give No. 11 Loyola Chicago a 62-60 win over No. 8 Miami (Fla.) in the second game of the first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. With neither team able to gain an advantage after 20 minutes of play and the score tied at 28, both teams came onto the court for the second half and that told the story of the game.

Both teams shot 50% or better in the first half; (Loyola 52%, Miami 50%), however the difference in the game came down to the second half. Miami led in almost every stat, but the final three-pointer by Ingram made the difference and sent the Ramblers to the second round. Both teams led by seven points at different times in the game; Loyola at the 14:02 mark in the first half and Miami with 15:40 left in the game. Coming down the stretch, the Hurricanes were never behind until Ingram's three-pointer. With nine seconds left in the game, starting guard Ben Richardson rebounded a missed free throw by Miami's Lonnie Walker IV.  After bring the ball down the court, Marquis Townes receive the ball and quickly fed it to Townes for the score. It was Townes second credited assist of the game.

Ramblers' head coach Porter Moser talked with the press after the game and was quoted:

"You know, first of all, God is good. He blessed this group. We give the glory to him. He blessed our University, this group. He blessed me being able to coach resilient kids. The second thing with these young guys, we're in the huddle. Even when we were down seven, it was just about keep fighting, keep fighting. There's no quit in these guys. They believe. They share the ball. We had 19 assists. And a great example is that last pass to Donte with Marques to find it. They made big shots. Clay made a big shot on an action we run in the corner. Very, very blessed that we have kids that do not quit, that are resilient." 

The Rambles had four players in double figures, with Clayton Custer leading the was with 14, Ingram followed with 13, while Aundre Jackson and Cameron Krutwig coming off the bench to contribute 12 and 11, respectively. Miami had four players scoring in double figures, led by Walker IV with 12. Loyola will next face No. 3 Tennessee on Saturday, March 17. The Volunteers downed Wright State 73-47 earlier in the day.

2018 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament: Midwest Bracket

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

DALLAS, TEXAS (March 14, 2018) As I have done for the past five years, I am posting my picks for each round of the 2018 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, right up to the final game. I will be listing the first-round games in four posts. The fourth post will be the midwest bracket. My picks are underlined.

FIRST ROUND

Midwest

No. 1 Kansas

No 16. Penn

No. 8 Seton Hall

No. 9 NC State

No. 5 Clemson

No. 12 New Mexico State

No. 4 Auburn

No. 13 Charleston

No. 6 TCU

No. 11

No. 3 Michigan State

No. 14 Bucknell

No. 7 Rhode Island

No. 10 Oklahoma

No. 2 Duke

No. 15 Iona

2018 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament: East Bracket

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

DALLAS, TEXAS (March 14, 2018) As I have done for the past five years, I am posting my picks for each round of the 2018 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, right up to the final game. I will be listing the first-round games in four posts. The second post will be the east bracket. My picks are underlined.

FIRST ROUND

East

No. 1 Villanova

No. 16 Radford

No. 8 Virginia Tech

No. 9 Alabama

No. 5 West Virginia

No. 12 Murray State

No. 4 Wichita State

No. 13 Marshall

No. 6 Florida

No. 11 St. Bonaventure

No. 3 Texas Tech

No. 14 Stephen F. Austin

No. 7 Arkansas

No. 10 Butler

No. 2 Purdue

No. 15 CS Fullerton

2017 NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Tournament, First Round Results

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

DEER PARK, TEXAS (March 18, 2017) Here are the scores for the first round games of the 2017 NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Tournament. My picks are underlined.

EAST

No. 1 Villanova 76, No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s 56

No. 8 Wisconsin 84, No. 9 Virginia Tech 74

No. 5 Virginia 76, No. 12 UNC-Wilmington 71

No. 4 Florida 80, No. 13 East Tennessee State 65

No. 11 USC 66, No. 6 SMU 65

No. 3 Baylor 91, No. 14 New Mexico State 73

No. 7 South Carolina 93, No. 10 Marquette 73

No. 2 Duke 87, No. 15 Troy 65

WEST

No. 1 Gonzaga 66, No. 16 South Dakota State 46

No. 8 Northwestern 68,  No. 9 Vanderbilt 66

No. 5 Notre Dame 60, No. 12 Princeton 58

No. 4 West Virginia 86, No. 13 Bucknell 66

No. 11 Xavier 78, No. 6 Maryland 65

No. 3 Florida State 86, No. 14 Florida Gulf Coast 80

No. 7 Saint Mary’s 85, No. 10 VCU 77

No. 2 Arizona 100, No. 15 North Dakota 82

MIDWEST

No. 1 Kansas 100 No. 16 UC Davis 62

No. 9 Michigan State 78 No. 8 Miami (FL) 58

No. 5 Iowa State 84, No. 12 Nevada 73

No. 4 Purdue 80, No. 13 Vermont 70

No. 11 Rhode Island 84, No. 6 Creighton 72

No. 3 Oregon 93, No. 14 Iona 77

No. 10 Oklahoma State 91 No. 7 Michigan 92

No. 2 Louisville 78, No. 15 Jacksonville State 63

SOUTH

No. 1 North Carolina 103, No. 16 Texas Southern 64

No. 8 Arkansas 77, No. 9 Seton Hall 71

No. 12 Middle Tennessee 81, No. 5 Minnesota 72

No. 4 Butler 76, No. 13 Winthrop 64

No. 6 Cincinnati 75, No. 11 Kansas State 61

No. 3 UCLA 97, No. 14 Kent State 80

No. 10 Wichita State 64, No. 7 Dayton 58

No. 2 Kentucky 79, No. 15 Northern Kentucky 70

Current results: 26 correct, six missed, 26-of-32, .8125
Previous results: Three correct, one missed, 3-of-4, .750
Total results (to date): 29 correct, seven missed, 29-of-26, .805...

2017 NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Tournament, First Rounds Picks

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

DEER PARK, TEXAS (March 16, 2017) Here are my picks for the first round games of the 2017 NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Tournament. 

EAST

No. 1 Villanova over No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s

No. 8 Wisconsin over No. 9 Virginia Tech

No. 5 Virginia over No. 12 UNC-Wilmington

No. 4 Florida over No. 13 East Tennessee State

No. 6 SMU over No. 11 USC

No. 3 Baylor over No. 14 New Mexico State 

No. 10 Marquette over No. 7 South Carolina

No. 2 Duke over No. 15 Troy 

WEST

No. 1 Gonzaga 66 over South Dakota State

No. 8 Northwestern over No. 9 Vanderbilt 

No. 5 Notre Dame over No. 12 Princeton

No. 4 West Virginia over No. 13 Bucknell 

No. 6 Maryland over No. 11 Xavier 

No. 3 Florida State over No. 14 Florida Gulf Coast 

No. 7 Saint Mary’s over No. 10 VCU

No. 2 Arizona over No. 15 North Dakota 

MIDWEST

No. 1 Kansas over No. 16 UC Davis

No. 9 Michigan State over No. 8 Miami

No. 5 Iowa State over No. 12 Nevada 

No. 4 Purdue over  No. 13 Vermont 

No. 11 Rhode Island  over No. 6 Creighton

No. 3 Oregon over No. 14 Iona 

No. 10 Oklahoma State over No. 7 Michigan

No. 2 Louisville over No. 15 Jacksonville State 

SOUTH

No. 1 North Carolina over No. 16 Texas Southern

No. 9 Seton Hall over No. 8 Arkansas

No. 5 Minnesota over No. 12 Middle Tennessee

No. 4 Butler over No. 13 Winthrop

No. 6 Cincinnati over No. 11 Kansas State

No. 3 UCLA vs. No. 14 Kent State 

No. 7 Dayton over No. 10 Wichita State 

No. 2 Kentucky over. No. 15 Northern Kentucky 

NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Tournament 2017 "First Four" Picks

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

DEER PARK, TEXAS (March 13, 2017) Below are my picks for the "First Four" games of the 2017 NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Tournament. 

No. 16 New Orleans over No. 16 Mt. St Mary

No. 16 UC Davis over No.16 N.C. State

No. 11 USC over N0. 11 Providence

No. 11 Kansas St. over No. 11 Wake Forest

NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Tournament 68-team field released

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

DEER PARK, TEXAS (March 13, 2017) On Tuesday, March 14, 2017, the first games of the 2017 NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Tournament will begin with four play-in games, followed by the first round of 64 teams playing to advance to the second round. Below is the schedule, along with start times, locations, and the tevelision network each game will be televised, as found on NCAA.org. This writer's picks are underlined.

First Four

Games (First Four)	Date	Game Site	Time (ET)	Network
New Orleans vs. Mt. St. Mary's	March 14	Dayton, Ohio	6:40 p.m.	truTV
Wake Forest vs. Kansas State	March 14	Dayton, Ohio	9:10 p.m.	truTV
N.C. Central vs. UC Davis	March 15	Dayton, Ohio	6:40 p.m.	truTV
Providence vs. USC	March 15	Dayton, Ohio	9:10 p.m.	truTV

First Round (Round of 64), Thursday, March 16

Games (Round of 64)	Date	Game Site	Time (ET)	Network
Notre Dame vs. Princeton	March 16	Buffalo	12:15 p.m.	CBS
Virginia vs. UNC-Wilmington	March 16	Orlando	12:40 p.m.	truTV
Butler vs. Winthrop	March 16	Milwaukee	1:30 p.m.	TNT
Gonzaga vs. South Dakota St.	March 16	Salt Lake City	2:00 p.m.	TBS
West Virginia vs. Bucknell	March 16	Buffalo	2:45 p.m.	CBS
Florida vs. E. Tennessee St.	March 16	Orlando	3:10 p.m.	truTV
Minnesota vs. Middle Tenn St.	March 16	Milwaukee	4:00 p.m.	TNT
Northwestern vs. Vanderbilt	March 16	Salt Lake City	4:30 p.m.	TBS
Maryland vs. Xavier	March 16	Orlando	6:50 p.m.	TNT
Villanova vs. Mt. St Mary's/New Orleans	March 16	Buffalo	7:10 p.m.	CBS
St. Mary's (CA) vs. VCU	March 16	Salt Lake City	7:20 p.m.	TBS
Purdue vs. Vermont	March 16	Milwaukee	7:27 p.m.	truTV
Florida State vs. Florida Gulf Coast	March 16	Orlando	9:20 p.m.	TNT
Wisconsin vs. Virginia Tech	March 16	Buffalo	9:40 p.m.	CBS
Arizona vs. North Dakota	March 16	Salt Lake City	9:50 p.m.	TBS
Iowa State vs. Nevada	March 16	Milwaukee	9:57 p.m.	truTV

First Round (Round of 64), Friday, March 17

Games (Round of 64)	Date	Game Site	Time (ET)	Network
Michigan vs. Oklahoma State	March 17	Indianapolis	12:15 p.m.	CBS
Baylor vs. New Mexico State	March 17	Tulsa	12:40 p.m.	truTV
Arkansas vs. Seton Hall	March 17	Greenville	1:30 p.m.	TNT
Oregon vs. Iona	March 17	Sacramento	2:00 p.m.	TBS
Louisville vs. Jacksonville St.	March 17	Indianapolis	2:45 p.m.	CBS
SMU vs. Providence/USC	March 17	Tulsa	3:10 p.m.	truTV
North Carolina vs. Texas Southern	March 17	Greenville	4:00 p.m.	TNT
Creighton vs. Rhode Island	March 17	Sacramento	4:30 p.m.	TBS
Kansas vs. NC-Central/UC Davis	March 17	Tulsa	6:50 p.m.	TNT
Dayton vs. Wichita State	March 17	Indianapolis	7:10 p.m.	CBS
Duke vs. Troy	March 17	Greenville	7:20 p.m.	TBS
Cincinnati vs. Kansas St./Wake Forest	March 17	Sacramento	7:27 p.m.	truTV
Miami (FL) vs. Michigan State	March 17	Tulsa	9:20 p.m.	TNT
Kentucky vs. N. Kentucky	March 17	Indianapolis	9:40 p.m.	CBS
South Carolina vs. Marquette	March 17	Greenville	9:50 p.m.	TBS
UCLA vs. Kent State	March 17	Sacramento	9:57 p.m.	truTV