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.

Houston Dash fall to San Diego Wave FC 3-0

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 20, 2023) In the second minute of the match, many fans looked at each other, wondering "what just happened" and "this is going to be a long night." The unassisted goal by forward Alex Morgan set the tone for the rest of the match as the Houston Dash dropped a 3-0 decision to San Diego Wave FC on Saturday night at Shell Energy Stadium

Houston tried to find the back of the net, with 13 shots and  only one shot on goal hindered the Dash, in route to dropping their third game of the season. Goalkeeper Jane Campbell had four saves during the match, but the lack of offense was very obvious to the 5,966 fans in attendance. 

The Wave added insurance goals with midfielder Sierra Enge, in the 58th minute and Madison Pogarch, who came off the bench, to score in the 79th minute.

Houston will travel to the Midwest to take on the Kansas City Current for the first time in regular season play on May 26 at 7:00pm CT. The two teams met in the opening match of the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup at Shell Energy Stadium on April 19.

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.

Seven Lakes downs Dobie 6-0, Advances to UIL State 6A Tournament

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

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By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved 

DEER PARK, TEXAS (April 8, 2023) A goal with 15 minutes remaining in the first half gave Katy Seven Lakes a 1-0 lead going into halftime, which led to a 6-0 downing of Pasadena Dobie at Abshier Stadium in Deer Park,

The No. 1 ranked Spartans (26-1-1) took control of the game early and kept the No. 3 ranked Longhorns on their toes; trying to fins a way around the stingy Seven Lakes defense. The first score of the game, which occurred at the 24:38 mark of the first half, found Daniel Jerenwa in the right place at the right time. The junior defender drilled the ball from the top right of the box, past Dobie goalkeeper Geo Arango to give the Spartans the early lead.

Seven Lakes came back in the second half and scored two additional goals to ensure the trip to the state semifinals. With 27 minutes remaining  Noa Stasic scored a fourth for the Spartans in the 61st minute  and two minutes later Diego Flamecno curled a shot past the keeper and into the corner of the net to increase the Spartans lead to five. Then with just a minute left in the game, Sebastian Ranz volleyed in a goal off a cross as the celebrations began early for the Spartans.

The game was definitely the best test of Seven Lakes' ability this season, Dobie came into the game with a 24-0-4 record; averaging four goals per game.

Houston Dynamo FC shuts out LA Galaxy 3-0

Photo courtesy of Houston Dynamo FC

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 8, 2023) The Houston Dynamo FC relied on two goals from Amine Bassi to lead them to a 3-0 win over the LA Galaxy at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday evening. Two of the Dynamo's goals came in the second half as they raised the 2023 record to 3-0-3 (W-D-L) while the Galaxy dropped to 0-4-2. 

Houston first got on the scoreboard in the 35th minute when Hector Herrera was awarded a free kick after a galaxy infraction. The midfielder took the kick from the left corner of the penalty area. It was the Captain's second goal of the season. After 45 minutes of play, both teams headed to the locker room at halftime with Houston holding a slim 1-0 lead.

The tension on the pitch increased tremendously in the second half, with one Galaxy player being ejected and Houston scoring two additional times.

In the 64th minute, Los Angeles defender Martin Caceres was given his second yellow card of the match and was sent off by the officials. Houston was awarded a penalty kick as a result of the infraction, midfielder Amine Bassi stepping up to take the kick. On the official's whistle, the Frenchmen when left as goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann when right; scoring the Dynamo's second goal. Bassi achieved a brace seven minutes later when Bassi again drove the ball past Klinsmann into the net.

With the win, Houston received their 188th victory in season play and gave head coach Ben Olsen his third victory with the Dynamo. It was also Houston 14th victory against the Galaxy in the all-time series and improve their all-time record to 14-10-13 (W-D-L).

Houston's there goals came off 13 shots and nine corner kicks while LA had 15 shots and six corner kicks.

A bit of a brew-ha-ha broke out in added time of the second half when Los Angeles attacker Douglas Costa accosted Herrera on the near side of the pitch. After teammates and officials separated the two, both was issued a red card. 

Steven Alker Focused on Defending Insperity Invitational Title in The Woodlands

Photo courtesy of  2022 Tracy Wilcox/PGA TOUR
and PGA Media Website Archives

THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS (April 9, 2023) The newest star of the PGA TOUR Champions, Steven Alker (shown above), is first to add his name to the tee sheet for the 20th anniversary of the Insperity Invitational presented by UnitedHealthcare, April 24‐30, 2023. 

Alker notched four PGA TOUR Champions titles including the Insperity Invitational presented by UnitedHealthcare in 2022 to go along with four second‐place finishes and 18 top‐10s en route to capturing the season‐long Charles Schwab Cup title. 

“It’s been a fun ride and I’m just so happy to be out here on Tour. Everything has come around and I’m enjoying my game,” said Alker.   

Mother Nature couldn’t even slow Steven Alker down in The Woodlands last year. 

The Kiwi returned to The Woodlands Country Club Tournament Course from a two‐hour Sunday rain delay by playing a six‐hole stretch in 6‐under par on the back nine to outduel Steve Stricker and win the Insperity Invitational presented by UnitedHealthcare on Sunday for his second of three victories on the PGA TOUR Champions in 2022. 

“I actually watched some footage up in the clubhouse (during the rain delay) and just changed my ball position and felt a little more on top of the ball. Just a tiny little thing and I started hitting some nice shots and driving it better,” said Alker. “I thank goodness we did have a little break because I kind of struggled, missed a few fairways early on and made some nice putts, kept me going. Then I got my roll going.” 

Alker has been on a sizzling run since Monday qualifying for his first event – Boeing Classic – in August 2021 where he finished T7. With the top 10, the New Zealander got into the following event and then recorded six straight top‐10s before notching his maiden victory at the TimberTech Championship. 

“Steven has been a wonderful ambassador for our tournament and the PGA TOUR Champions. I can’t think of a better way to kick off the Tournament’s 20th anniversary celebration than by welcoming him back to The Woodlands,” said Bryan Naugle, Executive Director, Insperity Invitational presented by UnitedHealthcare.   

“Once again Houston area golf fans will be treated to an incredible show at the end of April that will include golf’s legends, World Golf Hall of Famers, and new stars on the PGA TOUR Champions like Steven who have already started booking their tickets for our event.”  

Houston Dash sign Lindsi Jennings

Photo courtesy of LSU Athletics Communication Department

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 7, 2023) The Houston Dash have added defender Lindsi Jennings (shown above) to the roster as an Injury Replacement Player, the team announced today. Jennings, the 36^th overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft and third for the Dash, has trained with the Club through preseason and the CBA-mandated signing window prior to her singing.

Jennings joins the Dash after finishing her collegiate career at Louisiana State University as the third player to be drafted in program history. As a fifth-year senior, the former Tigers co-captain played and started in all 20 matches and recorded a career high two goals of the year. The Conroe, Texas native earned All-SEC First Team honors during the 2022 season and was a key component of the backline that helped the Tigers reach the second round of the NCAA tournament. Jennings capped her career at LSU with 40 appearances, 32 starts, three goals, two assists, six shots on goal in 2,696 minutes of play.

Prior to transferring to LSU, the defender played three seasons at Northern Colorado where she played in 51 games, tallied one goal and two assists to go along with nine clean sheets for the Bears. Jennings was named Second Team All-Big Sky all three years and was named 2018 Big Sky Newcomer of the Year.

Jennings joins former LSU alum and current Canadian Women’s National Team and Dash defender Allysha Chapman.

The Houston Dash will be back in action on Tuesday, April 11 at 7:00pm CT when the team takes on the Mexican Women’s National Team in an international friendly at Shell Energy Stadium. Tickets for the match can be purchased here.

Houston returns to league play on Friday, April 14 at 9:30pm CT as they travel to the Pacific Northwest to take on the reigning 2022 NWSL Champion Portland Thorns.

NCAA DI Men's Basketball Tournament: Elite 8 Predictions

Photo and story by Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (March 19, 2023) The Elite 8 round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament will  take place on Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26 are listed below. My predictions are below:

Saturday, March 25 

• No. 3 Kansas State over No. 9 Florida Atlantic 
• No. 3 Gonzaga over No. 4 UConn

Sunday, March 26 

• No. 5 San Diego State over No. 6 Creighton 
• No. 2 Texas over No. 5 Miami (Fla.) 

Sweet Sixteen Results from NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championships.

Photo and story Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (March 25, 2023) The eight games in the of Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament on  March 23-24 are completed.  My predictionsm which are underlined, saw six correct outcomes, and two upsets. 

Thursday, March 23 

• No. 3 Kansas State 98, No. 7 Michigan State 93
• No. 4 UConn 88, No. 8 Arkansas 65 
• No. 9 Florida Atlantic 62, No. 4 Tennessee 55 
• No. 3 Gonzaga 79, No. 2 UCLA 76

Friday, March 24

•  No. 5 San Diego State 71, No. 1 Alabama 64  
•  No. 5 Miami 89, No. 1 Houston 75
• No. 6 Creighton 80, No. 15 Princeton 75
• No. 2 Texas 83, No. 3 Xavier 71

On Th,is Day in Sports History, March 25, 1967

By Chris Price
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY (March 25, 1967, actual date) On this day in sports history, March 25, 1967, at the 29th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: UCLA beats Dayton, 79-64; Bruins center Lew Alcindor (later named Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) was named the tournament Most Outstanding Player. He is the only player to have received the award three time (1967, 1968, 1969).

NCAA DI Men's Basketball Tournament: Sweet 16 Predictions

Photo and story by Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (March 19, 2023) The Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament will continue at various sites around the United States. The eight games that will take place on  Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March 24 are listed below. My predictions are below:

Thursday, March 23 

• No. 3 Kansas State over No. 7 Michigan State 
• No. 4 UConn over No. 8 Arkansas 
• No. 9 Florida Atlantic  over No. 4 Tennessee 
• No. 3 Gonzaga over No. 2 UCLA 

Friday, March 24

• No. 1 Alabama over No. 5 San Diego State 
• No. 1 Houston over No. 5 Miami 
• No. 6 Creighton over No. 15 Princeton |
• No. 2 Texas over No. 3 Xavier 

NCAA DI Men's Basketball Tournament: March 19, 2023 Predictions

 

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (March 19, 2023) The second round of games of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament will continue at various sites around the United States. The eight games that will take place on Saturday, March 19, 2023 are listed below. My predictions, along with game times (EDT), and broadcast networks are also indicated.

No. 3 Xavier over No. 11 Pitt | 12:10 p.m. | CBS

No. 3 Kansas State over No. 6 Kentucky | 2:40 p.m. | CBS

No. 2 Marquette over No. 7 Michigan State | 5:15 p.m. | CBS

No. 4 UConn over No. 5 Saint Mary's | 6:10 p.m. | TNT

No. 3 Baylor over. No. 6 Creighton | 7:10 p.m. | TBS

No. 9 Florida Atlantic over No. 16 FDU | 7:45 p.m. | truTV

No. 4 Indiana over No. 5 Miami (Fla.) | 8:40 p.m. | TNT

No. 3 Gonzaga over No. 6 TCU | 9:40 p.m. | TBS

RESULTS: Second Round, Day 1 Results from NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championships.

PASADENA, TEXAS (March 18, 2023) The first slate of eight games in the second of  the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 18 are completed.  My predictions saw five correct outcomes, broken down by correct predictions and three upsets (My picks. They are underlined).

CORRECT SELECTIONS

No. 5 San Diego State 75, No. 13 Furman 52  

No. 1 Houston 81,  No. 9 Auburn 64  

No. 2 Texas 71,  No. 10 Penn State 

No. 2 UCLA 68,  No. 7 Northwestern 63 

No. 1 Alabama 73, No. 8 Maryland 51

INCORRECT SELECTIONS

No. 4 Tennessee 65, No. 5 Duke 52 

No. 8 Arkansas 72, No. 1 Kansas 71  

No. 15 Princeton 78, No. 7 Missouri 63   

Houston Dynamo FC downs in-state rival Austin 2-0

 

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 18, 2023) Two second half goals gave Houston Dynamo FC a lead that Austin FC was unable to and led Houston to a 2-0 win at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday night. The win gave Houston their second victory over Austin at home and their second win against theor in-state rival in the all-time series.

The first goal came in the 71st minute when forward Amine Bassi scored with a penalty spot as a results of the video assistant referee confirming that an Austin defender handled the ball with his arm inside the box. It was the first goal for the Dynamo from the French native.

The second Houston goal came 15 minutes later, in the 86th minute, when captain Hector Herrera switched the ball at the edge of the box. His pass to defender Griffin Dorsey created space for the captain to run between two defenders and beat the Austin shot stopper with a one-touch finish toward the near post.  

Head coach Ben Olsen stated in the post-game press conference:

“Almost as important it is to put up shutouts, so it's great all around. Defensively, we don't tell those guys enough. I felt Teenage (Hadebe) was really good, and Ethan (Bartlow) had his best game. I’m proud of those guys to keep a high, high scoring team off the board. For Hector (Herrera) to score a goal and to get on the board and also Bassi is a big deal one out of the run of play, you know, another set piece – PK. So all in all, good night, we're gonna enjoy it because it's our first one. It's nice to get that monkey off our back and then we're gonna get back to work and hopefully get better.” 

The win also gave Olsen his first victory with the Dynamo and further gave Houston their 186th win in regular season play and their 138th win in regular season play at home.

Herrera also was questioned after the game about the changes in the second half. He stated:

“I thought we did a good job of controlling the match. They nearly scored a goal and that is what makes us lose a lot of games. At the half we knew that we were managing the game correctly. We also needed to increase the intensity and energy to get the result we wanted. We came out in the second half with that mentality, and we took advantage from that point on. We could have scored more transition goals.” 

The win raises the Dynamo's record to 1-2 for the season before a Saturday, March 25 match at home against New York City FC (2-1-1).

Readers may click here to view photos from the match by Darla Tamulitis of La Vita Loca Photography.

NCAA DI Men's Basketball Tournament: March 18, 2023 Predictions

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (March 17, 2023) The second round of games of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament will continue at various sites around the United States. The eight games that will take place on Saturday, March 18, 2023 are listed below. My predictions, along with game times (EDT), and broadcast networks are also indicated.

No. 5 San Diego State over No. 13 Furman | 12:10 p.m. | CBS

No. 5 Duke over No. 4 Tennessee  | 2:40 p.m. | CBS

No. 1 Kansas over No. 8 Arkansas |  5:15 p.m. | CBS

 No. 7 Missouri over No. 15 Princeton | 6:10 p.m. | TNT

No. 1 Houston over  No. 9 Auburn | 7:10 p.m. | TBS

No. 2 Texas over  No. 10 Penn State | 7:45 p.m. | CBS

No. 2 UCLA over No. 7 Northwestern | 8:40 p.m. | TNT

No. 1 Alabama over No. 8 Maryland | 9:40 p.m. | TBS

RESULTS: First Round, Day 2 Results from NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championships.

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (March 17, 2023) The second slate of 16 games in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 17 are completed.  My predictions saw 12 correct outcomes with four of my selections fall. The results of these games are below, broken down by correct predictions and five upsets (My picks. They are underlined).

CORRECT PREDICTIONS

No. 7 Michigan State 72,  No. 10 USC 62  

No. 3 Xavier 72, No.14 Kennesaw St. 36  

No. 3 Baylor 74, No.14 UC Santa Barbara 56  

No. 5 Saint Mary's 63, No. 12 VCU 51  

No. 2 Marquette 78,  No. 15 Vermont 61  

No. 4 UConn 87,  No. 13 Iona  63  

No. 6 Kentucky 61,  over No. 11 Providence 53  

No. 5 Miami 63,  No.12 Drake 56  

No. 3 Gonzaga 82,  No. 14 Grand Canyon 70 

No. 3 Kansas St. 77,  No. 14 Montana St. 76  

No. 4 Indiana 71,  No. 13 Kent State 60  

No. 6 TCU 72, No. 11 Arizona State 70  

INCORRECT PREDICTIONS

No. 11 Pitt 59, No. 6 Iowa State 41  

No. 6 Creighton 72, No. 11 NC State 53   

No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson  63, No. 1 Purdue 58  

No. 9 Florida Atlantic 66,  No. 8 Memphis 65  

NCAA DI Men's Basketball Tournament: March 17, 2023 Predictions

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (March 17, 2023) The first round of games of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament will begin at various sites around the United States. The sixteen games that will take place on Thursday, March 17, 2023 are listed below. My predictions, along with game times (EDT), and broadcast networks are also indicated.

No. 7 Michigan State over No. 10 USC | 12:15 p.m. |CBS 

No. 3 Xavier over No. 14 Kennesaw St. | 12:40 p.m. | truTV 

No. 3 Baylor over No. 14 UC Santa Barbara  | 1:30 p.m. | TNT 

No. 5 Saint Mary's over No. 12 VCU | 2 p.m. | TBS

No. 2 Marquette over No. 15 Vermont | 2:45 p.m. | CBS 

No. 6 Iowa State  over No. 11 Pitt | 3:10 p.m. | truTV 

No. 11 NC State over.No. 6 Creighton| 4 p.m. | TNT 

No. 4 UConn over No. 13 Iona | 4:30 p.m. | TBS

No. 1 Purdue over No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson  | 6:50 p.m. | TNT 

No. 6 Kentucky over No. 11 Providence | 7:10 p.m. | CBS 

No. 12 Drake vs. No. 5 Miami | 7:25 p.m | TBS 

No. 3 Gonzaga over No. 14 Grand Canyon| 7:35 p.m. | truTV 

No. 8 Memphis over No. 9 Florida Atlantic | 9:20 p.m.| TNT

No. 3 Kansas St. over No. 14 Montana St. | 9:40 p.m. | CBS 

No. 4 Indiana over No. 13 Kent State  | 9:55 p.m. | TBS 

No. 6 TCU over No. 11 Arizona State | 10:05 p.m. | truTV

RESULTS: First Round, Day 1 Results from NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championships.

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (March 16, 2023) The first slate of 16 games in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championships are completed My predictions saw 11 correct outcomes with five of my selections fall. The results of these games are below, broken down by correct predictions and five upsets (By MY picks. They are underlined).

CORRECT PREDICTIONS

No. 7 Missouri 76,  No. 10 Utah State 65  

No. 1 Kansas 86,  No. 16 Howard 58 

No. 1 Alabama 96, Texas A&M Corpus Christi 74  

No. 5 San Diego State 63, No. 12 College of Charleston  57 

No. 8 Arkansas 73,  No. 9 Illinois 63  

No. 5 Duke  74, No. 12 Oral Roberts 51  

No. 2 Texas  81,  No. 15 Colgate 61  

No. 7 Northwestern 75,  No. 10 Boise State 67  

No. 1 Houston 63,  No. 16 Northern Kentucky 52  

No. 4 Tennessee 58, No. 13 Louisiana 55  

No. 2 UCLA 86, No. 15 UNC Asheville 53  

UPSETS

No. 9 West Virginia  65,  8 Maryland  67  

No. 4 Virginia 67,  No. 13 Furman 68 

No. 2 Arizona  55, No. 15 Princeton 59 

No. 8 Iowa 75,  No. 9 Auburn 83  

No. 7 Texas A&M 59,  No. 10 Penn State 76  

The biggest upset of the day was No. 15 Princeton knocking off No. 2 Arizona by the score of 68-67. The last time the Tigers won a NCAA Tournament was 1998, when they defeated UNLV 69-57 in the first round.