HBU Huskies drop season finale to Incarnate Word 44-14

Photo by Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 20, 2021) The HBU Huskies scored 14 points in the second quarter, but it was not enough to overcome a 35-0 deficit in the first quarter as they dropped their season finale by the score of 55-14 to the Incarnate Word Cardinals at Husky Stadium in Houston.

The Husky scores both came in the second quarter; the first by Ean Beck (Taylor High School; Katy, Texas). The senior running back carried the ball the final two yards of a 75 yard drive for the first Husky touchdown at the 13:27 mark of the quarter.  The second score came with 7:10 remaining in the half. Sophomore safety Corey Smooth snagged  Cardinal pass and returned it 36 yards for the score. Gino Garcia scored both kicking conversions to secure HBU's final points of the season.

The Huskies finish the season with a 0-11record and will use the upcoming off-season to recover from this season's inquiries and to fill key openings in their roster due to graduation.

With the win, the Cardinals take the Southland Conference title and the automatic qualifying spot to the NCAA FCS playoffs, Incarnate Word will face former Southland Conference member Stephen F Austin at home on Saturday, November 27.

Southland, HBU Baseball Move to 40-Game League Schedule for 2021

Huskies will play 14 non-conference games, only two midweeks

FRISCO, TEXAS (January 17, 2021) The Southland Conference Board of Directors has approved a modified schedule format for the 2021 baseball conference season in which member institutions will play 40 league games. Each of the school’s 10 previously-scheduled weekend series will expand from a three-game series to four games.

In addition to the 40 conference games, HBU will play 14 non-conference games, with only two midweek games. The Huskies open the 2021 season on Friday, Feb. 19, first against Little Rock at 2:30 p.m., then against Rice at 6:30 p.m., with both games played at the Owls’ Reckling Park.

 

HBU will open its home schedule with a three-game series against Portland Feb. 26-28. The Huskies will then play five-straight non-conference games on the road with a Tuesday matchup against Texas A&M on March 2, a three-game series at Louisiana March 5-7, then the final Tuesday game of the season at Rice on March 9.

 

Southland Conference play begins on the road at New Orleans March 12-14, followed by a home series against McNeese March 19-21. HBU’s last non-conference games will be in a three-game home series against Oral Roberts April 9-11, then the Huskies are scheduled to play 24-straight conference games to close out the season. The Southland Conference Tournament has been moved back to an eight-team format at a site to be determined May 26-29.

 

The format for each conference series will include a nine-inning game on Friday and on Sunday and a doubleheader Saturday with game one played to seven innings and game two to nine innings. Should game one of the doubleheader go to extra innings, game two would become a seven-inning contest.

 

The presidents and athletic directors also approved a participation minimum of 24 student-athletes, which must include 13 pitchers and 11 positions players (two of which must be catchers). Should a team drop below the minimum, coaches have the discretion to play a four-game series or revert to a three-game series by mutual agreement.

SOUTHLAND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GAMES POSTPONED

FRISCO, TEXAS (January 9, 2020) The Southland Conference has announced the postponement of two women’s basketball games, in accordance with COVID-19 protocols.

Houston Baptist’s matchup against Lamar (January 9) and the Huskies’ game at Abilene Christian (January 13) will be rescheduled in consultation with the two opponents and the Southland office and announced at a later date.

HBU's Darius Lee Named Southland Player of the Week

Junior Darius Lee scored 30 points in HBU’s win over Northwestern State

Photo courtesy of
HBU Media Relations Department
Used with permission

FRISCO, TEXAS (January 5, 2021)  HBU junior Darius Lee has earned Player of the Week recognition from the Southland Conference for his double-double performance this past Saturday against Northwestern State.

Lee finished the Huskies’ 99-93 overtime victory over the Demons with career-highs of 30 points and 10 rebounds while also dishing out three assists with a blocked shot and a steal in 28 minutes off the bench. He went 9-of-14 from the floor, 2-of-4 from three-point range and knocked down 10-of-11 from the free throw line.

After scoring nine in the first half and the Huskies trailing by seven at the break, Lee erupted for 16 in the second half and made a pair of free throws with two seconds left in regulation to tie the game and send it to overtime. He then scored five in the overtime period, including a pair of crucial free throws with 25 seconds left that pushed the HBU advantage to four.

Lee is now averaging 9.4 points per game and is shooting 57.1 percent (28-of-49) from the floor, 64.3 percent (9-of-14) from three and 90.9 percent (22-of-22) from the charity stripe.

HBU's Christopher Welch named to All-America Team

Photo courtesy of HBU Athletic Media Relations Department

By Jennifer Edwards

Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 27, 2020) A shortened indoor track season could not stop Dickinson native, Christopher Welch (shown right) from excelling in the  triple jump. Welch set an Houston Baptist University record by jumping 15.64 meters or 51 feet and 3.75 inches at the Texas A&M Invitational. He continued his winning ways by completing a 15.94 meter jump. In total, Welch has broken the school record seven times. 

This sophomore standout is used to the spotlight and incredibly humble when it comes to his talent. Welch stood out on the Dickinson Gator football team as an all-district kicker and wide receiver. Once football season was over, his focus turned quickly to track and field where he excelled. In addition to the accolades he has already racked up, Christopher received the NCAA All-American in the triple jump, as well as a silver medal in Southland Conference Indoor Championships and became the first HBU indoor championship qualifier. 

Welch is incredibly humble when it comes to where he gets his talent from. He says, “When I got the confirmation that I was an All-American I was very thankful, because I’ve always known that it was going to happen and it was what I prayed for when I first got to college.” Welch hopes to continue his winning ways at HBU in the future when the university is able to safely bring athletes back. He also says,” Just knowing that God’s promise to me was fulfilled it gave me the motivation, so that next year I would not only be an All-American, but also become a National Champion.” This young man will be one to watch in the future

HBU's Valdez-Crader named to Southland Academic All-Conference team

Photo courtesy of
HBU Media Relations 

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 5, 2020) Houston Baptist University basketball player Megan Valdez-Crader has been named to the Southland Academic All-Conference team for 2019-2020.

Valdez-Crader, who played her prep ball at Johnson High School in San Antonio, Texas, is a senior business major and posted a 3.84 grade point average to be named to the academic team. She saw action in 25 games for the Huskies, scoring 278 points and averaging 11.12 points per game. In addition, she led the conference with 16 free throws in one game versus Northwestern State on January 5, 2020.

HBU falls to SHSU in final game of season

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 23, 2019) Wide receiver Ben Ratzlaff (shown right) scored two touchdowns but it was not enough to overcome an early 27-0 of the Sam Houston State Bearkats, as the HBU Huskies dropped a 37-14 decision in the final game of the 2019 season for both teams.

The Bearkats jumped out to a 20-0 lead in the first quarter and extended their lead in the second quarter before Ratzlaff (Westview HS, San Diego, CA) could get the Huskies on the scoreboard. At the 6:39 mark, he covered the final 17 yards of a 78-yard drive when Bailey Zappe (Victoria East HS, Victoria, Texas) connected with the junior wide receiver for his first touchdown. The Huskies added their second TD with the Zappe-Ratzlaff connection scoring on a 25-yard pass to complete a nine-play, 87-yard drive.

Zappe, who completed 29-of-64 passes for 367 yards, had trouble with the Bearkat defense; throwing two interceptions while being sacked three times. Ratzlaff caught 13 passes for 178 yards while Ean Beek (Taylor HS, Katy, Texas) carried the ball eight times for 33 yards. Defensively, Tra Fluellen (Gilmer HS, Gilmer, Texas) recorded 14 tackles with Philip Ossai (Oak Ridge HS, Conroe, Texas) and Cotton Manning (Allen HS, Allen, TX) accounting for eight.

The Huskies finished the season with a 5-7 record, with a 2-6 record in Southland Conference action. They will kickoff the 2020 season on September 5 against North Texas in Denton.

HBU Huskies fall to Southeastern Louisiana 52-13

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 26, 2019) The Southeastern Louisiana Lions scored two touchdowns in the first quarter and the HBU Huskies were unable to catch up in the Lions 52-13 win at Husky Stadium on Saturday evening. The Huskies scored two field goals in the first quarter and added a touchdown and extra point in the second quarter to highlight the game scoring for HBU.

The field goals by Gino Garcia, 43 yards and 31 yards, and the six-yard TD run by Jerreth Sterns, were the only scoring drives the Huskies could muster in route to their fourth straight loss of the season. The Huskies stand at a 4-5 record with three games to go in their 2019 campaign. The two programs have met five times prior to 2019, with the Lions winning four of the five contests. The lone HBU win came on October 26, 2014, were the Huskies downed the Lions by the score of 31-21 at Husky Stadium.

In their next three games, HBU will face Nicholls State on Saturday, November 8 in Thibodaux, Louisiana. They will follow that up on November 16 as they host the Lamar Cardinals. They will follow with a November 23 trip to Beaumont, Texas to face the Lamar Cardinals. They will close out the regular season with a trip to Huntsville, Texas to take on Sam Houston State.

Nicholls (4-4, 3-2 SLC) is coming off a 37-31 loss to Abilene Christian. Earlier this season, HBU fell to the Wildcats 45-20 in Abilene on October 12. Nicholls is ranked No. 15 in the current FCS Football Rankings, with SHSU ranked No. 25.

HBU Huskies overwhelm Texas Southern Tigers 68-31

HBU quarterback Bailey Zappe tallied 511 combined yards
(passing and rushing) against Texas Southern.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 28, 2019) The HBU Huskies posted 438 yard of total offense in the first half; taking a 37-21 lead into the locker room at the break in route to a 68-31 win over the Texas Southern Tigers at Husky Stadium on Saturday evening. The Huskies scored 30 unanswered points through the 10:26 mark of the second quarter before the Tigers got on the scoreboard.

The story of the game was not that the Huskies overwhelmed the Tigers. HBU is currently 4-1 for the season, their best start in program history. Their only loss was a 36-34 decision to Texas-El Paso to open the 2019 season. The story is much more than the final score. It is about how dominating the Huskies have performed this season. Six different HBU players scored touchdowns against Texas Southern. Kicker Gino Garcia (Richardson, TX, Pearce HS, No. 37, shown below) booted two field goals of 30 and 54 yards, along with eight extra points.

Photo by Darla Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

Quarterback Bailey Zappe (Victoria, TX, Victoria East HS) broke his own season-game records for completions (43) and passing attempts (59). He threw for 498 yards and seven touchdowns with a game longest of 52 yards, while being picked off once. He currently leads the nation with 21 touchdowns, competing 160-of-209 passes for 1,817 yards. Junior wide receiver Ben Ratzlaff (San Diego, CA, Westview HS/Golden West JC) is among the nation's top 10 with 40 catches for 601 yards and eight TDs. Dreshawn Minnieweather (Mesquite, TX, North Mesquite HS) is the Huskies' leading rusher with 438 yards while freshman kicker has made 8-of-9 field goals. including a career-best of 54 yards. Junior linebacker Caleb Johnson (San Diego, CA, (Point Paloma HS) leads the team with 59 tackles.

In the current week's national ranking poll, HBU again received votes (eight) which places them 33rd in the country. Other Southland Conference schools receiving votes includes Nicholls (404 votes, 9th), Central Arkansas (351 votes, 14th), Southeastern Louisiana (109 votes, 22nd), and Sam Houston State (11 votes, 32nd). The Huskies will face Southeastern Louisiana at home on October 26, Nicholls on November 9 in Thibodaux, Louisiana, and Sam Houston on November 23 in Huntsville, Texas.

The Huskies will next face Incarnate Word at Husky Stadium on Saturday, October 6 at Husky Stadium. The Cardinals are currently 2-2 after downing Abilene Christian by the score of 31-24 in San Antonio on Saturday evening.

HBU receives votes in National Top 25 poll; Zappe, Walker receive weekly honors

Bailey Zappe (left) and Andre Walker address the media at the
Southland Conference Football Media Day in July, 2019.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 18, 2019) Coming off their stunning 53-52 upset win over South Dakota, the HBU Huskies again garnered votes in the FCS Coaches Poll rankings. The Huskies received 11 votes, and although it was not enough to break into the Top 25, marks their second time this season to receive votes. In Week 2, they also received 11 votes, to tie with Cal Poly for 43rd place in the rankings. The Husky's 11 votes in the current poll place them 30th; just 46 votes out of the Top 25.

With a 2-1 record, HBU will face Southland Conference opponent Northwestern State on Saturday, Sept 21 with a scheduled 6 p.m. CDT at Husky Stadium in Houston. The Demons are 0-3 in 2019, and are coming off a 65-14 loss to LSU this past Saturday.  Previously, they dropped 42-20 decision to TU-Martin in Week One, followed by a 33-7 loss to Midwestern State. The Husky's are 0-2 lifetime versus the Demons; losing 10-7 on October 28, 2017 in Houston and falling 31-28 on Oct 27, 2018 in Natchitoches, Louisiana. With a win against the Demons, HBU would post the best record in program history, through the fourth game of the season.

In addition to the votes in the Top 25 poll, quarterback Bailey Zappe and defensive end Andre Walker earned Southland Football Player of the Week honors.

Zappe racked up the tenth-most passing yards in Southland Conference history (513) against South Dakota. In addition, he broke his own school record for completions (41) and tied the program’s top mark with five touchdowns. He is currently the league leader in passing yards (1,062) and touchdowns (10) and led the Huskies down the field for the game-winning touchdown, going 5-for-5 with 64 yards.

Walker tallied a school-record four sacks, one shy of the Southland Conference record, for 27 yards lost. Against South Dakota, he totaled six tackles, including four solo stops. He also tallied back-to-back sacks.

HBU Huskies future opponents: Week 2 Results

Photo by
Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 9, 2019) The HBU Huskies are two games into their season and have posted a 1-1 record; falling to Texas-El Paso 36-34 and downing Texas Wesleyan 58-13. They hit the road for their third game of the season, to Vermillion, Sound Dakota to take on the Coyotes of the University of South Dakota. Going into Week Three, let's look at the Huskies future opponents and see how they fared in Week Two.

Sept 14 @ South Dakota  (0-2) lost to Oklahoma 70-14

Sept 21 vs. Northwestern State (0-1) lost to UT Martin 42-20

Sept 28 vs. Texas Southern (0-2) lost to Incarnate Word 54-44

Oct 5 vs. Incarnate Word (1-1) beat Texas Southern 53-44

Oct 12 @ Abilene Christian (1-1) beat Arizona Christian 66-12

Oct 19 @ McNeese (1-1) lost to Oklahoma State 56-14

Oct 26 vs. Southeastern Louisiana (1-0) vs Bethune-Cookman CANCELLED

Nov 9 @ Nicholls (0-1) lost to Kansas State 49-14

Nov 16 vs. Lamar (2-0) beat Mississippi Valley State 23-20

Nov 23 @ No. 23 Sam Houston State (1-1) beat Oklahoma Panhandle 77-0

HBU Huskies overwhelm Texas Wesleyan 58-13

Photo by
Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 7, 2019) After trailing 7-0 at the 9:19 mark of the first quarter, the HBU Huskies jumped out to a 44-7 lead at halftime in route to a 58-13 trouncing of the Texas Wesleyan Rams at Husky Field on Saturday evening in Houston. Quarterback Bailey Zappe (shown left), who was taken out of the game midway in the second quarter, threw for 249 yards and three touchdowns, along with rushing for 47 yards. to cap his second game of the season. In the Huskies' 36-34 loss to Texas-El Paso on August 31, the junior from Victoria, Texas completed 27-of-37 passes for 300 yards and two TDs. 

The game was the perfect tuneup for their next opponent on Saturday, September 14, when they travel to Vermillion, South Dakota to face the University of South Dakota Coyotes. South Dakota comes into the game with a 0-2 record after dropping their season opener to Montana and a 70-14 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman. The Huskies tallied a total of 624 yards of total offense against the Rams and will hope to stay close to those numbers when they face South Dakota. The Coyotes have averaged 345 yards of total offense per game, against two highly regarded opponents.  

After dropping the season opener to UTEP, the Huskies came onto the field at Husky Stadium with the honor of receiving votes in the weekly FCS Coaches Poll. HBU received 11 votes, tied with Cal Poly for 43th place in the weekly ranking. Eight Southland Conference teams received votes with Nicholls State leading the way in 10th place (300 votes), followed by Central Arkansas (18th, 275 pts.), and Sam Houston State (22nd, 108 pts.). Also receiving votes were McNeese State (17), Abilene Christian (14), Incarnate Word (12), HBU (11) and Lamar (5).

HBU wide receiver Ben Ratzlaff caught seven passes for 110 yards, with a game-high longest 43-yard reception. Ben Beck carried the ball eight times for 88 yards and one touchdown with one rush for 33 yards. You can view his post-game interview with the press by clicking here.

HBU QB Bailey Zappe and DE Andre Walker at Southland Conference FB Media Day 2019

Video by Kirstin Kelly
Staff Photographer/Videographer
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 20, 2019) Houston Baptist University junior QB Bailey Zappe and senior DE Andre Walker at Southland Conference FB Media Day 2019 on July 18, 2019

HBU drops hard fought match to Sam Houston; Taylor scores 20 for Huskies

HBU's Sophie Taylor (5) scored
20 points for the Huskies
against Sam Houston State.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS (February 23, 2019) The HBU Huskies fought the good fight, but could not contain the shooting of Sam Houston State's Jaylonn Walker as they dropped a 83-64 decision to the Bearcats at Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville. With the win, Sam Houston clinched a berth in the 2019 Southland Conference Tournament to be held in Katy, Texas on March 14-17.

Walker was unstoppable for the Beatcats. The 5-7 junior chipped in 19 of the Bearcats 51 first half points and went on to tally 22 points for the game. Three other Bearcats scored in double-figures; with Lydia Baxter scoring 14, Kiera McKinney adding 13 and Amber Leggett with 12.

For the Huskies, Sophie Taylor put up 20 points, her second highest point total for the season. The 5-9 junior, who played her prep ball at Round Rock Westwood High School, was 6-of-16 from the field, including one three pointer, along with shooting 7-of-8 from the line. Sophomore Taylor Kollmorgen pulled down eight rebounds and scored nine points in 15 minutes of play.

The Huskies fell behind by the end of the first quarter 24-8, with Walker accounting for 13 of Sam Houston's first quarter points. Marilyn Nzoiwu chipped in four of HBU's eight points. The Bearkats increased their lead to 51-27 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Huskies outscored the Bearcats 25-18, but could only manage 12 points in the fourth quarter. Sam Houston led the entire game; pulling out to 31-point lead at the 3:28 mark in the second quarter.

Next up for the Huskies is a Wednesday, January 27 home match up against Lamar at Sharp Gymnasium. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. CST in Houston.

HBU to kick off SLC basketball season against Lamar

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 2, 2019) The HBU Huskies take to the hardwood inside Sharp Gymnasium on Wednesday evening; facing the Lamar Cardinals with a scheduled 7 p.m. CST start to kick off Southland Conference play for both teams. The Huskies bring a 4-7 record into the game, with their latest win coming against Dallas Christian College on December 29, where they downed the  Crusaders by the score of 143-92.

Lamar (7-6), brings a three-game winning streak into the game, with a 1-6 record on the road. The single road win came against the Rice Owls (75-68) on December 1, 2018. Last season, the Cardinals posted a 19-13 record last season, with 11-7 in conference play. HBU finished the 2017-2018 season with a 6-25 record (2-16 in SLC).

The game can be watched live on YouTube.

HBU falls to SFA, 42-14 in hard-fought Southland Conference contest

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 20, 2018) After battling to a seven-seven tie at the end of the first quarter, the Houston Baptist University Huskies could not maintain their offensive momentum; dropping a 42-14 decision to the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at Husky Stadium in Houston. In the five seasons the Huskies and SFA have faced off, the Lumberjacks raised their record against the Huskies to 4-1. HBU's lone win over SFA came on November 12, 2016, with a 31-24 final score at Husky Stadium. After HBU tied the score at the 10:10 mark of the first quarter, the Lumberjacks put 21 unanswered points on the scoreboard. With 1:32 left in the third quarter, Quarterback Bailey Zappe connected with Terry Tillmon on an eight-yard pass to cap a three play, 15-yard drive. The touchdown was the third of the season for the junior wide receiver who hails from Dolton, Illinois. The first score for HBU; a 40-yard pass from Zappe to Jerreth Sterns (Waxahachie HS, Midlothhian, Texas) was the his fourth touchdown of the year.

Zappe, who is have a record-setting season, has completed 18 touchdown passes to date, with the 40-yard pass to Sterns being his longest of the year. The sophomore, who played his prep ball at Victoria East (Texas) High School, was 15-of-34 for 143 yards and two touchdowns. LaDarius Dickens caught 20 passes for 95 yards while Sterns caught six passes for 74 yards.

One major highlight of the game was kicker Tyler Blanchard booting an 80-yard punt late in the second quarter. He has punted 21 times in 2018, for 829 yards and averaging 29.5 yards-per-punt. with four of 50 yards or more and seven inside the 20-yard line.

Next up for the Huskies is a October 27 road contest against Northwestern State on Saturday, October 27. The Lumberjacks will take on the Lamar Cardinals at home on the same date. 

HBU Huskies dominate Southwest Baptist Bearcats 49-7 to kick off 2018 season

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 1, 2018) The Houston Baptist University Huskies football team posted their first touchdown of the 2018 season at the 8:44 mark in the first quarter, but would have to wait over three hours to add to their score, as the Huskies down the Southwest Baptist Bearcats by the score of 49-7 at Husky Stadium on Saturday night. The game lasted five hours, seven minutes, with a two-hour, 20-minute delay, due to severe weather moving through the Houston area.

Their initial touchdown, and kicking extra point, was a result of a 42-yard  run by Dreshawn Minnieweather with 6:18 remaining in the first quarter. The sophomore running back from Mesquite, rushed for XXX yard and XX carried in the Huskies' win. The next score for HBU was in the second quarter when sophomore Bailey Zappe connected with senior wide receiver David Racine on a six-yard pass, to cap a six-play, 62-yard drive with a bit over six minutes left in the first half. They added their third score of the half when HBU linebacker Kyle Bowling intercepted a Bryse Salik pass; returning it 24 yards to set up the score. Four plays later, Zappe found wide receiver Jeremy Smith open and connected with a three-yard pass for the score. Three minutes later, corner back Raphael Lewis picked off Salik; returning it 36 yards for the score. The AIRFAT (An Interception Returned For A Touchdown) was the first of the season for the Huskies. Due to the extreme weather delay, both head coaches agreed to a 10-minute halftime, with the second half resuming at 9:50 p.m.

The Huskies added seven more points to their total 7:55 into the third quarter, when Zappe capped a six-play, 42-yard drive with a 29-yard pass to running back LaDarius Dickins for HBU's fifth touchdown of the game. Freshman Ean Beek added to the scoring drive when he kicked up a Bearcat fumble with 1:19 remaining in the third quarter on a punt return and returned it ti yards for the score. The touchdown, and resulting Alec Chadwick extra point pushed the HBU lead to 42-0. Chadwick split the uprights seven times in seven extra point tries for the night.

The Bearcats finally got on the scoreboard when running back Eric Knight carried the ball the final one yard of a 70-yard drive for the score. Kicker Alec Gathright added the conversion to give Southwest Baptis their first score of the game with 9:47 remaining in the game.  Two-and-a-half minutes later, Zappe hit wide receiver Aaron Marquez with a 17-yard pass for the Huskies' seventh touchdown of the night.

HBU outlasts New Orleans in 12 inning marathon game

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

SUGAR LAND, TEXAS (May 25, 2018) In a game that lasted four and one-half hours and 12 innings, the Houston Baptist University Huskies secured a 4-3 win over the New Orleans Privateers to stay alive in the Southland Conference Baseball Tournament at Constellation Field. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the 12th inning, left fielder Spencer Halloran was hit by a pitch and walked; allowing the winning run to score. After the fourth inning the score was tied at one, with HBU adding two runs in the fifth. New Orleans evened the score at three in the eighth. 

HBU designated hitter Jake Scott went 4-for-6 with one run while right fielder Matt Heck was 2-for-5 with one run. For the Privateers, catcher Beau Bratton was 2-for-4 with one run. They used seven pitchers in the losing effort, with Christopher DeMayo receiving the loss in one inning of work. Closer JT Newton pitched 4-1 innings in relief got the win, his third of the season.

The Huskies and Privateers will meet again on Saturday, May 26 at 1 p.m. with the winner advancing to the championship game at 6 p.m.

HBU Softball falls to Virginia in first game of McNeese Cowgirl Classic

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly 
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (February 9, 2018) The Houston Baptist University softball team kicked of their 2018 season at the Cowgirl Classic, hosted by McNeese State University, in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The Huskies took to the field at Cowgirl Diamond on Friday afternoon to face the Virginia Cavaliers; dropping a 3-1 decision.

First baseman Megan Hiers (shown right) was 1-for-4 with a double and one RBI to lead the Huskies. The sophomore, who played high school ball for Pearland (TX) High School, batted .231 in 40 games for the Huskies in 2017; scoring 14 run and tallying 12 RBI. The starting pitcher for HBU was Stephanie Buenrostro (Navarro JC, Houston, Texas), who pitched four inning, gave up three earned runs on two hits while striking out one, received the loss. Junior designated player Brooke Bushman (Ridge Point HS, Missouri City, Texas) and center fielder Kay Schroeder (Sealy HS, Sealy, Texas) also connected for single hits. The Huskies loaded the bases in the top of the seventh inning with one out, hoping to put out the win, but all three runners were stranded to close out the game.

Virginia kicked of the tournament on Thursday, February 8 with a doubleheader against McNeese,dropping  both games 7-0 and 4-3. They are now 1-2 for the season.

Next up for the Huskies is a 12:30 p.m. match-up against Tulsa on Saturday, February 10.

Last minute TD by Nicholls State downs HBU 23-17

Photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 4, 2017) In a game that saw the HBU Huskies three seconds from going into overtime;  No. 17 Nicholls State threw a desperation pass that resulted in a touchdown; giving the Colonels a 23-17 win. The Huskies tied the score with on a 44-yard field goal by Alec Chadwick with 23 seconds remaining in the game. With the Huskies' kickoff, the Colonels moved the ball 53 yards in three plays for the score and the win.

Nicholls State scored first with a 50-yard field goal by Lorran Fonseca in the first quarter. HBU followed up  with a one-yard touchdown run by B.J. Kelly and a Chadwick extra point to give HBU a 7-3 after 15 minutes of play. The Huskies added another TD and extra point when Bailey Zappe connected with Ethan Fry on a nine-yard pass for the score while Chadwick added another extra point. That cloed out the first half scoring with HBU leading 14-6. The Colonels added safety and a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to tie the score at 17. before the Husky field goal and Nicholls touchdown in the final 23 seconds.

The loss drops the Huskies to a 1-8 record for the season and an 0-7 mark in conference play. Next up for HBU is a Saturday, November 11 game against Lamar on Senior Day/Military Appreciation Day at Husky Field.

They close out the 2017 season with a November 18 road game against Sam Houston State.