Skeeters Fall to Lancaster in Opener of Four-Game Homestand, 10-7

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved

SUGAR LAND, TEXAS (July 30, 2013) The normally stingy Skeeters pitching staff could not contain the Lancaster Barnstormers and their hot bats Monday night, as the visitors won 10-7. 

Sugar Land jumped ahead 1-0 on Travis Scott’s solo home run in the bottom of the first, but Lancaster scored five runs in the top of the second off Skeeters starter Greg Aquino and never trailed again. 

Not that the Skeeters didn’t make it interesting, hey fought back to within 5-4 after three innings, but the Barnstormers responded with Ryan Harvey’s grand slam in the fourth and a 9-4 advantage that turned out to be enough, as they went on to win 10-7.

Up Next: The Skeeters and Barnstormers play game two of their four-game set on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m., with LHP Gilbert De La Vara (4-1, 3.49) on the mound for Sugar Land against RHP Dwayne Pollok (11-3, 3.32) for Lancaster. Tuesday is Group Leader Appreciation Night at Constellation Field.

Skeeters Notes:

Travis Scott: 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, 3 R

Russ Mitchell: 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI

Dominic Ramos: 1-3, 2 R

Adam Miller, Jay Marshall, Roberto Giron: one scoreless, hitless inning each

Sugar Land Skeeters hold off Lancaster rally in 8-7 win

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2013 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA (July 23, 2013) The Sugar Land Skeeters jumped out to an early seven run lead and held off a Lancaster rally to down the Barnstormers by the score of 8-7 in the first game of a three-game series on Monday, July 22, 2013 at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The Skeeters left the Houston area on Monday morning for a seven game road trip against Lancaster and the York Revolution.

The Skeeters scored five runs in the second inning with second baseman Jeff Dominguez accounting for three of the runs with his three-run homer off starting pitcher Will Savage.

Ryan Langerhans and Aaron Bates scored the other two runs in the inning.

They added two more runs in the third inning when Koby Clemens scored from first base on a Russ Mitchell double.

Mitchell then scored from second base when Dominic Ramos got on base due to an error by Barnstormer third baseman Jason Taylor.

The Barnstormers came back with four runs in the third inning, a single run in the seventh and two runs in the ninth to close out their scoring

Skeeters’ starting pitcher Scott Elarton received the win and raised his record to 6-6 of the season.

Greg Majewski, pitching a single inning of relief, got the safe.

With the home run, Dominguez has reached base safely in 20 straight games and now has three home runs for the season.

In their second game of the three game series on Tuesday, July 23, 2013, the Skeeters will send right handed pitcher Clint Evers to the mount.

The Barnstormers will counter with lefty Derrick Loop.

Evers has a 2-2 record with a ERA of 2.25.

Loop posts a 1-4 record with a 4.81 ERA.

Game time is set for 6:05 p.m. EDT.

TexSport Publications names Texas Class A All State baseball team

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

DEER PARK-PASADENA, TEXAS (July 22, 2013) TexSport Publications has announced its Class A All State Baseball Team for 2013 along with the Class A Player of the Year and Coach of the Year.

The selection was made by the staff of TexSport Publications and based on athlete and team performances throughout the year.

The Player of the Year was Price Carlisle High School’s Gunner Baker.

The 6-3, 190 pound pitcher and outfielder was 14-0 with a 0.23 earned run average. He had 177 strikeouts in 88.1 innings. He pitched three no-hitters and .446 with 59 RBI.

He has signed to play college baseball for Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas.

Price Carlisle head coach Wesley Colley was named the Class A Coach of the Year.

The first team selections include:

Pitcher: Kyle Barnett-Stamford
Pitcher: Gunner Baker-Price Carlisle
Pitcher: Jacob Stroder-Frost
Catcher: Dawson Ried-Archer City
First Base: Caleb Vaught-Sundown
Second Base: Steven Crump-Harlton
Third Base: Brett Rohde-Fayetteville
Shortstop: Tanner Richey-Borden County
Outfielder: Josh Velasquez-Flatonia
Outfielder: Tyler Pate-Port Aransas
Outfielder: Steven Howard-Borden Country
Designated Hitter: Hagen Hutchinson-Stamford


The second team selections include:


Pitcher: Lane Hobbs-Thrall
Pitcher: Kellen Green-Windtrost
Pitcher: Slater Stone-Trenton
Catcher: Dylan McCarley-Trenton
First Base: Wyatt Beezley-Trenton
Second Base: Hunter Clark-Chino
Third Base: Chantz Holland-Cayuga
Shortstop: Kyle Barnett-Stamford
Outfielder: Dalton Tullos-Chino
Outfielder: Nick Maxham-Port Aransas
Outfielder: Louis Lachney-Dawson
Designated Hitter: Kellen Green-Windthorst

Jason Lane signs with San Diego Padres organization

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

SUGAR LAND, TEXAS (July 22, 2013) The Sugar Land Skeeters announced, via a press release on Sunday, July 21, 2013, that 2012 team MVP Jason Lane had signed a contract with the San Diego Padres and will be assignment to their Triple A affiliate in Tucson.

The former Houston Astros first baseman posted an 8-3 record as a pitcher for the Skeeters, with a 2.80 ERA in 16 starts.

In addition to his time on the mound, he played 30 games as a designated hitter and outfielder, posting a .167 batting average in 42 at bats.

Lane, has played 13 seasons of minor league baseball, posting a 19-8 record in 66 appearances, with a 3.47 ERA as a pitcher.

At the plate, he holds a ,275 batting average with 152 home runs and 655 RBI.

In his professional career, he played in the majors for six seasons with Houston and San Diego.

He accounted for 61 home runs, with 189 RBI and a .241 batting average in his six major league seasons.

During his minor leaguer career, in addition to the Skeeters, he played for the Cranton/Wilkes-Barre 
RailRiders, Las Vegas 51s, Southern Maryland Bluecrabs, and the Reno Aces.

Sugar Land Skeeters notch 60th win of season with 4-1 win over Bridgeport Bluefish

Jeff Dominguez has reached base in 19 straight games.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2013 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

SUGAR LAND, TEXAS (July 22, 2013) The Sugar Land Skeeters came back with three runs in the seventh inning to take the lead, and the eventual win by the score of 4-1 over the Bridgeport Bluefish in front of 4,482 fans at Constellation Field in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land on Sunday evening, July 21, 2013.

The Skeeters got on the scoreboard in the second inning on a RBI single by second baseman Jeff Dominguez.

He connected on a 3-2 pitch to send the ball to right field; out of the reach of Bluefish outfielder Prentice Redman.

The single scored first baseman Eduardo Perez from second base.

The Bluefish evened the score in the fifth inning when left fielder Adam Krum sent the ball to deep left field for a sacrifice fly, to score Iggy Suarez from second.

The seventh inning was especially productive for the Sweeter; tallying three hits on a comedy of errors by the Bluefish and particularly relief pitcher Emiliano Fruto.

Adam Godwin got on base with a double up the middle; then proceeded to steal third base on a wild pitch by Fruto.

Two pitches later, while facing Reid Gorecki, Fruto threw another wild pitch past catcher Yusuf Carter, which allowed Godwin to steal home and give the Skeeters the go-ahead run.

Eduardo Perez connected one 1-1 pitch, to stretch a single to second base.

Sunday's game was Youth Football Night at Constellation Field
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2013 All Rights Reserved

The solid hit scored Gorecki from third and Bates from second to give the Skeeters a 4-1 lead.

Fruto, who got the loss, pitched .1 of an inning and gave up three runs on one hit, while walking two and striking out a single batter. His ERA dropped to 3.77.

Roy Corcoran, pitching one inning of relief, got the win to raise his season record to 6-1.

Gary Majewski closed out the game for the Skeeters and got his eighth safe.

For the Skeeters, Godwin went 3-for-5 with one run while Bates went 1-for-2 with one run.

Freedom Over Texas Festival to feature Sheryl Crow, Martina McBride

Martina McBride will perform at 7:00 p.m. on the Freedom Stage.
Photo Courtesy of Freedom Over Texas and the Artist

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 4, 2013) Sheryl Crow and Martina McBride will be the headline performers at Houston’s Freedom Over Texas Fourth of July Celebration on Thursday, July 4, 2013.

Both Crow and McBride will perform on the Freedom Stage, which will be in Eleanor Tinsley Park, along Allen Parkway Drive.

McBride, the 4-Time CMA Vocalist of the Year will take to the stage at 7:00 p.m.

She will be followed by Crow at 8:15 p.m. 

Crow is a 9-Time Grammy Award Winner.

In addition, the Earnest Walker Band will be opening for McBride and Crow, taking the stage at 4:30 p.m.

Sheryl Crow will perform at 7:00 p.m.
on the Freedom Stage.
Photo Courtesy of Freedom Over Texas
and the Artist

On the Patriot Stage, which will be located further west on Allen Parkway will feature Brian Jack and the Zydeco Gamblers at 4:15 p.m., Marcie Chapa Project at 6:15 p.m. and Emily Bell at 8:15 p.m.

The Marcie Chapa Project will perform pop and Latin styling while Emily Bell is an alternative music performer.

On the KBR Liberty Stage, which will be east of the Freedom Stage, will be the Texas blues and funk performer Hamilton Loomis at 4:00 p.m.

He will be followed at 6:15 p.m. by southern rock specialist American Swindle and at 7:456 p.m. by Soul Track Mind.

Fireworks will follow all the performances at 9:35 p.m.

Gates will open at 4:00 p.m. with on-site ticket sales available

Sugar Land Skeeters take game one of double header; 6-1 over York Revolution

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

SUGAR LAND, TEXAS (June 26, 2013) The Sugar Land Skeeters dropped their magic number to three and tied the Atlantic League record for the most wins in the first half of the season with their 6-1 win over the York Revolution in the first game of a mid-week double header at Constellation Field in Sugar Land on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.

The game was a makeup match, as a result of a rain out in early June.

The Skeeters tallied four runs in the second inning off a two-run home run by third baseman Russ Mitchell and RBI singles by left fielder Steve Moss and catcher Travis Scott.

They added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings in the shorten seven-inning game.

Starting pitcher Gilbert De La Vara went five innings, giving up five hits and the single run in the first inning.

The single run for the Revolution was a homer by second baseman Eric Patterson.

He connected on a 3-1 pitch to get his second round-tripper for the season.

With the win, De La Vara raised his season record to 2-0 with a 2.10 ERA.

               

De La Vara played the 2012 season for the Bridgeport Bluefish, where he was 11-9, with a 4.4 ERA.

For the Skeeters, designated hitter Eduardo Perez went two-for-three with two runs and one RBI.

York starting pitcher Brett Tomko received the loss; pitching six innings while giving up six runs; five of them earned.

Houston Baptist baseball takes Great West Conference tournament crown

Photo by Larry Levanti-NJIT Athletic Department

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY (May 26, 2013) In their final competition in the Great West Conference, the No. 3 Houston Baptist Huskies downed No. 1 Northern Colorado Bears by the score of 13-3 to capture their first-ever conference tournament.

The Huskies swept through the tournament, winning four straight games to claim the title in their swan-song of the conference.

Beginning in the 2013-14 season, HBU will move to the Southland Conference and compete against in-state opponents Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin and Lamar University in addition to teams from Oklahoma and Louisiana.

In the GWC tournament held at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark, New Jersey on May 21-25, 2013, the Huskies downed No. 6 NJIT by the score of 11-6 to advance to the second round.

There, they quickly dispatched in-state opponent No. 2 UT-Pan American, 3-1.

In the third round, HBU faced No. 5 North Dakota and soundly sent them packing by the score of 8-4.

With their three wins, the Huskies advanced to the championship game against No. 1 Northern Colorado Bears.

The Bears had previously dropped an 11-3 decision to North Dakota earlier in the tournament, which put them on the bubble against HBU.

In a must-win game against the Huskies, the Bears could now overcome the bats of their Texas opponents, dropping the game 13-3 to give HBU the title.

The Huskies scored seven runs in the first inning and added insult to injury with two addition runs in each of the third, seventh, and innings to upset the 2013 conference regular season champion.

HBU had five players named to the all-tournament team, including the tournament’s most valuable player.

Senior outfielder Luke Clements was honored at the tournament’s MVP and joined on the elite squad by teammates Tyler Hoelscher, CJ Jarvis, Curtis Jones and Jake Gonzalez.

Also named to the all-tournament team were Chicago State's Andrew Wellwerts and Mattingly Romanin, NJIT's Tom Bouck, North Dakota's Jeff Campbell and Jacob Threlkeld, Northern Colorado's Nick Miller, Jensen Park and Jake Johnson, and Texas-Pan American's Dusten Knight.

The Huskies will now begin to prepare, not only in baseball, but all sports, to compete in the Southland Conference in fall, 2013.

HBU will be fielding their first-ever football team in 2013, playing a seven-game exhibition schedule before competing as a full football member of their new conference in 2014.

All other HBU sports will compete and contend for titles in the Southland Conference beginning later this year.

Central Arkansas wins first Southland Conference baseball tournament, heads to NCAA Regionals

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Roert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

SUGAR LAND, TEXAS (May 26, 2013)  The Southland Conference has a new baseball tournament champion and the team that won it set a historical milestone that has never been achieved in school history.

Central Arkansas, fresh off the heels of advancing to the championship game by beating Oral Roberts, downed the Southeastern Louisiana Lions by the score of 4-0, to secure their first ever Southland Conference Tournament title at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas on Saturday evening, May 25, 2013

With the win, they will advance to the NCAA tournament with an eye on the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska next month.

The Bears scored three runs in the third inning and added an insurance run in the seventh to take home the tournament title and trophy back to Conway, Arkansas.

Freshman pitcher Conner Gilmore went the distance for Central Arkansas, giving up only two hits for the shutout.

The 6-5, right-handed freshman hurler from Little Rock, Arkansas faced 30 batters and threw 126 pitches for the win; raising his record on the mound to 4-0 for the season.

Central Arkansas tallied their four runs on seven hits while committing a single error.

Southeastern Louisiana finished their 2013 campaign with a 36-24 record and placed two players on the All-Tournament Team.

Freshman first baseman Jameson Fisher and senior outfielder Ladd Rhodes were selected to the elite squad by a vote of the media covering the tournament.

Central Arkansas placed four players, including the tournament Most Valuable Player, on the team.

Senior catcher Michael Marietta, senior third baseman Garrett Brown, and Gilmore were selected as position players on the elite squad.

Senior outfielder Forrestt Allday was named the tournament MVP.

He played in all five of the Bears’ games in the tournament; going 8-for-19 with two runs and one RBI.

Readers can click here for stats from the game.

Dykes On Bykes hold CD release concert-party

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

WEBSTER, TEXAS (May 26, 2013) Dykes On Bykes recently held their CD release concert and party at Union Tavern in Webster, Texas with fans dancing the night away to a myriad of songs that had everyone jumping.

Describe as a rock, punk rock and high speed rock and roll band, their new CD entitled “WFO” featured four songs.

The songs included “Crash and Burn,” “Grace of Speed,” “Kickstart,” and the CD title song, “WFO.”

The band members, who produce a unique sound that can only come from the band members affection for cars, motorcycles, speed and loud, hard music, put on a great performance which was second to none in the Houston area.

The combination of Matt Fuentes on guitar and vocals, Farrell Jeppesen on guitar, Derrick Mauk on bass and Brad Corona on drums bring an electric, heart pumping sound to the stage that makes it hard to just sit and listen.

Houston based singer-songwriter Sheila Swift
(left) and La Vita Loca Photography's Darla
Tamulitis-Kelly were on hand at Union Tavern
to celebrate Dykes On Bykes latest CD.
(Photo by Robert Kelly)

It was difficult to see anyone at Union Tavern just sitting and listening to the performance.

The area in front of the stage and the adjoining dance floor was packed with fans, jumping up and down in a manner reminiscent of a mosh pit of the 1980s.


Dykes On Bykes were selected as the Best Punk Hard Core Indie Rock Band by 94.5 FM in Houston at the 2012 Texas Buzz Awards.

If you want to hear a foursome of musicians play music which is as big a part of their lives as breathing and eating, check out Dykes On Bykes.

They will definitely get you on your feet and your heart pumping.

Almagro dispatchs Williams in straight sets; advances to final at Clay Court Champs

Nicolas Almagro advanced to his first final of
2013 with his win over Rhyne Williams in Houston.
Photo by Darla tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 13, 2013) Number one seed Nicolas Almagro punched his ticket to the final at the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship with a 6-2, 6-1 in over wild card entry Rhyne Williams at historic River Oaks Country Club in Houston.

Almagron wasted little time in dispatching the 22-year old American winning in 56 minutes to secure his spot in the final.

This will be the Spaniards first trip to the finals, having advancing to the semifinals in Buenos Aires and Acapulco this year.

He is currently ranked number 12 in the world.

The 27-year old had an opening round bye and made his Houston debut with a 2-6, 6-0, 6-3 win over Gael Monfils.

He then followed his second round win with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over number seven seed Paolo Lorenzo in the quarter finals.

Wild card entry Rhyne Williams was playing
River Oaks for the first time at the
U.S. Clay Court Championships.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

In response to a question in the press conference if he if he played as well as he appeared to play, Almagro stated:

“I think I played better than the first two days. I feel good today and I think he (Williams) was a little bit tired. I tried to be focused at the time and I moved really good on (the) court today and that it is important for me.”

In fact, he totally dominated his young opponent, serving seven aces and scoring 82% on first service points.

In his first final of 2013, Almagro will face the winner of the Juan Monaco vs. John Isner match.

The final will be at 2:00 p.m. with live coverage on the Tennis Channel.

Doubles field set at US Men's Clay Court Championship

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 7, 2013)  The doubles seeding at the US Men's Clay Court Championships has been posted at Red Oaks Country Club in Houston, with 16 teams vying for the $25,000 championship purse.

The 2011 champions, Bob and Mike Bryan, are the No. 1 seed. They will play the team of Oliver Marach (AUT) and Andre Sa (BRA) in the first round.

The number two seed, Santiago Gonzalez (MEX) and Scott Lipsky (USA), will face off against American's Steve Johnson and Jack Sock.

Treat Huey (PHI) and Dominic Inglot (GBR), the number three seed, will play Fernando Verdasco (ESP) and Mischa Zverev (GER).

The team of Eric Butorac (USA) and Jonathan Erlich (ISR) will take the court against Somdev Devvarman (IND) and Michael Russell (USA).

In addition to the $25,000 check,  the winning team will also earn 250 ATP points.

The runners-up will take home $13,140 and 150 ATP points.

Each semi-finalist team will earn $7120 and 90 points while the quarter-finalists take home $4,070 and 45 ATP points.

Each first round winning team will earn $2,390.

The Bryan brothers are currently ranked number two in the world.

Tennis fans can follow live scoring at www.ATPWorldTour.com.  

Houston downs San Jose, 2-0; raises unbeaten streak to 34 games.

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 30, 2013) Scoring two goals in the first half, the Houston Dynamoextended the unbeaten streak to 34 games in downing the San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 in front of 17,415 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.

The Dynamo came out with a balanced attack and countered any offensive threat of the Hurricane with solid defense.

Forward Will Bruin got the Dynamo on the scoreboard in the 17^th minute when midfielder Bonick Garcia got the ball on the left side and threaded it to Bruin.

Bruin made an excellent shot pass goalkeeper Jon Busch for the score.

It was his first goal of the season and the 17^th of his career.

Then forward Giles Barnes connected on a Brad Davis pass to also get his second goal of his career.

His goal came in the 42^nd minute and closed out the scoring for the game.

Houston led in most statistical categories; attempts on goal (13-10), shots on target (7-1), shots inside (10-7), and possession (50.7%-49.3%).

Three yellow cards were issued; two to the Earthquakes (Ty Harden and Victor Bernardez) and one to Houston (Adam Moffit).

Houston is now 6-5 in all-time meeting with San Jose.

In their last meeting, the Dynamo downed San Jose 1-0 on March 17, 2012.

Houston will next face Portland on the road on April 6 before returning to BBVA Compass Stadium to play Chicago on April 20.

Skeeters sign Koby Clemens for 2013 season

Minor League Catcher Returns to Sugar Land

SUGAR LAND, TEXAS (March 26, 2013) The Sugar Land Skeeters announced today that minor league catcher Koby Clemens has signed and will return for the 2013 season with the club. The announcement was made by Skeeters Manager Gary Gaetti and Director of Operations Michael Kirk.

Clemens joined Sugar Land in September 2012 following his release from the Toronto Blue Jays organization, where he hit .246 (47x191) over 64 total minor league games. He caught one game for the Skeeters and made professional baseball history when he caught his father, Roger Clemens, during the seven-time Cy Young Award winner’s second start with the Skeeters at Constellation Field.

“Koby showed me a lot last year. He’s played different positions, he’s always been a good hitter and you know his pedigree and his bloodline are solid,” said Gaetti. “When he came to catch last year, he looked really good behind the plate. For me, he looked good enough to take a chance on and to be our guy to catch.”

Originally selected by the Houston Astros in the eighth round of the June 2005 Draft, Clemens reached the Triple A level with the Astros before joining the Blue Jays organization in February 2012. Clemens earned the California League batting title (.345) in 2009 as a member of Houston’s Class A Lancaster JetHawks and led all minor leaguers with 123 RBI that year. The following season, he led Double A Corpus Christi in several offensive categories, including home runs (26) and RBI (85), and was ultimately named Corpus Christi’s Co-Player of the Year.

In eight professional seasons with the Houston (2005-11), Toronto (2012) and Sugar Land (2012) organizations, Clemens owns a career .264 (717x2721) average and has played five different defensive positions since his rookie season in 2005.

“He certainly is a quality individual and I know the work ethic is there. I know his desire and professionalism are there. I’m counting on him to be our everyday catcher and I’m excited to have him,” said Gaetti.

Opening Day for the Sugar Land Skeeters is scheduled for Thursday, April 18 at Constellation Field against the 2012 Atlantic League Champion Long Island Ducks. Skeeters eight-game and full-season ticket plans are still available, so fans are encouraged to act now and be a part of the 2013 season excitement.

For more information about the Atlantic League, the Sugar Land Skeeters or how to purchase tickets, visit the team’s website at www.sugarlandskeeters.com or call the Skeeters ticket office at 281.240.HITS.

About the Sugar Land Skeeters

The Sugar Land Skeeters, led by Manager and former Major League All-Star Gary Gaetti, play at Constellation Field, a $37 million stadium located at the intersection of State Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 90A in Sugar Land – just 20 minutes from downtown Houston.

The Skeeters play 140 regular season games (70 home, 70 away) in the Atlantic League, considered the highest level of Minor League Baseball. Atlantic League players are “Major League ready” and in the last 15 years, over 600 players have graduated from Atlantic League clubs to Major League organizations, making the League a preferred route for experienced players to be scouted by Major League Baseball.

Oral Roberts downs Sam Houston; earns NCAA tournament bid



The Oral Roberts band and cheerleaders were on hand to
support the Golden Eagles in Katy.
Photo by Robert H Kelly

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

KATY, TEXAS (March 16, 2013) With four players scoring in double-digits, the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles won the Southland Conference women’s basketball tournament by downing the Sam Houston State Bearkats, 72-66 at the Frank J Merrell Center in Katy, Texas.

With the win, the Golden Eagles earned a berth in the NCAA tournament which will begin next week.

Led by tournament MVP Kevi Luper, Oral Roberts controlled the game with a balanced attack, shooting 20-of-50 from the field and 23-of-33 from the free throw line.

Luper, who played the entire 40 minutes, shot 8-of-19 from the floor, including two 3-pointers.

The Golden Eagles also had three more players scoring in double figures.

Jaci Bigham scored 17 points, with Taylor Cooper and Savana Buck adding 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Cooper led the team with seven rebounds with Bigham snatching six and Sarah Shelton accounting for five.

But it was Luper who highlighted the show.

She was perfect from the free throw line, 8-of-8, in addition to four steals and five assists.

Bigham was also a force to be reckoned with from the free throw line.

She connected on 10-of-11 and picked the pocket of Sam Houston five times.

As a result, she joined Luper on the all-tournament team

For Sam Houston, Sequeena Thomas hooked up for 18 points, with Britni Martin adding 15 and Chanice Smith scoring 13.

Thomas and Angela Beadle, who had, eleven rebounds, were also named to the all-Tournament team in addition to McNeese State’s Ashlyn Baggett.

The Golden Eagles will now have to wait until Sunday night to see who they face in the first round of The Dance.

Oral Roberts has been to the NCAA tournament five times, with their last appearance coming in 2008, where the lost to No. 1 Tennessee, 94-55.

Game stats can be viewed by clicking here.

Lamar downs SFA 69-65; advances to semifinal round of SLC tourney

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

KATY, TEXAS (March 14, 2013) Led by the radar shooting of senior guard Kalis Loyd, the Lamar Lady Cardinals defeated the Stephen F Austin Ladyjacks by the score of 69-65 in the second round of the Southland Conference tournament at the Merrell Center in Katy, Texas.

With the win, Lamar advanced to the semi final round of the tournament and will face the No. 2 seed, Sam Houston State, in a 1:30 p.m. game on Friday.

Loyd, the Malmoe, Sweden native, was virtually unstoppable on the court.

She connected on 5-of-13 from the field and 12-of-14 from the free throw line for 22 points to lead all scorers.

She was aided in the scoring by Dominique Edwards, who was 7-of-14 from the field in addition to being 3-of-5 from 3-point range.

Lamar set the stage for their win with ball control.

The Lady Cardinals picked the pockets of the Ladyjacks 12 times, with Loyd accounting for four of the steals.

IN addition, 33 of Lamar’s points came on take-a-ways.

As a team, Lamar shot 21-of-52 from the field and 21-of-32 from the free throw line.

They also connected on 6-of-17 three-pointers.

For SFA, Tierany Henderson, Porsha Roberts, and Ashlee Mells each had 10 points, while Annette Davis accounted for eight rebounds.

With the win, Lamar will post a 21-9 record when they face Sam Houston.

In their two previous meetings this season, the Lady Cardinals dropped 59-57 decision at home on Jan. 10 and won their Feb. 9 game by the of 52-48 in Huntsville.

The stats from the game can be accessed by clicking here.