LA Galaxy obliterate Central FC 5-1 in Champions League action

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2015 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

CARSON, CALIFORNIA (August 6, 2015) In a game that looked like the Pittsburgh Steelers taking on a junior college football team, the LA Galaxy scored two goals in the first half and added three more in the second to down Central FC of Trinidad and Tobago by the score of 5-1 in front of 13,625 screaming fans at the StubHub Center in Carson, California on Thursday, August 6, 2015. The game was a Group D match of the 2015-16 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.

The Galaxy wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard, when captain Alan Gordon took a pass at the top right of the box and headed it past Central goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams in the fourth minute. The Sharks came back two minutes later and scored an equalizer when Galaxy goalkeeper Brain Rowe was called for a hard takedown of Kelon Goodridge.  Central’s Ataulla Guerra took the kick and sailed it past Rowe.

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2015 All Rights Reserved

The action stayed fast and furious for the next 24 minutes, until Gyasi Zardes gets the ball on a great offensive run and feeds it to Gordon. The Captain aptly dribbled the ball past the Central defenders and passes it to Raul Mendiola, who skillfully puts the ball into the goal to again put Los Angeles up by one.

Galaxy fans were on their feet with their attention directed at the field when Williams takes out Mendiola in front of the net. No foul was given by the referees and after a few minutes of lying on the grass, Mendiola left the field with medical staff and was quickly replaced on the field by Sebastian Lletget. At the halfway mark, the Galaxy took a 2-1 lead into the locker room.

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2015 All Rights Reserved

Ten minutes into the second half, Central gets called for a penalty, which allows the Galaxy a chance to go up by two. Zardes calmly and coolly strode to the ball for the penalty kick, and in true galaxy fashion, put the ball into the goal past Williams to give Los Angeles a 3-1 lead.

In the 76^th minute, Galaxy newcomer Giovani DosSantos scored his first goal for Los Galácticos. Lletget took the ball and with a very nice touch, flicked it to Rafael Garcia, who in turn, squared it to Dos Santos for the simple tap-in to give the Galaxy a 4-1 lead.

Los Angeles added an insurance goal in the 85^th minute when Ignacio Maganto found himself in the right place at the right time and knocked the ball into the net for the Galaxy’s fifth score of the game.

The Galaxy will next face Communicciones FC from Guatemala on August 18 at the the StubHub Center.

Swimmers bring gold medal haul back to Texas from State Games of America

James Sephton, Carson Howard, and Landon Howard
brought a gold-medal haul back to Texas from the
State Games of America.
Photo by James Sephtoon, Used with permission.

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA (August 3, 2015) Three members of the South Belt Area “All Stars” Swimming Team competed in the State Games of America national championships on August 1-2, 2015 in Lincoln, Nebraska and bought back a pot full of gold medals to the Houston area. Brothers Landon and Carson Howard, along with James Sephton competed in the two-day event in a total of 16 individual and two relay events and won a total of 16 medals.

Landon Howard, competing in the men’s 25-29 age group, stepped on the starting blocks seven times and won a total of seven individual medals. Brother Carson raced in five events, winning two gold and two silver medals in the men’s 19-24 age group. Fellow Texan James Sephton, competing in the men’s 40-44 age group raced to three gold medals.

The competition was held over two days, with Saturday’s events held at Bob Devaney Sports Center on the campus of the University of Nebraska. The Saturday events were contested in the campus 25-yard pool, while Sunday’s events were held at Woods Memorial Pool and were contested in a 50-meter pool.

On Saturday, August 1, Landon competed in four events; 50-yard backstroke (:28.01), 50-yard freestyle (:23.50), 100-yard freestyle (:53.26) and 200-yard butterfly (2:45.20), and raced to the gold medal in all four events. Carson competed in the 50-yard breaststroke, where he won the gold medal with the time of  :29.54. He also swam to the silver medal in the 50-yard butterfly (:25.73). Sephton won gold medals in the 50-yard breaststroke (:32.21) and the 200-yard breaststroke (2:55.52).

The Texas threesome hooked up with another Texan, Sherdon Powell, to win the gold medal in the 18 and over 200-yard freestyle relay.

In the Sunday, August 2 events, Landon swam to three gold medals in the 100-meter backstroke (1:18:01), 200-meter individual medley (2:43.10), and the 100-meter butterfly (1:13.21). Carson won the gold medal in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:18.42) and the silver medal in the 200-meter individual medley (2:40.29). In addition, James won the gold emdal in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:28.41).

Landon, Carson, and James again team up to take the gold medal in the 200-meter medley relay, with fellow swimmer Bam Meeks.

Sugar Land Skeeters drop fourth game in a row to Lancaster Barnstormers

Starter Tim Stauffer threw seven complete
innings in Sugar Land's loss to Lancaster.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2015, All Rights Reserved.

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

SUGAR LAND, TEXAS (July 26, 2015) The Sugar Land Skeeters got on the scoreboard first, but could not hold on to the lead, dropping their fourth game in a row to the Lancaster Barnstormers by the score of 2-1 on Sunday, July 26, 2015 at Constellation Field in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land, Texas. With the loss, the Barnstormers now lead the Skeeters 37-36 in all-time games and hold a 7-6 advantage in 2015.

The game was scoreless through the first four and a half innings, when the Skeeters finally got on the scoreboard when shortstop PatrickPalmeiro slammed a double into the center field wall for a double. AllanDykstra, who was on first base as a result of being hit with a Bryan Morgado pitch, scored his sixth run of the season.

Brian Cavazos-Galvez (31) connected for a
two-run homer in Lancaster's 2-1 win over Sugar Land.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2015, All Rights Reserved.

Lancaster wasted no time in coming back; scoring two runs in the sixth inning on a Brian Cavazos-Galvez home run, with Yusuke Kajimoto scoring from first base. It was the Albuquerque, New Mexico native’s  twelfth round tripper of the season.

Sugar Land’s first baseman Delwyn Young snapped a 15-game hitting streak, going 0-for-4 in the loss and dropping his batting average to .258. He currently has 76 hits, 12 doubles, and seven home runs, and 24 RBI in 2015. Skeeter starter Tim Stauffer completed seven full innings; giving up five hits and two runs, both of them earned, in receiving the loss. Lancaster starter Morgado secured the win, his second of 2015. Pete Andrelczyk, pitching one inning in relief, received his fourth save of the season. 

The Skeeters managed only three hits in the loss and have dropped their last four games, heading into a seven-game road trip. They will face the Camden Riversharks in a three-game series. July 29-30 before heading to Regency Furniture Stadium to play Southern Maryland on July 31 to August 3. They will return to Constellation Field on Wednesday, August 5 for a four-game series against the Long Island Ducks.

Lancaster Barnstormers down Sugar Land Skeeters, 3-0

Fans of all sizes were on hand to support the
Sugar Land Skeeters at Constellation Field.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2015 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

SUGAR LAND, TEXAS (July 24, 2015) The Sugar Land Skeeters could not get the hits to turn into runs and as a result, dropped a 3-0 decision to the Lancaster Barnstormers at Constellation Field in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land, Texas on Friday, July 24, 2015. The loss was their second straight to Lancaster and dropped the Skeeters’ record to 7-8 for the second half of the Atlantic League season. They are currently 36-35 overall for the season and will face the Barnstormers two more times on the current home stand.

Lancaster struck first with a solo home run by shortstop Lance Zawadzki in the second inning. He connected on a 3-1 pitch for his second round tripper of the season. They added two additional run in the fourth inning. First baseman Brian Cavazos-Galvez send left fielder Kent Matthes home from third base. Later in the inning, designated hitter Mike McDade scored on an error by Skeeter shortstop Amadeo Zazueta.

Sugar Land connected for six hits, but could not get anyone home and with the loss, gave Lancaster starting pitcher Shunsuke Watanabe his fifth win of the season. Roy Merritt received the loss for the Skeeters, dropping his record to 3-3.  Barnstormer relief pitcher was credited with the save, his third in 2015.

Sugar Land second baseman Renny Osuna went 2-of-4 at the plate while left fielder Kevin Russo was 2-for-5. Both teams committed two errors in the match. The Skeeters left 11 runners on base, while Lancaster stranded four.

Their Saturday, July 25 matchup is scheduled for a 6:05 p.m. CDT start with right-hander Matt Wright (5-3 3.97 ERA) scheduled to take the mount for Sugar Land. The Barnstormers have listed right-hander Ray Hanson (1-0, 1.80 ERA) as their starter. 

HBU Women's Golf Team posts one of the highest GPA’s in country

Photo courtesy of HBU Athletic Media Relations Department

From HBU Athletic Media Relations Department

CORAL SPRINGS, FLORIDA (July 23, 2015) The HBU women's golf team finished tied for eighth in the country for the 2014-15 season with a 3.731 combined GPA, the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) announced on Thursday afternoon.

The Huskies shared the classroom mark with East Tennessee State, while New Mexico posted the top GPA of 3.799 and was the recipient of the WGCA All-Scholar Team Award.

"We are extremely excited about ladies' top-eight finish for the WGCA All-Scholar GPA Award, separated from the top by just 0.068 of a point," head coach David Shuster said. "It's something that they have been working for over the last few years, after just missing out the last couple seasons. It takes a lot of commitment of their personal time, from them all, to accomplish this, especially considering how many hours they also put into their golf practice. We are very proud of them all."

Four HBU golfers; seniors Rachel Mulkey and Caitlyn Cassity, junior Brook Johnston and sophomore Charlotte Hartshorn; were named WGCA All-American Scholars on July 6.

The Women's Golf Coaches Association, founded in 1983, is a non-profit organization representing women's collegiate golf coaches. The WGCA was formed to encourage the playing of college golf for women in correlation with a general objective of education and in accordance with the highest tradition of intercollegiate competition. Today, the WGCA represents over 500 coaches throughout the U.S. and is dedicated to educating, promoting and recognizing both its members and the student-athletes they represent.

Sugar Land Skeeters down Lancaster Barnstormers 7-1 off two three-run homers

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2015 All Rights Reserved 

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

SUGAR LAND, TEXAS (July 22, 2015) Powered by a pair of three-run home runs, the SugarLand Skeeters slugged their way to a 7-1 win over the Lancaster Barnstormers at Constellation Field in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land on Wednesday, July 22, 2015. With the victory, the Skeeters raise their season record to 42-40 and their second half record to 6-6 in the Atlantic League.

The 3,325 baseball fans in attendance saw starting pitcher Joss Geer throw seven complete innings, giving up nine hits and the single run. He raised his season record to 4-2. The right-hander struck out five batters, walked two and raised his ERA to 3.21 for the season.

At the plate, catcher Chris Wallace collected his twelfth home run of the season with his three RBI blast. That moves him into the lead in the home run race in the Atlantic League. Left fielder Johan Limonta received his first home run while playing for the Skeeters in his three-run shot. 

The Skeeters will continue their current series against Lancaster with a double-header on Thursday, June 23, 2015. The first game has an 11 a.m. CDT first pitch with the second game scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The series will continue on Friday, July 24 with a 7:05 p.m. CDT first pitch. The Saturday, July 25 game will begin at 6:05 p.m. CDT with the Sunday, July 26 match up begining at 5:05 p.m. CDT. 

HBU's Isaiah Huerta Named Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar

Photo courtesy of HBU Athletic Media Relations 

From HBU Athletic Media Relations Press Release

NORMAN, OKLAHOMA (July 22, 2015) Houston Baptist University junior golfer Isaiah Huerta was named a Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar by the Golf Coaches Association of America, the organization announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Huerta, a native of Duncanville, Texas, was one of two Huskies to compete in all 11 tournaments on the year finishing third on the team with a 74.77 stroke average across 30 rounds. Huetra placed inside the top 20 two times. He recorded six par and two under-par rounds.

Huerta is one of eight golfers named from members the Southland Conference and one of 11 named from schools in state of Texas.

To be eligible for Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar status an individual must be a junior or senior academically, compete in at least three full years at the collegiate level, participate in 50-percent of his team’s competitive rounds, have a stroke-average under 76.0 in Division I, 78.0 in Division II, 77.0 in NAIA and 79.0 in Division III, and maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.2. A recipient must also be of high moral character and be in good standing at his college or university.

In all, 206 players in Division I, 91 in Division II and 17 in NAIA earned the honor. Additionally, 34 honorees were added to the previously released Division III Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholars.

Sugar Land Skeeters fall to Southern Maryland to kickoff second half of season

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2015, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 10, 2015) After giving up three runs in the first inning, the SugarLand Skeeters tried to keep the Southern Maryland in check, but could not  contain the bats of the Blue Crabs; falling by the score of 6-0 at Constellation Field in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land on Friday, July 10, 2015. With the loss, the Skeeters fall to 4-10 against Southern Maryland in 2015.

The Blue Crabs added two runs in the fifth inning along with an insurance run in the seventh to secure the win. The Skeeters are on track to score 512 runs this season, which would be the lower in team history. The Skeeters have been known as a second-half team in their first three years of existence; posting 136-94 combined record in the months of July, August, and September.

Sugar Land connected for two hits, but could not get the bats to advance any runner home. On the contrary, the Blue Crabs scored their six runs off 10 hits, while taking advantage of two Skeeters errors.

This current series against Southern Maryland will continue on Saturday, July 11 with a 6:05 p.m. first pitch and conclude on Sunday, July 12 at 5:05 p.m. Right-hander Sean Gallagher is schedules to take the mount on Saturday while left-hander Roy Merritt slated for Sunday.

Houston rapper Bun B performs at Houston Dynamo vs. Chicago Fire soccer game on July 4th weekend

Photo by Darla TamulitisLa Vita Loca PhotographyCopyright 2015 All Rights Reservedd

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 3, 2015) Houston rapper Bun B preformed at the Bud Light Beer Garden prior to the Houston Dynamo playing the Chicago Fire at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston on Friday, July 3, 2015. DJ Charlee got the performance started before Bun B took the stage and got the soccer fans hopping to his fast beat rap and musical stylings.

Bun B, whose given name is Bernard Freeman in one half of the southern rap duo UGK, also known as UnderGround Kingz. He performed hits from his various albums to soccer and rap fans alike who were in attendance for the Dynamo-Fire Major League Soccer game.

The 42-year old Port Arthur, Texas native has released four albums since 2005; Trill, II Trill, Trill OG and Trill OG: The Epilogue; and has over one million followers on Twitter. He has appeared in three films since 2010; Ghetto Stories (2010), Video Girl (2011), and Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap (2012).

Photo by Darla TamulitisLa Vita Loca PhotographyCopyright 2015 All Rights Reserved

Freeman taught as a Distinguished Lecturer at Rice University beginning in 2011, focusing on the topics of Religion and Hip-Hop. He has been married to his wife Angela Walls since 2003 and his step-son is Young-B, an American rapper who is a member of the group “Youngest N Charge.”

BBVA Compass Stadium is becoming a hot-bed for musical performances in the Houston area; previously hosting county-music performers Kenny Chesney, Jake Owen, and Chase Rice on May 22. They are scheduled to host six-time Grammy nominated singer and songwriter Ed Sheeran on Thursday, September 3, 2015.

Photos by Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, 

Copyright 2015, All Rights Reserved.

HBU heads to NCAA post-season play with 6-0 win over Sam Houston

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2015, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

SUGAR LAND, TEXAS (May 23, 2015) With a stunning six-run eighth inning, the Houston Baptist UniversityHuskies defeated the Sam Houston State University Bearkats by the score of 6-0 to win the 2015 Southland Conference Baseball Tournament on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas. With the win, the Huskies advance to the NCAA regional tournament.

The game remained scoreless until the eighth inning, when HBU erupted for six runs on six hits to secure the win. Starting pitcher Curtis Jones went the distance for the Huskies, facing 35 batters, and giving up 10 hits, while striking out 7 and walking a single batter. He threw 111 pitches and finished the game with a 3.62 ERA; raising his record to 6-6 heading into the regionals. For his effort, Jones was selected as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

The Huskies batted through their lineup in the eighth inning, scoring their six runs with two outs on the scoreboard. They lead off the inning with two out before catcher Samm Wiggins drew a walk and first baseman Andrew Alvarez singled. The Bearkats pulled starting pitcher Greg Belton, who threw 7.2 innings, giving up seven hits. Belton was replaced with right-hander Jordan Church who promptly gave up four hits that scored five runs. He was pulled after facing four batters and replaced by Alex Bisacca. The right-hander walked a batter before giving up double and a run. He closed out the Huskies with a strikeout, but by then the damage was done.

HBU tallied 12 hits in route to their six runs, all of them earned. Alvarez was 2-of-4 with a single run and two RBI while right fielder Thomas Clay went 2-of-3 with a run. Left fielder Brandon Morones secured two hits and a one RBI.

In addition to Jones, the Huskies placed three on the All-Tournament Team. Second baseman Greg Espinoza, right fielder Clay Thomas and Alvarez joined Jones on the elite squad. Tournament runner-up Sam Houston State placed designated hitter Jake MacWilliam, outfielders Hayden Simery and Bryce Johnson, along with left-handed pitcher Andrew Godail on the squad.

This will be the first time in school history the Huskies have made it to the NCAA post-season. In 2007, they advance to the NAIA World Series, finishing in third place.

Rematch of 2014 scheduled at World Gyro Eating Championship in Houston

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vocs Photography
Copyright 2015, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May, 13, 2015) On Sunday, May 17, 2015 , Niko Niko's Greek & American Cafe will be hosting the World Gyro Eating Championship during Houston's Greek Festival which is held on the grounds of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Houston. The event is sponsored and sanctioned by Major League eating and will feature two of the world's leading eaters battling for gyro eating supremacy

In 2014, Matt Stonie (San Jose, California), who was the No. 2 ranked eater in the world, down No. 1 Joey Chestnut (San Jose, California) by eating 24 8-oz gyros in 10 minutes. The performance was a new world record, breaking Chestnut’s record of 22.5 gyros established in 2013.

The victory was the first for Stonie, who finished in second place in 2013 and 2014, and third place in 2011. Chestnut had previously won the title in 2010, 2011, and 2013. In 2013, Chestnut consumed 21 gyros for second place in 2014, while eating 21 in 2010, where he tied the record established by Pat Bertoletti in 2008.

“This event at Greek Fest highlights our summer. Matt definitely shocked everyone last year by not only beating Joey, but shattering his record,” stated Dimitri Fetokakis in the pre-event press release from Major League Eating. Fetokakis is the owner of Niko Niko’s Greek & American Café and further stated, “Our gyro sandwiches are no joke. We can’t wait to see what these two and all the competitors have in store this year.”

Other competitors eating for the Niko Niko’s Belt include No. 4 Miki Sudo (Las Vegas, Nevada) and No. 16 Steve Henley of Dixon California. Sudo placed fourth in 2014. Consuming 11.5 gyros in the 10 minute limit.

Major League Eating President Richard Shea was quoted in a prepared press release; “Joey’s loss last year to Stonie shook him to the core, and caused him to rethink his entire approach to gyro eating. He returns to Houston this year with his reputation on the line and a deep need to dominate Stonie.”

The event will kick off at 2 p.m. with tickets costing $3.00 each.

Houston, Colorado battle to scoreless draw in MLS action

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

 

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 28, 2015) Coming into Saturday’s game against the winless and scoreless Colorado Rapids, the Houston Dynamo were looking for quick ninety minute game and an easy win in their second home game of 2015. The Rapids had other plans as both teams battled to a scoreless draw in front of a nearly packed BBVA Compass Stadium on March 28, 2015. With the win the Dynamo raise their record to 1-1-2 (5 points) while the Rapids take a 0-0-3 record back to their Rocky Mountains’ home.

The Dynamo, who played the entire game with a noticeable command of the field, had 11 shots-on-goal, with none of them able to get into the net. In contrast, the Rapids drilled six shots towards the Dynamo net and none of them were able to put points on the score board.

Three yellow cards issued to the Houston Dynamo, the first in the 43rd minute to Ricardo Clark. Alexander Lopez received his in the 68th minute and KofiSarkodie was carded in the 84th  minute. The Rapid was not carded for any misconduct the entire game.

With the draw, Houston received one point to raise their total to five after four games. The Rapid also tallied one point for the draw, giving them three points for the season.

The Dynamo will next face Seattle on Saturday, April 4 on the road before returning home to play Montreal on Saturday, April 11. Colorado will next play New England at home on April 4 with a April 10 match-up against FC Dallas on April 10 in Dallas.

No. 3 Vanderbilt remains undefeated at Southland Bowling League Championsip

Photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 21, 2015) The Southland Bowling League Championship continued on Saturday afternoon, March 21. 2015 Del-Mar Lanes in Houston with four matches; one in the championship bracket and three in the consolation bracket. Match nine was the first of the afternoon with the No. 5 Valparaiso Crusaders facing No. 7 Monmouth Hawks. Both teams came into the match with 1-1 records. The Crusaders overcame the Hawks by the score of 4-0 (183-164, 168-122, 163-158, 214-190).

In the second consolation matchup, match 10, the No. 2 Stephen F. Austin LadyJacks faced the No. 4 Sam Houston State Bearkats. In the end, the Bearkats came out on top by the score of 4-2 (190-179, 186-173, 246-201, 176-184, 176-179, 171-191). The SHSU win setup a rematch of a round one game with the Bearkats facing Valparaiso. In that game (match 12) the Crusaders came out on top by the score of 4-3 (145-154, 187, 217, 193-173, 201-166, 199-149, 202-174).

Prior to the Sam Houston vs. Valparaiso match, the two undefeated teams, No. 1 Arkansas State and No. 3 Vanderbilt played to a 4-3 outcome with the Commodores coming out on top. The win gave Vanderbilt a 3-0 record while the Red Wolves fell to 2-1. As a result, the Red Wolves will face Valparaiso at 9:35 a.m. on Sunday, March 22 with the winner advancing to the final against Vanderbilt. Should the Commodores should lose in the noon match, a 1:45 p.m. match would be schedule since Vanderbilt would have only one loss. The championship round will be streamed live at Bowl.com/BowlTV.

Arkansas State, Vanderbilt undefeated through two rounds of SBL Championship

Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin will face off in the
third round of the SBL Championship.
Photo b y Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 All Rights Reserved.

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 21, 2015) Day one of the Southland Bowling League Championship was contested at Del-Mar Lanes in Houston on Saturday, March 21, 2015 and saw No. 1 Arkansas State and No. 3 Vanderbilt advancing to the third round, both having defeated their first and second round opponents to remind undefeated. 

In the first round, Arkansas State downed No. 8 seed Louisiana Tech by the score of 4-1 (264-156, 147-187, 189-178, 204-166, 212-199) while Vanderbilt took down Tulane 4-1 (157-126, 168-149, 176-186, 199-161, 204-142).

In other first round matches, No. 4 Sam Houston State defeated No. 5 Valparaiso 4-2 (234-170, 194-173, 167-176, 195-234, 179-176, 220-241) while No. 7 Monmouth beat No. 2 Stephen F. Austin 4-1 (204-198, 170-203, 194-185, 218-184, 206-179).

The second round found Valparaiso eliminating Louisiana Tech 4-2 (215-181, 197-210, 191-195, 185-159, 237-174, 244-135). SFA also sent Tulane home with their second loss of the day by the score of 4-3 (156-169, 202-190, 202-174, 173-174, 189-183, 181-200, 214-202).

The third round, which kicks off at 2:30 p.m. CDT on Saturday, March 21 will see the two undefeated teams, Arkansas State and Vanderbilt, facing off. The four teams who stand at 1-1 will bowl, with the losers going home. The consolation bracket consists of Valparaiso facing Monmouth and SFA facing SHSU.

Arkansas State is currently ranked number three in the nation by the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) poll. SFA is ranked fifth nationally in the poll, with Vanderbilt ranked sixth and defending NCAA champion Sam Houston is ranked seventh.

Semi-final and final matches will be contested on Sunday, March 22 beginning at 9:30 a.m. CDT.

Houston downs cross-town rival Rice in first game of Silver Glove Series

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2015 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 17, 2015) Exploding for five runs in the fourth inning, the No. 21 Houston Cougars added insurance runs in the seventh and eighth innings to down the No. 8 Rice Owls by the score of 8-3 at Cougar Field on Tuesday, March 17, 2015. The match-up was the first of the three-game series to determine the winner of the Silver Glove Series.

Rice scored two runs in the sixth inning and added one run in the eighth inning in the loss. Rice fell to 15-7 for the season. The Cougars raised their record 14-7.  The two cross-town rivals will again face-off on April 14 at Rice’s Reckling Park and May 12 at Constellation Field in Sugar Land.

The Cougars clobbered off 11 hits in route to the win with Chris Iriart going 2-of-3 and raising his batting average to .338.   Center fielder Zac Taylor was 3-of-3, scoring one run and knocking in one RBI.  Starting pitcher Seth Romero, pitching 6.1 innings, gave up two earned runs and struck out nine. He raised his record to 2-1. Rice starter Jordan Stephens received the loss, dropping his record to 1-1. Aaron Garza, pitching 1.1 innings in relief, received his first save of the season. Houston stranded six runners on base, while Rice left nine on base. Rice used seven pitchers in the loss, while Houston used three pitches in relief.

Houston will now hit the road for a three-game series in Albuquerque against New Mexico on March 20-22, 2015. They will return to Cougar Field on March 25 to face the Lamar Cardinals before again hitting the road for an eight-game road trip. 

HBU comes up short against Iowa bats; falls 7-2

Photo by Robert H Kelly

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 16, 2015) Iowa jumped out to an early four-run lead, and HoustonBaptist University was unable to overcome the deficit and dropped the third game of their current four-game series against the Hawkeyes by the score of 7-2 at Husky Field on Monday, March 16, 2015. With the loss, HBU falls to 2-1 versus Iowa. The final game of the series scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 17.

The Hawkeyes scored one run in the first inning and added three runs in both the second and eighth innings before the Huskies got on the board in the bottom on the ninth inning with two runs. Iowa tallied 15 hits in route to their win. HBU managed to get six hits in route to their two runs. Shortstop Louie Payetta was 2-for-4 while starting pitcher Curtis Jones struck out five in the loss. Jones fell to 1-3 on the season in pitching six complete innings.

Iowa starter Calvin Mathews got his second win of the season, pitching 5-1 innings and giving up four hits. Iowa went to 11-4 on the season while the Huskies fell to 9-10. The Huskies won the two previous games in the series 7-1 and 5-1. After the final game against the Hawkeyes the Huskies will host Central Arkansas in a three-game conference series. Game time will be 2 p.m. on Friday, March 20 and Sunday, March 22 with a 1 p.m. first pitch on Saturday, March 21. 

Eric Church, BP Super Series kicks off opening day of Rodeo Houston

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 3, 2015)  Rodeo Houston kicks off today, March 3, 2015 at NRG Stadium with the BP Super Series 1, Round 1 and the evening concert by Eric Church. The BP Super Series included tie-down roping, bareback riding, team roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing bull riding and the calf scramble.

Eight competitors will take to the dirt on the floor of NRG Stadium in each event, with eight teams competing in team roping. In the calf scramble, 30 high schools representing their school’s FFA, will compete to capture and rope 15 released calves. Eric Church will take to the revolving stage in NRG Stadium after the evening’s rodeo competition is completed.

In addition to the rodeo activities, the main arena of the NRG Center will host the Maine Anjou Cattle Show, Braunvieh, Braunvieh Beef Builder Cattle Show, Charlolais Cattle Show, Red Angus Cattle Show and the Celebrity Dairy Goat Milking Contest. The NRG Arena will play host to seminars on cattle markets, optimizing grazing, and grazing and wildlife.

Additional music for the evening includes the Matt Caldwell Band at 6 p.m. in the Champion Wine Garden and Justin van Sant at 10:15 p.m. in The Hideout.