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.

Houston Men’s Basketball Advances Past Rice at C-USA Championship

Cougars hold off Owl comeback to win fifth straight postseason game in BOK Center

TULSA, OKALHOMA (March 13, 2013)  University of Houston sophomore forward TaShawn Thomas posted 16 points and 10 rebounds for his team-leading 13^th double-double this season, and the Cougars held off a furious comeback in a 72-67 win against No. 11 seed Rice during the Conference USA Championship First Round inside the BOK Center.

The Cougars built as much as an 18-point lead late in the first half, but the Owls closed out the opening period with an 11-5 run to move to within 36-25 at the break.

In the second half, Rice guard Tamir Jackson scored the team’s first 16 points and the Owls eventually built as much as a 58-55 lead when Max Guercy banked in a layup with 8:19 remaining in the game.

However, the Cougars rallied to score the next eight points during the next three minutes for a 63-58 lead , thanks to two points each from four different players – Thomas, sophomore guard Joseph Young, junior guard Tione Womack and freshman forward Danuel House.

Rice rallied again and took a 67-65 lead when Keith Washington hit a jumper with 2:33 to go. However, that would be the final points the Owls would score of the rest of the night.

With just 1:47 remaining, House – the 2013 C-USA Freshman of the Year – drove the lane for a basket and was fouled for an old-fashioned 3-point play and a 68-67 Houston lead. After a missed Rice shot, House snared the defensive rebound, and the Cougars went to work on taking time off the game clock.

With 45 seconds left, Young’s 3-point attempt was off the mark, but senior forward Leon Gibson grabbed the offensive board and threw it down for a monster dunk and a 70-67 Houston advantage.

Rice’s Keith Washington was off on his potential game-tying 3-point attempt on the ensuing possession, and sophomore forward Mikhail McLean hit 1-of-2 free throw attempts after being fouled on the defensive rebound with 16 seconds to go.

Young hit one more free throw with five seconds remaining to ice the win.

Thomas, a 2013 All-Conference USA First-Team honoree, connected on 8-of-13 attempts from the field and added a pair of assists in the win. House finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and an assist, while redshirt freshman guard Jherrod Stiggers came off the bench to post 11 points, including two 3-pointers.

Young finished the night with 10 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Gibson totaled eight points, six rebounds and a career-high four blocked shots.

Jackson led Rice and all players with 30 points and added a team-high nine rebounds. Julian DeBose recorded 13 points with four rebounds, while Austin Ramljak finished with 11 points and four rebounds.

Houston to face Rice at C-USA basketball tournament

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 12, 2013) The Houston Cougars go into the Conference USA men’s basketball tournament as the number six seed and will face the Rice Owls in the 6:00 p.m. game on Wednesday.

The Cougars, who are 18-11 for the season and 7-9 in conference play will face an Owls team that is 5-25 for the season and 1-15 in conference.

The Owls lone win came against the Cougars by the score of 79-69 on Jan. 30 on their home court.

Houston won the second match-up at Hofheinz Pavilion by the score of 84-62 on March 6 and is riding a three-game winning streak going into Wednesday night’s game.

The winning of the Houston-Rice game will face Texas-El Paso, who is the No. 3 seed.

Houston will be led by TaShawn Thomas (#34, shown above) and Daniel House, who were recently named to the All-Conference USA team.

Thomas was named to the All-Conference USA First Team while House earned third-team honors.

In addition, House was also named Conference USA Freshman of the Year for 2012-13.

The Conference USA tournament is being played at the BOK Center in Tulsa.

All games in tournament can be followed at the Conference USA site by clicking here.

Super Shootout champions crowned at RodeoHouston

The Grand Entry procession preceded the 

Super Shootout at RodeoHouston.

Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

Copyright 2013 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 10, 2013) Four competitors emerged as champions on Saturday afternoon in the Super Shootout: North American Champions at the RodeoHouston. All the competitors in the Super Shootout were invited to compete as a result of winning the championships in their respective event at various rodeos around North America. The invited athletes competed in bareback riding, barrel racing, bull riding and saddle bronc riding. Casey Colletti, of Pueblo, CO, won the bareback riding title. He was added to the competition with a last-minute invitation on Thursday and stated his surprise on his win in the post-event press conference:

“It’s just awesome. There are not many guys who can come in at the last minute and win it. It’s just phenomenal.”

Colletti scored 86.5 points in the first round and 87.5 points in the shoot-out for the championship. He was competing for the Cheyenne Frontier Days team.
In barrel racing, Mary Walker, of Ennis, TX, scored 14.5 seconds on the first round and 14.4 seconds in the second round, for an aggregate time of 28.9 seconds, to win the event. She stated in the post-event press conference

“I live three hours from Houston in Ennis so this is almost like a hometown rodeo to me,” Walker said. “We have a lot of family and friends here, so that makes this rodeo that much more exciting.”

Walker has won the 2012 Champion Barrel Racer at Cheyenne Frontier Days and the All-American Finals. She was also the 2012 World Champion Barrel Racer and 2012 Top Gun Award winner. Wesley Silcox took top honors in the bull riding with an aggregate score of 178.5  He scored 86.5 in the first round and 92.0 in the second round for the championship
He was quoted in the post-event press conference, stating:

“When you’re here riding for that much money in front of that many people, you’re on top of the world after a win like that.”

The Santaquin, UT native won the bull riding  at Rodeo Austin to qualify for Houston.
In saddle bronc riding, Cody Wright returned the site of his qualifying win to win the Super Shootout with a score of 88.0 in round one and 89.5 in the shoot out round to win the title. He won $50,000 in last year’s BP Super Series when he captured the title at Rodeo Houston. Each of the four champions took home a belt buckle and $25,000 in prize money. The fifth round of the Super Series kicks off on Sunday afternoon and will continue through Tuesday, March 12.

Houston takes three-game series from TAMU-CC

Photo by Robert Kelly-TexSport Publications

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 10, 2013) The Houston Cougars raised their season record to 12-4 after taking a weekend three-game series from the Texas A&M-Corpus ChristiIslanders at Cougar Field in Houston.

The Cougars won the Friday evening match up by the score of 13-0.

Houston connected for 16 hits in the win, with Jacob Campbell going 2-for-3 with three runs and three RBI.

Daniel Poncedeleon threw seven innings of shutout baseball with five strikeouts while giving up only four hits.

In the Saturday game, the Cougars lost a close game to the Islanders, 9-3.

TAMU-CC scored two runs in the first inning and single runs in the fifth and eighth whilr the Cougars scored one run in the second and two in the eight.

Then the Islanders erupted in the ninth inning; scoring five runs and putting the game out of reach for the Cougars.

In the rubber game on Sunday, the Cougars scored two runs in the third and a single run in the sixth to down the Islanders 3-1.

The Cougars finished the series with the TAMU-CC with a 2-1 record and raised their season record to 12-4.

Houston will face Baylor on the road on Tuesday evening before returning home to face New Orleans on Friday with a 6:30 p.m. start.

On Saturday, they will  take on Baylor with a 6:30 p.m. first pitch.

RodeoHouston crowns Super Shootout champions

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 10, 2013)  Four competitors emerged as champions on Saturday afternoon in the Super Shootout: North American Champions at Rodeo Houston.

All the competitors in the Super Shootout were invited to compete as a result of winning the championships in their respective event at various rodeos around North America.

The invited athletes competed in bareback riding, barrel racing, bull riding and saddle bronc riding.

The rodeos where they were selected from include

Casey Colletti, of Pueblo, CO, won the bareback riding title. He was added to the competition with a last-minute invitation on Thursday and stated his surprise on his win in the post-event press conference:

“It’s just awesome. There are not many guys who can come in at the last minute and win it. It’s just phenomenal.”

Colletti scored 86.5 points in the first round and 87.5 points in the shoot-out for the championship. He was competing for the Cheyenne Frontier Days team.

In barrel racing, Mary Walker, of Ennis, TX, scored 14.5 seconds on the first round and 14.4 seconds in the second round, for an aggregate time of 28.9 seconds, to win the event.

She stated in the post-event press conference:

“I live three hours from Houston in Ennis so this is almost like a hometown rodeo to me,” Walker said. “We have a lot of family and friends here, so that makes this rodeo that much more exciting.”

Walker has won the 2012 Champion Barrel Racer at Cheyenne Frontier Days and the All-American Finals. 

She was also the 2012 World Champion Barrel Racer and 2012 Top Gun Award winner.

Wesley Silcox took top honors in the bull riding with an aggregate score of 178.5  He scored 86.5 in the first round and 92.0 in the second round for the championship

He was quoted in the post-event press conference, stating:

“When you’re here riding for that much money in front of that many people, you’re on top of the world after a win like that.”

The Santaquin, UT native won the bull riding  at Rodeo Austin to qualify for Houston.

In saddle bronc riding, Cody Wright returned the site of his qualifying win to win the Super Shootout with a score of 88.0 in round one and 89.5 in the shoot out round to win the title.

He won $50,000 in last year’s BP Super Series when he captured the title at Rodeo Houston

Each of the four champions took home a belt buckle and $25,000 in prize money.

The fifth round of the Super Series kicks off on Sunday afternoon and will continue through Tuesday, March 12.

Top Tie-Down Roping competitors advance in Super Series of RodeoHouston

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

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 9, 2013) With the top four finishers advancing to the semifinals round of the BP Super Series of RodeoHouston, competitors were looking for high scores and fast times in Thursday evening's finals of Super Series IV at Reliant Stadium.

In the tie-down roping event, Clint Robinson posted a three-round total time of 26.7 seconds to take top honors and $6700 to lead the group into the semifinal round.

He will be joined by Blair Burk (35.4 seconds/3 rounds/$4500), Shank Edwards (17.7 seconds/two rounds/$3500) and Ryan Watkins (28.8 seconds/3 rounds/$2500).

These four ropers will be joined by 12 other competitors from the three previous contested rounds and four additional semifinalists yet to be determined.

Super Series V will be contested March 9-11 with the semifinals scheduled for March 13-14.

In Super Series I, Caleb Smidt of Yorktown, TX lead all competitors with a three-round time of 28.6 second, earning him $5,800.

He was followed in second place by Seth Childers (29.3 seconds/3rounds/$3200). Third place was Halletsville, Texas’ Barrett Threadgill (33.7 seconds/3 rounds/$3200) with Jake Pratt of Ellensburg, WA (19.8/2 rounds $3000) in fourth.

The Super Series II top finisher, was Fred Whitfield (Hockley, TX) with a total time of 29.6 second in three rounds and $6700. He will be joined in the semifinals by Tyson Durfey-Colbert WA (32.0 second/3 rounds/$3300), Trent Creager-Stillwater, OK (32.7 seconds/3 rounds/$3300) and EJ Roberts-Stephenville, TX (30.8 seconds/3 rounds/$3200)

The top four places in Super Series III were Stran Smith-Childress, TX ( 26.8 seconds/3 rounds/$5000), Justin Maass-Giddings, TX (27.1 seconds/3 rounds, $3400), Matt Shiozawa-Chubbuck, ID (29.0 seconds/3 rounds/$3000) and Adam Gray Seymour, TX (28.1 seconds/3 rounds/$2800).

RodeoHouston continues through March 17.

Houston Cougars down Baylor Bears; 15-4

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 2, 2013) The Houston Cougars exploded at the plate and capitalized on Baylor errors as the down the Bears 15-4 in a shortened seven inning, ten-run rule game.

The Cougars were virtually unstoppable at the plate, scoring 15 runs on six hits and totally took advantage of ineffective Baylor pitching in the win.

The Bears sent seven pitchers to the mount and none could find a way to stop the Cougar batters.

Houston took no time getting on the scoreboard, racking up four runs in the first inning and adding five more in the second.

Baylor scam back and scored two runs in fourth, but Houston answered with two more of their own in the fifth.

The Bears countered with another two runs in the fifth, but to not avail. Houston added two more insurance runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to increase their lead to eleven.

Kyle Kirk had a stellar day at the plate for Houston. He scored two runs of one hit and added three RBI to his season total.

Jonathan Davis connected for his first home run of the season; a base clearing grand slam on a 3-1 pitch from Baylor starter Austin Stone.

Stone pitched a single inning in the loss, facing nine batters while giving up five earned runs and walking three.

Austin Pruitt got the win for Houston, pitching six innings and giving up four earned runs off five hits. He struck out seven while walking only three.

The Cougars, who are now 8-2 on the season and will get little time to rest Saturday night as the take to the grass at Minute Maid Park at 11 a.m. on Sunday morning as they face California.