TAMC Football Begins Spring Practice

Since the last snap of the final game of 2007, the Texas A&M
University-Commerce football team has been eagerly awaiting today - the
start of spring practice for the 2008 season.

A&M-Commerce is coming off a 2007 season that saw the Lions win their
first-ever Lone Star Conference North Division title; however, there
still remained an empty feeling among the returnees for the 2008 season. "We
had a chance to win the LSC North title outright and we did not get it done,"
is a feeling among many of the players.

The Lions will have 14 more practices at Memorial Stadium after a
rigorous 90-minute session to get things underway on Thursday. Dates and times
are subject to change and available by contacting the sports information
office at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Pictures from the first practice are
available online at:

http://onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/tame/view.gal?id=25651

Baseball Power Rankings - Week 5

1. (2) Angelo State (26-8, 20-4) - swept ENMU
2. (1) Abilene Christian (21-11, 18-5) - split with SEO
3. (4) Southeastern Oklahoma (15-15, 13-10) - split with ACU
4. (6) Cameron (20-12, 14-10) - took 3 of 4 from UCO
5. (3) Central Oklahoma (22-10, 14-9) - lost 3 of 4 to Cameron
6. (7) Texas A&M-Kingsville (19-14, 14-10) - swept WTAM
7. (5) ENMU (15-14, 9-11) - swept by ASU
8. (8) East Central (13-20, 10-14) - split w/ Tarleton
9. (9) Northeastern State (11-18, 7-13) -took 3 of 4 from SWO
10. (10) Tarleton St. (14-19, 9-15) - split w/ ECU
11. (11) Southwestern Oklahoma (8-20, 6-17) - Swept by UCO
12. (12) West Texas A&M (8-23, 4-19) - swept by TAMK

College Baseball News Top 25

Angelo State is #20 this week, while Central Oklahoma and Abilene Christian are receiving votes.

West Alabama is #3, Southern Arkansas is tied for #4, Delta State is #11, St Edwards is #19, Ouachita Baptist is #23, St. Marys is #24 and North Alabama is receiving votes.

Pingbaseball.com Top 30

Angelo State is #17 and Central Oklahoma is #29.

Southern Arkansas #2, West Alabama #4, Delta State is #8, Ouachita Baptist is #15, St Marys is #19 and St Edwards is #27.

LSC Players of the Week

Co-Hitter of the Week - Josh Barnett, Cameron
Co-Hitter of the Week - Clay Calfee, Angelo State
Pitcher of the Week - Joe Key, Angelo State

LSC Weekend Matchups

UCO at Angelo State - Top matchup - This had more appeal before the Bronchos lost 3 of 4 last weekend, but they can make up for it with a strong effort this weekend. The top two scoring teams in the LSC face the #3 and #4 pitching staffs (by ERA). A look at league leaders is filled with players from both teams. ASU 4-1, UCO 4-1, 2-0, 18-12

Listen Live and Live Stats

ECU at Cameron - Pivotal series for ECU- they can either find themselves back in the middle of the pack with a series win, or down in the lower third if they lose it. Mirror-opposite for Cameron - a lost series puts them in the middle of the pack, while winning it puts them in the thick of the race. CU 5-1, 9-6, 6-5, 16-13

Watch Live and Live Stats

NSU at TAMK - The Javelinas will try to continue their dominance of teams with losing records (10-2 in the LSC), while NSU hopes they turned the corner against SWO last week. NSU 10-5, TAMK 3-1, NSU 13-7, 6-5

Listen Live and Live Stats

ENMU at ACU - after splitting with SEO, the Wildcats will looking to take it out on the Greyhound pithing staff. ACU 14-8, 17-4, 3-1, ENMU 7-6

WTAM at TSU - Good bet for most runs scored this weekend. Tarleton has allowed 9 runs per game, while WTAM has allowed over 11. Tarleton has also allowed the third most unearned runs (60) while WTAM has allowed the most (84). TSU 27-4, 18-6, 15-5, 7-3

SEO at SWO - Mismatch of the Week - with the exception of the ASU series (what a way to open the season), SEO has played some of the nations top teams very tough. SWO has struggled, losing 10 of their last 12 (to ECU, UCO, NSU). SEO 5-2, 23-9, 4-1, 21-5

Lee Hays Update

Hays joining MSU staff for spring practice
Thursday, March 27, 2008

From the Times Record News

It is being reported that Lee Hays has been announced as an interim addition to the football staff for the duration of spring practice. According to the article, he is currently fulfilling contractual obligations with Baylor. A long-term decision for MSU's offensive coordinator position will be made later in the spring.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We reported on March 11 that Hays would be joining the Mustang staff as offensive coordinator. It sounds like the announcement will be made once Hays' contract with Baylor has been fulfilled.

LSC Basketball - final Power Poll

1. 28-6 Central Oklahoma (1) - Heartbreaking end to a great season.
2. 25-7 Tarleton State (3) - Also a heartbreaking end to season, just one game earlier.
3. 21-8 West Texas A&M (2) - didn't fare well in LSC or regional tourney
4. 14-16 Texas A&M-Commerce (4) - season over
5. 20-9 Abilene Christian (5) - season over
6. 21-7 Southwestern Oklahoma (6) - season over
7. 17-11 Angelo State (7) - season over
8. 14-14 Northeastern State (8) - season over
9. 16-11 Texas A&M-Kingsville (9) - season over
10. 13-13 Midwestern State (10) - season over
11. 14-13 East Central (11) - season over
12. 6-21 Cameron (12) - season over
13. 6-21 Eastern New Mexico (13) - season over
14. 3-24 Southeastern Oklahoma (14) - season over

LSC Softball Power Rankings - Week 4

Last week was pretty quiet, no changes in the rankings

1. (1) Angelo State (27-5) Continuing dominant play.
2. (2) Southeastern Oklahoma (29-4) Ready to take over top spot if ASU stumbles.
3. (3) Central Oklahoma (18-8)
4. (4) Midwestern State (23-12)
5. (5) Abilene Christian (17-11)
6. (6) Tarleton State (13-15)
7. (7) Cameron (21-18)
8. (8) Texas A&M-Kingsville (16-18)
9. (9) Northeastern State (13-13)
10. (10) West Texas A&M (15-21)
11. (11) Eastern New Mexico (15-17)
12. (12) East Central (14-16-1)
13. (13) Southwestern Oklahoma (10-14)
14. (14) Texas Women's (10-26)

LSC Notes

Angelo State moves up a spot to #2 in the most recent NFCA poll. Southeastern State is also in the top ten at #7. Central Oklahoma is receiving votes. St. Mary's comes in at #15 and St. Edwards is #20.

The first regional poll is out and the LSC is well represented. Angelo State is #1, SEO is #2, UCO is #5, MSU is #6, ACU is #7. Heartland schools St. Marys and St. Edwards are #'s 3 & 4 respectively, and the RMAC has the #'s 8-10 squads (Colorado School of Mines, Metropolitan State, and Regis).

Players of the Week

North Hitter - Shareena Pulse - Cameron
North Pitcher - No Nominees
South Hitter- Billie Callahan - TWU
South Pitcher - Courtney Rigamonti - TAMK

Schedule - All Scores

Top Matchups

March 28

UCO 14 - ASU 6

MSU 4 - ASU 6

MSU4 -TSU 8

UCO 19 -TSU 7

SEO 6 -ACU 4

March 29

TSU 2 - SEO 5

ASU 5 - SEO 0

March 30

UCO 10 - ACU 2

MSU 4 - ACU 0

7-0 UCO perfect record thru the tournament outscored opponents 69-25 with only two games decided by one or two runs.

5-2 SEO, ASU

4-3 MSU, NSU, CU, WTAM

3-4 TAMK, TWU, TSU

2-5 SWO, ENMU, ACU

1-6 ECU

Overall the LSC North went 29-22 over the LSC South.

UCO Update

Bronchos lose a heartbreaker in double OT. Questionable no call with 3 seconds to go, could have put UCO's Sam Belt on the line.

Great season Bronchos.

Agony
Box Score

Bronchos lose in double OT - Edmond Sun

TAMC Head Coach/Athletic Director to head LSC Football Commitee

Per Lionathletics.com

Recently, the Lone Star Conference announced that Texas A&M University-Commerce head football coach Scotty Conley will serve as the chair of the LSC football coaches and that athletic director Carlton Cooper will serve as the athletic director liaison to the LSC football coaches.

LSC football head coaches at their annual meeting recently voted upon Conley's appointment as Chair of the LSC Football Coaches. The vote passed unanimously. For Coach Conley it is a one-year appointment, in which he will serve as a point person on conference football matters during the 2008 season before chairing the coaches meeting in February 2009.

Cooper's appointment as Athletic Director Liaison to the LSC Football Coaches was made by the commissioner's office in August 2007. All 15 Lone Star Conference Athletic Directors are asked to serve as a liaison to the various coaches' groups as a way of enhancing communication and efficiency during the governance process.

Lone Star Conference commissioner Stan Wagnon said, "I'm pleased with Carlton and Scotty's contributions to the football coaches group. Obviously the football coaches are one of our most important groups, and their leadership will go a long way in helping to improve football matters in The Lone Star Conference."

In the fall, Conley will begin in his fifth year as the head coach at Texas A&M University-Commerce. He graduated from A&M-Commerce with his bachelor's in 1970 and his master's in 1973.

Cooper is wrapping up his first year as the athletic director at A&M-Commerce after spending the last nine years at Southern Methodist University.

Spring practice is set to begin for Texas A&M University-Commerce on Thursday, March 27th.

Scooby Johnson Named to the 2008 Daktronics All-American Third Team

From Lionathletics.com

Johnson Becomes Only the 15th Player in School History to Earn All-American Honors

March 25, 2008

Texas A&M University-Commerce men's basketball senior Scooby Johnson on Tuesday was named to the 2008 Daktronics All-American Third Team.

Of the 15 players named to the Daktronics All-American teams, Johnson is the lone Lone Star Conference representative.

Named to the first team were Jonte Flowers and John Smith of Winona State, Steve Dagostino of St. Rose and Jonny Reibel of Rollins. On the second team were Jeremy Black of Tampa, Callistus Eziukwu of Grand Valley State, Chris Gilliam of Pitt-Johnstown, Anthony Hilliard of Elizabeth City State and Devin Peal of Humboldt State. Joining Johnson on the third team were Cory Abercrombie of Pittsburg State, Chris Commons of USC-Aiken, Jeff Fahnbulleh of Kentucky Wesleyan and Michael Sturns of Holy Family.

In his lone season, he led A&M-Commerce to the championship game of the Lone Star Conference Tournament, before dropping a 72-70 decision to NCAA Elite Eight participant Central Oklahoma. He was named to the All-Tournament Team after averaging 19.7 points and 7.7 rebounds in the three games. To reach the championship game, the Lions defeated the No. 1 team in the NCAA South Central Region and LSC South Division champion, West Texas A&M and defeated the No. 9 team in the NCAA South Central Region, Abilene Christian. Prior to the tournament, Johnson was named to the first team all-Lone Star Conference North Division as well as the Lone Star Conference North Division Newcomer of the Year.

Johnson led the Lone Star Conference in scoring with 20.7 points per game; third in field goal percentage, making 59.2% of his shots, fifth in rebounding with 7.7 rebounds per game and he ranks in the top 15 in steals, offensive rebounds and in defensive rebounds. Nationally, he ranks as one of the top players as he is 10th in the nation in scoring, 28th in field goal percentage, 95th in rebounds per game and 257th in steals per game.

Johnson scored in double figures in 29 of 30 games, including a stretch of 21 consecutive to begin his A&M-Commerce career and was a two-time Lone Star Conference North Division Player of the Week. Johnson recorded double-digit points and rebounds in seven games and scored 30 or more points in four contests.

Link to Daktronics Release

Another football non-conference game

UPDATE 3/26
I-AA Sam Houston State opens their season against East Central Oklahoma on August 30.

And it looks like Stephen F Austin decided to play Langston in place of ACU. That should be a real barn burner.

With a few exceptions, this is shaping up to be one of the strongest non-conference schedules in recent years.

Non-conference opponents so far.
ACU - @ Northwest Missouri (return trip to Abilene in 2009)
ASU - @ IAA - Texas State
UCO - Pittsburg State, @ Southwest Baptist (Pitt State is a 4 year home and home series)
ECU - @ IAA Sam Houston State
ENMU - @ Southern Nazarene
MSU -
NSU - @ Arkansas Tech, host Southwest Baptist
SEO - @ IAA - Northwestern State
SWO - @ NAIA - Northwestern Oklahoma, host Panhandle State
TAMC - @ IAA - Northwestern State
TAMK - @ IAA - North Dakota
TSU -
WTAM - @ Mesa State, host NAIA Azusa Pacific (2009 & 2010 home and home with GVSU)

UNT might be interested in LSC Coach

Krista Gerlich is mentioned as a someone who might be on the University of North Texas AD's list of candidates to fill their recent vacancy.

Other names mentioned were Donna Capps, former UT-Arlington coach, currently asst. AD in the Mesquite school district, Larry Tidwell, Lamar's coach and a former assistant at TCU, and Candi Harvey, coach at Mansfield Timberview, a finalist for the UT-Arlington job last year.

UNT did not renew the contract of their women's basketball coach, Tina Slinker.

SWO - Spring Practice Update

SPRING FOOTBALL GAME SET FOR APRIL 5

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2008

WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State football fans can get an early peek at the new-look 2008 Bulldog squad during the annual Blue vs. White Intrasquad Scrimmage set for Saturday, April 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Milam Field on the west end of the SWOSU campus.

Fourth-year head coach Ryan Held welcomes back 10 of 22 starters from a squad that finished 6-5 in 2007. Those starters, along with the handful of players who spent last year as a redshirt and promising group of newcomers, are bound to create considerable competition across the board.

Held and his staff have spent the spring working to establish a more consistent running game to compliment an offense that is certainly expected to have its fair share of firepower. The SWOSU defense, which returns many of its top players from a year ago, also has undergone some fine-tuning to maintain their aggressive style of play.

The simulated game will feature many of the characteristics of an actual game with officials, scoreboard, down-and-distance markers and a public address announcer.

Angelo State Spring Practice Schedule

Football Spring Drills Start Tuesday

Courtesy: ASU Sports Information
Release: 03/25/2008

The much-anticipated start of spring workouts for the Angelo State football team has arrived as the Rams begin their four-week drills on Tuesday, Mar. 25.

The Rams will open up their 15 spring workouts with three practices in the first week before beginning full-pad drills next week. Three scrimmages are set for the spring, with the first set for Friday, Apr. 4. The Rams also have a scrimmage on Friday, Apr. 11, and close out the spring drills with a scrimmage on Saturday, Apr. 19.

Spring Football Practice Updates

Mustangs enter spring drills with youth, inexperience

By J. Scott Russell
Sunday, March 23, 2008

Finding a quarterback to replace record-setting signal-caller Daniel Polk would seem to be a high priority for the Midwestern State Mustangs as they open spring practice this week — and it is.

But that isn’t the only position where the Mustangs will have to fill a void in the starting lineup.

MSU will begin its spring workouts Wednesday. (For the rest of the story go the the Times Record News)

Grid practice to resume

Amarillo Globe-News

After taking a week off for spring break, West Texas A&M's football team resumes spring drills today.

The Buffs practiced for four days before the campus closed March 14.

WT will be in pads Tuesday and Thursday and will scrimmage in pads at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Workouts will continue through April 5, when the annual Maroon and White Game is scheduled, also at 10 a.m., at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.

Elite

Central Oklahoma beat top seed Tarleton State 77-76 in the South Central Basketball Tournament and earned their second trip to the Elite Eight, and first since 1992.

Eric Cazenave hit a three-pointer with 3.5 seconds left to give the Bronchos the lead and capped a 17-5 run over the last four minutes of the game.

Brian Walker led a balanced UCO scoring effort with 16 points, while Sam Belt added 15, and Michael Sosanya and Cazenave each had 12. The Texan's Jeffrey Henfield led all scorers with 22, while Terrence Gamble had 17. Avery Patterson was limited to just 3 points on 1-4 shooting in just 11 minutes, before fouling out.

The Bronchos will face Augusta State Wednesday, March 26th at noon, in Springfield, Mass. They will be taking a 9 game (and 19 of 20) winning streak into the contest.

Bronchos refuse to lose - article from Edmond Sun

Elite 8 Tournament Central

UCO Recap

Tarleton Recap

Edmond Sun - Bronchos upset Tarleton State

Box Score

ENMU Loses a Signee

Top QB recruit Shaun Rutherford has decided to go to Blinn College. He plans on playing both football and baseball (which may be his better sport) at Blinn.

University of Oregon TE to transfer to ACU

Link to Story

Keeling picks Texas team
Tight end Ryan Keeling, a Thurston High grad who spent the past four seasons with the Ducks, will play his final season of collegiate football at Abilene (Texas) Christian in the fall, he said.

Abilene Christian is a Division II power that runs a pro-style offense, which Keeling felt would be a better fit for his skills compared with Oregon’s spread-option.

“It’s something to look forward to now,” Keeling said Thursday as he watched the pro-timing workout. “I’ve been through my hills and plateaus at Oregon. Things haven’t always gone the way I wanted them to, but if I can close out my career with a bang, hopefully I can be here next year working to get to the next level.”

LSC Softball Power Rankings - Week 3

1. (1) Angelo State (25-5) Won 2 of 3 from WTAM.
2. (2) Southeastern Oklahoma (27-4) Have won 16 of last 17 games.
3. (3) Central Oklahoma (17-7) Swept SWO.
4. (4) Midwestern State (21-12) Won 3 of 4 with ECU.
5. (5) Abilene Christian (17-11) Swept TAMK
6. (11) Tarleton State (12-14) Swept ENMU; five game winning streak also includes 2 over St. Marys
7. (8) Cameron (17-18) Took 3 of 4 from NSU.
8. (6) Texas A&M-Kingsville (16-18) Swept by ACU, St. Edwards, swept Newman, TAMUI
9. (7) Northeastern State (13-13) Lost 3 of 4 to Cameron
10. (9) West Texas A&M (13-21) Dropped 2 of 3 to Angelo, and all four to Ft Hays
11. (10) Eastern New Mexico (15-17) Swept by Tarleton, 0-9 in LSC play
12. (12) East Central (14-16-1) Split with NSU
13. (13) Southwestern Oklahoma (10-14) Swept by UCO
14. (14) Texas Women's (10-24) beat DI North Texas, Incarnate Word, ECU, lost twice to SEO

Tarleton State faces St. Mary's again Friday afternoon for a doubleheader, and Cameron and Fort Hays State will also play two.

LSC Notes

Angelo State is ranked #3 in the lates NFCA poll, while SEO moves up to #8. Central Oklahoma is receiving votes. Heartland Conference teams include St. Mary's at #14, and St Edwards at #21.

LSC Players of the Week

LSC North Pitcher - Alli Blake, UCO
LSC North Hitter - Alley Roberts, UCO
LSC South Pitcher - Brooke Saulters, Tarleton
LSC South Hitter - Laura Lopez, Angelo State

Baseball Power Rankings - Week 4

1. (2) Abilene Christian (19-9, 16-3) - swept ECU; have won 11 in a row
2. (1) Angelo State (22-8, 16-4) - took 3 of 4 from WTAM
3. (3) Central Oklahoma (21-7, 13-6) - Swept SWO
4. (5) Southeastern Oklahoma (13-13, 11-9) - Took 3 of 4 from Tarleton
5. (6) ENMU (15-10, 9-7) - Took 3 of 4 from TAMK
6. (7) Cameron (17-11, 11-9) - Swept Northeastern State
7. (4) Texas A&M-Kingsville (15-14, 10-10) - lost 3 of 4 at ENMU
8. (8) East Central (11-18, 8-12) - swept by ACU
9. (9) Northeastern State (8-17, 4-12) - Swept by Cameron
10. (10) Tarleton St. (12-17, 7-13) - took opener from SEO, lost final 3 games
11. (11) Southwestern Oklahoma (7-17, 5-14) - Swept by UCO
12. (12) West Texas A&M (8-19, 4-15) - won a wild opener vs Angelo, then outscored 5-50 in last three games.

Top Series this weekend - Two really good ones this week.

ACU at SEO - ACU is the hottest team in the LSC, having won 11 in a row coming into this series. The Savage Storm have shown the ability to compete against nationally ranked teams, splitting 4 games with Ouachita Baptist who was #2 in the nation at the time.

Game Scores - ACU 5-2, 11-9, SEO 4-3, SEO 6-5

UCO vs. Cameron - UCO needs to do well this weekend to keep Angelo and Abilene within reach, while Cameron can seperate a little from the pack that is forming in the middle of the LSC race. Both teams are coming off of sweeps last weekend, both have won 6 of the last 8, and 8 of the last 12 LSC games.

Go to the Cameron Website to watch the game.

Game Scores - UCO 19-17, Cameron 10-3, 7-3, 5-3

WTAM at TAMK - WT's strong batting vs. TAMK's strong pitching. WT's weak pitching vs. TAMK's average offense. Both teams are coming off of 1-3 series last weekend, but WT is probably happy with their one win (what a game by the way box score) while TAMK probably pretty disappointed. This is a very important series for the Javelinas if they want to make any noise.

Live Stats at the TAMK Website

Game Scores - TAMK 4-3, 9-8, 4-3, 13-3

SWO at NSU - Neither of these teams is going anywhere, both have lost 7 of their last 8 LSC games. Did NSU really beat Central Missouri and Ouachita Baptist this year? The loser of this series could find themselves in the cellar.

Game Scores - NSU 14-8, SWO 17-8, NSU 4-2, NSU 12-2

Tarleton at ECU - ECU was showing some life before last weekend's sweep by ACU. Tarleton has just had a hard time getting anything started. This series can put the winner back into the middle of the pack, but the loser will be heading toward the cellar.

Game Scores - TSU 14-6, ECU 10-5 , ECU 6-4, TSU 11-6

Series Mismatch - ENMU at Angelo - Based on records alone, this might not look too lopsided, after all ENMU is 9-7 in the LSC and is coming of a 3-1 series win over TAMK, and has not lost an LSC series yet. But Angelo is playing close to their postseason level last year and have won every LSC series so far.

Live Stats and Audio Broadcast from the Angelo State Website.

Game Scores - Angelo 12-1, 7-4, 10-1, 8-3

LSC Notes

Abilene Christian is back in the national polls, coming in at #20 in the College Baseball News Poll.

Angelo State is #25 in the College Baseball News Poll and #18 in the Ping.com rankings.

Central Oklahoma is receiving votes according to the College Baseball News, but is #20 in the Ping.com poll.

The Gulf South Conference continues to do well in the rankings. In the College Baseball News Poll, West Alabama is #2, Southern Arkansas is #5, Delta State is #10, Ouchita Baptist is #12 (with 3 of their 5 losses coming to NSU and SEO), and receiving votes are North Alabama and West Georgia. Ping.com has Southern Arkansas at #2, West Alabama at #3, Delta State is #8, Ouachita Baptist is #9, and at #28 is North Alabama.

St Edwards is #18 and St. Mary is #24 in the College Baseball News Poll. Ping.com has St. Mary's at #21, and St. Edwards at #25.

LSC Players of the Week

Hitter - Mike Elkerson ACU
Pitcher - Tyler Bishop UCO

NABC South Central Regional Teams Announced

First Team
Sam Belt - Central Oklahoma
Robert Lee - West Texas A&M
Scooby Johnson - Texas A&M Commerce
Avery Patterson - Tarleton State
Cory Abercrombie - Pittsburg State
Matt Rogers - Southwest Baptist

Second Team
Corwin Ragland - Abilene Christian
Marcus Hubbard - Angelo State
Nate Perry - Southwestern Oklahoma
Jim Grabouski - Southwest Baptist
DeAndre Townsend - Emporia State

Coach of the Year - Rick Cooper, West Texas A&M

Round Three - Central Oklahoma vs.Tarletons State

South Central Region Championship Tournament Website
Live Stats
Watch The Game - Tarleton Ticket is free for South Central Tournament
Listen to the Game

Sweet Sixteen has a nice ring to it, but for both UCO and Tarleton there is no time to celebrate or reflect on the tough wins they needed to get here. Only one thing matters - winning the next game and advancing to an even sweeter sounding level - the Elite Eight. UCO has been to the Elite Eight one time (1992) and is 1-2 in South Central Regional Final games. Tarleton has been to the Elite twice (2005 Final Four, 2006) and is 2-1 in South Central Regional Final games.

This will be the third time these two have squared off this year, with Tarleton winning in Stephenville on January 3rd 73-70 in OT and UCO winning in the LSC Tournament semifinal 77-65.


Game One Recaps - Tarletonsports.com, Bronchosports.com
Game Two Recaps - Tarletonsports.com, Bronchosports.com

Head Coaches - Tarleton Central Oklahoma
Rosters - Tarleton Central Oklahoma
Stats - Tarleton Central Oklahoma
Schedule - Tarleton Central Oklahoma
Media Guide - Tarleton Central Oklahoma

Tarleton State Preview
Centraol Oklahoma Preview

MSU ANNOUNCES JEFF WILLIAMS SPORTS SATURDAY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Sunday, March 16, 2008

WICHITA FALLS, Texas – The Midwestern State Athletics Department announced the dedication of Jeff Williams Sports Saturday which feature the football spring game, regular season softball and soccer exhibitions on April 12.

Williams, a redshirt freshman football player, is currently going through rehab at the Baylor University Medical Center after he was critically injured in a late night automobile accident in February.

The day will feature MSU’s annual spring game at the practice fields which will be followed by an important Lone Star Conference North Division softball doubleheader at Mustangs Park while the men’s soccer team will play a pair of exhibition contests at the MSU Soccer Field.

Food, family fun, t-shirts, commemorative bracelets and inflatable games will be made available between the game fields with all proceeds going to the Jeff Williams Fund.

Times and locations will be released shortly.

NCAA Division II indoor track and field championship ACU men finish second, women 10th

ACU men finish second, women 10th

Link to ACU website

NO LINK FROM LSC WEBSITE

No other LSC School received any points

Women Distance Medley Finals - 4, Abilene Christian (Loice Cheboi Jr, Azraa Rounds Jr, Mary Mwangi Jr, Winrose Karunde Fr), 11:47.57.

Women 4x400 Meter Relay - 2, Abilene Christian (Kim Prather Jr, Venessa Whittle Jr, Mary Mwangi Jr, Azraa Rounds Jr), 3:46.60.

Women 5,000 Meter Run -1. Winrose Karunde 17:02-.93 5., Loice Cheboi, 17:16.10

Women 400 Meter Dash - 5. Azraa Rounds 56.19

Men Distance Medley Finals - 4, Abilene Christian (Serge Gasore Jr, Joe Fields Fr, Julius Nyango Jr, Daniel Maina Jr), 10:03.61.

Men 4x400 Meter Relay - 8, Abilene Christian (Raymond Radway Jr, Harold Jackson Jr, Joe Fields Fr, Desmond Jackson Fr), 3:17.74.

Men 5,000 Meter Run - 7. Serge Gasore, 14:29.09

Men 200 Meter Dash - 2. Desmond Jackson 21.80

Men 60 Meter Hurdles - 5. Andrew McDowell 8.02, 7. Billy Walker 8.12

Men 60 Meter Dash - 6. Desmond Jackson 6.81

Men 1 Mile Run - 8. Julius Nyango 4:15.46

Men Pole Vault - 5. Stephen Toler 16-02.75, 8. Aaron Cantrell 15-11.00

Men Triple Jump - 2. David Manga 53-05.50, 5. Ramon Sparks 49-05.00

Men Long Jump - 5. Ramon Sparks 23-02.75

Men 400 Meter Dash - 7. Raymond Radway 48.57

Form LSC Commissioner Jacoby Passes Away

Former LSC Commissioner Jacoby Passes Away
From the Lone Star Conference Office


Fred Jacoby, the first full-time commissioner of the Lone Star Conference, passed away Saturday morning in his home after a multi-year battle with multiple myeloma.
Jacoby, 80, was forced into retirement soon after being diagnosed in October 2005 with the disease, which is a form of cancer that affects bone marrow.
"I'm saddened to hear of Fred's passing, but I'm glad to know that his long struggle ended peacefully," said Stan Wagnon, current LSC Commissioner and former assistant to Jacoby. "The Lone Star Conference was very fortunate to be a part of Fred's legacy and I feel blessed to have worked with and learned from such a great man."
"He'll be missed but his influence will live on in collegiate athletics," added Wagnon.
Wagnon, only the second full-time commissioner of the league, is one of eight current collegiate commissioners who worked under Jacoby.
The legendary Jacoby retired in June 2006 after guiding the NCAA Division II conference for 12 years.
Jacoby's tenure with the LSC started after his retirement as commissioner of the Southwest Conference (SWC) in 1993. He assumed the position of Commissioner for the LSC in 1994 and became commissioner of the NCAA Division III American Southwest Conference in 1996, holding both posts simultaneously until retiring from both in June.
During his tenure, Jacoby led the LSC in active expansion of its membership. The league, which admitted its first non-Texas member in 1984, grew to 17 members in four states before settling into its current membership of 15 institutions in three states -- New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
Jacoby first became well known in this region while serving as commissioner of the Southwest Conference from 1982 to his retirement from the conference in 1993. During his tenure at the SWC, Jacoby witnessed 42 of the Conference's 62 national championships in 13 different sports.
Jacoby had more than 50 years of experience in full-time coaching and collegiate athletics administration. His career included 10 years on the high school coaching level, eight years as an assistant football coach at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and 37 years as a college commissioner beginning as the first commissioner of the Wisconsin State University Conference (1966-71). He served as commissioner for the Mid-American Conference (1971-82) and the Southwest Conference (1982-93).
Jacoby was presented the NACDA NIT/Athletics Director Award at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics convention in June 2002. The award recognized Jacoby's extensive work in collegiate athletics at the institutional, conference and national levels.
The Logan, Ohio, native served as Chair of the National Letter of Intent Program for the longest tenure in its history - 22 years from 1973-95. Jacoby is past president of the Collegiate Commissioners Association, Chair of NCAA committees on Membership Structure, Postgraduate Scholarship, Research, and Championship Standards. In past years, he also served on the Length of Season, Officiating and Junior College Relations committees and was Secretary-Treasurer of the College Football Association.

TAMC Basketball Recruiting Updates

from LionAthletics.com

Future Lions women's basketball player Rekeshia Jones wrapped up her sophomore season at Saddleback Junior College, dropping a 67-51 decision in the regional final.

In her two seasons at Saddleback, Jones set new school records for blocked shots and field-goal percentage. She was recently named for the second-straight year to the all-Orange Empire Conference team and was also selected for third team all-state recognition.

In leading Saddleback to a 23-7 record, as a sophomore, Jones averaged 16.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.8 blocked shots, and 2.2 steals per game.

Recent Texas A&M University-Commerce men's basketball signees - P.J. Colley and Brad Hambrick - have wrapped up their successful senior seasons.

Hambrick was selected to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Class 4A all-state team. He is the first all-state player from Sherman since 1953 and averaged 23.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

Colley will continue a tradition of state champions to play at A&M-Commerce. Colley and Fort Worth North Crowley High School won the Class 5A State Championship, last Saturday in Austin. For the season, he averaged a team-best 7.8 rebounds a game to go along with nine points and 3.5 steals a contest. Fort Worth North Crowley is ranked No. 15 in the latest USA Today Super 25 poll. (National)

Both Hambrick and Colley were named all-region for their efforts during the season.

***LSC Scoop - Going back to the State Championship note, last season the Lions signed 2 guards, Genevieve Campbell and Brent Stanton, who had a combined record of 79-0 their Senior years.

Campbell was 40-0 as a Senior at Rockwall High School and won the State Championship (was the leading scorer in the Championship game), and Stanton went 39-0 as the starting Point Guard on Duncanville's State Championship team.***

Softball Matchups this weekend

Players of the week
North Hitter - Rachel Sill SEO - hit .500 with 5 rbi, and 3 runs. Had a slugging % of .833.
North Pitcher - Katie Peterson MSU - got wins in all 5 MSU victories. She has won 13 straight decisions.
South Hitter - Macy Baker ASU - hit .545 with two HRs in a sweep of ENMU.
South Pitcher - Kim McDonald ACU - did not allow a run in 10 innings over 2 games.


Eastern New Mexico (13-17, 0-9) at Tarleton State (12-14, 4-2)
Game Recap from ENMU Website

GAME ONE - TSU 2-0
GAME TWO - TSU 4-2
GAME THREE - TSU 9-1

Will Tarleton use this week's upset DH sweep of St. Mary's to catapult them in the LSC race? ENMU looking for first divisional win. ENMU has outscored their opposition by 59 runs, while Tarleton has been outscored by 20.

Midwestern State (21-12, 8-4) at East Central (13-15-1, 4-8)
Game Recap from MSU Website

GAME ONE - MSU 7-2
GAME TWO - ECU 7-2
GAME THREE - MSU 8-0
GAME FOUR - MSU 8-0

MSU's batting average is 36 points higher than ECU's, but only score 1/2 a run more per game. Pitching is more of an advantage for the Mustangs, as their ERA is full run better (and second in the LSC). POY Katie Peterson has been great all year, 13-3 with an ERA of 1.00.

Cameron (13-18, 1-5) at Northeastern State (13-11, 4-6)
This is a matchup of a couple of struggling teams needing wins badly. Offensively they are both scoring right 5.4 runs per game, but NSU's pitching has been better with a 3.00 ERA compared to Cameron's 5.63.

Game Recap from Cameron Website

GAME ONE - Cameron 5-4
GAME TWO - NSU 14-12
GAME THREE -
GAME FOUR -

West Texas A&M (13-17, 4-5) at Angelo State (25-5, 7-2) Mismatch of the Week
Amarillo Globe News (3/16)
San Angelo Standard Times (3/16)
San Angelo Standard Times (3/17)

GAME ONE - ASU 8-0
GAME TWO - WT 11-3
GAME THREE - ASU 12-0

What a rough weekend on the diamond for WT. They face an ASU squad that is leading the LSC in offense (.363, 7.7 runs per game) and third in ERA (2.30). WT is scoring right at 5 runs per game, and is tenth in ERA at 3.54. ASU has outscored their opponents by 129 runs, while WT has outscored their's by 3. Keri Galm is 12-1 on the year with a 1.49 ERA.

Southwestern Oklahoma (10-14, 1-7) at Central Oklahoma (17-7, 9-3)

Game Recap from Website (Neither school has updated website yet)

GAME ONE - UCO 2-0
GAME TWO - UCO 5-2
GAME THREE - UCO 7-6
GAME FOUR - UCO 4-1

SWO is on a four game winning streak with the last two coming against a good Adams St team. UCO split their last series with a good Midwestern State squad. Neither team has been overpowering at the plate - UCO scores 4.5 runs per game, while SWO scores just 4.1. UCO gets it done with pitching - an LSC fourth best ERA of 2.75 vs. 5.56 for SWO). UCO can really solidify their positioning in the North, while SWO could find themselves in the thick of things with a series win.

Best Matchup of the weekend
Abilene Christian (16-11, 5-0) at Texas A&M-Kingsville (12-15, 5-3)

Game Recap from TAMK Website
Abilene Reporter News (3/17)

GAME ONE - ACU wins 3-2.
GAME TWO - ACU wins 7-3.
GAME THREE - ACU Sweeps 2-0.

This is the best matchup, not because of overall records, but it is a pivotal matchup because of the LSC South records. The winner of this series will be right up there with Angelo State, while the loser will be in the middle of the pack trying to get back up there. ACU has been scoring 5.2 runs per game, while TAMK is only scoring 3.5. TAMK's pitching has been better, an overall ERA of 2.87 to ACU's 3.84. TAMK has been outscored by 1 run so far, while ACU has outscored their opponents by 28.

Key Players
ACU
*Kim McDonald 6-7, 3.56 (2-0 with 0 runs in 10 innings of LSC South play)
*Kim White 6-3, 3.73
Jessica Shiery .441, 5 HR, 16 rbi, 16 runs
Shelby McElvain .377, 3 HR, 17 rbi, 10 runs
Katie Cornelison .324, 2 HR, 15 rbi, 13 runs
Nancy Sawyers .312, 15 runs
Jackie Gentile .311, 12 runs
Melissa Rodriguez, .299, 3 HR, 18 rbi, 17 runs
Leisha Johnson .253, 4 HR, 14 rbi, 22 runs, 10 sb

TAMK
*Courtney Rigamonti 8-8, 2.76 (4-0 in LSC South Games, allowing only 1 run in 26 innings)
*Jessika Cantu 4-3, 3.21
Julia Canales .365, 1 HR, 15 rbi, 6 SB
Cassie Anderson .329, 1 HR, 10 rbi, 14 runs, 16 SB
Shaun Bryan .286, 3 HR, 15 rbi, 10 runs
Kristin Schumann .279, 3 HR, .384 on base %
Meisha Patterson .256, 13 runs

Baseball Matchups this weekend

Players of the Week
Pitcher - Chris Wiman (Abilene Christian) - Picked up 2 wins in the Wildcats sweep of WT, first in relief, then tossing a complet game four-hitter, allowing just one run.
Batter - Owen Weaver (Texas A&M-Kingsville) - hit .647 for the week and had a slugging % of .941. He scored 7 runs, drove in 6, and 5 of his 11 hits were doubles.

Northeastern State (8-17, 4-12) at Cameron (17-11, 11-9)
Game Recaps from Cameron Website

GAME ONE - Cameron blows out NSU, 18-2.
GAME TWO - Cameron wins 7-2.
GAME THREE - Cameron wins again 5-1
GAME FOUR - Cameron sweeps 7-4.

Neither team has won an LSC series yet, though NSU has one split and Cameron has split three. Jacob Lago having a good season on the mound for NSU (3-1, 3.52) and Justin Delay has swung the big bat (.329, 7 HR 26 RBI). Cameron's Brad Bichel has led the Aggies's pitching (3-1, 4.83) ,while Blake Watson has led the offense (.448, 5 HR, 27 RBI)

Texas A&M-Kingsville (14-14, 10-10) at Eastern New Mexico (15-9, 9-7)
Clovis News Journal (3/15)
Clovis News Journal (3/16)
Corpus Christi Caller (3/17)

GAME ONE - ENMU 7-4
GAME TWO - ENMU 9-6
GAME THREE - ENMU 6-1
GAME FOUR - TAMK 3-2

Pitching (TAMK 3rd best ERA in LSC) vs. Batting (ENMU top scoring team in LSC). TAMK's conference record has come against teams with a combined 34-27 conference record, while ENMU's opponents have gone 21-27. Sam Strickland (3-2, 2.00) leads the Javelina staff which has 5 starters with an ERA of 5.04 or lower. Joe Hamon leads their offense (.448, 3 HR, 16 RBI). ENMU's top starter has been Ismael Solis (2-1, 5.79). On offense, Tyler Hayes (.384, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 12 SB) and Freddy Carmona (.476, 2 HR, 18 RBI) lead 7 Greyhounds batting .345 or better.

Central Oklahomoa (21-7, 13-6) at Southwestern Oklahoma (7-17, 5-14)
Game Recaps from UCO website

GAME ONE - UCO 10-4
GAME TWO - UCO 6-0.
GAME THREE - UCO 12-11
GAME FOUR - UCO 11-7

The Bronchos have cooled since their 10-0 start, but Angelo State is the only huge series remaining. They need to start winning their series. The Bulldogs have won only one series so far in conference play. UCO has the second most potent offense, and the lowest ERA in the LSC. SWO is last at the plate, but is fourth in ERA. For UCO, Tyler Carroll (.506, 6 HR, 24 RBI) and Miguel Moctezuma (.488, 6 HR, 26 RBI) are tops in the LSC in batting, while Clint Straka (4-0, 0.93) leads in ERA (and don't forget Dean McIntyre 3-0, 3.15). SWO's Dakota Streber is having a great season (.459, 3 HR, 18 RBI), and Max Grocki has been very good on the mound (1-1, 3.29)

Angelo State (21-8, 16-4) at West Texas A&M (8-18, 4-15) Mismatch of the week
Amarillo Globe News (3/15)
Amarillo Globe News (3/16)
San Angelo Standard Times (3/16)
San Angelo Standard Times (3/17)

GAME ONE - WT 19-18. This is WT's first win ever against ASU baseball.
GAME TWO - ASU wins 26-1. School record runs scored for ASU.
GAME THREE - ASU wins 7-2.
GAME FOUR - ASU 17-2.

Angelo is playing some really good ball, but have yet to face a top LSC team. It won't this week either as they face off against a WT team that has lost 7 straight conference games. Clay Calfee (.447, 3 HR, 22 RBI) and Shan Sullivan (.417, 2 HR, 28 RBI) are among the league leaders, as is Sean Winscher (5-1, 3.23). For the Buffs, Brian Schupp is enjoying an outstanding season (.393, 11 HR, 34 RBI), but outside of Billy Zeleznak (2-1, 4.18), the pitching has really struggled. West Texas has not won a game without scoring at least 8 runs, and they have give up 15 or more runs 6 times.
Amarillo Globe News article (3/14)

Southeastern Oklahoma (13-13, 11-9) at Tarleton State (12-17, 7-13)
Game Recaps from the SEO website

GAME ONE - 7-6 TSU.
GAME TWO - SEO 5-4
GAME THREE - SEO 15-6
GAME FOUR - SEO 16-3

What to think of SEO? They've played #2 Ouachita Baptist 4 times and won 2 of them (NSU gave OBU their only other loss). That hasn't translated to the LSC, at least not yet. Look for a lot of scoring this weekend, as the teams are doing well offensively (SEO hitting .364, TSU .341), while the pitching has struggled (SEO 7.02 ERA, TSU 8.76). SEO's Luis Estrella has pitched well (1-2, 3.81), but Trey Wingo (.425, 7 HR, 36 RBI), Randall Clay (.400, 7 HR, 24 RBI) and Josh Rorex (.368, 4 HR, 23 RBI) have carried the team. Danny Morris (4-2, 5.02) and Greg Terpenning (4-1, 5.52) give Tarleton a fighting chance when they pitch. Charles Desmarias (.423, 6 HR, 33 RBI) and Greg Sillivent (.375, 7 HR, 39 RBI) have been the top batters.

Top Series of the Week
Abilene Reporter News (3/15)
Abilene Reporter News (3/16)
Abilene Reporter News (3/17)

GAME ONE - ACU wins 12-9.
GAME TWO ACU 14-2.
GAME THREE ACU 5-3
GAME FOUR ACU 6-4

East Central (11-18, 8-12) at Abilene Christian (19-9, 16-3)
ECU has won 5 of their last 6 LSC games (including the last two games of the UCO series, while ACU is possibly playing the best ball of anyone in the LSC right now.

Top players to look for (*possible starting pitchers)
ECU
*Kolbie Brown 2-2, 4.25
*Chasen Bennett 2-2, 5.59
*Stephen Spears 1-3, 7.31
*Kyle Butler 1-2, 8.71
Andy Pendelton 2-1, 4.91

Clint Bowker .415, 2 HR, 26 runs, 6 SB
Tyler Pybas .392, 2 HR, 18 rbi, 21 runs
Zach Hammons .390, 1 HR, 17 rbi
Lucas Armenta .350, 4 HR, 18 rbi, 29 runs, 5 SB
Dusty Rowland .348, 2 HR, 26 rbi, 6 SB

ACU
*Trey Watten 4-2, 2.41
*Ben Maynard 3-2, 3.38
*Preston Vancil 2-1, 5.96
*Chris Wiman 4-1, 6.89
Kyle Korbal 1-1, 2 saves, 3.48
Matt Davis 1-0, 1.00

Williams Uechi .440, 1 HR, 18 rbi, 30 runs, 6 SB
Mike Elkerson .418, 6 HR, 34 rbi, 28 runs, 13 SB
Thomas Bumpass .366, 20 rbi, 21 runs
Jordan Schmitt .361, 3 HR, 17 rbi, 20 runs, 5 SB
Matt Spotanski .326, 1 HR, 23 rbi, 26 runs, 10 SB

NCAA South Central Regional Field

Men's Bracket

1. Tarleton State
2. Northwest Missouri State - Game Notes
3. Central Oklahoma - Postseason Media Guide
4. West Texas A&M
5. Southwest Baptist - Game Notes
6. Fort Hays
7. St Edwards
8. St Marys

Tournament Website - with bracket and live stats

Audio Links - Tarleton State vs. Central Oklahoma

Newspaper articles

UCO win over NWMSU Recap from Tarletonsports.com

Tarleton win over SBU Recap from Tarletonsports.com

San Antonio Express (3/16) St. Mary's men falls short of Tarleton State
Amarillo Globe News (3/16) Slow start dooms WT men
San Antonio Express (3/15) St. Mary's team, coach face another big challenge
Amarillo Globe News (3/15) Buffs begin playoff journey

Women's Bracket

1. West Texas A&M
2. Washburn - Postseason Media Guide
3. Central Oklahoma - Postseason Media Guide
4. Emporia State - Game Notes
5. Southwest Baptist - Game Notes
6. St. Mary's
7. Angelo State - Game Notes
8. Northwest Missouri State - Game Notes

Tournament Website - with bracket and live stats

Amarillog Globe News (3/16) Washburn drops LSC's Central Oklahoma
Edmond Sun (3/15) Bronchos knock off St. Mary's in a thriller
San Antonio Express (3/15) Rattler's streak, season come to a stunning end
San Angelo Standard Times (3/15) ASU women knocked out of regional tourney
Amarillo Globe News (3/15) Mid-Court heave at buzzer stuns Lady Buffs
Amarillo Globe News (3/15) UCO prevails in overtime
San Angelo Standard Times (3/14) Rambelles take on Washburn
Amarillo Globe News (3/14) WT draws familiar foe
San Antonio Express (3/14) Moeller stands tall at St. Mary's
Edmond Sun (3/14) Pillow leads UCO to new high
Amarillo Globe News (3/13) Women's South Central Region Capsules
Amarillo Globe News (3/13) Story on Tyler Cooper
Amarillo Gobe News (3/13) Story on UCO Coach Guy Hardaker
San Antonio Express (3/9) St. Mary's
Amarillo Globe News (3/12)

Nathaniel Jones tabbed secondary coach at MSU

Jones tabbed secondary coach at MSU

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Trust and instinct played a vital role during Nathaniel Jones’ playing career as a member of the secondary in his playing days at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Just as Jones jumped slant routes for the then-Indians, he jumped on an airplane – at his own expense – from London last week to interview for an assistant coaching position at Midwestern State.
“I was working in the NFL-London office and wanted to get back home and God brought Midwestern’s way,” Jones said. “We (MSU coach Bill Maskill and I) kept talking and he told me to pack to stay. Things worked out.”
Jones will take over coaching the secondary for the Mustangs – a position created by the departure of Allen Johnson, who was hired at the University of Texas-El Paso to fill a similar position earlier this spring.
“He’s got a way with himself,” Maskill said. “I think the kids will play hard for him and be well-schooled.”
Jones spent the last year working for NFL Europe and took advantage of the opportunity to visit many historic sites in Europe including trips to Israel, Rome and Paris.
“I’m just a New Orleans boy and was able to see the world,” he said. “Now, we’re ready to sit still and bring a family up.”
Jones’ wife, Jaclyn, is set to join him in Wichita Falls later this year.
He completed his collegiate career as a four-year letter winner for Louisiana-Monroe while competing at cornerback, safety and outside linebacker. He was named team captain for the Indians as a senior.
Jones has taken a different path through the coaching ranks electing to begin at the prep level rather than taking a graduate assistant position after earning his bachelor’s degree from ULM in 2000.
“I went into a into coaching high school,” he said. “It was great getting to work with young people.”
Jones rose to defensive coordinator then became the youngest head coach in the state of Louisiana in two seasons at Joseph S. Clark High School in New Orleans where he led the program to its first postseason appearance in more than 10 years.
Jones then spent two seasons as an assistant coach in charge of linebackers and head track coach at John H. Reagan High School in Houston before accepting defensive back coaching duties at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Ill. in 2005.
He then made the move back to Louisiana to mentor cornerbacks at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches in 2006 before accepting a position with NFL-Europe in London where he served as a scout and put on camps.
Finally over the jet lag and thankful he is now able to unpack the excessive baggage he lugged all the way from London, Jones is prepared to take the challenge at MSU.
“I’m just getting adapted to the time change,” he said. “Wichita Falls is a great city and I feel blessed to be here.”

Softball Power Poll - Week 2

1. (1) Angelo State (19-4) Swept ENMU
2. (2) Southeastern Oklahoma (25-4) Swept Cameron
3. (3) Central Oklahoma (13-7) Split with Midwestern St.
4. (4) Midwestern State (18-11) Split with Central Oklahoma
5. (5) Abilene Christian (14-11) Swept Texas Womans
6. (6) Texas A&M-Kingsville (12-13) Took 2 of 3 from WTAM
7. (7) Northeastern State (12-10) Split with ECU
8. (8) Cameron (12-17) Swept by SEO
9. (9) West Texas A&M (12-13) Dropped 2 of 3 to TAMK
10. (10) Eastern New Mexico (13-14) Swept by Angelo State
11. (11) Tarleton State (7-14)
12. (12) East Central (12-12-1) Split with NSU
13. (13) Southwestern Oklahoma (6-8)
14. (14) Texas Women's (7-22) Swept by Abilene Christian

No changes for the week.

Baseball Power Rankings - Week 3

1. (1) Angelo State (17-7, 12-3) - took 3 of 4 from NSU
2. (2) Abilene Christian (13-9, 12-3) - swept WTAM
3. (3) Central Oklahoma (16-6, 9-6) - split with TAMK
4. (4) Texas A&M-Kingsville (13-10, 9-7) - split with UCO
5. (5) Southeastern Oklahoma (9-11, 8-8) - Split 2 games w/#2 OBU, then split with Cameron?
6. (6) ENMU (12-8, 6-6) - split with Tarleton State
7. (7) Cameron (13-11, 7-9) - split with SEO
8. (8) East Central (11-13, 8-8) - took 3 of 4 to SWO
9. (9) Northeastern State (8-12, 4-8) - lost 3 of 4 to ASU
10. (10) Tarleton St. (11-13, 6-10) - split with Eastern New Mexico
11. (11) Southwestern Oklahoma (7-13, 5-10) - lost 3 of 4 to ECU
12. (12) West Texas A&M (5-15, 3-12) - swept by ACU

Tuesday games - Southeastern Oklahoma split a pair of games with #2 Ouachita Baptists. SEO is 2-2 vs. OBU this season. Central Oklahoma split a pair with Indianapolis University from the GLIAC. Northeastern State dropped one toArkansas Tech. ACU beat the College of the Southwest, and WTAM won against Panhandle State.

Wednesday games - ACU beat CSW again. ECU loses to Indianapolis. Tarleton State loses badly to St. Mary's. On their way to Portales, Texas A&M-Kingsville gets blown out by D1 Texas State.

Breaking News - Sources say Lee Hays takes Midwestern Offensive Coordinator position

The LSC Scoop has learned that former West Texas A&M and Baylor coach Lee Hays has accepted the position as Offensive Coordinator at Midwestern State.

Stay tuned to the Scoop for more information.

LSC in the Polls - Week ending 3/16

Baseball

Collegiate Baseball News

#24 Angelo State, RV Abilene Christian, RV Central Oklahoma

Other regional teams - #2 Ouachita Baptist, #3 West Alabama, #6 Delta State, #8 Southern Arkansas, #20 St Edwar's , #26 St Mary's, #30 North Alabama (so good they are listed twice at #30), RV Valdosta State, RV Montevallo

Ping Baseball

#19 Angelo State, #22 Central Oklahoma

Other regional teams - #2 Ouachita Baptist, #3 Southern Arkansas, #4 West Alabama, #5 Delta State, #21 Montevallo, #24 North Alabama

Softball NFCA Top 25
#4 Angelo State
#13 Southeastern Oklahoma

Other regional teams - #9 St. Marys

Basketball Polls

NABC Top 25

#15 Tarleton State
#21 Central Oklahoma
RV West Texas A&M
Other Regional teams - #19 Northwest Missouri State, RV Southwest Baptist

WBCA/USA Today/ESPN Top 25
#10 West Texas A&M

Other Regional Teams - #20 St. Marys, #24 Washburn, #25 Emporia State

Midwestern State announces defensive line coach

Lage takes over defensive line coaching duties at Midwestern State
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Monday, March 10, 2008

MSU Website

WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Richard Lage didn’t want to be caught looking on a third strike.
So much that he drove 22 hours with much of it coming through last week’s snow storm just to be at 5 o’clock workouts as Midwestern State’s new defensive line coach on Friday.

“I told coach (Bill) Maskill, ‘You tried to hire me twice, if I say no a third time, you won’t offer again,’” Lage said. “I’m happy to be here. I’ve known coach Mas a long time and have a great relationship with opportunities in the past.”

The two met in 1991 when Lage served as a defensive graduate assistant in charge of linebackers at Wake Forest, but he wasn’t assigned to Maskill, who was the team’s secondary coach.

“He is a coach’s son,” said Maskill, whose own father coached 39 years and became the winningest prep coach in Michigan state history. “I feel he has a bright in front of him. He’s a team player and a loyal guy who has been a coordinator for three different programs.”

Lage has logged 16 years of coaching experience since serving as a graduate assistant on the same staff with Maskill in 1991. Prior to that, he spent two seasons as a GA at the University of Richmond in 1989 and 1990.

Most recently, he was tapped interim head coach at Chowan University in Murfreesboro, N.C. in February after serving as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator from 2004-07.

“Chowan is still in the state of building from a D-3 and D-2,” Lage said. “This is chance to walk into a position in a better program with a man that I know and respect.”

He will take over the defensive line which was handled by the recently promoted Rich Renner for the last two seasons.

“Rich is an accomplished coach in this conference,” Lage said. “I’m looking forward to stepping and trying to help. We’re not going to change much, but it will be interesting to see how the kids react with me.”

Lage has spent four seasons at Elon (N.C.) University, two seasons at Gardner-Webb (N.C.), four seasons at Georgetown (Ky.) College and a season at Davidson (N.C.) College.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Villanova University, where he was a four-year letter winner as a tight end for the Wildcats. He later earned a Masters of Sport Management from the University of Richmond in 1991.

“I’ve been in the East, but I’ll have a chance to make new friendships and get involved in the area,” he said. “The talent is a lot better here than there. This is a bigger, better deal.”

LSC Basketball Power Poll - Week Nine

1. 25-5 Central Oklahoma (2) - LSC Champions, 'nuff said
2. 21-7 West Texas A&M (1) - First round loss doesn't take away from 11-1 divisional record
3. 23-6 Tarleton State (3) - #1 in region, but #3 in LSC. Says a lot about depth of LSC.
4. 14-16 Texas A&M-Commerce (8) - hard to believe that much talent has sub-.500 record
5. 20-9 Abilene Christian (5) - great first round win
6. 21-7 Southwestern Oklahoma (4) - close games finally caught up with them
7. 17-11 Angelo State (6) - no answers for UCO
8. 14-14 Northeastern State (7) - gave TSU all they could handle, still don't understand the foul
9. 16-11 Texas A&M-Kingsville (9) - season over
10. 13-13 Midwestern State (10) - season over
11. 6-21 Cameron (11) - season over
12. 6-21 Eastern New Mexico (12) - season over
13. 3-24 Southeastern Oklahoma (13) - season over

LSC Champions

Central Oklahoma wins the LSC Men's Basketball Championship.
Times News Record
Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise
Central Oklahoma Website
Texas A&M Commerce Website
NEW Edmond Sun (3/10)


West Texas A&M wins the LSC Women's Basketball Championship.
Amarillo Globe News Article
West Texas A&M Website
Central Oklahoma Website

More from the LSC Tournament and upcoming Regional Tournaments
Amarillo Globe News Article - What did Cooper mean? "I'm not surprised where the committee placed us."
Abilene Reporter News
Gameday Blog by Troy Shockley
Central Oklahoma Website Men
Central Oklahoma Website Women
West Texas A&M Website Women
West Texas A&M Website Men
Angelo State Website
Tarleton State Website
Angelo State Website

Midwestern State names defensive coordinator

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Friday, March 7, 2008

RENNER ELEVATED TO DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Midwestern State coach Bill Maskill announced the promotion of Rich Renner to defensive coordinator on Friday afternoon.
“I interviewed a bunch of guys,” Maskill said. “I kept telling the guys that Rich would be the link and we needed to keep what we have intact.”
Renner has served the past two seasons as defensive line coach will also make the move to coach linebackers next season.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge and I’m looking forward to coaching linebackers,” Renner said. “I like the aggressive nature and it’s the position that I played. It will be nice to work pass coverage schemes as well as defending the running game.”
Renner, who will be entering his third season on the MSU staff, helped construct the Lone Star Conference’s top rush defense in each of the past two seasons and the league’s top overall defense in 2007.
He has mentored eight all-conference defensive linemen over the past two season including two first-teamers in 2006 in Justin Williams and Donial Arps. MSU boasted three second-teamers this season in Todd Zoglmann, Kellen Belcher and Justin Foyt.
“Every time I thought about (my decision), I came back to coach Renner,” Maskill said. “He’s a popular coach and a good guy. He’s going to do a good job.”
Before moving to Wichita Falls, Renner served six seasons as a linebacker and defensive line coach and was the video coordinator at West Texas A&M.
His other coaching experience including a stop at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn. in 1999 after serving as a graduate assistant at the University of Louisville from 1997-99 where he helped the Cardinals to a Motor City Bowl appearance in 1998.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Renner walked on at Louisville before earning a scholarship as a linebacker in his final two seasons of his collegiate playing career with the Cardinals.
He earned bachelor’s degree in mathematics and later master’s degree in sports administration in 1999 from the University of Louisville.
Renner and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Wichita Falls.

LSC Tournament - Semifinals

For anyone interested, the Heartland tournament has a free webstream. Go to the conference website. The tournament is at UNT, and if you think that there are a lot of empty seats in Bartlesville, you should see this place.

Womens Semi-final game one - UCO defeats ACU 67-50 - Lizzie Brenner had 26 pts, 10 rebounds and 8 steals, just missing out on the first triple-double in UCO history. The UCO defense held ACU's Audrey Maxwell to just 7 pts, and the ACU team to 30 percent shooting.

Womens Semi-final game two -

• WTAM leads 15-13 with 8 minutes to go in the first half. Both teams shooting only 38% from the field.
• 30-22 in favor of WTAM at the half. WT with a 9-2 advantage on free throws. Emily Brister leads WT with 10 pts, 5 boards, 4 blocks and 3 assists. Lindsey Leatherman has 7 pts for ASU, while Tiffany Hardwell has 5 pts and 5 boards.
• With 5:35 to go, WTAM still leads, 57-44. The Rambelles got to within 5 early in the second half, but WT went on a 17-6 run to give themselves a cushion.
• WT wins 67-55. Of course it was Emily Brister leading the way with 25 pts and 9 boards. Holly Isaacs and Courtney Lee each had 12. ASU was lead by Lindsey Leatherman with 18 pts and 6 boards and Kandra Lakey chipped in 13 pts.

6:00 Abilene Christian vs. Texas A&M-Commerce
While both teams have to be pleased with their first-round wins, neither is satisfied just yet. The Wildcats almost let a 15 point lead with 8 1/2 minutes left turn into a loss, but they were able to win in the second OT 108-98. The Lions overcame a 15 pt first half deficit, outscoring WTAM 50-29 over the last 23:44 of the game.

In the first meeting between these two teams, ACU caught fire in the second half, hitting 69% of ther shots and scoring 67 points. Five Wildcats hit double figures in scoring with Sencanski leading the way with 32. Lance Jackson led 4 Lions in double figures with 24.

TAMC has shown all year that they are capable of beating top teams, but they just haven't been able to consistently go out and do it. Abilene is playing their best ball of the season at just the right time.

Texas A&M-Commerce Radio Webstream

GAME RECAP - The Lions limit ACU to 42% shooting and win 70-65. Scooby Johnson again led the way with 19 pts, Kevin Widemond chipped in 14, and Lance Jackson had 12. ACU had 4 players in double figures, led by Cam Holson's 14. The game was tight throughout, with 7 points being the largest lead of the night. ACU still has an outside shot at the regional tournament. Commerce will have to win the tournament to get the automatic bid.

8:30 Tarleton State vs. Central Oklahoma
While the early game features upset winners, the late game is between the two expected heavyweights. Tarleton edged by Northeastern State thanks to a foul call some 30+ feet away from the basket with 3 seconds to play and Mike Daniels clutch free throw shooting. Central Oklahoma broke a 5-5 tie 4 1/2 minutes into the game and never trailed the rest of the game.

The first time around, it took overtime and a 40-26 FT shooting edge for Tarleton to edge Central Oklahoma 73-70. Avery Patterson and Marlin Cloudy each scored 14 for TSU, but were a combined 6-22 from the field. Sam Belt led all scorers with 23 pts, but only hit 5-13. In fact, each team only shot 36% from the field.

UCO continues its hot play, beating an ASU team that came into the tournament playing its best ball. Tarleton is definetly not playing their best ball, and while that gets them by some teams, it won't against UCO. This could be the best game of the tournament, but the winner will have to guard against a letdown in the championship game.

Tarleton Radio Webstream

• UCO with a 47-35 halftime lead.
• UCO up 54-43 with 16:11 to go. Lance Harper with 15 and Sam Belt with 13 leading the Bronchos. Avery Patterson and Jeffrey Henfield have combined for 21 for TSU.
• UCO 71-60 with 6:55 to go. Sam Belt now with 26, Harper with 17.

GAME RECAP - UCO gets the win 78-65. Sam Belt led all scorers with 9 rebounds and 26 pts, hitting 7-11 from the field (4-7 on treys), and 8-8 from the line. Jeffrey Henfield had 14 for the Texans. The Bronchos never trailed in the game.

Don't forget about Troy Shockley's blog for the Abilene Reporter News.
Follow the live stats at the LSC Website.

Baseball matchups this weekend

Southwestern Oklahoma at East Central - SWO on a bit of a roll, winning 4 of last 5; ECU surprised UCO in last two games of series last weekend. Teams are last in LSC in batting, but ECU scored 25 in last two games vs. UCO, and SWO scored 48 in series vs. WTAM.
GAME ONE - ECU 6-1. Chasen Bennett goes 9 innings, allowing just 1 unearned run, Lucas Armenta drives in 3 to lead ECU.
GAME TWO - ECU 7-6 Tyler Pybas drove in 3 runs, including the game winner with 2 out in the bottom of the seventh as ECU takes both games Saturday.
GAME THREE - ECU 6-5 Two Tiger relievers hold off a late Bulldog rally. Tyler Pybas with two more rbi for ECU.
GAME FOUR - SWO 5-1. The Bulldogs avoid the sweep, as Chris Morrison throws a complete game gem. Dakota James had 2 hits and drove in 2 for SWO.

Cameron at Southeastern Oklahoma - SEO has won 5 of last 7, including a split with #2 OBU, Cameron has lost 5 of 8 including a split with ENMU last weekend
GAME ONE - SEO 13-5. Jared Johnson hit a 3-run HR and drove in another run to help overcome 3 HRs by Cameron.
GAME TWO - Cameron 12-9. Neither starting pitcher made it out of the first inning, as the teams combined to score 17 runs in the first frame. Two more Cameron HRs, and 5 Aggies with 2 rbi led the balanced attack.

Angelo State at Northeastern State - Angelo is on top of the LSC and has won 6 straight conference games, NSU lost 3 of 4 to a hot SEO squad. The Rams need a good series to stay ahead of ACU.
GAME ONE - NSU wins 9-4. Lago allows one earned run in 7 innings, Neighbors 4-4, HR, 2 rbi, 3 r.
GAME TWO - ASU wins 14-8. Balanced, total team offensive effort, all starters with hits, all but one with at least one rbi, no one with more than two hits or rbi.
GAME THREE - ASU 11-4 Don Carter with pinch-hit grand slam, Steven Allred with 4 rbi.
GAME FOUR - ASU 8-2 Don Carter went 4-4 with 3 rbi, Bradley Durst with 6 strong innings,now 3-0.

Tarleton State at Eastern New Mexico - Should be a lot of runs scored here. Not only is ENMU is averaging 10.75 runs per game and Tarleton is scoring 7.10, but the pitching staffs have been quite accomodating as well - ENMU's ERA is 7.99, and TSU's is 8.38.
Game One - ENMU 20-5 Tyler Hayes 6-6 w/2 3-run HRs and 8 rbi
Game Two - TSU 15-5 Tarleton pounds out 23 hits, Greg Sillivent hit a HR , drove in 4 and scored 4
Game Three - ENMU 6-5 The Greyhounds scored two in the bottom of the eighth inning. Freddy Carmona with 3 hits, and Sean Cruce with 2 rbi, and 2 runs.
Game Four - TSU 8-2. Greg Terpenning threw a 6 hit complete game, and the Texans blew open a close game with 5 runs over the last two innings. Greg Sillivent with a HR, and Keith Peacock drove in 3 runs.

West Texas A&M at Abilene Christian - If we had a mismatch of the weekend, this would be it. ACU is 8-3 in LSC play, and two of the series were against UCO and TAMK. WTAM is at the opposite end 3-8, and that includes 1-6 against SWO and UCO, while ACU was 5-2 vs. the same teams. ACU's offense should continue to get healthy against a WTAM staff that has an LSC worst ERA of 9.40.
GAME ONE - ACU 3-2 It took 10 innings, but ACU gets the win. Maynard goes 9 strong innings, but Wiman gets the win with a hitless 10th inning. Zeleznak also 9 strong innings, but he was left in for the 10th, and gave up two quick hits, and Hickey was unable to keep ACU from scoring. Matt Spotanski gets the game winning single for ACU.
GAME TWO - ACU 23-2 Preston Vancil gets the win with 5 solid innings for ACU, and the Wildcats scored in all but one inning.
GAME THREE - ACU 8-5. Allen Smith and Jordan Schmitt each hit HRs, and Trey Watten picks up his fourth win for ACU.
GAME FOUR - ACU 15-1. ACU gets the sweep as Chris Wiman throws a complete game 4 hitter, picking up his 4th win. Schmitt drove in 3 runs, and three other Wildcats drove in 2.

TOP SERIES THIS WEEKEND
Game one - TAMK 11-7. Not a pitching showcase, as TAMK's Bobby Gonsoulin gives up 7 runs in 6 2/3 innings, and UCO's ace Dean McIntyre gives up 7 in 7 innings. The Javelinas got better bullpen support as Ricky Erwin throws 2 1/3 innings of one hit ball, while 3 Broncho relievers allow 4 runs in two innings. Freshman OF Will Mettlach leads TAMK at the plate going 4-5 with a HR and a double, scoring 3 runs and knocking in 3. Owen Weaver went 3-4 and scored 3 runs. For the Bronchos, Breck Draper and Blake Mitchell each had 2 hits, and Michael Pollock hit his 3rd HR of the season and knocked in two.

Game two - UCO 7-3. Clint Straka improved to 4-0, with a complete game 6 hitter, and Dean McIntyre made up for his pitching in game one, by going 3-3 with 3 rbi and a stolen base. Breck Draper knocked in a couple of runs and stole a base as well. Chase Myrick's 21-game hitting streak was ended, and no Javelina had more than one hit.

Game three - UCO 7-6. Kyle Head and Ben Gamblin combined for 5 innings of two-hit relief, allowing just a single unearned run. Bryan Covington and Tyler Carroll each hit HRs. Josh Livingston takes his first loss, allowing 7 runs (all earned) in a complete game effort. Taylor Everett with 3 hits and Joe Hamon with 2 rbi led the TAMK offense.

Game four - TAMK 10-4 - Chase Myrick gets his first HR of the season, Owen Weaver with 3 rbi, Taylor Everett with 2 triples and 2 rbi. Sam Strickland with a complete game, 6 hitter allowing one earned run. Breck Draper with a rough day, giving up 8 hits and 4 earned runs in 2 2/3 innings. Tyler Carroll hit his 6th HR and drove in 3.

Texas A&M-Kingsville at Central Oklahoma - This series lost some luster with TAMK dropping 3 of 4 to ACU, and UCO dropping their last two to ECU. UCO is the top batting team in the LSC, hitting .377 and scoring over 11 runs per game. They hit for power (26 HRs) are patient at the plate (77 walks) and run the bases very well (55 of 65 in steals). TAMK's offense isn't nearly as dangerous, with a .323 average, just under 7 runs per game scored, only 9 HRs, and 20-40 on steals. The Javelinas do lead the LSC in pitching with an ERA of 4.14, but UCO is second at 4.53.

Players to watch
UCO

Tyler Carroll .557, 4 HR, 18 rbi, 24 r, 8-11 SB
Miguel Moctezuma .538, 6 HR, 22 rbi, 28 r
Breck Draper .351, 9 HR, 34 rbi, 25 r
Dustin Dailey and Ryan Schoonover are a combined 17-18 in SB
*Clint Straka 3-0, 0.41 ERA
Ben Gamblin 3-1, 1.80 ERA - all in relief
*Dean McIntyre 3-0, 2.45 ERA
*Breck Draper 2-1, 6.45 ERA (one bad start, ERA 3.23 in other 3 games)
*Joe Noyes 1-0, 7.36 ERA or Nolan Maher 1-1, 9.53 ERA

TAMK

Joe Hamon .540, 3 HR, 14 rbi, 16 r
Chase Myrick .391, 9 rbi, 15 r
Taylor Everett .375, 10 rbi, 9 r
*Sam Strickland 2-2, 2.25 ERA
*Tim Jones 2-1, 3.06 ERA
*Josh Livingston 3-0, 4.15 ERA - only pitcher to shut down ACU last week
*Bobby Gonsoulin 1-1, 2.77 ERA or Mario Gonzalez 2-1, 5.04 ERA