ASU softball stunned by Alabama-Huntsville in national semifinals
SALEM, Va. — One bad loss can’t erase a great season.
The Angelo State University softball team was three wins away from its second national title in six years, but the Rambelles came up short Sunday in a wildly uncharacteristic 10-0 loss to Alabama-Huntsville in the semifinals of the Division II College World Series.
No. 4 ASU got off to a shaky start and it only got worse from there.
Fifth-ranked Alabama-Huntsville (54-5) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, then blew it wide open with six runs in the second.
ASU finished 50-10 for its third 50-win season and third trip to the World Series in the past six years. The ’Belles were also one of the last four teams remaining in the nation. The only thing missing from their resume was the national title they all wanted to take home.
“You know, we had a great year. We can’t really hang our heads because we accomplished so much,” ASU senior catcher Laura Lopez said as she wiped away tears.
“I just wish we could play one more game.”
ASU women, ACU men finish second at NCAA Track & Field Championships
The Angelo State women and Abilene Christian men both finished second at the 2009 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships in San Angelo, Texas.
The team titles came down to the final event, the 4x400 Meter Relay, on both sides. St. Augustine's won the relay to edge ACU, 94-86, for its first title since 2001 which ended the Wildcats seven-year reign. On the women's side, Lincoln earned a three-point win over ASU, 85-82, by virtue of a first place win in the 4x400. It was the best finish in school history for the Rambelles after a fourth-place finish in 2007.
The ACU women finished sixth (35 points) marking the first time since 2001 that the Wildcat men or women didn't win an indoor or outdoor track & field national title.
ASU's men totaled 27 points good for 8th place. Tarleton State finished 29th and 55th in the men's and women's standings, respectively, while Texas A&M-Commerce's men were 49th.
For complete results click here.
NSU finishes play at NCAA Men's Golf Championships
Northeastern State finished 11th at the NCAA Division II Men's Golf National Championships in Allendale, Mich.
Jeff Cox and Sam Powell led the RiverHawks to an 11-over-par 295 in the four day event at Loomis Trail Golf Club.
Click here for complete results
Cox finally got untracked on Friday and led the team with a one-over-par 72, while Powell shook off rounds of 79 and 80 to shoot two-over 73. Northeastern State's other senior, Kevin King, ended his career with a four-over-par 75. Freshman Blake Walker also had a 75 and sophomore Josh Boswell a 77 to end the tournament.
Sonoma State claimed the 2009 team national championship in thrilling fashion against Cal State-San Bernardino by winning the first playoff hole, even-par to +1. Sonoma State had trailed the Wolverines by nine shots heading into the day, but shot 7-over 291. CSUSB carded a 300 which forced a playoff between the two teams after Gene Webster, who led the individual race all three rounds, struggled to a six-over 77.
Gavin Smith of Indianapolis (PA) earned medalist honors after defeating Kelbi Lee of Ferris State, also on the first playoff hole.
Rambelles come up a little short at track championships
One point.
That was all that separated the Lincoln (Mo.) and Angelo State women’s track and field teams going into the final event at the 2009 NCAA Division Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the LeGrand Sports Complex Saturday night.
The teams traded the lead in the 4x400-meter relay twice, but Lincoln held off ASU at the end for the relay victory and the team title.
Lincoln finished with 85 points. ASU finished with 82.
Still, it was the highest finish ever for the Rambelles, whose previous best finish was fourth place two years ago.
“Obviously, it was a little disappointing,” ASU head coach James Reid said. “We wanted to be No. 1. But we didn’t want it to let it take away from an extremely successful season. I would be lying if I said there wasn’t any disappointent. But we had some school records broken and a lot of (personal records).
“It might have stung at the time, but when we look back, everybody should feel good about it.”
ACU fared better than expected but needed help to keep streak
SAN ANGELO -- Just looking at the numbers going into the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the Abilene Christian University men needed some things to go their way to keep their streak of eight consecutive titles alive.
It almost happened.
ACU and St. Augustine's College were tied going into the last event of the meet, the 1,600-meter relay, on Saturday. The Flying Falcons won the event. ACU finished seventh.
Thus St. Augustine's ended up winning its 10th title and first since 2001 with 94 points -- eight better than ACU. The Flying Falcons had finished second to ACU the previous three years and six of the last seven years.
It was a bittersweet day for ACU coach Don D. Hood. His team came close to winning its 12th title in the last 14 years and its 19th overall in Division II.
But Hood was thrilled with the fact the title went down to the wire.
"That's the way track and field ought to be," he said. "We would have loved to have had a cushion going into (that final event). But with what happened, it wouldn't have mattered. I just think it's one of those things that wasn't go to happen today."
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