LSC Roundup 3-31

#22 Buffs take first game from #7 Rams, 5-4 - WTAM Baseball

No. 22 Buffs Take Game 1 of LSC Series Against No. 7 Rams - ASU Baseball

Baseball Takes Opener at Tarleton State - TAMK Baseball
Tarleton outlasted by Kingsville in series opener, 10-3 - TSU Baseball

BOSS & THE BATS GET A WIN OVER CU - UIW Baseball

Baseball: Aggies Fall To Cardinals 5-2 - CU Baseball

Eager leads Wildcats to 11-8 win over Greyhounds in series-opener - ACU Baseball

Binz Drives in Six Runs, Hounds Fall to Wildcats in Shootout - ENMU Baseball

Wildcats Take Two From #19 West Texas A&M - ACU Softball

Wildcats Take Two from #19 Lady Buffs in Abilene - WTAM Softball

CARDINALS START SERIES WITH ASU 1-1 - UIW Softball

Rubber Match Set after Belles and Cardinals Split - ASU Softball

More than Teammates - ASU Softball

Weise lifts TWU to 6-2 win over Midwestern State - TWU Softball
Texas Woman's takes series opener over MSU, 6-2 - MSU Softball
TexAnns win twin bill against ENMU, take fifth straight LSC series - TSU Softball

Diamond Zias Play Tough, but TexAnns Sweep Day One - ENMU Softball

Softball Splits Doubleheader with Cameron - TAMK Softball

Women's Relay Hits the Mark - TAMK Track

Tarleton's Mays joins Smith in Texas Relays Finals - TSU Track

CARDINALS SHOW WELL AT RELAYS - UIW Track

Williams, Ouedraogo Shine On Second Day Of Texas Relays - ACU Track

West Texas Athletes Compete at Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays - WTAM Track

Sue Continues to Impress at Texas Relays - ASU Track

Wildcat Win Streak Ends At Nine With 4-3 Loss At New Mexico State - ACU Tennis

ACU Spring Football Report With Ken Collums And Grant Boone

ASU Spring Football - Spring Game Preview

LSC Roundup 3-30

SLC in no hurry to make decision on possible expansion, including adding ACU - Joey Richards, Abilene Reporter News
The Southland Conference has yet to make a decision on any possible additions, including Abilene Christian University, and it appears the conference might not even be ready for a vote when the league's presidents meet May 23.

"I think it's a bit premature to say a final decision will even be made at that point," SLC commissioner Tom Burnett said. "I just think based on the discussions, there's probably not the consensus needed to make any kind of decision yet. That's not a negative message. They need more time."

ACU and Incarnate Word both made pitches to join the SLC on Jan. 19. Texas-Pan American also made a formal presentation to the SLC earlier this month.

ACU has been a member of the LSC since 1973, but wants to make the jump to Division I and needs an invitation from a Division I conference to do so. (more)

ASU FOOTBALL: Spring surge - Paul Harris, San Angelo Standard Times
Will Wagner is excited about what the future could hold for the Angelo State University football team next fall.  That excitement stems from what the second-year head coach has seen this spring.  The Rams will participate in their 15th and final spring workout today before taking the field Saturday for the team's annual spring game.

More than anything, Wagner said he likes seeing how much farther along his team is from his first spring at ASU.

"Comparing it to last year, we're way ahead in what we're doing and what the kids know and everything," Wagner said. "And I think the attitude is totally different this time around, too. Last spring, there was still kind of a feeling-out period for myself and the coaches and the players.  But this year, I think the kids are starting to buy in to everything we're doing. I think they see the possibilities going into the fall, so the attitude's been really great."


Rams Add Dallas to Staff - ASU Football




#7 ASU (21-7, 5-3) at #22 WTAM (20-6, 7-1) - Top Matchup - The Buffs took 3 of 4 in last week's matchup of unbeaten LSC teams at Tarleton State, while the Rams did the same at home to Incarnate Word.  WTAM comes into the game with the top offense in the LSC, hitting .352 as a team (next is ENMU at .305) and scoring just over 9 runs per game.  That is good for 4th in the nation for BA, and 6th in runs per game.  The pitching has been good enough - a team ERA of 4.83 - to give the Buffs a run differential of almost 4 per game.  Meanwhile, the Rams are third in the LSC in batting average (.302) and runs per game (6.2).  Their pitching has been outstanding - a team ERA of 2.80 (14th in the nation), and four starters with ERAs under 3.68 and a combined 11-4 record.  Their run differential is just over three per game.  This has the makings of a great series.

TAMK (15-7, 4-4) at TSU (12-10, 5-3) - Should be some good pitching and low scores in Stephenville.  Top 5 individual pitchers in ERA (and 7 of top 8).  Bottom two in team batting average, and only UIW is lower in runs scored per game.
ACU (16-13, 4-4) at ENMU (9-16, 0-8) - Wildcats looking to move up in the standings.
UIW (8-11, 3-5) at CU (15-14, 4-4) - Neither team can afford to lose this series

3 foes from high school help make West Texas A&M baseball team a winner - Lance Lahnert, Amarillo Globe News
#22 Buffs and #7 Rams set to play this weekend in Canyon - WTAM Baseball
No. 7 Rams, No. 22 Buffs Set For Conference Showdown in Canyon - ASU Baseball
Baseball Back On The Road To Face Eastern New Mexico - ACU Baseball
Texans and Javelinas face of in LSC action this weekend - TSU Baseball

#19 WTAM (23-11, 7-5) at ACU (20-9, 6-5) - Top Matchup - WT took 2 of 3 against #1 Angelo State, while ACU dropped the finale of their series with TAMK.  ACU still has the top ERA in the conference, with three pitchers in the LSC top 5 for ERA. On the other hand, WT has the second highest scoring offense, leading the LSC with 17 triples (MSU is second with just 6), and has 40 HRs.  WT has faced a tough schedule, playing 9 games against ranked D2 opponents (5 against #1 and #2), as well as the #2 NAIA team.  Since getting off to a 12-1 start, ACU is just 8-8.

#5 ASU (27-6, 10-2) at UIW (19-12, 6-6) - Rambelles stay at #1 was a short one, as WT took 2 of 3 last weekend.  Despite a 6-6 LSC record, UIW has lost 3 of 4 series.

MSU (14-18, 4-8) at TWU (27-8, 9-2) - MSU continues to struggle, while TWU quietly having a great season

ENMU (7-25, 1-11) at TSU (25-10, 10-2) - Mismatch of weekend, ENMU lost 12 of last 13, TSU winners in 11 of last 14.
CU (13-20, 4-8) at TAMK (13-19, 2-10) - something's gotta give, CU lost 6 of last 8, TAMK 4 of 5.

No. 19 West Texas A&M Lady Buffs to battle ACU in LSC softball  - Terrence Hunley, Amarillo Globe News
#19 Lady Buffs Head to Abilene for LSC Showdown with Wildcats - WTAM Softball
TexAnn softball hosts Eastern New Mexico for three-game weekend series - TSU Softball

Softball Hosts Cameron - TAMK Softball

Wildcats Shake Rattlers, Roll 9-0 Over St. Mary's - ACU Tennis

Eagles Slip By Aggies 5-4 - CU M Tennis

No. 39 Midwestern State falls at No. 26 Central Oklahoma 7 - MSU Tennis

Rios Improves Top Time - TAMK Track

Hinton, Smith find early success in Texas Relays - TSU Track
Strong Start for Rams & Rambelles at Texas Relays - ASU Track
Kerjean finishes third in hammer at Texas Relays - ACU Track

Montalvo breaks 11-minute barrier in 3K Steeplechase at Texas Relays - MSU Track

CARDINALS SHOWING UP NATIONALLY - UIW Track

LSC Track and Field: Four earn weekly awards - LSC Office

TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
MEN’S TRACK
Sergio Rios, Texas A&M University - Kingsville, JR, Brownsville, Texas, James Pace HS
Rios defended his 400-meter hurdle title at the LSU Relays last week winning it for the second straight year. He clocked a NCAA automatic qualifying 51.56 in the preliminaries, which is the top time in NCAA Division II this year. He won in the finals with a time of 52.01. He also ran the second leg on the 4x400-meter relay team that took third place and provisionally qualified for nationals with a time of 3:11.67.

MEN’S FIELD
Nick Jones, Abilene Christian University, SR, Amarillo, Texas, Tascosa HS
Jones began the 2012 outdoor season by recording a NCAA Championship automatic qualifying mark of 60 feet, 7.25 inches in the shot put to rank him first among all NCAA Division II student-athletes Jones recorded his throw at last weekend’s UT-Arlington Bobby Lane Invitational, finishing third to unattached competitors Kevin Bookout and Alex Adams. Jones, however, was first among all collegiate competitors, beating several athletes from TCU, UTA and North Texas. Jones will compete in the A section of both the shot put and discus at this week’s Texas Relays.

• Click here for the complete release (includes other top performers, notes)

WOMEN’S TRACK
Theresa Sue, Angelo State University, JR, Ft. Worth, Texas, Saginaw HS
Sue ran her first NCAA Division II provisional mark of the season in the 400m hurdles at the Bobby Lane Invitational. The defending LSC Outdoor Champion set a new personal-best time of 1:01.78. She is ranked No. 8 in NCAA Division II and No. 1 in the Lone Star Conference.

WOMEN’S FIELD
Amanda Ouedraogo, Abilene Christian University, JR, Hauts de Seine, France, Descartes HS
Ouedraogo, the National indoor champion, posted a NCAA automatic qualifying triple jump distance of 40-10.50 (12.46m) at last weekend’s UT-Arlington Bobby Lane Invitational. Ouedraogo’s performance currently ranks second in NCAA DII to Kearah Danville of New Mexico Highlands, whose top-ranked jump is listed at 41-09.75 (12.74m). Ouedraogo is entered in Section A of the triple jump at this week’s Texas Relays.

Outgoing Texan point guard arrested for burglary

by Amanda Kimble, Stephenville Empire Tribune

Tarleton State University's standout senior point guard Shedrick Haynes, 23, was arrested by Tarleton State University Police Wednesday on a warrant for burglary of a habitation, a second-degree felony. He was reportedly released from the Erath County Jail about 9 a.m. Wednesday after posting a $10,000 bond.


(Update)
The incident that led to Haynes' arrest reportedly occurred last summer.


"On March 28, 2012, the university police department served a warrant of arrest on Shedrick Haynes for the alleged commission of the offense of burglary of a habitation," Tarleton Police Chief Justin Williams said, adding the offense was reported to police on July 30, 2011 when property was taken from a campus dormitory. "Property taken in the offense was just recently located in a pawn shop out of state."


The stolen property, which Haynes allegedly pawned in August 2011, was located on Feb. 7, during the heat of the Lone Star Conference championship race.
 
The arrest, however, came less than three weeks after the Texan basketball team returned from NCAA championship play.

Williams said the warrant for Haynes' arrest was drawn up and filed by officials in District Attorney Jason Cashon's office on Monday.

  "A combined investigative effort involving both the Erath County District Attorney’s Office and university police led to the filing of this case," Williams said. "(The warrant) was executed by university police (two days after it was filed)."

Haynes, who is expected to graduate in May, transferred to Tarleton from Big East Conference South Florida and was with the Texans for just his senior year. He started at point guard averaging 10.9 points per game, and amassed 22 points including the shot that forced overtime when Tarleton fell to Arkansas Tech in the second round of the NCAA Division II Basketball Championship earlier this month.

University officials released a statement Thursday afternoon regarding the arrest.
“Tarleton is aware of the arrest of one of its student athletes," the statement, issued by Janice Horak, assistant vice president of marketing and communications said. "The university’s Division of Student Life and the Athletics Department are conducting a thorough review of the facts of the case and will follow established procedures on any question of student conduct and/or discipline. Tarleton seeks to instill in its students a respect for law and society and takes such matters very seriously.”

On Thursday afternoon, Haynes, No. 3, no longer appeared ont eh 2011-12 Texan basketball roster at tarletonsports.com

LSC Roundup 3-29

Men's Track #2 in Preseason Poll - TAMK Track

Rams Ranked No. 3 in Preseason Rankings - ASU Track

The 85th Annual Texas Relays on Tap for Track & Field - ASU Track

Montalvo to compete in steeplechase Thursday at Texas Relays - MSU Track

All-around effort puts Shelton among heptathlon elite  - Marc David, Abilene Reporter News
Local athletes leap onto huge Texas Relays stage - Quinton Martinez, San Angelo Standard Times

No. 1 St. Mary's topples Tarleton, 9-2 - TSU Baseball

Buffs and Aggies split in non-conference action - WTAM Baseball

West Texas A&M Buffs falls short in bid to sweep OPSU - Lance Lahnert, Amarillo Globe News

Late Inning Rallies Determine Fate as Zias Split with Cowgirls - ENMU Softball

M. Tennis: Cameron Calms Savage Storm - CU M Tennis

W. Tennis: Cameron Calms Savage Storm - CU W Tennis

ASU Spring Football - Quarterbacks - ASU Football

LSC Scoop Afternoon Update 3-28

LSC Tennis: CU's Garzon and UIW's Botha earn weekly awards - LSC Office

MEN’S
Gonzalo Garzon, Cameron University, SO, Santiago, Chile
Garzon’s workman-like performances helped propel the No. 18 Cameron men’s tennis team to a 2-0 record on the week. The Aggies collected big wins over regional No. 10 St. Mary’s and nationally-ranked No. 17 St. Edward’s. Garzon picked up his first win of the week with doubles partner Thomas Peixoto. The pair dispatched Nestor Moreno and Mateo Martinez 8-4 at the No. 2 doubles spot. The CU sophomore went on to take his singles contest at the No. 4 position, sending Jake Williams packing with a bagel and a breadstick. In the team’s match-up against regional foe St. Edward’s, Garzon secured a well-earned victory over James Rogers. The CU standout overcame the Hilltopper in a 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (7) thriller.

• Click here for the complete release (includes other top performers, notes)

WOMEN’S
Andi Botha, University of the Incarnate Word, SO, Pretoria, South Africa, Afrikaanse
In one of the busiest weeks of the year for Incarnate Word with four matches, Botha played in every one and was perfect.  She was 3-0 at the number five position in singles to go with a 4-0 doubles mark with three matches at No. 2 and one at the top spot.  In her six sets of singles play, she lost only seven games with six of those in the match against Florida Southern, the nation’s 12th-ranked team. In that match, by winning in singles and doubles she was responsible for two of UIW’s three points. For the season she is now 10-2 in singles winning five in a row and 9-3 in doubles with six consecutive wins.  The Cardinals defeated Texas A&M-Kingsville, Northeastern State, and Laredo JC along with the lone loss to the Moccasins.

LSC Golf: ACU's Carpenter and MSU's Klutts earn weekly honors - LSC Office

MEN’S
Alex Carpenter, Abilene Christian University, JR, Little Rock, Ark., Arkansas Baptist HS
Carpenter led the ACU Wildcats to a fourth-place showing Tuesday at the Grand Canyon Thunderbird Invitation golf tournament against one of the best fields of the season.  The Wildcats were among a field that included six of the nation’s top 20 teams in the latest Golf World/Nike Golf Division II College Coaches’ poll.  The teams were playing the par-72 Wigwam  Golf Course and the top five teams in the field blistered the course. The Wildcats had three players finish under par over the three rounds, including Carpenter who finished tied for seventh at 5-under-par 216.  Carpenter shot rounds of 70-72 on Monday and capped his tournament run with a 3-under-par 69 on Tuesday.

• Click here for the complete release (includes other top performers, notes)

WOMEN’S
Taylor Klutts, Midwestern State University, JR, Lake Kiowa, Texas, Callisburg HS
Klutts helped lead the Mustangs to a third place finish at the Bluebonnet Classic. Klutts fired a 5-over-par 149 to finish second individually, two strokes from the individual title. Klutts posted rounds of 2-over 74 and 3-over 75 at the Tangle Ridge Golf Course in Grand Prairie. Ranked 76th nationally, Klutts bettered her 78.57 average for the season. 

LSC Roundup 3-28

Texan baseball hosts No. 1 St. Mary's on Wednesday - TSU Baseball

Buffs to host Aggies in mid-week doubleheader - WTAM Baseball

West Texas A&M Buffs to battle OPSU in rematch - Lance Lahnert, Amarillo Globe News



St. Mary’s upends No. 1 ASU in Game 1; Rambelles take nightcap - Paul Harris, San Angelo Standard Times
Lady Buffs split twin bill with LCU  - Terrence Hunley, Amarillo Globe News
Belles Split with Rattlers - ASU Softball

UIW WINS AND FALLS IN NON-CONFERENCE MATCH UP - UIW Softball

Softball: Softball Falls To Southeastern - CU Softball

Roosmalen delivers offense in 10-2 loss to D1 Texas Tech - MSU Softball

Softball splits doubleheader with St. Edward’s - TWU Softball

#23 Lady Buffs Split with NAIA #1 Lady Chaps in Lubbock - WTAM Softball

Texas Relays Welcome 16 Wildcat Student-Athletes - ACU Track

McMurry track meet cancelled, Tarleton to run at Texas Tech - TSU Track

M. Basketball: Garner Helps Lead All-Star Team to Victory - CU MBB

No. 8 Wildcats finish fourth at Grand Canyon Invitational - ACU Golf

M. Golf: Cameron Slips To 7th At North Alabama Spring Classic - CU M Golf

W. Golf: Cameron Improves On Final Day By 22 Strokes - CU W Golf

Klutts, Whittley strong in Bluebonnet Classic - MSU W Golf

Mustangs take fourth at North Alabama Spring Classic - MSU M Golf

No. 28 Dallas Baptist edges No. 35 Midwestern 5-4 - MSU W Tennis

LION VOLLEYBALL ANNOUNCES A PAIR OF ADDITIONS TO ROSTER - TAMC Volleyball

LSC Scoop Afternoon Update 3-27

Goodenough hired to take over women's basketball program - ACU WBB

ABILENE – The ACU Wildcats welcomed a familiar face to Abilene basketball fans back to the Key City on Tuesday when ACU director of athletics Jared Mosley announced that he has hired former Hardin-Simmons head coach Julie Goodenough to take over the ACU women's basketball program.

Goodenough is the sixth head coach in ACU women's basketball history, and she'll begin her duties next week.  She'll be introduced as the Wildcats' head coach with a press conference next Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Hunter Welcome Center on the ACU campus.

Goodenough was the head coach at HSU from 1993-2002 before going to Oklahoma State for three seasons.  She has been the head coach at NCAA Division I Charleston Southern  for the last six seasons.  In 18 seasons as a head coach she has put together a record of 289-220 (.568 winning percentage).

A native of Haskell and a graduate of Texas-Arlington, Goodenough is excited to return to her West Texas roots and, in particular, Abilene.

"I'm really excited and thankful to be the new head coach at ACU," Goodenough said.  "My family is really happy that we're moving closer to our family and friends.  From a job standpoint, I've always believed that Texas high school girls' basketball is the best in the country, and I'm excited to get back to recruiting that area hard and get our program back to top of the Lone Star Conference."
(more)

LSC Softball: TWU's Sancet and WT's Womack pick up weekly awards - LSC Office

Angelo State and Tarleton State are tied atop the Lone Star Conference standings with identical 10-2 league records.  Texas Woman’s is just behind them at 9-2 after four weeks of LSC play.
  
In league action last week, West Texas A&M took two of three games from ASU, Tarleton went 2-1 versus Cameron, TWU swept Eastern New Mexico, Abilene Christian won the series against Texas A&M-Kingsville and Midwestern State won two opposed to Incarnate Word.
  
LSC teams are playing a single round-robin schedule with a three-game series against every other team. Each series consists of a doubleheader one day and single 7-inning game the other day.
     
The overall LSC Champion will be the team(s) with the best winning percentage in regular-season conference games, while the winner of the postseason championship will be recognized as LSC Tournament Champion and receive the league’s automatic qualification into the NCAA postseason. The single-elimination championship will be played April 27-28 in Denton, Texas.
  
LSC softball teams are 183-130 overall this season.  In the NCAA South Central Region, the LSC is currently 88-53 overall including 48-24 combined versus Heartland Conference teams, 17-9 opposed to the Great American Conference, 20-14 against the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) and 3-6 versus independent teams.

FIRST PITCH
#LONGBALLXTHREE - Tarleton State’s Arianna Rodriguez became the second TexAnn ever to have a three-home run game, doing so in the series finale Sunday afternoon against Cameron. The junior shortstop joined Brittnee Rice (2009) in the Tarleton record books and became the seventh player in LSC history to go yard three times in a single contest.

#TOUCHEMALL - West Texas A&M senior Kim LeComte became the LSC career leader in runs scored topping the previous mark of 206 set in 2003.

• Click here for the complete release (includes other top performers, notes)

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
HITTER
Kendra Sancet, Texas Woman’s University, FR, 1B, Magnolia, Texas, Magnolia HS
Sancet led the team with .500 batting average, .944 slugging percentage, 11 RBI and nine hits and helped the Pioneers to five wins. She drove in at least two runs in four of the five games last week. Sancet hit two home runs and drove in six runs in the three-game series at Eastern New Mexico. On the season she leads the Pioneers with 41 RBI and third in batting average with .374.

PITCHER
Marci Womack, West Texas A&M University, SR, Pitcher, Sulphur Springs, Texas, Sulphur Springs HS
Womack went 2-1 on the week as the #23 Lady Buffs went 3-2 including taking two of three games from #1 Angelo State in Canyon. Womack went 2-0 against the Rambelles with two complete game wins including a shutout in game one on Friday night. The senior right hander registered nine strikeouts on the week in 16 innings pitched.

LSC Roundup 3-27

No. 7 Rams Move Up Two Spots in Collegiate Baseball's Poll - ASU Baseball
(Angelo State is #9, West Texas A&M is #22, Texas A&M-Kingsville is 4 spots out of the list and  St. Mary's is #1, moving up 10 spots)

#23 Lady Buffs Head to NAIA #2 LCU on Tuesday - WTAM Softball

Belles Welcome St. Mary’s to ASU Softball Complex - ASU Softball

Lady Buffs to test Lubbock Christian  - Terrence Hunley, Amarillo Globe News

Buffs and Lady Buffs Compete at UTEP Springtime Meet - WTAM Track

MEN’S RELAY, KNIGHTS GET ON NATIONAL LIST - UIW M Track

PROVISIONAL SPOT GAINED, RECORDS FALL - UIW W Track

Oland, Smith strong in first day at North Alabama Spring Classic - MSU M Golf
Midwestern leads after first round of Bluebonnet Classic - MSU W Golf
Cameron In 5th Place At North Alabama Spring Classic - CU M Golf
Cameron In 7th Place After Day One In Nevada - CU W Golf

Muñoz Bolsters Lineup for Upcoming Season - ENMU Soccer

ASU Spring Game Scheduled for Saturday - ASU Football
SAN ANGELO, Texas – Fans will be able to catch a glimpse of things to come as the Angelo State football team will hold its Spring Game this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the San Angelo Stadium.

The game will feature the offense versus the defense and a unique scoring system will be used. The Rams will play four 12 minute quarters with a running clock. The final two minutes of the second and fourth quarter will be normal timing.

The Spring Game culminates a total of 15 workouts that started back on Feb. 29. Fundamentals, technique and getting better has been the focus of the Ram football team for the last six weeks.

Fans are encouraged to come out and tailgate prior and admission is free to the game.

Texan football begins spring practices - TSU Football

STEPHENVILLE - The Tarleton football team has opened up spring football with their first practice on Sunday, March 25.  The schedule has been announced as preperation for the upcoming season is now underway.

The Texans will have 14 practices this spring before wrapping up with the Spring Game on April 20th.  Prior to the Spring Game, Tarleton football will host a cookout as part of the Bobby Fox Memorial Golf Tournament Weekend.  The golf event will take place Sunday.  Full details can be found at TarletonSports.com.

For the full schedule and spring roster, click on the link.

There will be pictures, recaps and links posted on the Tarleton website as well.

LSC Scoop Afternoon Update 3-26

LSC Baseball: WT takes sole possession of first place - LSC Office

West Texas A&M won three out of four games over Tarleton State to separate itself from the rest of the Lone Star Conference with a 7-1 league mark.  Angelo State and Tarleton are behind the Buffs at 5-3.
  
This week’s slate includes non-conference games on Wednesday, followed by a full schedule of league play including ASU at WT.  Each LSC series includes a 9-inning game Friday, a 7x7 doubleheader Saturday and 9-inning contest Sunday.
  
The overall LSC Champion will be the team(s) with the best winning percentage in regular-season conference games, while the winner of the postseason championship will be recognized as LSC Tournament Champion and receive the league’s automatic qualification into the NCAA postseason. The championship will be played May 5-8 in San Angelo, Texas.
  
LSC baseball teams are 115-82 overall this season.  In the NCAA South Central Region, the LSC is currently 36-28 overall including 14-12 combined versus Heartland Conference teams, 20-15 opposed to the Great American Conference and 2-1 against the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).

• Click here for the complete release (includes other top performers, notes)

DIAMOND PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
HITTERS
Quaid McKinnon, Angelo State University, JR, 1B, Phoenix, Ariz., Arcadia HS
McKinnon hit safely in eight of his 12 at-bats in the Rams’ series win over Incarnate Word last weekend. McKinnon hit .667 with five singles, two doubles, a triple and drew five walks. The junior first baseman scored seven runs and drove in two. He is now hitting .357 with 21 RBI and 35 hits this season.

Nick Marquez, West Texas A&M University, SR, DH, San Antonio, Texas, Business Careers HS
Marquez helped lead the Buffs to a 3-1 series win over Tarleton this past weekend and take sole possession of first place in the LSC standings. The senior tallied a team-high seven hits in 12 at-bats for a .583 percentage in the four-game set. He had three doubles, scored five runs and knocked in four runs as well. The San Antonio native cranked out a team-high .833 slugging percentage and had a .727 on-base percentage.

PITCHERS
Pete Perez, Tarleton State University, JR, RHP, Sacramento, Calif., River City HS
Perez tossed another gem for the Texans as he shutout one of the most dominant offenses in the country in West Texas A&M. The junior hurler gave up just two hits and two walks while striking out eight in his seven innings of shutout work. Perez also held the WT hitters to a .100 average, who had averaged above .300 entering the contest. The win was Tarleton’s lone victory over the Buffs on the weekend and gave Perez his third complete game of the season. It also marked the first time the Buffs had been shutout all season.

Clint Cooper, Abilene Christian University, JR, RHP, Dover, Okla., Three Rivers HS
Cooper won both of ACU’s games this weekend vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville, striking out seven through 4.0 no-hit and no-walk innings of work. Cooper made his weekend debut in the seventh inning of a 1-1 game Friday night with a runner on base. Cooper responded to the challenge by striking out the first batter he faced, and then spun an inning-ending 1-6-3 double play. Cooper then retired all six batters he faced between the eighth and ninth innings with four Ks. Cooper’s next appearance was as a reliever in game three, finishing the shutout started by Austin Palmer. Cooper again was called into action with a runner on base, and after allowing a sacrifice bunt and hitting a batter, he struck out the Javelinas No. 3 and 4 batters to preserve the scoreless tie. ACU went on to win the game, 1-0, which lifted Cooper’s season record to 4-2.


Johnny Knox headed to PUP list - Scout.com
Johnny Knox, Chicago’s leading receiver last year, is still recovering from a spine injury suffered late last season. He reportedly will start 2012 on the physically unable to perform list. (more)

LSC Roundup 3-26

Jones Jumps To No. 1 In Shot Put At Outdoor Season Opener - ACU Track

McDonald Hits NCAA Division II Auto Mark in Javelin - ASU Track

Rios Takes Gold Medal at LSU Relays - TAMK M Track
Second Day at LSU Relays - TAMK W Track

Bobby Lane Invitational comes to end for Tarleton - TSU Track

Track & Field Turn in Strong Performances at UTEP Springtime Classic - ENMU Track

Montalvo hits provisiional time in first full run in the steeplechase - MSU Track

17 LIONS GET TOP-20 FINISHES AT BOBBY LANE INVITATIONAL - TAMC M Track

LIONS WRAP UP COMPETITION AT BOBBY LANE INVITATIONAL - TAMC W Track

High-flying Buffs swat Tarleton State, 15-4 - Lance Lahnert, Amarillo Globe News
West Texas A&M Buffs, Tarleton State split twin bill - Lee Passmore, Amarillo Globe News

Error lets Javelinas slip past ACU in LSC baseball  - Joey Richards, Abilene Reporter News

Rams' offense comes out swinging in rout  - Kim Gierke, San Angelo Standard Times

ASU relies on more late heroics in win over UIW - Kim Gierke, San Angelo Standard Times

Buffs win second-straight series with 15-4 win over Texans Sunday - WTAM Baseball

Buffs Split with Texans on Saturday - WTAM Baseball

Texans end series with West Texas on sour note with 15-4 loss - TSU Baseball

Tarleton splits doubleheader with West Texas Saturday - TSU Baseball

No. 9 Rams Roll To 12-4 LSC Victory Over Cardinals; Win Series 3-1 - ASU Baseball

No. 9 Rams, Cardinals Split Saturday's LSC Doubleheader - ASU Baseball

CARDINALS FALL, 12-4, VS THE RAMS - UIW Baseball

UIW GETS GAME TWO ON SATURDAY - UIW Baseball

Baseball Evens Series with ACU - TAMK Baseball

Aspaas Shuts Out Abilene Christian - TAMK Baseball

Kingsville earns series split with 3-1 victory over Wildcats - ACU Baseball

Wildcats And Javelinas Exchange Shutouts To Split Saturday Twin Bill - ACU Baseball

Baseball: Aggies Complete Weekend Sweep Of Greyhounds - CU Baseball

Baseball: Cameron Doubles Its Pleasure With Two Walk-Off Wins - CU Baseball

Hounds Drop Heartbreaker at Cameron - ENMU Baseball

Nault Drives in Three Runs, Hounds Fall to Aggies in Doubleheader - ENMU Baseball

Clutch plays lift #23 Lady Buffs past #1 Angelo State - Terrence Hunley, Amarillo Globe News

Brown Homerun Lifts #23 Lady Buffs to Series Win Over #1 Belles - WTAM Softball

Lady Buffs Take Series with 4-3 Win - ASU Softball

TexAnns belt five home runs but fall to Cameron in series finale - TSU Softball

TexAnns sweep Cameron, win fourth straight LSC series - TSU Softball

Softball Takes Series Finale - TAMK Softball

Javelinas use two big innings to knock off Wildcats, 12-7 - ACU Softball

Softball: Walk-Off Homer Secures Win for Aggies  - CU Softball

Softball: TexAnns Too Much for Aggies - CU Softball

Six-run seventh lifts TWU to win over Eastern New Mexico - TWU Softball

Pioneers Overcome Homeruns, Pinch Hit, to Defeat Zias - ENMU Softball

Incarnate Word takes Game 2, 6-4 - MSU Softball

Bingham, Ford blast Mustangs past UIW in Game 1 - MSU Softball

UIW SPLITS GAME WITH MSU IN DAY TWO - UIW Softball

Wildcats Fall To No. 35 Baylor, Beat Temple College In Waco - ACU M Tennis

Tennis Edged by OLLU - TAMK W Tennis

CARDINALS WIN TWO, DROP ONE OVER THE WEEKEND - UIW W Tennis

Big 12's Texas Tech hands Mustangs 6-0 loss - MSU M Tennis

Gymnasts place third at 2012 MIC Championships - TWU Gymnastics

LSC Roundup 3-24

Buffs remain unbeaten in LSC baseball - Lance Lahnert, Amarillo Globe News
Buffs Move to 5-0 in LSC Play, Down the Texans 7-2 - WTAM Baseball
Texans drop series opener to Buffs, 7-2 - TSU Baseball
No. 9 Rams Rally for 5-2 Win Over Cardinals - ASU Baseball

ASU SCORES 5 RUNS LATE, BEATS UIW - UIW Baseball

Duarte's Walkoff HR Gives Wildcats 4-1 Win Over Kingsville - ACU Baseball

Baseball Can't Hold Lead at ACU - TAMK Baseball

Duarte's homer lifts ACU over Kingsville in 9th in LSC baseball play  - Joey D. Richards, Abilene Reporter News

No. 23 West Texas A&M Lady Buffs split with top-ranked Angelo State - Terrence Hunley, Amarillo Globe News

Belles Split with Lady Buffs in Twin Bill - ASU Softball

LeComte Sets Mark as #23 Lady Buffs Split with #1 Belles - WTAM Softball

TWU softball collects doubleheader sweep at Eastern New Mexico -  TWU Softball

Ramsay and Alderette Stay Hot, but Zias Fall to TWU - ENMU Softball

Mustangs rally past Incarnate Word in 7th, 3-2 - MSU Softball

CARDINALS COME UP SHORT IN WICHITA - UIW Softball

Wildcats Sweep Doubleheader With Javelinas; 4-2, 1-0 - TAMK Softball
Softball Drops Two at ACU - TAMK Softball

Track Has Banner Day at LSU Relays - TAMK M Track

Alvarez Reaches Mark in Javelin - TAMK W Track

ASU Spring Football - Wide Receivers

LSC Roundup 3-23

Baseball Matchups this weekend

WTAM (16-4, 4-0) at Tarleton State (11-6, 4-0)

West Texas A&M opened LSC play last weekend, sweeping Cameron at home by a combined score of 48-24, while Tarleton State swept Eastern New Mexico on the road, outscoring the Greyhounds 53-16.  WTAM has the top offense in the LSC to date and is second in the nation with a .361 team batting average, is tops in slugging percentage (.567), and is scoring 9.3 runs per game (4th).  Three Buffaloes are hitting above .400, and 5 more are above the .300 mark.  Jess Cooper and Parker Wood each have 5 HRs, and 8 players have at least 14 RBIs and 14 runs scored.  Pitching has not been as strong with an overall team ERA of 5.12 (5th in the LSC).  Justin Kuks has been the top starter, compiling a 4-0 record with a 3.16 ERA, striking out 32 in 25.7 innings pitched.

Tarleton State on the other has relied more on their pitching thus far in the season (currently 3rd in the LSC with a 3.73 ERA).  Pete Perez (3-1, 1.20 ERA) and Matt Buckmaster (3-1, 3.00 ERA) are the top starters, while Britt Robertshaw (1-0, 2 saves, 1.23 ERA) has been solid in relief.  At the plate, TSU is 6th in the LSC with a .279 batting average, scoring 6.3 runs per game.  The Texans have just 3 players hitting over .300, led by Andrew Wolfe (.419) and Ethan Stuckly (.386).

other series

UIW (7-8, 2-2) at #9 ASU (18-6, 2-2) - UIW yet to live up to preseason expectations, ASU exceeding them so far

TAMK(13-5, 2-2) at ACU(14-11, 2-2) - 

ENMU (9-12, 0-4) at CU (11-14, 0-4) - battle to stay out of cellar

Texans and Buffs battle for control of LSC standings - TSU Baseball

Buffs and Texans Set for Early Showdown in Stephenville - WTAM Baseball

No. 9 Rams to Host Incarnate Word in 4-Game Series at Foster Field - ASU Baseball

ASU BASEBALL: Capsules, 3/23  - San Angelo Standard Times

West Texas A&M Buffs in early LSC baseball showdown
Wildcats Return Home To Play Four-Game Series Vs. Kingsville - ACU Baseball

Softball Matchups

#1 ASU (25-3, 9-0) at #23 WTAM (20-9, 5-4)

Since starting the season 0-2, the Rambelles have won 25 of 26 games and took over the top spot in the NFCA poll this week.  ASU is winning with an overpowering offense (1st in the nation in slugging .589, 2nd in scoring 8.75 runs per game, 5th in HRs per game 1.46 and 7th in batting average .360) and good enough pitching (4th in LSC with a 2.75 ERA).  Six Rambelles are hitting .295 or better led by DeeshanaLynn Tafiti has 12 HRs (2nd in nation), 45 RBIs (leads nation) and a .891 slugging percentage.  Mary Kate McKay (11-1, 2.27 ERA) and Claire Molina (14-2, 2.61 ERA) have combined for about 95% of the team's innings pitched.

While not having as good of a win-loss record as ASU, the Buffs have played 6 games against ranked teams, winning 4 of them.  The Lady Buffs have not put up the same numbers as ASU offensively (.324 batting average, .560 slugging, 7.5 runs per game, 1.2 HRs per game), they aren't far behind.  All eight starters are hitting at least .271, with 5 above the .300 mark.  Kim LeComte leads the way with a .404 average, .708 slugging percentage, 6 HRs, 25 RBIs and 28 runs scored, not to mention 8-8 on stolen bases.  Meghan Brown leads the team with 9 HRs and a .817 slugging average and Allie Cranfill has 7 more HRs.  The pitching has not been as good, with an overall team ERA of 4.43.  Marci Womack (9-5, 3.29 ERA) and Amber Spencer (8-3, 4.54 ERA) are the top arms.

other series
UIW (17-9, 5-4) at MSU (12-16, 2-7) - UIW on a 5 game winning streak

TWU (23-7, 6-2) at ENMU (6-21, 1-8) - ENMU outscored 28-89 in 8 game skid, TWU 3rd in LSC scoring

TAMK (12-17) at ACU (18-8, 4-4) - ACU tops in LSC pitching, TAMK last in LSC scoring

TSU (23-9, 8-1) at CU (12-16, 3-6) - TexAnns just outside of top 25 could get in with a big weekend

No. 23 West Texas A&M Lady Buffs softball team to play No. 1 Angelo State - Terrence Hunley, Amarillo Globe News

Belles Set for Top-25 Showdown in Canyon - ASU Softball

ASU & HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL: Capsules, 3/23  - San Angelo Standard Times

#23 Lady Buffs Host #1 Belles in LSC Showdown for Military Appreciation Weekend - WTAM Softball

Six-Game Homestand Begins With Kingsville - ACU Softball

TexAnns head north for weekend set with Cameron - TSU Softball

Outdoor Track And Field Season Hits Full Swing At UTA Meet - ACU Track

LSC Track and Field: Four claim weekly awards - LSC Office

TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
MEN’S TRACK
Tim Price, Texas A&M University - Kingsville, SO, Corpus Christi, Texas, Carroll HS
Price took home three gold medals at the IBC Bank Cactus Cup on Saturday. He won the 100 meters in a wind-aided 10.42 and came back to win the 200 meters in an NCAA provisional time of 21.28. Finally, he ran a leg on the winning 4x100-meter relay team that came in at 40.84, the second best time in the nation this year.

MEN’S FIELD
Jacob McDonald, Angelo State University, SR, San Angelo, Texas, Lakeview HS
McDonald moved up to No. 3 in NCAA Division II with his winning javelin throw of 207-2 (63.15m). It is his second NCAA Division II provisional mark of the season and his season-best mark to date. He is ranked No. 1 in the javelin in the Lone Star Conference.

• Click here for the complete release (includes other top performers, notes)

WOMEN’S TRACK
Amber Perry, Texas A&M University - Kingsville, FR, Goliad, Texas, Goliad HS
In her first career home meet, Perry came through with two firsts and a second. She won the 400-meter dash in 57.80, edging UIW’s Shaneve Swift by 0.06 and ran a leg on the winning 4x400-meter relay team. In the 200 meters, she finished second in a time of 25.25, but was the first NCAA Division II participant to cross the tape.

WOMEN’S FIELD
Kimberly Williams, Angelo State University, JR, Roby, Texas, Roby HS
Williams won the women’s discus and picked up two second place finishes in the shot put and javelin at the Cactus Cup. The Roby native threw a NCAA Division II provisional mark of 44-9.75 (13.66m) in the shot put. Her winning discus throw was 141-5 (43.11m) while she threw the javelin 125-8 (38.31m). She sits at No. 6 in NCAA Division II in the shot put and No. 7 in the discus.

Haggerty among 10 finalists for the Clarence "Big House" Gaines Coach of the Year award - MSU MBB

Closer to Home: McMurry opens spring football practice today  - Abilene Reporter News

LSC Roundup 3-22

Men’s Basketball: MSU falls to Western Washington in Elite Eight opener - LSC Office
#5 Midwestern State drops heartbreaker to Western Washington, 64-63 - MSU MBB
Mustangs let it get away in first half  - Andy Newberry, Times Record News
Painful ending   - J. Scott Russell, Times Record News
MSU kept faith until the end all year  - J. Scott Russell, Times Record News

The Grind; Belles No. 1 in Nation - ASU Softball
Pioneers run-rule OPSU twice for doubleheader sweep - TWU Softball

Dailey Lifts #23 Lady Buffs to Split with Emporia State - WTAM Softball

Wildcats drop both ends of doubleheader at St. Mary's - ACU Softball

Wolfe Drives in Three Runs, Hounds Fall at Highlands - ENMU Baseball

LSC Tennis: CU's Janjic and Puckhaber collect weekly awards - LSC Office

No. 6 Wildcats Push Win Streak To Five With 5-4 Victory Over No. 20 Drury - ACU M Tennis
M. Tennis: Tennis Teams Hammer Hilltoppers - CU M Tennis

W. Tennis: Tennis Teams Hammer Hilltoppers - CU W Tennis

CARDINALS CAPTURE WIN OVER RIVERHAWKS - UIW W Tennis

LSC Golf: WT's Rogers collects weekly honor - LSC Office

Belle Golfers Complete MSU Invite; Bobo and Rutledge Finish in Top 25 - ASU Golf

ASU Spring Football: Linebackers - ASU Football

LSC Roundup 3-21

Mustangs tip off at 1:30.  For the video stream. MSU Radio and Live Stats, click on the image below.

MSU's third time the charm?  - J. Scott Russell, Times Record News
MSU basketball matching the pieces  - J. Scott Russell, Times Record News

GAME DAY: #5 Midwestern opens Elite Eight run Wednesday against Western Washington - MSU MBB

Mustangs visit Buenger Boys Club, enjoy busy day at Elite Eight - MSU MBB






Abilene Christian set to open first spring practice under new coach  - Joey Richards, Abilene Reporter News
Javelinas Announce New Facilities - TAMK Athletics

Baseball Moves Up to #6 in Region - TAMK Baseball

Javelinas Knock Off Scorpions, 2-1 - TAMK Baseball

Seventh Inning Outburts Pushes Buffs Past Pioneers, 11-4 - WTAM Baseball

Lankford voted third team NCAA Division II all-America - ACU WBB

Mustangs finish third, two strokes off of the pace at the MSU Invitational - MSU M Golf

M. Golf: Men's Golf Claims 3rd Place In Wichita Falls - CU M Golf
Buffaloes Finish 5th at Midwestern State Invitational - WTAM M Golf
A&M-COMMERCE FINISHES 17TH AT MIDWESTERN STATE INVITATIONAL - TAMC M Golf

Lady Buffs Crowned Champions at Midwestern State Invitational - WTAM W Golf

Belle Golfers Complete MSU Invite; Bobo and Rutledge Finish in Top 25 - ASU W Golf
LIONS FINISH FOURTH AT RAIN-SHORTENED MIDWESTERN STATE INVITATIONAL - TAMC W Golf
W. Golf: Women's Golf Impressive In Wichita Falls - CU W Golf

Moore leads Mustangs to 5th-place showing at MSU Invitational - MSU W Golf

LSC Softball: ASU remains perfect in league play - LSC Office
Angelo State remained undefeated in Lone Star Conference play with its third straight sweep to improve to 25-3 overall and 9-0 in the LSC.  Tarleton State is right behind them with just one loss for an 8-1 league record.  LSC teams are playing a single round-robin schedule with a three-game series against every other team. Each series consists of a doubleheader one day and single 7-inning game the other day.
  
The overall LSC Champion will be the team(s) with the best winning percentage in regular-season conference games, while the winner of the postseason championship will be recognized as LSC Tournament Champion and receive the league’s automatic qualification into the NCAA postseason. The single-elimination championship will be played April 27-28 in Denton, Texas.
  
LSC softball teams are 165-112 overall this season.  In the NCAA South Central Region, the LSC is currently 85-50 overall including 46-22 combined versus Heartland Conference teams, 17-9 opposed to the Great American Conference, 19-13 against the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) and 3-6 versus independent teams.

• Click here for the complete release (includes other top performers, notes)

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
HITTER
Katie Welborn, Tarleton State University, SR, INF, North Richland Hills, Texas, Birdville HS
Welborn was a force at the plate all week for the Tarleton TexAnns, who split a doubleheader with St. Mary’s and won their third straight conference series with a 2-1 series victory over Abilene Christian. Welborn had 12 official at-bats in five games last week and recorded hits in nine of the them for a .750 batting average. The senior slugger belted five home runs, including two in the nightcap of Friday’s doubleheader against ACU. She slugged 2.167, had 26 total bases and drove in eight RBIs while being pitched around to the tune of eight walks - including four intentional passes in Saturday’s game against ACU.

PITCHERS
Briana Sanchez, University of the Incarnate Word, JR, RHP, San Antonio, Texas, Marshall HS
The Cardinals went 5-0 during the week and Sanchez won three of those games. She allowed but two runs over her 18 innings pitched with two complete games including a 5-inning run rule. In her third and final start she worked six scoreless innings before giving way to a relief pitcher in the final frame. Sanchez averaged a strikeout per inning with 18 strikeouts. She posted a .078 ERA and .095 batting average against for the week to improve to 10-4 this season.

Claire Molina, Angelo State University, SR, Pitcher, San Bernardino, Calif., Colton HS
Against one of the top offensive teams in the conference, Molina held Midwestern State to a .122 team batting average, allowing just six hits in 14.0 innings pitched. The senior threw a two-hit, complete-game shutout in Game 2 of the series. She struck out seven en route to a 5-0 victory. The San Bernardino, Calif., native toed the rubber on Sunday for the final game of the series were she recorded eight strikeouts and held the Mustangs to just four hits in the Belles 7-4 victory. Molina is now 14-2 on the season, which is the most wins by any players in the LSC.

Crowley hired to oversee LSC Football Officiating Program - LSC Office
Tim Crowley has been hired to oversee football officials in the Lone Star Conference, it was announced Tuesday by league officials.
    
Crowley, who has 30 years of experience officiating college and high school football in Texas, will begin his duties immediately. Working under the supervision of LSC commissioner Stan Wagnon, Crowley will be responsible for the selection, training, assignment and evaluation of officials for all football games hosted by LSC member schools.
    
“The LSC is unique as the only Texas-based NCAA Division II football conference, and therefore we view officiating games in this league as not only a great responsibility but also an elite opportunity,” Wagnon said. “We’re bringing in Tim to cultivate that perspective, but we’re also making a commitment to providing our football officials with the resources they need to excel in such an important role.  As a conference, we’ve been doing some things aimed at helping our football programs return to national prominence, and this renewed commitment to football officials demonstrates a similar desire to become more prominent in officiating circles as well.” (more)