LSC Roundup 4-13

ENMU football scrimmage important to newcomers
BLACKWATER DRAW — Saturday’s spring football intrasquad scrimmage may have been no big deal to some of Eastern New Mexico University’s established veterans. But it was the first semi-regular game that Erett Grubbs played back at his old home stadium on Saturday morning.

The sophomore lineman was part of the scrimmage, which is the first of three such events during the spring practice schedule at Eastern. Greyhound Stadium is a familiar locale for Grubb, since he played high school ball at Portales.

“It’s a good program; I like it,” Grubbs said of ENMU’s defensive approach to stopping offenses. “It’s a little bit different as far as the mentality, because there was a little more reading back at NMMI (New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell). It takes a little while to switch the defense that you play.”

RiverHawks improving in spring workouts
Despite finishing 1-10 last season, the school’s eighth straight losing season, the Northeastern State football team is approaching its spring workouts with a sense of optimism under second year coach Kenny Evans.

“This spring we’re so much farther ahead than we were last year,” said Evans. “We’ve done a lot of things to get the program back on track where it needs to be.”

One of areas where change is apparent is in the coaching staff where just one coach, assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Matt Hodgson, remains from the John Horner era. Hodgson has been an assistant coach at NSU since 1999.

“Coach Hodgson has been here through some tough years and some tough times,” said Evans. “His work ethic and ability to accept a new system has helped us get to the point where we are now. He’s been instrumental in getting a lot of these young men here.”

“I think our talent level has definitely increased,” said Evans. “We could have as many as 14 former Division I players on the field next year. We’ve had two recruiting classes and signed 38 high school players out of Oklahoma and Texas. Those along with the walk-ons give us great talent for the future.”

ACU sweeps, increases lead
The pressure of staying on top can be draining. But the Abilene Christian baseball team did just enough Saturday to sweep a doubleheader from Northeastern State Oklahoma and increase its lead in the Lone Star Conference.

Rams complete sweep of SWOSU
For the first time since early March and only the second time in conference play this season, the Angelo State University baseball team broke out its broom Saturday.

ACU's McElvain drives in winner
Pitch to her. Don't pitch to her. Sometimes, you pay either way.