LSC Roundup 3-18

Mustangs on the road to greatness as they keep getting better and better - Nick Gholson , Times Record News
As February began to wind down, so did my expectations for this Midwestern State basketball team.

The Mustangs were good — you didn't have to be John Wooden to see that.

But they weren't great.

And I had great expectations.

Maybe Grant McCasland spoiled us a little when he took MSU to its first Elite Eight in his first year as head coach last season.


ASU Baseball Capsule, 3/18 - San Angelo Standard Times
Of note: The Rams look to extend their winning streak today when they host St. Mary's in a doubleheader at Foster Field. ASU has won nine straight games, matching the second-longest winning streak in school history. ... ASU is coming off a doubleheader sweep of Henderson State Tuesday at LaGrave Field in Fort Worth. The Rams defeated the Reddies 5-2 and 5-4. ... SMU is coming off a three-game series against Texas A&M-International last weekend in which the Rattlers won two of the three contests. ... ASU is 9-2 all-time against St. Mary's. The teams did not play last season. The Rams won both games the teams played in 2009. ... The teams will face each other again on Sunday in a doubleheader in San Antonio. The Rams will then return to LaGrave Field for a doubleheader against Southern Arkansas on Tuesday before returning to Lone Star Conference play next weekend at home against Tarleton State.

Buffs battle red-hot Incarnate Word - Lance Lahnert, Amarillo Globe News
If West Texas A&M is to recover from its struggles last weekend in Lone Star Conference baseball play, it will have to do so by beating the hottest team in the LSC.

The Buffs open a three-game LSC series against first-place Incarnate Word (15-5 overall) at 6 p.m. today at Wilder Field in Canyon. A doubleheader wraps up the series at 1 p.m. Saturday.

West Texas A&M (16-6, 7-5) is putting together its best season under third-year coach Matt Vanderburg, but the Buffs experienced a hiccup last weekend by losing all three games at Southwestern Oklahoma State. WT has no time to fret about Southwestern Oklahoma State because Incarnate Word tops the LSC at 12-3 and has won 11 of its last 12.

"Incarnate Word may be new to the conference this year, but everybody knew they would be good," Vanderburg said. "They can hit, they can pitch, and they can play good defense. It's going to be a tough series for us, and they are a hot team, just like Southwestern was. Our guys are going to have to get back on track and have a better weekend. We are are home, and we feel pretty comfortable at home."



ASU Softball Capsule, 3/18 - San Angelo Standard Times
Of note: The Rambelles look to remain perfect in South Division play this weekend when they host the Cardinals of Incarnate Word. ... ASU is coming off a three-game sweep of Texas A&M-Kingsville last weekend to open divisional play. The Rambelles defeated the Javelinas 5-3, 12-0 and 6-2. Pitchers Mary Kate McKay and Jessica Newsome combined for a no-hitter in the second game. ... UIW is coming off a three-game series against West Texas A&M in which the Cardinals won two of the three contests against the No. 10 Buffs. In the first game, LSC South Pitcher of the Week Briana Sanchez threw a no-hitter for UIW. ... ASU is 30-6 all-time against UIW. The Rambelles won all three games the teams played against each other last season. This weekend's games will be the first conference series between the teams. ... ASU will be back in action next weekend when the Rambelles travel to Tarleton State.

No. 10 Lady Buffs play Abilene Christian - Amarillo Globe News
The No. 10 West Texas A&M softball team continues Lone Star Conference play in a doubleheader at 4 p.m. today at Abilene Christian.

WT (21-4) enters the series at 1-2 in the LSC after losing the opening series to Incarnate Word last weekend.

ACU (17-13) is 3-0 in the LSC after sweeping Eastern New Mexico.

The Lady Buffs are averaging 7.7 runs per game and have a 2.12 ERA. ACU is one of the top offenses in the LSC, averaging 6.5 runs per game and leading the LSC in home runs with 24.



Big Defensive Tackle Signs with Rams 
Angelo State's defensive line got a little bigger, both in numbers and girth, with the addition of 6-foot-1, 320-pound defensive tackle Wayne Blackwell to the Rams' 2011 signing class, as announced by ASU head football coach Will Wagner Thursday. The transfer from Ventura (Calif.) College is the 23rd member of Wagner's inaugural class and will continue his football career and education at ASU next fall.

Blackwell, a Houston native, posted 41 total tackles in his second season with the Pirates last fall, including 10 tackles for loss. The defensive tackle also notched three sacks for the Pirates and first-year head coach Steve Mooshagian.

“We've put an emphasis in the recruiting process on the defensive line and we're excited that we can add another big and athletic body to the mix,” Wagner said. “Wayne plays with great technique and has a motor that doesn't stop. He was one of our top prospects on the defensive line and we are ecstatic that he's decided to return to Texas and be a Ram.”

Blackwell earned first team all-district honors for James E. Taylor High School in Houston, where he was a two-year starter at defensive end. He was also a member of the Mustangs wrestling team, competing in the 275-pound weight class.

Angelo State opens spring practice next week, with sessions running every Mon., Wed. and Fri., at the LeGrand Sports Complex directly to the south of the Junell Center. Spring drills will culminate with the ASU Football Spring Game, Sun., April 17 at 3 p.m. Follow all the sessions online at AngeloSports.com with daily practice recaps, photos and video interviews with selected players and coaches.



SWO Soccer Adds Five Players to 2011 Roster
Head Coach Mark Persson and the Southwestern Oklahoma State University women’s soccer team announced earlier this week the signing of five players to national letters of intents (NLI) cementing their intentions to to join the Bulldogs next fall. High school seniors Grace Wolfendale, Alexis Russell, Eva Rule and Samantha Nunez, along with junior college transfer Corey LaMoureaux make up a group that is certain to improve a roster with their athleticism and skill.

“ Our coaching staff and our players are excited to welcome this group into to the SWOSU soccer family. This is a talented and diverse group that will impact our program immediately,” Persson said. “They are tremendous models of what we look to recruit – great people, fantastic players and leaders who want to be the best. I know we are looking forward having them continue their playing careers in a Bulldog uniform.”

The following is a brief biographical sketch of each of the signees.

Grace Wolfendale, 5-7, center back, Copper, Canyon, TX
Attends Marcus High School and will be majoring in pre-pharmacy…Considered to be a strong central defender with good leadership qualities…Captained her club team Sting Blue…Should provide depth and stability on the defensive end in 2011.

Alexis Russell, 5-5, left midfielder, Marble Falls, TX
Attends Marcus Falls High School and will be majoring in pre-dentistry…Plays for Lonestar Red 93, club team…Strong technical player with a gifted left foot…Expected to provide more width and pace to the offense.

Corey LaMoureaux, 5-9 goalkeeper, Westminster, Colo. (Barton JC)
Playing this season at Barton County Community College and is expected to major in engineering and athletic training at SWOSU…One of the top goalkeepers in the NJCAA last year…Expected to compete for a starting position…Vocal leader who should provide team with experience and depth in goal.

Samantha Nunez, 5-4 forward, Pfugerville, TX.
Attends Hendrickson High School and is planning to major in exercise science…Considered to be a technical forward with great speed, which will cause many problems for teams…Looking to contribute immediately on the offensive end beginning next year.

Eva Rule, 5-4 forward, Dollar, Scotland
Currently attends Alva Academy High School…Plays for the Falkirk Ladies F.C. in Scotland…Accomplished striker who has 18 goals on the season and will be expected to do much of the same when she joins SWOSU’s team.