(Basketball photos by Mary Kahraman and Camilla Bedin)
Here we go: That time of year when sports collide at Angelina College. Our basketball teams are going full-speed in conference play on their way to the upcoming Region XIV Conference Tournament in Tyler (March 12-16), and our baseball and softball teams are ready to roll.
(FYI, rosters and schedules for both baseball and softball are now available on the AC Athletics web site at www.angelinaathletics.com). However, I’m attaching those rosters for you just for the heck of it.
Lady Roadrunner Basketball
Opened the week Wednesday at Shands Gymnasium with a convincing 72-57 win over perennial rival Tyler Junior College, then ended the week by blowing out Paris College 76-58 Saturday in Paris.
Amyria Walker led AC in scoring against Tyler, posting a 24-point game. India McMahon drilled four three-pointers on her way to a 16-point night, and Jade Fry added 11 points in the win.
Saturday against Paris College, McMahon nailed six treys to lead AC in scoring with 20 points. Walker and Marie Kenembeni added 17 points each.
With those wins, the Lady ‘Runners can expect a possible entry into the nation’s Top 25 when Monday’s polls are released. At 13-7, 5-1 AC’s ladies are tied with No. 24 Blinn College for the lead in the Region XIV conference standings.
The Lady Roadrunners play at Jacksonville College on Wednesday, with game time sent for 4 p.m. On Saturday, AC’s ladies host Panola College as part of a women’s/men’s doubleheader at Shands Gymnasium. The Lady ‘Runners tip off that game at 2 p.m.
Roadrunner Basketball
Following last Saturday’s impressive 70-53 manhandling of No. 9 Lee College in Baytown, the Roadrunners had an open date on Wednesday.
While a rest certainly can be beneficial, the bye week may have played a role in interrupting the ‘Runners’ rhythm.
On Saturday, AC appeared rusty in the game’s opening minutes, but still managed to hold off a stubborn Jacksonville College squad for a 63-58 win at Shands Gymnasium. The win gives the ‘Runners a three-game winning streak in conference play and boosts the team’s season record to 14-6, 5-4, leaving AC tied for second place (with Blinn College) in Region XIV’s South Zone.
In Saturday’s win, Xavier Owens posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Kyle Morgan and Cade Holzman teamed up for six three pointers to finish with 11 points each.
The ‘Runners travel on Wednesday to face Lamar State College-Port Arthur starting at 7 p.m., then follow on Saturday at home with a home matchup against Blinn College starting at 4 p.m.
Roadrunner Baseball
Yes, baseball season is here. Despite last week’s torrential rains, the grounds crew (head coach Jeff Livin and assistant coach Dylan Murphy, along with the players) managed to get the field in pristine condition in celebration of the season’s first day. The Roadrunners were able to open their 2024 campaign with a Sunday doubleheader against Galveston College.
Typically in baseball, it takes a few games for the offensive to find its groove. But in Sunday’s Game 1, the Roadrunners exploded for six runs, batting around the order and sending 10 hitters to the plate on the way to a 10-4 win over the Whitecaps.
AC starting pitcher Gabe LeBlanc earned the win after tossing a four-inning gem, allowing just one hit and no earned runs while striking out three Galveston hitters. At the plate, Sean Bazmore drove in three runs with a pair of hits, and Mason Lampe and Mark Henderson drove in two runs each. Spencer Alexander, Sam Hardcastle, Michael Herndon added an RBI each.
Game 2 saw Galveston jump out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning, only to have a Hardcastle two-run triple even the score. AC eventually held off the ‘Caps in a 7-6 win to earn the day’s sweep.
Hardcastle ended the game with two RBI, and Taz Pate and Dalton Mullins each drove in a run.
AC will travel to Galveston on Tuesday to take on the same Whitecaps in a doubleheader scheduled for a 1 p.m. start, and on Saturday, the team will be in Marshall to take on East Texas Baptist University in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.
Lady Roadrunner Softball
In a testament to the Angelina College softball program’s popularity, Sunday saw a large number of future Lady Roadrunner hopefuls on-hand for AC’s prospect evaluation session. Head coach Brette Kohring and assistant Sandy Lopez led the session, which took place on the soccer field’s turf because of the recent bouts of rain, and area high schoolers showed up to show off their skills.
This week’s schedule:
Wednesday, Jan. 31:
Lady Roadrunner basketball at Jacksonville College, 4 p.m.
Roadrunner basketball at Coastal Bend Community College, 5:30 p.m.
Lady Roadrunner softball at Tyler Junior College (season opener), doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 2:
Lady Roadrunner softball at the Mardi Gras Invitational in Youngsville, LA. AC plays Southwest Mississippi Community College at 2 p.m. and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College at 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 3:
Lady Roadrunner softball, Day 2 of the Mardi Gras Invitational in Youngsville, LA. Saturday’s schedule has AC facing Hinds College at 9 a.m. and Pearl River Community College at 11:30 a.m.
Roadrunner baseball at East Texas Baptist University, doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. in Marshall, TX.
Lady Roadrunner basketball vs. Panola College, 2 p.m. at Shands Gymnasium
Roadrunner basketball vs. Blinn College, 4 p.m. at Shands Gymnasium
Sunday, Feb. 4:
Lady Roadrunner softball vs. Kilgore College (AC’s home opener), doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. at Lady Roadrunner Field
TSBN Sports: As mentioned earlier, AC Athletics now partners with TSBN Sports for our live streaming of home games. Because TSBN is connected throughout our conference, viewers may also find some of our road games available for live streaming. Search for TSBN Sports on the internet, and there’s a link for seeing upcoming games. TSBN’s live streams are free.
As always, to keep up with schedules (and possible schedule changes), check the Angelina College Athletics web site (www.angelinaathletics.com) or follow on X (formerly Twitter) at @ACAthletics and Facebook (Angelina College Athletics)
If there’s anything else I can do for you, please let me know.
I’ll see you at the games.
Gary Stallard
