This week in AC Athletics featured plenty of action on the diamonds, along with a special tribute to a special young man.
Here’s a recap of this past week, along with upcoming events.
Roadrunner Baseball
The Roadrunner baseball team opened the week with a pair of tough conference losses at home, falling to Bossier Parish Community College 5-3 and 12-9 Monday at Poland Field.
However, the ‘Runners would bounce back with a pair of home wins on Saturday, topping TCS Post Grad by scores of 11-4 and 15-6.
Sam Hardcastle and Michael Herndon each drove in three runs in the opening-game win, with Jacob Tanguma doubling twice and scoring a pair of runs.
In the nightcap, Ashton Wagner collected three RBI, while Hardcastle, Tanguma, Herndon and Dylan Hampshire drove in a run each.
The Roadrunners (13-19, 4-8) travel to Corsicana on Tuesday to face Navarro College in the opening game of a three-game conference series. Game time is 2 p.m. for the single, nine-inning game.
On Friday, AC will host the Bulldogs in a doubleheader scheduled for a 1 p.m. start at Poland Field.
Lady Roadrunner Softball
AC’s ladies split their conference-opening doubleheader with Lamar State College-Port Arthur on Wednesday, taking a 13-1 win in five innings in the opener before falling 6-5 in the nightcap. In the win, River Hulsey drove in five runs, including a three-run homer. Skyler Martin doubled twice and drove in another two runs, and Riley Davila, Kayla Olson and Lindsey McKnight each drove in a run.
The Lady ‘Runners fell twice in a doubleheader at Blinn College on Saturday, losing 14-10 and 9-8 (in extra innings) in Brenham.
On Sunday, AC hosted non-conference opponent LSU-Eunice in a twin bill, with the Lady Bengals taking the opener by a 6-3 score and the nightcap in a 13-9 final.
The Lady Roadrunners (11-28, 1-3) on Wednesday travel to Beeville to face Coastal Bend Community College in a doubleheader scheduled for a 1 p.m. start. The team has a bye on Saturday, March 30.
Roadrunner Baseball Pays Tribute to Tyler Rayburn
Tyler Rayburn wasn’t just a member of the Angelina College baseball team. He was a dugout favorite.
His impact with the Roadrunner program began as an unofficial stat keeper with his own, reserved seat in the AC press box. It was his seat, as he would let anyone – including the former Angelina College president – know.
Once head coach Jeff Livin learned of Tyler’s prowess at baseball details, the head guy wanted Tyler next to him in the dugout. For the next two seasons, Tyler would serve as the team manager, commandeering his own place on the Roadrunner roster
Tyler passed away unexpectedly and heartbreakingly in 2023, leaving behind an empty space in the dugout and press box.
However, this past Saturday Livin and the Roadrunners ensured Tyler would have a permanent seat with the team. With Tyler’s family on-hand – and dad Steve throwing out the ceremonial first pitch – the ‘Runners presented the family with a copy of the same framed photo that will permanently occupy a spot in the press box.
After all, Tyler certainly earned his seat with the team.
UPCOMING EVENTS OF NOTE:
Roadrunner Basketball Tryout Session:
The Roadrunner men’s basketball team will host a tryout session starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 6 at Shands Gymnasium.
The cost for the session is $50.
For registration and other information, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/angelina-college-mens-basketball-tryout-tickets-866712429207.
Softball National Champions 10-Year Reunion: Yes, 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of Angelina College’s only national title: The Lady Roadrunner Softball team’s 2014 national championship. Current plans include hosting a reunion ceremony tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 20, when the Lady Roadrunner softball team will host Blinn College in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. We’ll issue more information once we’ve solidified all the plans.
This Week’s Schedule (NOTE: Baseball and softball subject to change with pending inclement weather):
Roadrunner Baseball:
Tuesday, March 26: AC at Navarro College, single 9-inning game starting at 2 p.m. in Corsicana.
Friday, March 29: AC vs. Navarro College, doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. at Poland Field on the AC campus.
Lady Roadrunner Softball:
Wed., March 27: AC at Coastal Bend CC, DH starting at 1 p.m. in Beeville, TX.
Sat., March 30: BYE
For up-to-date information on any potential schedule changes, AC fans can visit the Angelina College Athletics website (www.angelinaathletics.com) or follow on social media (@ACAthletics on X/Twitter, or Angelina College Athletics Facebook page.)
For any other information, contact Gary Stallard at gstallard@angelina.edu.
We’ll see you at the games.
Gary Stallard
Email: gstallard@angelina.edu.
Phone: (936) 465-4614
