February 26 through March 5, 2023
Another busy week in Angelina College Athletics saw several tributes, plenty of action and the AC basketball teams hosting their home finales at Shands Gymnasium.
Here’s the re-cap, along with upcoming events.
Lady Roadrunner Basketball:
AC’s ladies just endured their toughest three-game stretch of the season, facing in succession the top three teams in Region XIV. After last Saturday’s 81-62 loss to No. 5 Trinity Valley Community College, the Lady ‘Runners fell 72-66 to defending national champions Tyler Junior College in Tyler before wrapping up the home finale Saturday against the nation’s third-ranked team (Blinn College) at Shands Gymnasium.
The Lady ‘Runners were just moments away from the huge upset before the Lady Bucs managed a couple of tough shots in the final minute, leaving AC on the short end of an 81-75 loss. Makayla Williams was 5-for-6 from three-point range to lead the Lady ‘Runners in scoring with 15 points. Makenzie Paul finished with 14 points.
Prior to tip-off, the AC coaching staff and the crowd hosted Sophomore Day, honoring the Lady ‘Runner sophomores playing in their final games at Shands Gymnasium: (L-R in the attached photo): Makayla Williams, Shanbriah Rule, Teniola Kuyinu, Jada Stewart, Jakayla Parks, Matilda Gordon and Taylor Jarrels.
The Lady Roadrunners (15-12, 8-7) close out the regular season Wednesday at Coastal Bend Community College in Beeville. Game time is 5:30 p.m.
Roadrunner Basketball:
The Roadrunner men suffered a pair of tough losses this week, falling 74-42 at league-leading Lee College Wednesday in Baytown. In Saturday’s home finale, AC’s men rallied late but couldn’t overcome the Jacksonville College Jaguars, with the ‘Runners dropping a 66-63 decision at Shands Gymnasium.
Before the game, the ‘Runners recognized lone sophomore Willian Santos in a brief ceremony.
AC’s men (14-14, 8-10) will close out the regular season Wednesday in Brenham, as the Roadrunners face Blinn College in a 7 p.m. matchup.
Roadrunner Baseball:
After dropping both ends of a conference doubleheader Wednesday at Navarro College in Corsicana, the Roadrunners bounced back to sweep Bossier Parish Community College Saturday in Bossier City, Louisiana.
In the opener, AC rallied for the win behind a two-run seventh inning. Sam Hardcastle drove in Dalton Mullins with a fielder’s choice, and Trip Cromer drove in Mason Swidersky with a single to left field. Mathew Tippie threw six innings, giving up just one earned run, and Peyton Fosher earned the win after pitching a one-run seventh inning. Mario Mendoza homered earlier in the game.
AC bats erupted in the nightcap, with Swidersky rocking a homer and driving in three runs, Mendoza collecting another three RBI and Jaxon Hansen and Christian Letendre driving in two runs each. Taz Pate and Dalton Mullins each doubled twice in the win, and Elian Balmaceda picked up the win on the mound after holding the Cavaliers to two earned runs over seven innings. Tyler Seay threw three scoreless innings of relief.
The Roadrunners will host Tyler Junior College in a conference doubleheader scheduled to start at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at Poland Field on the AC campus. AC will play at Panola College on Saturday in a twin bill set for a 1 p.m. start.
Lady Roadrunner Softball:
The Lady ‘Runner softball team packed in six games over three days while hosting this past weekend’s Angelina Invite on the AC campus. In Friday’s games, AC lost 4-1 to Trinity Valley Community College and 8-1 to Grayson College.
On Saturday, Grayson blanked the Lady ‘Runners 8-0, but AC rebounded for 12-4 win over Paris Junior College that evening. Skyler Martin homered and drove in three runs, while Bailey Frenzel, Kaetlyn Dunbar, Emma Kovasovic and Brynn Davis collected an RBI each. Pitcher Mia Gilmore earned the circle win, and Gianna Wade pitched a third of an inning in relief.
Sunday’s tourney finale saw the Lady ‘Runners drop a 4-2 loss to Northeaster Oklahoma Community College before getting some payback against TVCC in the nightcap. AC beat the Lady Cardinals 4-2, with Madi Baker driving in three of those runs with a two-run homer and a sacrifice fly. Dunbar accounted for the other RBI, and Gilmore tossed a complete game, striking out five while allowing no earned runs over seven innings.
AC’s ladies are home on Wednesday against Tyler Junior College in a doubleheader scheduled for a 3 p.m. start; the Lady ‘Runners travel to Louisiana to face Bossier Parish Community College Saturday in a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.
LIVIN COUNTDOWN:
With the Roadrunner baseball team’s two wins this week, head coach Jeff Livin is now just six wins away from his 800th career win.
REGION XIV BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT:
The 2023 Region XIV Women’s and Men’s Basketball Tournament will take place from Tuesday, March 7 through Saturday, March 11 at Tyler Junior College’s Wagstaff Gymnasium. Both Angelina College teams have qualified, but seedings and schedules won’t be available until next weekend. We should have both AC teams’ tourney schedules in next week’s update.
