LamarStatesports

Lamar State College-Port Arthur head softball coach Vance Edwards has a smile on his face this fall. Edwards is smiling because he has more talent and more players on his current roster than any time since the college added intercollegiate sports in 2004.   The 19 players include two sophomore starters from the 2010 Seahawks -- second-team all-conference outfielder Kirstyn Krugman from Dayton and pitcher/outfielder Lacey Simmons from Jersey Village. Krugman ranked second in stolen bases in Region XIV this spring. She was eighth in hits and 11th in batting average with a .408 mark in conference action. Krugman hit .424 on the season to lead the Seahawks. Simmons committed only two errors and had a .964 fielding average while playing in 32 of the Seahawks’ 35 games. Sami Williams, a sophomore infielder from Port Neches-Groves, also returns after being red-shirted for medical reasons in the spring, which would have been her second season at Lamar State. Williams hit .304 and was a starting outfielder as a freshman. Edwards’ biggest job this fall is finding ways to use all the talent on his roster when the Seahawks begin their sixth season in Region XIV, one of the top junior college conferences in the nation. “We have a lot of freshmen. So, during the fall, we will look at people playing at various positions,” Edward said. “I told the team that all positions are open. Everyone has to compete for a starting job, including the sophomores.” Edwards also starts the 2010-11 school year with a new assistant coach, Megan Rowe, a former all-conference pitcher at Louisiana State University—Alexandria. “Megan was an outstanding high school and college pitcher, so she will be working with our pitchers and catchers,” Edwards said. There are four pitchers – Simmons, Katy Austin from Port Neches-Groves, Ashlee Frank from Beaumont West Brook and Candice Spurlock from Texas City. The team has five experienced catchers – Valerie Brown from Bridge City, Tiffany Schwartzenburg from Beaumont West Brook, Samantha Lunceford from Port Neches-Groves, Keely Borel from Nederland and Shelby Klein from Seattle, Washington. Klein transferred from George Fox University in Oregon, where she started 31 games as a freshman and was named to the All-Northwest Conference second team. The fall roster also includes: outfielders Logan LeBlanc from Nederland; utility players Vicki Day from Pasadena, Erica Schmalenberger from Houston, Emily George from League City; and infielders Krista Mayer from Nederland, Delana Hamor from Little Cypress-Mauriceville, Katie Parker from League City and Kayla Adams from Silsbee. Adams signed with Angelina College in 2009, but sat out her freshman season with an injury. Seahawks softball news is available on-line at: www.lamarpa.edu.

Lamar State College-Port Arthur head softball coach Vance Edwards added two more players to his 2010-11 team this past week, when one high school senior and one sophomore veteran from his 2010 squad signed letters of intent to play for the Seahawks. “We are excited to have sophomore outfielder Lacey Simmons coming back,” Edward said. “She was a very solid player for us last season, and we expect her to be a team leader this year.” Simmons, a 2009 graduate of Jersey Village High School, committed only two errors and had a .964 fielding average while appearing in 32 of the Seahawks’ 35 games. Edwards said his new freshman – Erica Schmalenberger from Spring Woods High School in Houston – is a strong contact hitter who can play a variety of positions. “Erica comes from a excellent softball program that went undefeated this year. She led District 18-5A in home runs, triples and walks,” Edward said. Schmalenberger also made the district academic team and won the U.S. Marine Distinguished Athlete Award this spring. Edwards now has signed 13 freshman recruits and two veterans. He is waiting to see if sophomore pitcher Emalee Kennon returns to school in the fall. Lamar State competes in the Region XIV, which is acknowledged to be one of the toughest Division I conferences in the National Junior College Athletic Association. The Seahawks will play a short schedule of scrimmage games in the fall, then begin their regular season in February.

Lamar State College-Port Arthur head softball coach Vance Edwards recently wrapped up his longest recruiting season in six years when he was able to finalize the signing of three incoming freshmen for his 2010-11 Seahawks team – utility player Delana Hamor from Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School, outfielder Emily George from Clear Springs High School in League City and infielder Katherine Parker, also from Clear Springs. “I’m delighted to have these young women join our program. They will be strong contributors in the coming year,” Edwards said. “Delana Hamor has good speed and has been a leader in the dugout for her team. Emily George is a good contact hitter and can play both infield and outfield positions. Katherine Parker also can play several positions and has the ability to get on base and score runs.” Edwards signed 11 freshman recruits this spring and expects at least three sophomores to return from his 2010 team. Lamar State competes in the Region XIV, which is acknowledged to be one of the toughest Division I conferences in the National Junior College Athletic Association. The Seahawks will play a short schedule of scrimmage games this fall and will begin their sixth season in Region XIV in the spring.

First-year Lamar State College-Port Arthur head basketball coach Matt Cross will be back for a second season at the helm of the Seahawks. The college announced today that Cross has signed a new contract. Lamar State president Dr. Sam Monroe said the college community is delighted to have Cross return. “The contract took a little longer than we planned,” Monroe said. “But, now it’s done, and we can move forward with rising expectations and a most optimistic outlook for the men’s basketball program after Coach Cross’ first record-setting season.” Cross is the third head coach to lead Lamar State hoop program, following Don Bryson, who came out of retirement to start the program in 2004 and lead it through the first four years, and Jerre Cole, who coached the team one season (2008-09). In his first season, Cross’ Seahawks compiled the best-ever record in the program’s six-year history, going 20-11 overall and 10-9 in Region XIV action. They also set 10 team season records, seven individual season records and four individual single-game records. Lamar State also reached the conference tournament for the first time and, along the way, defeated three nationally-ranked teams, including the eventual conference champion, Navarro College. Cross said he is excited about the coming year. “I’m certain our basketball program will continue to get better and better,” Cross said. “I am grateful to Dr. Monroe and the college faculty and staff for their on-going support and commitment to me and the basketball program. I look forward to working with all of the Seahawk family who faithfully support the team.” Cross said he has lofty goals for his 2010-11 squad. “Coaching never is boring if you set high goals,” he said. “I truly believe that if we can add the right pieces to our roster to augment the sophomores we have coming back, we will be able to contend for a national championship.”

First-year Lamar State College-Port Arthur head basketball coach Matt Cross will be back for a second season at the helm of the Seahawks. The college announced today that Cross has signed a new contract. Lamar State president Dr. Sam Monroe said the college community is delighted to have Cross return. “The contract took a little longer than we planned,” Monroe said. “But, now it’s done, and we can move forward with rising expectations and a most optimistic outlook for the men’s basketball program after Coach Cross’ first record-setting season.” Cross is the third head coach to lead Lamar State hoop program, following Don Bryson, who came out of retirement to start the program in 2004 and lead it through the first four years, and Jerre Cole, who coached the team one season (2008-09). In his first season, Cross’ Seahawks compiled the best-ever record in the program’s six-year history, going 20-11 overall and 10-9 in Region XIV action. They also set 10 team season records, seven individual season records and four individual single-game records. Lamar State also reached the conference tournament for the first time and, along the way, defeated three nationally-ranked teams, including the eventual conference champion, Navarro College. Cross said he is excited about the coming year. “I’m certain our basketball program will continue to get better and better,” Cross said. “I am grateful to Dr. Monroe and the college faculty and staff for their on-going support and commitment to me and the basketball program. I look forward to working with all of the Seahawk family who faithfully support the team.” Cross said he has lofty goals for his 2010-11 squad. “Coaching never is boring if you set high goals,” he said. “I truly believe that if we can add the right pieces to our roster to augment the sophomores we have coming back, we will be able to contend for a national championship.”

Ahyaro Phillips, the leading rebounder and shot blocker on the 2009-10 Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team, won’t be going to James Madison University as previously reported. The 6’-8”, 210-pound power forward originally signed with James Madison, then obtained a release from that school and signed with Southern Mississippi State University. Phillips, who transferred to Lamar State from the University of Nevada-Reno, was one of four Seahawks who scored more than 300 points this year. He set team records for rebounding (325 total, 11.2 rpg) and blocked shots (103). He had 20 double-double games and recorded Lamar State’s first-ever triple-double game with 20 rebounds, 12 blocked shots and 10 points against Lone Star College-Tomball. His triple-double also included single-game record for rebounding and blocked shots. Phillips ended the season ranked 11th in the nation in rebounding and blocked shots. He was second in Region XIV in rebounding and shot-blocking, seventh in field goal accuracy and 29th in scoring. Lamar State head coach Matt Cross noted that Phillips was Lamar State’s first Division I transfer player, and now is the college’s first NCAA Division I signee. “We would not been able to have the best season in the college’s history without him,” Cross said. “Ahyaro will be a great addition to the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. Conference USA is considered to be the top mid-major conference in the country. There is no doubt that Ahyaro can be a major contributor at that level. We wish him the best as he represents Lamar State College-Port Arthur in his continuing basketball career.”

Ahyaro Phillips, the leading rebounder and shot blocker on the 2009-10 Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team, won’t be going to James Madison University as previously reported. The 6’-8”, 210-pound power forward originally signed with James Madison, then obtained a release from that school and signed with Southern Mississippi State University. Phillips, who transferred to Lamar State from the University of Nevada-Reno, was one of four Seahawks who scored more than 300 points this year. He set team records for rebounding (325 total, 11.2 rpg) and blocked shots (103). He had 20 double-double games and recorded Lamar State’s first-ever triple-double game with 20 rebounds, 12 blocked shots and 10 points against Lone Star College-Tomball. His triple-double also included single-game record for rebounding and blocked shots. Phillips ended the season ranked 11th in the nation in rebounding and blocked shots. He was second in Region XIV in rebounding and shot-blocking, seventh in field goal accuracy and 29th in scoring. Lamar State head coach Matt Cross noted that Phillips was Lamar State’s first Division I transfer player, and now is the college’s first NCAA Division I signee. “We would not been able to have the best season in the college’s history without him,” Cross said. “Ahyaro will be a great addition to the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. Conference USA is considered to be the top mid-major conference in the country. There is no doubt that Ahyaro can be a major contributor at that level. We wish him the best as he represents Lamar State College-Port Arthur in his continuing basketball career.”

Ahyaro Phillips, the leading rebounder and shot blocker on the 2009-10 Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team, recently signed a national letter-of-intent to take his talents to the NCAA level at James Madison University. The 6’-8”, 210-pound power forward transferred to Lamar State from the University of Nevada-Reno and was one of four Seahawks who scored more than 300 points this year. Phillips set team records for rebounding (325 total, 11.2 rpg) and blocked shots (103). He had 20 double-double games and recorded Lamar State’s first-ever triple-double game with 20 rebounds, 12 blocked shots and 10 points against Lone Star College-Tomball. His triple-double also included single-game record for rebounding and blocked shots. Phillips ended the season ranked 11th in the nation in rebounding and blocked shots. He was second in Region XIV in rebounding and shot-blocking, seventh in field goal accuracy and 29th in scoring. Phillips’ family moved to Virginia after their New Orleans home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. He played at Douglas Freeman High School in Richmond as a junior and graduated from Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, VA, the following year. James Madison University competes in the NCAA Division I Colonial Athletic Association.

Former Lamar State College-Port Arthur shortstop Christina Jaques from Bridge City, who know plays for the Belhaven University softball team, recently was named to the All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Softball Team. Jaques, who played for Lamar State during the 2008 and 2009 seasons, led Belhaven’s offense this year with a .480 season batting average, including 57 runs, eight home runs, nine triples and 43 RBIs. The junior shortstop hit. .569 in Belhaven’s conference games. Jaques was second on the team and in the NAIA in stolen bases with 56 steals in 65 attempts. Earlier this year, she was named the All-Gulf Coast Conference Volleyball Team. Jaques still holds 13 single-season and all eight two-year offensive records at Lamar State.

The National Junior College Athletic Association has named Lamar State College-Port Arthur sophomore infielder Ashley Corcoran to its 2010 Academic All-American list. Corcoran, a 2008 graduate of Port Neches-Groves High School, recently completed her second year with the Seahawks. To qualify for Academic All-American status, a student/athlete must complete one season of competition and earn 45 credit hours over three full semesters with a minimum grade point average of 3.6. “We are very proud of Ashley,” said Lamar State head softball coach Vance Edwards. “She is a perfect examples of a student/athlete who is able to focus her efforts to excel on the field and in the classroom.” Edwards also said Corcoran was one of the toughest players on his team. “She finished the last half of the season playing on a pulled hamstring and never complained once about it,” Edwards said. Corcoran, a kinesiology major, said she plans to go to a four-year school where she can play softball and pursue a bachelor’s degree.

Two members of the Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team are on the 2010 Region XIV post-season honors list. Region XIV coaches selected sophomore shortstop Lauren Angelle from Bridge City for the all-conference first team and the All-Region XIV team. Freshman outfielder Kirstyn Krugman from Dayton earned a spot on the all-conference second team. Angelle led the Seahawks in hitting this year with a .421 batting average, including nine doubles and four triples. She led the conference in triples, and was fourth in doubles, fifth in hits, seventh in stolen bases and runs and ninth in conference batting average (.413). Angelle holds Lamar State single season records for RBIs (31) and season conference records for batting average, hits, RBIs, on-base percentage and assists. She is tied with Christina Jaques for single-season hits with 79. Krugman was ranked second in Region XIV in stolen bases (11 in 13 attempts), eighth in hits and 11th in batting average.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur Seahawks women’s softball team will hold open tryouts from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, May 15, for current high school juniors and seniors and students now enrolled at Lamar State or planning to attend the college. The tryouts will take place at Martin Field, 1000 Lakeshore Drive on the Lamar State campus. Lamar State competes in Region XIV, one of the toughest Division I conferences in the National Junior College Athletic Association. Interested players are asked to download a Tryout Registration form from the Softball page of the college website (www.lamarpa.edu), fill out the form and then follow the instructions for returning it to the college. Players also are asked to fill out and submit the on-line Prospective Student/Athlete form on the Athletics page of the college website.  For information, call Coach Edwards at 984-6293, or send e-mail to: [email protected].

Kavon was a big part of Lamar State's successful 2009-10 campaign. He led the team in scoring with 379 points (13.5 ppg), despite missing two games with an injured ankle. He scored in double figures in 19 of the 28 games in which he played. He also recored 41 steals and 75 assists. Although he is only 6'-2", Kavon wasn't intimidated by big defensive players and was able to use his speed to get open shots. He is a tough kid, and I expect him to earn a lot of playing time at LU.

The job was supposed to be posted this past Wednesday. Up to this point, a number of people have contacted the college and indicated interest. But it remains to be seen exactly who and how many people will apply for the job, which includes being AD and manager of the Carl Parker Center. The president will appoint a search committee to review the applications and decide who will be invited to interview. This is an important hire. Bill Worsham brought the athletic programs from independent status to Division I. Whoever gets the job will have the challenge of improving the status of Seahawk sports.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team will be home Sunday for a 1 p.m. conference doubleheader against Coastal Bend College. Lamar State is 4-24 overall and 5-14 in Region XIV action after the Seahawks split Wednesday’s home doubleheader with San Jacinto College. The Coyotes took the first game 14-4. The Seahawks took control early in the second game and coasted to a 6-2 victory. Sophomore third baseman Ashley Corcoran was four-for-five at the plate on the day with some clutch hits and two runs batted in. Sophomore second baseman Katelyn Worsham scored twice and collected three RBIs. Worsham and freshman outfielder Kimberly Kunze made some athletic diving catches to stop San Jac batters from getting extra-base hits. Sophomore shortstop Lauren Angelle went three-for-three and got an RBI in the second game. Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards was impressed by the way his team bounced back to win the nightcap. “Errors in the outfield early in the first game proved too much for us to overcome,” Edwards said. “Paige Blucher pitched great in the second game, and our defense played solid. Everyone in the lineup had at least one hit. If we could play this way every game, we would win a lot more.” Coastal Bend is 1-17 overall this year, with the single win coming against Lamar State in a non-conference doubleheader early in the season. The Cougars are winless in Region XIV play. The Seahawks took both games of a March 19 conference matchup against Coastal Bend in Beeville. Lamar State closes the regular season with two more home doubleheaders – Angelina College (April 21) and Blinn College (April 24). Seahawk Notes: * Sophomore shortstop Lauren Angelle continues to lead all Region XIV players in triples this season. She currently is fourth in the conference in on-base percentage and fifth in hitting.  * Former Seahawk shortstop Christina Jaques, now playing for Belhaven University, was named the March 29 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week, after compiling a .400 batting average in eight games against LSU-Alexandria, Grambling, William Carey and Judson College. Jaques had two home runs, a double and eight RBIs leading to a .750 slugging percentage for the week. She also was five for seven in stolen base attempts. Belhaven is ranked No. 7 in the latest NAIA poll.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team will be home Wednesday for a 1 p.m. conference doubleheader against San Jacinto College. The Monday date was a makeup for games that were rained out this past Saturday. Lamar State is 4-23 overall and 3-13 in Region XIV after the Seahawks split Monday’s doubleheader at Galveston College, the No. 17 Division I junior college team in the nation. The Seahawks took the first game, 2-0, with freshman pitcher Paige Blucher going the distance and allowing only five hits and one walk. Freshman outfielder Kirstyn Krugman went three-for-three at the plate and got an RBI. Freshman catcher Chelsey Holmes also had two hits in two appearances and scored a run. Sophomore shortstop Lauren Angelle got the other run. Galveston came back in the second game to notch an 8-0 shutout over the Seahawks. Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards was pleased with his team’s performance. “The first game was great. Paige pitched a good game and our defense and offense came together for a win over a very tough team,” Edwards said. The win was Lamar State’s first-ever victory over Galveston College in the 19 games the two teams have played since 2005. San Jacinto (25-19-1) is coming off a doubleheader sweep over Coastal Bend College. The Coyotes topped the Seahawks twice on March 10 in their first meeting of the season. Lamar State closes the regular season with three more home doubleheaders – Coastal Bend College (April 17), Angelina College (April 21) and Blinn College (April 24). Seahawk Notes: * Sophomore shortstop Lauren Angelle currently all leads Region XIV softball players in triples. She is third in the conference in on-base percentage (.554) and fifth in hitting (.488). * Freshman outfielder Kirstyn Krugman is 10th in the Region XIV in hitting (.413).

Lamar State College-Port Arthur is looking for multi-talented person to replace Bill Worsham, who is retiring May 28 after 47 years in education, the last eight at Lamar State as athletic director, manager of the Carl Parker Multi-Purpose Center and chair of the Department of Health, Fitness and Sport. LSC-PA president Dr. Sam Monroe said the college will conduct a nationwide search to find Worsham’s successor. “We’re grateful for Bill’s vision and dedication,” Monroe said. “He had a big job in developing our athletic programs, managing the Parker Center and chairing the department. We appreciate his many contributions to the college.” Worsham joined the LSC-PA faculty in May 2002 and played a major role in bringing intercollegiate men’s basketball and women’s softball to the school in 2004. Worsham came to Lamar State from Lamar University, where he was director of intramural sports, which included managing McDonald Gym and overseeing a fitness center, a golf driving range, a tennis center, aerobics programs and intramural sports. Worsham grew up in Mid-County, graduated from Port Neches-Groves High School in 1961, and earned bachelor and master’s degrees at Lamar State College of Technology. Worsham taught math, physical education and life science at Groves Junior High School from 1965-68. The next year, he taught physical science and was head track coach and defensive coordinator for the football team at a high school in Saginaw, Mich. Worsham returned to Southeast Texas the following year as an assistant coach and physical science at Port Neches Junior High School, where he remained through the spring of 1970. In the fall of that year, Worsham moved to his alma mater, PN-G High School, to teach biology and physical education and be an assistant track and football coach. Lamar University hired Worsham in 1972 as a PE and secondary education instructor and assistant track coach. He later was director of men’s intramurals and coordinator of Lamar’s soccer, swimming, sailing, riflery and fencing teams. Worsham earned a promotion to assistant professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology. He was named interim director of recreation sports in 2001. In addition to his work in education, Worsham has been a mentor for the “I Have a Dream” program and chairman of the American Heart Association “Heart Walk.” He also was a member of the Port Arthur Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors, the USS Falcon Commissioning Committee and the Motiva Near Star Advisory Board. Worsham served on the Port Arthur City Council from 1996 to 1999. Worsham’s retirement plans include spending more time on his sailboat and with his family.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team will be on the road Wednesday for a 1 p.m. conference doubleheader at Alvin Community College. Lamar State dropped to 3-20 overall and 2-10 in Region XIV action this past Wednesday in Lufkin, when they lost both games of a conference doubleheader to Angelina College. The Seahawks have had a week to prepare before returning to their Region XIV schedule. Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards said his team used the time to work on their hitting. “Our pitching and defense are keeping us in games. But the offense hasn’t been there. We continue to lose to teams we should be beating because we aren’t getting hits when we need them,” Edwards said. “We are going into the second half of the conference schedule looking to change that.” Alvin is 19-15 overall and 8-4 in conference play after sweeping an April 31 doubleheader against San Jacinto College. The Seahawks lost twice to the Dolphins, 8-2 and 4-3, in their first meeting this season, March 24 in Port Arthur.            Lamar State plays at Galveston College on April 10. The Seahawks close the regular season with four straight home doubleheaders, beginning April 14 against San Jacinto College. Seahawk Notes * Sophomore shortstop Lauren Angelle from Bridge City and freshman outfielder Kirstyn Krugman from Dayton continue to lead the Seahawks’ offense. The latest Region XIV statistics show Angelle first in doubles, second in triples, fourth in hits and stolen bases, eighth in batting average and doubles and 10th in on –base percentage and runs scored. Krugman is third in stolen bases, fifth in hits, and ninth in batting average and on-base percentage. * Sophomore first baseman Chelsea Brown leads Region XIV in triples and is third in doubles and fourth in RBIs. Brown and freshman pitcher Emalee Kennon are tied for eighth in hits. Kennon is tied with freshman catcher Chelsey Holmes for fourth in doubles. Kennon is the No. 8 Region XIV pitcher in ERA and No. 9 in strikeouts.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team will be on the road Wednesday for a 2 p.m. conference doubleheader at Angelina College in Lufkin. Lamar State dropped to 3-18 overall and 2-8 in Region XIV action Saturday, when the Seahawks lost both games of a home conference doubleheader to No. 20 Galveston College. Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards said his team played well enough to win, but once again made mental mistakes that cost them the games. “We seem to frustrate ourselves in these situations,” Edwards said. “I expect a much better performance against Angelina.” Angelina is 17-12 overall and 4-4 in Region XIV action after sweeping a Saturday doubleheader with San Jacinto College and losing both games of a Monday non-conference doubleheader at Louisiana State University-Eunice. Lamar State’s scheduled April 1 non-conference doubleheader against LSU-Eunice was canceled by mutual agreement. The Seahawks will play at Alvin Community College on April 7, and at Galveston College on April 10. Lamar State closes the regular season with four straight home doubleheaders, beginning April 14 against San Jacinto College. Seahawk Notes * Sophomore shortstop Lauren Angelle and freshman outfielder Kristen Krugman are fifth and sixth, respectively, in the Region XIV hitting standings as of March 25. Angelle had a .600 average in conference games, while Krugman is hitting .556. Angelle is second in the conference in hits. Krugman is sixth. * Krugman and freshman pitcher/outfielder Lacey Simmons are third and fourth, respectively, in stolen bases during conference games. Krugman has five steals in five attempts. Simmons is four-for-five. * Angelle and sophomore first baseman Chelsea Brown are tied for third in the conference in RBIs. * Freshman pitcher Emalee Kennon ranks No. 7 in Region XIV for earned-run-average with a 2.46.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team will be home at Martin Field this Saturday for a noon conference doubleheader against Galveston College, the No. 20 junior college team in the nation. Lamar State dropped to 4-16 overall and 2-6 in Region XIV action Wednesday, when they lost both games of a home conference doubleheader to Alvin Community College, 8-2 and 4-3. Sophomore shortstop Lauren Angelle went 3-for-7 at the plate with a double, a triple and two runs. Sophomore first baseman Chelsea Brown had three hits in six at bats, with a double, a triple and two RBIs. Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards said his team improved in some areas, but once again didn’t get timely hitting. “We let the first game get away from us with mental errors, but we got our focus back in the second contest, but came up short,” Edwards said. “That’s the sixth game we’ve lost by one or two runs. That shows us that we must have smarter play and good contact with the ball when runners are in scoring position.” Edwards feels very confident going into the Galveston games. “The Whitecaps have an excellent record so far this year, but they’re not blowing anyone out,” Edwards said. “If we play like we are capable of playing, we can beat anyone in this conference.” Galveston (14-5, 2-2) is coming off a Wednesday conference doubleheader sweep over Angelina College. The Whitecaps include two players from the Golden Triangle – pitcher Rebekah Ragsdale from Orange and catcher Courtney Howell from Lumberton. Lamar State will be on the road Wednesday for a 2 p.m. conference doubleheader at Angelina College in Lufkin. Seahawk Notes * Sophomore shortstop Lauren Angelle from Bridge City is hitting .492 to rank No. 4 in Region XIV. Angelle is second in the conference in on-base percentage (.587). * Freshman outfielder Kristyn Krugman from Dayton is eighth in the conference in hitting with a .465 batting average. * The Seahawks will be at home next Thursday against the LSU-Eunice Lady Bengals, who are is ranked No. 11 in the nation’s Division II two-year colleges. Division II schools offer partial only scholarships to student/athletes, while Division I schools, such as Lamar State and all the teams in Region XIV, provide full scholarships.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team returns home to Martin Field this Wednesday for a 1 p.m. conference doubleheader with Alvin Community College. This is only the second home date of the year for the Seahawks, who have been playing on the road since Feb. 13, when they split a non-conference doubleheader with Coastal Bend College. Lamar State improved their record to 3-14 overall and 2-4 in Region XIV action this past Friday, when they swept a conference doubleheader over Coastal Bend, 11-3 and 15-9, in Beeville. Seahawk freshman catcher Kirstyn Krugman had eight hits in 11 at-bats, with three runs and three stolen bases. Sophomore shortstop Lauren Angelle scored five runs off seven hits in 10 appearances, including three doubles, a triple and five RBIs. Freshman pitcher Emalee Kennon got the win in the first game and went the final two innings for a save in the nightcap. Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards saw big improvement in his team. “Overall, it was a great performance by our team. We finally played the way we are capable of playing,” Edwards said. “This gives us some momentum going into Wednesday’s games against Alvin. I feel very confident now that our hitting finally has shown up.” Alvin (9-13, 1-3) has been off for a week for Spring Break. Lamar State will be home again Saturday for a noon conference doubleheader with Galveston College, the No. 14 junior college team in the nation. Seahawk Notes * Sophomore shortstop Lauren Angelle and freshman outfielder Kirstyn Krugman continue to pound out the hits for the Seahawks. Angelle is hitting .475 with eight doubles, two triples and 15 runs scored. Krugman has a .467 batting average. Freshman pitcher Emalee Kennon leads the Seahawks’ mound staff with a 2.507 ERA. She also has a .333 batting average and eight doubles. Sophomore first baseman Chelsea Brown is hitting a respectable .280 with six doubles, one triple, eight runs and 10 RBIs. * Bridge City HS senior Valerie Brown, who has signed to play for softball for Lamar State in 2010-11, won the 3A regional power-lifting championship (198-pound class) for the third straight year. She then set a new state record of 480 pounds for the squat lift during the state 3A finals, topping the previous record by 10 pounds. Brown, the 2009 state champion in her weight class, lifted a personal-best 1,070 total pounds this year to finish second by five pounds.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team will travel to Beeville on Friday for a 1 p.m. conference doubleheader with Coastal Bend College. Lamar State dropped to 1-14 overall and 0-4 in Region XIV action Wednesday, with 9-1 and 11-1 losses at Blinn College, last year’s Region XIV champion and currently the No. 4 Division I junior college team in the nation. Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards said his team needs to improve their focus. “The teams we’ve played so far were not better than us. We are beating ourselves with errors, both mental and physical,” Edwards said. “When everyone is focused on their jobs and have their heads in the game, we can defeat any team we’ve faced so far this year.” Coastal Bend’s softball program began in 2009 and joined Region XIV this season. The Seahawks split a Feb. 13 doubleheader with the Lady Cougars, 8-0 and 9-10. Lamar State will be home at Marti Field on Wednesday, March 24 for a 1 p.m. conference doubleheader with Alvin Community College. Seahawk Notes * Lauren Angelle, a sophomore shortstop from Bridge City, is fifth in Region XIV in on-base-percentage and ninth in batting average. * Former Seahawk shortstop Christina Jaques (2007-09) from Bridge City leads the Belhaven University softball team in hitting (.500) and slugging percentage (.931). The Blazers are 20-3 overall and 4-0 in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference action. Jaques scored 30 runs and has six doubles, five triples, five home runs, 24 stolen bases and 30 RBIs.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women's softball team will travel to Brenham this Wednesday for a 2 p.m. conference doubleheader with Blinn College, the 2009 Region XIV regular season champion. Lamar State dropped to 1-12 overall and 0-2 in Region XIV action this past Wednesday, with 11-3 and 12-4 losses in their conference opener doubleheader at San Jacinto College in Pasadena. Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards wasn't happy with his team's performance against San Jacinto. "We have to get our game together against Blinn," Edwards said. "They appear to be as strong as they were last year. So, it will take our best effort to compete with them." Blinn was picked No. 4 in this spring's NJCAA pre-season poll on the strength of the Lady Buccaneers' 53-9 record in 2009, when they reached the quarterfinals of the national championship tournament. Blinn is 14-6 overall and 1-1 in Region XIV play this spring after splitting their conference opener with Angelina, 4-0 and 1-2 last Wednesday. Edwards said the Seahawks' 1-12 record is misleading. "We have played some excellent softball at times, but just didn't come up with runs at critical moments," Edwards said, noting five of his team's losses were by one or two runs. "We lost to Bossier Parish and Texarkana in extra inning games that we probably should have won." Lamar State will be on the road again Friday at Coastal Bend College in Beeville. The Seahawks will be home March 24 for a conference doubleheader with Alvin Community College. Seahawk Notes * Freshman pitcher Emalee Kennon leads Lamar State's mound staff with a 2.059 earned-run-average in 13 appearances. She struck out 22 batters, walked 13 and allowed only 10 earned runs in 34 innings. * Sophomore infielder Lauren Angelle leads the team in hitting through the first 13 games with a .455 batting average, including four doubles, a triple and 10 runs. Angelle currently is ninth in the conference in batting and fifth in on-base percentage. * Two other Seahawks are hitting over .300 - freshman outfielder Kirstyn Krugman (.387) and Emalee Kennon (.372).  Three other players are over. 250 - sophomore first baseman Chelsea Brown (.263 with four doubles and 7 RBIs), freshman utility player Courtney Grable (.261) and sophomore infielder Katelyn Worsham (.250).

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team travels to Pasadena to open their Region XIV conference schedule Wednesday with a 4 p.m. doubleheader with San Jacinto College. Lamar State slipped to 1-10 on the season this past weekend after losing seven games in three days at the Region XIV Crossover Tournament in Longview. The results from the crossover tournament count in each team’s overall record but do not count in the conference standings. Lamar State opened the tournament Friday losing 16-0 to 2009 conference runner-up Paris Junior College, which was ranked just outside the Top 20 Division I junior colleges in the nation in the NJCAA’s 2010 pre-season poll. The Seahawks then dropped a game to Texarkana College, 3-4 in 10 innings. Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards wasn’t discouraged after the first day. “Paris obviously has a very good team, and we will see them again this season,” Edwards said. “We played very competitive against Texarkana. Emalee Kennon gave up just four runs and struck out nine batters. Our defense also played extremely well. Lauren Angelle went three-for-five at the plate and scored two runs. Emalee had two hits in five appearances.” On Saturday, Lamar State fell 8-2 to Trinity Valley Community College, 1-9 to Lon Morris College and dropped another heartbreaker, 3-2 in 10 innings to Bossier Parish Community College. “Paige Blucher pitched well against Trinity Valley, but they hit three home runs, and that killed us,” Edwards said. “Emalee had another great outing against Bossier Paish, striking out four batters. Chelsea Brown hit a home run. We had opportunities to score in the eighth, but couldn’t get the bunt down. Our defense was very solid, but we’re not getting timely hits.” The Seahawks closed the tournament Sunday with losses to Navarro College (10-2) and Northeast Texas College (4-3). “Paige got off to a slow start against Northeast Texas, but came back very well,” Edward said. “She didn’t walk anyone and struck out two batters. Lauren and Emalee both went two-for-three.” As the Seahawks begin their conference games, Edwards said the keys to success will be pitching, timely hitting and good fundamental defense. “If our pitchers can eliminate walks, I think we will be successful,” Edward said. “But our defense will have to be error-free, and we have to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. Despite our early season record, I think our team is playing very well at this time.” San Jacinto is 15-8-1 this season, including seven wins at the Region XIV Crossover Tournament. The Coyotes finished no lower than fourth in the conference’s South Zone for the past 13 seasons and, during that time, collected three conference championships and a fourth-place finish in the 2008 NJCAA Championship Tournament. San Jac went 42-19 in 2009 and took second place in the South Zone. Lamar State's next action will be Wednesday, March 17, with a conference doubleheader at Blinn College in Brenham. The Seahawks’ next home games are set for March 24 against Alvin Community College.

Three members of the Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team earned Region XIV post-season honors. Sophomore forward Ahyaro Phillips, the Seahawks’ leading rebounder and shot blocker, made the Region XIV All-Conference second team and the All-Region second team. Phillips finished the regular season as the No. 2 rebounder and shot blocker in the conference. Sophomore guard Kavon Rose, the team’s leading scorer, was named to the All-Conference third team. Freshman guard Von Jones, the team’s assist leader and fourth-leading scorer, was on the All-Conference Honorable Mention list. Lamar State head coach Matt Cross said he is excited for the players. “I know the hard work they put in, both on and off the floor,” Cross said. “To make all-conference or all-region in the top junior college conference in the nation is a special accomplishment.” The post-season honors added more first-time achievements to the Lamar State basketball program since no one from the 2008-09 team was honored in the Seahawks’ first year in Region XIV. “Ahyaro and Kavon both are very deserving of their honors, and we wish them the best as they continue their collegiate basketball careers at a four-year school,” Cross said. “Von was second Region XIV in assists. That’s a great indicator of how unselfish he played because he also is a serious scoring threat from the point guard position.”