Seahawks load up for softball

[KFDM COOP]

Seahawks load up for softball

By Dave Rogers

The Port Arthur News

Vance Edwards enjoyed his just-completed vacation.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur softball coach felt like he earned it after the recruiting haul he came up with this spring and summer.

Barring an unforseen upheaval between now and January, the Seahawks’ softball lineup for 2008 will be a who’s who of many of Southeast Texas’ top prep players.

The decision by Bridge City’s Christina Jaques, the District 21-3A offensive player of the year, to join up is just the latest icing on the cake.

“She wanted to go off and play, but we kept talking to her and talking to her and she finally decided we’d be a good fit for her,†Edwards said. “She made the decision and we’re happy to have her.â€

Jaques split time between catcher and first base at Bridge City, batting .614 as the Lady Cardinals went through district play unbeaten for the fifth year in a row.

“She’ll probably catch some, maybe play some shortstop, maybe play some outfield. We’ll see where she helps us best,†Edwards said. “She’s so versatile we could probably put her anywhere and it would help us.â€

Jaques was a four-sport star at Bridge City. Besides softball, she was one of her district’s top performers in volleyball, basketball and track. She won the long jump, triple jump and high jump events at the 21-3A track meet.

Pitching has always been a problem for the Seahawks, who compiled records of 6-22, 4-34 and 2-34 in their three seasons of Division I junior college competition.

Edwards took big steps to correct that, signing five all-district pitchers to join holdovers Brooke Teal and Sadie Dykes.

Biggest name among the pitching recruits is West Brook’s Katie Shumaker, who led the Bruins to the District 21-5A title last year. Shauna Kelly, a 2006 Nederland grad, led her team to the 2005 District 20-4A title and Alison Hiedbreder of Houston Waltrip had a 1.93 ERA and four no-hitters this spring.

Amber McClendon of Hamshire-Fannett was second-team all-district as a pitcher in 21-3A. Casey Nance of Evadale was most valuable player in District 25-A.

Other signees include all-district infielder Allison Tomplait of Sabine Pass, catcher Jennifer Dixon of Vidor, outfielder Jerrica Stephenson of Vidor and infielder Jessica Tapp from Anahuac.

Edwards’ other two holdovers from his 2007 club are outfielder Kristin Botello of Nederland and infielder Ashley Lapeyrolerie of Bridge City.

“We’ve been working hard, trying to get it going,†said Edwards, whose coaching staff also includes Charlie Wallace and Velma Wappler.

[DP#1FAN]

Coach Edwards has a sleeping giant here. All he needs to to get the right breaks and watch out. This team will be for real. The best of luck to the Lady seahawks!

[BUNA95]