Lamar State softball team opens season at home Thursday

[LamarStatesports]

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team kicks off their 2008 season at home Thursday against Temple College, the No. 14 in the nation at the end of the 2007 season.

The non-conference doubleheader begins at 1 p.m. on Martin Field, 1000 Lakeshore Drive on the Lamar State campus.

Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards has four veterans returning from last year’s team – catcher Kristen Botello from Nederland, infielder Ashley Lapeyrolerie from Bridge City and pitchers Sadie Dykes from Van Vleck and Brooke Collins from Vidor.

“We had a good scrimmage schedule in the fall. Everyone got lots of playing time. We’re looking forward to a successful season,†Edwards said.

Edwards also will have a much better conditioned team this spring.

“Everyone has been working hard since our trainer, Jamie Moore, joined the athletics staff,†Edwards said. “The workouts are improving our speed, strength and endurance. That will make a big difference when we start tournament play this weekend and have to play lots of games in a short time.â€

Edwards’ mound staff is bolstered by the return of Shauna Kelly, an all-district pitcher from Nederland who went to Alvin Community College on a softball scholarship in the 2006 fall semester, then transferred to Lamar State last spring but had to sit out the season.

The Seahawks also have several freshmen who earned all-district honors in high school, including pitcher/third baseman Alison Heidbreder from Houston Waltrip and utility player Casey Nance from Evadale, who were the MVPs of their respective districts, and shortstop Christina Jaques from Bridge City, the District 21-3A offensive player of the year.

Temple is 4-0 this spring with doubleheader wins over Western Texas College and the Lubbock Christian University junior varsity squad.

The Leopards are the defending champions of the North Texas Junior College Athletic Association after going 45-13 overall and 20-4 in conference play in 2007.

Lamar State will compete Friday and Saturday in the Galveston College Invitational Tournament, facing Louisiana State University-Eunice and Cisco Junior College on Friday and Seminole College, UH-Victoria and McClennan Community College on Saturday.

[DP#1FAN]

Let's Go Lady Seahawks!!!!

[Tallier]

seahawks split the series!!!!!  ;D

[KFDM COOP]

Good deal, How did they look?

[LamarStatesports]

The Seahawks were impressive in their opening spring appearance, splitting a doubleheader against a Temple softball program that won the North Texas Junior College Athletic Association championship for at least the past four years. (That's as far back as I researched them.)

The Leopards were ranked No. 14 in the nation at the end of the 2007 season. They were ranked No. 1 at the end of the 2006 season, a year in which they lost only five games and one of those was to the Seahawks.

I'll post some stats tomorrow.

Nederland-ex Shauna Kelly took the mound for Lamar State in the first game and held the Leopards' high-powered offense to just six runs. The Seahawks had plenty of base runners, but couldn't get hits when they needed them.

Freshman pitcher Alison Heidbreder from Houston Waltrip went the distance in the nightcap. The Seahawks broke open a 5-5 tie in the sixth inning with four runs, then held on for a 9-5 victory.

Both teams will be playing this weekend's Galveston College Invitational Tournament, but they won't face each other.

The Nederland High School softball team was on hand to cheer their former teammates -- pitcher Shauna Kelly playing for Lamar State and infielder Lindsey Matt playing for Temple.

[LamarStatesports]

Here are a few statistical highlights from yesterday's Lamar State - Temple games:

Pitching stats:

1st game: Shauna Kelly - 7 innings, 6 runs, 3 earned runs, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts, 3.86 ERA

2nd game: Alison Heidbreder - 7 innings, 5 runs, 3 earned runs, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts, 3.86 ERA

Batting highlights (2 games combined):

Kristen Botello and Alison Heidbreder both went 3-for-7 at the plate. Both had a double and a walk and hit .429 to lead the team.

Christina Jaques went 3-for-8 including a triple for a .375 day.

Jaques, the team leader in steals during the fall exhibition schedule, stole two bases against Temple.

Brooke Collins, Casey Nance and Ashley Lapeyrolerie each hit .333 for the Seahawks.

Kristen Botello and Jerrica Stephenson each had 3 RBIs to lead their team. Casey Nance had 2 RBIs.

Overall, the Seahawks hit .304 and had 17 hits.

On the defensive side, Lamar State committed only two errors in the two games.

[KFDM COOP]

8) Thanks