KFDM COOP Posted September 3, 2006 Report Posted September 3, 2006 Lamar-PA Signs Ten Softball Players to Scholarships The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball program will begin the 2006 fall season with a strong team after head coach Vance Edwards signed ten scholarship players. “Six of the 10 were all-district players in high school,†Edwards said. “Sadie Dykes, an all-district pitcher at Van Vleck High School, holds her school record with three no-hitters. The other four are outstanding players.†Edwards had more time to recruit this year, unlike the short three months he had to build his new program from the time it was established in May 2004 to the beginning of the first fall season. Lamar-PA competed as an independent during the 2004-05 season, then jumped right into the fire, joining the tough Division I Region XIV conference this past year. Edwards’ 2004 Seahawks had four all-district players, one of whom also was an all-state player. Starting the 2005-06 season, Edwards built a team that included seven returning players and three freshman who were all-district in high school. The jump into Division I this past year was a wake-up call for the Seahawks. After going 5-18-1 the first year, Lamar-PA was 5-31 overall and 3-23 in conference play this past spring. Six sophomores completed their two years at Lamar-PA this spring. Edwards will have three players returning from his 2005-06 team – pitcher Rachel Palermo, who appeared in 25 games for the Seahawks this past season; pitcher/infielder Kala Tynes and utility player Stephanie Sanford. “We had a great core group of players for the first two years, but most of them graduated this spring. So, we knew we had to get out and recruit. I’m really pleased with the results. We have some impressive freshman joining the squad,†Edwards said. Four of the signees come from Port Neches-Groves High School. Shortstop/outfielder Hailey Peveto was the Offensive Co-MVP of District 20-4A. Third baseman Rebekka Mannino was a second team all-district selection in her senior year, while outfielder Allison Patterson received honorable mention. Edwards also signed outfielder Jayni Schexnider from PN-G. Outfielder/second baseman Ashley Lapeyrolorie played on four straight district championship teams at Bridge City High School and was on the first team All-District 24-3A in her senior year. Vidor High School pitcher/1st baseman Brooke Teal was on the second team All-District 20-4A this year. Edward also signed catcher/third baseman Tabatha Hollyfield from Silsbee, catcher/outfielder Kristin Botello from Nederland and catcher/outfielder Samantha Beard from Vidor. Third baseman/outfielder Joi Oldbury, one the leaders of Little Cypress-Mauriceville’s 2006 state championship team, was on Lamar-PA’s recruit list until she recently learned that the broken ankle that kept her out of action most of her senior year has not healed enough for her to compete this year. The Seahawks begin their fall season Saturday September 9, when they host Louisiana State University-Eunice in a doubleheader beginning at noon at Martin Field on the LSC-PA campus. Other dates on the Seahawks’ fall schedule are: Sat., September 16 at the Bossier Parish Community College Tournament in Bossier City, La. (The Seahawks will play South Arkansas University, LSU-Eunice, Paris Junior College, the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Lon Morris College.) Sat.-Sun., September 23-24 at the Lone Star Invitational Tournament in Beaumont (Tournament teams include McNeese State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nicholls State University, Galveston College and San Jacinto College.) Fri.-Sat., September 29-30 at the University of Texas-Dallas Tournament in Dallas (The Seahawks will play UT-Dallas, Midwestern State University, North Central Texas College and Texas Wesleyan University) Sat., October 7 at the Alvin Community College Tournament in Alvin Sat., October 14 at LSU-Eunice (doubleheader) For information about Lama-Port Arthur softball, call Edwards at 984-6293, or go on-line to: www.lamarpa.edu.
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