Seahawks softball team begins conference play Wednesday

[LamarStatesports]

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.