LeTourneau University

 

 

SOFTBALL

 

Coach Stan Wells

The Stan Wells era opens with a doubleheader sweep of Centenary College (LA) as LeTourneau earned 7-1 and 3-2 victories over the Ladies on Saturday.

Pitchers Ashley Burdine<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3204> and Courtney Matulis<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3208> each earned wins for the YellowJackets with a combined ERA of 1.5 in the two games.

“We pitched well in both games. I thought we had quality at-bats in the first game that allowed us to take the opening game win,” said head coach Stan Wells<http://www.letuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=419>. “In the second match, we showed composure and shut down two rallies to preserve the victory. I was proud of the effort from the entire team.”

LETU (2-0) recorded 13 hits in the opening win over the Ladies going .419 at the plate including three hits from Matulis (3-4).

Senior Whitney Judd<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3207> put the YellowJackets on the board in the third inning as she crossed the plate on an Alyssa Pierce<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3215> RBI groundout to second base. Ashlin Roach<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3210> pushed LETU to 2-0 with a two-out single to bring Matulis home.

LeTourneau would keep the runs coming in the fourth as Shelby Barrick<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3217> had a RBI single to score Madison Gray<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3214> and give LETU a 3-0 lead. Centenary would respond in the fifth inning scoring on a sacrifice bunt.

The YellowJackets poured it on in the sixth inning as Bailey Woodard<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3211> doubled to center scoring Gray and Hayley Hurley<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3222>, pinch running for Macey Mize<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3209>. Senior Kaitlyn Allen<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3202> followed that with a single to right field scoring two more runs for the final 7-1 margin.

In the second game, LeTourneau scored three runs on five hits including a fourth-inning home run by Shelby Barrick<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3217>. Alyssa Pierce<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3215> recorded her second RBI of the season pushing Judd across the plate. Pierce would score on a Roach bunt.

The YellowJackets held off Centenary rallies in the fifth and sixth innings getting the crucial outs with runners in scoring position holding on to the one-run lead.

The YellowJackets will open conference play on Friday, February 10th as they host Mary Hardin-Baylor. The four-game series will kick off at 3 p.m. from the Joyce Family Athletic Village.

[niversity of Mary Hardin-Baylor logo] Next Game:
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
2/10/2017 – 3:00 PM
Live Stats<https://portal.stretchinternet.com/letu/portal.htm?eventId=341367&streamType=video>
Watch Live<https://portal.stretchinternet.com/letu/portal.htm?eventId=341367&streamType=video>

* FULL SCHEDULE<http://www.letuathletics.com/schedule.aspx?path=softball>
* ROSTER<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?path=softball>

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

LaTanya Drakes

LeTourneau Senior LaTanya Drakes averaged 17 points and 17.5 rebounds in two wins for the YellowJackets last week on the way to her first player of the week award.

Drakes (Gardena, Calif. / Gardena HS) increased her league-leading double-double total to 16 with consecutive dynamic performances. LaTanya hit 13-of-14 from the free throw line (.929) and pulled down her 500th career rebound in a win over Louisiana College. Drakes leads the ASC and ranks fifth in NCAA Division III in total rebounds with 301.

This year is the third-consecutive week that LeTourneau has earned the player of the week nod and the seventh time this season. Crystal Jones<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3367> has won the award six times.

LeTourneau picked up two crucial East Division wins this week as they took down Louisiana College 79-71 on Thursday and followed that up with a 72-64 victory of ETBU on Saturday.

LaTanya and the YellowJackets will celebrate senior day on Saturday, February 11th as they host Belhaven. Tipoff is 1:00 p.m. from Solheim Arena.

FULL ASC PLAYER OF THE WEEK RELEASE<http://www.ascsports.org/news/2017/2/5/WBBALL_0205172359.aspx>

Ashley Crockett<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3362> was a force down low on Saturday as she scored a career-high 20 points for the YellowJackets as they took down East Texas Baptist 72-64. LETU sweeps the season series with the Tigers and now boast a 9-4 conference record and are 12-10 overall.

Crockett was 6-15 from the floor and 8-12 from the free throw line. The YellowJackets earned 24 points from the charity stripe in the game.

LETU once again outrebounded their opponent as they pulled down 41 rebounds to ETBU’s 36. Turnovers played a big part in the game as LeTourneau forced 27 Tiger turnovers including 12 steals. The YellowJackets scored 35 points off those takeaways.

“I am very proud of our team for going into this rivalry game and taking care of business. We battled through some foul trouble early, but finished strong,” said head coach Leslie Reinecker<http://www.letuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=454>. “We once again controlled the boards, and our players stepped up and made free throws down the stretch to bring home the win.”

Joining Crockett in double-figures were the senior duo of Crystal Jones<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3367> and LaTanya Drakes<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3364>. Jones scored a game-high 21 points on 8-17 shooting from the floor. The ASC’s leading scorer also had five steals and three assists.

Drakes recorded her 16th double-double performance of the season and 25th of her career at LeTourneau. She pulled down 11 rebounds to pair with her 10 points. The Gardena, California native is ranked fifth in NCAA Division III with 14 rebounds per game.

Jada Roberts<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3373> was a steady presence running the show for the YellowJackets as she scored six points and pulled down seven rebounds. Sha’Donnaver Young<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3376> added six points on 3-5 shooting from the field.

A back-and-forth first quarter saw six lead changes as each team traded runs in the opening period. A fast break layup by Jones gave the YellowJackets a 16-11 lead at the end of the quarter.

LETU would push the lead to 12 in the second quarter on an Ashley Crockett<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3362> free throw at the 6:18 mark. LeTourneau took a 34-27 lead into the break.

A 7-0 run by the Tigers drew an LETU timeout as the game tied at the 6:23 mark of the third quarter. ETBU’s Catina Hayes put up a half-court prayer at the buzzer and got it to go, drawing the Tigers to within two at 47-45.

The YellowJackets outscored ETBU 25-19 in the final frame, including knocking down their free throws down the stretch to seal their 12th victory of the season.

LeTourneau will be back at Solheim Arena for the final time this season as they host Belhaven on Saturday, February 11th. It will be senior day for eight YellowJackets playing their last game in front of the Blue Crew. Tipoff is 1:00 p.m. against the Blazers.

[elhaven University (Miss.) logo] Next Game:
Belhaven University (Miss.)
2/11/2017 – 1 p.m.
Live Stats<https://portal.stretchinternet.com/letu/portal.htm?eventId=323765>
Watch Live<https://portal.stretchinternet.com/letu/portal.htm?eventId=323765&streamType=video>

* FULL SCHEDULE<http://www.letuathletics.com/schedule.aspx?path=womensbasketball>
* ROSTER<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?path=womensbasketball>

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Caleb Loggins

The YellowJackets continued to make history on Saturday as their 69-62 road victory over East Texas Baptist gave them their 17th win of the season. They now have the most wins in school history since joining NCAA Division III.

The win also pushed LeTourneau’s conference record to 10-4, clinching at least a share of the regular season ASC East Division title with three games remaining. This game is the first division title in program history and also the first ever conference tournament hosted at LETU.

Caleb Loggins led five YellowJackets in double-figures, scoring 16 points to go along with five blocks and four rebounds. After missing his first three shots, Loggins went 7-7 from the floor. Jeff Martin<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3311> notched his fifth double-double of the season pulling down 11 rebounds to go along with 12 points.

Nate West<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3318> scored all 12 of his points in the second half. Alec Colhoff<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3307> added 11 points and six rebounds. Caylab Herrera<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3325> also had 11 points and added nine rebounds, including four offensive boards.

“Both teams played some great defense today. We had to earn our baskets tonight,” said head coach Dan Miller<http://www.letuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=436>. “Our posts stepped up on offense in the second half as we went inside a lot. ETBU has such dangerous shooters, and I felt we did a good job taking away most rhythm three-pointers.”

The road victory for the YellowJackets wasn’t going to come easy. East Texas Baptist had a 35-2 home record the past three seasons coming into the game including 7-1 during the 2016-17 campaign.

“They have been excellent at home, so I loved the intensity and the focus we played with on the road,” said Miller.

That energy was evident from the jump ball as the two teams traded blows in a first half that saw nine lead changes and eight ties. Jeff Martin<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3311> hit another last second jumper to tie the game at 28 going into the break.

The YellowJackets never trailed in the second half as they shot 57.7 percent (15-26) from the floor. A Herrera three-pointer gave LETU a 61-52 lead, their largest lead of the game at the 5:07 mark.

ETBU cut the lead to three on a Jordan Gosey layup with 2:23 remaining. Nate West<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3318> responded by hitting a midrange jumper to push the lead back to 65-60. The YellowJacket defense stepped up in the final minutes getting the crucial stops to seal the victory.

“I am excited and proud of the guys for clinching a share of the ASC East, but we still have a lot of work to do and goals left to accomplish,” said Miller. “The way this team plays together and for each other, we know they are obtainable. Proud of these guys.”

LeTourneau will return home next Saturday, February 11th as they host Belhaven. It will be senior night for Jeff Martin<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3311> and Erick Roberson<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3314>, playing in their final regular-season games at Solheim Arena. Tipoff is 3:00 p.m. against the Blazers.

[elhaven University (Miss.) logo] Next Game:
Belhaven University (Miss.)
2/11/2017 – 3:00 p.m.
Live Stats<https://portal.stretchinternet.com/letu/portal.htm?eventId=323770>
Watch Live<https://portal.stretchinternet.com/letu/portal.htm?eventId=323770&streamType=video>

* FULL SCHEDULE<http://www.letuathletics.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball>
* ROSTER<http://www.letuathletics.com/roster.aspx?path=mbball>