ETB Advertising Banner Header Terrie 1
Sandlin Header 2022
Hess Gravely Sales Event Header
ETB Advertising Banner Header Terrie 2
Cypress Basin Hospice 2023 Header
Better View Tree Trimming Header Ad
Hess Lawn Mower Header

TAMUC – Sports

 

Lion women qualify for NCAA West Regional for the first time in program history.

INDIANAPOLIS – For the first time in program history, the Texas A&M University-Commerce women’s golf team has qualified for the NCAA Division II West Regional, as announced by the NCAA on Monday afternoon.

The Lions qualify for their first-ever regional tournament as the ninth seed in the West region. The 12-team regional will be held at Amarillo Country Club on May 6-8, with the top three teams and three individuals not on those teams advancing to the NCAA Division II Championships at the PGA National Resort on May 14-18 in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

“I absolutely thrilled and ecstatic for the team to be headed to their first-ever regional tournament,” said Lion head golf coach Matt Ward. “The players are excited to go play the Amarillo Country Club and see what we can do against some of the nation’s best. There’s a lot of teams who are pretty solid, so we’re going to have our work cut out for us. I think if the girls go out there and stay focused, play to their skill level, and be themselves, we will be in pretty good shape. They’ve been very consistent on every kind of golf course and nothing seems to bother them.”

A&M-Commerce is ranked 28th nationally in the GolfStat statistical rankings as a team, with Sarah Wongsinth (Udon Thani, Thailand) ranked 33rd, and Paige-Lee Garris (West Palm Beach, Fla.) ranked 94th in the individual rankings.

The Lions were the runners-up in last week’s Lone Star Conference Championships to mark the program’s best finish at the conference tournament in the previous 17 years. In ten events this season, the Lions finished in the top five in every match, with the championship at the UAFS Hardscrabble Invitational and three runner-up finishes.

The team qualification marks the third time A&M-Commerce has been represented in the NCAA postseason since the NCAA began sponsoring women’s golf as a Division II championship in 2000. Katie McCranie participated as an individual in 2003, and Chantry McMahan attended as an individual in 2014.

Pairings and tee times for the tournament will be announced as the championship approaches.

West Regional
Amarillo Country Club
Amarillo, Texas
Host: West Texas A&M University

WEST REGIONAL
Teams:
1. Dallas Baptist [Heartland Conference]
2. Cal State San Marcos
3. West Texas A&M [Lone Star Conference]
4. St. Mary’s
5. Academy of Art [Pacific West Conference]
6. Oklahoma Christian
7. St. Edward’s
8. Sonoma State
9. A&M-COMMERCE
10. Cal State Monterey Bay
11. Colorado State-Pueblo [Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference]
12. Simon Fraser [Great Northwest Athletic Conference]
Individuals:
1. Alli Kim, Point Loma
2. Julia Baroth, Colorado-Colorado Springs
3. Shantel Antonio, Concordia Portland
4. Yu Hsin Chang, Cal State East Bay
5. Junie Khaw, Tarleton State
6. Cammie Decker, Concordia Portland

 

 

No. 8 Lions earn the second seed in LSC Tournament after series win over Cameron on Senior Day.

COMMERCE– The No. 8 Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team split its two games on Saturday against Cameron to conclude the regular season on Senior Day. The Lions lost the first game 5-1 before winning the second game 11-3.

The results bring the Lions to 37-11 on the season and 23-7 in the Lone Star Conference to finish in second place in the LSC standings – the highest finish in program history. Cameron is now 33-14 on the year and 20-10 in LSC play.

The Lions are the second seed in the Lone Star Conference tournament and will earn a bye to the semifinal round. Texas A&M-Kingsville won the regular season championship and will host the tournament. The Lions will next play on Friday at 4:00 p.m, facing the winner of West Texas A&M and Angelo State, which will be played at 11:00 a.m. on Friday. All games will be played at Vernie and Blanche Hubert Field in Kingsville.

HEAD COACH RICHIE BRUISTER AFTER THE SERIES

On the emotions of the day: “It’s one of those mixed emotion days. We didn’t win a conference championship, but we had a chance to play for a conference championship. That’s always exciting to have an opportunity to do that. We put ourselves in position to do that. The mixed emotion is we lost that game but then came out in game two and responded. The way we fought and run-ruled them in game two was outstanding, and we were able to finish second in the conference and get that first round bye. It’s a great day when you are able to do that. We knew it was going to be hard to sweep Cameron. I’m proud of the team to come out and win the series.”
On finishing second in the LSC and earning bye in tournament: “It’s definitely exciting. The reason we have our conference set up this way is to reward those top teams for all the hard work they have put in. To get that bye, it helps with the regional rankings, and it protects the top teams.
We are looking forward to going to Kingsville next weekend.”

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 1)

– Chealsea Slider (Texarkana – Texas HS) had an RBI double in the second. Ciera Nunez (Amarillo – Randall) scored the Lions’ lone run.
– Jodie Hill (Heavener, Okla.), Kinsie Hebler (Cypress – Cy Fair), Vanessa Muro (Oak Hills, Calif.), Bri Sims (Rowlett), and Madison Schaefer (Frisco – Independence) all had hits.
– Katie Dean (Whitesboro) pitched 6.1 innings, striking out three. Alexis Velasquez (Amarillo – River Road) pitched the final 0.2 innings.

HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 1)

The Aggies hit a home run on the third pitch of the game, taking a 1-0 lead early. The Lions battled back to tie the game in the second inning when Sims reached on a single and scored on the double from Slider. After two complete innings, the score was tied at one.

Both teams had base runners reach in the third inning, but neither could get a run across. The Lions had a runner reach third in the fourth inning, but that is as far as she would go. After four complete innings, the game remained tied at one.

The Aggies regained the lead in the fifth inning after a walk and a double brought a run across. They added another run in the sixth inning on a single and an error. The Lions threatened in the bottom of the sixth with a hit and two walks, to load the bases loaded with one out. However, A&M-Commerce could not get the pitch it needed to bring runs across.

CU hit a two-run homer in the seventh to extend its lead, and the Lions were unable to continue the game.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 2)

– Kinsie Hebler (Cypress – Cy Fair) hit a pair of home runs, including a walk-off grand slam. She had six RBIs, three hits, and scored twice.
– Vanessa Muro (Oak Hills, Calif.) hit a two-run homer in the first inning. Avery Boley (Fort Worth – Nolan Catholic) also had a solo homer.
– Kayla Kilcrease (Kerens) and Bri Sims (Rowlett) also had RBIs.
– Emily Otto (Richmond – Lamar Consolidated) pitched a complete game and earned her 25th win of the season. She struck out five batters.

HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 2)

The Lions struck first in the second game, scoring four runs in the first inning. Hebler and Muro both had two-run homers to give the Lions a 4-0 lead.

Otto had two early strikeouts, and the Lions added to their lead in the second inning. Hill reached on a walk and scored on a Kilcrease single. Sims led off the third inning with a home run, and the Lions led 6-0 after three complete.

The Aggies scored three runs in the fourth inning to cut the Lion lead in half. Boley then hit a solo homer in the bottom half of the inning to give the Lions a 7-3 lead after four complete.

After a pair of strikeouts from Otto in the fifth, the Lions ended the game. Nunez singled, and after two walks loaded the bases, Hebler blasted a pitch off the scoreboard to end the contest.

 

No. 8 Lions pick up 10-0 shutout over Cameron.·

COMMERCE– The No. 8 Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team defeated Cameron 10-0 on Friday night. The Lions had 14 hits in the game while surrendering just two base hits.

The win brings the Lions to 36-10 on the season and 22-6 in the Lone Star Conference. The Aggies fall to 32-13 and 19-9 in conference play.

A&M-Commerce and Cameron will meet again on Saturday in a doubleheader in the final two games of the regular season. First pitch will be at 1:00 p.m. at the John Cain Family Softball Field. Tickets to the doubleheader are available by visiting WeAreLionsTix.com or by purchase at the gates of the Cain Complex.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

– Every single batter in the starting lineup had at least one hit.
– Nine different Lions crossed the plate.
– Emily Otto (Richmond – Lamar Consolidated) picked up her 24th win of the season and her 20th complete game. She gave up just two hits, struck out three hitters and retired the final 12 batters she faced.
– Vanessa Muro (Oak Hills, Calif.) had a hit and brought in three runs. Kinsie Hebler (Cypress – Cy-Fair) had a pair of doubles and brought in two runs.
– Madison Schaefer (Frisco – Independence) had a hit and two RBIs. Bri Sims (Rowlett) and Chealsea Slider (Texarkana – Texas HS) both had two hits and an RBI.
– Kayla Kilcrease (Kerens) and Jodie Hill (Heavener, Okla.) each had a pair of singles. Avery Boley (Fort Worth – Nolan Catholic) and Kimber Neal (Humble – Atascocita) also had a hit.

HEAD COACH RICHIE BRUISTER AFTER THE GAME

– On the complete team performance: “That is probably the best team effort I have ever seen. Everybody in the starting lineup had a hit. We played great defense, with it all starting in the circle with Otto and then the defense behind her. You saw one of the best team efforts you could ever see. To have our team come out like that, with everything that was going on, you have to love what you see.”

– On Otto’s two-hit outing: “You have those nerves coming into a big game like this. She settled in after two early hits and pitched an absolute gem. She relied on the defense to play behind her. We got the three-run lead early, and that allowed her to go out relaxed and to do her thing. And she does it as well as anybody in the country.”

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Aggies had two new singles in the game, but the Lion defense dispatched of the subsequent hitters to keep runs off the board. A&M-Commerce then struck in the bottom of the inning. Kilcrease, Hebler, and Boley all reached base. Muro then singled to score two runs and Boley scored on a wild pitch. The Lions led 3-0 after one complete.

Otto did not give up a hit the rest of the way as the Lions blew the game open in the fourth inning, scoring seven runs on seven hits. Slider had a hit and bunt singles from Hill and Neal loaded the bases. Two runs scored on a single from Schaefer and two more on the double from Hebler. Muro brought across another run on a groundout, Sims had an RBI single and Slider had an RBI double to bring the game to 10-0.

Otto retired the final 12 batters she faced, and the Lions won the game in shortened fashion.

 

 

Lucas McCubbin qualifies for NCAA Division II South Central/West Men’s Golf Super Regional.

INDIANAPOLIS – Texas A&M University-Commerce senior Lucas McCubbin has been selected for participation in the NCAA Division II South Central/West Super Regional Tournament, as announced by the NCAA on Friday afternoon.

McCubbin – a senior from Midland – will battle against a field of 20 teams and eight individuals for a trip to the NCAA Division II Championships. The top two individuals from non-advancing groups will qualify for the national championship tournament. The Super Regional will be held at The Ledges Golf Club in St. George, Utah, on May 9-11.

“While we’re a little disappointed because we hoped to qualify as a team, we’re very happy for Lucas and his selection,” said Lion head golf coach Matt Ward. “He was very consistent this year and was towards the top of the leaderboard at every tournament. Playing at the Super Regional is a great reward for a solid season. I’m very happy for him in his senior year, and we’re ready to get out to Utah and see if we can’t put together a good showing and make our way to nationals.”

McCubbin is a two-time first team all-Lone Star Conference selection and advances to the NCAA tournament for the second year, also playing in the Lions’ five at last year’s regional. This is the third straight year the Lions have been represented by either an individual or a team at the NCAA tournament.

The senior has a stroke average of 72.54 for this season with 11 rounds under par. He has three top-five finishes and five top 10 finishes in the Lions’ nine events this season, including the tournament championship at the DBU Patriot Classic earlier this month.

Pairings and tee times for the tournament will be announced as the championship approaches.

SOUTH CENTRAL/WEST REGIONAL
South Central Region
1. Oklahoma Christian [Heartland Conference] 2. St. Mary’s
3. Colorado School of Mines [Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference] 4. Western New Mexico
5. Dixie State
6. MSU Texas [Lone Star Conference] 7. Colorado Mesa
8. St. Edward’s
9. Arkansas-Fort Smith
10. Lubbock Christian

Individuals:
1. Chase Carlson, Colorado Christian
2. Nathan McCann, Colorado State Pueblo
3. Lucas McCubbin, A&M-Commerce
4. Jack Duguid, Colorado Springs

West Region
1. Chico State
2. Western Washington [Great Northwest Athletic Conference] 3. Sonoma State
4. Cal State East Bay
5. Cal State Monterey Bay [California Collegiate Athletic Association] 6. Simon Fraser
7. Stanislaus State
8. Concordia Portland
9. UC San Diego
10. Holy Names [Pacific West Conference]

Individuals:
1. Jared Kinoshita, Hawaii Hilo
2. Cody Hall, Cal State San Bernardino
3. Gabriel De Leon Manotoc, Academy of Art
4. Tyler Fitchett, Saint Martin’s

 

 

Lions post three top marks in LSC, closing the regular season at Oliver Jackson Twilight.

Boateng becomes the first Lion to eclipse 200-foot mark in the discus throw.

ABILENE – The Texas A&M University-Commerce track and field teams closed out the regular season with another set of strong performances at Abilene Christian’s Oliver Jackson Twilight on Thursday night.

Three Lone Star Conference-leading marks were posted on the men’s side, including yet another monster throw from Josh Boateng (St. George’s, Grenada) in the men’s discus throw.

“I’m really proud of this team. Our staff tried to be calculated in the events we entered our student-athletes in this week. Being eight days out from the beginning of the LSC Championships, we wanted to give athletes opportunities for great performances but also maximize recovery,” said head coach George Pincock following the meet. “Stadrian and Rashard put together very nice races, and I know they were happy about that – especially after their week at Mt. SAC. Josh is on a roll, and each week he improves just a bit. He had a great night and broke into the 200-foot club. Overall, we are excited and feel good about the upcoming up championships.”

Boateng extended his school and Grenada national record in the discus, becoming the first Lion to ever go over 200 feet at 61.00 meters (200-1), notching the fourth-longest throw in Division II history all-time.

In the men’s sprints, the Lions posted the top mark in the LSC in the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash. Stadrian Taylor (Lancaster) crossed the line in the 100-meter dash at 10.30 seconds for the second-fastest time in the nation this season. Rashard Clark (Los Angeles, Calif.) crossed the line in the 200-meter dash at 20.76 seconds for the third-fastest time in the country this season.

Also posting provisional qualifying marks were Dorian Andrews (Dallas – Skyline) in the men’s 110 meter hurdles at 14.20 seconds and the women’s 4×100 meter relay team of Mackenzie Clark (Garland – Naaman Forest), Markaaisha Richardson (Amarillo – Tascosa), Eboni Coby (Lancaster), and Ro’Nisha Simpson (Tatum) at 46.09 seconds.

The Lions will now prepare for the 2019 LSC Championships at Eastern New Mexico in Portales, N.M., on May 2-4.

AUTOMATIC QUALIFYING MARK

Men’s Discus Throw – Josh Boateng – 61.00m (200-1)
Fourth-Best in Division II History

PROVISIONAL QUALIFYING MARKS

Women’s 4×100 Meter Relay – Mackenzie Clark, Markaaisha Richardson, Eboni Coby, Ro’Nisha Simpson – 46.09
Men’s 100 Meter Dash – Stadrian Taylor – 10.30
Leads LSC this season
Men’s 200 Meter Dash – Rashard Clark – 20.76
Leads LSC this season
Men’s 110 Meter Hurdles – Dorian Andrews – 14.20

 

Josh Manck
Associate Athletics Director for Marketing and Communications | Texas A&M University-Commerce
Committed to a “Best In Class” student-athlete experience.
Office: 903.886.5131 | Mobile: 817.487.5136 |
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3011 | Commerce, TX 75429
Physical Address: 2600 Neal Street | Commerce, TX 75429
Connect with us on our Lions’ Den Social Stream.

 

Marcus Jensen
Director of Athletic Communications | Texas A&M University-Commerce
Office: 903.468.3027 | Mobile: 801.624.8529
Follow us: @Lion_Athletics | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | LionAthletics.com
Committed to a “Best in Class” student-athlete experience.