TAMUC – Sports

 

SOFTBALL

Schedule altered for ‘Pack The Park’ weekend series vs. West Texas A&M

COMMERCE – Due to incoming inclement weather, the coaches altered the softball schedule for the softball series between No. 6 Texas A&M University-Commerce and No. 13 West Texas A&M University.

The Lions and Lady Buffs will start the series with a 2:00 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday, April 7. The series will conclude with a 2:00 p.m. single game on Sunday, April 8.

Admission is complimentary to all games of the series with a voucher found at local business thanks to MUGS on the Square, or with a local ID.

 

TRACK AND FIELD

Clark, Obst earn LSC weekly honors.

RICHARDSON – In a week full of outstanding performances, Texas A&M University-Commerce’s Rashard Clark and Florian Obst earned weekly track and field honors from the Lone Star Conference on Wednesday. Clark shared Track Athlete of the Week honors with two others, while Obst shared Field Athlete of the Week honors.

Honored for his performance as the anchor leg on the 4×400 meter relay team was Clark. It also includes Jude Christine, D’Lance Sharp, and Dedrian Windham. The team set the nation’s fastest time by nearly three seconds with an automatic qualifying and school record time of 3:07.91 at the 91st Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays built by the Home Depot. A&M-Commerce is one of only four Division II schools to go under 3:08 in this event during the regular season in the last nine years.

Obst completed the Texas Relays decathlon with 7,681 points, which is the third-best mark in all divisions of college track this season, a new A&M-Commerce school record, and an automatic qualifying mark. It is the highest mark in Division II this year by 583 points. He placed fourth in the event, with all four of the nation’s top targets in all divisions coming in the same meet. Obst’s score is less than 100 points outside the Division II all-time top 10, which has only had one addition since 1999. Based on available documentation, this is the best score in Division II since the 2006 National Championship. He was the top finisher in the prestigious field in the shot put with a toss of 14.86 meters (48-9), was second in the discus throw at 45.34 meters (148-9), and third in the javelin throw at 56.92 meters (186-9).

The Lions return to action on Thursday-Saturday at the David Noble Relays in San Angelo.

LSC WEEKLY AWARDS
Men’s Track
M-22 Charles Greaves, Texas A&M-Kingsville
M-28 Javier Lopez, Texas A&M-Kingsville
A-4 Marcus Parker, Eastern New Mexico | Clark, A&M-Commerce | Javier Lopez, Texas A&M-Kingsville (2)

Men’s Field
M-22 Trivett Jones, Angelo State
M-28 Nils Fischer, Angelo State
A-4 Florian Obst, A&M-Commerce | Richard Cervantes, Texas A&M-Kingsville

Women’s Track
M-22 Kara Bickham, Tarleton State
M-28 Minna Svaerd, A&M-Commerce
A-4 Kami Norton, Angelo State

Women’s Field
M-22 Kaitlin Lumpkins, Angelo State
M-28 Jasmine Roberts, A&M-Commerce
A-4 Daisy Osakue, Angelo State | Fatim Affessi, West Texas A&M

 

SOFTBALL

Softball ranked No. 6 in latest NFCA poll, is the top-ranked team in LSC.

LOUISVILLE, Ky.– The Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team is ranked sixth in the latest coaches poll released by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association as announced Wednesday. The Lions moved up three spots from last week’s ranking. It is the team’s highest-ever ranking in the NFCA poll. A&M-Commerce is also the highest ranked LSC team in the rankings.

The No. 6 Lions continued to add to their win streak, sweeping conference opponent Eastern New Mexico last week. The Lions have won 15 games in a row, which is a program record and is the third-longest active win streak in Division II. The Lions are the highest ranked team from the Lone Star Conference in the rankings. Angelo State is ranked 10th, West Texas A&M is ranked 13th, and Tarleton State is ranked 18th.

The Lions are also highly ranked in three other rankings. They are No. 2 in the current rankings done by Hero Sports, which also takes into account strength of schedule, offensive and defensive ranking. The Lions are ranked No. 3 in the Massey Ratings and are No. 5 in the rankings by Fastpitch News.

The No. 6 Lions are currently 31-3 with a 16-2 record in conference play, which has them in sole possession of first place. A&M-Commerce returns to the diamond for a home battle against No. 13 West Texas A&M. The two nationally-ranked teams will meet in a three-game series, beginning with a single game on Friday at 7 p.m. The teams will then face off in a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

All games will be at the John Cain Family Softball Complex. It is Pack the Park week. Admission to the games is free with a voucher found at local businesses or with a local ID.

2018 NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll – Apr. 4 (Week 7) 

RANK	TEAM (First Place)	TOTALS	Record	Last Poll
1	Colorado Mesa (14)	398	34-0	1
2	North Georgia (2)	386	40-1	2
3	Chico State	366	35-3	3
4	Palm Beach Atlantic	336	25-2	7
5	Southern Arkansas	319	32-4	6
6	A&M-COMMERCE	315	31-3	9
7	Dixie State	297	26-4	5
8	North Alabama	291	31-4	10
9	Winona State	275	26-4	8
10	Angelo State	263	30-6	4
11	Indianapolis	226	26-6	11
12	Lenoir-Rhyne	217	30-5	12
13	West Texas A&M	202	29-5	14
14	West Florida	173	21-11	17
15	Grand Valley State	160	19-5	15
16	Augustana	158	24-6	RV
17	California Baptist	139	22-5	24
18	Tarleton State	118	32-7	20
19	Harding	105	25-9	16
20	Minnesota State	74	22-8	13
21	UC San Diego	71	23-10	18
22	Queens (N.C.)	68	29-7	19
23	Southern New Hampshire	45	20-5	21
24	Saint Leo	43	28-10	RV
25	Sonoma State	30	23-12	23

 

FOOTBALL

National Champion Lions hire Scott Power as Defensive Coordinator.

COMMERCE –Texas A&M University-Commerce head football coach Colby Carthel has announced the hiring of Scott Power as defensive coordinator for the National Champion Lions.

Power comes to Commerce after two very successful seasons as the defensive coordinator at Central Washington University.

“We are thrilled to have Scott Power join our staff and lead our defense! There was tremendous interest in this job, by some very successful defensive coaches, but Coach Power stood out among the rest as the best fit for our program,” Carthel said. “While he is considered one of the best defensive coordinators in the country, with a National Championship under his belt, I think his ability to mold and mentor his players is his greatest strength. Lion Football scored a big win with this hire!”

“I am super excited to join the Lion Football family,” Power said. “I’m very appreciative of Coach Carthel and his staff for this opportunity. I look forward to trying to add to the already strong foundation that’s there and hopefully continuing to win championships in the Lone Star Conference and contend at the national level. I cannot wait to get to Commerce, meet the team, and get started.”

In two seasons with Central Washington, Power turned the Wildcats’ defense around. After ranking near the bottom of the NCAA in scoring defense before to his arrival in Ellensburg, the Wildcats ranked 19th nationally in that category in 2017. CWU ranked in the top 10 in the nation in rushing defense (first), sacks (first), total defense (third), third down defense (third), tackles for loss (fourth), and red zone defense (eighth). CWU was the national leader in rushing defense and sacks.

In 2017, CWU led the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense, pass efficiency defense, takeaways, third down defense, red zone defense, tackles for loss, and sacks.

The 2017 Wildcat defense featured the D2CCA Super Region Four Defensive Player of the Year and won six All-American and nine All-Region honors. Central Washington was undefeated in the regular season and earned the top seed in Super Region Four before ultimately falling to A&M-Commerce, as the second step on the Lions’ National Championship run.

In his first season with the Wildcats, he turned the CWU defense into one of the nation’s best. The CWU defense was ranked in the top 25 in total defense, rush defense, red zone defense and sacks. The Wildcats led all NCAA schools, including Division I, in tackles for loss per game with 10.7.

The 2016 defense held its opponents to under 100 yards rushing in eight of its ten games, including six games where opponents gained 50 yards or less on the ground. They finished 5th in the NCAA in rush defense.

Before his time at CWU, Power helped lead Marian (Ind.) University to back-to-back trips to the NAIA national championship game, with Marian coming out the victor in 2015. In four 2015 playoff games, Marian allowed a total of 38 points, allowing just 256.3 yards per game and less than four yards a snap. The Knights ranked second in the nation in scoring defense, third in total defense, first in run defense and sacks and fourth in pass efficiency defense. The 2015 Marian defense held nine out of their fourteen opponents to 14 points or less; including four opponents ranked in the top 10 in the country.

After the Knights’ NAIA National Championship, FootballScoop.com named Power 2015 NAIA Coordinator of the Year. He was also named the 2015 Mid-States Football Association Assistant Coach of the Year. Power was also a finalist for the Footballscoop.com NAIA Coordinator of the Year after the 2014 season.

In 2014, Power led MU to another outstanding season on defense. MU was ranked in the top 16 in the country in six categories and the top five in two. The Knights ranked second in rushing defense, giving up just 77.1 yards rushing per game. MU also ranked fourth in sacks. Power’s defense set single-season school records for interceptions (29), tackles for loss (103), sacks (39) and blocked kicks (10) in 2014. During his three seasons at Marian, Power guided 19 Knights to All-MSFA Mideast League honors, and he coached 2 AFCA All-Americans.

Before Marian University, Power served as an assistant coach at Wartburg College for four seasons. He served as defensive line coach in 2009 and 2010 before moving to the linebackers coach in 2011 and 2012. During his time at Wartburg, Power coached four All-Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) First Team selections, two NCAA Division III All-Americans and two NCAA Division III All-West Region players.

Wartburg set a single-season school record for fewest rushing yards allowed in 2012, as Power coached the IIAC’s top-ranked total defense and rushing defense and had a case that also led the IIAC with the most tackles for loss, most sacks and fewest opponent first downs in 2012. His defense also led the IIAC in scoring defense and was the second-best total defense in 2011.

In 2010, Power’s defense led the Knights to an IIAC championship and the NCAA Division III playoffs after a perfect 10-0 regular season. The Knights were ranked 11th in the final AFCA poll and had three wins over the top 20 opponents. During his time at Wartburg, the Knights went a combined 30-11, earned an IIAC title and a postseason appearance.

The Fowler, Ind., native played at both Wisconsin-Platteville and Hanover College before pursuing a professional career in Europe and the Arena Football League. After earning his bachelor’s degree at IUPUI, Power then served as the Defensive Coordinator at Benton Central High School in Oxford, Ind., for two seasons.

Power and his wife, Megan, have two sons – Troy and Thad – and one daughter – Tatum.

 

WOMEN’S GOLF

Lions earn second-ever tournament win at HSU Southern Bancorp Invite.

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. – The Texas A&M University-Commerce women’s golf team earned the second tournament victory in program history Tuesday, claiming the title at the Henderson State Southern Bancorp Invitational.

The Lions shot 608 (303-305, +32) to win the tournament by five strokes over Arkansas-Fort Smith, with Henderson State in a close third. The two rounds in this tournament both rank in the top five for the season for the Lions.

Paige-Lee Garris claimed all-tournament honors in fifth place at 150 (73-77, +6). It marks a career low and is the freshman’s first top-five finish of her collegiate career. It is also the lowest 36-hole score of the season on the Lion squad.

Lauren Leslie and Makena Thomas tied for 10th place at 153 (+9). Leslie shot the Lions’ lowest round on Tuesday at 75, while Thomas shot a 77 in the final round.

Sophie-Charlott Hempel placed 22nd at 157 (76-81, +13), while Lexi Bubenchik shot a career-best 76 Tuesday, finishing 30th at 161.

The Lions will now prepare for the Lone Star Conference Championship, which will be played on April 23-24 in Abilene at the Diamondback Golf Club.

Rank	Team	Scores		Total	Par
1.	A&M-Commerce	303	305	608	+32
2.	Arkansas-Fort Smith	306	307	613	+37
3.	Henderson State	303	311	614	+38
4.	Central Oklahoma	312	304	616	+40
5.	Missouri Western State	316	303	619	+43
6.	Arkansas-Monticello	327	317	644	+68
7.	Oklahoma Baptist	329	319	648	+72
8.	Southern Arkansas	336	318	654	+78
9.	Northwestern Oklahoma State	318	337	655	+79
10.	Redlands CC	324	335	659	+83
11.	Northwest Missouri State	346	326	672	+96
12.	Southern Nazarene	342	334	676	+100
13.	Southwest Baptist	363	380	743	+167
14.	Lincoln (Mo.)	403	420	823	+247

A&M-Commerce	303	305	608	+32	1st
Paige-Lee Garris	73	77	150	+6	t-5th
Lauren Leslie	78	75	153	+9	t-10th
Makena Thomas	76	77	153	+9	t-10th
Sophie-Charlott Hempel	76	81	157	+13	t-22nd
Lexi Bubenchik	85	76	161	+17	30th

 

MEN’S GOLF

Sanchez claims runner-up honors as Lions place fifth at DBU Patriot Classic.

IRVING – The No. 21 Texas A&M University-Commerce men’s golf team finished in fifth place at the Dallas Baptist Patriot Classic, as Wilfredo Sanchez claimed runner-up honors.

The Lions shot a team score of 905 (308-291-306, +41) in the 54-hole event.

Sanchez claimed his second top-five finish of the season at 218 (73-73-72, +2). The senior carded four birdies in the final round.

Blake Hartford placed 16th with a 54-hole total of 225 (75-70-80, +9), with three birdies in his round. Lucas McCubbin shot even par in the final round and placed 25th at 228 (82-74-72, +12), notching three birdies on the day.

Zach Burch had three birdies Tuesday and placed 45th at 234, while Tyler McDonough placed 70th at 248. Texas Wesleyan won the team tournament title.

The Lions close the regular season next Monday and Tuesday at the Hardscrabble Classic hosted by Arkansas-Fort Smith.

Rank	Team	Scores			Total	Par
1.	Texas Wesleyan	299	290	294	883	+19
2.	Central Missouri	303	294	297	894	+30
	Rogers State	300	296	298	894	+30
4.	St. Mary’s	302	299	299	900	+36
5.	A&M-Commerce	308	291	306	905	+41
6.	Dallas Baptist	296	306	304	906	+42
7.	St. Edward’s	302	304	301	907	+43
8.	Oklahoma Baptist	308	294	306	908	+44
9.	Midwestern State	301	306	311	918	+54
10.	Texas A&M International	317	296	318	931	+67
11.	McMurry	312	313	307	932	+68
12.	Dallas Baptist B	320	305	311	936	+72
13.	Southwest Baptist	309	317	316	942	+78
14.	Newman	313	318	317	948	+84

A&M-Commerce	308	291	306	905	+41	5th
Wilfredo Sanchez	73	73	72	218	+2	t-2nd
Blake Hartford	75	70	80	225	+9	t-16th
Lucas McCubbin	82	74	72	228	+12	t-25th
Zach Burch	78	74	82	234	+18	t-45th
Tyler McDonough	85	80	83	248	+32	t-70th

 

WOMEN’S GOLF

The season-best round has Lions tied for the lead at Henderson State Southern Bancorp Invitational.

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. – The Texas A&M University-Commerce women’s golf team tied its season-best round in the opening 18 holes of the Henderson State University Southern Bancorp Invitational. The Lions tied with host institution Henderson State for the tournament lead.

The Lions shot 303 (+15) in the first round of action and are tied with HSU, three strokes ahead of Arkansas-Fort Smith. The 303-round tied with the third round of the Dallas Baptist fall tournament for the Lions’ best shot of the 2017-18 season.

Paige-Lee Garris is in fourth place on the individual leaderboard with a 1-over par 73, which is a career-best round for the freshman. Garris is two strokes back of the lead.

Sophie-Charlott Hempel and Makena Thomas are tied for ninth in the individual standings at 76 (+4).

Only two strokes behind that duo are Lauren Leslie at 78 (+6), in a tie for 16th, and Lexi Bubenchik is 42nd at 85 (+13).

The Lions close out their final regular season of the tournament on Tuesday with 18 holes of action.

Rank	Team	Total	Par
1.	A&M-Commerce	303	+15
	Henderson State	303	+15
3.	Arkansas-Fort Smith	306	+18
4.	Central Oklahoma	312	+24
5.	Missouri Western State	316	+28
6.	Northwestern Oklahoma State	318	+30
7.	Redlands CC	324	+36
8.	Arkansas-Monticello	327	+39
9.	Oklahoma Baptist	329	+41
10.	Southern Arkansas	336	+48
11.	Southern Nazarene	342	+54
12.	Northwest Missouri State	346	+58
13.	Southwest Baptist	363	+75
14.	Lincoln (Mo.)	403	+115

A&M-Commerce	303	+15	t-1st
Paige-Lee Garris	73	+1	t-4th
Sophie-Charlott Hempel	76	+4	t-9th
Makena Thomas	76	+4	t-9th
Lauren Leslie	78	+6	t-16th
Lexi Bubenchik	85	+13	t-42nd

 

MEN’S GOLF

No. 21 Lions improve in the second round, sit fourth after 36 holes at DBU Patriot Classic.

IRVING – The No. 21 Texas A&M University-Commerce men’s golf team turned around a sluggish first round performance into a solid second round, putting the Lions in fourth place after 36 holes at the Dallas Baptist Patriot Classic.

The Lions shot 599 (308-291, +23) in the opening day of action and sit ten strokes back of leaders Texas Wesleyan. Rogers State has a three-stroke lead on the Lions in second, while Central Missouri is two strokes ahead of A&M-Commerce.

Blake Hartford is in second place on the leaderboard at 145 (75-70, +1). He had three birdies in his opening round and followed that up with four birdies in his second round. He is two strokes behind leader Emilio Gonzales of St. Mary’s. His second combined birdies tied for the third-most in the field.

Wilfredo Sanchez is one stroke behind Hartford at 146 (73-73, +2), tied for sixth place. He is tied for the tournament lead in pars at 27, making him one of the most consistent players in the field. He had two birdies in each round.

Zach Burch, tied for 27th, is at 152 (78-74, +8), including three birdies. Lucas McCubbin is in 46th place at 152 (82-74, +12), turning around a rough first round with four birdies in the second round. Tyler McDonough rounds out the Lion five in 67th place at 165 (85-80, +21).

The Lions will close out the tournament on Tuesday with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.

Rank	Team	Scores		Total	Par
1.	Texas Wesleyan	299	290	589	+13
2.	Rogers State	300	296	596	+20
3.	Central Missouri	303	294	597	+21
4.	A&M-Commerce	308	291	599	+23
5.	St. Mary’s	302	299	601	+25
6.	Dallas Baptist	296	306	602	+26
	Oklahoma Baptist	308	294	602	+26
8.	St. Edward’s	302	304	606	+30
9.	Midwestern State	301	306	607	+31
10.	Texas A&M International	317	296	613	+37
11.	Dallas Baptist B	320	305	625	+49
	McMurry	312	313	625	+49
13.	Southwest Baptist	309	317	626	+50
14.	Newman	313	318	631	+55

A&M-Commerce	308	291	599	+23	4th
Blake Hartford	75	70	145	+1	t-2nd
Wilfredo Sanchez	73	73	146	+2	t-6th
Zach Burch	78	74	152	+8	t-27th
Lucas McCubbin	82	74	156	+12	t-46th
Tyler McDonough	85	80	165	+21	t-67th

 

SOFTBALL

 

Jodie Hill named LSC Hitter of the Week.

RICHARDSON– Texas A&M University-Commerce shortstop Jodie Hill has been named the Lone Star Conference Hitter of the Week. The award was announced Monday by the conference office. It is the first time Hill has received the award. She is the third different Lion hitter to be awarded Hitter of the Week this season. A&M-Commerce hitters have won the award seven times during the 2018 season.

Hill– a sophomore from Heavener, Okla.– had a stellar series for the No. 9 Lions against Eastern New Mexico, hitting .727 with a .750 on-base percentage and a 1.818 slugging percentage in the Lions’ sweep. She hit four home runs, scored seven runs on eight hits, had 11 RBIs and four stolen bases. She went 3-for-5 in the first game against ENMU, hitting two home runs with four RBIs and a stolen base. She then went 3-for-3 in the second game of the doubleheader, hitting a grand slam and stealing another base with two runs scored. Hill finished the series with a three-run homer while also scoring three runs and stealing two bases.

Hill and the No. 9 Lions were currently 31-3 on the season after sweeping Eastern New Mexico last week. The Lions are 16-2 in conference play and sole possession of first place in the conference standings. A&M-Commerce returns to the diamond on Friday to start a three-game home series against fellow top 25 opponent West Texas A&M. The teams will play a single game on Friday at 7 p.m. and a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 2 p.m. All games will be played at the John Cain Family Softball Complex. It is Pack the Park week. Admission to the games is free with a voucher found at local businesses or with a local ID.

LONE STAR CONFERENCE SOFTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Hitter
Feb. 6 – Kinsie Hebler, A&M-Commerce
Feb. 13 – Kourtney Coveney, West Texas A&M
Feb. 20 – Kinsie Hebler, A&M-Commerce (2)
Feb. 27 – Mariah Jameyson, A&M-Commerce
Mar. 6 – Mariah Jameyson, A&M-Commerce (2)
Mar. 12 – Madison Greenwell, Angelo State
Mar. 19 – Mariah Jameyson, A&M-Commerce (3)
Mar. 26 – Mariah Jameyson, A&M-Commerce (4)
Apr. 2 – Jodie Hill, A&M-Commerce

Pitcher
Feb. 6 – Emily Otto, A&M-Commerce
Feb. 13 – Jordan Withrow, Tarleton State
Feb. 20 – Morgan Hill, Angelo State
Bethany Hines, Cameron
Feb. 27 – Brandy Marlett, Angelo State
Mar. 6 – Katie Dean, A&M-Commerce
Mar. 12 – Jordan Withrow, Tarleton State (2)
Mar. 19 – Megan Rosewell, Tarleton State
Mar. 26 – Jordan Withrow, Tarleton State (3)
Apr. 2 – Jordan Withrow, Tarleton State (4)

Josh Manck
Associate Athletics Director for Marketing and Communications | Texas A&M University-Commerce