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El Campo Leader-News • Wednesday, March 5, 2014
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2014 Ricebird Baseball
Close Calls
L-N Photos by Kaitlynn Bianconi
(Above) Clayton Harp takes the Columbia Roughneck’s legs out from under him as Harp slides into third base. (Below) Brylan Crivellari prepares to pitch in the championship game on Saturday night. The Ricebirds lost a close 4-3 game against Columbia to claim second place.
Early season success
Birds take second at Wharton tourney
By KAITLYNN BIANCONI sports@leader-news.com
The Ricebirds made it to the championship game to face the Columbia Roughnecks in the Wharton tournament on Saturday night, where they fell in a close 4-3 game. Their current record is 7-2. “Overall it was a good tournament,” Head Coach Russell Krenek said. “We knew we would see some good teams and we handled them just fine.” EC falls to Roughnecks The Ricebirds fell to the Columbia Roughnecks in the championship game 4-3, a much improved score from their first game. The Ricebirds lost their 1-0 lead in the top of the third when the Roughnecks knocked in 2 runs. Seth Pustejovsky made it to first after getting hit by a pitch, and after an out, he advanced to third and Chad Quinn moved to first. Clay Kresta batted to get Pustejovsky across home plate for the second out. The teams were tied at 2-2. El Campo lost their lead in the top of the sixth, but quickly regained it with Andrew Saucedo capitalizing on a Roughneck error. Columbia scored one more run in the top of the seventh. El Campo needed 1 run to tie up the score and 2 to win. With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, a foul out gave EC their third out and ended the ball game. Kresta lost on the mound after coming
in as the relief pitcher for Brylan Crivellari. Kresta tossed 2 innings and allowed 2 hits, 1 run and 1 walk with 2 strikeouts. Crivellari pitched for 5 innings and allowed 4 hits, 3 runs, 4 walks and 2 strike outs. At the plate Chad Quinn went 3-4 and Kresta ended with 2 RBIs and 1 walk. Andrew Saucedo went 1-4 with 1 run, and Collin Quinn added 1 RBI. “Adjustments weren’t necessary for this game,” Krenek said. “We got beat in the first game against Columbia. We played hard and battled back, they beat us again. They are a good team and a worthy opponent. “I think we all would like to have another crack at them,” he added. Ricebirds 4, Brazosport 3 El Campo sent the Brazosport Exporters packing after a 4-3 win in Game 4. The win advanced the Birds into the championship game. The Exporters had a 2-0 lead on the Ricebirds until the bottom of the third when Supak and Whitley knocked in 2 runs and Harp capitalized with another run. Each team added a run in the fifth, but the Ricebirds still held their lead. Supak won on the mound, tossing 3.1 innings and allowing 5 hits, 2 runs and 1 earned run with 1 strikeout. Chad Quinn subbed for 1.2 innings and allowed 1 run and 1 walk. Collin Quinn earned the save with 1 inning of work and only allowing 1 hit. (See EL CAMPO, Page 2-B)
Ricebirds named All-District
By KAITLYNN BIANCONI sports@leader-news.com
The All-District teams for District 3A-25 have been released and four Ricebird basketball players have been selected for their efforts. Junior Adrian Alameda and sophomore LeTrent Greely were both named First Team All-District. “Adrian and LeTrent were both consistent scorers throughout the season,” Head Coach Matthew Sandoval said. “Adrian had some standout games along with the game winner at Sealy. LeTrent had a few games where he went for 20 points and 10 rebounds.” Alamdea averaged 9.6 points per game and Greely tallied 10.4 points per game. “Both players were noticed throughout district play as players to stop,” Sandoval added. Junior Ricebird Torre Robinson was selected for Second Team AllDistrict. “He was an outside threat who shot fairly well most of the season,”
Sandoval said. “His consistent play earned him the second team nod.” Torre Robinson averaged 10.9 points per game. Wydell Robinson was the only Ricebird selected for Honorable Mention with an impressive 66 blocks. “Wydell was a defensive stopper and actually came on late in the year offensively,” Sandoval said. “He averaged more or less three blocks a game down the stretch, which was very impressive.” EC stats for the 2013-2014 include: DJ Washington 100 points, 78 rebounds, 23 assists. 31 steals and 4 blocks, Taerrikk Perry 37 points, 44 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 blocks, Torre Robinson 315 points, 119 rebounds, 33 assists, 38 steals and 61 blocks, Larry Haynes 106 points, 137 rebounds, 4 assists, 20 steals and 21 blocks, Alontae Harris 71 points, 35 rebounds, 10 assists, 24 steals and 1 block, Datrel Gaskin 22 points, 28 rebounds, 5 assists, 10 steals and 2 blocks, Alameda 277 points, 74 rebounds, 36 assists, 29 steals and 2 blocks, Wydell Robinson 72 points,
101 rebounds, 5 assists, 14 steals and 66 blocks, Demarcus Wilson 115 points, 37 rebounds, 19 assists, 30 steals and 3 blocks, Isaiah Maldanado 1 assist and 1 steal, LeTrent Greely 302 points, 152 rebounds, 17 assists, 26 steals and 3 blocks and Jamal Bryant 3 rebounds and 1 block. The Ricebirds finished 3-9 in district and 11-20 overall. “I think just figuring lineups, rotations, offensive strategies and defensive strategies were all improving throughout the year,” Sandoval said. “It’s worth mentioning that this group had never played on the same team before as a whole, so it was more of an acclimation year, for both the coaches and the players,” he added. “Our goal is to make playoffs for the first time in five years,” Sandoval said. “I think that this is a reasonable goal, and we are looking forward to next season.” The Ricebirds will have the majority of their roster returning in 201415 and have high hopes for next season.
Wydell Robinson
Torre Robinson
Adrian Alameda
LeTrent Greely
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Sports
El Campo Leader-News • Saturday, May 3, 2014
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Birds fall in Game 1 against Yoakum By KAITLYNN BIANCONI sports@leader-news.com
The El Campo Ricebirds fell to the Yoakum Bulldogs 11-8 in EC on Thursday night in Game 1 of the bi-district playoffs. The Birds lost the lead early, down 3-1 in the bottom of the first. “Up until the first inning, they had turned three double plays and left a ton of base runners stranded,” EC Head Coach Russell Krene said. EC still trailed 3-0 in the third, but held the Bulldogs to no runs in the top of the fourth. Clay Kresta helped the Birds get in the game with the first EC score in the bottom of the fourth. Yoakum pulled in two more scores in the top of the fifth to increase their lead to 5-1. The Ricebirds hit them hard, bringing in four runs in the bottom of the fifth. “We were fortunate to still be in the game at that point,” Krenek said. “Clayton Harp and Riley Stock’s hits changed the momentum of the game at that point.” Kory Supak crossed the plate first, while Chad Quinn followed Brylan Crivellari across the plate just seconds apart. Harp finished out the inning for the fourth run. Although the Birds were leading 7-6 entering the seventh inning, Yoakum scored five runs in the top of the seventh, giving them an 11-7 lead. Seth Pustejovsky gave the Birds the last run of the game. “We failed to hold on to the lead,” Krenek said. L-N Photos by Kaitlynn Bianconi The Ricebirds traveled to Yoakum last night Dugout Explosion for Game 2, and will play Game 3 of the series (Above) Chad Quinn is safe after diving across the plate while the Yoakum catcher today in EC, if necessary. Results of Game 2 loses grasp on the ball. Quinn was just seconds behind Brylan Crivellari in a scoring were not available at presstime. play that tied up the game in the bottom of the fifth. (Right) Collin Quinn, front, and “If we didn’t have a game plan for today, we Tayton Priesmeyer cheer after the Birds’ big fifth inning comeback against the Bulldogs. might feel like our backs are against the wall,” Yoakum scored five runs in the seventh inning to give them a 11-8 victory. The Birds Krenek said. “However, we do have a plan and played Game 2 last night. will be ready to play.”
EC golf takes ninth at state, improves from 2013 season
By KAITLYNN BIANCONI sports@leader-news.com
The Ricebird golf team finished ninth in the state tournament held at Lost Pines on Monday and Tuesday. “We didn’t play our best golf of the year, but the kids gave their all,” Head Coach James Harp said. The Ricebirds had a tough first day of the tournament, ending in 11th place. “We struggled the first day with controlling our shots off the tee box and handling some decision making opportunities to reduce trouble, which in the end would have reduced our scores,” Harp said. Even with adjustments and weather changes, the Birds finished out the tournament with a better score on the second day. “The second day conditions were tough. Strong winds and a dry climate led to tough approach shots and very difficult greens to land and putt,” Harp said. “Thought the kids played better and handled themselves and their decision making well.” Sophomore Collin Quinn earned the top score of the El Campo team with 156. “He had a stellar performance for day two,” Harp said. “His 76 score was the third-best score of the day. It gave him an opportunity to medal. In the end, he finished in a four-way tie for fifth individually.” Following Collin were Ricebirds Cody Marquardt (160) in a tie for 16th place, Blake Krpec (185), Chad Quinn (186) and Kordell Smith (190).
Contributed Photo
Second Time Around
The varsity team that traveled to Lost Pines to compete in the state golf tournament on Monday and Tuesday and finished in ninth place. Pictured, from left: Kordell Smith, Ethan Martin, Blake Krpec, Cody Marquardt, Collin Quinn and Chad Quinn. Andrews came in first place in the team standings with a total score of 638. Following him were: Argyle (644), Texarkana Pleasant Grove (647), Llano (652), Fredericksburg (666), Carthage (676), Lampasas (676), Paris North Lamar (684), Boerne(692), Robinson (701) and Cleveland Tarkington (725).
“We were hoping to be more engaged in the title hunt, but unfortunately it was just not our time,” Harp said. “We definitely have the ability and potential to compete for a state championship. We’ll use this as another learning block to prepare us for next year. “With our 9th place finish we improved from
last year, and actually not all that far back from contention,” Harp said. “The boys represented themselves, their high school and the town of El Campo extremely well. We had a very successful year and I’m very appreciative of the kids’ efforts and success throughout.”
Ladybirds fall to Yoakum Bulldogs in Bi-District to end 2014 season
“She was our lead-off batter, ending said. She batted .400 this season. Second baseman Kaitlyn Solis the season batting .378 with 9 extra helped the team with 39 assists and base hits and 33 stolen bases.” The Ladybirds finished the 2014 Alex Thompson finished the sea- 55 put-outs, with a season batting season after falling to Yoakum last son with 38 stolen bases this year. average of .382. week in Victoria in the Bi-District “She has more power from the left “Alex became a solid center fielder playoffs. El Campo finished third in you knew would always make the side than most teams think,” Dluhos district with an overall record of 17- play,” Dluhos said. “She has a strong said. 9-2 and a 8-4 district Junior Audrey Anderson arm from the record. contributed both as the catchoutfield, throw“We had a good er and while batting. ing some runseason,” Head Coach “She has improved in her ners out who Rachel Dluhos said. position this season by rewere trying to “I would have liked to ally working on her throwget to home.” have been more coning,” Dluhos said. “She calls Right fielder sistent at the plate all the entire game for Shelby Taylor Fuechec season, but we did imand they have a great confihad a .391 batprove. Toward the end, dence in each other. She does ting average for FUECHEC THOMPSON a great job behind the plate we were having better the district seaat-bats, swinging at keeping batters off balance.” son. good pitches and making pitchers Anderson ended the season with Erin Niemeier ended the season throw more pitches. with 170 put-outs at first base and 14 RBI. “Another improvement we made batted .406 in district and tallied 3 Although five seniors are leaving, was just being more confident on the home runs throughout the entire the remaining Ladybirds are ready field,” Dluhos added. for the 2015 season. season. The Ladybirds are losing five se“They are so coachable and do “This year she made some great niors to graduation in May. Savanna saves for us on the infield,” Dluhos whatever I ask them to do without Smith had 55 assists and 37 put-outs said. question,” Dluhos said. “Each year this season. Shelby Seaman pitched 25 of the is filled with its own memories, and “She has an outstanding glove 28 games, and ended the season with this group of girls have been a joy to and arm in the infield,” Dluhos said. a 2.30 ERA and 79 strikeouts, Dluhos coach.” By KAITLYNN BIANCONI sports@leader-news.com
In Your Face
L-N Photo by Kaitlynn Bianconi
Kaitlyn Solis tags a Yaokum Lady Bulldog out at second base. The Ladybirds fell 3-1 in Game 2 last Friday in Victoria to end their season.