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By KEN ROGERS
Dothan (Ala.) Eagle
(Published Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011)
OZARK, Ala. – When Texas found its hitting stroke, there was no messing with the team from Paris.
The Texas state champs – shut out the night before 1-0 and trailing Louisiana for much of Wednesday’s first game – rallied to win that semifinal, then outslugged South Carolina 14-9
to win the Dixie Majors World Series at Eagle Stadium.
Texas' Tanner Baker tags Louisiana's Laetten Galbraith out at second base during the Dixie Majors World Series in Ozark Wednesday. (Photo by Danny Tindel, Dothan Eagle)
After scratching a run across in the second inning, Texas got them in bunches in the title game, scoring three in the fourth and fifth innings, and adding seven more in the top of the
seventh.
South Carolina, which edged Texas 1-0 on Alex Abrams’ four-hit shutout Tuesday night, fought back from early deficits of 4-0 and 7-2. The Palmetto State champions from North
Charleston muscled back into it when Zach Hagaman hit a three-run home run and Josh Tant added an RBI double in a four-run fifth inning.
That cut Texas’ lead to 7-6, but South Carolina would get no closer. Texas’ seven-run outburst in the top of the seventh was a hole even South Carolina couldn’t escape – but they
tried.
“We’ve done that all year,” Hagaman said about scoring in big innings. “We scored eight against Mississippi. I knew we weren’t done – even going into our last at-bat.”
North Charleston did score three unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh, but Ryan White closed out the game with a strikeout.
“One more bomb and they get right back in it,” said relieved Texas coach Heath Kennedy. “Both teams played hard.
“Some of these guys I’ve been coaching 10 years. This is the fourth year in a row, being in a World Series here or in Pre-Majors. It’s the end of it for a lot of them. I’m so
proud of them.”
Tanner Baker went 4-for-5 – with a single and run scored and a two-run triple in Texas’ seventh inning.
“He’d been slumping, too,” Kennedy said. “I dropped him down in the lineup and he came through.”
Chevis Springer, who scored three runs, and Chase Harvey, who went 2-for-3 with three RBIs, hit back-to-back triples in Texas’ three-run fifth inning, pushing Paris’ lead to
7-2.
Starter Jeff King, the winning pitcher in relief against Louisiana in the early game, came out of the game due to his pitch count and left after four innings with that 7-2 lead.
It quickly vanished.
Bobby Ison got an infield hit for South Carolina against reliever Chase Harvey. Billy Motroni hit a bloop single. After a pop fly for the first out, Hagaman’s
home run to right-center made it 7-5. Abrams walked and scored on Tant’s double.
But Texas’ big seventh inning staked them to a championship.
OZARK, Ala. — Paris, Texas won the Dixie Majors World Series on Wednesday night over North Charleston, S.C.
Paris led only 7-6 going into the seventh and final inning, but scored seven times for a 14-6 lead that stood up for the victory.
North Charleston scored three runs in the bottom of the inning on two hits, two walks and an error. But Paris got a strikeout for the final out with North Charleston runners on first and third.
The win avenged a 1-0 loss to North Charleston Tuesday night that forced Paris to win twice Wednesday to take the championship.
Paris came from behind to beat Bossier City, La., 5-4 to earn the right to play North Charleston again for the title. Bossier City led 4-1 after five innings, but Paris scored four runs in the top of the sixth and held on for the victory.
Paris took an early 4-0 lead in the championship game, scoring a run in the second inning and three more in the fourth, but Charleston cut the lead to 4-2 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth.
Paris countered with three runs in the top of the fifth to make it 7-2, but Charleston scored four times in the bottom of the inning to close to within 7-6.
Paris loaded the bases in the top of the seventh, and Chase Harvey was hit by a pitch, forcing in a run to increase Paris’ lead to 8-6.
Colby Rose followed with a single to bring home another run, and Laytner Kennedy’s two-run double made it 11-6.
Ryan White’s single made it 12-6, and a relief pitcher took over for North Charleston with runners still at first and third.
Tanner Baker delivered a two-run triple, his fourth hit of the game, for Paris’ final two runs.
Paris needed only three more outs for the victory, but North Charleston wouldn’t give up. The South Carolina team rallied on two hits, two walks and an error for three runs that made the score 14-9.
With runners on first and third and two men out, Paris got the final out on a strikeout swinging, high and inside. That triggered a mad dog pile of the Paris players on the pitcher’s mound.
Jeff King was the winning pitcher for both of Paris’ final-day victories. He came on in relief for the last three innings of the first game and then was the starter for the championship game.
Earlier in the tournament, Paris advanced with victories of 10-3 over Goochland, Va.; 12-2 over Laurel-Jones County, Miss.; and 6-1 over Bossier City.
Bossier City beat Auburn, Ala., 11-4; Polk County, Fla., 11-5; and North Charleston 8-6; before losing to Paris 6-1 on Monday in a game that left Paris the only team still unbeaten in the double-elimination tournament’s.
North Charleston started the tournament with a 12-0 victory over Mount Pleasant, Tenn., and followed with a 14-3 victory over Columbia County, Ga., before losing the 8-6 game to Bossier City. North Charleston rebounded for a 14-1 win over Laurel-Jones, Miss., on Monday and got to the championship game by its 1-0 victory over Paris on Tuesday.
It was the second straight year for Paris, coached by Heath Kennedy, to advance to the Dixie Majors World Series, and many of the players on the team went to the Pre-Majors World Series before that.
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JACKSONVILLE, Texas — Officials at Lon Morris College, which is one of the junior colleges in Region 14 with Paris Junior College, have announced several coaching vacancies, the Jacksonville Daily Progress has reported.
Rafael Gonzalez has been named coach for the men’s and women’s soccer teams, Chase Tidwell has been hired as head baseball coach, and Kristen Breaux is the new head coach for the Lady Bearcats softball team.
Tidwell replaces Josh Stewart, who left Lon Morris in June to become athletic director and head baseball coach at Northeast Texas Community College in Mount Pleasant.
“I’m surprised that we were able to hold on to Josh (Stewart) for as long as we did,” Lon Morris athletic director Dale Dotson told the Daily Progress. “Josh is an outstanding baseball coach and he is going into a good opportunity at Northeast Texas.”
Breaux, who has been assistant softball coach at LMC, replaces long-time Lon Morris softball coach Meredith Grant, who recently assumed duties as the head softball coach at Brownsboro High School.
“In talking with Meredith (Grant), I know that she is happy to be able to have more time to spend with her husband,” Dotson said.
Gonzalez replaces Chris Woodard, who also serves as the head girls’ soccer coach at Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler. Gonzalez was an assistant soccer coach at Lon Morris last season.
“We needed a coach who was available during the day to take care of our (soccer) kids, and Chris (Woodard) was not in a position to be able to do that with his responsibilities in Tyler,” Dotson said. “Rafael (Gonzalez) is a bright-young coach with a lot of energy and I think he will do a fine job with our soccer programs.”
Tidwell, a native of Asher, Okla., was the head baseball coach at Laredo Community College, but most recently worked as pitching coach at New Mexico State University (NCAA Division I).
Tidwell played college baseball at Laredo Community College for two seasons before completing his eligibility at Southeastern Louisiana University (NCAA Division I).
Hailing from Port Arthur, Breaux is a familiar face around the softball diamond for LMC players and fans alike.
Breaux played for one year as a Lady ‘Cat middle infielder before going on to become an assistant coach.
Dotson said that he is happy to see each of the former LMC head coaches receive the well-deserved promotions.
“Everybody got a bettor job. All JUCOs (junior colleges) usually get young coaches that hit the door looking for a better job and a bigger place to go,” Dotson said.
“We were lucky to have had them (the departing head coaches) for the length of time that they were here. They are not with us anymore, but we really like our new coaches, and we feel like they will be people that will help our young people improve themselves and grow, both in athletics and as young men and women.”
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Former Paris Junior College Dragons’ baseball player Justin Miller has been drafted by the San Diego Padres. The outstanding center fielder from Sumner, Texas, was taken in the Major League Baseball first year player draft in the 30th round. He was the 923rd draft pick overall and fifth outfielder selected by the Padres, but the only center fielder as of June 8.
“Justin Miller was a constant source of energy and positive attitude for our team,” says Dragons head baseball coach Deron Clark. “I am excited for him and proud to have been able to watch him develop and grow as a player and young man. We wish him the best of luck.”
Miller recently finished his college career at Southeastern Oklahoma State University by being named to the NCAA Lone Star Baseball All- Region and All-Conference First Teams. He was also named to the All- South Central Region First Team of the American Baseball Coaches Association and the All-American Third Team of the Daktronics All- America program, which honors student-athletes in Division II athletic programs. The region’s sports information directors conduct all the voting, nomination and calculations.
Miller led SOSU’s Savage Storm with a .433 batting average, collecting
87 hits with 21 doubles, two triples and team-high 11 home runs. He also added 47 RBI as well as 26 stolen bases. He slugged .721 on the season and posted an on-base percentage of .551 and scored 72 runs on the year. The team finished the year at 35-19 with a Lone Star Conference Championship and the school’s fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Miller’s parents are Christie Miller and Clay Miller.
Thanks to Derald Bulls, here is the latest news from Paris Junior College on the sports front:
GOLF
PJC golf coach David Johnson has announced the roster of players that have committed to play for the Dragons in the 2011-2012 season. J.D. Allison and William Blundell will return in the Fall from the 2010-11 team. They will be joined by many new faces in the freshman class.
“It’s very exciting to see the potential of next year’s team,” Johnson said. We only have two returning sophomores but both of them have plenty of tournament experience to rely on. The incoming freshmen have shown a lot of talent at some high level tournaments and have the potential to be very competitive at our level. I have tried to build a team with great character, enjoy playing golf and have a desire to improve their game every day. Having this depth will create a high level of competition at practice every day.”
Freshman:
Dennis Anderson, Randers, Denmark
Justin Ary, Quinton, Oklahoma
Callum Brady, Prenton, Cheshire, England
Treg Buchanan, Antlers, Oklahoma
Evan Feltham, Victoria, B.C. Canada
Steven Molumby, Stavanger, Norway
Brad Pardy, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
Robert Raborn, Sallisaw, Oklahoma
Ben Welker, Carrollton, Texas
Collin Wood, Mesquite, Texas
BASEBALL
According to Baseball Head Coach Deron Clark, PJC Freshman John Welborn (Sherman HS) was named to the 2011 All Region XIV Team. This will make him a candidate for the All American team which will be selected this week at the JUCO World Series.
VOLLEYBALL
These members of the 2010-11 Volleyball team will be continuing their careers at the following schools. We congratulate them on one of the best seasons in PJC Volleyball yet!
Codi Schepp (MB-Vernon, B.C., Canada)– Mercer State, GA
Melanie Williams (RS-Lone Oak, TX)– Texas A&M-Commerce
Amy Kleypas (OH-Crawford, TX)– University of Central Oklahoma
Kaila Johnson (RS-Kountze, TX) – Oklahoma City University
Amy Gunter (Libero-Carrollton, TX)– University of Texas – Dallas
Volleyball Head Coach Justin Maness, he has just about concluded his recruiting for the next season. Those signed for 2011-12 include:
Katie Poole – 5’9 Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist from Rowlett, TX
-2010 National Home School Tournament MVP
- Avg over 10 kills a match for the 2010 season
- .709 hitting percentage, 525 kills
-Multiple 1st Tournament finishes in indoor and beach
-Multiple All-tournament honors both State and Nationally
Katie Clapp – 5’9 Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist from Brewer, TX
-Played at Brewer High School
Veronica Azubuike – 5’10 Middle Blocker/Right Side Hitter from Arlington, TX
-Played at Arlington Seguin High School
-1st team All-District, Blocker of the District
-Defensive Player of the team
-Academic All-District
Lauren Hamaker – 5’9 Setter from Cedar Park, TX
-Played at Vista Ridge High School
-Honorable Mention All-District
-Academic All-District
Ariel Sanders – 6’0 Rightside from Mesquite, TX
-Played at Mesquite High School
-All District – “Outstanding Hitter”
-All District – 1st Team, Offensive Player of the Year
Sara Beth Upchurch – 5’6 Defensive Specialist from Blossom, TX
– Played at Prairiland High School
-Offensive player of the year
- 1st team All-Red River Valley
-1st team All-District, Academic All-District(4 years)
Sara Beth Hagan – 6’0 Middle Blocker/Rightside from Tom Bean, TX
-1st team all district
- Honorable Mention All-Texomaland
- All State Academic
Karina Garcia – 5’2 Defensive Specialist from McAllen, TX
-1st team all-district
-2nd team all-Rio Grande valley
-5A sweet 16 qualifier 2 years back to back
-Defensive player award, 634 digs senior year
Cheyenne Swenson – 5’11 Outside hitter/Rightside Hitter from Draper, Utah
SOFTBALL
Several members of the outstanding 2010-2011 Dragon Softball Team are in the process of finalizing commitments to several universities. The following are ones we hear heard about thus far.
Kasey Carlock (P-Aubrey, TX) – Henderson State Univ., Arkadelphia
Ashley Endsley (IF-Paris) – University of Texas, Tyler
Kodie Garner (C-Garland) – TX A&M Kingsville
Lauren Smith (OF-Waxahachie) – Angelo State Univ., San Angelo
Jessica Viramontez (OF-Wichita, KS) – Wichita (KS) State Univ.
NJCAA Baseball World Series-Grand Junction, CO.
The 2011 Tournament began on Friday! Taking part in the JUCO World Series are two Texas colleges, Navarro (ranked #3) and Grayson (ranked #2). Others include Central AZ (ranked #1), Chipola(FL), Seward Co. (KS), Jefferson (MO), Southern Union (AL), Iowa Western, Potomac State (WVA) and Southern GA. Going into the
On opening day, Navarro defeated Southern Union 15-5 while Grayson fell to Chipola yesterday in a slug-fest 19-13. Monday, Navarro continued winning beating Iowa Western 9-1 and will face Chipola tonight at 7 p.m. Grayson headed to the loser’s bracket and played Iowa Western this morning although a score was not yet posted.
A win by Navarro tonight would put them into the quarterfinals against top seeded Central AZ tomorrow night.
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