TVCC Sports Notes: Lady Card softball off to fast start

By Benny Rogers, TVCC Sports Information

SOFTBALL

The Lady Cardinals are off to a 3-1 start.

Coach Ashley Johnston’s squad, which has been a regional tournament qualifier the past two seasons, opened Friday with a sweep against Grayson College, winning 7-5 and 7-1. Saturday, the Lady Cardinals split a pair against North Central Texas College, dropping an 8-6 decision in Game 1 and prevailing 6-5 in Game 2.

In the first game against Grayson, Chantelle Whitehead went 3-for-4, including a two-run home run. Marci Seymour also had three hits in three plate appearances. Candise Wise went 2-for-3 with a double and a single.

Kayla Cosby pitched a two-hitter in the second game.

Cosby was backed up by solo home runs by Erica Jordan and Jordan Olivares. Jordan went 2-for-3, as did Wise, who also stole two bases.

The Lady Cardinals had 20 hits in the Grayson doubleheader.

Melissa Billingsley and Jordan had three hits each in the Game 1 loss to North Central Texas. Billingsley had two singles, a double and and swiped two bases. Jordan had a triple to go along with two singles. She drove in three runs.

In the second game, Jazmine Hicks and Jordan both went 2-for-4 to lead the plate attack. Chyna Phipps also had two hits and stole two bases.

The Lady Cardinals are scheduled to return to action in their home opener Wednesday against Hill College. Doubleheader action at Cain Park begins at 1 p.m.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

The Cardinals jumped out to a 16-4 lead and then held off Bossier Parish for an 80-69 win Saturday afternoon at Cardinal Gym.

With the score tied at 28-28 with 3:51 to go in the first half, the Cardinals held Bossier Parish scoreless to lead 35-28 at halftime. The Cardinals scored nine unanswered points to start the second half to take control of the game.

Octavius Ellis, who scored eight of the Cardinals’ first 10 points in the first three minutes of the game, finished with 24 points.

Carl Porter also scored in double figures with 18 points. Karon Phillips and Jhaustin Thomas netted eight each.

The win boosted the Cardinals’ season record to 15-8. They are 6-6 in conference play.

The Cardinals are scheduled to return to action Wednesday on the road against Navarro. Game time in Corsicana is 7 p.m.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The third-ranked Lady Cardinals went on the road Saturday to take care of business, rolling to an 80-46 win against San Jacinto.

The Lady Cardinals had the game in hand at the half, leading 41-19.

Adut Bulgak and Shlonte’ Allen fired in 19 points each to lead the Lady Cardinals.

Also scoring in double figures were Savannah Carter with 13 and Shannon Smith with 11.

The win improved the Lady Cardinals to 22-1 overall and 9-0 in conference play.

The Lady Cardinals are scheduled to be back in action on the road Wednesday against Angelina. Tipoff in Lufkin is set for 5:30 p.m.