LITTLE ROCK — UCA’s Herbert, Daniel earn Southland awards
Central Arkansas forward Megan Herbert was named the Southland Conference Freshman of the Year and Sugar Bears Coach Matt Daniel was named Coach of the Year on Monday by the league’s coaches and sports information directors.
Herbert, who also was first-team all-conference, and Daniel, in his second season, helped lead UCA to the biggest turnaround in the nation, going from 6-23 last season to 21-8 this season. UCA sophomore guard Nakeia Guiden was named honorable mention all-conference.
Herbert, of Rogers, finished second in Southland Player of the Year voting to Lamar junior guard Jenna Plumley. The conference Defensive Player of the Year is Shalyn Martin of Texas-Arlington.
Herbert led the conference in scoring (21.8 points per game), rebounding (13.8), field-goal percentage (55.4) and free-throw percentage (84.1). She also set the league record for free throws made in a season (190) and is the fourth player, and first since 1999, to lead the Southland in scoring and rebounding in the same season.
Despite having the most inexperienced Division I team in the nation - 6 freshmen, 2 sophomores and 1 junior - Daniel guided the Sugar Bears to an 11-5 record in conference play. UCA was 15-1 at home at the Farris Center in Conway and had its most total victories since 2004-2005.
Game times set for D-II regionals
Game times were announced Monday for this weekend’s NCAA Division II men’s and women’s regional tournaments to be played at Arkansas Tech’s Tucker Coliseum in Russellville.
Arkansas Tech’s men and women are seeded No. 1 in the South Regional.
Arkansas Tech’s women, who are ranked No. 6 nationally, open play in the regional Friday at 6:30 p.m. against eighth seeded Benedict.
The Arkansas Tech men, who are ranked No. 2 nationally, play Saturday at 6 p.m. against No. 8 seed Tuskegee.
Other first-round games Friday in the women’s bracket: No. 2 seed Delta State vs. No. 7 seed Lynn University at 1:30 p.m.; No. 3 seed Fort Valley State vs. No. 6 seed Valdosta State at 4 p.m., and No. 4 seed Tampa vs. No. 5 seed Barry at 9 p.m.
On the men’s side Saturday in the first round: No. 2 seed Rollins vs. No. 7 seed Alabama-Huntsville at 1 p.m.; No. 3 seed Florida Southern vs. No. 6 seed Barry at 3:30 p.m., and No. 4 seed Valdosta State vs. No. 5 seed Clark-Atlanta at 8:30 p.m.
The women’s semifinals are Sunday at 1 and 3:30 p.m, and the championship game is at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 16.
The men’s semifinals are Sunday at 6 and 8:30 p.m., and the final is Tuesday, March 16, at 8:30 p.m.
UAPB’s Calvin receives SWAC honor
Arkansas-Pine Bluff guard Terrance Calvin has been named as the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s player of the week.
Calvin scored 25 points and added 6 rebounds and 5 assists as the Golden Lions beat Mississippi Valley State on Thursday. He also went 8 of 11 from the field. It was the final home game for the 6-2 senior from Clarksdale, Miss.
BASEBALL
Catholic to host event
Little Rock Catholic is hosting the Arkansas River Challenge at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock on Saturday, March 13.
The first game will begin at 11 a.m. and will be a rematch of last year’s state semifinal game between the Rockets and Fayetteville, the eventual Class 7A state champion. The second game will be at 1:30 p.m. and features 6A state champion Benton against North Little Rock.
Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for students. All gate proceeds will be donated to the Mary Drake Hope Fund.
Harding rolls at home
Harding had three players with three hits apiece as the Bisons won their eighth consecutive, beating Waldorf College 9-3 on Monday at Jerry Moore Field in Searcy.
Jason Nappi and Dylan Blount each went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI and Paul Anzalone was 3 for 4 with 2 RBI for Harding. Tyler Billen (2-0) got the victory in relief, allowing 1 hit and 1 unearned run in 2 innings.
HSU falls to Northern Kentucky
Lee Harris hit a grand slam in the eighth inning, but it wasn’t enough as Henderson State (12-5) lost to Northern Kentucky 8-7 on Sunday at Clyde Berry Field in Arkadelphia.
The Reddies threatened in the ninth when John Waylock hit a two-out double, but Richie Wood struck out to end the game.
Wood had three hits, while Harris was 2 for 4 with 5 RBI.
Golden Lions games rescheduled
Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s doubleheader against Lemoyne-Owen scheduled for today in Pine Bluff has been rescheduled because of forecasted inclement weather. The games will be played on April 14 at 2 and 4:30 p.m. at Regional Park.
UA-Fort Smith games postponed
Arkansas-Fort Smith scheduled doubleheader against St. Edward’s University scheduled for Monday in Austin, Texas, was rescheduled because of rain.
The teams will play at noon today in Austin, followed by a doubleheader Wednesday at 2 p.m. in San Antonio.
SOFTBALL
Williams Baptist sweeps at home
April McCampbell gave up no earned runs and 1 hit in 4 innings, striking out 9, as Williams Baptist beat Crowley’s Ridge 9-1 in the second game of a doubleheader Monday in Walnut Ridge. Williams Baptist (12-4) won the first game 11-0 with Trisha Driver allowing 1 hit in 4 innings and striking out 7.
Mallory Lee went 3 for 4 with 2 doubles and 3 runs scored and Holly Ann Walker hit a three-run home run in Game 1 for Williams Baptist. In Game 2, Teighlor Melton was 3 for 3 with 3 RBI, and Chelsea Sanders homered and had 2 RBI.
Ozarks’ Foster throws no-hitter
University of the Ozarks righthanded pitcher Kaci Foster threw a no-hitter in a 16-0 victory over Blackburn College in the second game of a doubleheader Monday in Clarksville. Ozarks (3-7) won the first game 9-1 behind a 3-for-3 effort from Ali Mathis.
In Game 2, Foster struck out five in three innings with no walks.
GOLF
UCA women first in Florida
Central Arkansas’ women remained in first place Monday after two rounds of the James Madison Eagle Landing Invite being played at Eagle Landing Golf Club in Orange Park, Fla.
Senior Rebecca Sorensen rebounded from a 77 in the opening round with a 1-under-par 71 on Monday and moved into a tie for sixth place at 148. Junior C.J. Bobbitt had rounds of 74-76-150 and is tied for 10th place, as is freshman Julia Roth (76-74-150).
Sophomore Sara Hillman shot 73-78-151 and is in a tie for 16th, while sophomore Gemma Hardie is tied for 22nd at 76-76-152.
UCA, at 299-297-596, leads the field by three strokes.
The third and final round of the tournament will be played today.
Sports, Pages 17 on 03/09/2010