18 Inning Win By Sabine Softball Pitcher

I've heard of complete game wins before but this is ridiculous! Sabine's Rileigh Barber went wire-to-wire in the Lady Cardinals 6-4, 18-inning win over Spring Hill Tuesday night. There's a great article in the Longview News Journal describing the game. Rileigh had 14 strike outs, two walks, and gave up 4 runs in 18 innings. That's the equivalent of more than 2 1/2 games! She also drove in four runs on three hits, including the game-winner in the top of the 18th.

Now before you say, Barber had no business pitching 18 straight innings, I did some research. Unlike the overhand throw in baseball, the underhand windmill motion in softball is a more natural arm motion and not very taxing on the arm. Pitchers on club teams routinely pitch several games in one day.

UT Tyler Baseball Receiving National Attention

The NCAA says UT Tyler can't participate in postseason play or be involved in national rankings, but the outstanding play of the Patriots baseball team is forcing people to take notice. D3Baseball.com has posted a poll on their website, asking "Who should be the No. 1 team?" Their list includes 7 schools, including the 23-0 Patriots.

“It’s an honor,” Patriots head coach James Vilade said. “We’ve battled a lot through the first twenty-three games, we’ve got a great team. It’s good to be getting some national attention, and that’s well-deserved for our players.”

The Patriots are finishing their fourth and final year of provisional status with the NCAA, and not yet eligible for postseason play or NCAA rankings.

Remembering & Helping A Cowboys Legend

Anyone who has ever attended a Dallas Cowboys home game over the past four decades knows who "Crazy Ray" is (pictured here with Rowdy, courtesy of WFAA). I crossed paths with him several times over the years on the sidelines. He's the super fan at all the games dressed in western wear. He died on Saturday from heart disease and diabetes.

According to Wikipedia.org, Crazy Ray, whose real name was Wilford Jones, attended almost every home game since the team's birth. He only missed three games. He started selling pennants at games in 1962 and quickly endeared himself to the Cowboys fans with his western outfits, magic tricks, trademark whistle, and galloping along with one of those stick ponies. Crazy Ray has a place in the fans' wing of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He never officially worked for the Dallas Cowboys Organization, but was given a Special Parking Pass and All-access for home games.

KLTV 7 Meteorologist Morgan Palmer, who remembers seeing Crazy Ray at the games pointed out a website fans can leave memories and help out his wife, Mattie. The couple began having

financial trouble when Ray began having health issues. It's a cool website. Check it out...

Honors At The UIL State Basketball Tournament

While Martin's Mill and Laneville both came up just short in their bids for state basketball championships this past weekend, several players earned individual honors.

Martin's Mill's B.J. Brawner and Brant Etheridge earned Class 1A, Divison I State All-Tournament honors.

Laneville's Marcus Anderson and Mark Carey earned Class 1A, Division II State All-Tournament honors.

Brawner and Anderson are both juniors, so look for both of these teams to make another run at the title next season.

Mudbugs In Gilmer Thursday

Here's your chance to see members of the Bossier City-Shreveport Mudbugs in person!

The Mudbugs will be signing autographs at the Upshur County Court House, "On the Square" at 3:30pm.

The Mudbugs secured a playoff berth with an 8-0 pasting of Tulsa last Friday. Head on out to Gilmer and give them an East Texas Size congratulations!

East Texas Athletes Of The Week

Christy Shipley-Gipson
ETBU senior named the American Southwest Conference East Division Softball Hitter of the Week.







Will Melton
East Texas Baptist University junior named the American Southwest Conference East Division Pitcher of the Week.

ETBU Senior Earns Scholar All-American Honors

Good stuff out of ETBU. It is hard work to make a college deans list, but when you do so while also playing a sport, my hat is off to you!
MARSHALL, Texas – East Texas Baptist University senior Janna Wilson was named a 2006 Scholar All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association, an honor that caps the four-year letterwinner’s record-setting career as a forward with the Lady Tigers.



Wilson, a native of Longview and former star at Pine Tree High School, was named to the NSCAA College Division second-team. She is the first player in the history of the program to be named a Scholar All-American by the NSCAA.



Wilson scored 21 goals this past season and finished with eight assists. She finished her four-year career at ETBU as the American Southwest Conference’s all-time leader in goals (73), assists (45) and points (191) and was a three-time All-ASC selection, including winning the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year award in 2005.



She was named All-South Region by the NSCAA as well as D3Kicks.com following the season, as well as being named All-American Southwest Conference for the fourth time in her career. She was also a three-time ASC All-Academic team selection.

Three Finalists For UT Tyler Men's Basketball Job

UT Tyler apparently has identified three finalists for the men's basketball head coach position. Smoaky.com is reporting the three finalists are:

Kenny Bizot - Jackon, MS Prep head coach and former Mississippi College assistant coach
Chris Oestreich - Austin College head coach
Dylan Howard - Hardin-Simmons head coach.