Last Stand Time to Shine
NEWS Volume 1 • Issue 11
•Apirl 13, 2012 •
Time to Shine
Last Stand As the Texas A&M International University baseball team fights for their second consecutive berth in the Heartland Conference Tournament, they face perhaps their most daunting challenge of the season. The Dustdevils (12-15) currently sit ½ game behind The Arkansas Fort-Smith Lions (12-14) for the fourth and final playoff spot with three conference series’ remaining in the 2012 season. The problem is that each of their final three series comes against one of the top three teams in the conference and at this point, every series is a must-win. First up is the number three Newman Jets, who took two of three games from TAMIU earlier this season. If the Dustdevils can manage a series win over the Jets, they move on to face not only the number one team in the conference, but the number one team in the country, hosting the St. Mary’s Rattlers. The Dustdevils go out of the frying pan and into the fire for their final test of the year traveling to Austin to take on the number two St. Edward’s Hilltoppers. Regardless of the uphill battle that faces the Dustdevils in the coming weeks, players remain confident, “We played well against St. Mary’s and St. Edward’s when we faced them earlier this season, we just didn’t put them away,” said centerfielder Jeff Anderson, “Our pitching staff has been lights out all season and our offense is coming around at exactly the right time.”
With six Heartland Conference games remaining on their 2012 schedule, the Texas A&M International University softball team is in prime position to earn their second straight trip to the post season. The Dustdevils (45) are currently tied with UTPermian Basin (4-5) for the fourth and final spot in the Heartland Conference Tournament. The next stop for TAMIU is Goodwell, Oklahoma where TAMIU will take on Oklahoma Panhandle State (3-6) in a three game series. The Aggies trail the Dustdevils by one game in the standings and TAMIU can clinch a spot in the tournament if they can manage a sweep. “In a perfect world we’d love to get a sweep, but going on the road against any opponent is difficult,” said head Coach Scott Libby. “With that said, we are definitely capable of winning all three games on the road, but at the very minimum we need to take two out of three. We have been a little inconsistent this year, but as of late I have started to see the maturity we had hoped for earlier this season. I’d love to see us get a chance to perform at the conference tournament because at this point in the season, we are a team that can make some noise and possibly pull off some upsets.”
Following another exciting year of Dustdevils Athletics, Texas A&M International University is excited to announce the date of its 2012 Athletics Banquet to honor our student-athletes. This year’s event will take place on April 29, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. in the student center ballroom. Awards will be presented to athletes representing each of TAMIU’s 11 different sports. Tickets for the event are priced at $25 RSVP and $30 at the door. For more information, contact Petra Vela at pvela@tamiu. edu or 956.326.3000.
Jeff Anderson helped the Dustdevils take a crucial series against the UAFS Lions hitting .545 over the weekend.
Student Athlete’s Spotlight
2012 Athletics Banquet
www.godustdevils.com
Name: Jeff Anderson Junior: Center Field
Name: Kyndall Reaves Sophomore: Pitcher
Reaves was named Heartland Conference pitcher of the week after throwing seven shutout innings in a 6-1 win over Texas A&M Kingsville
Athletic Director’s Corner Making it Happen In a time of limited resources and escalating costs everyone needs to develop new and creative ways to build successful programs. All too often we tend to focus on all of the things we don’t have rather than utilizing what we do have better. One of the greatest basketball coaches of all time, John Wooden was no exception… As the story goes, he used to complain that he could never compete with major colleges across the country because they all had new and beautiful facilities and UCLA had none. Once he made up his mind to “make it happen” anyway, his teams won three National Championships before Pauley Pavilion was ever constructed. Our programs at TAMIU are successful because our coaching staff and student-athletes focus on the positive and not the negative. They, like John Wooden, are “making it happen.” Go Dustdevils!
In Motion
Jeff Anderson celebrates after hitting a double versus Arkansas Fort Smith
Sam Carrillo slides safely into second base versus Incarnate Word
Dusty Notes • Austin Voros leads the TAMIU baseball team in batting average (.313), hits (36) and RBI (22). • The TAMIU baseball team is ranked third in the conference in pitching with a team ERA of 3.69 and second in fielding with a fielding percentage of .964. • Regina Morales leads the TAMIU softball team in batting average (.347) home runs (7) and RBI (26). •Morales is tied for the conference lead with seven home runs and is ranked third in the conference in slugging percentage (.579). • Rochelle Nash is ranked fifth in the conference in hits with 45. • Alexis Gonzalez is ranked third in the conference with 10 doubles.
Home Event Schedule • 4/16 Men’s Golf, Heartland Conference Tournament • 4/16 Women’s Golf, Heartland Conference Tournament • 4/17 Men’s Golf, Heartland Conference Tournament • 4/17 Women’s Golf, Heartland Conference Tournament • 4/20 Softball vs. UT-Permian Basin, 12:00 p.m. • 4/21 Softball vs. UT-Permian Basin, 11 & 1:30 p.m. • 4/27 Baseball vs. St. Mary’s (DH), 12 & 3:30 p.m. • 4/28 Baseball vs. St. Mary’s, 12:00 p.m.
Meet The Coach Name: Arek Zambanini Assistant Coach Softball
Arek Zambanini enters his second season as an assistant softball coach at Texas A&M International University. Before he began his coaching career, he played in the outfield for two years at TAMIU starting with the Dustdevils inaugural team in 2007. During his tenure, the team compiled a record of 51-55-1.
Name: Jim Bonnette Assistant Coach Baseball Jim Bonnette is entering his fourth season as an assistant coach for the Dustdevils. Prior to joining the baseball program at TAMIU, Coach Bonnette served as an assistant coach at Ohio Valley University.
Dustdevil Platinum Club Sponsors
Thank You
On behalf of the student-athletes, coaching staff, athletic administration and the University, we wish to sincerely thank all of the members of the Dustdevil Club. Your continued support is what keeps our student-athletes successful, both academically and athletically.
Laredo Sports Medicine Clinic
Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust
Killam Family Foundation Trust
Jorge Haynes Family Trust
Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau
Be part of the team... Join the Dustdevil Club at GoDustdevils.com
•Apirl 13, 2012 •
Time to Shine
Last Stand As the Texas A&M International University baseball team fights for their second consecutive berth in the Heartland Conference Tournament, they face perhaps their most daunting challenge of the season. The Dustdevils (12-15) currently sit ½ game behind The Arkansas Fort-Smith Lions (12-14) for the fourth and final playoff spot with three conference series’ remaining in the 2012 season. The problem is that each of their final three series comes against one of the top three teams in the conference and at this point, every series is a must-win. First up is the number three Newman Jets, who took two of three games from TAMIU earlier this season. If the Dustdevils can manage a series win over the Jets, they move on to face not only the number one team in the conference, but the number one team in the country, hosting the St. Mary’s Rattlers. The Dustdevils go out of the frying pan and into the fire for their final test of the year traveling to Austin to take on the number two St. Edward’s Hilltoppers. Regardless of the uphill battle that faces the Dustdevils in the coming weeks, players remain confident, “We played well against St. Mary’s and St. Edward’s when we faced them earlier this season, we just didn’t put them away,” said centerfielder Jeff Anderson, “Our pitching staff has been lights out all season and our offense is coming around at exactly the right time.”
With six Heartland Conference games remaining on their 2012 schedule, the Texas A&M International University softball team is in prime position to earn their second straight trip to the post season. The Dustdevils (45) are currently tied with UTPermian Basin (4-5) for the fourth and final spot in the Heartland Conference Tournament. The next stop for TAMIU is Goodwell, Oklahoma where TAMIU will take on Oklahoma Panhandle State (3-6) in a three game series. The Aggies trail the Dustdevils by one game in the standings and TAMIU can clinch a spot in the tournament if they can manage a sweep. “In a perfect world we’d love to get a sweep, but going on the road against any opponent is difficult,” said head Coach Scott Libby. “With that said, we are definitely capable of winning all three games on the road, but at the very minimum we need to take two out of three. We have been a little inconsistent this year, but as of late I have started to see the maturity we had hoped for earlier this season. I’d love to see us get a chance to perform at the conference tournament because at this point in the season, we are a team that can make some noise and possibly pull off some upsets.”
Following another exciting year of Dustdevils Athletics, Texas A&M International University is excited to announce the date of its 2012 Athletics Banquet to honor our student-athletes. This year’s event will take place on April 29, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. in the student center ballroom. Awards will be presented to athletes representing each of TAMIU’s 11 different sports. Tickets for the event are priced at $25 RSVP and $30 at the door. For more information, contact Petra Vela at pvela@tamiu. edu or 956.326.3000.
Jeff Anderson helped the Dustdevils take a crucial series against the UAFS Lions hitting .545 over the weekend.
Student Athlete’s Spotlight
2012 Athletics Banquet
www.godustdevils.com
Name: Jeff Anderson Junior: Center Field
Name: Kyndall Reaves Sophomore: Pitcher
Reaves was named Heartland Conference pitcher of the week after throwing seven shutout innings in a 6-1 win over Texas A&M Kingsville
Athletic Director’s Corner Making it Happen In a time of limited resources and escalating costs everyone needs to develop new and creative ways to build successful programs. All too often we tend to focus on all of the things we don’t have rather than utilizing what we do have better. One of the greatest basketball coaches of all time, John Wooden was no exception… As the story goes, he used to complain that he could never compete with major colleges across the country because they all had new and beautiful facilities and UCLA had none. Once he made up his mind to “make it happen” anyway, his teams won three National Championships before Pauley Pavilion was ever constructed. Our programs at TAMIU are successful because our coaching staff and student-athletes focus on the positive and not the negative. They, like John Wooden, are “making it happen.” Go Dustdevils!
In Motion
Jeff Anderson celebrates after hitting a double versus Arkansas Fort Smith
Sam Carrillo slides safely into second base versus Incarnate Word
Dusty Notes • Austin Voros leads the TAMIU baseball team in batting average (.313), hits (36) and RBI (22). • The TAMIU baseball team is ranked third in the conference in pitching with a team ERA of 3.69 and second in fielding with a fielding percentage of .964. • Regina Morales leads the TAMIU softball team in batting average (.347) home runs (7) and RBI (26). •Morales is tied for the conference lead with seven home runs and is ranked third in the conference in slugging percentage (.579). • Rochelle Nash is ranked fifth in the conference in hits with 45. • Alexis Gonzalez is ranked third in the conference with 10 doubles.
Home Event Schedule • 4/16 Men’s Golf, Heartland Conference Tournament • 4/16 Women’s Golf, Heartland Conference Tournament • 4/17 Men’s Golf, Heartland Conference Tournament • 4/17 Women’s Golf, Heartland Conference Tournament • 4/20 Softball vs. UT-Permian Basin, 12:00 p.m. • 4/21 Softball vs. UT-Permian Basin, 11 & 1:30 p.m. • 4/27 Baseball vs. St. Mary’s (DH), 12 & 3:30 p.m. • 4/28 Baseball vs. St. Mary’s, 12:00 p.m.
Meet The Coach Name: Arek Zambanini Assistant Coach Softball
Arek Zambanini enters his second season as an assistant softball coach at Texas A&M International University. Before he began his coaching career, he played in the outfield for two years at TAMIU starting with the Dustdevils inaugural team in 2007. During his tenure, the team compiled a record of 51-55-1.
Name: Jim Bonnette Assistant Coach Baseball Jim Bonnette is entering his fourth season as an assistant coach for the Dustdevils. Prior to joining the baseball program at TAMIU, Coach Bonnette served as an assistant coach at Ohio Valley University.
Dustdevil Platinum Club Sponsors
Thank You
On behalf of the student-athletes, coaching staff, athletic administration and the University, we wish to sincerely thank all of the members of the Dustdevil Club. Your continued support is what keeps our student-athletes successful, both academically and athletically.
Laredo Sports Medicine Clinic
Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust
Killam Family Foundation Trust
Jorge Haynes Family Trust
Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau
Be part of the team... Join the Dustdevil Club at GoDustdevils.com
