Softball Pitcher of the Week – Makayla Sikes, Stephen F. Austin – Sr. – Gilmer, Texas McNeese (22-10, 5-4 SLC) swept its first Southland series of the season, taking three games at home against UIW this past weekend. The Cowgirls have a midweek tilt in Lake Charles against South Alabama on Wednesday at 6 p.m. CT before getting their chance at the league leader, Northwestern State (20-9, 8-1 SLC), this weekend. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. Friday in Natchitoches. Honorable Mention: Alexsandra Flores, Stephen F. Austin; Rachel Hayes, Southeastern Louisiana; Rachel Haberman, Central Arkansas. This is the first weekly award for both Catron and Sikes this season. Catron produced a .444 batting average and a 1.566 slugging percentage to lead McNeese to a home sweep. The senior from Mineola, Texas, picked up four hits (all for extra bases) in the series, including three home runs. She went yard twice in series finale, including a two-run walk off to complete the come-from-behind win for the sweep. She ended the series with six RBIs and five runs. Softball Hitter of the Week – Morgan Catron, McNeese – 1B/DP – Sr. – Mineola, Texas Honorable Mention: Libby Morris, Central Arkansas; Kinsey Nichols, Southeastern Louisiana; Margarita Corona, Stephen F. Austin; Julie Rawls, Northwestern State. FRISCO, Texas – McNeese’s Morgan Catron and Stephen F. Austin’s Makayla Sikes are the Southland Conference Softball Players of the Week, the league announced Monday. Southland Conference Players of the Week are presented by UniversalCoin.com. Sikes, a senior righty from Gilmer, Texas, earned a win each game she started this past week. After going four innings deep and striking out five to collect the midweek win at Texas Southern, Sikes earned her fifth complete game win of the season as she tossed all eight innings during the Ladyjacks’ 6-5, extra-inning victory in game one of the series with Lamar. In the series finale in Beaumont, Sikes threw five innings without giving up a run and allowed just four hits compared to six strikeouts. For the week, she kept opponents to a .227 average with a 2.06 ERA while moving to 10-5 on the season. Stephen F. Austin (17-13, 5-4 SLC) picked up a series win this past weekend over Lamar (18-14, 4-5 SLC) for the first time since 2014. The Lady Jacks wrap up a nine-game road swing with a 6 p.m. contest at Texas that will broadcast on the Longhorn Network. SFA then hosts Sam Houston State (11-21, 4-5 SLC) this weekend, beginning with a Friday doubleheader set for 4 p.m. Southland weekly award winners are nominated and voted upon by each school’s sports information director. Voting for one’s own athlete is not permitted. To earn honorable mention, a student-athlete must appear on at least 25 percent of ballots.
Stephen F. Austin Tabbed to Win Southland in Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Stephen F. Austin (23) 287 13. Incarnate Word 30 6. Sam Houston State 184 T10. Nicholls 101 4. Abilene Christian (1) 196 3. New Orleans 204 7. McNeese 172 9. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 115 8. Central Arkansas 136
12. Northwestern State 73 2018-19 Southland Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll School (First-place votes) Total T10. Houston Baptist 101 2. Southeastern Louisiana (2) 243 5. Lamar 186 HOUSTON — Stephen F. Austin is the preseason favorite to win the Southland Conference men’s basketball regular-season championship, according to the league’s 2018-19 men’s basketball coaches and sports information directors. Last year’s co-champion Southeastern Louisiana is tabbed to finish second while New Orleans is picked third in the poll.The announcement was made this morning as Southland Conference Basketball Social Media Day commenced at the Toyota Center in downtown Houston. The home of the Houston Rockets is where all 26 head coaches from the league’s men’s and women’s programs are previewing the upcoming season today. Coaches are participating in Q&A sessions, media interviews, social media activities and one-on-one segments. The season is bookended in the Houston area, starting with today’s preview event and ending nearby at the Merrell Center in Katy, Texas, with the Southland Conference tournament on March 13-17.Social Media Day can be followed on the Southland’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts, with a preview show streaming on ESPN3 tonight at 6 p.m. The ESPN3 preview show, available via https://sland.social/ESPN3MD and ESPN apps, will be archived immediately following its initial airing.Kyle Keller’s Lumberjack squad leads all schools with three players on the Southland all-conference preseason first team, including senior guard Shannon Bogues, junior guard/forward Kevon Harris and junior forward TJ Holyfield. The trio helped lead SFA to its fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in five years this past season.Last year’s regular-season co-champion and conference tournament runner-up Southeastern Louisiana received two first-place votes while being chosen to finish second. The Lions senior floor general Marlain Veal headlines the league’s preseason first team after being named Defensive Player of the Year and leading the league in assists (6.1 per game) a season ago. Veal is joined by two fellow starters from a year ago – Moses Greenwood and Keith Charleston. Jay Ladner begins his fifth year at the Southeastern Louisiana helm with five returning letterwinners.New Orleans is slated to finish third after a fifth-place finish in 2017-18. The Privateers, led by eighth-year coach Mark Slessinger, will try to repeat the magic of two years ago when UNO won both the regular-season and conference tournament championships.Abilene Christian, who received one first-place vote, is selected to finish fourth after a 16-16 effort last year. Meanwhile, Lamar and head coach Tic Price are expected to finish fifth.Sam Houston State is predicted to come in sixth, while McNeese and Central Arkansas were picked seventh and eighth, respectively. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is pegged for the ninth spot and Houston Baptist and last year’s co-champion Nicholls tied for the 10th place spot.Northwestern State is predicted to finish 12th followed by Incarnate Word.The preseason poll is voted on by the head coach and sports information director from each Southland school. Each individual ranks the other 12 teams in their predicted order of regular season finish. Ranking one’s own school is not permitted.
Mac McBride Steps Down as Nicholls Head Soccer Coach
Courtesy of Nicholls Athletics Media RelationsTHIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University Athletics Director Matt Roan announced Thursday that Mac McBride will be stepping away from his position as head soccer coach due to personal reasons. Assistant coach Danny Free has been appointed interim head coach. “Coach Mac has laid a foundation for Nicholls Soccer to flourish in the years to come, and we are thankful for his contributions,” Roan said. “He fit into our department incredibly well and helped with the establishment of a positive culture, placed a premium on academics and giving back, and leaves the program in great standing for future competitive success. We were fortunate to have Coach Mac lead our program for the last three seasons, and I’m personally happy for him that he’s reuniting with his family. We wish Mac, Becky, and their beautiful daughters nothing but the best in their new adventure in Texas. We know we’ll be able to count them among our fans each time the Colonels visit greater Houston.”The squad recently earned the United Soccer Coaches Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award for the third straight year, an achievement shared by just one other NCAA Division I team. Nicholls also received the USC Team Academic Award all three seasons under McBride, qualifying for the award by maintaining a minimum team grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).During his tenure, McBride helped guide Jess Coates to All-SLC and All-LSWA First Team awards, Katherine Kelly as an All-SLC honorable mention defender, and striker Francesca Curteis to All-LWSA and All-SLC honorable mention honors.”I want to thank Nicholls State University for the opportunity it gave me to lead its women’s soccer program and for the unwavering support the administration has given me throughout my tenure,” McBride said. “The people at Nicholls make it a very special university indeed. Being the soccer coach at Nicholls is an experience I will never forget. “I’m very proud of the way the team has represented itself through community outreach, nationally-recognized sportsmanship on the field, and stellar work in the classroom. The final piece of the jigsaw is results on the field and those results will come. With interim coach Free at the helm, the future of Nicholls’ Soccer is very bright indeed. He is knowledgeable, competitive and hungry for success. Along with coach Lex, they will make a fantastic coaching partnership.” For the latest news on Nicholls soccer, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_SOC.
Steve Bruce rang Fergie for advice before Newcastle’s shock win over Spurs
AN UNDER-FIRE Steve Bruce sought the advice of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson before masterminding Newcastle’s shock win over Spurs.The Toon boss was facing stick from supporters after replacing fan-favourite Rafa Benitez, with defeats in the first two games of his reign cranking up the pressure.2 Steve Bruce sought advice from Sir Alex Ferguson before Newcastle’s shock victory at TottenhamCredit: PA:Press Association2 The veteran manager has never shied away from contacting his former bossCredit: Getty Images – GettyBut with criticism mounting, Bruce turned to his former mentor and Manchester United icon Ferguson for help in handling the situation, according to The Athletic.The 77-year-old is reported to have told his ex-skipper to “keep his head down and get on with it”, with Bruce attempting to encourage a siege mentality among his Newcastle players.The duo enjoyed great success during their time together at Old Trafford, with the Englishman winning nine major honours in the nine years he spent under the legendary Scot.And following the debacle against Norwich, Bruce sought out a pep talk with Fergie to help inspire Newcastle’s first win of the season.The ex-Aston Villa boss then chose to deploy a 5-4-1 formation during the game in north London so as to take a greater control of the midfield battle.I have managed 900-odd games and over the years you would think there would be some sort of respectSteve BruceThe renewed attitude saw Newcastle put in a dogged display that was capped by club-record signing Joelinton getting off the mark to net the winner.Speaking after the win, Bruce said: “We have tried to quieten the storm. After two games, it’s been hard to get that criticism. I hope that gives us a little a bit of time.”It is only the first win but we have seen some big performances today.”The only way we can respond to criticism is like that.”We have had a tough week so we have had to respond in the right way and thankfully the players have. “I mean, to say I “cannot even do a warm-up” is mad.”I have managed 900-odd games and over the years you would think there would be some sort of respect.”I go back to the fact that whoever took over from Rafa Benitez was going to get the abuse. I hope that is a line in the sand.”Steve Bruce meets Joelinton midway through his first interview for Newcastle
Gatland eyes series win
Photo: Getty Images (British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland) The blockbuster series in New Zealand will be decided by a third and final game at Eden Park on Saturday after the Lions rallied to beat the world champions 24-21 in Wellington last week.Gatland’s Lions capitalised on Sonny Bill Williams’ red card in the first half as Owen Farrell kicked a late penalty to level the three-match series at 1-1.And Gatland believes the visiting Lions have what it takes to claim a series victory over the All Blacks for the first time since 1971.”We have poked the bear but hopefully the wounded Lion from last week is still recovering as well,” said Gatland via the Guardian.”This is the best team in the world and, for two Test matches, they really haven’t stressed us. They have squeezed us and made us give away penalties but we haven’t seen the expansive rugby that the All Blacks are known for.”We’ve coped with that and, if we can continue to improve in other areas, then we are going to see, hopefully, a great Test match.”Gatland added: “Saturday was pretty massive for all of us: for the future of the Lions, for the team, for everyone involved; to go 1-1 with no one expecting that.”Now [we can] go to Eden Park thinking: ‘Actually, if we put our best foot forward and play to our ability, we are capable of winning that Test match and the series.'”
Swim star Ryan Pini hopes for 4 gold
On arrival from Brisbane this afternoon he said he would try to keep his fans happy with his trade mark swimming efforts.He said this would be his last Pacific Games and he intends to compete at the world swimming championships which are to be held in Kazan, Russia, next month.At the Pacific Games in PNG, Pini will be taking part in 7 events and is confident of bagging gold in four.He also gave a thumbs up to the government for building an international standard swimming pool.
Atlético installs more screens against the cold in the Metropolitan
A warmer stadium. That will find the fans that tomorrow night go to the Wanda Metropolitano at Atlético-Granada. And is that Atlético finished this afternoon to install new glass screens to reduce air currents that occur in some occasions in the rojiblanco stadium. That was an old demand of the fans since the field opened in September 2017: reduce these currents that make the field a cold place, almost as much as the Calderón was with the Manzanares River. These have been installed in the circulation galleries in the middle tiers of the north and south bottoms, while sending a letter to the members with a seat in those places to inform them of this, as the journalist of Four in her social networks, Cristina Tirado.Wanda improvementsThey are not the first ‘extra’ screens that the Wanda Metropolitano adds once built. Mid last season, he placed others at the top of the bottoms to reduce air currents that were placed through the gap between the last seats and the deck. In that letter, in addition, the club rojiblanco ahe announced the beginning of another of the works in the highly anticipated field: that of his Museum. It will occupy an area of 1,400 square meters and combine tradition with the avant-garde.
Luxury in the goal
By contrast, Ter Stegen is registering his worst numbers in the four seasons he has been in the title of Barça. For the first time, the German international league average exceeds the goal conceded per game (1.13, almost double that of its opponent tonight) in the season with its worst percentage of league stops (66%), an index of success less than 70% accumulated of all competitions. He has only kept the goal to zero in ten games (seven in the League). Despite the situation, your recent resume guarantees you as a guarantee insurance. Since he tied the title, he is the second goalkeeper of the five major European leagues that more times (55) has left the goal to zero, behind Oblak (68). From less to more, this Courtois campaign It is offering your best version. At the start of the season everything was Doubts about a goalkeeper who was seven months (14 games) without leaving zero the white goal. In contrast, this season he has achieved it in 14 of 30 games. He has bolted his goal. Only in 72-73 did Madrid have fewer goals conceded in the League after 25 days and walk towards the conquest of first Zamora white since Casillas got it in 2007-08. The Belgian international has 14 goals conceded in 22 league games; an average of 0.64 points per game that represents the best ratio of his career in a regularity tournament (either in LaLiga or in the Premier). His percentage of stops in the league amounts to 75% (the general is 73%) and has gone through streaks of matches touching and even exceeding 90%. The luck of the Classic is in your hands. In his gloves. Of the performance, the inspiration and the reflections of Courtois and Ter Stegen depends on the clashes between Real Madrid and Barca do not mark a historic milestone: Never before has there been two 0-0 in the clashes between the two in the same season.
Courtois holds Madrid in droughtCourtois has given Madrid four points by not having fit in four of the six games in which Madrid was left unmarked and left the goal to zero in three other wins by the minimum. Instead, Ter Stegen only maintained his impregnable goal in one of the four League matches in which Barça resisted the opposite goal (precisely the Classic), in addition to the 1-0 against Atlético and Granada.Face to faceCourtois never beat Ter Stegen. The German has three wins and two draws in five games.The Belgian only won one of his 15 games (7 draws and 7 losses) against Barça: the return of the quarterfinals of the Champions League in 2014. He has conceded 26 goals.The German balance against Madrid It is 5 wins, 4 draws, 2 losses and 12 goals received.9 goals Messi is the second greatest executioner of Courtois, just behind Cristiano (10 goals).
The untouchables of Atlético
Atlético de Madrid has presented a great renovation of its dressing room in recent years, with the coming and going of decisive players for the team such as scorers Sonia Bermúdez or Jenni Hermoso. However, the rojiblanca entity has kept several heavyweights in the squad such as the midfielder Amanda Sampedro, Ángela Sosa and Silvia Meseguer, wingers Carmen Menayo and Kenti Robles or goalkeeper Lola Gallardo.All six have remained on the team in the best years in terms of sports success, with the three Leagues being won consecutively. And, they have done it with a role of importance for the rojiblancas. The six are usually holders and, in the case of the Seville goalkeeper, not even an injury or the arrival of the considered best goalkeeper in the world, Van Veennendal, has managed to relegate him to the red and white goal. The other five untouchables have also remained strong in the face of new competition in their positions, occupying the top ten players with the most minutes as Atletico this season. The decisive role of Ángela Sosa stands out, chosen best player of the previous season of the First Iberdrola. The midfielder is top scorer (9 goals and 5 assists) and Atlético’s second footballer with the most minutes in his boots (1,673 ‘). They have also had influence with their goals Meseguer (3 goals) or the great captain Amanda Sampedro (2), who are the seventh and tenth player with the most minutes in the Madrid squad, respectively.