Savony, UT ladies in Houston regional on Friday
By MITCH LUCAS sports@kilgorenewsherald.com

HIT IT, SHELBY! - Former Kilgore High School standout Shelby Savony (right), now suiting up for the University of Texas softball team, is shown here just before hitting a double on Saturday against Texas A&M. The Longhorns lost that Big 12 Tournament game, but are seeded third in this weekend's NCAA regional in Houston. Savony is batting .360 right now, just a freshman for UT.

Here's a quick update on the three former Kilgore High School softball and baseball standouts now suiting up for the University of Texas.

Shelby Savony and the Longhorns' softball team is seeded No. 3 in the upcoming NCAA regional tournament in Houston. UT will play in that regional on Friday at 5 p.m. against Washington.

The 'Horns lost to No. 5 Texas A&M on Saturday, 3-1, in the Big 12 Conference tournament's semifinals in Oklahoma City. Savony, just a freshman, had an RBI double in that game.

Prior to the loss to A&M, Texas had beaten Oklahoma State (the host team), 4-3 earlier Saturday. UT is 28-21-2 headed into the regional.

Savony is hitting .360 on the season. She's played in 33 games, and started 12. In 50 at-bats, she's had 18 hits, including two home runs and four doubles. She's got 8 RBI. She's got a slugging percentage of .560, and an on-base percentage of .418. She's also 2-for-2 in stolen-base attempts.

SAVONY

Shelby is the daughter of Diana and Steve Schnarr of Kilgore.

The UT baseball team is 29-19 so far on the season, and has won four of its last five games, including a 2-0 win over Big 12 Conference foe Baylor last week. The Longhorns were scheduled to be in action today at home in a doubleheader against Alabama A&M, and then face Texas A&M this weekend (Friday night at 6 p.m. in Austin, then Saturday and Sunday in College Station - Saturday at 6, and Sunday at 1 p.m.).

That's the 'Horns' last action before the Big 12 tournament begins on May 21 in Oklahoma City. UT is currently 12-12 in conference play.

McCrory is being used as an infielder and relief pitcher. Overall this season, he's got a 5.40 ERA, officially an 0-1 record in 13 appearances. He's pitched 13 1/3 innings and allowed 12 hits and 10 runs, eight of them earned. He's got 15 strikeouts.

McCRORY

Pat is the son of Pat and Johnnie McCrory of Kilgore.

Whitmer is used only as a pitcher. The transfer from Florida State has a 1-0 record and a 3.86 ERA in 11 appearances. He's got two saves. He's pitched 23 1/3 innings and allowed 21 hits and 11 runs, 10 earned. He's got 26 strikeouts.

Whitmer is the son of Ted and Donna Whitmer.

The three former KHS players in spring sports at UT are just three of several former Kilgore athletes playing either college or professional sports (in fact, Laura Perkins, Michael Huey, Britt Mitchell and Eddie Jones are also all athletes for the Longhorns).

The News Herald is always glad to receive updates on any athlete from the Kilgore-area. Anyone with such information is urged to contact sports editor Mitch Lucas by e-mailing him at sports@kilgorenewsherald.com, or by calling him at the News Herald office at (903) 984-2593.

WHITMER