HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL
West Rusk defeats Sabine;
Mount Vernon this weekend
The West Rusk Lady Raiders – who are undefeated this season – have advanced to the second round of the University Interscholastic League’s Class 3A softball playoffs after beating Sabine in a best-of-three-game series, having won both games. West Rusk won game one, 4-1, then won game two, 9-1, at Longview High School to close the series out.
West Rusk (24-0) will face Mount Vernon next in the area, or second, round of the 3A postseason, in a best-of-three series to be played at Grand Saline. Game one was to be played Friday night, in a game after the print deadline for this edition of the News Herald. Game two is Saturday at 2 p.m., and if a game three is necessary, it’ll begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of game two.
See the News Herald’s online sports section at kilgornewsherald.com Saturday night for an update on how the series went.
The Lady Raiders are coached by Dr. Bill Morton.
Against Sabine in the second game of that series, West Rusk got home runs from Piper Morton and Kyrsten Price, and a triple from both Jaimie Jose and Natalie Christy. Price finished with the home run and another hit and 2 RBI, Christy had the triple, a single and 2 RBI. Morton also had another hit, and Lilly Waddell had two hits and an RBI, and Carlie Buckner had an RBI.
On the mound, Christy had two strikeouts and walked two in 4 2/3 innings, and Waddell had four strikeouts and four walks in 2 1/3 innings.
For Sabine in the loss, Addyson Carney, Riley Lux and Bailey Pierce each had two hits. Isabella Sawyer had six strikeouts and three walks in four innings, and Amelia Miller had a strikeout and allowed two walks in three innings.
Sabine finishes the season with a 17-13-1 record.
GOLF
Chamber’s Spring Swing
tourney June 2
The annual Spring Swing Tournament, hosted by the Kilgore Area Chamber of Commerce, will be Friday, June 2, also at Tempest Golf Club.
It’s a four-person scramble, and a great way to connect with other Kilgore-area business-owners. Entry fees for a team is $500, for chamber members, $600 for non-members.
Registration and a bloody Mary and brunch bar are set for 9:30 a.m., with an 11 a.m. tournament start.
The tournament’s title sponsor is Patterson Kilgore Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, the premier sponsor Republic Services. There are several opportunities for sponsorships, all still currently available, for now.
Here’s a direct link for everything, including entry for chamber and non-chamber members, sponsorships and more: https://www.kilgorechamber.com/eventscalendar/#id=311&wid=801&cid=1366
For more on the tournament or to sponsor, call the chamber office at (903) 984-5022, or e-mail Lisa Morgan at lmorgan@kilgorechamber.com.
East Texas API scholarship
tourney at Tempest June 16
The annual American Petroleum Institute’s East Texas Chapter will host its annual fundraising golf tournament on Friday, June 16, at Tempest Golf Club, the 54th annual tournament.
The purpose of the event each year is to fund scholarships for sons and daughters, or grandchildren, of people in the oil and gas industry.
It’s a four-man scramble, 18-hole format, limited to 72 teams in two 36-hole sessions (Friday morning and Friday afternoon), with time preferences assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. Food, drawings, awards and contests will be a part of the event, and drink carts will be provided throughout the day. Sponsorships are still available, as well. Entry fee is $1,000 per team.
For more information about entry or sponsorships, go to easttexasapi.com. Pictured above: the tournament committee, as they concluded plans for this year’s event.
Ark-La-Tex registration open; Kilgore’s Meadowbrook on tour
Registration is now open for this summer’s Ark-La-Tex Junior Golf Tour.
The tour will play 11 events, including the Tournament of Champions to end the season.
Stops are set for Monday, June 5 at Alpine Golf Club in Longview (Adult/Youth), Monday, June 12 at Meadowbrook Golf & Event Center in Kilgore, Thursday, June 15 at Texarkana Country Club, Monday, June 19 at Northridge Country Club in Texarkana, Monday, June 26 at Wood Hollow Golf Course in Longview, Thursday, July 6 at the Tempest in Liberty City (Adult/Youth), Monday, July 10 at Alpine Golf Club in Longview, Monday, July 17 at Oak Grove Golf Club in New Boston, Monday, July 24 at Wood Hollow Golf Course in Longview (Adult/Youth), Monday, July 31 at Crossing Creek in Longview and Monday, Aug. 7 at Pinecrest Country Club in Longview (Tournament of Champions).
Events other than the July 6 stop at The Tempest begin at 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start. That tournament will begin at 1:30 p.m.
For information: (903) 753-1415 or https://form.jotform.com/230227943861155
— By sports editor Mitch Lucas
