As winter turns to spring, several of UMHB’s athletic programs have returned to action, or in the case of the nationally ranked basketball teams, are in the homestretch of their schedules, eyeing the postseason.
This weekly roundup is designed to keep you posted in what happened over the weekend in UMHB athletics, in a quick-read format.
Of note, combined together, UMHB’s teams went 6-5 over the weekend.
UMHB softball challenged in Abilene
ABILENE- Hardin-Simmons is not an easy place to play, as UMHB head coach Melissa Mojica noted, and despite leading in virtually every statistical category in the three-game series at HSU, the Cru was deficient in one area: scoring.
“We beat them in many categories this weekend except on the scoreboard, so that was frustrating,” Mojica said postgame Saturday. “We have to be able to move runners and execute with runners in scoring position.
“I am disappointed we lost the series but overall feel like we are still farther along right now then this time last year.”
The Cowgirls took the series 2-1, which marked the conference-opening weekend for both teams. A three-run fourth inning from HSU in game one propelled the hosts to a 4-0 shutout, though UMHB rallied for a 2-1 victory in the second game of Friday’s doubleheader, tying the series at 1-1.
In that contest, shortstop Milly Cesare batted 2-for-3 from the leadoff spot in the lineup, while starting pitcher Bayleigh Grogan fired a complete game in a herculean effort. The senior moved to 2-0 on the year, having picked up a win against Southwestern a week prior, and while she allowed 10 hits, she allowed just one run. HSU stranded nine runners on base in the seven-inning contest.
“Milly Cesare did a great job leading off for us this weekend and will continue to stay in that spot,” Mojica said. “We had good hits throughout the lineup just couldn’t string them together in the same inning.”
UMHB fell 3-2 in the series finale on Saturday, moving to 2-3 on the year, 1-2 in ASC play. The Cru hosts McMurry for a three-game series next weekend, beginning with a doubleheader Friday at 2 p.m. followed by a 12 p.m. contest on Saturday.
Acrobatics & Tumbling victorious in home opener
BELTON- For the first time this season, the UMHB Acrobatics & Tumbling team competed in Belton, and came away with a 254.140-195.200 victory over its in-state counterpart, ETBU.
UMHB went into halftime with a 92.100-70.00 advantage, having scored a 36.55 in the Compulsory event. The Cru opened the second half of the meet with a 25.550 in Toss, and held on for its first win of the season.
The team does not compete for over a month, before hosting Concordia (Wis.) in Belton on March 14. That meet is set for 6:00 p.m. CT.
UMHB Baseball claims two wins in season opening-series
BELTON- The UMHB baseball team began its 2022 season on the same day it began conference play, and the opening contest ended up a dramatic finish.
On Friday night, Carson Hagan capped off a 6-5 win in the ninth inning, lifting a sacrifice fly ball to deep center field, as Warren Sammons tagged from third and scored the game-winning run.
Then in Saturday’s doubleheader, HSU responded with a 3-2 victory in game two of the series, as the Cru had just two hits. But UMHB, behind a tremendous start from freshman Nicklas Fenner, took game three, 6-3.
UMHB is now 2-1 on the year, holding the same record in ASC play, Head coach Mike Stawski’s team heads to McMurry for a three-game series next weekend, beginning with a 6 p.m. Friday night contest.
To read more about the series, click here
UMHB Tennis teams battle Trinity
SAN ANTONIO- The UMHB men’s and women’s tennis teams remained in the fight in San Antonio on Saturday, but were unsuccessful in emerging victorious against the talented Trinity (TX) squads.
The Tigers defeated the Cru on the women’s side, 8-1, though the doubles duo of Adrianna McElwain and Katy Beach earned UMHB’s first doubles match victory of the season, 8-6.
On the men’s side, Trinity earned a clean sweep, defeating the Cru, 9-0.
Both teams return to Belton on Friday, facing ETBU at 1 p.m. CT.
UMHB men’s basketball defeats Sul Ross State 78-74
ALPINE- A solid defensive first half gave No. 16 UMHB a 10–point halftime lead, and the Crusaders never looked back in their final road contest of the regular season, defeating Sul Ross State 78-74 on Saturday afternoon.
Josiah Johnson led the Cru with 25 points, his sixth straight 20-plus-point performance. Ty Prince and Kyle Wright each had 12 points apiece against a tenacious SRSU team, while Luke Feely contributed with 11.
The Cru, now 19-2 on the year, returns to Belton for two games this week, facing Belhaven on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and ETBU at 3 p.m. Saturday in the regular season finale. Saturday’s game will be senior day, honoring senior players from the UMHB men’s and women’s basketball teams, and True To The Cru is working to organize a white-out game. Wear white, and create a phenomenal home court atmosphere for the Cru!
To read more about Saturday’s win, click here
UMHB women’s basketball wins 19th straight
ALPINE- The UMHB women’s basketball team continues to roll, having used a 12-2 fourth quarter run on Saturday as the Crusaders defeated Sul Ross State 76-66. The Cru scored 30 points in the fourth quarter, claiming the team’s 20th win of the year, and 19th consecutive.
Arizona Rosborough led the Cru with 16 points, and Kaitlyn Kollmorgen tallied a season-high 12 points along with seven rebounds.
The Cru, now 19-2 on the year, returns to Belton for two games this week, facing Belhaven on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and ETBU at 3 p.m. Saturday in the regular season finale. Saturday’s game will be senior day, honoring senior players from the UMHB men’s and women’s basketball teams, and True To The Cru is working to organize a white-out game. Wear white, and create a phenomenal home court atmosphere for the Cru!
To read more about Saturday’s win, click here
