Local Sports
Former Bearkat pitcher called up by Reds
Former Sam Houston State pitcher Robert Manuel wasn’t even in Philadelphia when the Cincinnati Reds were dealt a 22-1 pounding by the Phillies on Monday, but there’s no doubt that he’ll remember that game forever.
In a clubhouse in Indianapolis after his Triple-A Louisville team played its game, Manuel was watching highlights on television of the Reds’ loss when he got the word from manager Rick Sweet that he was going to the big leagues for the first time.
“It was real weird,” Manuel said Tuesday after his arrival to Citizens Bank Park. “There were too many people in the room and they were all around me for some reason. I was just paying attention to the highlights. He said they might need somebody to pitch in Cincy. I looked around and every one of the guys standing up were position players and starters. (Sweet) was looking at me. I thought he was talking to somebody behind me and was joking around.”
This was no joke, especially for a Reds bullpen that pitched 11 1/3 innings over the past two games — both big blowout losses. Cincinnati still had six more games to go before the All-Star break.
Manuel, who pitched at SHSU in 2005, was 3-3 with a 2.51 ERA in 32 appearances for Louisville with eight saves in nine chances.
In 43 innings, the right-hander from Bellaire High School in Houston allowed 33 hits, 12 earned runs, nine walks, two homers and struck out 33. Opponents batted .209 against him and interestingly, it was lefties who fared worse by hitting .169 (10-for-59).
Manuel, who had not pitched for Louisville since Friday, began the season as a middle reliever but eventually moved to setting up and closing. He has experience throwing multiple innings and developed a changeup to get him through longer outings to go with his fastball and slider.
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Time to crank it up
Sam Houston State head coach Willie Fritz knew coming into the season that he was going to have his hands full turning around the Bearkats’ football program.
The rest of the coaches in the Southland Conference apparently agree.
Coming off a 5-6 season, a fifth-place finish in league play and the loss of 15 starters, Sam Houston State has been tabbed to finish seventh in the SLC preseason coaches’ poll, which was announced Wednesday during the Southland Conference Football Media Day at the L’Auberge du Lac Resort. -
Lamar’s start-up football program has fans in Golden Triangle anxious, excited
In a matter of weeks, football season will finally be here.
While most players will be returning to their campuses looking to improve, or for defending Southland Conference co-champions McNeese State and Stephen F. Austin, maintain last fall’s success, there’s a different type of anticipation in Beaumont. -
Pitching dominates Triple-A All-Star Game
Like the Major League All-Star Game on Tuesday night in Anaheim, Calif., pitchers dominated the Triple-A All-Star Game on Wednesday in Allentown, Pa.
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Almost there
After years of toiling in the minor leagues, Dustin Martin can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Rising through the ranks of the minor league system all the way from Rookie League, the former Sam Houston outfielder is playing some of his best baseball these days and will play in Wednesday’s Triple-A All-Star Game in Allentown Pa., which will be televised at 6 p.m. on the MLB Network. -
Gallant shining again in Cape Cod League
Maybe, just maybe, on the mound closing games is where Dallas Gallant needs to be if he’s going to make a name for himself.
For the second summer in a row, the Sam Houston State pitcher has performed marvelously when he finishes games for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks, a member of the distinguished Cape Cod Baseball League. -
Former Hornet shines brightly in team’s first playoff victory
Last week was a pretty good one for former Huntsville High School football star Derrick Ross. This week looks to be even better.
Named Offensive Rookie of the Year in the Indoor Football League last week, Ross scored three touchdowns and rushed for 98 yards Monday, helping the San Angelo Stampede Express to its first-ever playoff victory, 45-35 over the Fairbanks (Alaska) Grizzlies. -
Bearkats enjoy banner year in classroom
With the release of grade point averages for the more than 400 Bearkats participating in varsity sports, plus the announcement by the Southland Conference office of the annual Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll, the 2009-10 season goes in the books as another banner academic year for Sam Houston State University.
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All-Stars are coming
All-Star teams from the Huntsville Boys Baseball Association are working overtime in preparation for upcoming summer tournaments. Two teams will be hosting tournaments here in Huntsville starting late next week.
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Ross named Offensive Rookie of Year in IFL
Derrick Ross is trying like crazy for another shot at the NFL. He may get it if he continues the kind of work he’s turned in this year in San Angelo.
On Wednesday, the former star running back from Huntsville High School and Tarleton State was named Offensive Rookie of the Year in the Indoor Football League. -
State champion cowboy
Hunstville cowboy Taylor Price won the bareback riding title at the Texas High School Rodeo Finals last weekend in Abilene.
When the championship was at stake during the final round on Saturday night at the Taylor County Coliusem, Price turned in a final round score of 76. He also won the average with a three-ride tally of 221. - More Local Sports Headlines
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