PREP ROUNDUP: PNG boys clinch share of 22-5A championship

Published 1:15 am Saturday, March 4, 2017

Port Neches-Groves’ Kellon Hoyte had a fun game Friday night, and it helped earn the Indians at least a share of the District 22-5A championship.

Hoyte scored twice, leading PNG to a 5-0 win over Port Arthur Memorial at Memorial Stadium. The Indians (18-1-2, 11-0 in 22-5A) earned its share with the win and Lumberton’s shootout loss to Central.

A win or shootout in any of the Indians’ next three games will earn them the outright championship.

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Preston Riggs scored his 20th goal of the season on a header in the first half. Colton Stone and Hunter Robbins also entered the scoring column.

Saul Ayon started in the net for Memorial but left after reinjuring a bad ankle in the early going.

Next for PNG is a visit to Lumberton on Tuesday. Memorial will play Ozen at the Thomas Center at 7 p.m. Monday.

Nederland 4, Ozen 1

BEAUMONT — Alan Ramirez equalized the score at 1-1 in the first half, and a strong second half carried the Bulldogs (10-8-1, 6-5 in 22-5A) to victory.

Travis Wiedenfeld, Jace Mattingly and Kevin Monroy added the second-half goals, with Wiedenfeld assisting on the Monroy score.

“We dominated in possession and shots, but Ozen made it difficult for us by sitting back and closing off passing and shooting lanes,” Nederland coach Torrey Gomez said. “We moved the ball well all game but needed to speed up our play to unbalance their defense. When we finally broke through with the second goal, the game became a little easier.”

Nederland visits Vidor on Tuesday.

GIRLS SOCCER

PNG 7, PA MEMORIAL 1

PORT NECHES — This wasn’t the 1-0 nailbiter that PNG won at Memorial Stadium last month. This was the blowout victory PNG won on its home turf.

Mia Delgadillo, Emille Doucet, Jillian Flores, Hailey Loupe,

Ariel Muller, Elizabeth Bolyard and Abby Underhill provided the scoring. Guadalupe Contreras netted the Titans’ lone goal.

PNG will host Lumberton for senior night Tuesday. Memorial will take on Ozen at the Thomas Center at 5 p.m.

NEDERLAND 14, OZEN 0

NEDERLAND — The Bulldogs (14-2-2, 7-2-1 in 22-5A) never Friday’s game fall into doubt.

Madison Ledet and Emma Roccaforte each scored a pair of goals to lead Nederland. Meg Sheppard, Madison Diaz, Haley Dugas, Abigail Albright, Phoebe Short and Skylar Thomassie were among those that checked into the scoring column.

SOFTBALL

ATASCOCITA 2, PNG 0

HUMBLE — Two runs in the fifth inning fashioned the final score, as Atascocita gave Tierrah Williams got the offensive support she needed.

Williams confused PNG bats for 12 strikeouts and walked one. She held the Indians to one hit.

Alexis LaBure punched out five and walked five for the Indians (11-5), who got out of two separate bases-loaded jams.

PNG will host Vidor on Tuesday and visit Nederland on Friday.

BASEBALL

PA MEMORIAL 13, EAST CHAMBERS 4 (Thu.)

FANNETT — At the Hamshire-Fannett tournament, Daniel Mitchell allowed only two earned runs and three hits in five innings, holding the host Longhorns at bay. Mitchell also struck out five.

Van Ellas threw a hitless sixth inning in relief.

Ramiro Cibrian batted 2 for 4 with an RBI. J.P. Fernandez, Carlos Granados and Jaylen LaPoint each garnered a hit for Memorial.

KOUNTZE 12, PA MEMORIAL 8 (Thu.)

FANNETT — At Hamshire-Fannett, Carlos Granados drove in three runs, but Kountze had the better bats.

Granados went 2 for 4, while David Torres and Ramiro Cibrian each had a hit. Torres also pitched two innings, allowing four earned runs on three hits but striking out four.

About I.C. Murrell

I.C. Murrell was promoted to editor of The News, effective Oct. 14, 2019. He previously served as sports editor since August 2015 and has won or shared eight first-place awards from state newspaper associations and corporations. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, grew up mostly in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

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