LSCPA sports information

When Lamar State College Port Arthur hits the softball field at Angelina College in Lufkin on Saturday afternoon for the NJCAA Region XIV Tournament, history hangs in the balance.

The Seahawks, who face Bossier Parish Community College at 12:30 p.m. in the first round of the double-elimination tourney, could win their first-ever postseason game. Head coach Vance Edwards is one game away from his 200th career victory, and the program could see its first 32-win season.

And while making history is something this Seahawks program can hold on to for years to come, the “Team 13” as they have named themselves, is far more interested in living in the moment for as long as possible.

“It’s a relief that we’ve made the tournament and that we’re here but that’s not enough,” said sophomore Savana Guidry. “We have the capability to win at this tournament and do something no other Lamar State team has done. The coaches say this is our year and each and every player believes that’s true.”

The Region XIV Tournament continues through Tuesday with the Seahawks playing at 12:30 p.m. Sunday should they win Saturday, or 5:30 p.m. Sunday in the event of a first-round loss. All Seahawks games are broadcast with live video at www.coopersports.net.

In the program’s 13th year of existence, LSCPA has established that it can reach the postseason regional tournament, having made the final eight teams for the third consecutive year. What these Seahawks are missing is their first regional tournament win. They’ve come close but are perhaps more capable of overcoming that hurdle this season than ever before.

The current program has set school records for hits (550), runs (315), runs batted in (268), and is second all-time in stolen bases (122). At the helm of the offensive push is Guidry, a nationally-honored shortstop who has broken nearly every school record in the Seahawks books.

“I just came here to play ball. My goal at the start of the season was to hit at least .450,” she said.

Guidry is the first Seahawks softball player to hit over .500 in a season, settling in at .510 after going 101 of 198 with 27 doubles, nine triples, 33 runs scored and 59 RBI. The Nederland sophomore came to LSCPA after a season with Houston Baptist University a year ago. Now, she’s headed back to the Southland Conference where she will play for Lamar University next season.

“Hitting over .500 is something I’m really proud of. I’ve been in the leadoff spot and it’s my job to get things started every game,” she said. “Hitting is contagious and I have to do whatever I can to get on base for my team.”

Guidry credits the unconditional support of her coaches as the motivation behind her success this year.

“Last year, my confidence wasn’t there,” she said. “The coaches at Lamar State are behind me no matter what. They trust me to make decisions when I’m at the plate and that’s a huge psychological boost. This game is mostly mental and the confidence the coaches have in me has given me the opportunity be a success this season.”

In fact, Guidry leads one of the most successful sophomore classes in LSCPA softball history. Kayla Sheridan, who has signed to play for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, was named all-conference and averages .402 at the plate. Alexis Perez, also all-conference, hits .367 with five home runs and 15 doubles.

“The team has had its ups and downs this year. We have a great sophomore group and we came together each time we’ve struggled and helped push this team past the rough spots,” Guidry said.

While the Seahawks make history with each pitch this season, they are looking at a future that holds a guarantee of even more success. A class of 15 freshmen grace the 2017 roster and include all-conference players in outfielder Morgan Chavarria and pitcher Ashley May.

May is the first pitcher in school history to win 21 games in a season and is among the top four in the conference with an earned run average of 2.634 with 177 strikeouts. May is no slouch at the plate, hitting .295 with a team-best seven home runs, 15 doubles and 47 RBI.

Chavarria is hitting .352 with nine doubles, a triple, a home run and 19 RBI, crossing the plate 30 times for the Seahawks this season.

“The sophomores did our best to show leadership through action and we have a freshman class that responded like they were experienced college softball players,” Guidry said. “It’s amazing how great this freshman class has stepped up and played.

“We’re all ready for the opportunity to be successful and make more history for this program. It’s our time and we’re going to do everything possible to make this chance count,” she said.