BATESVILLE, Ark. – A proven winner, a multi-sport athlete in college and self-proclaimed teacher of the game, Travis Owen becomes the fifth head coach of the Lyon College softball program after being named to the position on Monday by Lyon Director of Athletics Kevin Jenkins.

Owen, 28, comes to Lyon College from Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, where he has served for the past two seasons as the NCAA Division 2 squad's assistant softball coach.

He received his Bachelor's of Science degree in Business/Marketing at St. Louis University in 2007, earning Magna Cum Laude Honors with a 3.5 grade point average. He went on to receive his Master's degree at Northern State in 2011 with a 4.0 GPA, while participating as an athlete and then serving as a graduate assistant coach for strength and conditioning at the University.

Owen has been part of the Sioux Falls Fastpitch Softball League, which features several former national men's team players. Three current players in the SFFSL have been invited to represent Team USA in the ISF World Championships.

Owen began working with a Wolves' team that had posted a 14-29 year during his graduate assistant year, but Northern State finished with its best season in history in 2012, at 24-28, before recording a 19-23 mark this past season.

While he was an assistant at NSU, the Wolves softball program set several school records in 2012, including wins, runs scored (242), hits (422), doubles (66), RBIs (210) and stolen bases (85). NSU led the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) in stolen bases and made the NSIC tournament for the first time since it expanded.

In addition to working as an instructor at NSU the past two years, Owen handled out-of-state recruiting, including scouting and evaluating recruits, scheduling on-campus visits and worked with compliance. He continued to run the softball strength and conditioning program in addition to his other assistant coach duties, which included developing scouting reports on opponents. He also worked on strategy of opponents, while coaching first base during contests.

"Lyon College is getting a quality coach who prides himself on being a student of the game," said Jenkins of the new addition. "Travis has developed great experience at Northern State, which I believe will translate into him coming here to Lyon and not only recruiting the student-athletes that fit the College, but the program as well.

"We're excited about what is ahead for our softball program. We're young and on our way up and we believe Travis is the man who can put us over the top."

Owen believes his experience as a student at St. Louis University will be an asset when it comes to recruiting in the central United States, bringing talented athletes to Lyon. He said he is excited about what is ahead.

"I'm extremely proud and honored to be named Lyon College's new head softball coach," Owen stated. "Teaching both softball and athletic performance are passions of mine and I look forward to helping the student-athletes improve in more ways than one.

"My first priority is to instill a sense of collective team pride in what we do both on and off the field. We need to be proud to be a part of Lyon softball and it all starts with how we view ourselves.

"This program has a tremendous upside and these young ladies are simply in need of some leadership, after having several head coaches within the past few years. I am in this together with them and we will focus on being winners in everything we do. The wins will come on their own."

Owen said he plans on hitting the ground running at Lyon and both he and the players will be working hard.

"We will practice hard; we will work hard in the weight room; and we won't leave anything to chance," he insisted. "I managed the game objectively, use a variety of stats and scouting and take a chess-like approach to the game.

"We will be consistently learning throughout the year, but in the end we can't out-think ourselves and need to be athletes, not robots. When you are given a role and encouraged to succeed, that is when you are truly creative. The players are on the field to play and I am there to coach, that's the bottom line."

During his career, Owen has also spent time in Colorado, training athletes and other individuals. He has given health and nutrition seminars through Sunflower Market stores and has written for the Colorado Runners' Association.

Owen takes over the program after Lyon second-year head coach Kristen Kolter resigned after a 1-17 start to the 2013 season. Josh Hatfield served as interim head coach, leading Lyon to a 10-22 record for the remainder of the season, including a spot in the American Midwest Conference Postseason Tournament.

BATESVILLE, Ark. – Lyon College head baseball coach Tony Roepcke has announced a slight change in schedule to this summer's baseball camps, which are coming early next month.

The schedule for the initial camp has been moved back two weeks, making the first baseball camp coming up on June 3-6 at Scots Field, on the campus of Lyon College. The Summer Baseball Camp I will be a four-day camp from 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. each day, at a cost of $75 per participant.

There will be a one-day Baseball Specialty Pitching and Hitting Clinics set for Friday, June 7, at Lyon College. The Hitting Camp session will be from 8-10 a.m., while the Pitching Camp session will be from 10 a.m. until 12-noon. The cost is $30 for one camp or $55 to participate in both.

The Summer Baseball Camp II will take place from June 10-13 at 8-11:30 a.m. each day. The cost for this four-day camp is $75.

For more information on any of these sessions, contact Coach Roepcke by phone at 870-307-7337 or by email at tony.roepcke@lyon.edu. Also, contact assistant coach Robbie Holmes by phone at 870-307-7566 or by email at robbie.holmes@lyon.edu.

Printable applications can be found by CLICKING HERE.

BATESVILLE, Ark. – Lyon College men's soccer coach Michael Brookshire has announced the signing of another recruit to his 2013-14 class when Fayetteville High School senior Jamey Morrison III inked with the institution recently.

Jamey, the son of Jim and Cheryl Morrison of Fayetteville, Ark. will join the Scots when they begin fall camp and be a member of the team when it opens the 2013 on Aug. 23 at home against Central Baptist College.

Lyon College is coming off its most successful season in the 11-year history of the program. The Scots posted the best record in history, and also posted the most wins, finishing the year 13-2-2.

Lyon finished its first year in the American Midwest Conference in third place, finishing just 0.5-games out of first place with a 6-1-1 conference record. For the first time in the program's history the team also was ranked in the NAIA Men's Soccer Top 25 Coaches' Poll.

BATESVILLE, Ark. – Maumelle High School (Ark.) soccer standout Elyse Albright, who earned all-state status her junior year, has signed a NAIA letter of intent to attend Lyon College in the fall and become a member of the Scots women's soccer program, according to Lyon head coach Ben Parman.

Albright attended North Little Rock High School, along with MHS, lettering in girls soccer for four straight seasons. She was a named all-conference her freshman through junior seasons and stepped her play up a notch last season, as she garnered all-state honors as a member of the Lady Hornets in 2012. The postseason honors for 2013 have yet to be announced.

Parman said he has been watching the high school career of Albright closely.

"I have been following and recruiting Elyse for the past three years," the Scots coach stated. "I have seen consistent improvement in her game as a player, and I only see her potential for improvement to continue to increase as she makes the move to a college player.

"Elyse is very driven and is an extremely hard-working athlete. I look for her to come in and compete for playing time and a starting spot in our midfield."

During her all-state junior season, Albright averaged three goals per contest for Maumelle.

Elyse is the daughter of Mark and Kimberly Albright.

Albright will join the Scots team this fall that is coming off a 7-11-1 record from a year ago, including a fourth-place finish in the American Midwest Conference, posting a 5-3 mark. Lyon College had only three seniors in 2012 and return 18 lettermen, including 15 freshmen, off that team.

Lyon opens the 2013 season at home on Aug. 23 at home against Central Baptist College.

BATESVILLE, Ark. – Lyon College Director of Athletics Kevin Jenkins has announced his AD Honor Roll for the spring semester on Wednesday, with six athletes reporting grade point averages of 4.0, while 52 athletes posted averages of 3.0 or better.

Of the 33.1 percent of the Lyon student-athletes being members of the honor roll, 32 of them were female athletes, while 26 were males.

The Scots women's basketball team had three members who possessed 4.0 averages, included Debbie Onukwube, Christine Smith and Suzanne Fincham. Women's soccer players Amanda Marra and Lea Pascal also had 4.0 grade point averages. Other athletes included baseball player Billy Kitrell and men's basketball player Slater Belew. Fincham was a dual athlete, also playing for the Lyon volleyball team.

The Lyon College baseball team had the most members on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll, with 15 total members, followed by the women's soccer team with 10 and women's basketball with nine.

Other teams and their honor roll members include: softball – 6; men's soccer – 5; volleyball – 5; men's basketball – 4; women's golf – 3; men's golf – 2.

4.0 SEMESTER GPA
Baseball (1): Billy Kittrell

Men's Basketball (1): Slater Belew

Women's Basketball (2): Debbie Onukwube; Christine Smith

Women's Soccer (2): Amanda Marra; Lea Pascal

3.0 OR BETTER SEMESTER GPA
Baseball (14): Colby Brown; Ryan Coles; Matthew Coyle; Jim Gossett; Brandon Haller; Colt Harmon; John Johnson; Kyle Matthews; Thomas McMillon; Orin Orlopp; Blake Rogers; Michael Sepanek; Joseph Sitzman; Tyler Strickel

Men's Basketball (3): Stephon Martinez; Marcus Williams; Ben Worlow

Men's Golf (2): Bret Boodworth; Justin Long

Men's Soccer (5): Robert Hall; Jeremie Karege; Raoul Noumbissi-Siewe; Andy Walker; Jacob Wisdom

Softball (6): Stephanie Haft; Cheyanne Harper; Valerie Howell; Amanda McCauley; Lauren Mills; Haley Seger

Women's Basketball (6): Phagen Altom; Alex Davidson; Rachel Jones; Kaley Moore; Brianna Tharp-Harris; Cayley Wagoner

Women's Golf (3): Bobie Jo Cooper; Emily Johnson; Laura Winters

Women's Soccer (8): Maria Alonzo; Kara Blackwell; Shelby Frazier; Monica Ayala Martinez; Chandler Rae; Nicole Rodriguez; Stephanie Spiteri; Sylvia Zavala

Volleyball (5): Kaylee Belcher; Jenna Cahoon; Suzanne Fincham; Ariel Smith; Kelsey Smith

BATESVILLE, Ark. – White Hall High School all-state player Ben Malone has signed an NAIA letter of intent and will join the 2013 Lyon College men's soccer program in the fall, Scots head coach Michael Brookshire has announced.

Malone has played soccer the past three seasons for the Bulldogs, in addition to playing basketball as a sophomore. As a sophomore he was an all-conference soccer player, while receiving the PB Commercial Arkansas South East Player of the Year Award.

As a junior, Malone was an Arkansas High School All-State Award winner. Accolades for his senior season have yet to be released.

Malone scored 37 points for the White Hall as a sophomore. He scored 13 goals, which led the Bulldogs, while posting 11 assists (2nd on the team) in 17 games. During his junior season, he scored 28 points in 13 games. He led WHHS in assists with 10, while ranking second on the team in goals with nine.

Also a standout in the classroom, Malone was on the 2011 Dean's List, while receiving the WHHS Social Studies Award. During his junior year he made the Dean's List once again and was the recipient of the White Hall History Award.

Malone, who is from Redfield, Ark., is the son of Don and Kim Malone.

Lyon College is coming off its most successful season in the 11-year history of the program. The Scots posted the best record in history, and also posted the most wins, finishing the year 13-2-2. Lyon finished its first year in the American Midwest Conference in third place, finishing just 0.5-games out of first place with a 6-1-1 conference record. For the first time in the program's history the team also was ranked in the NAIA Men's Soccer Top 25 Coaches' Poll.

Under the direction of Brookshire, who will begin his second season with the squad, the Scots will open the 2013 season on Aug. 23 at home against Central Baptist College.

BATESVILLE, Ark. – A four-year high school letterman who helped Little Rock Christian Academy teams to three Arkansas State Final berths and one Class 5A State championship, Alex Keene has signed a letter of intent to play women's soccer at Lyon College in the fall of 2013.

Keene was a two-sport athlete at LRCA, playing volleyball during her freshman and sophomore years, while staying the course with her soccer career for all four years of high school.

In addition to lettering all four years of soccer, she helped the Warriors to the Class 5A State Girls Soccer State Championship her freshman season, while leading them to the State Finals her sophomore and junior seasons.

The daughter of Brenda and Cliff Keene of Little Rock, she also played club ball, playing for the Arkansas Soccer Club her freshman and sophomore years, before being a part of the Little Rock Futbol Club her junior year.

Keene was an all-conference honorable mention as a junior in high school. Also, she has strived to prosper away from the field as well, being a member of the Honor Roll and National Honor Society all four years, posting an impressive 4.15 grade point average, including a 4.3 scale with honors classes.

Keene will join the Scots team this fall that is coming off a 7-11-1 record from a year ago, including a fourth-place finish in the American Midwest Conference with a 5-3 mark. Lyon College, which is under the direction of Ben Parman, only had three seniors in 2012 and return 18 lettermen, including 15 freshmen, off that team.

Lyon opens the 2013 season at home on Aug. 23 at home against Central Baptist College.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Six Lyon College golfers, three each from the women and men's squads, were recently recognized for their work in the classroom as student-athletes as they were named as part of the American Midwest Conference All-Academic team.

The Scots were among 58 golfers – 29 men and 29 women – from the eight AMC institutions who had athletes qualify for the postseason honor. Student athletes must be in their second term of attendance at their institution and have a minimum grade point average of 3.0, as defined by the nominating institution at the time of nomination.

The three Scot women's golfers from the four-member roster, who received the postseason honor included sophomore Bobie Jo Cooper (Highland, Ark.), freshman Laura Winters (Eureka Springs, Ark.) and freshman Emily Johnson (Calico Rock, Ark.).

William Woods University led the AMC with seven female players recognized, followed by Stephens College with five, Park University and Columbia College with four each, Hannibal-LaGrange University had three, Missouri Baptist University put two on the team and Benedictine University at Springfield (Ill.) had one player who earned the honor.

The Lyon College women's golf team finished second in the league tournament behind William Woods.

The three Lyon College men's golfers who received the honor as a member of the five-player Scot roster included sophomore Peter Mamula (Batesville, Ark.), sophomore Nathan Whitlow (Leachville, Ark.) and freshman Connor Pond (Plano, Tex.).

Hannibal-LaGrange had eight players receive the academic honor to lead the AMC, followed by Missouri Baptist with six, William Woods had five qualify and Columbia put four on the team. Benedictine University had three golfers honored, along with Lyon.

The Scot men's team placed fifth at the conference tournament.

Other AMC golfers honored for AMC All-Academic honors included:

Benedictine University at Springfield (4) – Ryan Leonard, Ryan Hendrickson, Connor Adams, Brittany Kidd

Columbia College (8) – Ashley Fisher, Hannah Gill, Zachary Rockers, Hunter Parrish, Levi Elder, Erik Peyton, Elizabeth Friedman, Mikayla Knaebel

Hannibal-LaGrange University (11) – Alicia Andres, Brittany Ernst, Heather Kotlarczyk, Andrew Askew, Jarek Millburg, Marco Torrente, Matthew Brennan, Michael Hamrick, Michael Kotlarczyk, Sam Huskey, Thomas Brennan

Missouri Baptist University (8) – Ben Werner, Jack Jackson, Sam Mauer, Ryan Rerich, Jan-Henry Jordaan, Craig Hardcastle, Katie Switzer, Bijan Lockhart

Park University (4) – Sarah Hall, Kelsey Faiferlick, Lindsey Vest, Madison McDaniel

Stephens College (5) – Anne Robertson, Alex Scharbach, Caroline Sheridan, Kelsea Whitten, Samantha Wielanski

William Woods University (12) – Julian Taylor, Cody Hackmann, Tim Jordan, Tyler Hamilton, Joe Parenteau, Lacee Floyd, Lindsey Johnson, Alyson Mongler, Jodie Peacock, Naomi Starr, Kelli Mulligan, Jamie Palerm

BATESVILLE, Ark. – Parents looking for athletic sports camps to keep their children busy and to help them fine-tune their skills for next season can find just about something for every interest at Lyon College this summer.
 
The Scots athletic teams will be hosting boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, volleyball and baseball camps at various times and for various age groups on the Batesville campus. All camps will take place on the Lyon College campus.
 
Due to the late hiring of new softball coach Travis Owen, the Lyon College softball camps have been put on hold until further notice.
 
Camp brochures, printable camp applications and complete information on all camps are available on the LyonScots.com website or by CLICKING HERE.

BASKETBALL CAMPS
Elementary/Middle School Boys and Girls Day Camp
One of the six basketball camps set for this summer is the Elementary/Middle School Boys and Girls Day Camp for youngsters going in grades 2nd through 6th grades. The camp takes place from June 3-6.
 
This is a non-resident day camp, with a cost of $75. For more information contact Kevin Jenkins at kevin.jenkins@lyon.edu or call 870-307-7525.
 
Junior & Senior Boys Individual Camp
Boys heading into grades 7th through 12th grades can attend the Junior and Senior Boys Individual Camp set for June 10-13.
 
There are resident and meal options with this camp, with cost ranging from $160 to $260. For more information contact Kevin Jenkins at www.kevin.jenkins@lyon.edu or call 870-307-7525.
 
Senior Boys Team Camp (hosted by Lyon College and Southside H.S.)
There will be a boys team camp hosted by Lyon College and Southside High School from July 17-19. This camp is for senior high athletes.
 
The cost for this non-residential camp is $40. For more information contact Kevin Jenkins at 870-307-7220 or Brad McGhee at 870-251-4006 or 870-613-4099. Coach Jenkins' email address is kevin.jenkins@lyon.edu.
 
Junior & Senior Girls Individual Camp
On July 14-17, Lyon College will be hosting a Junior & Senior Girls Individual Camp. There are resident and meal options for this camp, with prices ranging from $160 to $260 per camper.
 
For more information contact Tracy Stewart-Lange at tracy.stewartlange@lyon.edu or 870-307-7248, or Julie Church at julie.church@lyon.edu, or by phone at 870-307-7538.
 
Girls Elementary & Middle School Day Camp
Females going into grades 2nd through 6th are invited to participate in the Girls Elementary & Middle School Day Camp scheduled for July 15-18 at Lyon College. This is a non-resident camp at a cost of $75 per participant.
 
For more information contact Tracy Stewart-Lange at tracy.stewartlange@lyon.edu or 870-307-7248, or Julie Church at julie.church@lyon.edu, or by phone at 870-307-7538.
 
Girls Shooting Camp
There will be a non-resident Girls Shooting Camp on July 20 for females entering 5th through 12th grades. The cost per camper is $60.
 
For more information contact Tracy Stewart-Lange at tracy.stewartlange@lyon.edu or 870-307-7248, or Julie Church at julie.church@lyon.edu, or by phone at 870-307-7538.
 
BASEBALL CAMPS
Summer Baseball Camps I & II
There will be two Lyon College Summer Baseball camps, one from May 27-30 and the second from June 3-6 at Scots Field. The cost per camper is $75.
 
Fore more information call Robbie Holmes at 870-307-7566 or email Coach Holmes at robbie.holmes@lyon.edu. Also, contact Tony Roepcke at 870-307-7337 or email Coach Roepcke at tony.roepcke@lyon.edu.
 
Baseball Specialty Pitching and Hitting Clinics
Lyon baseball will be hosting day camps for pitching and hitting on June 7. The pitching session will take place from 10 a.m. until 12-noon, while the hitting session will be from 8-10 a.m. The cost is $30 for one session or $55 for both.
 
Fore more information call Robbie Holmes at 870-307-7566 or email Coach Holmes at robbie.holmes@lyon.edu. Also, contact Tony Roepcke at 870-307-7337 or email Coach Roepcke at tony.roepcke@lyon.edu.
 
SOCCER CAMP
Lyon College Soccer Day Camp
Youths ages 5-14 years are invited to attend the Lyon College Soccer Day Camp on June 10-13 from 9 a.m. until 12-noon each day. This is a non-residential camp, with a cost of $75.
 
For more information call Ben Parman at 870-307-7517 or Michael Brookshire at 870-307-7245. You can email Coach Parman at ben.parman@lyon.edu or Coach Brookshire at michael.brookshire@lyon.edu.
 
VOLLEYBALL
Junior & Senior High School Girls Volleyball Camp
Females heading into 7th through 12th grades can attend the Junior and Senior High School Girls Camp on June 23-26 at Lyon. There are resident and meal options for this camp, with prices ranges from $150 to $200 per camper.
 
For more information, email Lyon volleyball coach Ray Green at ramon.green@lyon.edu or call 870-307-7223.
 
Elementary & Middle School Girls Volleyball Camp
There will be a day camp for girls entering 1st through 6th grades on June 27-28 from 9 a.m. until 12-noon. The cost of the camp is $50 per camper.
 
For more information, email Lyon volleyball coach Ray Green at ramon.green@lyon.edu or call 870-307-7223.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Ten Lyon College softball players were recently recognized for their work in the classroom as student-athletes as they were named as part of the American Midwest Conference All-Academic team.

The Scots were among 111 players from the ten AMC squads who qualified for the postseason honor. Student athletes must be in their second term of attendance at their institution and have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 as defined by the nominating institution at the time of nomination.

Columbia College had the most athletes named to the prestigious squad, with 15 players named, followed by William Woods University and Missouri Baptist University tied with 14 apiece. Hannibal-LaGrange University and Williams Baptist College both had 13 players honored by the league for their academic work, followed by Stephens College with 11.

Following Lyon's 10 players honored was Park University, with nine players named, Benedictine University at Springfield (Ill.) had seven players honored and Harris-Stowe State University placed five on the elite academic squad.

Lyon College players honored included: Stephanie Haft (freshman, Albuquerque, N.M.); Lauren Mills (senior, Gentry, Ark.); Kelsey Goodman (sophomore, Rogers, Ark.); Haley Seger (freshman, Adance, Mo.); Savannah Graham (freshman, Keiser, Ark.); Valerie Howell (junior, Lindale, Tex.); Cheyenne Harper (sophomore, Benton, Ark.); Lauren Taylor (sophomore, Kimberling City, Mo.), Haley 'Apple' Filat (freshman, Little Rock, Ark.); and Amanda McCauley (senior, Blytheville, Ark.).

The Scots finished the 2013 softball season in seventh place in the AMC race, posting an 11-39 record, advancing to the AMC Postseason Tournament.

Other AMC softball players honored for AMC All-Academic honors included:

Benedictine University at Springfield (7) – Frankie Shoaf, Madeline Jiardina, Stephanie Angelo, Logan Taylor, Shelbi Tudor, Samantha Dunker, Kerri Beasley

Columbia College (15) – Maria Imhoff, Chelsie Crain, Brittiany Tjarks, Whitni Howell, Taylor Richter, Kristin Eiken, Marli Hayes, Tiffany Urwiler, Kaylee Brueggeman, Kelsey Jacques, Hanna Taylor, Lauren Berkbuegler, Kristyn Caldwell, Jamie Holmes, Taylor Atwood

Hannibal-LaGrange University (13) – Megan Becker, Elizabeth  Duzan, Kristina Strader, Erin Morrison, Danielle Stackhouse, Courtney Neff, Taylor Lewis, Rachel Hughes, Natalie Jeffries, Kelli Black, Sarah Morris, Kachina Hudson, Jena Luallin

Harris-Stowe State University (5) – Nakeyah M. Bradford, Hannah J. Hicks, Kati L. Pearson, Fallon L. Poettker, Gabrielle W. Pouncil

Missouri Baptist University (14) – Katie Alexander, Payton Anderson, Natalie Aubuchon, Danielle Bayer, Jenna Bentlage, Donyelle Demarse, Kellsie Domnitz, Megan Medcalf, Corey Pitchford, Toni Stang, Sierra Thompson, Jena Trombley, Morgan Truitt, Megan Wildhaber

Park University (9) – Hannah Alpers, Callie Beaver, Mallory Jansen, Shaya Kinsey, Megan Palmer, Allie Reynolds, Jamie Tanno, Kyla Tatum, Megan Walker

Stephens College (11) – Chelsea Coleman, Alexandra Hoffman, Holmberg, Cheyenne Jones, Katlyn Lee, Jessica McConnell, Emily Park, Brittany Tutt, Emily Wagner-Davis, Brooke Warren, Lindy Holmberg

William Woods University (14) – Ashley DePew, Ilissa Facchini, Lauren Lopes, MacKenzie Bowden, Lindsey LeCuru, Becca Schemmer, Megan Cooper, Samantha Parsons, Kacey Scharnhorst, Caroline Sicht, Macy Wierschem, Shelby LeCuru, Emily Murphy, Brailee Schulte

Williams Baptist (13) – Callie Brooks, Emma French, Kayla Jones, Hayley Overbay, Susannah Pugh, Brianna Hindman, Callie Simmons, Shelby Upshaw, Kirsten Gipson, Hallie Horton, Mallory Siebert, Teighlor Williams, Karisa Hendrix

BATESVILLE, Ark. – Eight Lyon College athletes have been named to the spring 2013 Lyon College Dean's List. For the College as a whole, 72 students were honored for their hard work in the spring semester.

To be on the Dean's List, a student must maintain a 3.75 grade point average or higher while taking a minimum of 12 hours a semester. 

Earning the elite status from 2012-13 Lyon squads includes three from women's soccer, two from volleyball, and one each from men's soccer, women's golf and baseball.

Student-athletes on the spring 2013 list and their hometowns are:

Jenna Cahoon – Pyatt, Ark. - Volleyball
Lea Pascal – Aarhus, Denmark – Women's Soccer
Billy Kittrell Jr. – Mobile, Ala. – Baseball
Maria Alonzo Ruiz – Guatemala City, Guatemala – Women's Soccer
Ariel Smith – Wynne, Ark. - Volleyball
Stephanie Spiteri – Hayward, Calif. – Women's Soccer
Laura Winters – Eureka Springs, Ark. – Women's Golf
Jacob Wisdom – Albuquerque, N.M. – Men's Soccer

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Fourteen members of the Lyon College baseball team were recently honored when they were named to the 2013 American Midwest Conference All-Academic team.

The Scots were among 97 players from the eight AMC squads who qualified for the postseason honor. Student athletes must be in their second term of attendance at their institution and have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 as defined by the nominating institution at the time of nomination.

William Woods University had the most players honored for their academic work with 25 named, followed by Lyon and Benedictine University of Springfield (Ill.) tied for second with 14 each. Thirteen players from Hannibal-LaGrange University were honored and 12 from Missouri Baptist University were recognized.

Nine athletes from Williams Baptist College received academic honors, while Park University had seven honored and Harris-Stowe State University placed three on the academic team.

Lyon College players named to the Academic All-Conference team included: Dillon Brown (sophomore, Mountain Pine, Ark.); Ryan Coles (freshman, Batesville, Ark.); Tyler Goad (freshman, Batesville, Ark.); Colt Harmon (sophomore, Greenbrier, Ark.); Billy Kitrell (freshman, Mobile, Ala.); Kris Kohlstedt (freshman, Maumelle, Ark.); Jonathan Lynch (freshman, Gape Girardeau, Mo.); Kyle Matthews (senior, Campbell, Mo.); Ben Neyen (junior, Carrollton, Tex.); Orin Orlopp (freshman, Rogers, Ark.); Wesley Roberson (junior, Arlington, Tex.); Colby Rogers (senior, Lewisville, Tex.); Joseph Sitzman (freshman, Lewisville, Tex.); and Tyler Strickel (junior, Jonesboro, Ark.).

The Scots finished the 2013 baseball season in second place in the AMC race, posting a 22-6 record, advancing to the NAIA Opening Round Championship tournament, where Lyon moved to the semifinals before being eliminated this past Saturday by No. 4-ranked and top-seeded Lubbock Christian University, 15-7.

Other AMC baseball players honored for AMC All-Academic honors included:

Benedictine University at Springfield (14) – Brandon Koishor, Sean Fitzgerald, Colby Butler, Jared Klay, Anthony Mattera, Zane Dillon, Dave Maziarz, Dalton Doerfler, Eric Dodd, Brett Jackson, Jordan Pesko, Jordan Cawthon, Lucas Wright and Travis Combs.

Hannibal-LaGrange University (13) – Nick Garrett, Travis Miller, Charles Rapp, Derek Allen, Denys Delgado, Andrew Pollard, Stephen Schnieders, Curtis Stout, Eric Bruening, Luke Davis, Clint Hamilton, Travis Mundahl and Ian Sikes.

Harris-Stowe State University (3) – Logan R. Peters, Javier M. Rivera Martinez and Alexander J. Smith.

Missouri Baptist University (12) – Justin Boman, Ryan Clarke, Reid Cure, Vincenzo Fresquez, Paul Hrvol, Ryan McClaran, Mykol Sostarich, Julien Soucy, Joseph Stropp, Nathan Utt, Garrett Vail and Christopher Walker.

Park University (7) – R.J. Barnes, Parker Jones, Jonuel Martinez, Luis Maldonado, Milan Pleacher, Matt Prybyszczuk and Jake Smith.

William Woods University (25) – Damon Adrian, Bubba Bradshaw, Collin Brinker, Adam Brush, John Cavness, Austin Clapp, Justin Elmore, Derek Fletcher, Greg Hamrock, Jacob Harrison, Garrett Haslag, Dylan Hastings, Kyle Muzechka, Cole Schaefer, Ryan Schmidt, Ryan Schuermann, Dakota Smith, Alex St. Pierre, Kyle Switzer, Matt Thomas, Mike Vinnitsky, Kale Wierenga, Connor Wood, Ryan Sweet and Jordan Thompson.

Williams Baptist College (9) – Chris Richardson, Mitchell Dennis, Hunter Broadway, Jon Coburn, Josh Consemiu, Clay Phillips, Michael Reynolds, Nathan Thomas and Drew Tullos.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – No. 4-ranked Lubbock Christian University used a 19-hit attack and, despite 14 hits from Lyon College, held the Scots to 'only' seven runs to eliminate Lyon, 15-7, in the semifinals of the NAIA Claremore Opening Round Championship at the Diamond Sports Complex.

With the victory, the No.1–seeded Chaparrals (44-17) stayed alive and advanced to the championship game of the tournament. But, for the second time in the tourney, the Chaparrals ran into red-hot and 4th-seeded Rogers State University (36-22). The Hillcats completed their 'run of the table' in the NAIA Opening Round tourney with an 8-4 win over LCU Saturday evening. RSU had defeated the Chaps, 7-5, on Friday and finished the tournament unbeaten, recording its ninth win in its last 11 postseason games and returning to the NAIA World Series for the second straight year.

Rogers State will advance to the 57th annual Avista-NAIA World Series on May 24-31 in Lewiston, Idaho, joining host-team Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) in the 10-team event.

The Scots kept pace with the Chaparrals for the first seven innings, as Lyon took a 1-0 lead in the opening frame and then continued to battle back even after LCU scored six runs in the top of the sixth frame to explode out to a 9-1 lead. Lyon College responded in the bottom of the frame by pushing six runs across the board, closing the gap to within 9-7.

But a five-run eighth by Lubbock Christian gave the Scots a mountain too high to climb as the Chaps advance to the title round.

The Scots produced some of the best firepower in the tournament against LCU, finishing with the fourth-most number of hits in a contest this season, which says a lot for a squad that finished 2013 with 556 hits, or an average of 9.6-hits per contest. Lyon recorded three extra-base hits in the contest, led by leading hitter, senior Colby Rogers, who went 3-for-5, with four RBIs, while tagging his 25th double of the season. Rogers began the day ranked third in the nation in doubles.

Lyon lead-off hitter freshman Kris Kohlstedt, who entered play Saturday with the second-best batting average in the tournament (.550), posted a 2-for-4 effort at the dish, connected with a double, pushing in a run, scoring twice and drawing a walk.

Junior shortstop Mark Armenteros produced multiple hits for Lyon, finishing 2-for-4, with a double, a run batted in, a run scored and a walk. Senior second baseman Roger Glaude went 2-for-5, with a run and another driven in.

Other Scots picking up hits included junior leftfielder Wesley Roberson (1-for-3, run, BB), senior first baseman Bryan Lynn (1-for-4, walk), freshman catcher Blake Rogers (1-for-4) and freshman rightfielder Joseph Sitzman (1-for-3, run).

Lubbock Christian first baseman Brandon Wilson led sixth Chaparrals with multiple hit games, finishing a spotless 5-for-5, with two runs batted in and a pair of runs scored. Designated hitter Jason Fisch went 3-for-4, with a double, one run batted in and a run scored, and catcher Wigberto Nevarez homered, doubled, singled, drove in five runs and scored two himself.

The Chaps tallied three home runs and four doubles in the contest.

Lyon College sent three pitchers to the hill in attempt to slow down LCU. Talan Roepcke (7-5) pitched 5.2 innings, allowing six earned runs (8 total) on 13 hits, with a strikeout and a pair of walks in a losing effort. Brenden Camp came out of the bullpen in relief, working 1.1 innings, allowing four earned runs (5 total) on just three hits, with a strikeout and a walk. Kyle Matthews pitched the final two frames, giving up two unearned runs on three hits with a strikeout.

Jarrett Porter (9-4) was the winning pitcher, working the first 5.1 innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits, with a pair of strikeouts and five walks.

Lyon used just one hit to score a run in the bottom of the first. Kohlstedt walked and went to second when Roberson walked. He plated on Colby Rogers' single to center.

Brett Kauten knotted the score at 1-1 in the top of the second with a solo over the right-field fence. The Chaparrals then added a pair of runs in the third frame and six more in the sixth to move out to a 9-1 lead.

The Scots answered the challenge with six runs on six hits in the bottom of the frame, closing the gap back to two, 9-7. Key hits in the frame included a double down the leftfield line to score Caleb Durant and a double by Colby Rogers to plate Sitzman, Kohlstedt and Roberson.

But that was as close as Lyon would come, as the Chaparrals scored five runs on four hits and an error in the eighth.

NAIA BASEBALL
CLAREMORE OPENING ROUND CHAMPIONSHIP
(at Claremore, Okla.)
SCHEDULE OF GAMES
Thursday, May 9
Gm 1: #4 Rogers State University 8, #5 Midland University 4
Gm 2: #3 Lyon College 3, #2 Bellevue University 0
Gm 3: #4 Rogers State University 7, #1 Lubbock Christian University 5
Friday, May 10
Gm 4: #2 Bellevue University 7, #5 Midland University 2 (Midland eliminated)
Gm 5: #4 Rogers State University 16, #3 Lyon College 2
Gm 6: #1 Lubbock Christian University 3, #2 Bellevue University 1 (Bellevue eliminated)
Saturday, May 11
Gm 7: #1 Lubbock Christian University 15, #3 Lyon College 7 (Lyon eliminated)
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Gm 8: #4 Rogers State University 8, #1 Lubbock Christian University 4

CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State University appears to have heated up at the right time and the teams in the NAIA Claremore Opening Round Championship are finding it out one at a time. After the No. 4-seed Hillcats bumped fifth-seed Midland University (8-4) and shocked No. 1-seed and 4th-ranked Lubbock Christian University (7-5) on Thursday, RSU exploded for an eight-run first inning on Friday to advance to the championship round with a 16-2 win over Lyon College at the Diamond Sports Complex.

The Hillcats, who advanced to the NAIA World Series in 2012, recorded their 10th playoff win in their last 12 tries with a 15-hit attack as they improved to 34-22 with the verdict over the Scots.

Rogers State, which entered the postseason with 16th and final at-large bid to the NAIA playoffs, rolled to its third consecutive win, despite the low seeding, and is now the only undefeated team in the Claremore Opening Round bracket. The Hillcats will await the survivor of two other games and will play in the first championship game Saturday at 5 p.m.

Lyon College (42-15) will now play in an elimination game on 1 p.m. Saturday, taking on Lubbock Christian (43-16), which eliminated No. 2-seed and 11th-ranked Bellevue University (45-10-1), 3-1.

The winner of the Lyon College/Lubbock Christian semifinal game will have to defeat Rogers State twice to capture the tournament title and advance to the 57th annual Avista-NAIA World Series on May 24-31 in Lewiston, Idaho, joining host-team Lewis-Clark State (Idaho).

In Thursday's 3-0 win over Bellevue, the Lyon Scots could do no wrong. That wasn't the case against the Hillcats, as Rogers State came out aggressive and the Scots were unable to answer the attack.

Five different pitchers worked on the hill in the game for Lyon. Senior Brandon Haller (8-3) dropped his fourth decision in his last five starts by giving up seven runs on five hits while walking two in just 0.2 innings.

Senior Kyle Matthews saw action, giving up one run on three hits in 0.1 innings. Senior Colten McSpadden pitched 3.1 frames, surrendering two earned runs (5 total) on a pair of hits, with four walks. Junior John Almogabar gave up a hit in 0.2 innings and freshman Joseph Sitzman worked the last three frames, giving up three runs on four hits. None of the pitchers recorded a strikeout.

Jesse Baird (3-2) was the winning pitcher for the Hillcats. He started the game, lasting 6.1 innings. He gave up two runs on seven scattered hits. He also fanned five batters and walked one.

Despite the lopsided setback, the Scots did muster 10 hits in the game. Freshman centerfielder Kris Kohlstedt led the attack with a 3-for-4 effort, scoring a run and stealing a base. Junior designated hitter Mark Armenteros doubled in a 2-for-4 effort, while scoring a run. Junior leftfielder Wesley Roberson singled twice in four at-bats.

Lyon senior third baseman Colby Rogers singled and drove in a run, Sitzman singled in two at-bats and sophomore catcher Nathan Gutierrez singled, walk and plated once.

Twelve different RSU players recorded hits in the game, while 11 different Hillcats scored runs. Brandon Bargas tripled and doubled, finishing 2-for-3, with four runs batted in and a run scored. Jose Olazagasti also tripled, finishing 2-for-6, with a run and two RBIs.

After the Scots picked up just one hit in the top of the first, it appeared that the Lyon defense was going to get out of the bottom of the first with minimal damage, as the Hillcats scored a pair of runs and had two outs. But RSU would score six more runs on five hits, with two outs, as nine players came to the plate after the second out. Rogers State finished the frame with eight runs on eight hits, including a pair of triples.

The Hillcats added another run in the second and fourth frames to widen the gap to 10-0, before Lyon pushed a run across in the top of the fifth when Kohlstedt picked up an infield single, moved to third on a single by Roberson and plated on Colby Rogers' single up the middle.

RSU then scored three times in the bottom of the fifth to stretch its lead to 13-1. Gutierrez drove in Armenteros in the top of the sixth to trim the deficit to 13-2.

But the Hillcats scored once in the bottom of the sixth and two more times in the eighth to put the game away.

NAIA BASEBALL
CLAREMORE OPENING ROUND CHAMPIONSHIP
(at. Claremore, Okla.)
SCHEDULE OF GAMES
Thursday, May 9
Gm 1: #4 Rogers State University 8, #5 Midland University 4
Gm 2: #3 Lyon College 3, #2 Bellevue University 0
Gm 3: #4 Rogers State University 7, #1 Lubbock Christian University 5
Friday, May 10
Gm 4: #2 Bellevue University 7, #5 Midland University 2
Gm 5: #4 Rogers State University 16, #3 Lyon College 2
Gm 6: . #1 Lubbock Christian University 3, #2 Bellevue University 1
Saturday, May 11
Gm 7: #3 Lyon College vs. #1 Lubbock Christian, 1 p.m.
Gm 8: #4 Rogers State University vs. Game 7 Winner, 5 p.m. (Championship Game #1)
Monday, May 13
Gm 9: Played if Game 8 did not eliminate a team, 1 p.m. (if nec. – Championship Game #2)

LIVE BROADCASTS

Live video/audio are on PPV basis – $9.95 per game or $24.95 for tournament pass:
(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE FEED OPTIONS)
NAIA Livestats are available at no charge:
(CLICK HERE FOR LIVESTATS OF GAMES - THEN CLICK ON ((W)))

CLAREMORE OPENING ROUND WEBSITE - CLICK HERE

CLAREMORE, Okla. – Looking for an opportunity to open the NAIA Opening Round Baseball Championship on the right foot, Lyon College head baseball coach Tony Roepcke put his hottest pitcher on the hill in the Scots' first-round contest. Junior Ben Neyen responded with a three-hitter, while his teammates built their offense around eight hits and no errors on defense in Lyon's 3-0 blanking of 11th-ranked Bellevue University (Neb.) Thursday at Diamond Sports Complex.

The No. 3-seed Scots (42-14), who came into the five-team double-elimination tournament with the second-best record, will advance in the winners' bracket to a 2:30 p.m. Friday contest, playing No. 4-seed Rogers State (Okla.) (33-22), which upset No.4-ranked and top-seeded Lubbock Christian University (42-16), 7-5, on Thursday. Rogers State won two games on Thursday, also defeating No. 5-seed Midland University (Neb.), 8-4, in Thursday's first contest.

Bellevue (44-10-1) will now play the 11 a.m. game Friday, battling Midland (31-25) in an elimination game. The survivor will have to play again at 6 p.m.

Neyen's performance was nothing short of masterful on Thursday. He did not allow a hit until the fifth inning, finishing the day with seven frames of no-hit baseball. Entering the game ranked 19th in the nation in wins, the Carrollton, Tex. native improved to 10-3 on the season, fanning eight and not allowing a walk in a 108-pitch performance. It was Neyen's seventh complete game in 14 starts this season, as he lowered his 2.33 ERA.

Bellevue starting pitcher Kody McFarland (7-2) entered the game averaging 11.4 strikeouts per game and only one loss. He scattered eight Lyon hits in his complete-game performance, while fanning six and not giving up a walk. His 99-pitch performance wasn't shabby, but couldn't be compared to Neyen's effort on the hill.

The Scots used timely hitting to push their three earned runs across the plate. With the two squads battling in a scoreless tie in the bottom of the second, freshman Blake Rogers (1-for-4) produced an infield single, which turned into a two-bag effort when the third baseman's throw on the play was wild.

Senior Caleb Durant (Argyle, Tex.) came in as a courtesy runner for the catcher and he scored with two outs when senior Roger Glaude (Beebe, Ark.) lined a single to leftfield and advanced to second on the throw to home.

Lyon junior Will Lindsey (Batesville, Ark.) then sliced a single to rightfield, which resulted in Glaude crossing the dish for the second run of the contest.

While Neyen was keeping the Bruins' offense at bay with no hits in six of the first seven frames, the Scots kept knocking on the door offensively.

Lyon College pushed an insurance run across the plate in the bottom of the seventh when lead-off hitter Kris Kohlstedt (freshman, Maumelle, Ark.) laced a double to left-center field with two outs. He plated one batter later when junior Wesley Roberson (Arlington, Tex.) connected with a double of his own, this one going to right-center.

That was all the offense that Neyen and the Scots' defense needed, as they closed out the Bruins, allowing just two hits in the ninth.

Roberson paced the Lyon offense with a 2-for-3 outing, while Glaude, Lindsey and Kohlstedt each posted 1-for-3 outings. Lyon senior Colby Rogers (Lewisville, Tex.) and senior Brian Lynn (Lewisville, Tex.) each finished 1-for-4.

Kyle Kinman, Nate Mullins and Beau Dahmen each had one hit for Bellevue, but it wasn't enough.

NAIA BASEBALL
CLAREMORE OPENING ROUND CHAMPIONSHIP
(at. Claremore, Okla.)
SCHEDULE OF GAMES
Thursday, May 9
Gm 1: #4 Rogers State University 8, #5 Midland University 4
Gm 2: #3 Lyon College 3, #2 Bellevue University 0
Gm 3: #4 Rogers State University 7, Lubbock Christian University 5
Friday, May 10
Gm 4: #5 Midland University vs. #2 Bellevue University, 11 a.m.
Gm 5: #4 Rogers State Winner vs. #3 Lyon College, 2:30 p.m.
Gm 6: Game 4 Winner vs. #1 Lubbock Christian University, 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 11
Gm 7: Game 5 Loser vs. Game 6 Winner, 1 p.m.
Gm 8: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner, 5 p.m. (Championship Game #1)
Monday, May 13
Gm 9: Played if Game 8 did not eliminate a team, 1 p.m. (if nec. – Championship Game #2)

(CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE BRACKET)

LIVE BROADCASTS
Live video/audio are on PPV basis – $9.95 per game or $24.95 for tournament pass:
(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE FEED OPTIONS)
NAIA Livestats are available at no charge:
(CLICK HERE FOR LIVESTATS OF GAMES - THEN CLICK ON ((W)))

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
TICKETS
All-Day Adult Ticket - $10
All-Day Student Ticket - $6
Six-and-Under – Free
All-Session Adult Tournament Pass – $25
All-Session Student Tournament Pass – $15
NAIA Cards honored for admission

CLAREMORE OPENING ROUND WEBSITE - CLICK HERE

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Four members of the 2013 Lyon College baseball team were honored for their offensive performances this season by being named to the All-American Midwest Conference First-Team, while three Scots earned Golden Glove Awards by the league. Kris Kohlstedt was named the AMC Freshman of the Year.

There were seven specialty awards presented in the league after the conclusion of the postseason tournament, won by 4th-seed Benedictine University at Springfield, which defeated William Woods University twice on the final day to capture the title. Eighteen players were named first-team all-conference and nine players earned Golden Gloves.

Kohlstedt, a Maumelle, Ark. native, ranked 29th nationally in total runs scored during the regular season, with 52, crossing the plate 0.98 times per game, which ranked 45th in the country. On the season, the leftfielder hit .310, with 10 doubles, a triple and a home run in 184 at-bats. He scored 52 runs and tallied 57 hits, while drawing 31 walks. He had an on-base percentage of .418. He drove in 37 runs on 72 total bases.

Other AMC players receiving superlative honors included Patrick Johnson (Missouri Baptist) being named the Conference Player of the Year, while teammate Ethan Gibbons (MBU) was named Pitcher of the Year and Newcomer Pitcher of the Year. Greg Hamrock of William Woods was the Newcomer Hitter of the Year. Garrett Halsag (WWU) received the Freshman Pitcher of the Year award and MBU head coach Eddie Uschold was the Coach of the Year.

Lyon players earning AMC First-Team All-Conference honors included senior first baseman Bryan Lynn (Lewisville, Tex.), senior second baseman Roger Glaude (Lewisville, Tex.), senior third baseman Colby Rogers (Lewisville, Tex.) and junior pitcher Ben Neyen (Carrollton, Tex.).

Rogers led Lyon in hitting, with a .370 batting average. He ranked third nationally with 24 doubles and 8th with 0.44 doubles per game. He was also 37th nationally with 50 runs batted in and 50th in total bases, posting 103. He hit three home runs and a triple on the year, walking 38 times and accumulating 46 runs on 68 hits. He had a slugging percentage of .560 and an on-base percentage of .480.

Lynn was the fifth-leading hitter for Lyon, with a .335 batting average. He posted 64 hits in 191 at-bats, tagging 15 doubles and five home runs. He finished the regular season with 94 total bases and 47 runs batted in. He posted a .492 slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .437.

Glaude ranked 28th nationally with 146 total assists. In the regular season he hit .335, with 54 hits in 161 at-bats. He posted nine doubles and a triple, finishing with 34 RBIs and 65 total bases. He posted a .404 slugging percentage and a .439 on-base percentage, with 10 walks.

Neyen ranked 19th-nationally with nine wins, as he posted a 9-3 record on the hill. He led Lyon with a 2.33 earned run average, starting 13 games and leading the squad with six complete game performances. He worked 81 innings, allowing 27 runs on 67 hits, while striking out 67 and walking 35. He held opposing batters to a .223 batting average.

Lyon College players earning Golden Glove Awards included Lynn, junior left fielder Wesley Roberson (Arlington, Tex.) and sophomore catcher Nathan Gutierrez (Lewisville, Tex.).

Lynn ranked 6th nationally in the regular season with 447 putouts, while posting 474 chances, which ranked No. 7. He ranked No. 17th in the nation with 8.13 putouts per game and 21st with 8.62 chances per contest.

In addition to ranking 12th in the nation with five triples, Roberson started 52 games, recording 82 putouts and had seven assists and a .967 fielding percentage.

Gutierrez started 24 of the 26 games he played in behind the plate. He posted 97 putouts and had a fielding percentage of .991.

Scots earning All-AMC Honorable Mention included freshman catcher Blake Rogers (Lewisville, Tex.), junior shortstop Will Lindsey (Batesville, Ark.), Kohlstedt, junior pitcher Talan Roepcke (Batesville, Ark.), senior pitcher Brandon Haller (Arlington, Tex.), junior pitcher Brenden Camp (Jonesboro, Ark.), senior pitcher Kyle Matthews (Campbell, Mo.) and senior designated hitter Jim Gossett (Henderson, Tex.).

2013 ALL-AMERICAN MIDWEST CONFERENCE
BASEBALL
AMC Player of the Year
Patrick Johnson, Missouri Baptist University
AMC Pitcher of the Year
Ethan Gibbons, Missouri Baptist University
AMC Newcomer of the Year
Greg Hamrock, William Woods University
AMC Newcomer Pitcher of the Year
Ethan Gibbons, Missouri Baptist University
AMC Freshman Player of the Year
Kris Kohlstedt, Lyon College
 

AMC Coach of the Year
Eddie Uschold, Missouri Baptist University

First-Team All-Conference
1B – Bryan Lynn, Lyon College
2B – Roger Glaude, Lyon College
3B – Kyle Clifton, Park University
SS – Patrick Johnson, Missouri Baptist University
IF – Colby Rogers, Lyon College
IF – Jacob Harrison, William Woods University
OF – Ryan Gunhouse, Missouri Baptist University
OF – Greg Hamrock, William Woods University
OF – Zach Nichols, William Woods University
OF – Zane Dillon, Benedictine University at Springfield
C – Ian Sikes, Hannibal-LaGrange University
C – Garrett Vail, Missouri Baptist University
P – Ethan Gibbons, Missouri Baptist University
P – Adam Brush, William Woods University
P – Ben Neyen, Lyon College
P – Jordan Pesko, Benedictine University at Springfield
RP – Matt Thomas, William Woods University (Honorable Mention Outfielder)
DH – Jim Manney, Williams Baptist College

Honorable Mention All-Conference
Benedictine-Springfield: David Maziarz (C), Travis Combs (1B), Tommy Jennings (3B), Brett Jackson (OF), Josh Glick (P).

Hannibal-LaGrange: Travis Mundahl (2B), Clint Hamilton (SS), Andrew Pollard (OF), Drew Morecraft (OF), Blake Zurliene (OF/RP), Luke Davis (P).

Harris-Stowe: Javier Martinez (C), Travis Brown (1B), Caleb Hosey (P).

Lyon: Blake Rogers (C), Will Lindsey (SS), Kris Kohlstedt (OF), Talan Roepcke (P), Brandon Haller (P), Brenden Camp (P), Kyle Matthews (RP), Jim Gossett (DH).

Missouri Baptist: Joseph Taylor (3B), Ricky Pagan (OF), Julian Soucy (P), Nathan Utt (P), Michael Avila (P), Matt Marsh (RP).

Park: Lance Kays (1B), Xavier Lewis (SS), Chris Booth (OF), Parker Jones (OF), Derek Gordon (P), Danny Herron (P), Matt Prybyszczuk (RP).

William Woods: Stephen Kohler (SS), Jeremy Ahillen (P), Dane Smith (P).

Williams Baptist: Blake Coffman (2B), Kendall Fay (SS), Cogan Ford (3B), Mitchell Dennis (OF), Tyler Williams (IF), Drew Tullos (P).

2013 AMC Gold Glove Team
1B – Bryan Lynn, Lyon College
2B – Jacob Harrison, William Woods University
3B – Cogan Ford, Williams Baptist College
SS – Patrick Johnson, Missouri Baptist University
LF – Wesley Roberson, Lyon College
CF – Jordan Day, Benedictine University at Springfield
RF – Andrew Pollard, Hannibal-LaGrange University
C – Nathan Gutierrez, Lyon College
P – Jordan Pesko, Benedictine University at Springfield

CLAREMORE, Okla. - Here is a quick look at the teams opening play today (Thursday) in the NAIA Opening Round Championship Tournament at Diamond Sports Complex. Of the five teams participating in this double-elimination tournament, Lubbock Christian University (Tex.) and Bellevue University (Neb.) come in ranked in the NAIA Coaches Top 25 Poll and Lyon College is receiving votes for the Top 25.

Lyon College will play in Game 2 today at 2:30 p.m., taking on No. 2-seed Bellevue University.

The winner of the tournament will advance to the 57th annual Avista-NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho on May 24-31.

Here's more on the teams competing for the Opening Round title:

NAIA BASEBALL
OPENING ROUND CHAMPIONSHIP
(at. Claremore, Okla.)
TEAMS PARTICIPATING
No. 1 Seed: Lubbock Christian University (Tex.) Chaparrals – 42-15 (Ranked #4)
No. 2 Seed: Bellevue University (Neb.) Bruins – 44-8-1 (Ranked #11)
No. 3 Seed: Lyon College (Ark.) Scots – 41-14 (RV – Top 25)
No. 4 Seed: Rogers State University (Okla.) Hillcats – 31-22 (unranked)
No. 5 Seed: Midland University (Neb.) Warriors – 31-24 (unranked)

SCHEDULE OF GAMES
Thursday, May 9
Gm 1: #4 Rogers State vs. #5 Midland, 11 a.m.
Gm 2: #2 Bellevue vs. #3 Lyon College 2:30 p.m.
Gm 3: Rogers State/Midland Winner vs. #1 Lubbock Christian, 6 p.m.
Friday, May 10
Gm 4: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser, 11 a.m.
Gm 5: game 3 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner, 2:30 p.m.
Gm 6: Game 4 Winner vs. Game 3 Loser, 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 11
Gm 7: Game 5 Loser vs. Game 6 Winner, 1 p.m.
Gm 8: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner, 5 p.m. (Championship Game #1)
Monday, May 13
Gm 9: Played if Game 8 did not eliminate a team, 1 p.m. (if nec. – Championship Game #2)
(CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE BRACKET)

LIVE BROADCASTS
Live video/audio are on PPV basis – $9.95 per game or $24.95 for tournament pass:
(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE FEED OPTIONS)
NAIA Livestats are available at no charge:
(CLICK HERE FOR LIVESTATS OF GAMES - THEN CLICK ON ((W)))

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
TICKETS
All-Day Adult Ticket - $10
All-Day Student Ticket - $6
Six-and-Under – Free
All-Session Adult Tournament Pass – $25
All-Session Student Tournament Pass – $15
NAIA Cards honored for admission

CLAREMORE OPENING ROUND WEBSITE - CLICK HERE
 

TEAM LEADERS
Lubbock Christian University
Team is ranked 1st in Total Doubles (142)
Team is ranked 1st in Total Runs Batted In (429)
Team is ranked 1st in Slugging Pct. (.560)
Team is ranked 2nd in Batting Average (.342)
Team is ranked 2nd in Total Hits (620)
Team is ranked 3rd in Total Runs Scored (453)
Team is ranked 3rd in Runs Scored Per Game (8.0)
Team is ranked 3rd in Hits Per Game (10.9)
Team is ranked 5th in Total Triples (23)
Team is ranked 11th in Total At-Bats (1813)
Team is ranked 26th in Total Batters Struck Out (349)
Team is ranked 33rd in Total Innings Pitched (432.1)
Brett Kauten is ranked 1st in Home Runs (17)
Christian Vazquez is ranked 2nd in Total Hits (88)
Joel Lutz is ranked 2nd in Home Runs (15)
Joel Lutz is ranked 3rd in Total Bases (131)
Joel Lutz is ranked 4th in Total runs Batted In (61)
Brett Kauten is ranked 6th in Slugging Pct. (.712)
Brett Kauten is ranked 7th in Total Bases (126)
Joel Lutz is ranked 8th in Slugging Pct. (.704)
Brennyn Smith is ranked 9th in Total Hits (80)
Brennyn Smith is ranked 10th in Total Bases (125)
Team Batting Average: .342
Leading Hitters: Brandon Wilson - .486; Dalton Silva - .429; Christian Vazquez - .396; Brennyn Smith - 383
Most Hits: Christian Vazquez – 88; Brennyn Smith – 80; Joel Lutz – 66
Most RBIs: Joel Lutz – 61; Brett Kauten – 54; Christian Vazquez – 53
Most Doubles: Christian Vazquez – 19; Joel Lutz – 18; Brennyn Smith – 17
Most Triples: Brennyn Smith – 5; Brett Kauten – 5
Most Home Runs: Brett Kauten – 17; Joel Lutz – 15; Wigberto Nevarez – 11 
Best ERA: Dalton Silva – 2.20; Kyle Forsyth – 3.03; Derek Loera – 3.19; Jack Mabe – 3.49
Best Pitching Record: Kyle Forsyth – 8-1; Jack Mabe – 7-2; Derek Loera – 9-4

Bellevue University
Team is ranked 3rd in Earned Run Average (2.45)
Team is ranked 3rd in Total Batters Struck Out (433)
Team is ranked 4th in Opponent Batting Average (.215)
Team is ranked 10th in Fielding Pct. (.969)
Team is ranked 15th Total Stolen Bases (115)
Team is ranked 22nd in Slugging Pct. (.441)
Team is ranked 28th in Batting Average (.313)
Team is ranked 33rd in Total Doubles (94)
Team is ranked 35th in Total Runs Scored (340)
Team is ranked 36th in Total Runs Batted In (299)
Team is ranked 37th in Runs Scored Per Game (6.42)
Team is ranked 44th in Total Hits (495)
Team is ranked 44th in Total Assists (527)
Team is ranked 45th in Total Putouts (1245)
Team is ranked 46th in Total Innings Pitched (415)
Ricky Holm is ranked 3rd in Batters Struck Out Per 9 (12.7)
Kody McFarland is ranked 7th in Batters Struck Out Per 9 (11.4)
Zack Clark is ranked 9th in Stolen Bases Per Game (0.739)
Kody McFarland is ranked 15th in Opponent Batting Avg. (0.189)
Kody McFarland is ranked 17th in Total Batters Struck Out (85)
Nate Mullins is ranked 9th in Home Runs (9)
Kyle Kinman is ranked 22nd in Opp. Batting Avg. (.194)
Robert Greco is ranked 22nd in Total Batters Struck Out (83)
Tanner Moore is ranked 25th in Saves (7)
Team Batting Average: .313
Leading Hitters: Nate Mullins - .395; Brian Embery - .333; Tanner Moore - .332
Most Hits: Nate Mullins – 64; Tanner Moore – 61; Kyle Kinman – 58
Most RBIs: Nate Mullins – 50; Brian Embery – 48; Kyle Kinman – 36
Most Doubles: Ryan Knutz – 14; Brian Embery – 13
Most Triples: Three tied with 2 each
Most Home Runs: Nate Mullins – 9; Kyle Kinman – 5
Best ERA: Kody McFarland – 2.01; Kyle Kinman – 2.17; Robert Greco – 2.34
Best Pitching Record: Ricky Holm – 8-1; Kody McFarland – 7-1; Michael Calderon – 6-1

Lyon College
Team is ranked 12th in Total Runs Batted In (.358)
Team is ranked 14th in Total Runs Scored (393)
Team is ranked 14th in Total Doubles (106)
Team is ranked 15th in Runs Scored Per Game (7.15)
Team is ranked 27th in Total Hits (524)
Team is ranked 28th in Batting Average (.313)
Team is ranked 29th in Total Triples (15)
Team is ranked 36th in Hits Per Game (9.53)
Team is ranked 39th in Slugging Pct. (.424)
Team is ranked 41st in Total Innings Pitched (423.1)
Colby Rogers is ranked 3rd in Total Doubles (24)
Bryan Lynn is ranked 6th in Total Putouts (447)
Wesley Roberson is ranked 12th in Total Triples (5)
Ben Neyen is ranked 19th in Wins (9)
Roger Glaude is ranked 28th in Total Assists (146)
Kris Kohlstedt is ranked 29th in Total Runs Scored (52)
Brandon Haller is ranked 34th in Total Innings Pitched (87.2)
Team Batting Average: .313
Leading Hitters: Colby Rogers - .370; Mark Armenteros - .368; Jim Gossett - .349
Most Hits: Colby Rogers – 68; Bryan Lynn – 64
Most RBIs: Colby Rogers – 50; Bryan Lynn – 47
Most Doubles: Colby Rogers – 24
Most Triples: Wesley Roberson – 5
Most Home Runs: Bryan Lynn – 5
Best ERA: Ben Neyen – 2.33; Brenden Camp – 3.52
Best Pitching Record: Brenden Camp – 8-1; Brandon Haller – 8-2; Ben Neyen – 9-3

Rogers State University
Team is ranked 41st in Opponent Batting Average (.255)
Team is ranked 42nd in Earned Run Average (3.66)
Team is ranked 42nd in Total Triples (13)
Team is ranked 44th in Total Batters Struck Out (299)
Colton Campbell is ranked 10th in Batting Average (.418)
Shawn Spainhoward is ranked 19th in Walks Allowed Per 9 (1.38)
Shawn Spainhoward is ranked 20th in Earned Run Average (1.73)
Eric Baker is ranked 29th in Runs Scored per Game (1.023)
Brandon Bargas ranks 38th in Total Batters Struck Out (75)
Colton Campbell Ranks 39th in Hits Per Game (1.39)
Colton Campbell Ranks 42nd in total Runs Batted in (49)
Team Batting Average: .299
Leading Hitters (Min. 30 Games): Colton Campbell - .418; Jose Olazagasti - .338
Most Hits: Colton Campbell – 71
Most RBIs: Colton Campbell – 49
Most Doubles: Colton Campbell – 17
Most Triples: Eric Baker – 3
Most Home Runs: Ramcy Lora – 4
Best ERA: Shawn Spainhoward – 1.73; Brandon Bargas – 2.36
Best Pitching Record: Kyle Duncan – 6-3; Shawn Spainhoward – 7-4

Midland University
Team is ranked 16th in Total Caught Stealing (32)
Team is ranked 37 in Steal Attempts Per Game (2.34)
Team is ranked 37th in Total Stolen Bases (97)
Team is ranked 49th in Fielding Percentage (.960)
Dylan Stockton is ranked 15th in Earned Run Average (1.63)
Dylan Stockton is ranked 25th in Total Runs Allowed (20)
Vinnie Orsi is ranked 29th in Total Steal Attempts (31)
Vinnie Orsi is ranked 30th in Total Stolen Bases (27)
Dylan Stockton is ranked 40th in Wins (8)
Team Batting Average: .262
Leading Hitters: Vinnie Orsi - .344; Zach Kinsella - .322
Most Hits: Vinnie Orsi – 64
Most RBIs: Vinnie Orsi – 39
Most Doubles: Vinnie Orsi – 16
Most Triples: Dylan Steyer – 3
Most Home Runs: Dyla Steyer – 3
Best ERA: Dylan Stockton – 1.63; Josh Rolls – 2.78
Best Pitching Record: Dylan Stockton – 8-2; Dillon Cotner – 7-3

ALTON, Ill. – No teams in the American Midwest Conference Women's Golf Championship made any strong moves in the final round of play on Tuesday as No. 4-ranked William Woods walked away with the league title and the rest of the field battled for second at the Spencer T. Olin Golf Course. But it was the Lyon College squad that held firm, improving its collective game by three strokes to claim second place with a two-day score of 713.

The entire Lyon team placed in the top 20 individually, led by junior Kaitlyn Duncan, who improved from eighth to a seventh-place finish, shooting a two-day score of 25-over-par 169. The Highland, Ark. native shot an 85 in the opening round and finished with an 84 on Tuesday.

Lyon freshman Emily Johnson (Calico Rock, Ark.) was in the Top 10 after the opening round, shooting an 87, but finished with a 90 on Tuesday to tie for eleventh place with a two-round score of 177.

Scot sophomore Bobie Jo Cooper (Highland, Ark.) improved her score from a 92 on Monday to an 87 in the final round, keeping a hold on the 14th spot in the final standings.

Freshman Laura Winters (Eureka Springs, Ark.) shot identical scores of 94 on both days to finish in 19th place for Lyon, with a two-day total of 188.

WWU claimed the team championship by 93 strokes, shooting a 313 in the opening round and finishing with a 307 to post a two-day score of 44-over-par 620. The Scots posted scores of 358 and 355 to earn the second spot with a 137-over-par. Lyon finished three strokes ahead of third-place Hannibal-LaGrange University, which shot a 140-over-par 716. The Trojans shot a 364 on Monday and finished with a 353 to close the gap with Lyon.

Park University shot a 152-over-par 725 to place fourth, eight shots behind HLGU. Columbia College was a distant fifth, shooting a 179-over-par 755 and trailing Park by 27 strokes. Missouri Baptist University placed sixth with a 760, Stephens College took seventh with a 926 and Benedictine University was eighth with an 1124.

William Woods' Myriam Hassan shot a 3-over-par 75 in the final round to finish with a 7-over-par 151 to claim individual medalist honors. Teammate Alex Ferrer also shot a 75 on Tuesday, placing second with a 153, two strokes behind the champion. Jamie Palermo of WWU placed third with a 13-over-par 157 and Columbia College's Hannah Gill took fifth with a 159, one stroke behind Palermo.

William Woods will advance to the NAIA Women's Golf National Championship May 21-24 in Lincoln, Neb.

AMERICAN MIDWEST CONFERENCE WOMEN'S GOLF TEAM/INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

AMERICAN MIDWEST CONFERENCE
WOMEN'S GOLF TOURNAMENT
(at Spencer T. Olin Golf Course, Alton, Ill.)
FINAL TEAM STANDINGS
1. William Woods University - 313-307=620 (+44)
2. Lyon College - 358-355=713 (+137)
3. Hannibal-LaGrange University - 364-352=716 (+140)
4. Park University - 372-356=725 (+152)
5. Columbia College - 375-380=755 (+179)
6. Missouri Baptist University - 380-380=760 (+184)
7. Stephens College - 476-450=926 (+350)
8. Benedictine University - 574-550=1124 (+548)

TOURNAMENT INDIVIDUAL TOP RESULTS
1. Myriam Hassan (William Woods) - 76-75=151 (+7)
2. Alex Ferrer (William Woods) - 78-75=153 (+9)
3. Jamie Palermo (William Woods) - 78-79=157 (+13)
4. Hannah Gill (Columbia College) - 81-77=158 (+14)
5. Lindsey Johnson (William Woods) - 81-78=159 (+15)
6. Jodie Peacock (William Woods) - 81-86=167 (+23)
7. Kaitlyn Duncan (Lyon College) - 85-84=169 (+25)
8. Sarah Hall (Park University) - 83-88=171 (+27)
9t. Lorena Alvarez (Hannibal-LaGrange) - 91-83=174 (+30)
9t. Missy Gibson (Missouri Baptist) - 88-86=174 (+30)

OTHER LYON COLLEGE INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
11t. Emily Johnson - 87-90=177 (+33)
14t. Bobie Jo Cooper - 92-87=179 (+35)
19. Laura Winters - 94-94=188 (+44)

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Lyon College junior catcher Valerie Howell led the Scots in 10 different offensive statistical categories in 2013, while finishing in the Top 10 in the conference in eight as she led 18 student-athletes named to the American Midwest Conference First-Team softball squad this week.

Regular season champion Williams Baptist had four superlative selections to the elite squad, while the Lady Eagles and Park University both had four first-team players named. Three Columbia College players were honored, along with two from William Woods University and two from Missouri Baptist University to lead the all-league team.

Howell, who just completed her second season with Lyon College and ranked 33rd among NAIA players in home runs with 11, led the Scots in the following categories: Games played (50); hits (55); batting average (.382); runs (32); doubles (10); home runs; runs batted in (41); total bases (100); slugging percentage (.694); and on-base percentage (.427).

The Lindale, Tex. native and graduate of Texarkana High School, ranked second in putouts (108) on the Lyon squad this season, second in chances (180) and fourth in fielding percentage (.928).

Howell ranked second in the AMC in total bases and home runs this season, while earning a No. 3 ranking in at-bats (144) and runs batted in. She was fourth in hits.

Her season totals also now rank her first in home runs and total bases among all-time Lyon College players for a single season, while she is second in RBIs and slugging percentage.

In her short career, Howell also ranks first in home runs (19), RBIs (78) and total bases (181), while she is second in games played (101), tied for second in doubles (20);  and fourth in triples (2), hits 100 and batting average. 339.
 
William Baptist College's Shelby Anderson was named the Player of the Year, while teammate Karisa Hendrix was named Pitcher of the Year. Williams' Mallory Siebert and Columbia College's Jamie Holmes were named Co-Newcomers of the Year, while Park University's Kelli Wenberg was named in Freshman of the Year. Williams Baptist coach Eric Newell was named AMC Coach of the Year.

William Woods University captured the American Midwest Conference's automatic bid by winning the postseason tournament. Lyon College finished the year with an 11-39 record.

2013 ALL-AMERICAN MIDWEST CONFERENCE
SOFTBALL
AMC Player of the Year
Shelby Anderson, Williams Baptist College
AMC Pitcher of the Year
Karisa Hendrix, Williams Baptist College
AMC Co-Newcomers of the Year
Mallory Siebert, Williams Baptist College and Jamie Holmes, Columbia College
AMC Freshman of the Year
Kelli Wenberg, Park University
AMC Coach of the Year
Eric Newell, Williams Baptist College

First-Team All-Conference
Columbia College: Marli Hayes, Jamie Holmes, Chelsie Crain
Hannibal-LaGrange: Kachina Hudson
Harris-Stowe: Britni Diesen
Lyon: Valerie Howell
Missouri Baptist: Megan Wildhaber, Jenna Trombley
Park: Lindsay Sumner, Kelli Wenberg, Jamie Tanno, Kyla Tatum
William Woods: Mackenzie Bowden, Shelby LeCuru
Williams Baptist: Karisa Hendrix, Shelby Anderson, Mallory Siebert, Felicia Woodard

Honorable Mention All-Conference
Benedictine-Springfield: Kerri Beasley
Columbia College: Kristin Eiken, Whitni Howell
Hannibal-LaGrange: Taylor Lewis, Megan Becker
Harris-Stowe: Katie Pearson
Missouri Baptist: Danielle Bayer
Park: Kaily Purtle, Allie Reynolds
Stephens: Emily Wagner-Davis, Lindy Holmberg
William Woods: Ilissa Facchini, Lindsey LeCuru, Becca Schemmer
Williams Baptist: Lauren Sweeten, Kirsten Gipson

BATESVILLE, Ark. – Lyon College golfer Kyle Raberding overcame the jitters that occur many times with freshman and hit his stride in 2013 when it counted the most: conference tournament time.

Raberding finished his first-ever American Midwest Conference golf tournament with an 11-over-par 227 and earned dual all-conference honors. With his outstanding play, he has been chosen as the Lyon College Featured Athlete of the Week for the period of April 29-May 5. This is a weekly honor presented to an outstanding Lyon athlete throughout the year and is based on leadership, as well as statistical production.

The Norman, Okla. native and 2012 graduate of Norman High School, Raberding came to Lyon in the fall of 2012 hoping to contribute to the team. He did that, and more, as he helped the team to a fifth-place finish in the school's first-ever AMC Men's Golf Tournament. But more notable than that, Raberding was named the AMC Freshman Men's Golfer of the Year and earned AMC All-Conference Honors at the league tournament held at Gateway National Golf Club in Madison, Ill.

Raberding posted the lowest stroke average (76) on the year by a freshman. He also finished the 2013 season in the Top 10 in stroke average among players in all classifications, earning the all-league honors. At the AMC tourney he tied for 8th place in the 36-hole event, shooting a 3-over-par 75 in the first round, before falling back slightly to a 6-over-par 78 in round two. He came back strong on the final day, shooting a 2-over-par 74 to finish the event with a score of 227.

Raberding began the spring season with a 13th-place finish at the Central Baptist College Mustang Invitational in March. He shot a 36-hole score of 161, finishing just 13 strokes behind the tournament champion.

He stepped up his game at the William Woods University Spring Invitational in early April, shooting identical rounds of 74 to place seventh, with a 36-hole score of 148. He helped the Scots to finish sixth out of 12 schools.

Then, in the final tune-up for the conference tournament, Raberding shot rounds of 74 and 78 at the Natural State Golf Classic at Heber Springs to place 17th. He once again led the Scots with a two-round score of 152.