State sports briefs

Louisiana Tech, UA to play in LR in 2016

Arkansas has reached an agreement to play a non-conference football game against Louisiana Tech in 2016. Louisiana Tech officials released an announcement of the deal, which will pit the Razorbacks against the Bulldogs in Little Rock.

“While Arkansas may be the home team in 2016, the game in Little Rock will be within the Tech footprint and will provide our fans and alumni a better opportunity to attend the game,” Louisiana Tech Athletic Director Bruce Van De Velde wrote in the news release.

Louisiana Tech Coach Sonny Dykes said he was looking forward to playing an Arkansas team rich in tradition.

“War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock is a great place to play and is a great venue for college football,” Dykes said.

Arkansas has a 3-0 record against Louisiana Tech, the last a 17-13 victory in Little Rock in 1997.

Tom Murphy

GOLF

Cook leads ASGA championship

Jonesboro’s Austin Cook shot a 4-under-par 68 on Friday and leads the Arkansas State Golf Association Stroke Play Championship at Greystone Country Club’s Cypress Creek course in Cabot.

Cook, who plays at Arkansas, leads UALR’s Dylan Raines by one stroke. ASGA Match Play Champion Efren Gonzalez of Bryant is third at 2 under, tied with Razorback Joe Doramus of Little Rock.

UALR’s Nick Zimmerman of North Little Rock is fourth at 1 under, while Little Rock’s Alex Carpenter, who plays at Abilene Christian, leads a group of seven players at even par. That group includes Little Rock’s Chris Jenkins and Joey Nichols.

Defending champion Wes McNulty of Pine Bluff is tied for 13th at 1 over.

Cabot’s Todd Martin shot a 2-under-par 70 on his home course and leads the Mid-Senior division by two strokes. Little Rock’s Austin Franks and Fort Smith’s Mark Brailey are second at even par.

The second round is scheduled for today. The amateur division will cut to the low 27 players, while the Mid-Senior division will cut to the low 12 players.

Jeffrey Slatton

BASKETBALL

Lyon signs Midland prospect

Lyon College has signed Farrah Turner, a guard from Midland.

Turner averaged 21 points and six assists per game in her senior season at Midland. She was a three-time all-state, all-conference and all-district player and was also named to play in the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Game.

FISHING

VanDam leads at Kentucky Laked

Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., continues to lead at the Tennessee Triumph Bassmaster Elite Series at Kentucky Lake in Paris, Tenn.

VanDam caught five pounds, weighing 21 pounds, 11 ounces to lead with a three-day total of 70-13. Kelly Johnson of Mineola, Texas is second at 67-2 after pulling in five fish who weighed 24 pounds Friday.

“I tried to do anything I could do to get away from the pressure,” said VanDam, a 16-time Bassmaster winner. “But I knew it was going to be a frustrating day and affect the way I was fishing, so you just have to deal with it and try to piece together the best day you can.”

BASEBALL

Royals to hold tryout camp

The Kansas City Royals will hold a tryout camp at Arvest Ballpark June 18 in Springdale.

The tryout will be run by Lloyd Simmons, one of the Royals’ Senior Amateur Scouts.

Registration will occur at 8:30 a.m. and the tryout will begin at 9 a.m. Participants must bring their own equipment and be at least 15 years old and must have a parent or legal guardian present.

Participants will be evaluated on several baseball drills, including throwing, sprinting, and hitting. No pre-registration is necessary.

Sports, Pages 29 on 06/12/2010