Month: March 2022

Villanova Wildcats celebrate in San Antonio, head to Final Four

Villanova mascot Will D. Cat brought some Wildcats attitude to the NCAA tournament South Regional in San Antonio. - photo by Joe Alexander
Villanova mascot Will D. Cat brought some Wildcats attitude to the NCAA tournament South Regional in San Antonio.
Villanova is bound for the NCAA Final Four in men’s basketball after beating Houston 50-44 on Saturday at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.

As the arena lights were turned down for the pregame introductions, Villanova coach Jay Wright was reading something he pulled from his pocket. I'd guess key points from his game plan or words of motivation or wisdom. I'll probably never know for sure. - photo by Joe Alexander
As the arena lights were turned down for the pregame introductions, Villanova coach Jay Wright was reading something he pulled from his pocket.
The Wildcats will be aiming for their fourth NCAA championship. Coached by Jay Wright, they have won as recently as 2018, when they defeated Michigan in the title game – played at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Villanova players celebrate at the NCAA tournament South Regional in San Antonio. - photo by Joe Alexander
Villanova players celebrate at the NCAA tournament South Regional in San Antonio.
The Villanova fans were outnumbered in Saturday’s game since Houston is practically just down the road from San Antonio. But in the end, Wildcats fans got to see their team cut down the net and hoist the trophy.

Game story by Jerry Briggs and game photos at:
theJBreplay.com

Media reunion at NCAA South Regional

Brian Anderson handled television play by play at the NCAA tournament South Regional in San Antonio. - photo by Joe Alexander
Brian Anderson handled television play by play at the NCAA tournament South Regional in San Antonio.
One of the best things about working at big sporting events is getting the chance to see old friends from the business.

From Saturday’s NCAA tournament South Regional game at the AT&T Center in San Antonio:

1. Brian Anderson on TV play by play. I first met Brian almost 30 years ago when he was a college baseball player at St. Mary’s in San Antonio. He later went from being on the radio broadcast team for the Double-A San Antonio Missions to television play by play for the Milwaukee Brewers.

2. The historic JJ Perez from InsideRunnerSports.com and Jerry Briggs from theJBreplay.com. JJ is the best known source of news on UTSA football and men’s basketball. Jerry and I started working together more than 40 years ago at the San Antonio Light.

3. Mike Finger from the San Antonio Express-News. Mike brings his special flavor of wit and insight to his work and carries on the tradition of Express-News sports columnists.

4. Aaron Million from Project Spurs.com. Aaron is part of a young generating of journalists who combine photography, video and graphic art in their work.

UTSA baseball drops conference opener to Louisiana Tech

UTSA outfielder Chase Keng snares a line drive near the right-field line against Louisiana Tech on Friday, March 18, 2022, at Roadrunner Field. - photo by Joe Alexander
UTSA outfielder Chase Keng snares a line drive near the right-field line against Louisiana Tech on Friday, March 18, 2022, at Roadrunner Field. – photo by Joe Alexander
Louisiana Tech rallied past UTSA for a 6-5 victory in the Conference USA baseball opener on Friday at Roadrunner Field.

UTSA jumped ahead with four runs on five hits in the bottom of the first for a 4-1 lead. Louisiana Tech came back with three runs in the fifth and single runs in the sixth and eighth innings.

UTSA finished with 12 hits including three each by Leyton Barry and Ryan Flores. Shane Sirdashney had a two-run single in the first inning.

Reports: Reggie Barlow will coach San Antonio’s XFL team

There has been no official announcement that San Antonio will be part of the next XFL season, which is scheduled to kick off in 2023.

But media reports indicate Reggie Barlow will be San Antonio’s head coach. The city is a logical location for an XFL franchise considering the San Antonio Commanders led the AAF in attendance.

The news about Barlow was originally reported by CBS 6 WTVR in Richmond, Virginia. He is currently the head coach at Virginia State, where he has a 34-16 record. He previously served as head coach at Alabama State.

Story on Barlow from richmond.com

Barlow played eight seasons in the NFL and was part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2003 Super Bowl championship team. He saw limited action at receiver and returner with the Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars. He had 39 career receptions for 522 yards and one touchdown. He also had one kickoff return and two punt returns for touchdowns.

UTSA rides four home runs to win sixth straight

Ian Bailey (15) celebrates at home plate with Jonathan Tapia (1), Leyton Barry and Ryan Flores (24) after Bailey's fourth-inning grand slam. UTSA men's baseball beat Southern 15-4 on Friday, March 4, 2022, at Roadrunner Field. - photo by Joe Alexander
Ian Bailey (15) celebrates at home plate with Jonathan Tapia (1), Leyton Barry and Ryan Flores (24) after Bailey’s fourth-inning grand slam.
The UTSA baseball team beat Southern 15-4 on Friday, March 4, 2022, at Roadrunner Field.

The Roadrunners got home runs from Leyton Barry, Chase Keng, Ian Bailey and Sammy Diaz. UTSA starting pitcher Jacob Jimenez (2-0) went five innings and allowed four runs to earn the win.

It was UTSA’s sixth victory in a row. The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. at Roadrunner Field.

Sammy Diaz (44) and Matt King (3) greet Leyton Barry at home plate after all three scored on Barry's second-inning home run. UTSA baseball beat Southern 15-4 on Friday, March 4, 2022, at Roadrunner Field. - photo by Joe Alexander
Sammy Diaz (44) and Matt King (3) greet Leyton Barry at home plate after all three scored on Barry’s second-inning home run. UTSA baseball beat Southern 15-4 on Friday, March 4, 2022, at Roadrunner Field. – photo by Joe Alexander