Eppler pitches in Korean World Series

Pitcher Tyler Eppler helped the Kiwoom Heroes reach the Korea Baseball Organization championship series.
The Navasota High School graduate earned the win during his Oct. 28 start against the LG Twins in a best-of-five series of the postseason. The 29-year-old allowed seven hits and one earned run in six innings and struck out two.
With the victory, the Heroes advanced to the Korea Series for the first time since 2019.
His Nov. 2 start in the Korea Series did not go as smoothly, for the right-hander suffered the loss against SSG Landers.  He allowed six hits and five earned runs in five innings and struck out two.
With Kiwoom trailing 3-2 in the best-of-seven championship series, he started again Nov. 8. He allowed four hits, struck out three and did not allow an earned run in five scoreless innings. Though he did not earn a decision, the Heroes lost 4-3, ending Eppler's first season in the KBO.

Football
Bedias resident Blaine Hoover made a season-high eight tackles for Tarleton State University against Stephen F. Austin. The starting defensive added a 6-yard sack on the first series of the game, his lone one heading into this weekend's game.

Men's swimming
Out of Iola High, Grady Amy is a freshman for Alderson Broaddus University (W.V.).

Women's basketball
McMurry University senior guard D'Asia White is on the American Southwest Conference preseason watch list. The Anderson-Shiro High alumna is one of three McMurry players on the list.
Jakayla Jones is no longer competing for Howard College. The Navasota graduate played as a freshman last year.

Women's volleyball
Sophomore middle blocker Ahna Merrell played in 31 of Coastal Bend College's 32 matches. Previously at Anderson-Shiro, she tied for third on the team in points and averaged 0.44 blocks per set, tied for third. Her 1.26 kills per set ranked fifth on the squad.

Send updates about area athletes to Barbara Boxleitner at jdanddoc@gmail.com.