Wayland Baptist dance team member
Elexia Ruiz and baseball pitcher
Chase Jones are Apex Collision Center Student-Athletes of the Week.
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Ruiz, a junior from Amarillo, and the rest of the Sapphires dance team ended their competition season Saturday at the American Dance & Drill Team Collegiate Nationals in Denton. Competing at the University of North Texas Coliseum, the Sapphires placed first in the team category in the NAIA division and runner-up to Texas Wesleyan in the overall NAIA competition.
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Coach
Samantha Spieler praised Ruiz for her dancing talent and dedication.
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"Elexia has consistently brought her best to every practice and performance," Spieler said.
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Jones, a 6-foot-1 freshman pitcher from Rowlett, helped the baseball team to a three-win week, appearing in three of the Pioneers' five games as a reliever. The right-hander threw a total of 5 2/3 innings, allowing just one run and one hit while striking out 11 and walking only one.
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Jones earned his first save as he closed out a 2-0 win over University of the Southwest on Tuesday. After tossing 2 2/3 hitless innings against Southwestern Assemblies of God on Saturday, Jones came back Sunday to relieve starter
Bryson Calaway, who struck out eight in five innings. In closing the 8-2 win, Jones fanned five batters as he and Calaway's 13 strikeouts were the most for the Pioneers in five years.
"Chase threw really, really well Saturday, and I felt confident he would do well Sunday," Wayland coach
Brad Bass said.
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Jones finished the week with a 1.59 ERA. He is leading the team with a 0.96 ERA in his 9 1/3 innings pitched in seven appearances, having allowed one earned run on three hits. He has 13 strikeouts against two walks.Â
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