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Matthew Melon's USC Trip

2007-11-06T19:05:00.000-05:00

Matthew Melon
Staff Writer

Game Day Analysis:

My buddy who is an alumni student of USC has never been to Homecoming at USC. But since I’m here and we are going to the game we headed over to campus 3 hours before the game kicked off. The previous day we went to the USC bookstore because I wanted a jersey for the game and goodies for my friends back home. People you would not believe, the amount of students decked out in jerseys, beads, face paint, and numerous tailgate parties in parking lots and on grassy areas on campus .I even caught a band member getting herself lush with a swig of beer. The steps of the bookstore and any other building were swamped with people hanging out and talking about the game and celebrating. Within a sea of cardinal and gold, I saw a couple of brave Oregon State fans that made the trip. They seemed protected because they had friends who were Trojan fans. Being on the USC campus during a home game had the excitement of a super rock act at the Tweeter Center.

After partaking in this immense fun and powerful stimulus of a College Football party atmosphere, we headed to the Coliseum. We had end zone seats, which I at first purchasing was hoping that they weren’t going to be too high up. However, the way the stadium was constructed we here high enough to see the entire field and how the plays develop, very good seats indeed. When we made it to our seats there were these three women to my left who were in their sixties. The one in the middle of the other two was the most knowledgeable about the USC team and college football in general. It seemed like she dragged the other two to the game with her. It was cool sitting next to these hip old ladies, pretty rad how anyone can fall in love with College Football: it’s the passion and excitement, its got to be, right?!!!

After enjoying an hour of warm-ups by the Trojan players and the Oregon Beavers the game kicked off. The excitement and anticipation in the stadium was contagious and electrifying. The USC offense did not look good or in-sync in the first couple drives. John David Booty who returned from a broken middle finger did his best in the first half, but there were some dropped balls by his tight end and receivers. The problem was that John David Booty was not looking off his receivers and was staring them down which made it easy for the Oregon State Beavers defense to defend. In the first quarter, the offense was sputtering and both teams seemed evenly matched. But as the second quarter came around, the USC defense played stellar with an outstanding game from freshman Everson Griffen on the D-line. He had 3 ½ sacks of the nine total on Sean Canfield of Oregon State. It seemed like Everson was apart of those nine sacks; he was always around the ball. What a phenomenal performance by him and the defense. In the second quarter USC ran away with this game amassing 21 points on two passes and one run play. We left with 7 minutes to go as Oregon State was all but deflated, and the backup quarterback was handling duties now for Sean Canfield.

What was evident from the game was USC’s defense and how they played with aggression. I’m worried about the offense though, which at times seems predictable and boring. There really isn’t any time for John David Booty to get into a rhythm with his receivers because next week they are playing Cal. So Pete Carroll better get his offensive squad ready to go because this might turn into a shootout in which USC will have a hard time keeping up. What’s most important for USC is to play out the rest of their games of their schedule without thinking about the postseason. They already have lost any hope for the National Title picture or any Rose Bowl bid. This is time for the team to show cohesiveness and get ready for what ever bowl they will be eligible for. I strongly believe when C.J. Gable comes back next season, and Joe McKnight gets comfortable with the running game and the o-line blocking you might have that thunder and lighting combo that is evident with James Davis and CJ Spiller at Clemson. With Booty leaving due to graduation this quarterback situation will be Sanchez’s to lose, but he will be battling Arkansas transfer Mitch Mustain who is highly touted. We will see next year, if the Trojans run out the gate or sputter to a slow finish.

Being at USC this past weekend was a blast, but I imagine it is no different than going to Georgia, Florida, or Texas to name a few. The major football colleges live, breathe, and eat football. It is a part of them, their community, their school spirit, their identity. And surely Trojan football resides in the hearts and souls of the students at USC.

BSC Women's Soccer defeats Plymouth State 4-2

2007-10-18T09:30:00.000-05:00

By- Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

Midfielder Taryn Sullivan scored a pair of goals to lead Bridgewater State College over Plymouth State University in a 4-2 decision on Tuesday afternoon. With the win, the Bears have won six of their last eight games and their record now stands at 7-5-1. With the loss, the Panthers fall to 5-8 on the season.

Plymouth State got on the board first in the 35th minute when sophomore forward Stacy DiSabato on an assist from midfielder Lauren Lavery.

“Being down one, I was still very confident that we would score some goals,” said head coach Andrea O’Connor. “Going into the second half we had the momentum and I knew it was only a matter of time.”

Bridgewater State College responded after the first stanza, with a pair of goals 53 seconds apart. Midfielder Jacklyn Wisoky tied the game in the 48th minute and Sullivan scored the go-ahead tally on a dish from forward Megan Williamson.

The Bears took the lead for good in the 55th minute on Williamson’s eighth goal of the season on a shot that squeaked past the Plymouth State keeper.

The Panthers pulled to within a goal in the 65th minute, but Sullivan answered back with her second goal of the game less than a minute later.

The Bears were relentless on offense as they held an advantage a 33-12 advantage in shots and edge in corner kicks 10-3.

“My team is a team that doesn’t hang its head when it can’t score,” said O’Connor. “They have the confidence in their ability to score. This year more so than any other year we have the ability to finish.”

Bridgewater State goalie Ashley Spingler registered four saves in her second start of the season while her counterpart Ashley Riberdy made 11 stops between the posts for Plymouth State.

Over the upcoming weekend, the Bears will face off against conference foe Salem State in a 4pm match on Saturday afternoon. They will then play their last two games at home versus Keene State on Tuesday (3:30pm) and Framingham on Saturday (11am).

“We still have to get by Framingham and Salem State, who have beaten some good teams,” said O’Connor. “We have to make a few adjustments and play our game which is putting teams under pressure and scoring goals.”

With a 2-1-1 MASCAC record, Bridgewater State looks to maintain its record and get as high a seed as they can for the conference tournament in two weeks.

“I think that we are very strong and in a great position to win the MASCAC,” said O’Connor. “We will definitely be a battle in the tournament.”

Extra points:

Coach O’Connor on her disappointments (in the Plymouth State game):

“We definitely had the better play for the first 45 minutes and their goal was a mistake on our part. (It was) a breakdown on the defensive end.”

Coach O’Connor on what she said to her team at the intermission (down 1-0):

“I expressed to my team how important it was to keep the pressure on. They did and we had three goals in the first fifteen minutes of the half.”

Coach O’Connor tying to Fitchburg and losing to Worcester State:

“We definitely should have beaten Fitchburg (the tie)”…”Worcester (the lone loss) will be our toughest competition. We didn’t play well and they played well. They put the pressure on us right from the whistle and we didn’t respond."

Bears lose chance at division lead

2007-10-17T22:43:00.000-05:00

Coast Guard quarterback Chris George paced a shot-gun option attack that was good for 245 total yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 27-24 victory over Bridgewater State College this past Saturday.

“It was a battle of two teams trading punches,” said head coach Charles Denune. “We couldn’t be happier with the effort. They went out there and worked hard as a unit.”

Junior quarterback Steven Clark led the way for Bridgewater State rushing 17 times for 78 yards and he threw the ball 176 yards for three touchdowns.

“I think our triple option was effective,” said Clark. “I don’t think they expected me to throw as much as they did, and when I did, we took advantage of them on their weak side.”

On defense, the visiting Bears were led by linebacker Tim Powler who led the team with an interception and 11 tackles (two for a loss) while lineman Sean Larkin notched 10 tackles. Linebacker’s Casey Florence and Marcus Wells, and lineman Chris Dijak all finished the game with eight tackles, respectively.

The key drive of the game came with 4:31 left in the fourth quarter, with the visiting Bears in possession of the ball and down by a three point margin. With the ball on their own 20-yard line, Coach Denune decided to bring in senior reserve quarterback Greg Borsari.

“I think the big spark for the offense was, on the final drive,” said senior wide receiver Jimmy Yaitanes. “He came out there like a warrior.”

Immediately making an impact from the second play of the drive, Borsari couldn’t find an open receiver and sprinted 28 yards for a first down.

“(When Borsari) ran it up the middle for 28 yards, you could see the emotion of the team get lifted at that moment,” said Yaitanes.

Following a nine yard reception from receiver Chris Joyce and an 11-yard dash by Chris Russell, Borsari found receiver Pat McGrail open in the seam for an 11 yard gain to the Coast Guard’s 35-yard line.

After first down incompletion, Borsari passed to Rusell for seven yards on the second and ten. On third down, Borsari found receiver Chris McCarthy open down the middle, but a Coast Guard defender caused the incompletion. Electing not to kick the field goal, Denune stuck with his best receivers on the field and went for it on fourth and three.

With 1:21 remaining in the game, Borsari hiked the ball, looked to the left at Joyce who was covered and then threw it to McGrail, but Coast Guard safety Kevin Novak stepped in front of the pass and picked the ball off.

“(Greg) drove us down the field while being thrown into the last drive of the game,” said Clark. “He put us in the best position for us to win. There wasn’t much time left on the clock and he got us within winning distance, but we just came off a little short.”

This weekend, the Bears will travel to Westfield State in an attempt to bounce back after suffering their first Bogan Division loss. Bridgewater State will be visiting the Owls for their annual homecoming game.

“We have three tough football games coming up,” said Denune. “We will be playing in a pretty hostile environment and be ready to play some football, because they are going to be ready to do the same.”

Coach Denune said that Westfield State likes to run in an I-formation, with two running backs right behind the quarterback and two wide receivers on the outside. Defensively, the Owls will counter with a 4-3 defense.

“They sure have some good athletes on both sides of the ball,” said Denune.

Clark said that he is expecting a tough matchup this week in playing Westfield.

“Westfield always plays us tough, and everyone is gunning for us this season,” said Clark. “It is just a matter of if we execute it to the best we can or not. We (just have to) take it one week at a time.”

With the loss, the Bears fall to 4-2 on the season and 3-1 in the NEFC Bogan Division. Bridgewater State College will play Westfield State at 1pm on Saturday afternoon. If you cannot make the game, the match-up will be webcasted at mascac.tv.

Bridgewater State College scored first on a 52-yard touchdown strike from Clark to McGrail in the first quarter. Following a BSC turnover in the second quarter, the defense buckled down and held the homestanding Bears to a field goal, with 8:02 remaining in the half.

The visiting Bears went up 14-3 on a 32 yard touchdown flick from Clark to Joyce. Coast Guard responded scoring on a 23 yard touchdown lob from George to wide receiver Matt Keith to cap off the scoring in the first stanza.

Coming out of the locker room at halftime both teams traded field position and then Coast Guard retook the lead on a one yard plunge from running back Niels Pierson. The homestanding Bears whittled off 8:39 off the clock in a drive that went for 22 plays and started on their own two yard line.

Following an interception, Bridgewater State College took full advantage and made the score 21-17 on a ten yard reception from McGrail (Clark pass).

After a good kick-off return, Coast Guard quickly scored on a three yard scamper (on fourth down) by George, with 8:31 remaining in the game.

“We just have to keep our heads on straight,” said Yaitanes. “If we prepare for it, with a little push one way or the other, our season might go longer than we expect.”

Photos courtesy of Bridgew.edu/athletics

Quotes from Coach Denune, Qb Steven Clark, and WR Jimmy Yaitanes

2007-10-17T22:00:00.000-05:00

Coach Denune

On the game:
“We played from behind and going with Greg was an easy decision in the fourth quarter. Stevie also had a great game and did everything that you could do. He ran the ball well, and Greg had a great effort. Unfortunately we couldn’t punch the last one in.”

On dealing with injuries to (wide receiver) Jesse Teixiera, and (running backs) Bruce Burley and Teigan Pina:
“I think that players like (receivers) McGrail and Joyce, and running backs Williams and Russell have really stepped up their level of play and matured quickly. They went out there and played well against one of the best teams in New England.”

One good thing about the offense this week:
“The receivers made big plays in the passing game and they really stretched the field so that we could run with the football.”

One bad thing about the offense this week:
“I wish we could have scored more points. It was one of our better games although the result wasn’t what we wanted.”

Why didn’t you kick the field goal on fourth and three on the 25 yard-line:
“It was an easy decision, because our kicker quit on us (earlier in the week). DeBruno was 3-3 on PAT’s, but he was just getting them over the upright. From the 25 yard-line, a 34 yard field goal is out of the question. I just thought it was the best thing to do.

Defensive performance:
“I couldn’t be happier with the defenses effort. They played well and they played hard as a unit and they had to deal with a special athlete in QB George.”

Will you be focusing on anything on practice this week?
“We are going to continue to do what we always do; we aren’t going to change much. This was one of our best football games, and we are only going to continue to get better.”

Extra comment:
“I was proud of how they played; they just came out and left it on the football field.”

Junior Starting Quarterback Steven Clark

On the loss:
-“We played our hearts out and we should have had that game, and hats off to Greg for that last drive. He drove us down the field, with not much time on the clock and we just ended up on the short side of a losing battle, but we’ll bounce back this past weekend against Westfield and play out the rest of our season.”

On how players like McGrail-Joyce-Williams-Russell have picked up the pace:
“Although we’ve lost Jesse, he’s a great receiver because he opens a lot of things up, but Joyce and McGrail have definitely stepped it up. They are both our go-to guys in key situations. McGrail had two great catches for touchdowns and Joyce adjusted to what I thought was a bad pass.”
“Williams is a good lead blocker its run blocking, he gets the job done. In losing Bruce, Russell (although he’s a freshman), has done a heck of a job filling in Bruce’s shoes in his absence. I couldn’t be more pleased with him right now. He knows what to do and gets it done.”

On Westfield State next week:
“Westfield always plays us though because everyone is gunning for us”…”It’s just a matter of if we execute it to the best we can or not”…”We (are just going to) take it one week at a time.”

Special team’s player: Jimmy Yaitanes

On the loss:
“Last weekends loss did not feel good. This team has a lot of great talent and we have worked so hard.

On the offense:
“I think the offense played unbelievable. McGrail had a good game and Clarky had some good passes. Chris Joyce had his best game in a Bears uniform and the last drive (of Borsari’s) was not to fail. It’s a tough spot to come into the game cold (passing).”

On bouncing back (versus Westfield):
“It’s always tough to bounce back

On playing the Owls:
“Westfield is a very good team. I think we have a hard week ahead of us, but we don’t like losing. We are going to get it done.”

Extra comment:
“The thing that hurts the most is that everyone on our team rose to the challenge and played the best games I have ever seen. We just came up short.”

Results from National Division III Track and Field meet

2007-06-05T14:24:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

The lone competitor Division III Track and Field meet was junior Chrissy Hrenko. Hrenko qualified for the meet in capturing the ECAC Javelin title at SUNY Oneonta on May 18th. Hrenko's throw was good for 131"03' ft and she set the course record at SUNY Oneonta.

On Saturday (May 26th), Hrenko placed 14th in the Javelin with a throw of 129"02' ft in the first heat. She failed to qualify for the second round by less than 4 feet.

In the ECAC Championships (held on May 17th-18th), Bridgwater State had four competitors from the men's and women's outdoor track and field team competing. Here is how they finished:

-In the 10,000 meter run, junior Nicole Mauro finished in 8th place with a time of 40:34.65.
-In the Hammer Throw, senior Anna Fegan finished in a respectable 20th place with a throw of 117-03
-In the Heptathlon, Hrenko finished in 8th place with 3260 points. The winner (sophomore Jamie Landry of Rochester College) scored 3975 in the event.
-In the Triple Jump, junior Nilton Gomes jumped to a 21st place finish, with a jump of 42"-05.25'. The winner in the event (sophomore Curt Jones of Washington and Jefferson) finished with a jump of 46"01.50'.

Information courtesy of bridgew.edu/athletics and ecac.com

Division III Softball and Baseball College World Series update

2007-06-05T13:58:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

We just wanted to update you on the results of the Division III Softball and Baseball college world series, which ended a couple of weeks ago.

In the softball College World Series, New England regional representative #6 seeded Rhode Island College was swept in both of their games that they played. Their first loss was a 9-1 loss to #3 seeded UW-Eau Claire and the second was a 10-3 to #7 seed Plattsburg State. #1 seeded Linfield was the winner of the 2007 NCAA Division III Softball College World Series tournament.

MASCAC representative Westfield State played this years regional in the New York regional, when traditionally the league representative has played in the New England Regional. Westfield was the #7 seed in the regional and they swept in both games that they played. The Owls lost the first game 10-0 to #2 seed Ithaca and they lost the second game 2-1 to #6 seed Skidmore.

The winner of the New England Regional was #2 seeded Eastern Connecticut College. They carried a perfect 4-0 record to beat conference rival Keene State 15-4 in the New England Championship regional. #1 seed Wheaton College (and favorite to win the tournament) was bounced by Keene State, who advanced to the championship game.

In the Division III Baseball College World Series, #5 seeded Eastern Connecticut was swept in both of the games they played. They lost the first game to 15-4 to #2 seeded Carthage and the second game 5-4 to #1 seeded Emory College. Emory College would go on to lose in the championship game (in extra innings) to #4 seeded Kean. Kean was the Mid-Atlantic regional winner.

Four from outdoor track team to compete at the ECAC's

2007-05-16T21:34:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

This Thursday, Friday, and Saturday the Bridgewater State College outdoor track and field team will compete in the New England regional ECAC meet at SUNY Onenota. Each of the four runners that is competing has set the bar high as they each are trying to qualify for the Division III Nationals sometime next week.

Representatives from the women’s track and field team are junior Nicole Mauro (10,000 meter run), junior Christine Hrenko (Heptathlon and Javelin), and senior Anna Fegan (Hammer Throw). The lone representative from the men’s team will be Nilton Gomes, who will be competing in the triple jump.

This past weekend Hrenko garnered New England Intercolleciate Amatuer Athletic Association Honors with a 5th place finish in the Javelin throw, in the New England All-Divisional meet. Hrenko said that she was surprised about competing in the meet.

“I didn’t know what to expect with all divisions there,” said Hrenko. “It was awesome to throw with some much better throwers. You learn a couple of things and it’s just a really different atmosphere.”

While Hrenko’s throw didn’t qualify her for the national competition, she remains optimistic about her experience.

“I knew that I belonged there,” said Hrenko. “While I didn’t qualify for the nationals, I know that I have one more shot in the next meet.”

While competing this week in the Javelin throw, she will also be competing in the Heptathlon, which is based upon how many points you score in eight different events. The seven events in the Heptathlon are the 100m hurdles, the high jump, the shot put, the 200 m run, the 800 m run, and the javelin. The events take place over the course of two days.

Hrenko said that she often has to compete at several events at the same time.

“During meets the toughest part is trying to check in to all of my events,” said Hrenko. “It’s difficult to try and change my sneakers to another pair and it’s usually very chaotic. The coaches usually help me check me into my own events, untie my sneakers for me, and bring them to the next event when I’m ready.

Hrenko said she hopes to qualify for the national competition in the Heptathlon.

“The Heptathlon is based on points, so if I was to win the ECAC meet, I would still have to get the number of points to qualify,” said Hrenko.

Teammate Nicole Mauro said that she was amazed at how Hrenko is able to compete in so many events.

“I can only imagine how daunting the Heptathlon is,” said Mauro. “She is always moving from one event to another and then go right back to that event. Its amazing how she stays energetic throughout the competition.”

Mauro is competing in the 10,000 meter run (24 laps). She said the race is very challenging and by far, it is her favorite race to compete in.

“It’s the longest race that you can run on the track and it takes a lot of endurance and strategy,” said Mauro. “You just can’t run as fast as you can. You have to think about every lap, you need to know when to pick it up, and you need to know when relax.”

Mauro said to qualify for the Division III Nationals she would have to break the 36:00 minute qualifying time or the 37:40 provisional time. Her best time has been 38:09, which she ran two weeks ago at the New England Division III meet.

“I’m very close to hitting provisional time and I think I would be able to hit it at the ECAC’s,” said Mauro. “Unfortunately I would have to break that time by a lot to reassure a spot at the nationals. There are a number of girls who have already qualified with the provisional time and I would have to knock them out of the spot. You never know what’s going to happen though.”

Anna Fegan is competing in the hammer throw. She said that for the indoor meets she will compete in the weight throw, but the hammer throw is her favorite event.

“I’ve been doing the shot put and discus since high school, but they are not as intriguing as the hammer,” said Fegan.

The Stoughton native said that the hammer throw isn’t an event that is included in competition for outdoor track and field meets in Massacusetts high schools.

“Its (an event) that is thrown in high schools in Rhode Island, so people from that state are pretty good throwers,” said Fegan. “It supposedly takes seven years to learn how to throw and I plan on competing in the Bay State games every summer. I like watching people who are better than me, so I can watch and learn from them.

Fegan said that this is her first time competing in an event in her four years at Bridgewater.

“I never thought id qualify before in the hammer,” said Fegan. “I thought that if I ever did (qualify) it would be in the shot (put) or the disc. It has been harder to improve in those events.”

Nilton Gomes is competing in the triple jump. He thinks that he is up for the challenge at the ECAC meet.

“I think that (the triple jump) is one of the most challenging events,” said Gomes. “It requires a lot of coordination and athleticism. I have faced a lot of good competition in this event, including three All-Americans and last years (Division III) National Champion.”

Gomes says that he excited at the opportunity to compete in the ECAC meet and try to qualify for the nationals.

“I hope that I can take advantage of this opportunity,” said Gomes. “I really learned how to jump correctly this year for the first time. I think that if it’s a good day, with good weather and I’m feeling good, I just might be able to pop off a surprising jump.”

Gomes said that he would like to encourage more people from Bridgewater State to join the track team.

“There are almost 10,000 people that come to BSC,” said Gomes. “I know that there are a lot of good athletes here. They should try out for the team and showcase their talent. It’s fun and not so demanding on the schedule.”

Fegan said that she was very proud of this year’s track and field team. She also said that she was going to miss the team when she graduates in the spring.

“I’ve met so many great people and we’ve been through a lot,” said Fegan. “And we still continue to have a lot of great performances, which is something to be proud of.”

Although the outdoor track and field team is small, Hrenko said that she thinks it’s been a pretty good year.

“Everyone did really well this year, and we have
had some of our strongest performances,” said Hrenko. “Seven of us qualified for the Division III New England meet and four of us qualified for the ECAC meet. I don’t think that we have had that many people qualify before.”

Mauro said that she was happy about how this year’s track season went.

“For the most part we had a great track season,” said Mauro. “Although many of our runners fought through injuries we still had a fun and successful season. This season we were closer than ever, we were always cheering for one another and giving advice. Every year our team gets closer and stronger. Hopefully this will lead to a promising one, next year.”

This year, the women’s outdoor track and field team placed second in the six team MASCAC meet. The men’s team placed in fourth place.

The sports page of The Comment will bring you highlights, updates, and scores of this weeks ECAC meet when they become available. Stay tuned for more details.

Around the MASCAC

2007-05-14T12:36:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-I just thought I would update you on how other teams in the region and how they are doing in postseason play. It should be an interresting postseason for Westfield State, who will play in the New York regional, as opposed to the traditional New England regionals.

Softball
-According to the MASCAC website, #8 seeded Framingham State was swept by #1 seed RIC and #4 seed Keene State in the double elimination New England regional softball tournament. As the host, Rhode Island College won the regional this past Sunday, with a 8-4 victory over Tufts. They will advance to the College World Series, which will be held in Salem, Virgina later this week.

Women's Lacrosse
-With a close 16-12 win over Worcester State, Plymouth State University and Curry College faced off on Saturday for the Eastern ECAC Championship. In the match, Plymouth captured the crown with a 14-7 win over Curry.
-For more on the BSC Women's Lacrosse team click here

Baseball
-Westfield State (20-15) will begin regional play on Wednesday of this week. They will face off in the first round versus Ithica University (24-14), who will be hosting the regional. Should Westfield win they will face the winner of #6 Skidmore (20-18) versus #3 St Johns Fisher (26-11). Should Westfield loose they will play the looser of the Skidmore-St. Johns Fisher matchup.

-In the New England regional, the host will be the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) in Harwich, Massachusetts. The matchups are as follows:
[#1 Wheaton (31-11) gets a first round bye]
Game 1- #4 Curry (27-7) vs #5 Keene State (29-13)
Game 2- #3 Williams (25-8) vs #6 WNEC (27-10)
Game 3- #2 EConn University (34-10) vs #7 St Joe's of Maine (30-10)

-The BSC Baseball was scheduled to play EConn and Curry College, but those games were never played because of the poor weather conditions. Bridgewater State also split a series with #1 seeded Wheaton College in the middle of the season.

-As far as predictions go, I think if Westfield wins thier first game, they will advance to the third round and then not win a game. I dont know how good Skidmore is, but a 20-18 record just doesnt impress me very much. If Westfield looses their first game, they will loose the second game.
-The New England regionals will be interresting. Wheaton College is all offense, and their pitching staff is at best decent. In the BSC split, they didnt impress me much. According to D3baseball.com, Keene State almost beat EConn in the LEC league championship. But I think EConn is the team that will advance. Then again, Wheaton advanced to the College World Series finals last year, so they have the experience and rest walking into the regional. D3baseball also has Wheaton advancing. Wheaton is 2-0 vs EConn this year.
-We will update you on these regionals once the winners are announced on Saturday or Sunday.

[Side Note- I wish BSC was playing in the tournament right now; that would have been nice. But down the stretch, the team should have played so much better. At the beginning of the season I was worried about the pitching staff, but they did alright. I was most impressed with Schilling's performance (5-6 in save opportunities, 9 IP, 10 K's and 2 BB's) and sophomore Dave Liffers (5-1, 4.63 ERA, with 21 K's in 31.1 IP). The defense was what did not favor the BSC baseball team down the stretch. Most of the offense will be back next year, along with a younger pitching staff, position players (like Nik, Claffey, and Karangioze) everything should be fine. As a fan and reporter, I'm not worried about a thing]

Outdoor Track and Field
-This past weekend, junior Chrissy Hrenko earned All NIECAAA honors in the Javelin, placing 5th. Over the next week, the track team will send four players to the ECAC Championships, as they try to qualify for the National Division III meet, at the end of the month. For the womens team Hrenko will be competing in the Heptathalon and the Javelin throw. In addition, junior Nicole Mauro will compete in the 10,000 meter run, and senior Anna Fegan will compete in the hammer throw. For the men's team, junior Nilton Gomes will compete in the Triple Jump.
-The BSC outdoor track and field team leaves campus on Wednesday for a meet that will take place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The Comment will have a preview on Wednesday.

Intramural Championship coverage

2007-05-14T11:00:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

The Comment checks in with todays post with last Sunday's Intramural Championship weekend. Here are the highlights from the mens competative and recreation divisions, and the womens recreation division...

Men's Competative Intramural Basketball Champions:
(#2 seed) The Phenoms- 60 (#2 seed) Piledrivers- 69

For the fourth consecutive year, the Piledrivers played like champions and earned the right to play in the championship game. This senior squad led by senior center Derek Thompson, sophomore guard Jessie Texeira, and a supporting cast that is likely to graduate in May and later this winter.

Their opponents, The Phenoms, are another squad of seniors that were led by senior guard Ben Bonzey, senior guard Ryan "The Birdman" Devereaux, and senior guard Mike Dalton.

"It was great to go out on a win and to play against some good friends in a friendly situation," said Piledrivers guard John Dowaliby.

The score at the half was 39-30, but the Piledrivers remained in control the entire game. At one point the Piledrivers were up by 15 with five minutes remaining in the game and The Phenom's did the best they could to muster up a rally.

"I thought both teams played well," said Phenom captain Anthony Palladino. "They were clearly the better team and it was a tough matchup for us."

The Piledrivers were paced by an offensive attack led by Thompson in the post and Texiera along the perimeter. Texeira led all scorers with 26 points (18 in the first half) and Thomson finished the game with 14 points.

The Phenoms had a balanced attack as Bonzey scored 16, Devereaux scored 15, and Dalton scored 14 points.

Palladino said that he was sad to see such a run end with The Phenoms loosing.

"The Phenom dynasty has ended after 4 years of greatness," declared Palladino. "We made the finals or the finals in all four years. We won the championship as freshman. I was proud to captain a great group of guys."

Thompson said that he was happy about the game and everything that they had accomplished the last four years. The Piledrivers made the championship game in all four years that they played in the competitive division.

"The game was really fun and I hate to loose in anything," said Thompson. "Two championships in a row are always fun. Since we lost the first two years we competed it felt great to win the last two."

Thompson also said that The Phenoms were a good opponent and that it was a really competitive basketball match.

"Its always facing a team like The Phenoms, because everyone is good friends with one another," said Thompson. "It just makes the game that much more competitive."

Both teams will leave Bridgewater State to graduation, but never forget the good times that both dynasties dominated the basketball court.

Men's Recreational Division Champions:
(#1 seeded) Topher's Team-59 (#4 seeded) Rafer-34

#4 seeded Rafter's Cinderella season ended with a 59-34 loss to #1 seeded Tophers Team. Rafter advanced to the final match after a three point shot buzzer beater that won the game by a point. The game ending, court erupting, 25 foot buzzer beater hit by senior Kenny Beltram.

But the magic ran out in the finals at the hands of Tohper's Team. With a 31-21 score at the half, Topher's Team scored 28 points in the second half and held Rafter to 13 points.

Leading the way for Topher's Team was senior Topher Paone led all scorers scoring 17 points and freshman Anthony Bourget had 13 points. Team Rafter had a balanced scoring attack with senior scoring Mike Lesniak's 11 points, senior Emeka Duku scoring 11 points, and Beltram scoring 10.

Women's Recreational Division Champions:
(#1 seeded) Annie's Little Helpers- 59 (#2 seeded) Free Agent Force- 35

In the four team Women's Rec Championship, the top two seeds made a championship appearance. With a close 30-22 game at the half, Annie's Little Helpers dropped 29 points in the second half and held Free Agent Force to 13 points.

Annie's Little Helpers were paced in the first half by junior Lisa Barros, who scored 12 of her 16 points in the first half. In the second half senior Stephanie Johnson was impressive, as she scored 12 points in the second half, which helped seal the deal for her team. Senior Megan King also chipped in with 11 points.

Leading the way for Free Agent Force was senior Jackie Thibault, who had 16 points. Freshman KJ Rich also scored 13 points on the game.

-Check out the interview with Assistant Director of Recreation Brian Fetky after this post.

Interview with Brian Fetky

2007-05-14T09:39:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

After obtaining the game statistics in the recreation department office, The Comment sat down with first year Assistant Director of Recreation Brian Fetky. Fetky talked at length about this years Intramural Basketball season and the variety of programs the department will be offering next semester.

What did you think about this years Intramural Basketball season?
"By far this sport is our most competitive. I'm happy that the Women's Rec. League increase in number. I was also happy that a majority of the teams showed up for their games and everyone seemed to enjoy it." (Note-Teams that do not show up for a game, forfeit the match)

What are some of this years changes that you didn't do last season?
"This year we increased the number of games by utilizing the hard court floor. We were able to increase the amount by at least 3-4 games."

Overall, what were some of the things you liked about this season?
"Overall, the staff enjoyed working the events (most of the time), and it was great to see the amount of kids involved. This is probably one of the largest programs on the campus, as far as programing goes. It was great to see commuters, residents, and staff competing against one another."

You had a team that competed from nearby Mass. Maritime Academy?
"The Mass Maritime club basketball team played in our Competitive Intramural Basketball division. I think they enjoyed the competition they faced."

What programs will you be running next semester?
"As far as leagues go, we will have a softball league, an indoor volleyball league, a dodge ball league, a badminton league, a flag football league, a tennis league, and an inter-tube water polo league. In addition, we will be running some one day tournament leagues as well. We will have a street hockey league, a 3-on-3 basketball league, and a kickball tournament."

Other than the physical activities that you mentioned, will you be offering anything else?
"We want to try and get people out of their dorm rooms that might not be interested and give them an opportunity to participate in some non-traditional programing. We will be running a family feud night and will have a FIFA Play Station 2 league in the fall. In the spring, we will have a 'Madden Spring League'"

Extra point:
A comment from faculty member Brendan Adams (who played in the recreational division along with the students for Rec. League Champion "Team Rafter"):
"It was great to see so many students participating on the basketball court. It was great to see all of the smiling faces when they were victorious."

If anyone is interested in any programing that the Recreation department has to offer visit the campus recreation website or visit the office (at the end of the back hallway past the Equipment room, in the Tinsley Center)

Lacrosse Season Ends with oss to Curry College

2007-05-13T19:10:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

With a 17-10 loss in the ECAC semi-finals (on Friday) to #2 seeded Curry College, the #3 seeded Bridgewater State College women's lacrosse season ends with a 9-7 overall record.

BSC was down 13-2 at the half, but battled back to make the score 14-7, on a 5-1 scoring run. But Curry rattled off 2 quick goals to make it a 16-5 lead. Bridgewater State tried to make it close. They ended the game with a 6-3 run, but it wasnt enough as time ran out for the Bears.

Bridgewater State had its opportunities to score goals, attempting 22 shots in the game (14 in the second half).

"I thought we dominated in the second half," said head coach Erika Smith. "If we played like that the whole game, we would have won."

The Bears were led by freshman attacker Shannon Manning and junior midfielder Alison Gugliotta who scored three goals apiece. Senior attacker Alicia Spolidoro also chipped in with two goals.

On defense sophomore defenseman Sarah Pimental and senior attacker Kathleen Sweeney each forced two of the teams 9 ground balls.

"When its playoff time it's a matter of who wants it more," said Smith. "It was a matter of who had the fight in them (down the stretch) and that was their fuel on offense and defense."

Sweeney agreed with Coach Smith. She said that the lacrosse team never gave up during the game.

"I think we never gave up and played poised the whole time," said Sweeney. "We (never once) got down on ourselves."

In the net, freshman Chelsea Bracci registered 11 saves in the loss. This was her third start in as many games, filling in for injured goalie Jessica Cerone.

Coach Smith said that she was really proud of Bracci's performance. According to Smith, Bracci has only been playing lacrosse for the last four months.

"Chelsea came to us with no experience playing lacrosse," said Coach Smith.

Curry was relentless on offense shooting as many as 33 attempts in the 17 point loss. Coach Smith said that she was happy about Bracchi's performance.

"(Today) she came up with some huge saves, she played low (in the net) and with confidence," said Coach Smith. "I can't wait to see what (kind of goalie) she becomes in the future."

While loosing in the ECAC semifinals was a rough way to end their postseason run, Coach Smith said that shes happy about the future of the program.

"I'm very excited for what this team might be able to do next year," said Coach Smith. "With a 9 win season we are still trying to step up the ladder. We had 4 starters that were brand new to BSC and we have a great recruiting class coming up. It is an exciting future for Bridgewater lacrosse."

Coach Smith said that she was very proud of her lacrosse squad and how they played after being down at the half (10-2).

"This team never gave up," said coach Smith. "This is very hard to teach players because its one thing to tell them to do it. It has to be in them in the heart."

Sweeney is one of the three seniors that will be leaving the BSC lacrosse program. She leaves along with defenseman Kathleen Cote, and Spolidoro.

"It was a successful and unforgettable ride that I wouldn't go back and change it," said Sweeney.

The Bridgewater State women's lacrosse ends its postseason run with a 9-7 overall record and 8-6 in regular season play, on an independent league schedule.

Photo 1: The BSC women's lacrosse team stretching before the semi-final match starts.

Photo 2: Midfielder Alison Gugliotta tries defend and get the ball away from Curry center Nikky Mackay.

Photo 3: Freshman goalie Chelsea Bracchi watches the action down-field.

Photo 4: Freshman attacker Shannon Manning waits for the signal on the penalty attempt.

Photo 5: The BSC women's lacrosse team huddles up before the game starts.

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Beaudry

Reading list for the summer

2007-05-13T13:15:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

With school almost over and the first 90 degree day ready to hit New England, I thought id share the books that I'm going to read over the summer. This list might not even get read because ill most likely be distracted with the summer blockbuster movies that will be playing [seriously, Spiderman 3, Pirates of the Caribbean 3, Transformers, Die Hard (that's like #4 or #10 I believe; its hard to keep track with Bruce Willis making 5 movies every year), the new Harry Potter movie, and I'm probably missing like 5 more good movies]. And ill probably be working 50+ hours a week on top of that, so this list is not even going to be read. If this is the case, the books will have more use as kindling for a campfire, getting recycled, or donated to charity. I guess this becomes all the more motivation to get it done.

Let Me Tell You a Story (Red Auerbach w/John Feinstein)

-With the state of the Boston Celtics, I wonder if Red is turning in his grave. But I will read this novel first because I the first line is so enticing. "Did I ever tell you about Wilt Chamberlain?" Its a book that must read like a conversation, but reads like a story. Its like reading a play by Shakespeare, yet you don't spend 10 minutes on every page. As a coach, Auerbach was the mastermind behind Boston winning nine championships. As an executive helped make the Celts a household name again drafting and trading for hall of famers like Bird, McHale, and Parrish. With the popularity of the NBA waning, I wonder what kind of perspective Red gives in this novel that has drawn rave reviews from anyone I've asked about it.

Game of Shadows (Mark Fainaro-Wada and Lance Williams)

-In my trip to Boston this past weekend, I decided that I wanted more of a perspective on the steroid issue and about Bonds himself. I am very skeptical about everything now that Bonds is putting together a very good season [.307, 11 HR, 23 RBI, 25 runs, .512 OBP, 37 walks (leads MLB)]. According to a recent Jackie MacMullen column, she calls it the "most comprehensive journalistic work on steroids to date." Where we get the history of steroids from Howard Bryant (Juicing the Game) and Conceco's exaggerated account, this book is next in the series. It puts together what we know and compels us to think long and hard about the Maguire-Sosa home run chase and Barry's 72 home run season (among other things. While I believed at the time that Bonds was "juicing" and am still rather skeptical (even though Bonds denies everything), this book is a reading for perspective on a very controversial issue.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (J.K. Rowling)
Spoiler Warning (Do not read if you have not read the other 6 books)

-I might consider re-reading the fifth and the sixth books before I even think about reading the seventh installment in the series. Along with the rest of the world, I await for this book to be released on July 21st, and wonder what surprises this novel will have inside.
-(Here come the theories) I think that Snapes a double agent that doesn't care one way or the other about what side really wins. My friend Chip is convinced hes a traitor (even after rereading the sixth book) and he will continue to be one in this book. I think he will come up in the clutch and help Harry do what he has to do at the end of the book. I also think Ron is going to die (stolen from a professors comment) and lots of drama is going to happen between Hermione and Harry. This series has taken some unusual twists and turns and no one will be able to predict what the future holds for Harry, Lord Volder-cant say the name, Ron, Hermionie, Malfoy, the Order, and the rest of the cast.

Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer (Warren St. John)

-While looking up information about Every Week in a Season (see below), this book was recommended as an exciting read about the Crimson. Two summer's ago, I was fortunate to read "Coach" (about Bear Bryant's seasons at Alabama), and ever since I have been intrigued by Alabama football ever since. With so many rivalries like Michigan-Ohio State, Red Sox-Yankees, Texas-Texas A & M, its a wonder that we have little time to appreciate the most heated southern rivalry, the Iron Bowl. A book written from an outsider gives the best impressions of what the insider is thinking, because they aren't biased towards leaning in any particular way. I look forward to reading a book that talks about one of the best conferences in college football (with some pretty intense-hardcore fans).

The Brothers Karamazov (Fyodor Dostoevsky)

-I was a freshman in my Western Political Thought class, and Professor Barkalow asked the class to name off titles of books. I decided to get some participation points and called out, "Crime and Punishment" (one of my all-time favorite books) Barkalow looked at me and said, "Mr Miller, that book is secondary. The Brothers Karamazov is much better."
-Four years later, I am still shocked at the preposition. Crime and Punishment is a novel that starts off slow and then makes the reader grip the book to the very last page, and that includes the epilogue. A novel that gives the reader an inside look in the mind of a killer and his attempt to get away with the "perfect" crime, it goes beyond the text introducing such themes as existentialism.
-With that being said, I am still intrigued by my professors suggestion. While 824 pages makes any reader shudder, I believe I am ready for the task at what many people say is Dosteoevsky's best novel.

Season on the Brink (John Feinstein)

-I look forward to reading a book that has Bobby Knights name written all over it. After "surviving" four seasons with BSC coach Joe Farroba, I look to draw comparisons to Knights larger than life figure. I once thought about picking up Knights autobiography, but now I think im going to read an outsiders view before I get what goes through the mans brain. In Halberstrams Education of a Coach (see below), we gain perspective on what Belichick thinks about. In this book, maybe Feinstien offers the same thoughts and more on Bobby Knight and his Indiana Hoosers

Fear: The History of a Political Idea (Corey Robin)

-As political science majors, we are required to take senior seminar and we had to buy this book for this class. I read a few pages and thought the ideas of Hobbes were cute, but not particularly enlightening. Now that Ive read Leviathan (by Hobbes), the Persian Letters (by Montesquieu), and understand a little more about political theory, the premise of the book proves rather fascinating. In the first half of the book, Robin says that for us to understand fear, we need to know the history of fear. He delves into such topics like the totalitarianism of communism and the Nazi party, and the tyranny of the absolute rule of french kings. The second half of the book goes into the American style of fear, that attempts to explain fear within a democracy (esp. with McCarthyism and 9/11)
-I want to read the rest of this book not just because I'm interested in the subject matter, but for the perspective. Fear in politics can sometimes make people rally in the streets or keep them in their homes. While America has a fascination with scary movies and the unknown, I want to read this book for what we do know, because (more often than not) history repeats itself.

Other considerations:
-A Good Walk Spoiled (John Feinstein)
-What no one ever tells you about Blogging and Podcasting (Ted Demopoulous)
-Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)
-Debt of Honor (Tom Clancy)
-Freakeomics (Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner)
-Juiced (Jose Conceco)

Last Summers Reading List (author and rating out of 5 stars, with commentary):

The Last Amatuers (by John Feinstein): 2 stars
Comment- Little on the dry side, but Division 1 Basketball at its finest

Boys of Summer (by Roger Kahn): 3.5 stars
Comment- This book about the 52' Dodgers first half starts off slow and dramatic, but the second half of the book gives you the goosebumps and the chills in some places because Kahn makes you feel for the characters

Da Vinci Code (by Dan Brown): 4 stars
Comment- A 105 chapter, 454 page book that I finished in a day. It gave me perspectives to Christianity I never thought existed. Truly a case where the book really is so much better than the movie.

Education of a Coach (David Halberstram): 6 stars
Comment- If you ever wanted to know more what is really inside the mind of Bill Belichick and possibly ever other pro coach out there. A masterpiece that makes you appreciate the NFL.

LT: Over the Edge (Lawrence Taylor): 3.25 stars
Comment- If you want to hear about a former Pro Star brag about all of his crazy times with drugs and alcohol (Chivas and Milk, how can you stomach that crap) and how he got his life cleaned up in rehab this is your book. Interesting perspective from a legend.

Heat (Dwight Gooden): 2.5 stars
Comment- A much more dramatic story of one of the best young pitchers in baseball, his troubles with cocaine, and how he tried to get his life in order. While LT's book is good, Gooden's is more dramatic.

October Men (Roger Kahn): 4 stars
Comment- Kahn does it again when it comes to the 78' Yankees. A book that offers one of the best glances of who George Stienbrenner really is, in a book that wasn't written at the time, but in 2003. This is a book that I highly recommend if your a die-hard Sox fan because of the insight and perspective it provides about the team you hate the most, the Yankees.

Feeding the Monster (Seth Mookin): 4 stars
Comment- If you ever wanted to know the "real" story behind the current ownership group (Henry, Werner, and Lucchino) this is the book. With insight strait from the front office (similar to the Moneyball approach), its a good read.

Every Week in a Season (Brian Curtis): 0.5 stars
Comment- I learned more about college football from the AP wire reports (this season) than I did from this book. The chapters don't flow well and the attempt at being dramatic falls short of the authors expectations. His main ideas (what coaches do to prepare and practice) are just another way of restating the same bland thing over and over and over again. Just horrible.

Now I Can Die in Peace (Bill Simmons): 3.5 stars
Comment- A book I bought in the fall and finished a few weeks ago, I thought it was really good. One of those books that recaps the last 6 years of Red Sox baseball really well. There were times I laughed, shook my head in disagreement, and actually cried; a book that makes me wonder when the next "Sports Guy" book is coming out.

New photos on the blog site

2007-05-10T19:43:00.000-05:00

The Comment has added new photos of the MASAC Softball tournament games and yesterdays women's lacrosse games. We will list links so that you can check them out on your computer.

MASCAC Softball Tournament:
Softball team advances to nightcap versus Westfield State
Softball team will play Sunday in championship game versus Framingham
Softball post game comments from Coach Maguire and junior outfielder Katie Holbrook
Softball team bounced from MASCAC Tournament in 1-0 loss to Framingham

Other posts:
All-MASCAC Softball-Baseball teams announced
Women's lacrosse team beats Castleton State College to advance to the semifinals
Curry College preview for semifinal matchup versus Bridgewater State

-The Comment will have a recap of this past Sunday's Intramural Championship's and an interview with Assistant Recreation Director Brian Fetky on next semesters happenings in the Rec. department.
-Stay tuned for more information

Womens Lacrosse semi-final preview versus Curry

2007-05-10T13:57:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

With a win over Castleton on Thursday, #3 seeded Bridgewater State College advances to in the semifinal match versus #2 seeded Curry College. This game will be a rematch from the season opener. BSC first faced Curry, in Florida, in the opening game of the season. Bridgewater lost the game 9-18.

Head coach Erika Smith said this squad is a completely different team than the one that faced Curry at the beginning of the season.

"It will be a totally different game this time around," said Coach Smith. "Before it was the very first game of the season and I think we were overwhelmed in Florida. Now we are a smarter team and more together."

Curry College brings an 14-4 record to the match and is 3-0 versus opponents that Bridgewater State has beaten (Worcester State, Lassell, and Salve).

Freshman attacker Shannon Manning said its going to be a battle because both teams are pretty evenly matched.

"It should be a fair match and a really good game," said Manning. "It will be a battle of who wants it more because both teams are so evenly balanced."

Cote said that everyone on the team has been excited for the rematch versus Curry College.

"This is what we have worked for all season," said senior defenseman Kathleen Cote. "Its the matchup that everyone has been looking forward to once we found out we would play Curry if we advanced."

Coach Smith said that the ECAC Tournament is an exciting opportunity for her squad.

"The last time we were here was in 2004 when I was a senior on the team," said Smith. "With 9 wins, up from last years 4 wins, its a huge improvement. It shows what kind of team we really are."

Cote said that as a senior she is happy to take play in the ECAC Tournament.

"I think we have a good chance of winning this tournament," said Cote. "We have worked hard all season, and it would be great to win the whole thing in my senior year."

Manning said that as a freshman, she is having a good time playing in the ECAC's.

"I think this is just a really awesome experience," said Manning. "We deserve to be here and I'm just phyked that we have the opportunity to play in this tournament."

The winner of this matchup will play the winner of #1 seeded Plymouth State versus #4 seeded Worcester State. Bridgewater State and Curry College will play at 6 pm at Curry, in Milton.

The winners of the semifinal matches will play in the ECAC Eastern Championship game on Saturday.

Photo 1: Junior midfielder Kathryn Sweeney tries to get around the Castleton defender

Photo 2: Freshman attacker Kate DeMaio tries to dig the ball out of the turf

Photos courtesy of Steven M Miller, Jr

ECAC Tournament bracket

What a change to university status means for Athletics

2007-05-09T21:00:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

This morning, President Dana Mohler-Faria sent out an e-mail to the entire campus community informing them of the decision of the Board of Trustees to become a university or not. The e-mail basically said that the Board "voted unanimously to seek university status." In addition, "the official name change still requires an act of the Massachusetts Legislature, which will be considering the matter over the remainder of the legislative session."

As has been reported in The Comment, a change in university status would be a gradual process and no "significant" increases in the number of students or the cost of tuition. In addition, BSC would like to offer doctoral degrees and apply for grants that only institutions with "university" status would be considered eligible.

The one hurdle that the college has to face is the legislators on Beacon Hill. The Massachusetts State Legislature is currenlty considering a bill that would make give Bridgewater State College "university" status. The General Court has until June 30 to make such a decision.

Whenever the decision is made, the Athletics will have to change its stationary, its apparel, and logo.

"For the time being, we won't be bound by anything until the summer or fall or whenver BSC becomes BCU," said Athletic Director John Harper.

Harper said that they would not have to change most of the uniforms because most of them already say on the front "Bridgewater" or "Bridgewater State." For the uniforms that say "BSC" or "Bridgewater State College" Harper said that they will replace the uniforms when the time comes.

"Since the legislature has not made a decision I don't think that we will rush into this," said Harper. "We'll get the changes done when its nessesary and we can afford it."

As for the polo and long sleave shirts that Athletics personnel currently wear, Harper said that it would be a minor change.

"We would just change the lettering from 'BSC' to 'BSU' or we could go with the 'Bear Head' logo or a Bear paw," said Harper.

But the jackets that some of the sports teams and that athletics personal wear are a completely different matter. Harper said that they would have to change the way this particular logo would look.

"We havent contacted the company yet, but we are thinking that we will have it say something like 'Bridgewater State (first line) University (second line),'" said Harper. "This is just what we have been thinking about, nothing is definate yet."

If BSC makes the switch, Athletics wont have to worry about recycling its stationary.

"The college will tell us what we should do," said Harper. "Until then we will wait and continue using the same stationary."

One major change that Athletics will have to pay for in the future is the floor of the Tinsley Center gym. Harper said that they will have to move the 3-point line back one foot in 2008 (for the 08'-09' season) to be compliant with the new rule the NCAA has instituted. When Athletics makes this change on the gym floor, they will change the wording on both ends of the baseline.

"We will have to change the line a year from now," said Harper. "This is not an inexpensive project because we would have to resand the floor, repaint it, get the proper dyes, and stencils for the floor to change and look nice."

The right and left baselines of the basketball court currently read "Bridgewater State College."

As for the merchandise that Athletics sells at home basketball, volleyball, and football games, Harper said he wasnt sure what they were going to do with all of the logo that said "BSC" on it.

"We may have to have a clearance sale," Harper joked. "This has never actually happened before."

With the Bridgewater State College switching to a university, Harper emphasized that the department would not change conference affiliation's or try to compete at the Division II level.

"Whenever the change is made we will remain in the MASCAC and not change divisions," said Harper. "We are sticking true to the Division III philosophy. While becoming a university may be a natural progression (for the institution), the college becoming bigger has nothing do do with making a jump to the Division II level."

Even though the switch to a university is likely to happen within the next year or two, Harper said that he has been asked the question of jumping divisions since he became Director of Athletics in 1991.

Photos courtesy of bridgew.edu

Lacrosse team wins 22-5 advances to Semis

2007-05-09T18:43:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

This evening the #3 seeded Bridgewater State College women's lacrosse team beat #6 seeded Castleton State College 22-5. BSC improves to 9-6 on the season and Castleton finishes their season at 6-7.

"We played well and we worked on a lot of things today," said head coach Erika Smith. "On defense and offense we ran a lot of the plays that we are going to run on Friday (versus Curry)."

Bridgewater State went on a 13-0 run in the first 19:50 in the game, until Castleton scored their first goal of the game. After leading at the half 14-1, the Bears built on their lead scoring 7 more goals. In the second half, BSC allowed the Spartans to score four more goals in the game.

Bridgewater took a total of 26 shots in the first half, and 37 shots in the game.

The Bears were led by senior midfielder Kathryn Sweeney who had 5 goals and 3 assists. She scored 4 of her game high 5 goals in the first half, including the first three goals of the game.

Eight different players, including Sweeney, scored at least one goal. Junior midfielder Lauren Serratore had a big day as she had 4 goals, 4 draw controls, 3 ground balls, and she caused two turnovers. Freshman attacker Shannon Manning also chipped in with two goals, two assists, 3 draw controls, two ground balls, and she caused two turnovers. Freshman attacker Kate DeMaio also had 4 goals and an assist.

"On offense we got open shots, we made our cuts, and we got some good open passes," said Manning. "Our transition game was good and we put good shots on the goal."

In the first half, the Bears played tenacious defense only allowing 3 shots on goal, and 11 shots on the game. On defense, Senior Kathleen Cote and junior Adrienne Berkland each drew five ground balls in the game. Berkland also caused 8 of the teams 27 caused turnovers.

"On defense we played well," said Cote. "In the last couple of games we had been letting up, but today we really stepped it up today."

In the net, freshman Chelsea Bracci saved 4 goals, in her second start of the season.

"This was Chelsea's second start in the net and she played well," said Smith.

The Bridgewater State women's lacrosse team advances to the semifinal match of the ECAC Tournament. They will take on 11-4 Curry College at 6 pm at Curry College.

The winner of this semifinal match will take on the winner of #1 seeded Plymouth State and #4 seeded Worcester State.

The Comment will bring you a preview of the game on Thursday.

Photo 1: Junior midfielder Alison Gugliotta waits for the play to develop around Castleton colleges net

Photo 2: Junior midfielder Ashley Panzini tries to get the ball into play

Photos courtesy to Steven M. Miller, Jr

Information used in this report courtesy of bridgew.edu/athletics
Game recap and tournament bracket

Allie LeBlanc named to NFCA All-New England Team

2007-05-09T15:00:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

This past week sophomore Allie LeBlanc was named to the NFCA All-New England Team as a third team selection. In addition, She was named ECAC Player of the Week and for the second strait week, she was named MASCAC Player of the Week. After playing four games this past week in the MASCAC Tournament, LeBlanc extended her hitting streak to 26 games, which is the longest recorded hit streak in BSC softball history.

LeBlanc finishes the season, (playing in all 43 contests) with a .395 batting average, with 2 home runs, 22 runs batted in, and 26 runs scored. While she may have led the team in hits (51) and doubles (12), stats aren't all that important to her.

"I dont like to think about stats, I might glance, but I try not to think about them," said LeBlanc. "I try not to look at stats too much because it can distract me from what I really want to try and do for my team. "

LeBlanc said that she had no idea she had a hit streak going until she happened to notice it last week while reading that she had been named MASCAC Player of the Week the first time online.

While Leblanc said that shes happy about the streak, but she said that she not too concerned about it. LeBlanc has the chance to keep her streak going when the softball team starts playing again next spring, during their annual pilgrimage to Kissimmee, Florida.

"If it continues (into next season) that's great, but its not what is important," said LeBlanc. "Florida is a time to get to play with a new team and learn about them on and off the field. That way when we get back to Massachusetts we are ready (to start) the season."

While her team is up at bat during the game, LeBlanc is very laid back and calm.

"I'm very loud in the dugout," said LeBlanc, with a smile. "I always try to smile to lighten up the mood a bit. If you play for a team, you play for your teamates and not yourself."

The softball team came very close to making the NCAA Regional Tournament, loosing a 1-0 heartbreaker to Framingham State in the Championship game, this past Sunday.

"I think towards the end of the season, we really came together," said LeBlanc. "We were a really young team and we had no seniors on the squad this year. It was tough because we all had to be leaders."

LeBlanc said that the softball team is a very close knit group of team mates that have big plans for next season.

"Off the field we are really close," said LeBlanc. "I think that we accomplished a lot in winning the MASCAC (regular season crown). Next year I think we will be so much more ready because for the season because of our experiences together."

In the offseason, LeBlanc said that she plans on working on her flexibility.

"I pulled both my quad and my tendon in my shoulder this season," said LeBlanc. "I guess that means that ill be working in the gym a lot more in the offseason and stretching like its my job."

LeBlanc is a sophomore and a native of Somerset, Massachusetts. She said that while Bridgewater State wasn't her first choice, she had no problem adjusting from a small school (of about a little more than 1,000 people) to a large campus of 6,000.

"Brigewater was not my first choice (of school), but it ended up being the best one," said LeBlanc. "I love the people here, I love the Athletics program and the size of the school is just right."

While LeBlanc likes the Bridgewater State, she sometimes isn't thrilled about commuting to campus.

"It can sometimes be a pain commuting," said LeBlanc. "Sometimes you have to be there late for practices or the 6 AM winter lifting sessions.

Despite commuting to BSC, one of the nice things about being on a softball team and having freinds is that there is always someone there to pick you up.

"Someone is always willing to have you sleep in their dorm room if I need it," said LeBlanc. "I love my freinds here."

Photos courtesy of Allie LeBlanc. They were shot while BSC was playing Westfield State during the regular season.

Afternoon and Evening plan

2007-05-09T14:19:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-We just wanted to let you know that we will have an interview from BSC softball center fielder Allie LeBlanc, who was named ECAC Player of the Week and MASCAC Player of the Week (for the second strait week). We will also have an interview with Athletic Director John Harper on what the possible name change might mean for Bridgewater State College with the switch to a university.

-Page 2 of ESPN.com also released a story on the inaugural season Newbury College; the team Bridgewater State beat 57-1 back in the beginning of April. It summarizes how Newbury first became a baseball program and how they played against their last two opponents (Beaker and Mass Maritime).
-Please note that most of the field shots are at Mass Maritimes beautiful facility (like the lighthouse in the background, for example)

-We will also bring you the latest from today's 5:30 pm matchup of the Women's Lacrosse game vs Castleton State College (at Swenson Field).

Women's Lacrosse team to play Castleton State in first round of ECAC Tournament

2007-05-08T23:30:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

As one of the 13 hopefuls that hoped to make the ECAC Tournament, Bridgewater State's prayers were answered on Monday afternoon. Once the pairings had been announced, BSC found out that it would be a #3 seed in the tournament and have a first round game versus Castleton State on Wednesday.

"It think it will be a great game," said head coach Erika Smith. "If we come out strong and play smart, we will do very well."

Entering the season, the women's lacrosse team had two goals on the season: to make the ECAC Tournament and to finish above .500 (8-6 record). Because Bridgewater State plays an independent schedule, their only hope at the postseason is an ECAC tournament berth. To be tournament eligible your team must finish above .500.

Coach Smith said that she is very excited about this years tournament and her team.

"I'm very excited and very proud of them," said Smith. "They have worked very hard to get here. I hope we win the championship and get some postseason experience for our younger players."

Coach Smith also said that this team isn't the same team that first walked out onto the field in March.

"We have a better team than we did in March," said Smith. "We play together now, instead of individuals playing lacrosse. We play smarter and with much better confidence."

fifth appearance in the Should BSC win on Wednesday, they will take on Curry College (14-5, #2 seed) on Friday, for the semifinal match. BSC last faced Castleton State in 2004, when they were members of the NEWLA Conference. Bridgewater State is 3-0 all-time versus the Spartans.

The top seed in the tournament is Plymouth State (12-5) and will face on Friday the winner of the Worcester State (11-4, #4 seed)- Keene State (8-6, #5 seed) matchup on Wednesday.

This season, Bridgewater State is 0-2 versus the top two seeds in the tournament. They suffered an opening season loss to Curry and dropped the last game of the season to Plymouth State.

"We would love to rematch both teams," said Smith. "We have grown since Curry and now we should be mentally ready for Plymouth State."

The 8-6 Bridgewater State women's lacrosse team looks to take on Castleton State College on Wednesday at 5 pm, at home. This is BSC's fifth postseason appearance n the programs 23 year history. The last time the team made the postseason was an NCAA Tournament appearance in capturing the NEWLA

The Bears look to take advantage of their homefield advantage.

"Its great to have fans-family here to support us," said coach Smith. "Not having to travel is always a huge advantage."

-For more information about who has stood out on the BSC Women's Lacrosse team click this link.
-ECAC Tournament Bracket
Photo Credits to bridgew.edu/athletics

MASCAC Baseball-Softball All Conference teams announced

2007-05-07T14:30:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-Yesterday afternoon the All MASCAC conference teams were announced after both the softball and baseball tournaments had been played. The most notable award winner from BSC, was sophomore catcher Kelly LaDow, who was named Player of the Year.

Other notable Bridgewater State players include the following:

All MASCAC Baseball Team

First Team:
Catcher- Kelly LaDow (East Falmouth, MA)
Stats- .373 avg, 19 runs, 0 HR, 31 RBI, .480 SLG, .440 OBP
-Also won MASCAC Player of the Year
-Sophomore

Outfielder- Steve Smith (East Taunton, MA)
Stats- .425 avg (led team), 34 runs, 2 HR, 35 RBI, 12 doubles, .602 SLG, .485 OBP, 4-4 SB's
-Junior

Second Team:
Third Baseman- Mark Claffey (Bellingham, MA)
Stats-.355 avg, 39 runs, 0 HR, 19 RBI, .430 SLG, .478 OBP, 7-7 SB's
-Freshman

-Second baseman Ben Wagner also won the Rookie of the Year award and Westfield State coach Ray Arra won Coach of the Year. Arra led Westfield State to a regular season MASCAC crown and Tournament title, for the automatic bid to the NCAA Regional tournament.
-For complete list of players the link is here

All MASCAC Softball Team

First Team:
Outfielder- Allie LeBlanc (Somerset, MA)
-Stats- .395 avg, 26 runs, 12 doubles, 2 HR, 22 RBI, .535 SLG, .471 OBP, 69 total bases
-25 game hit streak* (which is still active)
-Sophomore

Second Team:
Pitcher- Erin Christensen (Jefferson, MA)
-Stats- Pitched- (8-5), 1.93 ERA, 18 games, 14 GS, 8 CG (3 shutouts), 83.1 IP, 48 K's, 8 BB's
(-Batted- 29 GP-24 GS, .387 avg, o HR, 16 RBI, .426 OBP)
-Freshman

Second Baseman- Nicole Hebert (Taunton, MA)
-Stats- .364 avg, 15 runs, 3 HR, 18 RBI, .536 SLG, .408 OBP, 10 Sac hits, 59 total bases
-Junior

Outfielder- Ciana Godin (Worcester, MA)
-Stats- .409 (led team) avg, 24 runs, 1 HR, 9 RBI, .538 SLG, .471 OBP (led team), 4-5 SB, 50 total bases
-Junior

Designated Player- Katie Holbrook (Brockton, MA)
-Stats- .321, 19 runs, 5 HR (2nd on team), 33 RBI (led team), .557 SLG (2nd on team), .363 OBP, 59 total bases
-Junior

-Fitchburg State shortstop Keri Kravetz was named MASCAC Player of the Year and Westfield State pitcher Chelsea Sylvia was named MASCAC Rookie of the Year. Westfield State head coach Lou Ann Simchak was named coach of the year, for a finish of 20-14 overall and 10-3 in the MASCAC.

Photo 1: Junior Steve Smith takes a hack at a pitch. He was named First-team All MASCAC.

Photo 2: Sophomore Allie LeBlanc tries to advance the runner with a bunt. She was named First-team All MASCAC as an outfielder

Photo's courtesy of Steven M. Miller, Jr

-For a complete list of players the list is here

MASCAC Outdoor Track and Field honors announced

2007-05-07T13:54:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

Outdoor Track and Field Championships last Saturday at -The Bridgewater State College outdoor track and field team recently competed in the MASCACFitchburg State College. Four players garnered All-MASCAC honors with their first place finishes in the event that they competed in.

On the women's side, senior Anna Fegan was the MASCAC Champion in the shot put (32'03") and the hammer throw (132'03"). In the field, senior Chrissy Hrenko was the MASCAC Champion in the Javelin (124'06"). On the track, junior Nicole Mauro was the champion in the 5,000 meter run (18:54.26). Hrenko also placed in first in the 200 meter dash in 2005.

All contributed to help the team finish in 3rd place (out of 6 teams) at the meet.

The lone standout on the men's side was junior Chris clark who placed first in the shot put (44'09") and first in the discus throw (128'07"). The men's outdoor track and field team finished in fourth place with 42 points.

For results from the All-New England meet this past Saturday, please click on this link

Some of the information that was used in this report is courtesy of bridgew.edu/athletics

Softball bounced from MASCAC Tournament

2007-05-06T20:00:00.001-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

The Bridgewater State College softball team was eliminated in a 1-0 loss to MASCAC Champion Framingham State on Sunday afternoon. The game was forced to be played after BSC took the earlier win in a 7-1 decision.

Framingham pushed across the only run of the game in the first inning. Lead-off batter Christina Sullivan reached first on a catchers interference call and then reached third on a botched sacrifice bunt play at first base. Sullivan crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly to left field by senior Kristina Cocarane.

Senior righthander Kristina Curtis went the distance and pitched a complete game in the win for Framingham State. Curtis (13-7) went seven innings giving up 2 hits, while striking out 7 batters. Curtis was impressive throughout the MASCAC Tournament as she went 3-0 with a 0.84 earned run average. In 25 innings pitched she struck out 17 batters and held opponents to a .180 batting average.

"We just didnt adjust early on and often enough," said head coach Janet Maguire. "We were confident (after winning the first game), but we knew it wasn't going to be handed to us. We knew it was going to be a pitchers' duel."

Freshman left-hander Erin Christensen took the loss for BSC. She only lasted 4 innings giving up one run (zero earned) on two hits. Freshman right-hander Alyssa Verroneau came into the game to relieve Christensen. Verroneau pitched three scoreless innings giving up only 3 hits.

After Framingham took the 1-0 lead, both teams had frustrating games at the plate. Bridgewater State had two big opportunities to score the tying run slip right through their fingers.

"We tried to adjust at different times and the offense has been there all year," said Coach Maguire. "Sometimes its going to be there and sometimes its not."

In the bottom of the fifth, sophomore third baseman Stacey Capodice reached first on a fielding error by the pitcher and advanced to second on the throw that tried to get her out. On the very next at-bat Capodice tried to steal third, but she was caught stealing on the play. BSC also left the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh.

"We had our opportunities (to score runs)," said Maguire. "But we just couldn't capitalize on them.

Coach Maguire said that she didn't think offense would be a struggle for this team.

"All year we had been playing our best softball and defense has been a problem," said Maguire. "Today we struggled on the offensively."

The Bridgewater State softball team finishes their season at 22-20-1. This marks the first time since 2003 that the team has not made an NCAA tournament appearance.

With no seniors on the roster, the Bears look to return almost everyone on the roster next year.

"I hope that this loss is motivation to prepare us for next spring," said Maguire

Photo 1: Freshman southpaw Erin Christensen makes a pitch to the plate

Photo 2: With junior second baseman Nicole Hebert at the plate, the players in the dugout cheer their teamate on, down 1-0 to Framingham

Photo 3: Junior first baseman Danielle Trull Donahue swings and misses at a pitch

Photos courtesy of Steven M Miller, Jr

Game Notes:
Sophomore centerfielder Allie LeBlanc extended her 25 game hit streak with an infield single in the fourth inning...In the 7-1 victory, BSC broke a 2-1 game open in the sixth, scoring 5 runs...Pierce also took the victory in the circle for the Bears in the first game. Pierce went the distance pitching a complete game. She gave up only one earned run in seven innings of work. She also struck out 3 and walked 3 batters...Framingham makes its first ever NCAA Tournament appearance.

Some information used in this report is courtesy of the Brockton Enterprise and framingham.edu/athletics

MASCAC Baseball Tournament (Update)

2007-05-06T20:00:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-We just wanted to update you that Westfield State has officially won the MASCAC Championship. In winning the MASCAC Tournament, Westfield receieves an automatic bid to the NCAA Regional Tournament.

Salem State forced a second game to be played, with a 4-3 victory in 10 innings, to force a tie-breaker in the double elimination tournament. Westfield State came back to take the second game with a 12-1 victory over Salem to win their first ever MASCAC Tournament Championship and NCAA appearance since 1984.

-We will bring you the All MASCAC Conference team selections tomorrow.

Womens Track and Field place in All New Englands

2007-05-05T21:34:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer
Information used in this report courtesy of bridgew.edu

Senior Chrissy Hrenko and junior Nicole Mauro captured All-New England honors at the New England Division III Women's Track and Field championships at Springfield College. Hrenko placed second in the heptathalon (3850 points) and third in the Javelin (122'02"), while Mauro finished fifth in the 10,000 meter run (38:09.47) to earn All-New England status in each event. The Bears posted a 14th place finish at the women's meet with a score of 18 points.

For more information, here are the results.

Postgame Wrap up comments vs Westfield State

2007-05-05T19:00:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

After the game we were able to catch up with head coach Janet Maguire to comment on the game and junior outfielder Katie Holbrook. Holbrooks pinch-hit double helped complete the Bears comeback and give them the win in the nightcap versus Westfield State.

Coach Maguire on winning Game 3 (morning game) and Game 5 (night game):
"We did what we know we had to do. We just had to concentrate on playing our game."

Coach Maguire on bringing in Pierce to start the second game after pitching the first:
"We were prepared to make this move. Steph is a junk (ball) pitcher and we had Erin prepared to go out there when we needed her. Erin just went out there and did what she had to do."

Coach Maguire on Holbrooks late inning heroics:
"Katies a cluch performer and she leads the team in RBIs. She saw the pitch that she wanted and she did what she wanted with it. It was a team effort and when we ask someone to pinch hit off the bench, I expect them to come into the game prepared."

Coach Maguire on the championship game:
"We are just going to play our game and come prepared to play."

Katie Holbrook on the at-bat:
"Walking into the at-bat Coach Maguire wanted me to take pitches, because we wanted to work the count on Westfield's pitcher. I took the first pitch strike and then the second pitch strike and was immediately down in the count. After she threw me a ball, the next pitch a saw was on the outside corner and I put it down the right field line and did what I wanted with the pitch."

Holbrook on coming from behind:
"Its been like this all season and like this last year too. Its a lot less pressure to go out and play ahead because you overthink about your position. When your the number one seed in the tournament, the pressures on."

Holbrook on the championship game:
"I think we are ready for the rematch. We just have to go out there and win two."

Bridgewater State has to win two tomorrow if they want to win the MASCAC Championship. The game starts at 12 pm tomorrow. If a second game is nessessary, it will take place at 2:30 pm.

Photo 1: Junior first baseman Danielle Trull-Donahue takes a hack at a pitch, at the plate

Photo 2: The outfield takes a breather while theres a meeting at the mound

Photo credits go to Steven M. Miller, Jr

MASCAC Tournament bracket and results

Softtball team advances to the championship game

2007-05-05T18:30:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-The number one seeded Bridgewater State College softball team came from behind to take the 3-1 victory over number 2 seeded Westfield State. Bridgewater State improves to 21-19-1 with the win and Westfield State finishes the season at 20-14.

With the win the BSC softball team will play in the championship game tomorrow versus number 4 seeded Framingham State. To win the championship, the Bears will have to take two games, because Framingham does not have a loss

Freshman southpaw Erin Christensen picked up the win in relief of starter Stephanie Pierce. Pierce went 3 innings, giving up 1 run (zero earned) on 4 hits. Christensen came on in the fourth and pitched four innings of shut out relief. She only gave up 3 hits and struck out 3 batters.

Sophomore right-hander Casey Ridell took the loss for Westfield State. She went 5 2/3 innings giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits. She also struck 4 batters and walked no one.

Facing a late 1-0 deficit, the Bears rallied for three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Sophomore left fielder Megan Noyes started the rally with a single to left field and advanced to second on a bunt. Sophomore centerfielder Allie LeBlanc singled to the gap in right centerfield and Noyes scored a run that tied on a throw that was cut off by the first baseman.

Christensen reached first on a single and was pinch ran for by Melissa McNamara. Upon coming into the game, McNamara stole an open second base.

With one out and runners on second and third, Westfield State coach called for a relief pitcher. She called for sophomore Chelsea Sylvia, who had pitched in the afternoon game versus Framigham State.

After striking out the first batter, Sylvia then allowed a double down the right field line to pinch hitter Katie Holbrook. Holbrooks double scored the go-ahead and insurance runs.

Christensen came into the top of the seventh and retired the side to end the game.

The Bears were led by LeBlanc, who was 1-for-3, with a run and an RBI. With her single in the sixth inning, she extended her hitting streak to 24 games.

Photo 1: Sophomore centerfielder Allie LeBlanc steps in to look at a pitch

Photo 2: Junior rightfielder Ciana Godin gets ready to advance on a base hit

Photos courtesy of Steven M. Miller, Jr

-The Comment will wrap up its coverage of the game with some post game quotations from Coach Janet Maguire and junior Katie Holbrook.

Update: results from the Westfield-Framingham game

2007-05-05T18:15:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

Framingham State beat Westfield State in a 4-2 win. Framingham advances to the championship round, while Westfield will play the evening game versus Bridgewater State.

Framingham plated 4 runs in the top of the fifth and took advantage of four costly errors.

Westfield starter Chelsea Sylivia (12-6) took the loss in the circle. She gave up 4 runs (none earned) on 7 hits. Sylivia threw an impressive 127 pitches, struck 9 batters, walked no one.

Softball team advances to nightcap

2007-05-05T17:31:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

The number 1 seeded Bridgewater State College softball team has won the morning game of the losers bracket of the MASCAC Tournament with a 4-0 win over number 3 seeded Fitchburg State. The Bears improve to 20-19-1 on the season and Fitchburg finishes the season at 19-17.

Junior right-hander Stephanie Pierce went the distance picking up the win. In an impressive 84 pitch performance, Pierce (6-10) went 7 innings giving up 3 hits. She also struck out 6 and walked 1.

Senior Michelle Yuille took the loss for the Falcons. Yuille went 7 innings giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits. She also struck out 6 and walked 5 batters.

Bridgewater State went up 1-0 in the bottom of the first on an RBI double by sophomore center fielder Allie LeBlanc.

Yuille ran into trouble in the bottom of the second, loading the bases on two walks and a single. Bridgewater capitalized and went up 2-0 when junior left fielder Ciana Godin walked in junior first baseman Danielle Trull-Donahue from third.

BSC added two more insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Junior catcher Lindsey Allison worked a one-out walk and then scored from second on a fielding error by the left fielder, who misplayed a single by sophomore shortstop Whitney Howe. Pinch hitter Erin Christensensen singled in Howe on an RBI single to right field

The Bears will take on the winner of the afternoon game matchup of number 2 seeded Westfield State and number 4 seeded Framingham State.

"It was just finally great to see us come together in a win like this," said Pierce.

Photo 1: Righthander Pierce winds up for the next pitch

Photo 2: Third baseman Stacey Capodice digs a ball out of the dirt to make a play on it

Photos courtesy of Steven M. Miller, Jr

Game Notes:
-Leading the way for the Bears was LeBlanc who went 3-for-3 (with an RBI). Her double in the first extended her hitting streak to 23 games.

-After the game, the softball team ate lunch and relaxed in the shade of the press box while watching the outcome of the Westfield-Framingham State game.

MASCAC Baseball tournament

2007-05-04T22:12:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-Checked out the MASCAC home page this evening and tomorrows match ups look interesting. On Thursday, Westfield beat Salem State 6-1 and MCLA took the loss versus Fitchburg State 7-4. #1 seed Westfield State is hosting the tournament and will play Fitchburg at 1 pm. MCLA plays in the morning tomorrow against Salem State at 11 am.

-Over the weekend, the All-MASCAC team selections for both softball and baseball will be announced. In addition, the league player of the year, coach of the year, and rookie of the year will be announced as well. We will bring you the list of your BSC favorites once it becomes available.

Softball team drops game to Framingham State

2007-05-04T20:04:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

The Bridgewater State softball team lost the opening game of the MASCAC Tournament in a 4-2 decision to Framingham on Thursday.

Junior Stephanie Pierce took the loss in the circle for BSC. Pierce came into the game in relief of starter Erin Christensen. Pierce (5-10) went five innings, giving up 3 runs (one earned) on 5 hits. She struck out 5 and walked 1 batter.

Right-hander DeAnna Curtis went the distance, pitching the whole game for the Rams. She gave up 2 earned runs on 4 hits. She struck out 7 and walked 2 batters.

Framingham started the scoring plating two runs in the top of the third on the back of a solo home run from senior catcher Kristina Cochrane and an RBI single from second baseman sophomore Katelyn Pacheco.

Bridgewater State tied the game in the second on a two-run home run by junior outfielder Ciana Godin.

The game remained tied until the top of the fifth when Framingham retook the lead. With two outs, Framingham scored two runs on RBI singles by Pacheco and freshman pinch-hitter Sara Mulkeen.

After Framingham made the score 4-2, on RBI singles by Pacheco and pinch hitter Sara Mulkeen in the fifth.

After the fifth inning, Curtis retired 9 of the last 10 batters that she saw in the last three innings of the game.

The 19-19-1 Bridgewater State College softball team looks to rebound versus Fitchburg State tomorrow at 11 am. If BSC wins, they will take on the looser of the 1:30 pm matchup of Westfield State-Framingham State at 4 pm.

The Comment will be on the scene on Saturday and bring you post-game coverage and maybe action photos and game shots. Stay tuned for more information.

The game recap link is right here

Outlook on the Randy Moss trade

2007-05-04T19:00:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

When I first heard about the Randy Moss trade, I thought it was an excellent move. The consensus of Patriots Nation is that people seem to like this because move because he is a top 15 player in the league, and the Pats are using a "C- grade" pick to get him. Moss comes to New England with many on-off the field issues in the past, at age 30 (with back problems), and with an addiction to weed (last year he said he smoked "Once in a blue moon"). ESPN writer Bill Simmons even equated the trade to it being like a "2004 Ferrari Enzo."

I think this trade is a good move for the Patriots. The Pats know how to use their draft choices to either move up, trade for players, and for good talent at the bottom of the draft. While I don't have one thing in particular to say about the trade itself, so I'll catch you up to speed on the developments, make note of what New England benefits from the trade and what I think is going to happen.

#1-The Facts :
-The Oakland Raiders needed room to sign top pick JaMarcus Russell. Moss was being paid $20 million over the next two years, and he became expendable once they acquired disgruntled wide receiver Mike Williams from the Lions. The Pats then flew him to New England, where he then passed his physical. They then tore up his existing contract and replaced it with a one year $3 million dollar deal. In addition, the Pats have told Moss that the first incident will mean that he is cut immediately. According to Wikipedia, Moss was clocked in the 40 time at 4.29-4.30 range. To make room for Moss, Brady's contract has been restructured.

#2-The Patriots Needs:
The bottom line is that the Patriots needed a big-play man. This team could have won the Super Bowl, had they gotten past Indianapolis. The Pats now have 10 receivers (make that 11 if they sign Troy Brown) on the roster. They also get an impact return man that they ha vent had since Troy Brown was in his prime (Maroney's a question mark to return kicks with his injury). This move comes a season when the #1 receiver on team was Reche Caldwell. Caldwell is now the #4-5 man after the off-season signings of Moss, Donte Stallworth, Wes Welker, and Kelley Washington. After loosing big-play man David Givens and receiver Deion Branch to free agency and a trade, the team has replaced holes that should be integral parts in the teams plans this season.

#3- Predictions:
-This move ushers in a new offensive strategy for the Patriots. I believe that they are going from a run heavy game-plan to a pass 60% of the time. With Moss and Stallworth at opposite or the same sides of the field, this will spread the field out for Brady's other targets. In addition, the Pats wont be relying so much on Maroney (because hes coming back from an injury), but use him to gain small yardage gaps in the coverage that the defense gives them.

While is totally possible that Moss might have lost a step, he is always a threat and should draw double coverage from opposing secondaries. Fantasy football owners might want to shy away from grabbing any one of the Pats receivers (except for Moss), because Brady throws it to everyone and it will skew everyones statistics. But in the real world, this is a good move because Brady's spreading the ball around. Its one of those mismatches that I think Belichick likes heading into the summer.

This move also helps out Brady and his frustrations on not having an adequate receiving corps. He now has a big-play man (Moss), a possession receiver (Stallworth), a number three receiver (Welker), and depth to back them all up. The move is like the trade that brought Dillon to New England a couple of years ago. This one year deal is also good because if Moss performs up to par, the Pats can use him for the year and then let him walk away.

#4- Outlook:
-Moss agreed with the trade to New England because he wanted to win. The Pats have a franchise that is dedicated to winning nothing but championships. It appears as though Moss cares more about getting the ring on the finger, more trying to get the MVP Award in the trophy room. With a change of scenery (6-26 record with Oakland in the last two years) it should motivate Moss even more.

Moss doesn't even seem to care about how little money hes making. In a conference call he said "I've made a lot of money and I still have money in the bank. So by me coming to an organization such as the Patriots why would money be a factor?"

Moss knows that the NFL is cracking down on players that are repeated police offenders and hopefully this should encourage him to act like a model citizen.

I don't care about what character issues Moss seems to bring to the team. My buddy Andrew complained up and down to me about the Corey Dillon trade. He complained most of all about Dillon's baggage. And I told him (at the time), if your a good player on a bad team, wouldn't you complain about the team and its dedication for putting together a winning team. I told him, that this was a great move by the Patriots and now they finally have a quality running back (I'm still trying to figure out how Antawan Smith rushed for 1157 yards in his freshman season with the Pats). Dillon not only silenced the critics, but helped the Pats win their second consecutive Super Bowl.

-Final Statistics : 70 catches, 1000-1100+ receiving yards, 8 TD's and don't forget about the return statistics. Don't forget, Moss has to remain healthy and stay injury-free for this trade to really work.

(Note- If your interested, the best coverage chronicled, in real time comes from Bruce at Boston Sports Media Watch. Its good stuff.)

Photo 1 credit
Photo 2 credit
Photo 3 credit- yahoo.com/AP

Baseball team swept by Salem State

2007-05-04T18:35:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

Please note that this article appears in this weeks edition of The Comment

After getting swept in a doubleheader on Tuesday by Salem State, the Bridgewater State College baseball team finishes its season with a disappointing 16-15 record on the season. The Bears lost the first game 7-0 and the second game 4-3.

“We just sucked today out there,” said head coach Rick Smith. “It was just really hard for us to (lose) the one game that we needed to, so that we could get into the MASCAC tournament.”

In the first game BSC fell behind early when the Vikings scored five runs in the first three innings. With a deficit to overcome the Bears tried to rally, but became frustrated when they could not score any runs off right-hander Al Miner. Miner would go on to pitch a complete game shutout giving up only four hits in seven innings of work.

Miner also retired 11 of the last 13 batters he faced and allowed Bridgewater State to leave as many as six men on base.

In the second game, the Bears fall behind early when Salem State plated 2 runs in the first inning. But BSC would rally for 3 runs in the top of the third inning and bounce the starting pitcher out of the game.

Senior second baseman Jay Lamoureux started the rally with a single through the left side of the infield and two more players would draw walks that would load the bases. Taking advantage of the situation, junior leftfielder Steve Smith and senior centerfielder Andrew Dillon would tie the score on back-to-back RBI singles.

Junior catcher Kelly LaDow would score the go-ahead run on an RBI ground out off of right-hander Steve Lynch, who would come in to relieve the starting pitcher.

After allowing the go-ahead run to cross the plate, Lynch was impressive as he pitched 4 2/3 perfect innings of relief. It was his performance that set the stage for a Salem State comeback in the sixth inning.

With the score 3-2, Salem State loaded the bases on two fielding miscues by the BSC infield. With no outs in the inning, junior Brian Schilling came into the game, and would allow the tying run to cross the plate with a lead-off walk. He then allowed the go-ahead run to score with a sacrifice fly to left field.

“Salem State’s pitching really surpassed ours today,” said Coach Smith. “They also made plays
when they needed to, and had some timely hitting throughout the game.”

After splitting with MCLA on Sunday, Bridgewater State was in a good position to get a good seed in the MASCAC Tournament. Had BSC had swept Salem, they would have clinched the second seed in the tournament and a home game in the first round. If they had split with Salem State, they would have taken the number three seed and played Fitchburg State on Thursday.

With a sweep, Salem State takes the number three seed in the MASCAC tournament and will be facing Fitchburg in the first round.

Coach Smith said that he really impressed by Salem State's baseball team.

“They were the best team that we faced all year,” said Coach Smith. “Even though they will enter the tournament as a three seed, they are my pick to win the whole thing.”

After the game, Coach Smith was speechless; he really didn’t know what to say to his 25 man squad. Once he started his speech, he stated the obvious and he reminded his players what they must do to prepare for next season.

"We are a young team, and if this loss isn’t motivation enough, then I really don’t know what is,” said Coach Smith. “I hope that you work out in the off-season and try to get better each day. If we build on this experience right here, then we will only be that much better next season.”

Since the MASCAC Tournament started in 2001, this marks the first time the Bridgewater State College baseball team has not made an appearance. The Bears finish the season with a 16-15 overall record and 7-7 in the MASCAC standings.

Photo 1 - BSC Catcher Kelly LaDow takes a hack at a pitch
Photo 2 - Freshman second baseman Nik Karangioze tries to cut the runner down on a grounder to second
Credits- bridgew.edu

Last sports issue for The Comment Newspaper

2007-04-30T12:22:00.000-05:00

The last issue of The Comment Newspaper sports section will feature: Previews for the MASCAC Tournament for both Baseball and Softball teams. An article on Tennis Star Matt Charest, and possibly some weightlifting and intramural stuff as well.

Keep your eyes open on blogs concerning the Red Sox, Randy Moss, and some views about the month of April in baseball.

Predicting the draft

2007-04-27T21:34:00.000-05:00

Steven M. Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-I was talking with the Editor & Chief yesterday evening and he said that it was going to be a wild and wacky draft. The bottom line is there is a lot of depth with the defensive players in the draft, but not a lot of quality quarterbacks, running backs, or recievers. Everyone pays attention to those players because their names are always mentioned more times than the "Ouuuur Country" commercial comes on the air. Plus you have to add in the fantasy football factor in there as well. Of course, if you follow your team religiously, you follow and watch all 255 picks when they happen, or you just know your football, what I said has no impact on your view of things. Then again, if you know who wide reciver Kevin McMahan is, you know exactly what im talking about here.

I think this draft will be different. This year the teams have needs that are spelled out in plain letters. For instance, we look at the New England Patriots with two first round picks. They could use another offensive lineman, or they could use some younger talent at saftey, corner, or the MLB or ILB positions. Or as my buddy Adam says, they will trade down to get a second rounder this year and another draft pick next year. Even though the Pats dont have a second round pick (they traded it away to Miami when they tendered Wes Welker to a contract), their needs are clearly spelled out. This is why I think fewer than 3 teams are going to trade down or up to pick. But as John Clayton notes at point 6, there are a lot of players on the trading block. Then again, I could be completely wrong. But, I do recall saying that Reggie Bush wasn't going to be the #1 pick in February, so we'll see what happens.

And so without further ado I bring you my "Sweet 16:"
[Note: I'm also listing my Pats pick predictions, a couple of notable names and when they will be drafted and by who along with the dark horse candidate of the draft. Enjoy]

The Sweet 16:

Pick #1, Oakland Raiders-
The Raiders have the following three options:

1) They trade their pick away.
-Thoughts- Realistically the chances of this happening are pretty slim to none. I dont think this is going to even remotely happen. The Raiders have the chance to add an impact player to their roster and there is no way this is going to happen. Lindsey Lohan will pose in the nude for Playboy Magazine before the Raiders trade away this pick.

2) They draft JaMarcus Russell.
-Thoughts- The bottom line is that the Raiders passed on quarterbacks in last years draft. Now they need the most important position on the field to help them get some credibility back into their organization. With Art Shell at the helm, the Raiders were a laughingstock of the league. Thanks to a great point by Bill Simmons, I could have probaby paid for a years worth of college and a new car (that I desperately need) after betting on the 2-14 Oakland Raiders (if gambling in fact were legal).

Russell is, of course, the kind of impact player that they could use to build around with some experience. He comes from an LSU squad that lost a close one to Auburn (7-3 in the beginning of the season), got killed 23-10 by national champion Florida, and handled Notre Dame (who was overrated anyway) in the Sugar Bowl. The SEC has been known as one of the conferences that produces the best players for the NFL and year after year produces outstanding football teams. I would like to point out that because of this Russell has the edge over a lot of players because of his experience level. He also led his team down the field with a 2-minute drill in a must win 28-24 game over Tennessee last season. Someone who shows poise and leadership on the field is what you want to see in a young quarterback.

But the question is, do the Raiders throw him into the fire early, or sign a veteran for a one-year deal to bridge the gap. Whats this now, did I hear that Bledsoe's coming out of retirement now?

3) They draft Calvin Johnson.
-Thoughts- Lets face it, the Raiders offense just plain sucked last year. They started three quarterbacks that combined for 8 TD's and 28 INT's. Their enemic offense scored a league worst 10.5 points per game, gained a whopping 248 yards per game and completed a third down 37% of the time (19th in NFL). And they did this with Randy Moss on their team. While Moss and Rice were at one time in the same sentence, at age 30 he is still one of the best wide recievers in the NFL.

Then again, Moss is still double covered more times than there are Bengals players who got arrested, indited or put into prison, but this is another ball of wax. But my point is, this is the reason why its nessesary to draft one of the most talented wide recievers out of college. If you have Moss and Johnson to cover, thats one big problem for opposing secondaries. In all three years that Johnson was in the ACC he made the first team and this year he won the MVP award. While you can never judge someone by their collegiate career, Johnson is the imacpt player that the Raiders need to jumpstart thier sluggish offense. He's the kind of person that could spread the field and create running-passing lanes for LaMont Jordan. Of course, for this to work the Raiders need to sign, trade for, or draft a quarterback. There are veterans availible and with one of thier picks I see them doing this tomorrow. Trent Green is on the block, I think. And, of course, Vinnie Testaverde is still a free agent. Let the bidding war begin.

-Prediction- Calvin Johnson

Pick #2, Detriot Lions

-If the Raiders pick Russell with the first pick, they arent drafting Johnson; that would mean that they would have picked four recievers with their first round pick in the last five years. Their starting quarterback is Jon Kitna and for the time being they will stick with him to start. After all, he did pass for a whopping 4,000 yards. But, they want someone in the wings to replace Kitna eventually and Russell is just the kind of player to do that. The Lions will get more depth with players in the lower rounds.

-Pick- JaMarcus Russell

Pick #3, Cleveland Browns

-I dont know about you but the Browns are in quite the pickle. Cleveland ranked a 31st with a running offense of 85 yards per game. They also might want to replace Charlie Frye who was decent at best. So who do the Browns draft? Do they replace Rueben Droughns with college football star Adrian Peterson or do they draft Indiana's favorite son Brady Quinn? Its just the pickle that will either make or break Romeo Crennels idea for "rebuilding" the Browns. I think that all Braylon Edwards and Joe Jurevicius need is a competent quarterback to get the Browns to a .500 record this year. Wait, what am I talking about, the Browns suck every year, so expect Quinn to get drafted and Crennel to get fired. Wow, and I thought George W. Bush had his problems.

-Pick- Brady Quinn

Pick #4, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

-The bottom line here is the Buccs need some help on their offensive line. Watch out for them to draft a lot of younger defensive players. I say 3/4's of the picks they make will be at least a position player for the defensive line-LB corps-saftey-corner. They really need some youth here.

-Pick- Joe Thomas

Pick #5, Arizona Cardinals

-On the ESPN interactive mock draft, Pasquarelli has the Cards taking Jamaal Anderson. I think this is just the perfect move for the Cardinals as well. Defense is the way to go, now that their offensive situation is finally going to look better in the next couple of years. Expect an offensive lineman second-third round.

-Pick- Jamaal Anderson

Pick #6, Washington Redskins

-Speaking of the ESPN interactive draft, they have Louisvilles Amobi Okoye going at this slot, but the 'Skins are going to want to draft Clemson's Gaines Adams, to shore up their defensive line. Adams was the ACC Defensive Player of the year and draws rave reviews as a top ten player in this draft. CBS Sportsline even has him going #2 to the Lions, as a matter of fact. Washington wants an explosive player who will help their defense now, not Okoye whos going to be good in a couple of years once he matures.

-Pick- Gaines Adams

Pick #7, Minnesota Vikings

-I'd like to know how Adrian Peterson fell down this far. Of course Cleveland could have taken him to replace an ineffective Droughns, but they need a quarterback. Quinn was just the kind of person they needed to get people back into the stadium.

I cant begin to tell you how many reports ive read about Petersons health this week. There are more reports about this issue than there are more Google news hits covering this issue than there were for the death of David Halberstram.

Peterson is probably one of the most hyped up players in this draft that is going to take a hit because of his collarbone issue. But the Vikings idea here is to draft him and replace Chester Taylor. While Taylor got the job done here, Petersons speed is perfect for Brad Childress and his West Coast offense.

Look for the Vikings to draft a quarterback in the later rounds. But Brad Johnsons job is safe, for now.

-Pick- Adrian Peterson

Pick #8, Atlanta Falcons

-Once again I differ to the ESPN mock draft that has LaRon Landry going in this spot and I concurr. The Falcons could use an impact saftey for their secondary and Landry is a good fit. ESPN notes that he is also the "best defensive player in the entire draft" and while this point is debatable you take him now before another team trades up to get him.

Pick- LaRon Landry

Pick #9, Miami Dolphins

-No analysis here just strait picking OT Levi Brown. The Dolphins could use another offensive lineman. Protection for an ailing Culpepper is key if fantasy owners want to see him last another full season.

-Pick- Levi Brown

Pick #10, Houston Texans

-I think the Texans are still in rebuilding mode and will be contender in a couple of years. The Editor-in-Chief reminded me last night that they signed Matt Shaubb for the long-term and signed Ahman Green for a couple of years. I think that the Texans are going with Amobi Okoye because hes going to be one of the better defensive tackles in the league in a few years. But the thing about him (as this Globe article notes) hes a young kid. Teams could see this as untapped potential or maybe just a raw rookie. I think the Redskins could have drafted him earlier, but the Redskins are really aggressive with impact players and dont want to take their time with Okoye. Thats why the Texans are going to sweep in and make last years pick (Domanick Williams) look better because their defensive line will be formidable in a few years. Look for them to draft linebackers-saftey-offensive line with the rest of their picks.

Pick- Amobi Okoye

Pick #11, San Francisco 49ers

-San Fran was a real surprise this year. I would like to note that quarterback Alex Smith has seemed to mature really well and the team will only get better this year (and people said Antonio Bryant was a bust). Last years pick of Vernon Davis will pay dividends down the road and maybe the 49ers can get past .500 this year. While I dont think this is going to happen, my prediction is that they will turn to the defensive side of the ball and draft linebacker Patrick Willis. Willis is just the kind of impact defensive player that could help out a rebuilding San Fran team.

-Pick- Patrick Willis

Pick #12, Buffalo Bills

-The Bills lost Nate Clements to free agency (San Fran) and they will look to saftey Reggie Nelson to replace him. Of course, they could have drafted Hall, but Nelson was a great cover saftey for Florida last year, and he cannot be passed up. With the Pats revamping their passing game, Miami getting Culpepper back, and Pennington in a bounceback year, the Bills want to win an AFC East game this year. While this last point may be the last thing on thier agenda, they want to replace the gaping hole they lost with Clements and Nelson is their man.

-Pick- Leon Hall

Pick #13, St Louis Rams

-I differ to the ESPN draft once again and will go with Darrelle Revis. The Rams are not known for their secondary and what a great place to start with Revis. ESPN notes, "They might consider wide receiver Robert Meachem, but Revis will pair with last year's first-round pick, Tye Hill, to give the Rams a solid secondary for years to come." Of course, they could always replace the aging Issac Bruce, but hes got one more year left in him, right?

-Pick- Darrelle Revis

Pick #14, Carolina Panthers

-The Panthers defense is solid year-in and year-out and corner Leon Hall is just the depth they would like to see on their team. Hall was spectacular in his senior season at Michigan with 35 tackles 18 pass breakups (Junior season- 61 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 INT's). But, they could always trade down or pick a wide-reciever with this slot too. I would laugh my rear end off if Keyshawn Johnson saw his replacement get drafted right before his very eyes, on national TV. Now thats unintentional comedy at its finest right there.

-Pick- Leon Hall

Pick #15, Pittsburg Steelers

-What city has the same colors for all four major sports? That's right its Pittsburg, or at least it was the last time I checked out the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates, and wait they dont have an NBA team. Guess its only three teams then. Oh and by the way the Steelers are picking Adam Carriker.

-Pick- Adam Carriker

Pick #16, Green Bay Packers

-If you have read this far down thanks for sticking it out. I could have ended the predictions at #10, but thats no fun. I had to get it in somehow that the Packers are going to draft Marshawn Lynch. As I noted earlier, the Texans signed Ahman Green, which leaves Vernard Mourency as the starting tailback. At home your going, who the heck is Mourency? Exactly, some no name running back that just happens to be listed as the #1 running back for Green Bay. I thought so, you like my pick with Lynch Packers fans. Then again, you all are cheese-heads anyway.

Of course, the Packers could always draft a wide-receiver to compliment Donald Driver and Jennings, but they wont do that. They could always draft a player on defense, and then hold off until the second round to draft Micheal Bush, but I dont think thats going happen either.

-Pick- Marshawn Lynch

Pats Picks:

-#24- Micheal Griffin/ Brandon Merriweather
-Thoughts- Lets face it, Rodney Harrison has become injury prone. Im not disrespecting him in anyway with this point here, but thats now two injuries to one of the key players in the secondary in two years. While he looks to bounce back this year, look for the Pats to draft a saftey to fill the void and get some depth for thier secondary. They want an impact player right from the get-go and I say Griffin is thier man. I also list Merriweather too because he's an impressive prospect and he (as well as Griffin) play special teams. I really could go either way on this one.

-#28- David Harris/Paul Posluszny
-Thoughts- I am torn between these two players. I remember last years Orange Bowl (Penn State vs Florida State) and I told myself to remember Posluszny's name because hes just the kind of person the Pats look for. Then he got carted off the field in the fourth quarter, which was a shame. But, I think hes a player that the Pats want to help out their linebacking corps. I could go with Harris too because he's a really good MLB that could replace Teddy Bruschi when its time for him to hang up the cleats (a thought im not ready to digest as of yet). The linebacking corps is an issue that needs to be adressed because its the oldest position on the field.

-Another point-The Pats could also target an offensive lineman like Ryan Kalil, but hes going in the top 25. He's a good player and wont last very long, unless he falls. Pats will have decisions to make with this pick. I still am going with the linebacker pick here though. Im just throwing this out there as well.

-Noteables:

QB-
-Troy Smith- Third/Fourth round
-Random point- Imagine how high Troy Smith would be on this list if Ohio State had won the National Championship game. Imagine how much higher he would have been if he actually had come back to rally from a 20 point halftime deficit. I remind you this kid won the Heisman and he's getting picked in the Third-Fourth round? There's something seriously wrong here.
-Drew Stanton- Third/Fourth

RB's
-Micheal Bush- Second round
-Antonio Pittman- Second round
-Darius Walker- Third round

WR's
-Ted Ginn Jr- First round
-Gonzales- Second round
-Dwayne Jarrett- First round- Chargers 30th pick

TE
-Greg Olson- First round (ESPN.com says the Jets)

-Dark Horse pick of the draft- Jared Zabranski
-I am in absolutle shock when I dont see his name on any top 10 qb prospect lists on ESPN.com. Im just shocked and appalled. I think that this kid could be a very good quarterback in a few years on the right team, with the right system, and the right recievers. Wikipedia notes that he was the fastest QB at the combine with a 4.58 in the 40 time and tied for first with quarterbacks in the shuttle time.

Look for this kid to be an under the radar pick in the fourth-fifth round. This kid is a leader on the field that showed what kind of quarterback he can be on national TV in the Fiesta Bowl. In one of the best games in the last 10 years in college football he led his team to a victory in overtime over the Big 12 Champion, Oklahoma.

Once again, while there is no indication that success in college means success in the NFL, the same case applies here. We'll see what happens in a few years. Of course, he could ride the pine for the next five years and then well, id be shit out of luck with this pick. But remember, dont ask me who's on the cover of NCAA 2008 this year, because I just told you.

-Enjoy the draft

Quadruple Header this afternoon

2007-04-21T08:36:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-In what appears to be a very busy afternoon at Bridgewater State today, there are four different games going on at the same time. It is supposed to be a beautiful day today here in Bridgewater. Weather.com reports that the high will be 68 degrees with a low of 41 (tonight). The wind comes in from the NE at 5-10 MPH. We will run them off for you with a couple of notes:

-The pregame for the Bridgewater State baseball game is right below this post.

-The Bridgewater State softball team will be playing a double header versus Fitchburg State today. Fitchburg brings a 3-3 MASCAC record (11-14 overall) to the game, and is in third place in the league. Bridgewater State remains tied with Westfield State at 6-0 for the top spot in the league standings.

At this time we are unsure who the starters will be for the Bears. Coach Janet McGuire does not announce starters for the games because she wants to see what shes up against before the games take place.

The game starts at noontime at Alumni Field.

-The Bridgewater State tennis team plays the second of the three league games they have scheduled this weekend. They play at home today versus Salem State College starting at noontime. The Bears are 2-1 in the Little East Conference and 4-1 overall. Salem State is 2-3 in the LEC (4-5 overall) and plays their last game of the regular season today.

Over the past week the Bears dropped a 0-9 loss to Southern Maine on Tuesday and rebounded for a 7-2 victory (link is on the front page) over Rhode Island College.
2-4

-The Bridgewater State women's lacrosse team and takes on Westfield State today. BSC brings a 5-5 record to the match. Westfield State is a first year program and comes in at 2-4. Bridgewaters last win came this past Thursday with a 14-8 win over Pine Manor College (Recap).

The game is scheduled to start at 1 pm at Swenson Field.

-We will try to bring you the highlights once they become available.

Fitchburg State pregame

2007-04-21T08:10:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller, Jr

-The Bridgewater State baseball team plays a double-header versus Fitchburg today. The 12-7 Bears play seven games over the next four days. They are scheduled to play at Westfield tomorrow, a non-conference game versus Babson on Monday, and then at Mass Maritime on the Tuesday.

-Getting the start in game 1 of today's double header will be Senior Ace Jordan Richards (0-4). In 26.1 innings he has a 4.10 ERA with 3 complete games in 4 starts. He leads the staff with 18 strikeouts and he has given up 11 walks.

Since coming back up north, the Bears are 10-2. Two of those losses have been complete games that Richards has only given up four runs (Worcester State L, 2-1) and (Wheaton L, 2-1).

Richards has just been the victim of poor run support. But Fitchburg has the #6 ERA in the league with a 6.50 ERA in 170.1 innings. Despite his record he is still very optimistic about the whole situation. After his last loss to Wheaton last week he joked, "I still have my perfect record."

The game 2 starter will be freshman #4 starter Spencer Hatstat. Hatstat's last win came against Framingham last Saturday. Hatstat brings a 3-0 record in 4 appearances and 2 starts. In 21.1 innings, he has a 1.69 ERA with 16 strikeouts and 6 walks allowed.

Fitchburg State brings a 4-2 MASCAC record (10-11 overall) and looks to try to get a sweep or split with Bridgewater. Fitchburg swept Salem State, the defending MASCAC league champions. The Bears are 3-1 in the league and look to gain some ground on everyone else with the six games they play over the next few days.

-The Bears last win came versus Rhode Island college last Thursday. In a 8-4 victory freshman Ben Altman got his third victory of the year in as many starts. Bridgewater took advantage of three errors scoring 8 runs in the first six innings. But RIC came back and threatened to score the tying runs with runners on base, after a Bridgewater State miscue in the infield. Junior Brian Schilling came into the game and retired the last two batters to pick up his fourth consecutive save.

The full game recap is right here

-I accidentally found out that Umass Boston has rescheduled to play the Bears at the end of the month. The Baseball team has had four cancelled games, due to the poor weather. The game has been rescheduled for 4/30 at home (3:30 pm start). The game has been scheduled right before the MASCAC league championships, for the automatic bid to the NCAA regional tournament.

-We will try to bring you the highlights once they become available.

The Comment's Fantasy Baseball League

2007-04-19T18:02:00.000-05:00

Shawn Medeiros
Sports Editor

Dan Lopes	27-5-0	.844	-	12-4-0	8	-
Sean Sousa	25-6-1	.797	1.5	11-5-0	12	5
billy thran	22-9-1	.703	4.5	10-5-1	9	6
Shawn Medeiros	19-12-1	.609	7.5	9-6-1	4	1
Steven M. Miller Jr	16-14-2	.531	10	6-9-1	5	10
Kevin Aguiar	15-13-4	.531	10	4-9-3	2	-
Jack Healy	13-15-4	.469	12	8-5-3	6	-
Bill King	10-19-3	.359	15.5	9-4-3	1	-
Steve Emery	9-20-3	.328	16.5	5-8-3	11	2
Ian Abreu	10-22-0	.313	17	4-12-0	7	2
Tim Vitagliano	9-22-1	.297	17.5	5-11-0	10	3
Eric Flanagan	6-24-2	.219	20	5-10-1	3	2

Early on the leader is Dan Lopes with an impressive 27-5-0 record.

The Comment Sports Blog website will keep you updated on the standings of the Comment's Fantasy Baseball League

Matt Charest Named Little East Men's Tennis Player of the Week

2007-04-19T17:54:00.000-05:00

Mike Holbrook

Special to the Comment Sports Blog

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Bridgewater State College sophomore Matt Charest has been named the Little East Conference (LEC) Men's Tennis Player of the Week as he helped BSC remain undefeated on the season with wins last week against Little East rivals UMass-Dartmouth and UMass-Boston..

A native of Somerset, Massachusetts, Charest sported a 2-0 mark in singles and doubles competing out of the number one spot in both flights last week. In the Bears' 9-0 win over UMass-Dartmouth, he overpowered his singles opposition in straight sets (6-0, 6-0) and teamed with Matt Kelly to win in doubles, 8-5. On April 14th, Charest knocked off his opponent from UMass-Boston in straight sets (6-2, 6-0), and teamed with Kelly for an 8-3 doubles victory.

On the season, Charest is currently 3-1 in singles play and 4-0 in doubles competition as his Bears (4-0 overall, 2-0 LEC) are tied for first a top the Little East standings along with Southern Maine. In two seasons at Bridgewater State, Matt has a career singles record of 11-4 and a 10-3 mark in doubles play while competing out of the top flight in each.

Derek Thompson Selected to Play in NEBCA Senior All-Star Game

2007-04-19T17:53:00.000-05:00

Mike Holbrook

Special to the Comment Sports Blog

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Bridgewater State College senior Derek Thompson has been selected to play in the New England Basketball Coaches Association (NEBCA) Division III College Senior All-Star Game which will take place at the Staake Gymnasium on the Campus of Babson College on Sunday, April 22nd beginning at 5 PM.

A native of Hyannis, Massachusetts, Thompson was a First Team All-Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) selection for the second straight season in 2006-2007 as he averaged 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting 57% (157-for-276) from the floor. He led the MASCAC in field goal percentage while finishing seventh in the conference in rebounding, eighth in scoring and tenth in blocked shots (18).

The BSC men's basketball team finished the season with a 17-8 overall record as well as a 9-3 mark in conference play. Seeded second in the MASCAC Tournament, the Bears lost in the tournament semifinals as they dropped a 59-49 decision to Westfield State College.

Thompson wrapped up his four-year career at Bridgewater State with 866 points and 386 rebounds as he averaged 12.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 69 career games. He leaves as the Bears' all-time field goal percentage leader with a .588 (318-for-541) shooting percentage as he eclipsed John Hickey's (1989-92) career mark of .562 (570-for-1014). Last season, Derek set BSC's single-season record with a .638 (153-for-240) field goal percentage.

The NEBCA resurrected their senior all-star game after a three year absence and all proceeds will benefit the Coaches vs. Cancer campaign. The rosters were selected by several committees made up of area college coaches and are being released by Stephen Brennan, the NEBCA Executive Secretary.

In addition to the all-star game, there will be a free clinic at 3:30 run by several of the game's participants and area coaches, along with raffles that include Boston Celtics memorabilia and a chance to take a shot for $50,000. Tickets will be sold at the following rates: Adults $10, Students $5, and children under 12 free.

Joining Thompson on the senior all-star team from the MASCAC are Westfield State's Curtis Gadles, and Salem State's Eric Downie and Brandon McCombs.

Baseball and Lacrosse games

2007-04-19T09:24:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-The Bridgewater State baseball team will travel down to Rhode Island College this afternoon to play a single game versus the 11-8 Anchormen. The Bears look to play their first game since the double header sweep of Framingham State on Saturday, just 5 days ago.

BSC turns to #5 starter freshman Ben Altman (2-0) on the mound. Altman has a 1.72 ERA in 15 .2 innings, in two starts and three appearances. He also had 9 strikeouts and 5 walks on the season. In his last start he went five shutout innings in the record setting 57-1 victory over Newbury College.

-The BSC Lacrosse team will travel up to Mount Holyoke College for a 4:30 game. Mount Holyoke is 2-10 on the season and 0-7 since returning from their early March trip to California. They have allowed an average of 19 points given up and have scored an average of 6 points on their regular season New England schedule.

The Lacrosse team looks to even out its 4-5 record to get back to .500 and remain eligible for ECAC postseason play

Early games this week cancelled or postponed

2007-04-17T16:52:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-In what appears to be another horrible week of rain, extreme wind, and bad weather here are the postponements by sport this week, followed by total cancellations on the year:

-The Baseball team found itself this past weekend with two more postponed league games, with rescheduling a double header versus Salem (from last Saturday) and a doubleheader that was scheduled for Monday, but rescheduled and cancelled earlier today. Salem and BSC are now slated to play on Sunday, April 29th (weekend of Springfest) and they are to play Westfield on this coming Sunday (April 22nd).

According the to Athletics website, non-conference rival Eastern Connecticut was supposed to play Bridgewater tomorrow (Wednesday), but that home game has been cancelled with 70% chance of showers that day. This makes for 5 cancelled games on the season. It is worth noting that Bridgewater has cancelled games versus #12 (#2 regionally) ranked EConn, #4 regionally Southern Maine, and #6 regionally Suffolk University, according to the April 10th ABCA Division III Coaches poll.

While you have to have a minimum number of games to be considered eligible for postseason play, the Bears would finish the season at 28 if every one of its next 6 non-conference opponents are cancelled. Every other team is considered to be in about the same kind of situation, so the Bears should still be eligble, if they win this years MASCAC Conference tournament.

The Bears still have 10 league games remaining. They are scheduled to take on RIC on Thursday, a double-header versus Fitchburg on Saturday (at home, at noon) and the rescheduled league game versus Westfield away, at noon.

-While the softball team had their MASCAC double header postponed, they haven't had any games cancelled this year. In addition, the week that the Salem game got postponed for the baseball team, the softball team made the trip instead. This marks the third game this season that has been postponed (postponed versus RIC and Tufts; both games got made up later in the week).

This week the Bears have a scheduled double header versus Fitchburg on Saturday (at home, at noontime) and travel up to Westfield with the baseball team on Sunday. On Monday, the Bears are right back at it with a double header versus Eastern Connecticut and then play another MASCAC twinbill with Mass Maritime on Tuesday.

The BSC softball team looks to take advantage of the off days by working on their hitting in the mult-purpose court at the Tinsley Center. We will let you know how they fare during the weekend.

-The BSC Lacrosse team scheduled to play Rhode Island College in an attempt to get back to .500 and eligible for postseason ECAC play. They have been fortunate, only having one other game postponed this season. The 6pm away game has been rescheduled for Tuesday next week.

Barring the weather conditions, the Bears take on Mount Holyoke College (away at 4:30) on Thursday and then play Westfield State on Saturday. The Saturday game versus will be played at home starting at 1 pm, at Swenson field.

-The 4-0 tennis team was to play Clark University on Monday, but that game has been cancelled. Barring weather conditions, the team will travel to (5-2) Southern Maine tomorrow. Southern Maine is also currently undefeated in conference play coming into tomorrows match up with an identical 4-0 LEC record. The forecast is showers all afternoon, with 70% chance of precipitation. The game is scheduled to be played at 3:30.

Should this game not be played, the Bears look to play three strait games, over the weekend. The BSC tennis team will be playing RIC on Friday (away at 3pm), Saturday at home versus Salem State (at 12 pm), and then Saturday away at Western Conneticut (at 1 pm).

We will bring you the highlights when they become available.

-As the BSC outdoor track team gets ready for the MASCAC Championships, they look to have a warm-up meet at Springfield College. They will compete in the Springfield College invitational this coming Saturday at 11 am.

Softball sweeps Framingham State

2007-04-16T11:17:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-The Bridgewater State softball team extended their MASCAC league record to 6-0 by posting a pair of victory's over Framigham State on Saturday. They won the first game 2-0 and the second game 5-0.

The first game was highlighted by freshman right hander Erin Christenson's (2-3) first collegiate career no hitter. Christenson went seven innings while giving up 2 walks and striking out 6.

The game was scoreless, in a pitchers duel, until the softball team got on the board with a pair of runs. Freshman pinch-hitter Megan Noyes led off the bottom of the inning with a single to left center. One out later, sophomore centerfielder Allie LeBlanc singled to left field and moved Noyes to third. Helping out her own cause, Christenson doubled into the left center field gap and scored Noyes and LeBlanc on the play.

With the score 2-0, Christenson came out for the top of the seventh and retired the side in order, to give BSC the victory.

In the second game, junior right hander Stephanie Pierce (2-6) took the victory for the Bears. She went the distance pitching a shutout and giving up only 4 hits. She also gave up 2 walks and struck out 7.

Bridgewater State started the scoring plating two runs in the bottom of the third. Christenson scored singled in sophomore right fielder Christina Godin from third base. Godin had reached base on a fielders choice and then moved to third on junior second baseman Nicole Heberts double to deep left field. LeBlanc then brought in Godin with an RBI groundout.

With the 2-0 lead, Bridgewater added another run in the fourth with the bases loaded. Hebert scored sophomore third baseman Stacy Capodiece.

BSC scored two more runs in the fifth when they loaded the bases again. Junior catcher Lindsey Allison ripped a two-run RBI double to left field.

The 11-16-1 Bridgeater State softball team looks to take on Westfield State on Tuesday at noontime.

Some information from this report was provided by the recap courtesy of the Sports Information Department.

Lacrosse and Tennis highlights

2007-04-16T10:12:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

Tennis

-The Tennis team extended its record to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in Little East Conference play with a 8-1 victory over Umass Boston. The Bears took advantage of home field sweeping all six singles matches and they won two out of their three doubles matches.

In the singles matches, sophomore Matt Charest (6-2, 6-0), junior Barry Gorman (7-5, 3-6, 10-5), sophomore Giovani Cuscina (6-0, 6-0), senior Matt Kelley (6-2, 6-0), senior Howard Smyth (6-0, 6-0), and junior Greg Nelson (6-0, 6-0) all were victorious in their singles match ups.

In the doubles matches, the #1 team of Charest and Kelly won 8-3 and the #3 team of senior Johnathan Bouchard and sophomore Brendan Barbo won 8-2. The #2 team of Cuscina and Smyth took the 8-6 loss.

Barring rain, the next scheduled game will be today at Clark University at 4 pm.

Lacrosse

The Women's Lacrosse team dropped a tough 11-7 loss to Eastern Connecticut Saturday. Bridgewater fell behind 6-2 in the first half . BSC then rallied for three goals to open up the second half and make it a 6-5 ball game. With the pressure on, Eastern Connecticut scored the next four goals and took the lead for good.

The Bears were led by freshman Shannon Manning, who had 3 goals on the game. Senior attacker Alicia Spolidoro and junior midfielder Lauryn Serratore also chipped in with a goal and an assist. In the net, freshman Chelsea Bracchi had 9 saves in the net for BSC.

The women's lacrosse team takes on RIC at 6pm on Tuesday as they look to get to .500 and remain eligible for ECAC post-season tournament play.

Around the bases and lacrosse field

2007-04-14T15:30:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-The BSC baseball team took the first game 8-6. The score of the second game is currently 9-4 in the fifth inning. Hatstat is still on the mound at this time.

-The softball team also swept as part of their double header. They beat Framingham State 2-0 in the first game and 5-0 in the second game.

-The Womens Lacrosse team lost 12-7 to the Eastern Conneticut Warriors.

-And the Men's Tennis team beat Umass Boston 8-1.

-We will bring you the highlights of all of the games once they become availible

Baseball to play Framingham State

2007-04-13T22:00:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-In what has been a very crazy week for the baseball team (weather wise), the team is scheduled to play tomorrow versus Framingham State, for their second league double-header this season. The 5-7 Rams enter the game having not played a single game in two weeks. Their last game was a sweep from MASCAC opponent Fitchburg State. If the weather holds up, Bridgewater State is scheduled to face Westfield State (at Westfield) on Monday. Rain and snow are currently predicted for Sunday and Monday's weather.

The Bears will turn to #3 starter Dennis Jenette in game 1. Jenette is 1-1 on the season with a 3.78 ERA in 16.2 innings. In 3 appearances and 2 starts, he has allowed 2 walks and struck out 6 batters.

The starter in game 2 will be freshman Spencer Hatstat. In one start and three appearances, Hatstat is 2-0 on the season with a 0.69 ERA in 14.1 innings. He has given up an 4 walks and whiffed 14 batters.

-It went unreported on the blog, but the Bears split a series on Wednesday with #7 ranked (nationally) and #1 regionally ranked Wheaton College. Senior Ace right-hander Jordan Richards took his fourth loss of the season in a well pitched game. He went the distance and pitched the whole game in a 2-1 loss.

In the second game, the Bears won 3-2. Sophomore Dave Liffers won his fourth strait decision, and he pitched very well. He pitched a complete game giving up two earned runs on 5 hits. He had 5 strikeouts and walked one.

Freshman third baseman Mark Claffey went 3-for-3 with a run and an RBI in the game. Junior catcher Kelly LaDow went 2-for-3 with a run batted in.

A full recap is right here.

-Walked on the field today and there are puddles in the outfield, in random spots. I spoke with Associate Athletic Director Mike Storey, this afternoon, and he said it was a lot worse, earlier this morning. Holes have been placed all over the field to help out with the drainage situation.

For practice today, the hitters got some swings in at the Tinsley Center and the pitchers ran a mile, on the indoor track.

-Brigewater State has had 4 games cancelled this season. They were supposed to play Umass Boston (rescheduled 3 times before cancelling), Brandies (this past Friday), Southern Maine (game was snowed out), and Suffolk. Hopefully the Bears can get enough games in or else they will not be eligible for post-season play.

-Couple of links on the 57-1 win the other day.
-A Friday take on the game from monroenews.com, out of Michigan.
-Front page story in the Enterprise on Thursday
-Page 2 story in the Boston Herald on Thursday
-D3baseball poll (on the right) and forum that was started on Tuesday
-"The Postman" and their views
-Ourage.blogspot.com's Wednesday post. (Note- Shawn (the editor) noticed that the guy linked Bridgewater College in Virginia, not BSC in MA)
-Speculation at Motorsports.com
-And finally the 863 comment post to this Deadspin.com post

-The Comment will bring you pre-game coverage of the game tomorrow.

Drew Bledsoe has retired ... What about being a QB coach?

2007-04-12T22:48:00.000-05:00

Shawn Medeiros
Sports Editor

Ever wonder why the quarterbacks Bledsoe got beat out by were so good?
Well I think it had something to do with Deadly Drew himself.
OOO yeah Mo Lewis I still want your jersey retired at Gillette. That was my aside for this blog.
I have always been a Drew basher, but I think now I need to give him some credit.
Bledsoe's classy attitude and superb performance in that AFC Championship game is remarkable considering he was not the starter.
After that Brady's career takes off.
Drew goes to the Cowboys.
Sidelined or benched ... that is your opinion.
Romo becomes a great quarterback last year.

So that makes one think. What happens if he became some kind of coach? Could he be more successful in that situation?
This is all just a thought or a glance at the future. All I know is that whenever he was a "backup" QB the quarterback in his place thrived.

That is all im saying.

Just a hint Drew!

Drew Bledsoe… Building Patriots Nation

2007-04-12T14:25:00.000-05:00

Kevin Murray
Staff Reporter

The team was coming off of a 2-14 season in 1992. There were rumors that the franchise was going to be moved to St. Louis. Foxboro Stadium was falling apart at the seems, hope was beginning to fade for the old football team in New England. That all changed at the start of 1993 season.

Enter new owner in Robert Kraft and a new head coach in the legendary Bill Parcells. Together the two drafted quarterback Drew Bledsoe with the first overall pick in the 1993 NFL draft. The 6-5’ 225 pound quarterback out of Washington St. brought hope to a franchise that was in dire need of a spark.

With virtually no running back for the first 2 seasons of his career Bledsoe passed an absurd amount. He set an NFL season record in 1994 with 691 attempts and 400 completions. This included in a legendary game that I will never forget against the Minnesota Vikings.

Down 20-3 at half time Bledsoe engineers a comeback and performance for the ages. He goes 45-70 and throws for 450 yards plus. His 45th completion was a TD pass to full back Kevin Turner in overtime. The touch down gave the Patriots a 26-20 victory. Bledsoe’s 45 completions and 70 pass attempts were both NFL single game records.

Three years later Bledsoe would lead the Patriots to the Super Bowl 31 against the Green Bay Packers. Although the Patriots lost, in just his third season he made the Patriots relevant to the Sports fans of New England.

Up until the late early 90’s the Patriots were 4th on the list of Boston’s most beloved teams. The Red Sox always are first, but the Celtics and Bruins were eons ahead of the where the Patriots franchise wanted to be.

The arrival of Parcells and most notably Bledsoe, allowed owner Robert Kraft to have faith in his purchase of the team. Bledsoe exited fans as revenue was brought in by all the ticket and merchandise sales. Thousands of fans fled to the old Patriots pro-shop to pick up their number 11 jerseys. People of New England finally showed loyalty to a team that always stood in the shadow of the 3 other teams playing in the city.

There eventually became a waiting list on season tickets. It was not to long ago that some Patriots games would be blacked out. Yes, blacked out! Meaning that the team didn’t sell enough tickets for the networks to feel it was necessary to televise the game on TV. As a kid I could remember listening to the Patriots play the Dolphins in the final game of the 1993 season on the radio. Could you imagine having a Patriots game be so irrelevant that it wasn’t even shown on TV? If you became a Patriots fan in 2002 you truly don’t have an appreciation of what owner Robert Kraft and Drew Bledsoe did for this franchise.

It’s safe to say that with out was Bledsoe there would be no Gillette Stadium. Hell, route one used to be a 2 lane road. Majority of the Parking lots you see today used to be all dirt. Adjacent to the old Foxboro Stadium there was a pretty decent sized trailer park, were hundreds of people lived.

All those old dirt lots are now freshly paved. The glamorous Gillette Stadium now stands erect were the old horse track used to be. (Yes recent bandwagon Patriot fans, there once was an active horse racing track where Gillette Stadium now stands.) The Patriots were finally in demand and Kraft knew that his fan base would fill the new state of the art stadium and he can thank Bledsoe for that.

Plans for new CMGI/ Gillette Stadium were in the works far before Tom Brady came along. Brady was still going through puberty when Bledsoe was drilling TD passes to Ben Coates. Brady had zero to do with the erection of Gillette Stadium. Bledsoe built the foundation for the stadium and Patriots nation, Brady simply put the shingles on the roof.

As a player I love Tom Brady. I’m just making the point that Bledsoe played a huge role in the popularity of the New England Patriots. There is no doubt that Brady is a better quarterback than Bledsoe. However, if you followed the Patriots pre 1993, you know that this stadium and heck this team may not even be here if it wasn’t for Drew.

Can you imagine Sundays in the fall with out the Pats? Scary thought… Drew Bledsoe: A class act on and off the field. His impact on this franchise is goes as miniscule as being able to watch the Patriots on TV.

NFL Career Ranks

5th in NFL history in pass attempts (6,717)
5th in NFL history in pass completions (3,839)
7th in NFL history in passing yards (44,611)
13th in NFL history touchdown passes (251)

“ I feel so fortunate, so honored to have played this game that I love for so long, with so many great players, and in front of so many wonderful fans. I fulfilled a childhood dream the first time I stepped on an NFL field, and the league did not let me down one time. I retier with a smile on my face, in good health, and ready to spend autumns at my kid’s games instead of my own. I’m excited to start the next chapter of my life.”
(Drew Bledsoe, in a piece by ESPN’s Michael Smith)

Is Michael Waltrip becoming an embarrassment to NASCAR?

2007-04-11T20:52:00.000-05:00

Stephen Emery
Staff Writer

Things are not going so well for the two time Daytona 500 Champion since leaving DEI(Dale Earnhardt Incorporated) after the 2005 season. This year he had hoped to turn the page on a new horizon. He is the new face of Toyota in NASCAR as the team owner of three cars, driven by David Reutimann, Dale Jarrett and himself. He also is the star of a reality show on ESPN2, Waltrip has a full plate.
During qualifying at Daytona, Michael was caught cheating. NASCAR officials fined him, and docked him driver points, he also tarnished Toyota's name and his reputation. That was just the beginning. Since then he has failed to qualify for any of the five races since the Daytona 500.
This is where things get really bad. Earlier this week he was charged with "reckless driving" and "leaving the scene of an accident." The problem was that this did not happen on the race track. It was in his hometown of Sherrils Ford, N.C.
Waltrip supposedly crashed into a telephone pole then rolled his car and claims it was because he fell asleep at the wheel. Officers were finally able to locate him at his house the next morning and pressed charges.
What was this guy thinking? As always, when someone of celebrity status does something along these lines, the world is going to know about it. So he crashed his car because he fell asleep at the wheel. Instances like this happen all the time to U.S citizens, but leaving the scene of the accident is just down right stupid. Of course it must be embarrassing for someone who makes a living racing cars to end up in such a silly accident, but the way he handled it was not appropriate. He is setting a bad example for all of his young fans, and making Toyota and NASCAR look bad.
As of late, he has been spending more time making commercials for NAPA and Best Western then on the race track. It will be interesting to see how they feel about him after this latest stunt.
Only time will tell, but with the incredibly large amount of money Toyota is doling out, I can not see them dealing with him much longer. If Waltrip hopes to have a successful career as a team owner, and rekindle his career as a driver, then he needs to make a big turn around and do it fast.

The Quest For The Cup

2007-04-11T19:13:00.000-05:00

Stephen Emery
Staff Writer

The Stanley Cup Playoffs start tonight, and sixteen teams are eagerly vying for the chance to hoist one of the most recognizable trophies in the world. So with the matches set and all of the games scheduled, here are my predictions for the first round of competition.

Eastern Conference

1. Buffalo Sabres vs. 8. New York Islanders

The 2007 Islanders are a strong team, but they are not the dynasty they once were in the early 1980’s. With superstars like Jason Blake, Rick DiPietro, newly acquired Ryan Smyth and a supporting cast of seasoned veterans, you’d think they have a good shot at making strides during the playoffs. Coming out against the top team in the league, I think they will fall short. The Sabres just have too much fire power. With four 30+ goal scorers on the roster, and a hot Ryan Miller between the pipes, the Sabres should easily take this first round match up. Captain and former Boston University star Chris Drury, who is a free agent next year, hopes to lead Buffalo to their first ever Stanley Cup win. The only thing that could get to this all star team is the pressure. After starting off the season with 10 wins in a row, and ending with the best record in the NHL, the expectations from the fans are extremely high. Right now in Buffalo, the Sabres are nearing the status of the Red Sox in Boston, and that can be dangerous.

2. New Jersey Devils vs. 7. Tampa Bay Lightning

In my eyes, this is the stage for the biggest upset in the East. After falling short of defending their title last year, the 2004 Cup champions are back with a vengeance. Scoring goals will not be a problem at all for the Bolts, considering they have the 1st and 5th leading goal scorers in the league in Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St.Louis respectively. If Tampa Bay can break the strong, conservative defense of the Devils and get the puck to their slew of big guns then their only obstacle will be the stonewall that is Martin Brodeur. It won’t be easy beating a man who won 48 games this season, setting a new NHL record, but if anyone can do it, I have faith in the boys from the Bay.

On the other end of the ice, defensive force Dan Boyle and the rest of his squad will have to play a tight game and help out goalie Marc Denis, who has yet to prove himself in the playoffs. If the Devil’s sophomore phenom Zach Parise and captain Patrick Elias get too many scoring opportunities, then the Lightning will be going home early.

3. Atlanta Thrashers vs. 6 New York Rangers

What happens when you have two teams with young, hotshot goalies, veteran goal scorers’ and a brood of enforcers? You get a toss up. This will be a series to watch. Both of these teams have come to a knife fight packing some serious fire power. On one hand you have the Thrashers’ Marian Hossa who has racked up an impressive 100 points this season along with teammate Ilya Kovulchuck who has light the lamp 42 times. If anyone tries to touch these gifted scorers, they are faced with the wraith of one Bobby Holik. The Rangers are a mirror image. With snipers like Martin Straka and Jaromir Jagr, goals will be a plenty. If anyone gets a bit too physical with them, send in bad boy Sean Avery (former boyfriend of the gorgeous Elisha Cuthbert of 24 and The Girl Next Store) recently acquired from the L.A. Kings to cause a ruckus. If he can’t get the job done, the list of tough guys goes on with Colton Orr and Ryan Hollweg, the Rangers are definitely not a team you want to mess with. This will be a very physical match up.

Goalies, Keri Lehtonen and Henrik Lundqvist both have the ability to steal the show, and when you throw players like Brendan Shannahan and Keith Tkachuk into the mix; it just gets better and better. When the coin lands, I predict the Rangers to be on top, but its going to be a long series that comes down to the last game.

4. Ottawa Senators vs. 5. Pittsburgh Penguins

This is the series that everyone is talking about. It is the NHL scoring leader Sidney Crosby’s first playoff appearance, against Ottawa, the only Canadian team from the East to make it to the post season. With all the focus on Sid the Kid, many other great players on the Penguins are being overlooked. Twenty-year old Evgeni Malkin and Eighteen-year old Jordan Staal are playing way past their years. The Penguins were not supposed to be this good this fast. Marc-Andre Fleury, another youngster for the Pens, at age twenty two, has been a rock between the pipes. With seasoned players like Mark Recchi and Gary Roberts to help guide them, this young team has a chance of becoming even better than the Penguins of 91-92 who won two consecutive cups. With the recent acquisition of brawler Georges Laraque, no one will be giving the kids a hard time. When Crosby is on the ice, he can turn anyone into a goal scorer. A Stanley Cup win at his age, will solidify all the talk of him becoming the next “great one.”

The Senators are not too shabby themselves. Their main man, Dany Heatley is coming off of a 105 point season. Goalie Ray Emery(no relation) plays with fire and emotion, and players like Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson help round out this team. They are lacking a little on the blue line with the loss of Zdeno Chara, although the way he played this year, it wouldn’t have made that much of a difference.
That is all I can really say about the Senators. I am far too excited to see the Penguins win this series. After seeing them live at the Garden, when they made a fool out of the Bruins, it is easy to say they are one of the most, if not the most exciting team to watch in hockey. This battle begins tonight on Versus at 7 P.M.

Western Conference

1. Detroit Red Wings vs. 8. Calgary Flames

The Bruins and the Flames swapped players at the trade deadline. They both were trying to make the playoffs. The Bruins didn’t, the Flames did, but they aren’t getting out of the first round, not against Detroit. It seems like year in and year out Detroit has a good team. Granted they are from Michigan, where playing hockey is a way of life, but sooner or later you’d expect them to have a bad year. Surely, it was not this year as they finished at the top of their Conference. This goalie duel is one made in heaven. Dominic Hasek at one end, Mikka Kiprusoff at the other, if they both play to their full potential, we are sure to see lots of overtime play and low scoring games. The past few years the Red Wings have had trouble in the playoffs and are due for a good showing. Last year they fell to the eight seed Edmonton Oilers, who then went on to play in the championship finals.

With Forty-five-year old defenseman Chris Chelios looking at retirement, and Hasek not getting any younger, now is the time for them to step up to the plate. They have the skill in players like Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Nick Lindstrom, but it will all depend if they come out to play.

The Flames are also a great team. With scorers Jarome Iginlia and Daymond Langkow and have a very hard hitting defense led by Dion Phaneuf, they will be tough competition. Still, with new editions Wayne Primeau and Brad Stuart still looking to fit in, Calgary needs more time to mature and learn to play with better chemistry.
Beating Hasek when he is in “dominator” mode is next to impossible, and that is why I believe that the Red Wings will be victorious at the end of this series.

2. Anaheim Ducks vs. 7. Minnesota Wild

They may have dropped the “mighty” from their name, but not from their play. It’s still hard to see a team named after a Disney movie as one of the best in the NHL, but that is exactly what they are. As much as I would like to see Brian Rolston and the Wild win this round, I am afraid it is not going to happen. Anaheim just has too much going on for them. Other than the Sharks, no team in the NHL has been able to get their number.

Teemu Selanne goes out every night and impresses the fans with his amazing play. He is backed up by Andy McDonald, a guy who most people don’t even know. He was an alternate who fell into an All Star Game position, and then went on to win the fastest skater award, and prove he is the real deal. McDonald ended this season with 78 points and is a key asset to the Ducks, be sure to watch for him in these upcoming weeks.

Enforcement will be handled by big guy Chris Pronger on the blue line, who will be feeding off of the motivation from last years Stanley Cup loss during his time with the Oilers. The Niedermeyer brothers and the toughness from Sean O’Donnell seal up this team and show that there are just no holes to be found. Goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere is coming off a great season, and rookies all over this club are popping up and making names for themselves like Ryan Getzlaf(50+point season) and Corey Perry (40+point season). This is truly a no brainer, Anahiem will be moving on to the second round of the playoffs.

3. Vancouver Canucks vs. 6. Dallas Stars

The Vancouver Canucks are not a team many hockey fans in New England know much about. They are in the Western conference, and in Canada, but they are a force to be reckoned with. Led by the Sedin twins, Daniel with 36 goals and Henrik with 71 assists, the Canucks hope to bring the Cup back to Canada. Like almost every team that has made it to the playoffs, they are backed by a top goaltender, Roberto Luongo. Luongo who was stuck with the losing Florida Panthers for a few years, now has a chance to prove himself in the playoffs as one of the NHL’s top tenders, if not the best.
The Stars have been plagued with injuries this season, missing top forwards like Brendan Morrow and Mike Modano for more than just a few games. Despite that, they still put together a decent season and secured a nice playoff position. Will All Star goalie Marty Turco and emotional forward Mike Ribeiro be able to help the Stars upset the Canucks? They might, but I wouldn’t put money on it.

4. Nashville Predators vs. 5. San Jose Sharks

Playoff hockey does not get much better than this. The Preds edged out the Sharks for the 4th seed by a mere 3 points. Last year, these two met in the 1st round of the playoffs, as the 4th and 5th seed and San Jose easily took the series in a five game upset. Based around Joe Thornton with his 114 points this season, the Sharks are extremely dangerous on the power play. Boasting the best power play percentage in the league for most of the season, Thornton racked up assist after assist as he fed goal scorers Jonathan Cheechoo and Milan Michalek, and that’s just the first line. The Sharks also have Patrick Marleau and Bill Guerin. Guerin, coming over from St. Louis was the biggest trade on deadline day. Guerin has won the cup twice before with New Jersey and knows what it takes to get to the top again. The goaltending duty is pretty much split 50/50 between Evgeni Nabokov and Vesa Toskala, who are both of the “starting goalie” status.

Nashville will be kicking off the series missing one of their top goal scorers, Steve Sullivan, and key defenseman Martin Erat. Late season acquisition and two time Stanley Cup winner, Peter Forseberg adds a great spark to the team, but in his injury prone state, his health is always in question. Starting goalie Tomas Vokoun, who was injured and did not play in last years series, is on top of his game. Speedy Paul Kariya is always a threat in the offensive zone, as long as he can avoid the bone crushing checks delivered by the Sharks big d-man, Kyle McLaren.

If the Sharks can work their coveted power play, and their cast of young stars such as Joe Pavelski and Steve Bernier handle the pressure of the playoffs, I see them coming out on top. Marleau has a reputation of really turning up his play in the post season and last years leading goal scorer, Cheechoo has been on a roll lately with a recent hat trick. If they all can come together around the great Joe Thornton then I predict the Sharks skating on to the next round, but in a close game 7 win.

Games will be televised on Versus and NBC. Check your local listings.

Also available streaming online at yahoosports.com

The Real Curse Reserved

2007-04-11T17:50:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, April 15th Major League Baseball will honor perhaps the most important player in its history. A man who changed not only the game of Baseball, but was a pioneer of Civil Rights years before Rosa Parks never stood up on that bus or Dr. Martin Luther King told us his dream.
A man who integrated the races before Brown could fight the board of education. A man who before Malcolm X prophetically proclaimed "by any means necessary," did what he had to for his people and his country. This man of course was Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson.
This Sunday all across baseball teams will honor the sixtieth anniversary of Jackie's brave and historic achievement as the first black man ever to play in Major League Baseball.
Black players all around the league will wear number 42 in his honor that day. Players such as the Kansas City Royals outfielder Reggie Sanders, Florida Marlins ace pitcher Dontrelle Willis, future Hall of Famer, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. The entire Los Angeles Dodgers team will take the field this Sunday at Dodger Stadium wearing 42.
There is also another local player who will be wearing 42 to honor Jackie Robinson this Sunday though. Covelli "Coco" Crisp, outfielder for the Boston Red Sox will wear the number to honor Robinson and his impact on the game.
This will truly be a great day for baseball but it will have particular special meaning at Fenway Park. The Boston Red Sox past when it comes to race relations is perhaps the most shameful in all of sports. The Red Sox were the last team in all of the Major Leagues to have a black player on their roster. Elijah Jerry "Pumpsie" Green was the first black man to ever don a Red Sox uniform twelve years after Jackie wore Dodger blue and two years after he retired.
Pumpsie was never truly given a fair chance with the Sox and was released after the 1962 season. This obvious case of bigotry and hatred by then owner Tom Yawkey and his organization is the real curse of the Boston Red Sox. A curse Ted Williams himself called "shameful."
There was never any curse of the bambino, that was made up to make Red Sox fans feel better about losing, but the curse of segregation still lingered for years and years.....until now. Until tonight.
Tonight at Fenway Park, an historic event will happen, Daisuke Matsuzaka will step onto the rubber at the Fens, and the first batter he will face will be Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki.
Tonight is not about this achievement for Japanese baseball, no, tonight is about an achievement far greater than that. In the field behind Daisuke will be with players from all different backgrounds and heritage including three of Latin decent in 3B Mike Lowell (Cuban), SS Julio Lugo (Dominican) and RF Manny Ramirez (Dominican); Three of white heritage in 1B Kevin Youkilis, J.D. Drew, and 2B Dustin Pedroia, and of course there will be CF Coco Crisp of African-American blood.
Tonight is a night the Red Sox can be proud, tonight is a night John Henry, Larry Lucchino, Tom Werner, and especially Brookline's own Theo Epstein can look out upon the field and say, "we done good."
Can the past be erased? No. The Red Sox will always have that (no pun intended) black mark on their past, but as you look out tonight on Fenway with Daisuke on the mound and all those men behind him, think to yourself this thought: tonight is the night the Red Sox apologize to all those they hurt, all those they shunned, all those they kept out for the selfish and pathetic reason of race.
Maybe they do not formally say it at any press conference or in any release document, but they do not have to anymore. Tonight the REAL CURSE of the Red Sox, the curse of Pumpsie Green, the curse of Tom Yakey.........the curse of Jackie Robinson.......is reversed.

BSC Baseball makes history

2007-04-10T14:10:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

Information in this report is courtesy of the Sports Information Department and Mike Holbrook, SID

In a record setting performance, the Bridgewater State College baseball team equaled or tied a number of NCAA and school records as the Bears defeated Newbury College, 57-1, yesterday at Alumni Park.

In a game that lasted only 7 innings, BSC broke the single-game RBI record and tied the single-game hits record for all NCAA Divisions. The Bears registered 54 runs batted in and pounded out 44 hits. The old RBI record of 53 was set by Division II University of Saint Francis of Illinois versus Robert Morris on April 2, 1996. The NCAA hits record of 44 was accomplished by Saint Francis in the very same game.

The Bears shattered the Division III records for most runs scored in a game and greatest margin of victory which was set by Marietta College back in 1999. Marietta defeated La Roche College, 48-0, on April 7, 1999.

Bridgewater scored 13 runs in the first inning, 9 in the second, 9 in the third, 16 in the fourth, 8 in the fifth, and a pair of runs in the sixth. The 16-run fourth inning set the school mark for the most runs in an inning. The previous record was a 13-run fourth innings in a 30-0 win at Fitchburg State on April 27, 2002. Along with their 44 hits, the Bears were also issued 20 base-on-balls and were hit by pitch 4 times.

Junior Steve Smith tied the NCAA Division III single-game record for hits with 7. Entering the 2007 season, nine players had recoded 7 hits in a game at the Division III level. Most recently C.R Braniff of George Fox banged out 7 hits in a game versus Willamette on March 25, 2006. Smith also set the school record for the most hits in a game and the most RBI in a game with 10.
Smith and freshman Mark Claffey also set the school record for the most runs scored in a game with 7. Both the BSC single-game RBI and runs scored records were previously held by current assistant coach Matt Poitras. Poitras scored 6 runs and drove in 9 versus Wesleyan on April 10, 1997. Smith also belted his second home run of the season in the third inning, a grand slam well over the left field fence.

The Bears were also led by senior Andrew Dillon, who was 5-for-8 with 9 RBI and 6 runs scored on the game. Dillon also hit his fifth and sixth home runs of the season in the game. He hit a two-run home run in the first inning and a grand slam in the fifth.

Including Smith and Dillon, Bridgewater State had 12 players who had at least 2 hits in the game. Of those 12, eight players had 3 or more hits on the game. Standing out for the Bears was Claffey who was 6-for-8 with 7 RBI and seven runs scored and junior Kelly LaDow was 4-for-4 with 3 runs batted in and 4 runs scored.

The game was won by freshman right-hander Ben Altman who picked up his second strait win. In 5 innings he gave up only 2 hits, struck out 7 batters and walked one. He was relieved by junior Pat Higham, who gave a run on two hits. He struck out one and did not walk a batter.

The Bears will play a double header versus #10 ranked Wheaton College tomorrow. We will bring you the highlights.

-Here are some link's from the region and the nation:
-Here's the coverage from the Lowell Sun
-The Enterprise has two links. This is the better one.
-Patriot Ledger also has two links. This one is good.
-The Chicago-Sun Times even has coverage.
-I picked this one up from some of the players away messages from SI.

Baseball team to play Newbury College

2007-04-09T12:48:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-The Baseball team will be playing Newbury College at 3:30 PM. The plan is to have coverage after the event and quotes from Coach Smith and his thoughts on the game and the week ahead.

-Stay tuned for updates and more information

Softball to play Salem State in doubleheader

2007-04-07T11:44:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-While the Men's Baseball game is cancelled, the Softball team looks to rebound after an 0-4 record on the week. The BSC Softball team was shut out in three strait games (second game was a perfect game versus Wheaton College) and came close to winning the fourth game versus RIC. The team takes on Salem State today at 12 pm.

The game 1 starter will be Stephanie Piece. Pierce brings an 0-5 record in 7 appearances and 6 game starts. In 36.2 innings pitched she brings a 2.62 ERA allowing 15 walks and striking out 29. Pierce told me this morning that she is excited to pitch and she hopes that she can get her first win of the season today.

It is projected that sophomore Alyssa Verronneau will get the start in game 2. The 4-1 right hander brings a 1.50 ERA in 28 innings pitched. Verroneau has allowed 10 walks and struck out 19. She also has 5 complete games in 5 starts and three shutouts.

The Bridgewater State softball team has a 7-10-1 overall record and is 1-1 in MASCAC Conference play.

-The Men's Tennis team also plays thier first conference game this afternoon versus West Conn and the track team has a meet at Fitchburg State.

We will bring you the highlights of the Men's Tennis, Softball, and Track teams when they become availible.

Baseball vs Salem double-header postponed

2007-04-07T11:25:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-The baseball team arrived at the Tinsley Center at 9 am only to find out that their double header versus Salem State will be postponed until next weekend. Coach Smith was told that the game might be cancelled (late last night) but the game couldn't be called off until they knew for sure. In addition to a muddy infield, the game would have been played on the water in 30 below temperatures, with a 15-20 MPH wind, coming off the water. Conditions wouldn't have been very good at game time.

It is projected that Bridgewater will make up the game next weekend. In addition to the 3 games the team is playing this week (Newbury-Monday; Doubleheader vs Wheaton on Wed; Brandeis-Friday), the Bears play home versus Framingham on Saturday, they are projected to play Salem State away on the Sunday and then Westfield College on the Monday. The baseball team still has to play UMass Boston as well. We will keep you updated on this situation as we find out more information.

The team practiced on the football field. The outfield looked better than the infield. Apparently there was a frost last night and once it settled on the field and melted it turned to mud. The team took infield-outfield practice right in the SW corner of the football field. After that the position players took batting practice inside the batting cages.

With the Sunday off (because of the holiday), the Bears play Newbury College on Monday. Freshman right hander Ben Altman is projected to be the starter. Altman, the number five starter, is 1-0 on the season in 2 appearances and one start, with a 2.53 ERA. In 10.2 innings he has allowed 4 walks and struck out 2 batters.

Dice - K starts off right

2007-04-06T00:26:00.000-05:00

Shawn Medeiros

Sports Editor

In a game that could have painted Daisuke Matsuzaka's future reputation, the Japanese star's outing was better than a Picasso masterpiece.

Struggling in the first inning and getting out of it with a double play ball Matsuzaka was beyond brilliant through the rest of the game.

His final stat line read seven innings pitched, six hits, one run, one earned run, one walk, and 10 strikeouts. Not a bad performance to start a major league career.

The most startling aspect of his performance was not in his stat line. It was how he handled certain situations throughout the game.

In the first inning with two men on and one out Dice-K could have easily caved in and let the game slip away from him. Although, that was not the case for Matsuzaka. He got out of the inning with a double play ball, then settled down, and painted corners with Greg Maddux like precision.

Dice-K did give up a homer to David Dejusus and also got out of a jam with a double play by way of strike em' out and throw em' out but overall it was a great first outing for Matsuzaka.

Here is a break down of Dice-K's innings courtesy of ESPN.com

Kansas City - Bottom of 1st (1-0)
D DeJesus singled to center.
E German grounded into fielder's choice to second, D DeJesus out at second.
M Teahen walked, E German to second.
E Brown grounded into double play, pitcher to shortstop to first, M Teahen out at second.
0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors

Kansas City - Bottom of 2nd (1-0)
A Gordon flied out to left.
R Shealy lined out to right.
R Gload struck out swinging.
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

Kansas City - Bottom of 3rd (1-0)
J Buck struck out looking.
T Pena grounded out to pitcher.
D DeJesus flied out to center.
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

Kansas City - Bottom of 4th (1-0)
E German struck out looking.
M Teahen struck out swinging.
E Brown struck out swinging.
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

Kansas City - Bottom of 5th (2-0)

A Gordon singled to left.
R Shealy struck out looking.
R Gload flied out to right.
J Buck singled to center, A Gordon to third.
T Pena grounded out to pitcher.
0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors

Kansas City - Bottom of 6th (2-1)

D DeJesus homered to right.
E German singled to center.
M Teahen struck out looking. E German caught stealing second, catcher to shortstop.
E Brown doubled to deep left center.
A Gordon struck out looking.
1 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors

Kansas City - Bottom of 7th (2-1)
R Shealy struck out swinging.
R Gload struck out swinging.
J Buck flied out to center.
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

Overall, I give Dice-K a B+ for his first career start in the major leagues. The only reason why I do this is because if you thought this was a good outing wait until his next couple of starts.

(AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Softball game postponed, Baseball game in doubt

2007-04-05T17:04:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-The BSC Softball team was supposed to play a double-header versus Tufts University, but that game has been postponed until next Monday (4/9). The tarp was lifted this afternoon in the h0pes of getting a game in, but the executive decision was made not to play. The team practiced inside today, working on their hitting. The next softball game is scheduled for this Saturday. They play Salem State away on Saturday.

-The Bridgewater State Baseball team lifted thier tarp this afternoon. The team folded up the tarp in left field on a gigantic puddle, that covered shallow left. Upon walking in the outfield you could see puddles in various spots throughout. Walking on the grass was an adventure, your foot sunk like there was no grass.

After the team rolled up the tarp, the fielders worked in the infield, and the outfielders caught fly balls on the football field. The pitchers then went to Tinsley and ran on the track above the gym. The position players worked on their batting for the rest of practice. During practice they listened to the rest of the Red Sox win over Kansas City.

Head coach Rick Smith said at practice that the outcome of getting the game is in doubt, but he still thought there was a possibility of playing. He said that freshman Ben Altman would get the start for Umass Boston (9-5). Umass Boston this week split a double header versus Umass Dartmouth (0-3 L, 11-6 W) on Saturday, swept a double header versus Worcester State (10-2 W, 11-3 W), on Sunday, and beat Salem State 9-2 on Wenesday.

If there should be no game tomorrow the Baseball team looks to continue league play at Salem State. The weather forcast is supposed to be 30-35 degrees, down by the water, with the wind at about 10 MPH. Should be an interresting game if it gets played. Senior Ace Jordan Richards gets the start in Game 1 and sophomore veteran Dave Liffers will get the start in Game 2.

-The plan tomorrow is to get some quotes from Coach Smith and softball coach Janet Maguire. We will try to get some players quotes too. Stay tuned.

In The Presence of Greatness

2007-04-04T04:49:00.000-05:00

Bill King - Staff Writer

A French novelist and playwright named Jean Giraudoux was a man of many words. "The secret of success is sincerity" exclaimed Giraudoux, "once you can fake that you've got it made." There is another man who has taken it upon himself to prove Mr. Giraudoux's words are not hot air, by faking every batter he faces into them thinking they have a prayer at the plate. The ace of the Minnesota Twins staff, Johan Alexander Santana, is a truly special individual. So special that you can't find a person whom has any sense of baseball knowledge that will deny he is without a doubt the best pitcher in the entire world today.

Just think about what that statement means for a moment. "The best"... usually a statement of personal opinion and rarely a unanimous decision. At the age of only 28, he has compiled a 78-31 record. No, he does not have the massive support of a powerful lineup like the Yankees. Not until the past year has he had any workable run support. But when you put up 1152-314 K/BB numbers, who needs a lineup to bat for you when the opposition is only making a short visit to the batters box, anyhow?

I remember growing up, sitting next to my father and watching a very special individual named Roger Clemens. We knew we were watching something special every time he painted the outside corner with a heater, and then followed it up with a filthy splitter in the dirt only to watch the batters swing through helplessly. They knew it was coming, but it really didn't matter. Much like Santana, Clemens never had a dominating offense contributing to his more than impressive numbers. I am not here to question the greatness of Roger Clemens, but when I watch Johan Santana completely dominate the more advanced, stronger and intelligent hitters of today I can't help but feel he is briskly stepping up the ladder of greatness. Just watching him constantly come after hitters with a dominating fastball and a change up that is practically unhittable can get any baseball fan sitting on the edge of his or her seat in amazement.

When you have guys like Joel Zumaya throwing 103 MPH fastballs, and guys like Ryan Howard hitting home runs to jaw-dropping distances, it's hard to be bias. So there, maybe I am saying that at the young age of 28, Santana is the best pitcher to ever grace a Major League Baseball uniform. Maybe I am a little premature to stamp his ticket into the Hall of Fame, and to eternal greatness. Statements like mine have been made about many players who looked great and then disappeared due to varying reasons. However, I urge you to join my excitement and utter disbelief while Johan Santana is in his prime. Maybe you will become a believer too, but I doubt that it will be my words that convince you.

Softball drops two more at home to Rhode Island College

2007-04-04T02:35:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

Yesterday, the Bridgewater State Softball team dropped two games to Rhode Island College. With the 0-8 loss in the first game, this marked the third straight game the Bears were shutout. In the second game, the Bears managed to score a run in the bottom of the fourth to make the score 3-1. But Bridgewater had an opportunity to win the game with the bases loaded, and blew it away.

In the first game, freshman right hander Jamie Ducinski was tagged for the loss. Ducinkski went 3.1 innings giving up 2 earned runs on five hits. She walked 1 and struck out 2 batters. She was relieved by junior Stephanie Pierce, who allowed Rhode Island College to add to their lead. RIC plated three runs in the fifth, and then plated three more in the sixth.

Junior outfielder Katie Holbrook was the lone standout in the first game. She went 2-for-3 on the game. Senior Rhode Island College right hander Nicole Riley dominated the Bridgewater State lineup. Riley picked up her tenth straight victory (10-0) and gave up only 3 hits in the complete game shutout. She gave up only 1 walk and struck out 8 batters.

In the second game, Riley picked up right where she left off and gave up a hit to sophomore Stacey Copedience and then promptly retired the next 8 batters.

In the fourth, RIC decided to relieve Riley (after throwing 133 pitches in two games) and Bridgewater took advantage of it. Holbrook drew a walk and then advanced to third when Diane Trull-Donahue doubled to left field. Seeing the first pitch of the at-bat, sophomore center fielder Allie LeBlanc got a single up the middle, scored Holbrook on the play and advanced to second base on the throw to home plate. With runners on second and third with no outs, the Bears didn't take advantage of it and ended the inning with a strikeout and a ground-out.

Bridgewater threatened again with the bases loaded and one out, but could not score any runs to tie the score or win the game.

Freshman Erika Christensen (1-2) took the loss for the Bears. She went the distance pitching the whole game, giving up 3 earned runs on 9 hits. She struck out 3 and walked 1.

Riley picked up her 11th victory of the season, with the win over Bridgewater State.

Bridgewater plays again on Thursday at home versus Tufts University. The first pitch is scheduled for 3 pm, but the game is in doubt because of the forecast of rain on Thursday. The Softball team's record stands at 7-10-1 (2-0 in MASCAC).

Full game recap, courtesy of the BSC Sports Information Department

Week 1 Intramural (Competitive League) basketball coverage

2007-04-03T20:00:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

[Please note: The Competitive Basketball League plays every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday for the next 6 weeks]

Marquee Game of the Week: (Thursday Score)

The Pillows vs. The Piledrivers
Outcome- 60-50, Piledrivers Win

The "Marquee" game of the week features last year's Competative Intramural Basketball Champions, The Piledrivers, versus The Pillows. The interesting matchup in this game was between senior Derek Thompson and sophomore Roland Millien. Both big men are only a month removed from the last game of the Men's Basketball regular season, in the loss to Westfield State in the second round of the MASCAC Championship playoffs.

The first half was close the entire way through. Both teams entered the 12 minute mark at 19-15, with the Piledrivers up. For the rest of the half, the Piledrivers built up their lead, and the Pillows scored just enough to make it a 8-10 point game. The halftime score was 34-26

In the second half, the Piledrivers opened with a run, but the Pillows came storming back getting to within one at 37-38, with 14:30 left in the game. But the Piledrivers went on a 6-0 run and took advantage of their rebounding situation. They had a 27-6 rebounding advantage in the second half. The Pillows could not establish any kind of run to make it a game, but because the Piledrivers shot poorly from the free throw line (3-12 in second half) the score remained close.

With 1:50 left, the score was 50-56. The Pillow's decided to foul junior Jason Szidot. He bounced both off the rim and the Pillows retained possession. With the clock winding down, the Pillow's ran off 25 seconds from the clock and they missed on their 3-point attempt. They then promptly fouled Szidot again.

With 1:06 remaining, Szidot missed his first and second free throw attempts, but the Piledrivers came up with the rebound. Upon the rebound and foul, Millien committed a technical foul and this ended any threat that the Pillows might pull off. The final score was 60-50.

Leading the way for the Piledrivers was sophomore Jessie Texiera who had 23 points on the game. Thompson also had 10 points, and Szidot chipped in with 11 points.

"It was just a fun game to play," said Texiera. "I'm just trying to have some of the fun I missed out on not playing for the Men's team this year." Texiera made the team, but was unable to participate this year because of other obligations.

The Pillows were led by Millien who had 20 points, and senior Joe Scotti had 17 points.

Millien said that he was impressed with the players on the Piledrivers team.

"One reason they won was because they had four players who should have played for the Men's team this year," said Millien.

Tuesday's Scores:

The Phenom's: 79 vs. The Hounddogs: 71

The Phenom's came close to getting to the 30 point slaughter rule to end the game automatically but they allowed The Houndogs to close the gap to 24 points. Leading the Hounddog's 44 point halftime charge was junior Tom Cuddihy, who scored a team leading 17 points. Bill Paquin had 10 and senior Jim Carlile had 5.

Leading the way for the Pheonom's was senior Ryan "The Birdman" Devereaux, who had 18 second half points (21 on the game) and senior Ben Bonzey, who chipped in with 20 second half points (26 on the game).

What helped the Phenom's out down the stretch was the amount of free throws the team took. They were 12-18 from the charity stripe.

Black Market- 37 vs. Golden Banana's- 29

Black Market led the way in the second half by scoring 21 points. The team's leading scorer was Mike Hiset who had 7 points, freshman Anthony Goss and Mike Seeley had 6 points. The Golden Banana's were led by junior Mike Savard's 7 points, and junior Will Ryan's 6 points.

Piledrivers-67 vs. Team Doyle-48

Leading all scorers in this game was senior Derek Thompson's 22 points. Senior Jeff Way also had 19, junior Jason Szidot had 16, and senior John Dowaliby chipped in with 10 points. Team Doyle was led by junior Matt Schnider's 17 points. Justin Espisoto also had 11 points, for Team Doyle.

East 256-257- 71 vs. The Divas-47

With the Diva's up 26-23 at the half, East 256-257 exploded for 48 second half points. Leading the way was senior Adam Rose's 24 points. Amari Jacobs also had 10 points (15 on the game) in the second half, and senior Matt Geiger had 9.

The Pillows- 70 vs. Ballerz in da Ruff- 46

The Pillows opened up with the lead and never looked back again. Junior Rolland Millien led all scorer's with 23 points (13 in first half) and junior Pete Hyszczak had 20 (12 in first half). Ballerz in da Ruff tried to rally with 30 second half points, but couldn’t even get close. They were led by freshman Malachi Charblanau's 11 points, and Joel Gervais finished with 9 points.

Cleveland Steamrollers vs LOL Denkaments-
-Game not played; LOL Denkaments lost via forfeit

Thursday's Scores:

Team Garrison- 51 vs. Mass Maritime- 47

Sophomore Jordan Garrison led all scorers in this game with 22 points. Sophomore Jared Indgersoll also had 13 points on the game. Mass Maritime was led by senior Patrick Wheeler, who had 16 points.

Black Market- 73 vs. Dominators- 38

The Dominators took charge by scoring 42 points in the second half. They were led by Dan Oak, who scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half. Kevin McDermott chipped in with 14 points and freshman Augusto Goncalves scored 10. The Dominators were led in scoring by John Vance, who scored 23 points.

East 256-257 vs. Golden Bananas
Game not played; Golden Bananas lost via forfeit

Cleveland Steamrollers vs. Whitewash
Game not played; team Whitewash lost via forfeit

Sunday Scores:

Cleveland Steamrollers- 58 vs. Ballerz in da Ruff- 48

The Steamrollers blasted out 31 points in the second half with their victory over Whitewash. Senior Mike Bertolino led the charge scoring 17 of his 24 points in the second half. For Whitewash, Ryan Lima scored 20, Justin Lima scored 16, and sophomore Joel Gervais chipped in with 9 points.

Phenoms- 72 vs. Golden Bananas- 43

In this blowout, the Phenoms were led by senior Ben Bonzey. Bonzey had 29 points on the game (14 in the first half and 15 in the second). Senior Mark Claffey had 19 and senior Jeff Cammarata scored 15 points. The Golden Bananas were led by Bill Drensen's 13 points.

Team Garrison- 59 vs. Black Market- 58

This game was close at the end and even at halftime 28-26, with Team Garrison in the lead. Team Garrisons attack was led by Jordan Garrisons 28 points. Jordan Garrison and Thomas McArdle scored 10 points, on the game. Black market was led by John Vance's 19 points. David McCauley and Mike Seeley also had 10 points on the game. Black Market's disadvantage came from the free throw line. Black Market was a combined 9-17 from the stripe in the game (1-4 in the second half) compared to Team Garrison's 8-14 advantage (7-10 in second half).

The Hounddogs- 63 vs. Team Doyle- 55

Team Doyle led at the half 33-24. But in the second half the Hounddogs played tenacious defense, holding them to 22 points. Senior Brian Jalbert led the attack for The Hounddogs scoring 15 points. Junior Bill Paquin had 16 and junior Tom Cuddihy scored 12. Leading all scorers on the game was junior Matt Schnider and his 23 points. Freshman Justin Esposito also scored 17 on the game.

Piledrivers- 85 vs. LOL Donkaments- 63

In this match up, the Piledrivers were led by 26 points from senior John Dowaliby. Sophomore Jessie Texiera had 24 points; Mike Porier had 15, and junior Jay Szidot chipped in with 12 points. For LOL Donkaments, sophomore Matthew Brodeur had 12 points, freshman TJ Dolliver had 11, and junior Matt Stevens scored 9. The score at halftime was 38-34 with the Piledrivers in the lead.

The Pillows vs. Whitewash
Game not played; Golden Bananas lost via forfeit

The Recreation Department is sponsoring a Tennis league, an outdoor soccer league, and a Street Hockey league. In addition, they will be having a 3-on-3 Basketball, a dodge ball, kickball, and Home Run Derby tournaments. A 4-on-4 Beach Volleyball tournament and a ps2 FIFA tournament is also in the works for this semester.

If you are interested, look for signs around campus or the Tinsley Center. You can also visit the recreation department’s website (linked above) or e-mail Asst. Recreation Director Brian Fetky.

Week 1 Intramural Basketball (Recreational) and Women's Basketball coverage

2007-04-03T19:30:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

Week 1 Scores:
(Please Note- Rec. League plays every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday)

Tuesday-
The Funky Bunch-33 vs. Topher's team- 36
Spades- 33 vs. Samurai- 30
Free Agent Force- 38 vs. Get Real with Yourself- 27

Thursday-
Pete's team- 50 vs. Off in the Woods- 31
Free Agent Force- 43 vs. Spades- 31
Topher's team-45 vs. Josh's team- 38
Rafer- 47 vs. We Rollin'-44

Sunday-
Get Real with Yourself- 47 vs. The Funky Bunch-38
The Aces- 45 vs. Samuri-40
Free Agent Force- 51 vs. Pete's team-37
Topher's team- 46 vs. We Rollin- 25

Standings after Week 1:

Big East
Free Agent Force- (3-0)
Topher's Team- (3-0)
Rafer- (1-0)
Get Real with Yourself- (1-1)
We Rollin- (0-1)
The Funky Bunch- (0-2)

ACC
The Aces- (1-0)
Spades- (1-1)
Pete's Team- (1-1)
Samurai- (1-2)
Off in the Woods- (0-1)
Josh's Team- (0-1)

Women's Intramural Recreation League (Every Monday-Wednesday)

Monday's Scores:

Superstars- 44 vs. Hill Hustlers- 24

Junior Kelsey Collasius led the way with a team leading 14 points, for the Superstars. Senior Kim Price had 8 points, and sophomore Elsa Apastori chipped in with 7. For the Hill Hustlers freshman Jessica Dineen scored 9 and freshman Michelah Johnson had 7 points.

Free Agent Force vs Annies Little Helpers
Game not played; Annies Little Helpers lost via forfeit

The Recreation Department is sponsoring a Tennis league, an outdoor soccer league, and a Street Hockey league. In addition, they will be having a 3-on-3 Basketball , a dodge ball, kickball, and Home Run Derby tournaments. A 4-on-4 Beach Volleyball tournament and a ps2 FIFA tournament is also in the works for this semester.

If you are interested, look for signs around campus or the Tinsley Center. You can also visit the recreation departments website (linked above) or e-mail Asst. Recreation Director Brian Fetky.

Baseball Update

2007-04-03T16:14:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-I spoke with assistant baseball coach Matt Poitras this afternoon and the outlook does not look very good. Although yesterday's rainstorm was a light drizzle, it built up over the course of the last few days and the outfield is pretty damp. I didn't get to step onto it myself, but ill take his word for it. In addition, the team tried to take the tarp off the field only to get some of the water (that settled on top of it) all over left field.

The team practiced indoors. The pitchers stretched and ran around the track and the position players practiced on the pitching machine. While waiting some of them did the usual soft toss or played wiffle ball. Junior catcher Kelly LaDow was taking extra swings after practice had ended.

As for tomorrows game, it might be cancelled. The weather is supposed to be rainy and a high of 45 degrees until Friday's sunshine. A game is scheduled versus Southern Maine for Thursday, but they are supposed to get a mix up in Portland from Wendesday afternoon into Thursday's afternoon. The game is scheduled for a 3pm start. Coach Poitrais told me that even Saturday's league game versus Salem is a question mark. It is supposed to be 45 degrees, down by the water, and he isn't even sure if Salem will have the field ready by then. If they do get the double header in, a 45 degree day will feel like 25 degrees.

Things just dont look good for the team right now. We will update you on this situation as the week continues.

-While things don't look so hot for baseball, the softball team is getting in their double-header today versus Rhode Island College. The Men's Lacrosse team was spotted playing University of New Hampshire earlier this afternoon as well. We will bring you the highlights once they come in.

Boston College and University of Maine head to St. Louis for The Frozen Four

2007-04-02T14:48:00.000-05:00

Steve Emery, Staff Writer

On April 5th, two local schools will be battling for the title of the best college hockey team in the nation. The BC Eagles will be facing off against North Dakota, while the Maine Blackbears take on the Michigan State Spartans. The Eagles hope to claim their third championship title, lead by their 6'7 senior forward, Brian Boyle. A national title is sure to soothe the sore spot, caused by their recent loss to Boston University in the Beanpot tournament.

When it comes time for the Blackbears to hit the ice against Michigan, look for Ontario native, and team leading scorer, Josh Soares to put the puck in the net.

Maine is also looking to capture their third national championship.

If both teams prevail in the semifinals on April 5th, then we will be able to enjoy a New England showdown come April 7th at the sold out Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO.

Both of these local colleges are known to field top notch teams year in and year out. Many alumni are currently playing in the NHL, such as BC graduates and current Bruins; Andrew Alberts, Bobby Allen, Chuck Kobasew, and former Bruin and NHL All Star, Bill Guerin.

The Blackbears are the proud alma mater of superstar Paul Kariya.

Baseball game update

2007-04-02T14:30:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-Its official, the 3:30 game versus Rhode Island College has been cancelled. I guess last nights rain has put a damper on any hopes of playing this game this afternoon. The game has been rescheduled to be played later on in the season.
-The next scheduled game for the Bears is on Wednesday at 3 pm. They will be playing UMass Boston.

-For a full recap of this weekend's action check out this week's edition of The Comment.
-Also coming to you from The Comment, is a story on the 3-4-5 hitters: left fielder Steve Smith, center fielder Andrew Dillon, and catcher Kelly LaDow. This story will talk about what they bring to the team on and off the field. In addition, there maybe a new closer found over the weekend: #5 starter converted into a closer junior Brian Schilling.
-We bring you these stories and more campus sports coverage in this weeks sports section of The Comment. It comes out this Thursday or Friday.

Spenser Hatstat Named MASCAC Baseball Pitcher of the Week

2007-04-02T13:15:00.000-05:00

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Bridgewater State College freshman right-hander Spenser Hatstat has been named the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Baseball Pitcher of the Week as he helped lead the Bears to a 5-1 record last week.
A native of Clinton, Massachusetts, Hatstat went 2-0 with 7 strikeouts and a 0.90 earned run average in two appearances last week. He hurled three scoreless innings of relief to earn the victory in Bridgewater State's 15-13 win at UMass-Dartmouth.

Hatstat then tossed a complete game in a 15-2 win over Becker College, as he struck out 4 and allowed just 1 earned run.
On the season, Hatstat is sporting an impressive 0.63 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings of work. Opponents are batting just .246 (14-for-57) against him.

COURTESY BRIDGEW.EDU/MIKEHOLBROOK

Kelly LaDow Named MASCAC Player of the Week

2007-04-02T13:13:00.000-05:00

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Bridgewater State College sophomore catcher Kelly LaDow has been named the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Baseball Player of the Week as he helped lead the Bears to a 5-1 record last week.
A native of East Falmouth, Massachusetts, LaDow batted .522 (12-for-23) with 10 RBI in Bridgewater's six games last week. He was also a perfect 7-for-7 with a pair of doubles and 6 RBI in the Bears' doubleheader split with MASCAC rival Worcester State. LaDow went 3-for-3 with a double and a walk in game one of the twinbill, and capped off the day by going 4-for-4 with a double and 6 RBI in BSC's 9-5 win in game two.
LaDow, who also posted a 4-for-5, 3 RBI performance against Becker College, is currently batting .439 (18-for-41) with 3 doubles, 12 runs batted in and a .531 slugging percentage in 12 games this season.

COURTESY BRIDGEW.EDU/MIKEHOLBROOK

Baseball sweeps Becker College in Sunday afternoon twinbill

2007-04-02T12:35:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

In college baseball action yesterday, the Bridgewater State College Bears swept Becker College by a score of 4-3 in the first game, and 15-2 in the second game.

“Becker College was a pretty good team,” said head coach Rick Smith. “We got to get some of our bench players into the game. This way we can sharpen them now for when we need them down the road.”

In the first game, sophomore Dennis Jennette picked up his first win of the season. Jennette went 6-plus innings giving up 3 earned runs on 5 hits. He walked 2, struck out 3. Coming in relief of Jennette was junior Brian Schilling. Schilling picked up his second save in as many days, going one inning of relief, striking out two of the three batters he faced.

Bridgewater and Becker remained scoreless until they were helped out by a Becker miscue at third base. Freshman shortstop Brian Medairos started the rally with a single to left field. Junior third baseman Kenny Downey advanced to second base on the two-base throwing error and Medairos moved to third. Freshman third baseman Mark Claffey drove in Medairos with a sacrifice fly and junior left fielder Steve Smith knocked in Downey on a single to right field.

With Smith on first, senior center fielder Andrew Dillon swung at the first pitch he saw and drove the ball over the left field fence. This made the score 4-0, after three innings.

Becker then scored three runs in the top of the sixth inning.

In the top of the seventh, Becker threatened to score more runs and possibly take the lead when Jennette gave up a base hit and a walk. Thats when Schilling came in to close out the game. He retired all three batters he faced in order; two came by way of strikeout.

“Dennis did a superb job for us,” said Coach Smith. “And we found a new closer in Schilling, who did well getting out of the jam.”

Coach Smith indicated that Schilling will be the closer as long as freshman #5 starter, Ben Altman, can pitch consistently. The former closer, Dean Archibald, will be transitioned into a middle relief role.

To complete the nightcap, Bridgewater won the second game 15-2. Freshman right-hander Spencer Hatstat won in his second strait appearance. He went the distance pitching 7 innings, giving up two runs (one earned) while giving up 9 hits. He struck out 4, walked won, and improved to 2-0 on the season.

“Spencer was excellent today,” said Coach Smith. “He is a young resilient pitcher that is always around the strike zone and knows how to get ground balls and pop-ups.”

Becker senior southpaw Anthony Boyle was tagged for the loss as he went 4 1/3 innings allowing 9 runs (6 earned) on 12 hits, while striking out 1 and walking 3.

Bridgewater plated 3 runs in the first inning. Smith drove in Claffey with a sacrifice fly to center and Sophomore first baseman David Kiloski drove in two with a single up the middle. In the second inning, the Bears extended their lead by two on a two-run home run by Smith.

With the 5-0 lead, Bridgewater would break the game open scoring four runs in the fifth and five more runs in the sixth innings.

On the afternoon and nightcap the Bears were led by Smith, who was 3-for-6, with two runs and four RBIs. Junior catcher Kelly LaDow was also 4-for-7 with 3 runs batted in and Dillon was 2-for-7, with 3 runs and 3 RBIs. Junior utility outfielder John Clough was 3-for-3 in the second game, with two runs scored.

“The bats just came alive in the second game,” said Coach Smith. “We got some timely hits and drove in batters when we needed to.”

-Bridgewater State is supposed to take on Rhode Island College later today (at 3:30 pm) if the weather holds up. The team promptly put the tarp down on the field after the game.

Most in the information that is provided in this report (including quotations) is on the bridgew.edu/athletics website recap

Bridgewater State softball drops two to Wheaton College

2007-04-02T10:00:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-Yesterday in collegiate softball action, the Bridgewater State College Bears were swept by Wheaton College, at Wheaton. The softball team lost the first game 0-8 and the second 0-12. In losing to Wheaton College the BSC softball team falls to 7-8-1 (0-2 in MASCAC) on the season.

In the first game, Wheaton College freshman Andrea Bagley held Bridgewater State to two hits through five innings. Sophomore Alyssa Verroneau was tagged for her first loss of the season. In the three innings that Verroneau pitched, she gave up 6 runs (5 earned) on 7 hits. She had a walk and a strikeout on the game.

In the second game, Wheaton College senior Jodi Moynagh pitched a perfect game in five innings. This was the fifth perfect game in Wheaton College softball history. Junior Stephanie Pierce dropped to 0-5 on the year. Through four innings, Pierce gave up 12 runs (3 earned) on 10 hits. She also finished with 4 walks and 5 strikeouts.

Tomorrow, the Bridgewater State College softball team takes on a double-header versus Rhode Island College at 3:30 pm.

-Note: Full game recap here

Dice-K Mania: It's on its way!

2007-04-01T22:43:00.000-05:00

Shawn Medeiros
Sports Editor

Stealing a line from Ian Abreu's recent blog: "Baseball is the universal sports language throughout the American culture." It made me think. Dice-K pitches in his MLB debut on Thursday and that means there is going to be an addition to the term American Culture.

American Culture is going to get a whole new look when Dice-K toes the slab against the Royals and throws his first pitch. The media frenzy will be out of control for this very first game. Ratings for television and listeners for radio will be mulitplied by the millions. This is going to be an historical event in Baseball and American Culture.

Think about it: I know I may potentially skip school for this event and others may also do the same. People from Japan are going to be tuning into to a Kansas City Royals game. Yes, people from Japan are going to be tuning into a Kansas City Royals game. How crazy is that concept! The event of Dice-K pitching will be a world wide addition to American's Culture of Baseball.

As Ian mentioned he hopes to one day tell his children about the "great David Ortiz, Pedro Martinez, the bloody sock, Derek Jeter, Ken Griffey JR," and the list goes on." Not mentioned was Daisuke Matsuzaka. He could become an American phenomenon. He already has become a phenomenon of Red Sox Nation.

So this Thursday when you tune into Dice-K's first major league appearance remember this is an historical event not only in Baseball, but also in American Culture as well.

It's the most wonderful time of the year: opening day

2007-04-01T19:39:00.000-05:00

Ian Abreu

News Editor

No offense to Christmas, but opening day in Major League baseball is the most wonderful time of the year. Well, for me, anyway. With the beginning of the baseball season comes spring, school ending, flowers blooming, ice cream stands, and longer days.

No matter how bad your team was the year before, each and every true baseball fan enters that first pitch thinking, "hmm...could we contend this year?" Come on, you know you do it! But that's the beauty of baseball, the sheer sense of hope which is accompanied by each team and their fans as training camp comes to an end.

Unlike basketball, hockey and even football for that matter, baseball is a sport which is special in so many ways. For starters, baseball is pastoral, it's 19th-century America, it's old-fashioned, but yet evolving in both talent and philosophy by the minute. Baseball establishes a link between us and our forefathers. Baseball is the universal sports language throughout the American culture.

I'll tell you what, hearing about Johnny Bench and Carl Yastremski from your father, learning about Joe Dimaggio from your grandfather, and hearing tales of Honus Wagner and Babe Ruth from your great-grandfather establishes a very special bond between a father and a son that no other sport can claim.

One day, when I'm good and ready, I hope to tell my kids tales of the "great David Ortiz, Pedro Martinez, the bloody sock, Derek Jeter, Ken Griffey JR," and the list goes on.

That, my friends, is why baseball is the purest, most beautiful sport known to man. Baseball truly is a kids game. Grown-ups just screw it up.

Play ball, and God Bless, my fellow baseball fans.

Intramural basketball information

2007-04-01T00:34:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-Starting this week, The Comment will bring you all of this week's intramural basketball coverage. We will start off the week with the "Marquee Game" of the week, and then re-cap all the other games in the competitive league on the days they played.
-The regular recreation league scores and highlights will be next, and women's rec league coverage will round out the post.
-If you have any questions, comments, or points please let us know by sending us an e-mail or you can make a comment in the post tomorrow.
-The Comment will hopefully be taking photos of the basketball action as the season progresse's into the next month

Post game wrap-up comments

2007-03-31T23:30:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-Here's what head coach Rick Smith had to say about this afternoon's game:

-On the pitching performance in the first game:
-"Richards and the other pitcher (DiRoberto) matched up pretty well. Richards pitched an excellent game and he only had one mistake in the entire game."

-On the pitching performance in the second game:
-"Liffers went out there and gave us some good innings. Schilling went out there and closed the door on both of Worcester States rally's."

-Is Schilling going to be the closer (worked out of two jam's in the late innings)?:
-"No, Schilling will not be the closer. Hes just trying to work his way back into the starting rotation right now."

-On the 7-for-7 performance of junior catcher Kelly LaDow:
-"Hes a great player. He supposed to have that kind of performance; I don't expect anything less. He was also great defensively."

-Here's what Worcester State head coach Dirk Baker had to say about the game:

-On Game 1:
-"That was really a tough way to end game one for Bridgewater State, but we have been hitting the ball well all game. The play of the game was that ground ball (in the 8th, with the bases loaded) that Poce threw to first base that ended the inning. You will not see a better play than that anywhere else."

-On the pitching performance's in Game 1:
-"You had two seniors on the mound just battling up there. That's why you come out to watch a college baseball game on a Saturday afternoon."

-On Game 2:
-"Bridgewater scored a bunch of runs on us after we made really stupid mistakes. That's when good teams capitalize on things like that."

-Point about the split:
-"It is very difficult to win two games on the road in a league like this."

-Bridgewater State plays a double header versus Becker College tomorrow afternoon at 12 pm. Game 1 starter will be sophomore Dennis Jennette. Jennette is 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA in 10.2 innings pitched, He has appeared in two games (with one start). Game two starter will be freshman Spencer Hatstat. Hatstat its 1-0 on the season, in 7.1 innings pitched. He has appeared in two games giving up no runs on the season. Hatstat said he was looking forward to the start in the second game.

-Coach Smith said that he was going to play some of the younger kids off the bench tomorrow, and give the older guys a game or two off. This might be a smart move with the Bears having 6 games (two double-headers) in the next 6 days.

-The plan tomorrow will be to cover the softball and baseball game tomorrow with no pre-game coverage. We will recap the afternoon's game as soon as both games are over.

Baseball splits with league rival Worcester State

2007-03-31T22:00:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

In college baseball action today, the Bridgewater State baseball team split the opening MASCAC league double header with rival Worcester State. Worcester State took the first game 2-1 (in 9 innings) and Bridgewater took the second game 9-5.

"I think that its great that we are tied with Worcester State in the league right now," said head coach Rick Smith. "Its always good when you remain tied with the team that your most likely to see in the tournament at the end of the year."

The first game was a battle in extra innings by both starting pitchers. Bridgewater State senior right-hander Jordan Richards went the distance pitching 9 innings, giving up only 2 runs (1 earned) on 7 hits. He had 5 strikeouts, 6 walks, and 13 outs by way of ground ball. Worcester State senior Steve DiRoboberto went 8 innings, giving up 1 run (none earned) on 6 hits. He had 6 strikeouts, 3 walks, and a wild pitch.

Worcester State opened with a 1-0 lead in the 4th inning. Junior first baseman Nate Nelson singled to right field, junior outfielder Chris Gusha followed that up with a base hit. Nelson moved to third on a very well executed hit and run. Senior DH Kirk Monbleau followed that up with a walk and junior catcher Mark Logan drove him in, reaching first on a fielders choice.

Bridgewater tied the game up in the bottom of the 5th inning. Senior shortstop Jay Lamoureux reached base after an error by the third baseman. He then moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Sophomore right fielder Brad Koneski moved him over to third on a base hit to left field. In the middle of freshman third baseman Mark Claffey's at-bat, Lamoureux scored on a wild pitch.

The score remained tied until the top of the ninth inning. Logan led off the inning base hit that shortstop Lamoureux just could not get to. After he was bunted over to first, Bridgewater State made the decision to intentionally walk freshman shortstop . After second baseman Tom LaPrude flied out, Tom Huddleston reached first on a ground ball that should have been caught by freshman second baseman Nik Karangioze. With the bases now loaded sophomore left fielder Billy Manley hit a bouncing ground ball that Lamoureux misplayed and Worcester State scored the go ahead run.

Junior closer Travis Minor closed the door and picked up his second save of the year, facing four Bridgewater State batters in the bottom frame of the ninth.

Bridgewater State had a frustrating day at the plate stranding as many as 5 batters that could have tied or gotten the go-ahead run. Junior catcher Kelly LaDow was the lone standout for the Bears, who reached base all four times he was up in the game. He was 3-for-3, with a walk.

In the second game, Worcester State opened the game with a 1-0 lead. But in the bottom frame of the first inning, the Bears wasted no time with the bats hitting senior right-hander Eric Grabowski for 6 runs (1 earned) over the three innings that he worked in.

After Claffey grounded into a double play, junior left fielder Steve Smith worked a two out walk. Senior center fielder Andrew Dillon then reached base after Grabowski dropped a pop-up on the third base line. The Bears took advantage of the miscue and LaDow doubled in Smith from second and Dillon from first base. Senior DH Dana Hansen then doubled in Ladow, and sophomore Dave Kiloski doubled in Hansen. The Bears ended the first inning with a 4-1 lead.

Bridgewater added to its lead scoring two more in the third inning.

Worcester State tried to make the score close by rallying in the 6th inning. After a base hit to right center, Manley hit a two-run home run to make the score a 6-3 ball game. Sophomore Dave Liffers then walked Nelson and got the next two outs. But Logan got Liffers for a base hit and advanced to second on a misplayed ball in the outfield. With runners on second and third, junior third baseman Atchue got a base hit up the middle, that scored Nelson.

Junior Brian Schilling came into the game and allowed a double that scored Nelson. He then ended the inning on a fly to center field.

With the score 6-5, the Bears then rallied in the 6th inning for three runs. LaDow came up huge for the Bears, knocking in two big insurance runs.

In the top of the seventh, Schilling ended the game stranding the bases loaded and picking up his first save of the season.

Bridgewater right-hander Dave Liffers picked up his third win of the year. He went 5 2/3 innings, giving up 5 earned runs on 8 hits. He struck out 1, walked 2 batters, and picked up 11 outs by way of the ground ball.

The Bears were led by an outstanding offensive performance by LaDow. He was 7-for-7 on afternoon, and had six RBI's in the second game's 9-6 victory.

"I have been hitting the ball really well all along, during the season," said LaDow. "It was nice to see a couple of hits fall and it was nice to get a couple of RBI's."

We have more post game coverage in the next post.

Photo- Sophomore Dave Kiloski fields a ground ball
Credit- bridgew.edu

Softball team sweeps Worcester State

2007-03-31T18:30:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

In college softball action today the Bridgewater State Softball team took two from league rival Worcester State (1-10). The first game was a 8-0 victory and the second was a 4-3 victory.

In the first game, the Bears were led by a complete game shut out from sophomore Alyssa Verronneau (4-0). She went 6 innings scattering only 3 hits, and finished with 5 strikeouts and no walks.

The Bears went up early 4-0 in the first inning of the ball game. With runners on second and third, junior infielder Nicole Hebert doubled to center field and it scored both runners. Outfielder Ally LeBlanc then followed that up with a single through the left side of the infield. LeBlanc then advanced to second on a wild pitch and Hebert scored on the play. Sophomore second baseman Melissa McNamara followed that up reaching first on a throwing error by the shortstop and LeBlanc scored on the play.

Bridgewater then added to its lead by scoring three more runs in the third inning and one more in the seventh.

The Bears were led by sophomore shortstop Whitney Howe, who was 2-for-3 with a run and two RBI's. Hebert and McNamara were both 1-for-3 with two runs batted in on the game.

In the second game, Worcester State started the scoring adding two runs in the first inning. Bridgewater State came right back to take the 3-2 lead with a 3-run home run by junior outfielder Katie Holbrook.

Bridgewater's lead diminished when Worcester State took the lead back scoring two runs in the top of the 6th inning, to make the score 4-3. But the Bears stormed back in the bottom frame of the inning to retake the lead 5-4. They scored the tying run when sophomore third baseman Stacy Copodince singled in LeBlanc, on second base. Bridgewater scored the go ahead run when Howe doubled in LeBlanc from third.

On the game, the Bears were led by Holbrook who was 3-for-3 with a run and three RBI's. LeBlanc and Howe both were also 2-for-3 on the game.

Freshman Erika Christensen started the game for the Bears, and freshman Jamie Dukinski picked up the win in relief pitching four innings. Bridgewater pitching combined for 7 innings, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 5 hits. They also struck out 4 batters and walked 3 on the game.

Bridgewater State takes on a double-header with Wheaton College tomorrow at 12pm.

Note-Correction from this weeks paper. Jillian Vissonette did not win MASCAC player of the week, that honor goes to Alyssa Verronneau.

The answer is simple C's fans:Greg Oden

2007-03-31T16:36:00.001-05:00

Ian Abreu
News Editor

Len Bias, Reggie Lewis, Tim Duncan and Rick Pitino, what do they all have in common? All, in some way, shape or form have lended a helping hand in the demise of the once proudest franchise in sports: the Boston Celtics. If you're a "real" Boston Celtics fan, I'm sure I won't have to explain to you the significance each of these people have had in the demise of the Green.

After 21 years of sup-par basketball and no banners being raised atop the Garden rafters, it would seem fitting that finally, the "luck of the Irish" will swing towards Beantown and give Boston one of the top two draft picks in this year's roll of the ping pong balls.

There are two clear-cut choices (if decided to leave college) in this year's class that will anchor the 1-2 slots, Ohio State University center Greg Oden and University of Texas small forward Kevin Durant. Both could go in either order.

Here is why, if you're the Boston Celtics, you choose Oden.

Oden is a shot blocker, he's a rebounder, he knows how to crash the boards, both on the offensive and defensive side. As of March 14, 2007, Oden has averaged 15.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game, while earlier in the month he was named First Team All-Big Ten, as well being voted the conference's Defensive Player of the Year.

Remember the Ohio State/Tenessee matchup in the Sweet Sixteen a few weeks back? Oden blocked a potential game-winning shot in the final seconds to preserve an 85-84 victory, eventually leading Ohio State to a 92-76 win over Memphis to advance to the 2007 Final Four in Atlanta, Georgia.

Oden, along with Durant, are the first freshman whom were voted to the All-American First Team since 1990.

Nothing against Durant, but Oden is exactly what the Boston Celtics need, a "big man" down low. If you look at all of those great NBA championship teams of the past, most had a tenacious center corralling the paint (Kareem Abdoul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O'Neal, Robert Parish, Bill Walton, Dave Cowens, Tim Duncan, Bill Lambeer and the list goes on).

If the C's are to return to their "glory days" of the past, then they need to do so with Oden. Captain Paul Pierce isn't getting any younger, or happier for that matter. I must admit, I feel bad for the guy. He's just wasting his prime away in this town. Sure, there is a talented supporting cast in place, featuring the likes of: Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Tony Allen, Rajon Rondo and Delonte West, but that's all they are (with hopefully the exception of Jefferson/Rondo), talented, but yet complimentary players. All of the following aren't the "game-breakers" you need in order to compete in the NBA today.

Oden, however, is. A tandem of Oden/Jefferson down low in the paint, blocking shots, boxing defenders out, perfecting that short, but yet deadly jump-hook are all the ingredients the Celtics need below the basket to become a force in the Eastern Conference. Throw in the shooting, passing, and "shake-and-bake" moves of Pierce, toss in continued development Rondo and Gomes, and now, Boston might have something cooking.

Nothing against Durant, but what this team needs is a Tim Duncan, not a Kevin Garnett, a Bill Russell, not a Jerry West--get it?

A center leads, a center is the backbone, and, most importantly, a great center wins championships. The Boston Celtics will with Greg Oden.

Contingent on the ping pong balls, of course. Uy-vey...

Worcester State Pregame

2007-03-31T13:55:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-Good afternoon and welcome to Alumni Field. The Comment is here on the scene on this beautiful day 50 degree day here at the ball park and its going to stay nice. The weather.com report said that it will comfortable like this all afternoon. Winds are expected to come in from right-left field at about 5-7 MPH, with a high of 10 MPH

-The team had picture day down at the Tinsley Center at 10 pm. This means that the photographer will be taking new action photo shots for the Athletics website and they should be up sometime within the next two-three weeks.

-Worcester State enters today's game at 5-6 overall and they open league play today with Bridgewater State. The Game 1 starter for them will be right-hander Steve DiRoberto (1-2). Game 2 starter will be

-Today's starters for Bridgewater will be senior staff ace Jordan Richards (0-2) and sophomore Dave Liffers (2-0). Richards was spotted stretching out in the bullpen and the dugout prior to working out. He looked like he was ready to go, even before he threw a pitch.

-We asked Coach Smith some pregame questions before the game. Here they are:

-On the game-
-"We just want to go out there to play and win for first place right now. We have to hit and play good defense."

-On Worcester State-
-"Worcester State is a good team, highly competitive, and always come down here to Bridgewater ready to play once they walk into the gate."

-On today's starting pitchers-
-"Richards (Game 1 starter) is a veteran starter who is never rattled in the heat of the moment. Liffers (Game 2) is new to the MASCAC, but he is an experienced pitcher. This experience should carry him through the game."

-On this weeks practice-
-"We worked on recapping all of the things that are necessary to do: fundamentals, bunt defense, executing first and third situations, and things of that nature."

-We will bring you the game results of both the baseball and softball double-header games after they happen. Stay tuned for the updates. If you want to come down to watch the games the first game starts at about 12 pm and the second game will start at about 2:30-3 pm. A concession stand will be set up underneath the stands at the Softball field.

Final Four predictions

2007-03-31T01:30:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

Before I hit the sack to go to bed, I just had to spill out my Final Four predictions and analysis. I think this year's tournament has been exceptional. A couple of really big upsets, some marquee match-ups and surprises along the way. Those I will highlight for you at the end of the post. So now lets get to the predictions.

Florida-UCLA

-Lets look at it this way, of the teams remaining, both have the experience behind them to make anyone bet the house on them being the favorite to win the title. UCLA returns junior guard Arron Alffalo (leads team with 16.9 pts per game) and junior center Mata Lorenzo (leads team with 7.5 rebounds per game). But Florida returns 5 starters. For instance, they return all four starters who average double figures in points scored and Horford (9.5 rebounds) and Noah (8.2 rebounds) average and have out rebounded Lorenzo. And I think Florida is also a deeper team. Not only that, but they spread the ball around well as each of the starters average more than an assist a game. You don't see it often, especially with both the 4 and the 5 man averaging more than two a game.

-Florida is the kind of team that starts slow, and then all of a sudden kicks it into high gear around the 10 minute mark of the first half. They then play with a fire and intensity that makes them one of the best teams in the nation, and worthy of the ranking for the overall #1 seed in the tournament. The question that I ask you is, can UCLA play defense and make it tough for Florida to get into a grove and get into a scoring run if they are down by 10-12 points? I don't think that is going to happen. UCLA may have beaten a deep and very dangerous Kansas team. UCLA may have also won the regular season Pac 10 title. Don't get me wrong, the Pac 10 is one of the best conferences in college basketball, with 3 teams representing the conference in the Sweet 16. But let me refresh your memory about something, Florida plays in the dangerous SEC. The SEC also had three representatives in the Sweet 16 as well (Tennessee and Vanderbilt). This game will be interesting indeed. Two really good teams facing off for a defensive battle down the stretch. Or at least that's my hunch.
-Pick- Florida

Ohio State-Georgetown

-In watching these two teams play throughout the tournament, they just seem to just hang on. Ohio State almost lost to Xavier, had it not been for an amazing 3 point buzzer beater. Not to mention a great win over Tennessee with an outstanding block from man-child Greg Ogden. Georgetown is lucky to have made the Final Four after just getting by both North Carolina and Vanderbilt. But you know that great players make great plays and step it up when the game is on the line. You don't expect anything more and anything less. But any team can beat any other team on any given night.

-Georgetown made the tournament last year, and looks to avenge last years Sweet 16 loss to Florida. Ohio State has been in the Top 5 all year and proven itself a worthy challenge to beat Florida or UCLA for the championship. The question is, which team is going to step it up? I don't know about you, but this games going to come down to the wire. Both teams possess excellent play-makers with Ohio State's Greg Ogden, Ron Lewis, Mike Conley Jr and bench man Daequan Cook. And Georgetown has Roy Hibbert, Jeff Green, Ewing Jr. and Johnathan Wallace. I just have this feeling about Ohio State right now.
-Pick- Ohio State

-Final 2: Ohio State vs Florida
-Pick- Florida

Random thoughts about the tournament:

-Even though there were less at-large teams from teams from mid-major conferences, we saw Southern Illinois and Butler make it to the Sweet 16 as at-large teams. Had both teams won their tournaments like they were supposed to it would have opened the door for other at-large mid-major schools, but it didn't. But I just wanted to point out that both teams lived up to expectations of being ranked in the Top 25. But both teams just couldn't get past the #1 seed's. Someones got to win and someones got to loose I guess.
-Please someone get rid of Billy Packer. I am sick of him. Bring on the Simmons Ipod list to listen to during the game while its going on so you didn't have to listen to him. I should e-mail Simmons and tell him to make a list to listen to during every McCarver-Buck broadcast of a Yankees-Sox game. Thank god that happens only six times a year.
-This is the first year without a 5-12 seed upset. In fact, three of the 5 seeds made the Sweet 16. Maybe it wont happen again next year, who knows?
-There was also no "Cinderella" story this year. I mean not that I wouldn't have enjoyed listening to America buzz about it, random people you didn't know followed NCAA Basketball to start talking about it, and then the exclusive story interviews with the coaches, players, and passionate fans from whatever institution. But I would have gotten sick of the people who always say, "Oh I always root for the upsets in any tournament." Then again, I would have most likely enjoyed this much more than any headline involving Anna Nicole Smith. I think I'm getting sick to my stomach mentioning that name.
-Here are some notable upsets from this years tournament to recap-
-#11 VCU over #6 Duke
Best part had to be when they showed VCU on CBS and they were absolutely ecstatic they were facing Duke in the first round. Man Duke must have really sucked this year or what.
-#7 UNLV over Wisconsin
I thought Wisconsin just sucked when they played Ohio State. I mean they really, really kicked the bucket. That might have been just fatigue on their part, but UNLV really beat them, pretty good. Was UNLV that good? Well, when you have two teams other at-large teams making the tournament from the Mountain West, and Air Force make the final four of the NIT, that sure tells me that UNLV plays some pretty good competition. And besides, the Big 10 wasn't that good a conference this year anyway. I'll give props for every team for making it to the second round of play (from the Big 10), but that's as far as they got (minus Ohio State). For a conference that had three representatives in the final four two years ago, that's just sad.
-#11 Winthrop over Notre Dame
Consider this for a second: Winthrop had made the tournament 7 out of the last 8 years and was 0-7 all-time in NCAA Tournament history. But, one thing I was thinking about when I was filing out my bracket was how Notre Dame had a 106 CBS rating on strength of schedule. Not only that but they lost to such teams as South Florida, St. Johns, and DePaul; the bottom of the Big East. Their only quality wins were over Maryland, Alabama, West Virginia (ill give them credit for the NIT winner), Louisville, and Marquette. They just couldn't get it done versus the good teams (like loosing to Georgetown twice). Remember that when your filling out your bracket next year with overrated teams. Look a the schedule. Id love to meet someone that had Notre Dame in their Final Four. If they put money down (if gambling is legal?) I sure hope they had Georgetown, UCLA, and Ohio State in their Final Four.
-#2 Memphis over #3 Texas A & M
In my bracket, I had A & M going to the finals. And they almost won this game had they not blown the 20 chances they had to ice the game in the last minute. I mean, a missed layup by Ace Law III (who's been the clutch guy for them all year), the two missed free throws to go up by three, the four Memphis offensive rebounds, and a poorly executed desperation shot. No, I did not punch my fist through my 20" TV when the game was over, I just sighed and passed out for the evening.
-#2 Georgetown over #1 North Carolina
I thought a lot of people had NC winning the whole thing, plus not to mention all of the other NC fans rooting them on in this match up. It was an upset, even though it was a higher seed match up. The question is, did the better team win?
-#5 USC over #4 Texas
Lots of people thought Texas had the chance to beat North Carolina, but that just didn't happen did it. Guess USC was in the Pac 10 finals for a reason. I guess Kevin Durant's 30 points we rent enough to win the 68-87 ball game either.
-#8 Kentucky over #9 Villanova
No this wasn't even an upset, but this victory alone was not enough to keep Tubby Smith his job. Guess we know how hard it must be for any coach under that much fire, when an entire state expects an SEC championship (let alone National Championship). We wish Tubby the best of luck trying to rebuild the Minnesota Golden Gophers program. Minnesota's record the last 5 years has been a mediocre 77-80 (29-51 in the Big 10)

6 Compelling issues for the Boston Redsox --- more to come

2007-03-29T23:26:00.000-05:00

Shawn Medeiros
Sports Editor

The 2007 Boston Red Sox season is less than a week away. Every fan must be excited about the new season along with the new additions the Red Sox have. But what will be the compelling stories of this season. Let us take a deep look into that issue.

1) Daisuke Matsuzaka MLB Debut

Can Dice-K be what we paid him for this season? I think so but fans have to be patient with his development. My hunch is that he will win 13 games this year and the year after that he will win 15. Dice-K's first three starts will be electric then some of the league will start to figure him out and some fans may get riled up, but all in all Dice-K will have a very successful season.

2) J.D. Drew in right field

If you wanted to name a good 3,4,5 punch Drew's name is a great hitter for the 5 spot. If Drew can survive the Boston media he will be all set for a huge year with the Sox. Projecting Drew's season as long as he stays healthy he could potentially hit 20+ home runs and notching 110 rbi's with the Sox. The Sox ranked last in the #5 spot with a .231 avg. I think Drew's career avg can change that. (Drew's career avg over 9 season is .286)

3) Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo laugh counter

If Remy and Orsillo do not end up laughing at least 25 times this season to the point where no one calls the play I will be incredibly surprised. Come on every Red Sox fan enjoys this feature of NESN's broadcasts just as much as I do.

4) Lugo in the leadoff spot/Defense

If Francona lets this guy attempt to steal bases and let YOOOOOOOK hit him in from second this could be one deadly punch for a one and two hole combination. Lugo should do a lot better at the plate, all YOOOOOOOK references aside, the Gonzo but we certainly will be yelling that we wish we had Alex Gonzales on the first 10 errors that Lugo makes. All in all Lugo is an upgrade but I will miss Gonzo.

5) Manny being Manny

Let's face it. Without Manny being Manny we would have to write more stories about Willy Mo Pena not getting enough playing time. OOO well!. Manny trying to sell grills, not running out groundouts, and so on is more entertaining to me than half the stuff with the Red Sox. Plus when a guy like Manny produces over 100 rbis every season about 35 homeruns each season, who cares!

6) Pedroia at second base

As long as he doesnt make too many errors at second base and hits at least 265 I will be perfectly happy with him for his first full major league season under his belt. To be honest he will be hitting eitght or ninth and he is more importantly defensively

to this team since we

have enough firepower in the hitting department.

Softball loses first and ties versus Babson College

2007-03-29T23:00:00.000-05:00

Steven M. Miller Jr, staff writer

The Bridgewater State softball team lost the first game of their double-header matchup, but tied the second game. The second game was called off because of darkness going into extra innings. One complaint about the game was that the umpires took to long in between games.

In the first game, the Babson Beavers took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. The Bears then scored on back-to-back doubles by junior leftfielder Ciana Godin and sophomore rightfielder Katie Holbrook, with no one out in the fourth inning. The softball team then stranded Holbrook at the plate to end the inning. Over the final four innings, they left the five runners on base that would have tied the game up.

Freshman Erin Christianson (1-1) pitched the complete game giving up two runs (one earned), on 5 hits while striking out four.

In the second game, Bridgwater started the scoring with a pair of runs in the first. They then fell behind 3-2 in the top of the fifth inning. In the bottom frame of the fifth, Bridgewater scored the trying and go-ahead runs to make the score 4-3.

With the score 4-3 in the top of the seventh, the Bears saw that lead vanish before their eyes as Babson scored on a pair of unearned runs. Bridgewater then scored to tie the game in the bottom of the inning. Pinch hitter Rachel Sprague reached first base, after striking out to lead off the inning. Sprague moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, and then scored on an RBI single by Godin.

The game remained tied 5-5 in the top of the seventh, until the game was called off because of darkness. Sophomore Stephanie Pierce got the start in game two going 6 1/3 innings giving up 5 runs (3 earned) on 9 hits. She walked 1 and struck out 6.

The Bears enter their double-header matchup versus Worcester State with a 4-6-1 record. The opening pitch is at 12pm this Saturday.

Photo: Junior catcher Lindsey Allison takes a swing at the pitch
Photo credit- bridgew.edu

Women's Lacrosse beats Salve Regina 24-7

2007-03-29T22:00:00.000-05:00

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

-The Womens Lacrosse team has won their third strait victory to improve to 3-2 on the season. In the last three games the team has scored 20 or more points, a feat that hasnt been accomplished in the history of the program. Coach Erika Smith said that she was really pleased with the teams results today.

"We came out really strong, with a lot of intensity," said Smith. "We started the game off like we wanted to win the game."

A key in the victory for the Bears was domination of the first half. Bridgewater State led the margin in a few of the categories. For instance, the Bears held the advantage in shots by the endof the first half (24-8), in draw controls (13-6), and ground balls (12-6). Maintaing control of draw controls in any game is an important statistic. Its important because it tells you who had control of the ball for most of the game, similar to the time of possession statistic that is used in football box scores.

Leading the way for the Bears was freshman attacker Shannon Manning who scored a career high 6 goals. Junior midfielder Allison Gugliotta finished with 3 goals and an assist and freshman attacker Katie DeMaio had a goal and 3 assists on the afternoon.

Junior Midfielders Lauryn Serratore and Erica Murphy, and senior attacker Alicia Spolidoro each chipped in with 3 goals apeice.

Both goalies got in the game sharing time between the half's. Freshman Jessica Cereone played in the first half and freshman Chelsea Bracchi played in the second half. Each registered 6 saves apeice.

-After the game, the Comment sat down interview head coach Erika Smith. Here's what she had to say about todays victory:

On the game:
"We really came out pretty strong and played with a l. Both goalies played exceptionally well. We really controlled the ball well with getting as many draw controls as we did."

On the Win:
"This was really a big win for us. Because we arent affilated with any league in particular we have to hope that we make the ECAC Tournament. The goal is have a record above .500 so that we can qualify."

On players that stood out:
"Shannon Manning and Allison Gugliotta stood out for us today on offense (combined for 9 goals). Adrienne Berkland (defense) also had some key turnovers for us on defense."

-The Women's Lacrosse team plays its next two games on the road versus Worcester State on Tuesday and Wheaton College on Thursday.

Photos:
Right: Senior Attacker Alicia Spolidoro on the prowl for another goal
Left: Junior defender Heather Anzalooking to get the ball back up the field
Credit: bridgew.edu

Baseball holds on to 9-6 victory versus Endicott College

2007-03-29T19:58:00.000-05:00

Steven M. Miller Jr, Staff Writer

With a 9-6 victory over Endicott College, the Bears extend their 2-0 record up north. This victory also marks the fifth strait victory versus Endicott going all the way back to the 2000 season.

"I like the fact that we are 2-0 up north," said head coach Rick Smith. "I hope we continue this as we try to concentrate on the conference games this Saturday.

Freshman righthander Ben Altman picked up the victory for the Bears. It was his second appearance of the season as he went 7 2/3 innings allowing 5 runs (2 unearned) on 10 hits. He struck out 1 and walked 3.

I approached Altman after the game and he was pretty speechless about the win. "I just went out there and tried to throw strikes," he said. While Altman is not in the starting rotation, he gives the bullpen a much needed rest as the Bears have two double-headers over the weekend.

Junior leftfielder Steve Smith led the way for the Bears going 3-for-5 with two runs and a pair of runs batted in. Senior centerfer Andrew Dillon also stood out going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI’s and senor DH Dana Hanson finshed 2-for-5 with two runs and an RBI.

"Offensively the we had some timely hitting from Andrew Dillon and Steve Smith," said Smith. "Dana Hansen has also been swinging a pretty hot bat for us."

The Bears had an 8-1 lead throughout the entire way, until Endicott made it a game in the 8th inning. After Altman got the first two outs, the Bridgewater defense gave up two errors and allowed baserunners while Altman worked deeper into his 100+ pitch count. Sophomore Dennis Jennette relieved Altman and Endicott strung together four strait hits.

Endicott got another base hit, with the bases loaded, and third baseman Mark Claffey threw the ball away. Firstbaseman, Dave Kiloski, chased after the ball and threw the runner trying for third to end the inning.

The Bears added the insurance run in the bottom frame of the 8th inning and Jennette slamed the door on the game with a 1-2-3 9th inning.

"I think the defense has to get much better (to win games)," said coach Smith.

Bridgewater State takes on league rival Worcester State in a double-header matchup on Saturday. They then play another double header versus Beaker College on Sunday. Both games are at home and start at noontime.

If your interrested, here's the full game recap

Baseball Pregame

2007-03-29T17:30:00.000-05:00

Steven M. Miller Jr, Staff Writer

The Comment is here live at the Baseball game bringing you the latest information that is available. Here is a couple of pieces of information that we have for you prior to the games start:

-I spoke with Director of Facilities, Keith McDonald and he said that the field looked good to play on, but it is still a little soft out there (especially in the outfield). He said that there was a frost last night and it was quite a challenge to get both the softball and baseball field in playing condition because a frost brings water back up. The grounds crew started their work at about 11 am this morning to get the field ready for 1:30 pm.

"Things are always tentative in this season, when it comes to playing games.", said McDonald.

-Today's starter is Ben Altman, from Taunton, MA. Altman was a catcher in high school and pitched a couple of games in high school. He told me that he is really excited to get the nod for this afternoons game.

Altman has one appearance on the season coming out of the bullpen. His record is 0-0 on the season, with a 3.00 ERA pitching 3 innings, with a strikeout and a walk.

-Representing the office of the President is Mr. Bryan Baldwin and he will be throwing out the games ceremonial opening pitch. The ball was signed by all the members of the team this past Wednesday. He is the Assistant to the President for Communications and Public Affairs.

-The wind is blowing at 16 MPH from the right to the left at game time. Weather.com says gusts could reach up to 29 MPH. It is also currently 53 degrees and it is expected to be clear the rest of the afternoon.

-A recording of Coach Rick Smith's wife was played as the national anthem.

We will update you with the final score and highlights from the Baseball, Softball games. In addition, we will also post the score to today's Women's Lacrosse game and Men's Tennis matches. Softball has a double header versus Babson College, Tennis takes on Roger Williams, and the Women's Lacrosse team takes on Salve Regina.

3 and 4 Hitters contagious

2007-03-29T11:33:00.000-05:00

Shawn Medeiros
Sports Editor

With the wind blowing out at the UMASS-Dartmouth Athletic Complex yesterday, Steve Smith and Andrew Dillon took full advantage of it.

Both hitters looked poised for a good season starting off regular season play combining for six hits, eight rbi's, four runs, and two walks in a 15-13 win over the Corsairs.

Smith started off the first inning with an rbi single bringing home Right Fielder Brad Koneski, but this would not be the end of Smith's day.

Smith continued the onslaught in the 4th inning with a double which plated two runs.
Then Andrew Dillon came up and smacked a two run homer off of Corsairs pitcher Shaun McAuliffe.

Later, in the sixth inning Smith got his third hit of the day with a double to center field.

With an all ready impressive stat line Smith and Dillon continued to add to the box score. In the seventh inning with a Smith rbi single to left field and Dillon launching another homerun to center field for two rbi's.

Steve Smith rounds second base after hitting a homerun.
Shawn Medeiros/ Photo

BSC's next game is Thursday 3/29 vs Endicott College
at Home at 3:30.