Division III Softball and Baseball College World Series update

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.

Allie LeBlanc named to NFCA All-New England Team

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.

MASCAC Baseball-Softball All Conference teams announced

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

Quadruple Header this afternoon

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.

Early games this week cancelled or postponed

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

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.

Around the bases and lacrosse field

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

Softball to play Salem State in doubleheader

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.

Softball game postponed, Baseball game in doubt

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.

Softball drops two more at home to Rhode Island College

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

Bridgewater State softball drops two to Wheaton College

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

Softball team sweeps Worcester State

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.

Softball loses first and ties versus Babson College

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

Baseball looks to open season tomorrow and the Womens Lacrosse victory

Steven M. Miller Jr, Staff Writer

Baseball

The Bridgewater State baseball (2-5) team looks to take on non-conference rival Umass Dartmouth (3-5) tomorrow at 3 pm, at Umass. The starting pitcher junior Brian Schilling gets the nod as the team plays its first game up north. Schilling looks to rebound after getting roughed up in his first start, down in Florida. Hes 0-1, with a 19.64 ERA in 3.2 IP, with 4 walks and 4 strikeouts

There is also a game scheduled for Thursday versus Endicott, but the outlook is grim for that game. Coach Smith walked out onto the field today and the dirt (not the grass) sunk to the ground. Its possible the field may not be ready until the Bears open up league play on Saturday.

The Bears look to play a double-header versus Worcester State on Saturday, starting at 12 pm. The projected starters are senior staff ace Jordan Richards (0-2) and #2 right-hander Dave Liffers (2-0).

Freshman righthander Spencer Hatstat and junior Steve Smith also received honerable mentions, in this weeks MASCAC Player of the Week awards. Hatstat pitched 4.1 innings of 2 hit relief, in the teams matchup versus Oneonta State. He confused batters with his offspeed pitches, and struck out 7, in the appearance. Smith batted .333, had 4 runs scored, and 5 runs batted in on the Florida trip.

Pictured- Junior outfielder Steve Smith

Softball

The 5-5 softball team was scheduled to play Endicott this afternoon, but the game was cancelled. Their field too has been unplayable, however, they did practice on it earlier today.
Sophmore pitcher Alysssa Verronnea, was also named MASCAC League Player of the Week. Down in Florida, Verronnea was 3-0 in three starts, with two shutouts and three complete games. She posted a 0.37 ERA in 19 innings of work, to go along with 19 strikeouts.

Junior outfielder Katie Holbrook was also named to this weeks MASCAC Honor roll. She led the team with a .364 batting average and 2 home runs and 11 RBI's. Holbrook said today that she was surprised that one of her home runs even cleared the fence. She just jogged around the bases in shock as she was pretty sure it was a check swing.

The Lady Bears look to start their season (up north) versus Worcester State. Their double-header starts at 12 pm.



Women's Lacrosse

The 2-2 Women's Lacrosse team handled an inexperienced Norwich College team this afternoon, by the score of 23-3. This was Norwich colleges first game in their schools history, after making the jump from Club status. Leading the way for the team was junior midfielder Lauryn Serratore, who registered 3 goals, and 2 assists. Freshman attacker Lauren Manning also had 3 goals and an assist on the game. They were led defensively by senior Kathleen Cote, who drew 4 turnovers and 5 ground balls.

The Lacrosse team takes on Salve Regina this Thursday at 4 pm, at Swenson Field.


Pictured- Junior midfielder Alison Gugliotta