Womens Track and Field place in All New Englands

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.