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.

Afternoon and Evening plan

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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.