Lacrosse Season Ends with oss to Curry College

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

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

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

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

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

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

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