This Week in SMC Athletics

The Saint Michael’s College men’s lacrosse team celebrated its return to the national polls with a pair of victories, while the softball squad ended the week with a dramatic walk-off win. The women’s tennis team advanced to their 12th-straight conference semifinal match, and will find out Tuesday if they qualified for their fourth-straight NCAA Tournament, while the baseball and women’s lacrosse squads lost to nationally-ranked opponents.

The 12th-ranked men’s lacrosse team (7-5, 6-2 Northeast-10 Conference) posted wins against Saint Anselm College and Pace University, and in the process clinched one of the top-four seeds in the NE-10 Tournament. As a result, Saint Michael’s has secured a home playoff game, and the Purple Knights have eclipsed last year’s win total with their seventh victory. Sophomore Pete Donnally (Madison, N.J.) led the offense with four goals and two assists on the week, leads the squad with 25 goals and 30 points, and was ranked third in the conference with 2.3 goals per game heading into Saturday. Junior Paul Tortora, Jr. (Fairfield, Conn.) netted a career-high four goals in Saturday’s win at Pace, helping the Purple Knights rally from a fourth-quarter deficit. Junior Kevin Hunt (Johnstown, N.Y.) has now scored a point in 10 straight games for the Purple Knights, who wrap up the regular season this week with league games at Bentley University on Wednesday night, and home with Assumption College in Saturday’s Senior Day on Duffy Field.

The women’s tennis team (13-5) lost 5-2 at top-seeded and nationally-ranked Southern New Hampshire University, the eventual NE-10 Tournament champions, in Wednesday’s Semifinal match. The team advanced to the Semifinal round for the 12th straight year by virtue of the team’s 5-0 shutout of fifth-seeded Bentley University in the NE-10 Quarterfinals last Monday (April 18) on the SMC Outdoor Courts. Senior Marybeth Ash (Westborough, Mass.) won all four of her matches last week, taking wins at No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles versus Bentley, and winning at No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles at SNHU. The Purple Knights are currently eighth in the East region, giving the program a shot at their fourth straight NCAA Division II Tournament berth. Head coach Greg Cluff was named the NE-10 Coach of the Year for the second time in his tenure with Saint Michael’s, while senior Marran Ranks (Stratham, N.H.), junior Emily Ogilvy (Bedford, N.H.), and sophomores Emily Magee (Queensbury, N.Y.) and Jean-Marie McGrath (Niwot, Colo.) also received All-Conference recognition. Saint Michael’s awaits the NCAA Tournament pairings which will be released on Tuesday.

The softball team (5-25, 3-17 NE-10) went 1-5 last week, but wrapped up the week with a dramatic 4-3 come-from-behind victory in game two versus Southern Connecticut State University on Friday on Doc Jacobs Field. Saint Michael’s rallied from down 3-0 and scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh to shock the Owls, securing the win on a walkoff base hit by senior Kelly Rose Losi (Milton, Mass.). The win snapped a 10-game losing streak for the Purple Knights, and capped a memorable Senior Day for Losi and classmates Meghan Colitti (Dover, N.H.) and Kate Condon (Holliston, Mass.). Condon went 6-for-18 last week with six runs scored, a double, a home run, and three runs batted in, while sophomore Carleen McLaughlin (Branford, Conn.) batted a team-high .500 (8-for-16) with five RBIs last week. Saint Michael’s is slated to play its final 10 games this week, the final eight of which are on the road, and ends its home schedule again the University of New Haven today (Monday) at 3 p.m.

The baseball team (5-19) went 0-4 last week and saw their losing streak reach six games with doubleheader losses at nationally-ranked Franklin Pierce University on Thursday, and at home against Saint Lawrence University on Friday. Freshman Tyler Wild (Quaker Hill, Conn.) batting a team-high .500 (5-for-10) for the week with a triple and two RBIs. Senior Pete Estes (Bennington, Vt.) went 4-for-13 with two doubles, and junior Jesse Sullivan (Saugus, Mass.) threw three innings of scoreless relief while striking out three against Franklin Pierce. The Purple Knights have seven games on tap this week, beginning with a doubleheader at Stonehill College today (Monday), and ending with Sunday’s Senior Day doubleheader against Assumption College on Doc Jacobs Field. Saint Michael’s also hosts Plattsburgh State University on Thursday in a “Think Pink” event.

The women’s lacrosse team (2-12, 1-9 NE-10) suffered losses at nationally-ranked Merrimack College and the University of New Haven last week, which extends the team’s losing streak to six games. Senior Joan Colloton (Albany, N.Y.) and junior Eliza Scoba (Franklin, Mass.) saw their 11-game goal-scoring streaks come to an end on Saturday, but junior Sandy Palumbo (Guilford, Conn.) averaged 13 saves per game last week and still ranks in the top five nationally in that category. Saint Michael’s hosts Southern New Hampshire University and American International College this week to close the season, and will celebrate its Senior Day against the Yellow Jackets on Saturday.

Men's ice hockey senior Tully LaBelle-Hamer (Fairbanks, Alaska) was named the 2011 NE-10 Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award winner for men’s ice hockey, it was announced on Wednesday. LaBelle-Hamer was selected for his excellence on the ice and in the classroom, as he skated in all 27 of the team's games and set a career high with eight points. He also has a cumulative 3.885 grade point average as an electrical engineering major, has made the Dean's List all seven semesters, and was recently named to the NE-10 Academic All-Conference Team. He is the second Purple Knight to receive the award in the last two years, following Dave Vorozilchak ’10 last year.

This Week’s Schedule:

Mon. Apr. 25 Baseball at Stonehill (DH) 1 p.m.
Softball vs. New Haven (DH)* 3 p.m.

Tue. Apr. 26 Softball at Southern New Hampshire (DH)* 3 p.m.

Women’s Lacrosse vs. Southern New Hampshire* 4 p.m.

Wed. Apr. 27 Baseball at Middlebury (DH) 2 p.m.
Softball at Saint Rose (DH)* 2:30 p.m.
Men’s Lacrosse at Bentley* 7 p.m.

Thu. Apr. 28 Baseball vs. Plattsburgh (Think Pink!) 3:30 p.m.

Sat. Apr. 30 Softball at American International (DH)* 1 p.m.

Women’s Lacrosse vs. American International* 1 p.m.

Men’s Lacrosse vs. Assumption* 4 p.m.

Sun. May 1 Softball at Assumption (DH)* 12 p.m.

Baseball vs. Assumption (DH) 1 p.m.

This Week in SMC Athletics

With winter weather overstaying its welcome, the Purple Knights battled the elements andtheir opponents last week. Women’s tennis secured a postseason spot, baseball snapped its losing skid and men’s and women’s lacrosse hosted “Think Pink!” events to highlight another busy week of spring athletics.

Women’s tennis closed out the regular season by going 2-1 for the week and finished with a dominant 9-0 shutout of American Int’l on Saturday. Saint Michael’s earned the fourth seed for the Northeast-10 Conference Tournament and will host fifth-ranked Bentley in Monday’s quarterfinals at 2 p.m. on the outdoor courts. The contest will be the final home match for seniors Marybeth Ash (Westborough, Mass./Westborough), Deahna Giguere (Oakland, Maine/Messalonskee) and Marran Ranks (Stratham, N.H./Exeter), who combined for 55 wins in the past four years and solidified themselves as the winningest class in program history.

Men’s tennis posted a 2-1 mark in its final week of competition, finishing 3-8 in NE-10 play and narrowly missing the league tournament for the first time since the 2005-06 season. Ryan Magee (Queensbury, N.Y./Queensbury), the squad’s lone senior, finished his collegiate career with a 3-0 mark in doubles play for the week, highlighted by an 8-0 blanking of Assumption at the No. 2 doubles position on Saturday.

Men’s lacrosse went 1-1 last week, picking up a 7-4 win at Franklin Pierce on Wednesday before suffering a heartbreaking 7-6 double overtime setback at home against Adelphi on Saturday. Sophomore Pete Donnally (Madison, N.J./Morristown-Beard) led the offense with six goals and has scored 13 times in the last four games. Freshman goalie Chris Demairo (Bethpage, N.Y./Bethpage) was solid in net with 15 saves and just eight goals allowed, and junior captain Kevin Hunt (Johnstown, N.Y./Johnstown) extended his streak to eight games with at least one point. Saint Michael’s hosts Saint Anselm on Tuesday and travels to Pace on Saturday in the second-to-last week of NE-10 regular season competition.

Women’s lacrosse was officially eliminated from playoff contention with two home losses last week. Saint Michael’s lost a tightly-contested 13-12 decision against Saint Anselm on Tuesday before falling 24-2 to top-ranked Adelphi on Saturday. Senior Joan Colloton (Albany, N.Y./Academy of the Holy Names) tallied five goals and three assists during the week, and joins junior Eliza Scoba (Franklin, Mass./Franklin) in scoring a goal in each of the last 10 games for Saint Michael’s. The Purple Knights hit the road to take on Merrimack and New Haven this week for their final away contests of the season.

Softball went 1-6 last week, snagging a 7-5 win at UMass Lowell in game one of Tuesday’s doubleheader before dropping its next five contests. Sophomore Stephanie Frank (Essex, Vt./Essex) picked up the complete-game win against the River Hawks, senior Kelly Rose Losi (Milton, Mass./Milton) clubbed her first home run of the year, and senior Meghan Colitti (Dover, N.H./Berwick Academy) recorded her 100^th career hit against Merrimack on Thursday. Saint Michael’s had Sunday’s doubleheader at Saint Rose postponed due to unplayable field conditions, but will return to action for a league doubleheader at Franklin Pierce on Tuesday.

Baseball snapped an eight-game losing streak with an 8-1 win over Lyndon State in game one of Thursday’s doubleheader, but suffered three loses to regionally-ranked teams in a 1-4 week overall. The Purple Knights received courageous pitching performances from junior Austin Ziskie (Chevy Chase, Md./Bethesda Chevy Chase), who allowed three earned runs in six-plus innings at UMass Lowell on Tuesday, and sophomore Collin Fishman (Bethesda, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel), who improved his team-best 2.35 earned run average by allowing one run on four hits in six innings with seven strikeouts in Thursday’s win over the Hornets. FreshmanAlec Tice (Chelmsford, Mass./Chelmsford) swung it well at the plate last week, going 7-for-13 with a double, triple and three RBIs, and sophomore Jacob Begnoche (Essex Jct., Vt./Essex (Univ. of Vermont)) went 6-for-14 with a three-hit performance at Williams College on Friday. The Purple Knights have six games on tap this week, beginning with a “Think Pink!” home event against Middlebury on Wednesday.

Men’s ice hockey held its end-of-the-year banquet on Tuesday, handing out several team awards and naming its captains for the 2011-12 season. Named the team's captain for next season is rising junior Josh Geary (Wellesley, Mass./Phillips Andover Academy), while classmates Morgan Bell (Revelstoke, B.C./Saint Alberts Saints (AJHL)) and Dan Evarts (Hinesburg, Vt./Green Mountain Glades (EJHL)) will serve as the squad's assistant captains. All three players tallied 10 points last season, and combined to play in 68 contests.

Mon. Apr. 18

Women’s Tennis vs. Bentley#, 2 p.m.

Tue. Apr. 19

Softball at Franklin Pierce (DH)*, 3:30 p.m.

Men’s Lacrosse vs. Saint Anselm*, 4 p.m.

Wed. Apr. 20

Baseball vs. Middlebury^, 3:30 p.m.

Softball vs. Saint Anselm (DH)*^, 3:30 p.m.

Women’s Lacrosse at Merrimack*, 6 p.m.

Thu. Apr. 21

Baseball at Franklin Pierce (DH), 3 p.m.

Fri. Apr. 22

Softball vs. Southern Connecticut (DH)*, 12 p.m.

Baseball vs. Saint Lawrence, 4 p.m.

Sat. Apr. 23

Baseball vs. Saint Lawrence (DH), 12 p.m.

Softball vs. New Haven (DH)*, 12 p.m.

Men’s Lacrosse at Pace*, 1 p.m.

Women’s Lacrosse at New Haven*, 1 p.m.

*Northeast-10 Conference Game

#NE-10 Quarterfinals

^Think Pink! Event

Volleyball Spring Season

Although volleyball is a fall sport, we do practice in the Spring. Practices are only a couple times a week, but it's a great way for the team to be together and do what we all love to do; play volleyball!! The purpose of Spring Practices are to work on individual skills, as well as play together before we leave for the Summer. This past Friday, we had a special guest who showed us some plyometric exercises. The program is really effective in increasing quickness, balance, and your vertical, which are all critical to have as a volleyball player. It was a lot of hardwork, but also really fun! Yesterday was a big day for the Volleyball team. We had a tournament at Colby Sawyer College. We played 6 different teams throughout the day; Colby Sawyer College, Plymouth State University, University of New England, Keene State College, Southern New Hampshire University, and Roger Williams University. It was a lot of fun and we played a lot of volleyball. :) Instead of standard matches, each game was timed for 30 minutes where you played as much volleyball as possible. We did really well as a team and our Coach was really proud of us. If you want to learn more about the Saint Michael's Volleyball Team, check out our website! - Brianna :)

This Week in SMC Athletics

Wins were tough to come by for the Purple Knights last week, but women’s tennis reached the 10-win mark for the season and softball snapped a seven-game losing streak to highlight a full schedule of Saint Michael’s athletics action.

Women’s tennis reached the 10-win mark for the sixth straight year and the 11th time in the last 12 years with an 8-1 win over Merrimack on Thursday. Saint Michael’s then nearly handed Southern N.H. its first league loss on Sunday but eventually fell to the nationally-ranked Penmen 5-4. Sophomore Jean-Marie McGrath (Niwot, Colo./Alexander Dawson School) went 2-0 in both singles and doubles play last week and did not lose a game in either of her matches in an 8-1 win over Merrimack on Thursday. The Purple Knights play their last three matches of the season this week with contests against Stonehill, American Int’l (Senior Day on Thursday) and Assumption.

Men’s tennis lost its seventh straight match this week with an 8-1 setback to league-leading Merrimack. FreshmanNick Bosco (Glastonbury, Conn./East Catholic) picked up the lone win at No. 1 singles for Saint Michael’s, which wraps up its season with three matches this week, including Saturday’s Senior Day against Assumption.

Softball snapped a seven-game losing streak and earned its first Northeast-10 Conference win of the year with a 4-3 decision over Pace in game two of a home doubleheader on Sunday. Saint Michael’s bounced back from being no-hit on their way to losing 12-0 in game one, and rallied from down 2-1 to take a 3-2 lead on a two-run homer by freshman Bethany Falls (Essex Junction, Vt./Essex). The Setters tied the game in the top of the sixth, but senior Kelly Rose Losi (Milton, Mass./Milton) ripped the game-winning RBI-single in the bottom of the inning to give the Purple Knights their first win since March 18. Sophomore Stephanie Frank (Essex, Vt./Essex) had a solid week on the mound with five pitching appearances, throwing 27.2 innings, posting a 3.29 ERA and striking out 19 batters. She earned the win in relief in game two against Pace on Sunday, allowing one run on four hits in 4.2 innings and striking out four. Saint Michael’s travels to UMass Lowell for a league doubleheader on Tuesday before hosting two more NE-10 games against Merrimack on Thursday.

Baseball dropped both ends of its home-opening doubleheader against Southern N.H. on Friday, falling 6-0 and 7-1. The Purple Knights received a solid pitching performance from sophomore Collin Fishman (Bethesda, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) in game one as the righty allowed only one run on three hits in five innings of work. Saint Michael’s mustered just five hits in the two games with freshman Alec Tice (Chelmsford, Mass./Chelmsford)collecting a single in each contest. Saint Michael’s is slated for seven games this week, beginning with a doubleheader at UMass Lowell on Tuesday and two home games versus Lyndon State on Thursday.

Men’s lacrosse saw its three-game win streak come to end with an 11-5 loss at second-ranked Le Moyne on Saturday. Saint Michael’s, who climbed to the #1 spot in the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) Division II Poll last week, could not pull off what would have been the first 4-0 start in NE-10 play in program history. The Purple Knights return to action next week at Franklin Pierce on Wednesday and at home against Adelphi on Saturday.

Women’s lacrosse suffered tough road losses at Bentley and Assumption this week. The Falcons used a 12-goal first half to top Saint Michael’s 18-3, and the Greyhounds surged to a 10-goal second half to win 14-6. Prior to the weekend, junior goalie Sandy Palumbo (Guilford, Conn./Guilford) ranked second in the nation in Division II in saves per game with 13.44 and is first in the nation among goalies who have played the majority of their team’s minutes in goal. The Purple Knights host two NE-10 contests next week with Saint Anselm on Tuesday and Adelphi on Saturday.

Three senior scholar-athletes were inducted into the Gamma Chapter of Vermont of Phi Beta Kappa on Friday: field hockey’s Natalie Elvidge (Newton, N.J./Newton), baseball’s Pete Estes (Bennington, Vt./Mount Anthony Union), and men’s soccer’s Rondel Ward (Saint George, Barbados/Harrison’s College HS). As the nation’s oldest academic honor society, Phi Beta Kappa, founded in 1776, is dedicated to promoting excellence in the liberal arts. Less than one percent of college graduates nationwide are admitted, and Saint Michael’s is one of just three institutions in Vermont to have Phi Beta Kappa chapters on their campuses.

The Purple Knights will show their support for breast cancer awareness this week, as all six spring sport programs take part in the "Pink Zone" breast cancer initiative. "Think Pink" contests begin on Thursday at the women's tennis home match versus American International College. The initiative continues on Saturday as the women's and men's lacrosse teams host Adelphi University at 12 and 3 p.m., respectively, on Duffy Field at Doc Jacobs Complex, and the men's tennis team takes on Assumption College at 1 p.m. Finally, the "Think Pink" games conclude on Wednesday, April 20, as the baseball team takes on Middlebury College at 3:30 p.m., and the softball squad hosts Saint Anselm College in a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader, with both games on Doc Jacobs Field. All fans attending the "Pink Zone" contests are encouraged to show their support for breast cancer awareness by wearing pink to the games. Each contest will also include exciting raffle prizes, raffles, and contests for fans to take part in. All proceeds from Saint Michael's "Pink Zone" games will benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Vermont.

This Week’s Schedule:

Day Date Event

Mon. Apr. 11 Men’s Tennis vs. Franklin Pierce*, 3:30 p.m.

Tues. Apr. 12 Softball at UMass Lowell (DH)*, 3 p.m.

Baseball at UMass Lowell, 3:30 p.m.

Women’s Lacrosse vs. Saint Anselm*, 4 p.m.

Wed. Apr. 13 Women’s Tennis vs. Stonehill*, 3 p.m.

Men’s Lacrosse at Franklin Pierce*, 7 p.m.

Thu. Apr. 14 Baseball vs. Lyndon State (DH), 3 p.m.

Softball vs. Merrimack (DH)*, 3:30 p.m.

Women’s Tennis vs. American Int’l*^#, 3:30 p.m.

Fri. Apr. 15 Baseball at Williams, 4 p.m.

Sat. Apr. 16 Women’s Lacrosse vs. Adelphi*^, 12 p.m.

Softball at Le Moyne (DH)*, 12 p.m.

Women’s Tennis at Assumption*, 1 p.m.

Men’s Tennis vs. Assumption*^#, 1 p.m.

Men’s Lacrosse vs. Adelphi*^, 3 p.m.

Sun. Apr. 17 Softball at Saint Rose (DH)*, 12 p.m.

Baseball at Clarkson (DH), 1 p.m.

*Northeast-10 Conference Game

^Think Pink! Event

#Senior Day Event

This Week in SMC Athletics

Adverse weather continued to fuss with scheduling last week, but the Purple Knights rolled on as men’s lacrosse knocked off nationally-ranked Merrimack and women’s lacrosse earned its first Northeast-10 Conference win of the season.

Men’s lacrosse opened its home schedule with two league wins last week, and is off to a 3-0 league start for the first time since 2007. That was also the last year Saint Michael's had defeated Merrimack, before Wednesday's 8-6 upset of the sixth-ranked Warriors, the defending NE-10 Tournament champions. In Saturday's 16-5 rout of American International, junior Paul Tortora, Jr. (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Prep) handed out a career-high six assists, just one shy of matching the program record. Sophomore Pete Donnally (Madison, N.J./Morristown-Beard) scored a career-high five goals in the win, while freshmen Connor Glackin (South Huntington, N.Y/Saint Anthony’s HS) and Chris Casserly (Kensington, N.H/Exeter) each scored their first collegiate goals. Saint Michael's has won three straight for the first time since April 9-15, 2008, and have allowed six goals or fewer in three straight games since April 1-8, 2006. Saint Michael's plays just once this week, at nationally-ranked Le Moyne on Saturday.

Women’s lacrosse earned its first league victory of the season - and first for head coach Ashley Hughes - with Saturday's 17-7 win versus Southern Connecticut. Junior Eliza Scoba (Franklin, Mass./Franklin) netted a career-high five assists and eight points versus the Owls, while sophomore Caitlin Mahoney (Cohasset, Mass./Cohasset) netted a career-high three goals. The 10-goal win matched Saint Michael's biggest since a 23-6 victory against Franklin Pierce on March 31, 2008. Scoba and senior Joan Colloton (Albany, N.Y./Academy of the Holy Names) both carry six-game scoring streaks into this week, as the Purple Knights visit Bentley and Assumption.

Baseball lost both ends of a doubleheader at New Haven on Sunday in its first action since 11 games in Florida from March 13-19. The Chargers, ranked seventh in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Division II East Regional Poll, topped the Purple Knights 4-1 in the first game and 11-7 in the nightcap. JuniorAustin Ziskie (Chevy Chase, Md./Bethesda Chevy Chase) continued to pitching consistently and tossed seven innings and scattered six hits for four runs, but Saint Michael’s mustered just three hits behind him. Junior Tim McDonnell (Durham, N.H./Oyster River) ripped a triple to right field and scored the lone Purple Knights run in the contest. In game two, Saint Michael’s fell behind early but used a three-run sixth inning to tie the game at 6-6. New Haven would not be outdone, however, and banged out five more runs between the seventh and eighth innings for the win. Junior Chad Estey (New Haven, Vt./Mount Anthony Union) and freshman Tyler Wild (Quaker Hill, Conn./St. Bernard School) each had two hits and combined to drive in five runs in game two. The Purple Knights hope to snap a four-game losing skid when they head to Middlebury on Tuesday for a 3:30 p.m. contest.

Softball had all six of its scheduled games postponed last week. Saint Michael's is slated to open its home season - and conference schedule - on Wednesday versus Bentley, and also have home doubleheaders on tap for the weekend. The Purple Knights are scheduled to play their 30-game NE-10 schedule in a 26-day span.

Men’s tennis saw its losing streak reach six matches with losses to Southern N.H. and Adelphi last week. The Purple Knights were blanked 9-0 by the Penmen on Tuesday, and senior Ryan Magee (Queensbury, N.Y./Queensbury) earned the lone win at No. 5 singles in Sunday’s 8-1 loss at Adelphi. Saint Michael’s will look to turn things around with a home match versus Merrimack on Wednesday.

Women’s tennis had its lone match of the week postponed due to weather. The Purple Knights, ranked ninth in the 2010-11 Campbell/Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) College Tennis East Regional Rankings, were scheduled to play Stonehill last Friday, but will now host the Skyhawks on April 13. Saint Michael’s returns to action on Tuesday at Merrimack at 3:30 p.m.

This Week’s Schedule:

Tue. Apr. 5

Baseball at Middlebury, 3:30 p.m.

Women’s Tennis at Merrimack*, 3:30 p.m.

Wed. Apr. 6

Softball vs. Bentley (DH)*, 3 p.m.

Men’s Tennis vs. Merrimack*, 3:30 p.m.

Women’s Lacrosse at Bentley*, 7 p.m.

Fri. Apr. 8

Baseball vs. Southern N.H. (DH), 3 p.m.

Sat. Apr. 9

Softball vs. Adelphi (DH)*, 12 p.m.

Men’s Lacrosse at Le Moyne*, 2 p.m.

Women’s Lacrosse at Assumption*, 3 p.m.

Sun. Apr. 10

Softball vs. Pace (DH)*, 12 p.m.

Women’s Tennis at Southern N.H.*, 1 p.m.

*Northeast-10 Conference Game