RIC athletics recap: gymnastics hosts regionals, spring sports begin play

Tim Yean

Sports Editor

Sunday, March 1

Gymnastics @ Utica University – 1st place out of four, team score 189.375

The end of the regular season for gymnastics brought their second first-place finish of the year. Third-year Payton Greene finished as the top gymnast all-around in the competition with a total score of 38.150.

Wrestling @ NCAA Div. III Northeast Regional Wrestling Championship (New London, CT) – 15th place out of 19

Fifth-year Aidan Faria and first-year Domenick Sousa had sixth-place finishes at 174 lbs and 125 lbs, respectively. Fourth-year Wil Hunt placed eighth at 157 lbs.

Track and field @ New England Div. III Championships (Boston, MA) – 24th of 30 (men), 28th of 33 (women)

Fourth-year Brandon Mota and third-year Enrique Edjang finished fifth (16.97m) and eighth (16.43m), respectively, in the weight throw to earn All-New England Honors. Fourth-year Haley Oliver finished fourth in the 3,000 (9:49.18) and yet again broke the school record for the event to earn All-New England Honors.

Women’s basketball @ University of Southern Maine (Little East Championship) – L, 71-54

A third-quarter surge from Southern Maine, 26-14, broke a halftime tie and established a lead that would never be relinquished. Third-year guards Abby Wager and Meagan Schuermann each provided 15 points in the loss. Wager also acquired seven rebounds and three blocks.

Friday, March 6

Track and field @ New England Intercollegiate Amateur Athletic Association (NEICAAA) Championship (Boston, MA) – Women: 10th of 15 (team score 36.0); Men: did not score as a team

For the women, fourth-year Haley Oliver earned All-NEICAAA Honors in the 5,000m. Men’s third-year Enrique Edjang and fourth-year Brandon Mota placed ninth and 10th in the weight throw, respectively.

Saturday, March 7

Gymnastics @ National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) East Regional Championship (held @ RIC) – 3rd of 7, team score 192.200

Fourth-year Abbey Bunch became the first Anchorwoman in program history to win a regional title on bars. Her score of 9.775 set a new RIC record and sent her to the NCGA National Championship. Assistant gymnastics coach Kelsey Gates was named the NCGA East Region Assistant Coach of the Year.

Men's Track and Field @ Tufts Final Qualifier (Medford, MA) – Individual meet, no team scoring

Mota was the lone athlete competing for RIC, finishing second in the weight throw (17.52m).

Softball vs College of St. Scholastica (Kissimmee, FL) – W, 8-3

RIC scored six runs in the fourth inning to blast the Anchorwomen to victory. Second-year third baseman Gabrielle Sweeney was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run. First-year pitcher Mia Crudale notched her first win at the college level. 

Softball vs Penn State Berks (Kissimmee, FL) – W, 5-1

First-year designated player Lily Bell went 1-for-3 with her first career home run to aid in the win. Third-year pitcher Ashleigh von der Linden pitched the full seven innings, recording eight strikeouts. 

Women’s lacrosse @ Curry College – L. 13-4

Third-year attacker Livia Sweeney and third-year midfielder Lily Nees punched in two goals apiece to lead RIC in scoring. Second-year goalkeeper Abaigeal Estano had eight saves. 

Baseball @ William Peace University (Raleigh, NC) – L, 13-3 (eight innings)

Fourth-year catcher Sean Gallagher went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. First-year pitcher Jace Wolfradt was dealt the loss. 

Sunday, March 8

Baseball @ William Peace University – L, 7-3 (game one), L, 6-5 (game two)

Game one: Fourth-year first baseman Daniel Cascio had two RBI in, going 1-for-3. Second-year pitcher Ben Nowinski was handed the loss. 

Game two: RIC let away an RBI single to close out the tight second game. Second-year left fielder George Threats went 3-for-3 with an RBI, two walks and two runs scored. Second-year pitcher Casey Williams had the loss with an inning of work.

Softball vs North Central College (Clermont, FL) – W, 4-3

RIC starts with a crisp 3-0 record to begin spring play in Florida, piling up runs in the first three innings to hold on for the win. Second-year third baseman Gabrielle Sweeney went 3-for-3 in her at-bats with a run. First-year pitcher Mia Crudale was credited with her second win of the season and her career. 

Softball vs Penn State Brandywine (Clermont, FL) – L, 8-2

The Anchorwomen allowed five runs in the first inning and couldn’t match the firepower as RIC was handed its first loss of the year. Third-year shortstop Joey Meyer went 2-for-4 in her at-bats. Third-year pitcher Ashleigh von der Linden was given the loss.

Monday, March 9

Softball vs Regis College (Clermont, FL) – W, 15-2 (five innings)

Four-plus runs in three of the four innings played by RIC forced mercy rule on the game as Regis mustered up a run apiece in their opening innings. Second-year first baseman Jill Guilfoyle went 4-for-4 with two doubles and six RBI. Third-year pitcher Emma Wood was given the victory, pitching three innings with six K’s.

Softball vs Suffolk University (Clermont, FL) – W, 12-7

The Anchorwomen piled on six runs in the fourth inning to secure back-to-back ten-run games and secure their fifth victory in central Florida. Third-year left fielder Melanie Earley went 2-for-3 with two RBI. First-year pitcher Mia Crudale relieved and earned the win. 

Baseball @ William Peace (Raleigh, NC) – W, 8-3

The Anchormen end their three-day stint in Raleigh with a closing victory to finish up 1-3 against the Pacers. First-year Evan Davis went 2-for-4 with four RBI. Third-year pitcher Stephen Sullivan was given the win with four innings of work, with three strikeouts. 

Tuesday, March 10

Baseball @ Catholic University of America (Washington, D.C.) – L, 15-6

RIC opened up the game with two runs apiece in the first two innings, but the Catholic offense hammered right back with 13 runs total in the second through fourth innings to come away with the win. Third-year second baseman Aiden Bolwell accrued two hits in three at-bats with two RBI and two walks. First-year pitcher Ruben Cortorreal took the loss. 

Wednesday, March 11

Softball vs Skidmore College (Clermont, FL) – W, 12-9

Skidmore aimed for a late comeback at the top of the sixth inning, scoring six runs to tie the game nine-all, but the Anchorwomen responded swiftly with three runs at the bottom of the sixth to help clinch the win. Fourth-year second baseman Noelle Simmons went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Fourth-year pitcher Gabby Cunha was given the win with critical relief pitching in the final inning to seal the victory.

Softball vs Calvin University (Clermont, FL) – L, 2-0

The Anchorwomen suffered their second loss of the year in a defensive battle with the Knights. Second-year first baseman Jill Guilfoyle had two hits on three at-bats. Fourth-year pitcher Gabby Cunha was given the loss pitching the entire way.

Baseball @ Catholic University of America – L, 11-5

RIC’s final game of the spring trip concluded with a tough loss to the Cardinals to start out 1-6 in overall play. Fourth-year catcher Sean Gallagher went 2-for-4 with a home run. Second-year pitcher Casey Williams, who threw two strikeouts, was given the loss.

Women’s lacrosse @ Salve Regina University – L, 15-5

Third-year midfielder Lily Nees hit paydirt three times and caused three turnovers. Third-year goalkeeper Giana Franco notched a career-high 16 saves in the loss.

Thursday, March 12

Softball vs Marywood University (Clermont, FL) – W, 24-2 (five innings)

RIC smoked Marywood in their best performance so far this season. A 13-run fifth inning helped to end the game early. Third-year catcher Brianna Bailey went 2-for-3 with a run scored, four RBI and two triples. First-year pitcher Mia Crudale remained undefeated at 4-0, being credited with the victory.

Softball vs Curry College (Clermont, FL) – W, 9-5

RIC banged out four runs at the bottom of the sixth to come out with the win and open their season up with an 8-2 record. Third-year catcher Brianna Bailey went 2-for-3, scoring two runs while notching a double, triple and four RBI. Third-year pitcher Ashleigh von der Linden came out in relief and accrued the win with 4 strikeouts in 3.1 innings pitched.

Saturday, March 14

Women’s lacrosse vs Keene State – L, 15-5

Third-year midfielder Lily Nees opened the game up with a goal to take an early lead for RIC, but the Owls recouped and took over, scoring eight in the final quarter to dominate the Anchorwomen. Nees totaled three goals, while third-year goalkeeper Giana Franco was credited with 13 saves and picked up 11 ground balls.