RIC athletics recap – softball sweeps first home games, tennis crushes Castleton in Little East opener

Tim Yean

Sports Editor

Tuesday, March 24

Graphic by Anchor Staff

Softball vs Wheaton College

Game one: W, 6-3

A three-run effort from the visiting Wheaton squad at the top of the first inning signaled bad vibes for the rest of the game, but RIC recovered fashionably with a matching three runs in the second inning. A lead-changing run in the third inning, thanks to first-year designated player Lily Bell’s double, kept the momentum going as the Lyons failed to break through past the opening inning. Fourth-year second baseman Noelle Simmons had a pair of triples in her three at-bats with a run scored. Fourth-year Gabby Cunha pitched a complete game and struck out three in the win to bring her to 2-2.

Game two: W, 4-1

The momentum from game one carried on to game two, with Wheaton mustering up a lone run in the fifth inning. Simmons and third-year left fielder Melanie Earley had homers to further tilt the victory towards the Anchorwomen’s way. First-year Mia Crudale struck out a career-high seven batters in the complete game victory, remaining undefeated as the starter with a 5-0 mark.

Wednesday, March 25

Men’s tennis vs Salve Regina University – W, 5-2

The Anchormen claimed the first point off a 2-1 record in doubles matches, the two wins coming from second (Second-years James McShane, Ethan Clegg) and third doubles (Fourth-year Sairaj Srivinivasan, first-year John Vaughan). Vaughan’s fifth singles win clinched the overall victory for the Anchormen, who advance to 2-0 in their spring contests and 2-2 overall.

Women’s lacrosse @ Anna Maria College – W, 13-2

It’s the Anchorwomen’s first win of the season and a throttling one at that, blasting the Amcats away with multiple goals in all four quarters. Third-year midfielder Lily Nees slammed in five goals to tie her career-high, recording an assist, eight ground balls and five caused turnovers. Third-year Giana Franco came home with the win at goalkeeper.

Thursday, March 26

Baseball vs Wheaton College – L, 3-1

A strikeout in the sixth and a flyout in the seventh thwarted the comeback opportunity for the Anchormen despite holding Wheaton to a tied season-low of three runs. First-year shortstop Ryan O’Leary sent across the lone run for RIC on a sac fly. Fourth-year right fielder CJ Almagno hit for a triple in his three at-bats. Third-year starting pitcher Stephen Sullivan took the loss on the mound.

Softball @ Salve Regina

Game one: W, 10-7

Six runs came in the second and four came in the fifth in a first-game victory for RIC over the in-state opponent Seahawks. Third-year catcher Brianna Bailey went 2-for-4 with an RBI, while second-year first baseman Jill Guilfoyle went 3-for-3 with two ribbies. First-year Mia Crudale remains undefeated with a 6-0 record, allowing an earned run.

Game two: W, 8-7

All runs in the game came from the first two innings as the Anchorwomen swept Salve Regina for the in-state triumph. Second-year shortstop Joey Meyer went 2-for-3 with a run scored and three RBI. Fourth-year pitcher Gabby Cunha got the win in relief pitching, throwing five goose-egg innings against the Seahawks.

Friday, March 27

Track and field @ Black and Gold Invitational (Smithfield, RI)

Men: Second-year Jack McEntee had a bronze finish in the 400m (50.86) whilst first-year Marcos Ruiz Uben had a fourth-place finish in the 100m hurdles (15.65). The meet featured competition from all three divisions in both the men’s and women’s events.

Women: Fourth-year Haley Oliver is now the leading national runner in the 10,000m at the NCAA Division III level. Her time of 35:36.40 crushed the previous school record, set by herself, and landed Oliver third overall in the event. First-year Naibel Noriega finished third in the 200m (25.78) and fourth in the 100m (12.72), while second-year Quiana Pezza finished a spot ahead of Noriega in the 200m (25.39).

Saturday, March 28

Women’s lacrosse vs University of Massachusetts Boston – L, 11-7

Playing a woman down the entire affair, RIC stayed competitive the entire affair, but the Beacon offense outpaced the Anchorwomen with nine goals between the second and third quarters. Second-year Brie Macaruso led the offense with three goals on the day to make it back-to-back hat-trick games for the sophomore. First-year midfielder Sadie Robitaille registered her first two collegiate goals. Third-year goalie Giana Franco stopped 15 shots in the loss.

Men’s tennis @ Vermont State University Castleton – @, 7-0

The Anchormen crushed Castleton in the first match of Little East Conference action for the squad. All three doubles matches went RIC’s way. First-year John Vaughan’s straight-set victory at fourth singles secured the opening conference for the visitors.