SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) has released the results of its pre-season coaches' polls for the Spring 2015 season. Listed below are the rankings for each of Curry College's five spring teams, along with a preview featuring each team's key returning players.
SOFTBALL: 5th of 10
Curry College (25-17, 12-6 CCC) head coach Bruce Weckworth's squads have averaged better than 23 wins per season over his first 19 years. Weckworth's 2015 roster features 21 student-athletes, including 13 freshmen. Among his eight returning players is CCC Co-Rookie of the Year Marissa Bruno. A year ago, the sophomore outfielder posted huge offensive numbers (.384, 9 HR, 36 RBI). Senior third baseman Ariel LaRosa also produced at the plate with a .308 batting average and 30 RBI. An All-CCC Honorable Mention selection a year ago, senior catcher Allie Carver batted .318 and made just four errors in 163 chances (.975 fielding percentage). The Colonels' pitching staff will once again be anchored by senior Taylor Ahearn. Ahearn compiled a 16-7 record and a 1.21 ERA over 156.2 innings pitched, on the way to earning Second Team All-CCC honors.
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WOMEN'S LACROSSE: 6th of 9
Curry Women's Lacrosse is excited about their 2015 season. The Colonels have a strong group of newcomers along with a strong core of returners. Top returners include senior goalkeeper Christina Wallis (Peabody, Mass.) who finished second in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) in save percentage (49.0), goals against (126) and goals against average (8.94). On defense, junior Alexis Cran (Branford, Conn.) returns as one of the team's top defenders posting 61 ground balls, 53 caused turnovers and 20 draw controls in 2014. In the midfield, Malorie Knowlton (Norfolk, Mass.) returns for her second season finishing her freshman campaign with 32 points, 38 ground balls, 37 draw controls and 52 caused turnovers. Freshman Brooke Harrington (Mansfield, Mass.) will be looked upon to make an immediate impact for the 2015 season.
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MEN'S LACROSSE: 8th of 9
The 2015 Curry Colonels will be a bit of an enigma this spring. While they return 22 players from a year ago, Curry adds 14 hungry newcomers, who are looking to make an immediate impact. A handful of returners will find themselves in new roles this year, sacrificing personal achievements as they look to help the overall team goals. Look for production to come from a number of different areas for the Colonels as they look to improve within the conference part of their schedule.
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BASEBALL: 9th of 9
Curry College (9-24, 2-14 CCC) head coach Dave Perdios begins his 15th season with a young squad that features 11 freshmen joining 16 returning players. Senior designated hitter Matt Warren earned Second Team All-CCC honors a year ago, batting .306 with 16 RBI. Junior outfielder Philip Perez was an All-CCC Honorable Mention selection after leading the Colonels in batting average (.323) and RBI (18). Senior first baseman Tanner Givens hit .300 last season, sharing the team lead in runs scored with 18. On the mound, senior Thomas Fitzpatrick made the most starts in 2014 (9) and was second in both complete games (3) and innings pitched (52.1).
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MEN'S TENNIS: 9th of 9
Curry College (2-14, 1-7 CCC) head coach Richard Murray returns for his 7th season. Among his returning players is junior Toma Blatchford, who went 3-12 at #1 singles and 3-13 at #1 doubles in 2014. Also back are seniors Joe Berger and Eric Hellberg. Berger played primarily at #3 singles and #2 doubles, while Hellberg earned the Colonels' most singles wins (4) playing at #5. Curry's Rookie of the Year last season was sophomore Valvel Temin, who went 3-8 at #2 singles. Temin also teamed with Blatchford at #1 doubles, earning both players Honorable Mention All-CCC accolades.
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