SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) has released the results of its pre-season coaches' polls for the Spring 2014 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.
WOMEN'S LACROSSE: 4th of 9
Curry College (14-6, 5-3 CCC) will be comprised of seven newcomers and 15 returners, which should make for another successful year for the Colonels. Head coach Caitlin Roberts, who enters her 14th season, welcomes back seven seniors who all have been starters since their freshman years. One of the top returners on defense is All-CCC first teamer Mel Brickey, who had a stellar junior campaign finishing first on the team in groundballs (82), caused turnovers (78), and draw controls (154), and third on the team for points (66). Brickey's 3.90 caused turnovers per game last season ranked the highest among all Division III women's lacrosse players. On attack, Haley Carey is expected to have a standout year, as she finished second on the team for points (89). Carey was an All-CCC second team honoree a season ago. The five other returning seniors, defenders Caity Tobyne and Bridget McDonald, midfielder Kaitlin Cloutier, and attackers Deanna Monfredo and Kelly Ethier, are ready to make an impact this season.
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SOFTBALL: 5th of 10
Curry College (24-18, 9-9 CCC) head coach Bruce Weckworth returns for his 19th season having surpassed 400 career wins during the 2013 campaign. Seven freshmen will join 10 upperclassmen, and among those veteran players are nine returning starters. Five of the Colonels top six hitters are back in the fold, including Megan Flaherty (.356 AVG, 4 HR, 17 RBI), Ariel LaRosa (.324 AVG, 4 HR, 30 RBI), Amy Nolan (.298 AVG), Kaitlyn Maderios (.284 AVG, 19 RBI), and Heather Carrier (.258 AVG, 1 HR, 13 RBI). Curry's pitching staff will once again be anchored by Taylor Ahearn and Jennifer Lundstrom. Ahearn compiled an 8-8 record and a 1.59 ERA over 110.0 innings pitched, while tossing 13 complete games. Lundstrom (9-7) led the squad in wins while posting a 1.97 ERA over 99.1 innings, while striking out 109 batters and going the distance in 11 starts.
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BASEBALL: 6th of 9
Curry College (8-24-2, 5-11 CCC) head coach Dave Perdios begins his 14th season with a young squad that features 19 newcomers joining 11 returning players. Among returning hitters, first baseman Tanner Givens provided the most offense a year ago, with 16 RBI and a .308 batting average. The rest of the Colonels' starting infield is back again for 2014, including shortstop Derek Pizarro and second baseman Tim Lathrop. The pitching staff will be led by top starter Thomas Fitzpatrick, who paced the squad in games started (9), complete games (4), shutouts (3) and innings pitched (51.0) as a sophomore in 2013. Mark Rebello, Curry's top reliever a year ago, returns as well after posting a 2.21 ERA in 11 relief appearances over 20 1/3 innings.
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MEN'S LACROSSE: 9th of 9
Curry College (7-9, 0-8 CCC) head coach Tim Murphy begins his second season in 2014 and will lead a squad that features 19 newcomers and 11 returning players. Among the top returners is co-captain Marc Fein. Fein played and started in all 16 games a season ago, while tallying 35 groundballs and causing 36 turnovers. Three attackers who had stellar 2013 campaigns return as well, including Connor Arnold, Connor McKeon, and Ronald Jensen. McKeon recorded 23 goals and five assists for 28 points after starting 15 games a season ago. Jenson played in 13 games in 2013, while earning 16 goals and nine assists. Arnold recorded 19 points in his 15 starts last season. The Colonels welcome back goalkeeper Tim McNair, who played in 312:49 minutes and had a 9.59 goals against average. The keeper made 49 saves with a .495 save percentage and had a 4-1-0 record in 2013.
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MEN'S TENNIS: 9th of 9
Curry College (4-12, 0-8 CCC) head coach Richard Murray returns for his 6th season. Among his returning players is Toma Blatchford, who went 4-8 at No. 2 singles and 2-9 at No. 1 doubles in 2013. Also returning is Joe Berger, who compiled a 3-7 record at No. 4 singles and a team-best 6-2 record at No. 3 doubles a year ago. The Colonels welcome back their No. 5 and No. 6 singles players as well. Lucas Donaway was 3-8 at No. 5 singles but only 1-6 at No. 3 doubles. Eric Hellberg (1-4) played only five matches at No. 6 singles, but that was the most of any player in that slot. Hellberg was busier in doubles, going 5-7 overall but a solid 5-1 when paired with Berger at No. 3.
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