STONY BROOK BASEBALL ELIMINATED FROM 2009 AMERICA EAST TOURNAMENT BY VERMONT

Seawolves conclude season at 29-23.

Box Score

Endicott, N.Y. - Senior Michael Tansey (Valley Stream, N.Y.) went 3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI but it wasn't enough as the Vermont Catamounts used a six-run eighth to rally for a 13-11 win over the Stony Brook University baseball team in a 2009 America East tournament loser's bracket game this afternoon at Pete Sylvester Field. The Seawolves are eliminated from the four-team double-elimination tournament with the loss and conclude their season with a record of 29-23.

The Seawolves entered the bottom of the sixth trailing 7-5 but Tansey led of the sixth with a solo home run to left field to cut the UVM lead to 7-6. Stony Brook grabbed the lead in the seventh, striking for four runs. Senior Steven Mazzurco (Selden, N.Y.) tied the game with a two-out RBI double and Tansey then followed with a two-run blast to left. Senior Chad Rebecca (Mount Prosepct, Ill.) drove in the final run of the frame with a run-scoring single to center.

But Vermont answered with the six-run eighth to take a 13-10 lead. Mark Micowski drove in the first two runs of the inning with a two-run triple and then scored the tying run on a check-swing infield RBI single from Tom Jackson. UVM then took the lead on two-run triple to right-center field from Ethan Paquette. Paquette then came home with the final score of the inning on an RBI single from Tom Kelly.

The Seawolves cut the UVM lead to 13-11 in the bottom of the eighth as sophomore Chad Marshall (Paris, Ontario) singled to lead off and advanced to second on a throwing error by Vermont third baseman Dave Soltis. Marshall then came home when Soltis misplayed sophomore Nick Thode's(Huntington Station, N.Y.) ground ball. 

SBU put runners on first and second to start the ninth before Rebecca bunted into fielder's choice, with the Catamounts getting the lead runner at third. Kelly, who came into pitch in the seventh, then struck out senior Brian Witkowski (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) and got Marshall to ground into a fielder's choice to end the game.

Rebecca tallied three hits on the day for the Seawolves and Marshall went 4-for-6 with an RBI and three runs scored. Paquette led Vermont with three hits and three RBI. Kelly picked up the victory for Vermont, allowing just an unearned run in 2.1 innings of work.

Vermont jumped to the early lead as Justin Milo led off the second with a home run to left. The Catamounts threatened for more in the inning, putting runners on first and second with one out. But freshman Tyler Johnson (Chatsworth, Calif.) then got Brad Currier to ground into a fielder's choice before striking out Soltis to end the threat.

But the Seawolves rallied in the third, striking for four runs. Rebecca reached on an infield single with one out and later came around to score when Marshall dumped an RBI single just in front of the then left fielder Kelly.

Thode then reached on an error by UVM shortstop Matt Duffy and junior Robert Dyer (Selden, N.Y.) followed with a three-run blast to left-center to give the Seawolves a 4-1 lead. The Catamounts responded with a run in the fourth on a one-out run-scoring triple from Kelly. Johnson prevented Kelly from scoring though as he struck out Mike McCarthy and got Currier to pop out to third.

The Seawolves pushed their lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single from sophomore Stephen Marino (Lake Grove, N.Y.). But Vermont answered with four runs in the fifth to grab a 6-5 lead. Matt Duffy drove in the first run of the inning with an RBI single and Milo then tied the game at 5-5 with a two-run triple.

Paquette followed with an RBI single through the left side to put UVM on top, 6-5. Johnson hit the next two hitters to load the bases for Vermont with one out but senior relieverJonathan Kalkau (Bellmore, N.Y.) then came in and got Currier to ground into a double play to get the Seawolves out of the jam. Vermont pushed the lead to 7-5 in the sixth on a run-scoring double from Duffy.

STONY BROOK BASEBALL FALLS TO ALBANY IN OPENING ROUND OF AMERICA EAST TOURNAMENT, 8-1

Baseball Falls To Albany In Opening Round of America East Tournament, 8-1

Seawolves will now play the loser of No. 1 Binghamton/No. 4 Vermont on Friday at 4 p.m. (WUSB)

Endicott, N.Y. - Senior Brian Witkowski (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) went 2-for-4 with a run scored and senior Steven Mazzurco (Selden, N.Y.) added two hits but it wasn't enough as the No. 2 Albany Great Danes used a four-run sixth to defeat the No. 3 Stony Brook University baseball team, 8-1, in the opening round of the 2009 America East Tournament this afternoon at Pete Sylvester Field. Stony Brook will now play the loser of tonight's game between No. 1 Binghamton and No. 4 Vermont in an elimination game on Friday at 4 p.m. Fans can listen to the game locally on WUSB 90.1 FM or goseawolves.org.

SBU (29-22) grabbed the early lead in the third as Witkowski doubled to center with two outs. Sophomore Chad Marshall (Paris, Ontario) then grounded the ball to shortstop Sean Donovan, who fielded the ball cleanly but threw wide of first. The errant throw allowed Witkowski to come around with the game's first run.

But Albany (25-29-1) rallied in the sixth, striking for four runs. Donovan tripled down the right field line to lead off the inning and came home on a sacrifice fly from Gary Pitcheralle. Brendan Rowland then doubled to left and Ryan Gugel followed with a run-scoring single up the middle to put the Great Danes up 2-1.

The final two runs of the inning scored on a Pete Eichner run-scoring double and a Kyle Crean RBI groundout. The Great Danes tacked on a run in the seventh as Jim Banks doubled to left to lead off and then scored on a Seawolves error.

Albany added three runs in eighth on a Banks RBI single and a Donovan two-run double. The Seawolves loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth but Albany closer Sean Gregory struck out Witkowski to end the game. Dave West led the Great Danes with three hits, while Donovan tallied three hits and two RBI. 

Senior Mike Errigo (Bayside, N.Y.) took the loss for the Seawolves, allowing four runs on eight hits in 5.1 innings. The runs allowed by Errigo in the sixth snapped his scoreless streak of 19.2 innings in America East tournament play.

Kubiak picked up the win for Albany, giving up just an unearned run on six hits in his 8.0 innings of work.

STONY BROOK'S JORDAN MCBRIDE NAMED ALL-AMERICAN FOR SECOND TIME

Sophomore Becomes SBU's First Two-Time Lacrosse All-American

May 21, 2009

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Sophomore Jordan McBride (New Westminster, B.C.) has been selected as an All-American by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association for a second straight year after an outstanding 2009 season for the Stony Brook University men's lacrosse team. An honorable mention selection at attack, he becomes the first two-time lacrosse All-American in the 21-year history of the sport at Stony Brook.

A first team All-America East pick in 2009, McBride led Stony Brook in goals for a second straight season with 42. His total also led all players in the America East and is currently tied for fifth in the nation. His goals per game average of 2.80 is third nationally while he is ranked 15th in points per game at 3.33. McBride scored at least one goal in every game but one in 2009, netting a season-high five three times. His 86 career goals are eighth all-time at Stony Brook. 

STONY BROOK SELCETED TO HOST 2010 NCAA MEN'S LACROSSE QUARTERFINALS

NCAA Lacrosse Quarterfinals Visit LaValle Stadium for Second Time

Stony Brook, N.Y. - For the second time in five years Stony Brook University has been selected as one of the hosts for the NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse quarterfinals, the NCAA has announced. Stony Brook will host two North Region quarterfinal games on Sunday, May 23, 2010, with the two winners advancing to the NCAA Championships in Baltimore, Maryland.
"We are thrilled to serve as a host of the 2010 quarterfinals at one of the premier lacrosse venues in the nation," said Director of Athletics Jim Fiore. "Our athletic program at Stony Brook continues to grow and mature at a rapid pace and our staff is excited to produce another first class championship event. This is a wonderful honor and opportunity to showcase our outstanding university on a national stage while bringing the excitement of championship lacrosse to the Suffolk County community and Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium."
This will be the second time that Stony Brook has hosted the NCAA men's lacrosse quarterfinals. A sold-out crowd of 8,335, a LaValle Stadium record attendance for any sporting event, attended the previous quarterfinals held at Stony Brook in 2006. Tickets for the event will go on sale on the Stony Brook Athletics website, www.goseawolves.org, at a later date.

STONY BROOK MEN'S BASKETBALL ADDS THREE STUDENT-ATHLETES IN SPRING SIGNING PERIOD

Stony Brook University Men’s Basketball Adds Three Student-Athletes In Spring Signing

Stony Brook University men's basketball head coach Steve Pikiell has announced that three additional student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Seawolves, beginning in the fall of 2009. Swingman Preye Preboye (Springfield, Mass.), shooting guard Lenny Hayes (Voorhees, N.J.) and forward Eric McAlister (Cranbury, N.J.) join the Seawolves’ 2009-10 recruiting class which already includes guard Marcus Rouse (Upper Marlboro, Md.). "We are thrilled that Preye, Lenny and Eric have decided to join the Stony Brook family," Pikiell said. “We improved tremendously as a program last season and we believe that their size, athleticism and versatility will help us take that next step. In addition, we believe that these are three quality student-athletes that will be excellent representatives of Stony Brook University.” Preboye was a New England Prep All-Star at Winchendon Prep for head coach Mike Byrnes last season, averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds per game. Preboye played for head coach Mike Labrie at Springfield Central High school prior to that, earning first team All-Western Mass honors as a senior. The 6-5 forward was also named Springfield’s team MVP in addition to earning Western Mass Defensive Player of the Year honors. “Preye will bring an identity to [Stony Brook basketball] that is difficult to recruit,” Byrnes said. “He will bring an energy and passion that is not usually seen. He will be committed to his teammates, coaches, and Stony Brook University. Preye will honor and respect the game, playing it harder than most.” “Preye is an extremely hard working, high character individual. He is a multi-dimensional player that can shoot well from the perimeter, runs the floor well, can finish inside, and is a relentless rebounder on the offensive and defensive end,” Springfield Central head coach Mike Labrie said. “’Preye is only going to get better because of his work ethic. I think he’s a great fit for Stony Brook.” A three-year starter for head coach Ron Kane at Lawrenceville Prep, Hayes was a 2009 All-MAPL, Trentonian All-Prep and Trenton Times All-Prep first team pick last season as he averaged 14.5 points per game. The 6-4 guard, who eclipsed the 1,000 point barrier as a senior, was also named to the 2009 Trenton Times and Trentonian All-Area second team. Hayes earned a combined 12 varsity letters in basketball, track and soccer at Lawrenceville, the school’s first athlete in 26 years to accomplish that feat. Ranked the 21st best player in New Jersey by NJ Hoops.com, he was a 2009 McDonald’s All-American nominee. “Lenny is a man of very high character, who is an outstanding student as well as a terrific athlete and basketball player. He served as a tremendous leader and role model in our basketball program at Lawrenceville,” Kane said. “He’s a big-time scorer; a versatile player that can pass, dribble and shoot well. As good as a player as he is now, he has an even brighter future and his best days are ahead of him. I think he’s really going to have an impact at Stony Brook.” McAlister arrives at Stony Brook from APEX Academy in New Jersey where he was a third team prep all-state selection as a senior. The 6-8 forward averaged 22.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.3 blocks and 4.1 assists per game. “Eric is a bright young man, who is not only a tremendous basketball player but also a terrific person,” APEX Academy assistant coach Phil Vigliano said. “He is an outstanding shot blocker and rebounder and his athleticism is off the charts. He is only going to improve and I believe he is a great match for Stony Brook.” Preboye, Hayes and McAlister join Rouse, who signed with the Seawolves in the fall signing period. A senior co-captain, Rouse led the 2008-09 DeMatha Stags to a 32-4 record and a No. 7 national ranking in the final ESPN RISE FAB 50 boys' basketball rankings. A second team All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference selection in addition to being named the Stags team MVP, Rouse helped DeMatha to the WCAC regular season and tournament titles as well as the City title. Rouse averaged 11.1 points per game for DeMatha last season, was an honorable mention All-Met pick and was chosen to play in the prestigious Capital Classic.

STONY BROOK'S RHYS DUCH NAMED 2009 NLL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Rhys Duch Named NLL Rookie of the Year: Rabil, Richards Also Honored

San Jose Stealth forward Rhys Duch has earned the National Lacrosse League’s Rookie of the Year Award for his performance during the 2009 regular season. Duch played a major role in the Stealth’s run to the West Division Finals as the team’s second leading scorer. Fellow rookies Paul Rabil and Tyler Richards were also named to the NLL All-Rookie Team.The #3 overall pick in the 2008 NLL Entry Draft, Duch set a new rookie scoring record this season with 89 points (35g, 54a). He broke the previous mark of 82 points set by Gavin Prout in 2002. His 89 points were good for seventh in the league and he finished in the top ten in both assists (6th) and goals (8th). He was second on the Stealth in loose balls as well, grabbing 97 in 16 games. Three times this season Duch was named the NLL Rookie of the Week and was the Rookie of the Month in March.“It’s a great honor and really nice to be recognized,” said the Victoria, British Columbia native who averaged over 5.5 points per game. “I am lucky to start my career with a great group of guys. I learned a lot from my coaches and teammates and none of this happens without them.” With the Stealth’s playoff hopes on the line, Duch posted 36 points (16g, 20a) in the last six games as San Jose went 4-2 and clinched the #3 seed in the West Division playoffs. In three of those games, Duch recorded a season-high eight points; none more important than his eight-point output in Colorado on April 11 when his overtime game-winner locked the Stealth’s position in the playoffs.Along with Duch, two more Stealth players were named to the NLL All-Rookie Team. Transition player Paul Rabil finished the season with 34 points (16g, 18a) after starting the season in a primarily defensive role. He tallied a season-high four points (2g, 2a) in a must-win, 18-8 victory over the Minnesota Swarm on April 3. Rabil made a name for himself as a star at Johns Hopkins University, where he was a four-time All-American and Tewarraton Trophy finalist. “First season in the NLL was obviously a big adjustment going from the field game to indoor,” said Rabil, the #2 overall pick in the 2008 NLL Entry Draft. “But I was lucky to be drafted by such a great organization with great players and coaches who were really accommodating and taught me a lot in a short period of time. And playing with other great rookies like Rhys [Duch], Tyler [Richards], [Brett] Manney and all our rookies made it easier as we went through it together.”Goaltender Tyler Richards was the third Stealth All-Rookie Team member. He was selected by the Stealth in the fourth round of the 2007 NLL Entry Draft. He didn’t see any action in 2008, making him eligible as a rookie for the 2009 season. He made the most of his opportunity, beginning the season as the #3 goalie on the Stealth roster before becoming the team’s starter by the end of the year.Richards played a major role in the Stealth’s stretch run, going 3-1 with a goals against average of 10.08 and a .803 save percentage. He solidified his role as the starting netminder with a 43 save performance in the Stealth’s 13-8 victory over Portland on March 29. “I just wanted to go in there and give the team a chance to win every night,” said the 22-year old Vancouver native. “The defense really came together down the stretch and they deserve a lot of credit.” He went on to start each game the rest of the season, including the playoffs. “It’s really nice to see our young stars receive recognition for their hard work; they are the future of the NLL,” said Stealth President and General Manager Johnny Mouradian. “I give a lot of credit to [Vice President and Assistant General Manager] Doug Locker and [Director of Player Development] Bob Allan, who head our scouting efforts. They did a great job identifying these young talents and making them feel comfortable playing in our market. They, as well as our veteran guys and coaching staff, do a lot to help these young guys overcome the challenges of playing in the NLL and so far away from home.”While the three rookies are happy to earn the recognition from the league, each of them expressed their excitement for the future. “Ultimately though, we didn’t accomplish our biggest goal: winning a championship,” said Rabil. “We are going to be some pretty hungry sophomores next year.”The 2009 NLL Awards announcements continue tomorrow with the announcement of the All-Pro Teams. The announcements will conclude on Thursday, May 14 with the announcement of the 2009 Most Valuable Player Award, presented by Reebok. The NLL Championship Game takes place on Friday, May 15 as the Calgary Roughnecks host the New York Titans at 9:30pm Eastern.

2009 VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

Seawolves to play St. John's and Hofstra

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University's volleyball team will face teams from eight different conferences over its 26-match schedule during the 2009 season. The Seawolves 2009 schedule, which was released today by head coach Deborah Matejka-DesLauriers, includes five home America East matches and two opponents who made the 2008 NCAA Tournament. Stony Brook will also play a long awaited rematch with Hofstra in Hempstead, N.Y.
SBU will open its season during the final weekend of August at the Maryland Tournament where they will face Maryland, Villanova and Youngstown State. The Seawolves return home for a match-up with St. John's before heading back on the road for the Harvard Invitational.
One of the highlights of the 2009 schedule will be an away match against Long Island rival Hofstra on Tuesday Sept. 8th. Having met only twice prior to this season, the Seawolves have not played Hofstra in volleyball since 1999 when they swept the Pride, 3-0.
Stony Brook spends the rest of the month of September on the road competing in the Columbia Invitational and Brown Invitational as well as facing Manhattan and Long Island University in single matches.
An away match with Hartford on October 2nd kicks off the Seawolves America East schedule which wraps-up with the University of New Hampshire on November 14th. This year's America East Championship will be held on the weekend of November 20th.

Lucy Van Dalen Improves Upon NCAA Qualifying Time

Posts fifth fastest time in the country

Swarthmore, Pa. - In an attempt to improve her chances of qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, sophomore Lucy Van Dalen (Wanganui, New Zealand) competed in the 1,500-meter at the Swarthmore Last Chance Meet on Monday night. Not only did she win the race, she also posted the fifth fastest time in the country and second fastest in the East Region. Her time of 4.13.72 smashed her previous school record time by nearly eight seconds.
Van Dalen, along with her sister Holly Van Dalen (Wanganui, New Zealand) and fellow sophomore Carolina Cortes (Woodmere, N.Y.), will now move onto the NCAA Regionals on May 29th and 30th in Greensboro, N.C.

STEVEN WALDECK AND LUCY VAN DALEN NAMED ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Steven Waldeck and Lucy Van Dalen Named Athlete of the Year

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University's Department of Athletics held its annual Awards Ceremony tonight at the Student Activities Center on campus. During the evening's program a number of awards were handed out, including the Male and Female Athletes of the Year to junior Steven Waldeck (Levittown, N.Y.), a member of the men's lacrosse team, and sophomore Lucy Van Dalen (Wanganui, New Zealand) of the cross country and track & field teams.
Waldeck was named to the All-America East first team for the second consecutive season in 2009 as he led the Seawolves to a share of the America East regular season championship. He was first in the America East in ground balls (96) and ranked seventh in the nation in ground balls per game (6.4). One of the team's captains, he also played an offensive role as well, notching career highs of five goals and five assists, ranking fourth in the nation in scoring among long poles.
Van Dalen won every race she entered in the indoor track season leading up to the NCAA championships, including a pair of America East titles. Van Dalen won at distances of 1,000 meters, one mile and 3,000 meters; setting school records in all three events. Her record of 4:36.71 in the mile automatically qualified her for the NCAA championships, becoming the first SBU student-athlete to qualify indoors, where she finished 14th. Outdoors she established new marks in the 800 and 1,500-meter events, winning the America East title at 800 meters and qualifying for the NCAA regional meet in both. She was also a part of a record breaking 4x800 relay team that also won a conference championship.
Van Dalen was also a key component on the Seawolves cross country team that won its second straight America East championship. She finished among the top-three Seawolves in each race she competed in; earning all-conference honors for her fifth-place performance at the America East championships. Van Dalen finished 14th at the NCAA regional meet, helping SBU to its second straight NCAA championships appearance.
Named as Stony Brook's Rookies of the Year were Edwin Gowins (Bellport, N.Y.) from the football team and Colleen McKenna (Manorville, N.Y.) from the women's soccer squad. Gowns broke the school single-season rushing record in 2008 and was named the Big South Freshman of the Year as well as the national Freshman of the Year by the College Sporting News. McKenna was named the America East Rookie of the year after leading the league in goals.
Academics were also celebrated, with Kim Wodiska (Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) of the women's lacrosse team and Youssef Fassi-Fehri (Fes, Morocco) of the men's tennis team being honored with the Senior Scholar-Athlete Awards as the seniors with the highest cumulative GPAs that made a significant contribution to their teams. A total of 34 senior student-athletes were recognized with Senior Academic Achievement Awards for recording a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better during their careers.
Also recognized during the evening was senior Lawrence Lovell (Brooklyn, N.Y.) of the football team who was honored with the Faculty Athletic Representative Award for his contributions to his team and to the Stony Brook community, with Wodiska also being honored with an FAR award. Junior Marisa Viola (Cutchogue, N.Y.) of the women's soccer team and Waldeck were awarded the Athletic Directors Award for their contributions to their teams and their representation of the ideals of Stony Brook Athletics.
Stony Brook University President, Dr. Shirley Strum Kenny, was presented the Seawolves Service Award for her special contributions to Stony Brook Athletics, the University community and SBU's student-athletes. It was also announced that the Seawolves Service Award will be renamed the Shirley Strum Kenny Service Award in her honor.
Senior Mike Errigo (Bayside, N.Y.) of the baseball team also took home two awards, both of which were presented for the first time. He was honored with the Courage Award, which is given to a student-athlete who has overcome personal tragedy or serious injury and has deomonstrated uncommon bravery in the face of adversity. He was also recognized by his peers with the Swagger Award, which is given to the student-athlete that best exemplifies his or her team's definition of swagger.
Most Valuable and Coaches awards for all 20 of Stony Brook's intercollegiate teams were also handed out at the event.

STONY BROOK Softball Eliminated From America East Championship With Loss to Albany

Seawolves finish season with record-breaking 36 wins

May 9, 2009

Box Score

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook's softball team's season came to a close on Saturday as they lost to Albany, 4-1, in the losers' bracket of the America East Softball Championship. Having lost to Boston University on Friday, the loss knocked the Seawolves out of the double-elimination tournament. Senior Kelly Oberto (Spring Lake Heights, N.J.) knocked in Stony Brook's run with a solo homer in the second inning. SBU's record-breaking season comes to an end with a final record of 36-14 (15-5 America East).

Junior Vicki Kavitsky (Cherry Hill, N.J.) got the Seawolves off to a promising start as she led the game off with a double off the right field wall. A sacrifice bunt moved her to third, but Albany's starting pitcher, Leah McIntosh, recorded back-to-back strikeouts to keep SBU off the board.

Stony Brook would not be held scoreless for much longer, though, as Oberto opened the second inning off with a shot over the right center field fence. Oberto's homer came in a 12-pitch at-bat in which she fouled off five straight pitches before taking McIntosh deep.

Albany would even things up one inning later as the conference's Co-Player of the Year, Meagen Butsch, lined an RBI single to right. Butsch would be intentionally walked in her next at-bat in the fifth inning, but Gina Mason crushed a three-run homer to center to give Albany a 4-1 advantage.

Marissa Powell, who came in relief of McIntosh in the fifth, allowed only one Seawolf to reach base in the final three innings as Albany held on for the win. With the win the Great Danes advanced to the Championship final where they will play Boston University. 

CONTE CUTTINO NAMED TO PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA LIST

Senior Holds Stony Brook Career Rushing Record

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Senior running back Conte Cuttino (Uniondale, N.Y.) had his name placed among the first to receive preseason honors when Consensus Draft Services released its 2009 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision preseason All-America list. He was one of three players from the Big South Conference selected for the honor.
An honorable mention selection, Cuttino started all 11 games at running back as a junior for the Seawolves in 2008, breaking the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career with 1,195 yards. He was second on the team in rushing and broke the school career rushing mark in the final game of the season. A second team All-Big South pick, Cuttino was fourth in the Big South in rushing, going over 100 yards a career-high six times, including the last five outings of the season. He finished 21st in the nation with his average of 108.6 yards on the ground and was fourth in all-purpose yards and ninth in total offense in the Big South.
Stony Brook, which just completed its spring practice season, will open the 2009 campaign at Hofstra on September 5.

STONY BROOK SOFTBALL LOSES TO BOSTON, 6-1

Seawolves will face Albany at NOON Saturday

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University's softball team lost its winners' bracket game in the America East Championship against Boston University on Friday afternoon, 6-1. Junior Vicki Kavitsky (Cherry Hill, N.J.) drove in the Seawolves' lone run of the game with a double to right center. Boston University's Cassidi Hardy allowed only five hits in seven innings. Stony Brook will face the winner of UMBC vs. Albany in tomorrow's losers' bracket final. The winner of that game will then advance to the Championship final to face Boston University.
Hardy and junior Alyssa Struzenberg (Cooper City, Fla.) exchanged scoreless innings over the first four innings before BU struck for two runs in the fifth. One of the runs was unearned, the first of three the Terriers would score on the day as the Seawolves committed four errors.
SBU's run was unearned as well as junior Kendall Blumenthal (Frederick, Md.) reached base in the bottom of the fifth on an error by BU's third baseman. Two batters later, Kavitsky lined a shot over the second baseman's head and to the fence in right center, plating Blumenthal from second.
Game one on Saturday will begin at noon at University Field with the Championship final being played at 2:30.

STONY BROOK SOFTBALL ADVANCES TO WINNERS BRACKET OF 2009 AMERICA EAST PLAYOFFS

Will face winner of No. 2 Boston University vs. No. 3 Albany at 1:30 p.m.

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Senior Marissa Fleury (Mahopac, N.Y.) went 2-for-3 with an RBI as Stony Brook University's softball team beat UMBC, 3-1, to advance to the winners' bracket of the America East Championship. The Seawolves took advantage of two crucial errors by the Retrievers to plate two of their three runs. Junior Alyssa Struzenberg (Cooper City, Fla.) allowed only three hits in five innings of work to earn the win. Stony Brook now stands at 36-12 (15-5 America East) while UMBC is 34-20 (12-8 AE).
SBU jumped out to an early lead as they plated a run in bottom of the first inning. Junior Vicki Kavitsky (Cherry Hill, N.J.) started the game off for the Seawolves with a dribbler in front of home plate which she beat out for a single. Two batters later, Fleury lined a single to left which took an odd bounce in the soggy outfield grass and skipped past the UMBC outfielder allowing Kavitsky to score from first.
In the bottom of the third, junior Crista Cerrone (Floral Park, N.Y.) hit a groundball to third, which was thrown past the first baseman and into right field. With Cerrone headed to first, UMBC's right fielder threw wide of the shortstop. As the ball rolled into left, Cerrone headed all the way home, giving Stony Brook a 2-0 advantage. Senior Kelsi Fanelli (Audubon, N.J.) increased that lead by one, taking a 3-2 pitch over the center field fence for a solo home run.
Struzenberg was solid through five innings, keeping the Retrievers from reaching second base. After back-to-back walks to open the sixth, junior Casey Jacobs (Davie, Fla.) came in relief to retire three straight to escape danger. UMBC rallied to score once in the bottom of the seventh, but that is as close as they would get as Jacobs held on for her fifth save of the year.

Stony Brook will play the winner of the No. 2 Boston University vs. No. 3 Albany game tomorrow at 11:30 a.m.

Stony Brook 3, umbc 1 f

STONY BROOK Softball Places Record Number on All-Conference Teams; Bryant Named Coach of the Year

Softball Places Record Number on All-Conference Teams; Bryant Named Coach of the Year
Six Seawolves named to All-Conference Teams

Cambridge, Mass. - Stony Brook University's softball team placed a record six student-athletes on the 2009 America East All-Conference teams while head coach Megan Bryant took home the Coach of the Year award. Seniors Kelsi Fanelli (Audubon, N.J.) and Marissa Fleury (Mahopac, N.Y.) and juniors Vicki Kavitsky (Cherry Hill, N.J.) and Alyssa Struzenberg (Cooper City, Fla.) were all named to the first team while senior Kelly Oberto (Spring Lake Heights, N.J.) and junior Kendall Blumenthal (Frederick, Md.) earned second team honors.
Fanelli, a four-time America East All-Conference selection, earned first team honors for the first time in her career. A two-time second team member and all-rookie team selection her freshman year, she leads the conference in runs scored during America East games. She is posting career best numbers in: batting average (.362), runs scored (42), doubles (12), RBI (31), slugging percentage (.570) and steals (18-18).
Fleury is a two-time first team selection, earning the honor last season at first base as well. The senior is second in the America East in home runs (13) and slugging percentage (.729) and leads the conference in RBI per game (0.85). She recently recorded her 200th career hit and leads the Seawolves with a .988 fielding percentage this season.
Earning her third career all-conference honor, Kavitsky is a first team selection for the first time in her career. Kavitsky has paced the Seawolves powerful offense all season, leading the team in batting average (.379), on base percentage (.463), runs scored (45), hits (58) and triples (3). The shortstop has hit for average and power out of the leadoff spot this season, ranking second on the team in home runs with eight.

Struzenberg earns her second-straight first team selection after winning 21 regular season games for the Seawolves. She ranks second in the conference in strikeouts per game (9.49) while holding opposing batters to a .192 batting average. The junior tossed 18 complete games including six shutouts.
Oberto and Blumenthal are both first-time all conference selections. Oberto is fourth on the team with a .341 batting average while driving in a career-best 31 RBI. An All-Championship team selection last season, she ranks third in the conference in RBI during America East games with 20. Her seven home runs this season are three more than she had hit previously in her entire career. Blumenthal is also having a career season, posting personal bests in every offensive category. Filling the designated player slot for most of the season, she has been key to the Seawolves success, ranking fifth on the team in RBI with 26.
After leading the Seawolves to a school best 35 overall wins and 15 conference victories, Bryant becomes the first coach in school history to earn Coach of the Year honors. SBU has already broken school records in single-season RBI (227), runs scored (246), doubles (77) and steals (74) and could break a few more during the America East Championships later this week.
Top seeded Stony Brook will face No. 4 UMBC on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. in the first round of the Championship which is being held at University Field.

SUNY to vote on presidential nomination Tuesday; press conference to be streamed live Letter to the Stony Brook community from Richard T. Nasti, Chair, Stony Brook Council
Dear Colleague:
I am very pleased to report that on Tuesday, May 5, our next President, Dr. Samuel L. Stanley Jr., will be visiting Stony Brook for a press conference at which we will formally introduce him. Joined by his family, Dr. Stanley will spend the day starting the process of getting acclimated to his new home.
I am also pleased to tell you that on that day, Trustees from the State University of New York will be on campus to conduct a meeting at which we fully and confidently predict that the selection of Dr. Stanley will be ratified. We are most appreciative of SUNY’s invaluable assistance during the seven-month search process and particularly want to thank SUNY Chair Carl T. Hayden, Chancellor-Elect Nancy L. Zimpher, and Vice Chancellor and Officer-in-Charge John J. O’Connor. I want to pay a special thanks to Chancellor-Elect Zimpher, who could not have been more supportive of our efforts as we conducted this most important search.
At 2:00 pm, after the SUNY board votes on Dr. Stanley’s nomination, there will be a press conference. Dr. Stanley’s opening remarks and the full press conference will be streamed live to the campus at the following locations:
Student Activities Center Auditorium
Health Sciences Center Lecture Hall 6
Stony Brook Southampton, Special Events Room in the Student Center
The 2:00 p.m. press conference can be accessed athttps://tlt.stonybrook.edu/webcast/Pages/default.aspx
This is only the first of several visits Dr. Stanley will make to campus as he prepares for his official start date of July 1. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Stanley and his family to Stony Brook as we begin a new chapter in the life of our great University.
Sincerely,
Richard T. NastiChair, Presidential Search CommitteeChair, Stony Brook Council
Please note that this schedule is subject to change. For updates, visit the University Web site at http://www.stonybrook.edu/ .
In addition, a live Webcast of the public portion of the 1:00 p.m. SUNY Board of Trustees meeting can be accessed by following the link at http://www.suny.edu/ .

STONY BROOK SOFTBALL CLINCHES AMERICA EAST REGULAR SEASON TITLE

Softball Has Record Setting Day Against Albany

Seawolves clinch regular season title

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University's softball team secured the top seed for the 2009 America East Championship with a split against Albany on Saturday afternoon. The Seawolves won game one, 5-0, before dropping the second tilt, 2-0. Stony Brook now has 34 overall wins on the season, breaking the previous school record which they set last year. With a 14-5 record in the America East, the Seawolves also clinched at least a tie of the regular season conference title, a first in program history. SBU also secured itself at least two more home games, as it will now host the America East Championships which begin on Thursday.

Stony Brook's offense flexed its muscles against one of the top pitchers in the America East, hitting three home runs in game one off Albany's Leah McIntosh. Senior Kelly Oberto (Spring Lake Heights, N.J.) hit a pair of two-run homers and junior Vicki Kavitsky (Cherry Hill, N.J.) hit a solo-shot.

In both the second and fourth innings senior Marissa Fleury (Mahopac, N.Y.) led things off for the Seawolves with singles, the second of which was Fleury's 200th career hit. Oberto would follow both of those at-bats with home runs. The first was to center field and the second to left.

Kavitsky knocked her home run over the center field fence with one out in the third. Her home run was Stony Brook's 215th RBI of the season, breaking the previous school record which was set in 2006. In scoring her 43rd run of the season, Kavitsky tied Kristen Brust '05 for the second-most runs scored in a single season.

Junior Alyssa Struzenberg (Cooper City, Fla.) allowed only three hits, but had to battle for the complete-game win as Albany put runners on base in every inning but one. Albany's best scoring opportunity came in the fifth inning when Meagan Butsch tried to score from second on a single, but sophomore right fielder Brijette Martin (New York, N.Y.) cut her down at the plate for the third out of the inning. Struzenberg struck out eight while picking up her 20th win of the season. 

Stony Brook record two more hits than the Great Danes did in game two, but a two-run home run in the third was all Albany would need as it held on for the 2-0 win. A controversial call in the top of the sixth inning, in which Kavitsky was called out for leaving the base early while attempting to tag-up on a fly ball, ended the Seawolves best chance of scoring.

SBU and Albany will finish its three-game series on Sunday. With a win or a loss by Boston University to Binghamton the Seawolves will clinch the regular season title, but if Stony Brook loses and Boston wins the two teams will share the title.

Offense Tops Defense, 32-19, in Red-White Scrimmage

Stephan Towns leads offense with two touchdown catches

May 2, 2009

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University's football team wrapped up its spring practice with the annual red-white scrimmage at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Senior Stephan Towns (San Diego, Calif.), who had six receptions for 74 yards, caught two touchdowns to lead the white team to a 35-19 win. Defensively, the Seawolves were led by senior captain Tyler Santucci (New Kensington, Pa.), who totaled two sacks and an interception. Adding to the day's excitement, former Stony Brook running back Jimmy DiPietro '76 and senior running back Conte Cuttino (Uniondale, N.Y.) squared off in a bench press competition at halftime, which Cuttino won with a max of 300 pounds.

"Spring has a lot of different components and the score today doesn't matter," head coach Chuck Priore said. "The important thing is we learn discipline, we learn the fundamentals of how to get better as a team and do things the right way. From that perspective I'm pleased with our spring. Fundamentally we got better, we have a lot of work to do, but we don't have to play next Saturday so we have three months to look at who we are. We're looking forward to having a great season.

Defensively the red team looked sharp, forcing a three-and-out while picking up a point in a modified scoring system. On the next series, redshirt freshman Phillip Mayberry (Grand Rapids, Mich.) righted the Seawolves' offense with a nine-yard gain on his first carry. Two plays later, Mayberry rushed for 12 yards, but again the defense came through, allowing just six yards on the next three plays to force another punt. 

Senior Michael Coulter (Yorba Linda, Calif.) took his opportunity under center and completed his first four passes, but a holding penalty on the white team forced them to punt and a 3-2 lead for the red team. With the ball spotted at the 40-yard line, the offense began to click. On a third-and-six from the 44, Coulter found junior Michael Lepore (Brick, N.J.) for a 31-yard gain and a first down. Two plays later, Coulter and Lepore hooked up again, this time for a 10-yard completion to the 14. Clicking on third down, Coulter threw a ball up-for-grabs for Towns, who pulled it in for a touchdown. Redshirt freshman Wesley Skiffington (Brandon, Fla.) added the extra point for an 11-3 white team lead.

The offense continued to march down the field with Hoffman and Lepore connecting on a 46-yard play, resulting in a first down from the four. However, the defense stopped them, resulting in a 21-yard field goal from Skiffington.

Two drives later from their own 34 and with Coulter under center, he found redshirt freshmanJordan Gush (Richardson, Texas) for a 24-yard completion to the 42. After a Mayberry rush of five yards, Coulter connected with junior Donald Porter (Charles Town, W.V.) and Gush on pass plays of 17 and 11 yards, respectively,resulting in a pair of first downs to the 10 yards line. That was all the offensive would gain on that series as junior Chris Fenelon (Bellerose, N.Y.) sacked Coulter for a loss of six and senior Carl Teague (St. Petersburg, Fla.) intercepted a pass in the end zone and returned it to the six-yard line.

Starting from their own six, the white team moved the ball to the 13 with a seven-yard reception from Towns. But after a penalty for an illegal shift and an incomplete pass, Santucci sacked Hoffman in the end zone, resulting in a safety.

On the next series for the white team, Hoffman completed three straight passes for 34 yards after an initial one-yard rush from Mayberry. From the 39-yard line, Hoffman threw three straight incomplete passes, bringing up fourth down. But on fourth down, Hoffman scrambled to his left and threw the ball up for Towns, who jumped over senior Benjamin Clements(Glen Burnie, Md.) for the score. Skiffington connected on the point after to give the white team a 12-point advantage.

The rest of the first half saw the defense allow just two points on a pair of first downs. After a pair of penalties on the red team, the defense allowed just a pair of completions and forced an incompletion on fourth down to gain a point. On the final series of the half, Coulter drove the white team down the field including a 34-yard reception to senior Adrian Sawyer (Oakland, Calif.), who escaped a couple of tackles, going down at the 23. On the final play of the half, Santucci stepped in front of the receiver and picked off Coulter.

Senior Dan Sweeney (Niskayuna, N.Y.) began the third quarter at quarterback and completed 3-of-6 passes for 20 yards. On senior Matt Dardenne's (Fremont, Calif.) first pass, senior Chevar Rankins (Middletown, N.Y.) picked it off for the red team's third interception of the afternoon.

Hoffman finished the game 11-20 for 128 and a touchdown while Coulter was 16-25 for 178 and a touchdown and two interceptions. Along with a pair of touchdowns, Towns grabbed six balls for 74 yards. Lepore had five catches for 97 yards and Gush totaled six catches for 75 yards. On the ground, Mayberry carried the ball 11 times for 49 yards.

The defensive totaled five sacks on the day with sophomore Ryan Haber (Lafayette Hill, Pa.) and freshman Craig Richardson (Revere, Mass.) also adding sacks. Clements finished with a team-high five tackles and juniors Stephen Schwicke (East Patchogue, N.Y.) and Arin West (Toms River, N.J.) had four apiece.

The Stony Brook football team begins the 2009 season at Long Island rival Hofstra on Saturday, September 5.

For ticket information, go to www.goseawolves.org or call (631) 632-WOLF.