Baseball To Take On Coastal Carolina In Opening Round of NCAA Tournament

Seawolves will open against Coastal Carolina on Friday. (WUSB)

Stony Brook, N.Y. - After securing its second America East title in three years over the weekend, the Stony Brook University baseball team found out on Monday that it is headed to the Myrtle Beach Regional this weekend to compete in the 2010 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship. Seeded fourth in the regional, the Seawolves will face off against the top-seed and host Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the opening round of the double-elimination regional tournament on Friday. The games will be held at BB&T Coastal Field. Game times have not yet been announced. Also joining the Seawolves in Myrtle Beach will be North Carolina State and College of Charleston.

Stony Brook (29-25) secured an automatic bid into the field of 64 with its 4-2 victory over Albany on Friday afternoon. Freshman Adam Brown (Melville, N.Y.) allowed just two runs in 8.2 innings and sophomore Pat Cantwell (West Islip, N.Y.) hit a go-ahead two-run home run to lead the Seawolves to the victory. Cantwell was named the tournament's Most Outstanding player after hitting .385 with six RBI in the three games.

The Chanticeleers won their fourth straight Big South Championship on Saturday with a 8-2 victory over Liberty. It was their 51st victory of the season which is a new Big South single season record. The tournament's No. 4 overall seed, Coastal Carolina will be hosting a regional for the third time.

Coastal is led by sophomore right-hander Anthony Meo, the Big South Pitcher of the Year. Meo went 12-1 with a 1.73 earned-run average for the Chanticleers during the regular season, holding opponents to a .217 batting average.

Stony Brook wins America East baseball title, earns NCAA berth (NEWSDAY - MARCUS HENRY)

By MARCUS HENRY marcus.henry@newsday.com

Stony Brook baseball is dancing again.

Sparked by a stellar outing by lefthander Adam Brown and back-to-back homers by Pat Cantwell and Chad Marshall, top-seeded Stony Brook defeated No. 4 Albany, 4-2, in the America East Tournament championship game in Vestal, N.Y., on Friday.

Stony Brook (29-25) earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, its second in the last three years.

"To win a championship two of three years says a lot as to where we've come," Stony Brook coach Matt Senk said.

Stony Brook took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh on a two-run home run by Cantwell. Marshall followed with a home run to centerfield to make it 4-1.

Cantwell, a West Islip graduate who helped lift the Seawolves with two RBIs in Thursday's 8-4 win over Albany, was named the tournament's most outstanding player. "Pat came in an outstanding player," Senk said. "His development has been steady. He's a great young man and a great athlete."

Four runs was all the support Brown needed as he struck out four and scattered seven hits in 82/3 innings.

Hempstead's William Carmona then induced a flyout for the save. Carmona, who had four RBIs in Thursday's win, was named the America East Rookie of the Year. "He does a lot for us,'' Senk said, "and he gave Pat a run for the tournament most outstanding player award."

This will be the Seawolves' third trip to the NCAA Tournament in seven years.

The NCAA Tournament draw selection will be held at 12:30 p.m. Monday.

BASEBALL WINS 2010 AMERICA EAST CHAMPIONSHIP, EARN BID TO 2010 NCAA TOURNAMENT, JUNE 4-7

Vestal, N.Y. (May 28, 2010) – Freshman Adam Brown (Melville, N.Y.) allowed just two runs in 8.2 innings and sophomore Pat Cantwell (West Islip, N.Y.) hit a go-ahead two-run home run with one out in the seventh as the No. 3 Stony Brook University baseball team won its second America East championship in three seasons with a 4-2 victory over No. 2 Albany on Friday afternoon at Varsity Field, earning the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Tournament selection show will be carried live on ESPN on Monday at 12:30 p.m. Brown allowed seven hits in his 8.2 innings and was joined on the All-Tournament team by freshman William Carmona (Hempstead, N.Y.), freshman Maxx Tissenbaum (Toronto, Ontario) and sophomore Nick Tropeano (West Islip, N.Y.). Cantwell was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. The teams entered the seventh tied at one but Tissenbaum singled to lead off and then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from senior Justin Echevarria (Uniondale, N.Y.). Cantwell then launched a 1-1 pitch over the left-center field wall to give the Seawolves a 3-1 lead. Junior Chad Marshall (Paris, Ontario) followed with a drive over the right-center field fence to push the Stony Brook lead to 4-1. Brown allowed a single to Brendan Rowland to lead off the eighth but then retired the next three hitters on a fly out and two pop ups to retire the side. Brown retired the first two hitters of the ninth but Nolan Gaige then homered to center to cut the Stony Brook lead to 4-2. The Seawolves turned to Carmona, who retired Adam Cutspec on a fly to right to clinch the title for the Seawolves. Brown got the side in order in the first with the help of a spectacular diving catch by freshman centerfielder Tanner Nivins (Kitchener, Ontario) on a drive by Brian Bullard. The Great Danes put runners on first and second with two out in the second but Brown struck out Mike Tirri looking to get out of the jam. Stony Brook jumped on top with a run in the second as senior Michael Stephan (Patchogue, N.Y.) walked with one out and moved to second on a walk to Carmona. Then, with Nivins at the plate, Kasceim Graham’s pitch dribbled behind the plate. Stephan took off for third and catcher Ralph Keppler’s throw went into leftfield, allowing Stephan to score. Albany tied the game in the third on a sacrifice fly from Rowland. The Seawolves nearly took the lead in the fourth as Carmona doubled with one out and then moved to third on a Nivins fly to right. Tissenbaum then dropped a bunt down the third-base line but the throw from third baseman Albany third baseman Ralph Rizzo just beat a diving Tissenbaum at first. Albany put a man on second with one out in the fifth as Nolan Gaige led off with a walk and then moved to second on an Adam Cutspec sacrifice bunt. But Brown then got Bullard to line to senior first baseman Robert Dyer (Selden, N.Y.), who then quickly threw to Marshall to double off Gaige. The Seawolves threatened in the fifth as Echevarria reached third with one out. But Graham got Marshall and junior Stephen Marino (Lake Grove, N.Y.) to ground out to retire the side. The Great Danes nearly took the lead in the sixth, putting runners on first and third with one out. But Brown got Greg Muller got to pop to short before retiring Tirri on a fly to center.

Crowley Earns Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award for USILA Most Outstanding Division I Player

Junior midfielder had 77 points on 51 goals and 26 assists


Stony Brook, N.Y. - A day after becoming the first Stony Brook men's lacrosse player to earn first team All-America honors, junior midfielder Kevin Crowley (New Westminster, British Columbia) has been chosen as the 2010 recipient for the USILA's Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award, given to the nation's most outstanding Division I player.

"This is a tremendous honor for Kevin," head coach Rick Sowell said. "I really couldn't be more proud of him. This honor is just icing on the cake for our program."

Crowley had one of the best seasons ever by a Stony Brook men's lacrosse player, posting 51 goals and 26 assists in 17 games. His 51 goals are a single-season program record and he's the only player in school history in the top five in goals (101) and assists (75). Crowley is just 26 points shy of the all-time record of 201.

The 2010 unanimous America East Player of the Year and Tewaaraton Award finalist, Crowley recorded at least two points in every game, including a career-high nine (4g, 5a) against Siena. All five assists against the Saints came in the first half, a Stony Brook record.

Stony Brook finished the season 13-4 and advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals for the first time in school history. The Seawolves won nine straight games en route to a #6 ranking, the highest ever in program history.

Crowley is just the fourth junior since 1995 to earn the Enners Award.

The award is named after Raymond Enners, who attended the United States Military Academy and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was killed in service on September 18, 1968.

Stony Brook University Baseball Advances To America East Title Game With 8-4 Victory Over Albany

Sophomore Tyler Johnson (Chatsworth, Calif.) allowed three runs in eight-plus innings and freshman William Carmona (Hempstead, N.Y.) hit a grand slam as the No. 3 Stony Brook University baseball team defeated the No. 4 Albany Great Danes, 8-4, in the winner’s bracket game of the 2010 America East Tournament on Thursday afternoon at Varsity Field. With the victory, the Seawolves advance to the America East championship game on Friday at 3 p.m. against the winner of Friday morning’s Binghamton/Albany game. Johnson allowed no runs and two hits over the first 8.0 innings before running into trouble in the ninth. It was the ninth victory of the season for Johnson, tying the program’s singe season record. The right-hander allowed five hits and struck out eight. Sophomore Pat Cantwell (West Islip, N.Y.) had two hits and two RBI while freshman Maxx Tissenbaum (Toronto, Ontario) added three hits including a home run. With the victory, Stony Brook improves to 28-25. Albany threatened in the first, putting runners on first and second with two out but freshman centerfielder Tanner Nivins (Kitchener, Ontario) made a diving catch on a line drive from Ralph Keppler to end the inning. Stony Brook jumped on top with a run in the third on a two-out RBI double from Cantwell. The Seawolves put runners on first and third with one out in the fourth before Albany starter Zach Kraham struck out Carmona and Nivins to get out of the jam. But the Seawolves added two runs in the fifth as Tissenbaum led off the inning with his third home run of the season. Stony Brook then loaded the bases with two outs and Kraham hit senior Michael Stephan (Patchogue, N.Y.) to force in a run. Johnson allowed his first hit of the day with one out in the fifth but responded by striking out the final two batters of the inning. SBU tacked on a run in the sixth on another two-out RBI double from Cantwell. Albany put runners on first and second with two outs in the seventh but Stephan hauled in Ralph Rizzo’s drive just in front of the left-field fence to end the threat.

Crowley Named First Team All-America; Three Others Honored By USILA

Crowley becomes first player in school history to be named first team All-America

Stony Brook, N.Y. - The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) has announced its Division I All-Americans and for the first time in Stony Brook men's lacrosse history, SBU has a player on the first team. Junior midfielder Kevin Crowley (New Westminster, British Columbia) earned first-team honors while junior attackman Jordan McBride (New Westminster, British Columbia was named to the third team. Senior long stick midfielder Steven Waldeck (Levittown, N.Y.) and senior attackman Tom Compitello (Hauppauge, N.Y.) each were named honorable mention.
"I'm really proud of these four young men for their accomplishments," head coach Rick Sowell said. "We're reaping the benefits for a great season and it's fun to see some individuals rewarded for their success."
Crowley, the 2010 unanimous America East Player of the Year and Tewaaraton Award finalist, had one of the best seasons in school history. He amassed 51 goals, the most by an individual in a single season in school history, and tallied 26 assists. His 51 goals scored were more than his freshman and sophomore seasons combined. Crowley is just 26 points shy of Stony Brook's all-time record (201) and is the only player in school history in the top five in goals (101) and assists (75).
McBride, an honorable mention All-America after his freshman and sophomore seasons, had 48 goals as a junior, a career best. He became the Seawolves' all-time leading goal scorer after scoring a pair against Albany in the America East Championship game. McBride is the first player in school history to score at least 40 goals in three straight seasons.

A three time All-America East first-team selection, Waldeck earns his first national nod. The country's leading scorer among all long poles with 10 goals and four assists, he totaled 112 ground balls in 2010, the third most in a season in school history. He was recently named to the USILA North/South Senior All-Star Game and has a chance to be Stony Brook's first ever draft pick by Major League Lacrosse.
After recording 39 points in 21 games going into this season, Compitello exploded for 72 points (37g, 35a) in 2010. Joining Waldeck in earning national honors for the first time, Compitello tallied at least one point in every game this season, including a career-best eight against Hartford (6g, 2a).
Stony Brook finished the season 13-4 and advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals for the first time in school history. The Seawolves also achieved their highest ranking in school history (sixth) and won the America East Tournament championship for the first time since 2002.

Tropeano, Echevarria Lead Baseball To 10-1 Victory Over Maine In Opening Round of 2010 America East Tournament

Tropeano allows just one run on four hits in 8.0 innings.

Vestal. N.Y. - Sophomore Nick Tropeano (West Islip, N.Y.) allowed one run in 8.0 innings and the No. 3 Stony Brook University baseball team scored five runs in the sixth inning on its way to a 10-1 victory over the No. 2 Maine Black Bears in the opening round of the 2010 America East Tournament on Wednesday afternoon at Varsity Field. The Seawolves advance to the winner's bracket of the four-team double-elimination tournament and will take on No. 4 Albany on Thursday at 2:45 p.m. (WUSB)

Tropeano (8-3) allowed just four hits in his 8.0 innings, striking out six. Senior Justin Echevarria (Uniondale, N.Y.) had a hit and three RBI for the Seawolves (27-15), who tallied 15 hits. Junior Chad Marshall (Paris, Ontario) had three hits and two RBI while sophomore Pat Cantwell (West Islip, N.Y.) added two hits and two RBI.

The Seawolves threatened in the first as junior Stephen Marino (Lake Grove, N.Y.) and senior Robert Dyer (Selden, N.Y.) reached on two-out singles. But Jeffrey Gibbs got senior Michael Stephan (Patchogue, N.Y.) to fly out to right to end the inning.

Tropeano, meanwhile, recorded his first five outs via the strike out and did not allow a hit until the fourth. Stony Brook put runners on first and second with no out in the fifth before Gibbs retired Marshall and Marino. Dyer walked to load the bases but Stephan grounded out to first to end the inning.

Justin Leisenheimer walked to lead off the fifth but Tropeano then made a diving grab on a Matt Howard bunt and then tossed it to first to double off Leisenheimer. The Seawolves finally broke across in the sixth, loading the bases with no outs. Gibbs then walked Echevarria to force in a run and give SBU a 1-0 lead.

Cantwell followed with an RBI single and Marshall then drilled a two-run single through the right side to make it 4-0. Cantwell scored the final run of the inning on a Marino double-play ball.
The Seawolves tacked on three runs in the seventh on a Echevarria two-run double and a Cantwell sacrifice fly. Maine got on the board in the seventh on a Howard run-scoring double but SBU answered with a run in the eighth on an RBI double from Carmona.

Sold-Out Crowd Watches Stony Brook Battle But Fall Late To Virginia, 10-9

Stony Brook, N.Y. - A standing-room only crowd of more than 10,000 saw eighth-seeded Stony Brook rally from a four-goal deficit in the first half, but Virginia's Chris Bocklet and Shamel Bratton each scored three goals to lead the Cavaliers to a 10-9 win in an NCAA Quarterfinal at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Junior Kevin Crowley (New Westminster, British Columbia) and sophomore Kyle Belton (Langley, British Columbia) had two goals apiece for the Seawolves (13-4). Sophomore Robbie Campbell (Delta, British Columbia) added a goal and two assists.

"I'm so proud of our guys," head coach Rick Sowell said. "We had a goal a year ago and accomplished that and then some. I was confident that our guys would show up and play and they did that." "This was one heck of a journey," Sowell said.

Crowley, the 2010 America East Player of the Year and a Tewaaraton Award finalist, became Stony Brook all-time leading goal scorer in a season with 51 and finished his outstanding season with 77 points.

Senior Charlie Paar (Huntington, N.Y.) (10 saves) made three point-blank stops in the beginning minutes of the game to fire up the pro-Stony Brook crowd, but Shamel Bratton got free for a shot and scored to make it 1-0 just under three minutes into the game.

Crowley helped Stony Brook get on the board when he found sophomore Jared LeVerne (Jericho, N.Y.) in transition for his third goal of the season. But it was all Virginia (16-1) after that, as four different players scored goals to give the Cavaliers' a 5-1 lead.

The Seawolves went 17 minutes without a goal, but they roared back in a big way. Sophomore Timmy Trenkle (Commack, N.Y.) dodged to the left of the crease and scored to make it 5-2. Less than two minutes later, Belton took Campbell's pass and put it past Virginia goalie Adam Ghitelman (13 saves). Ghitelman made six stops in the second quarter, but it was Stony Brook that entered the locker room with momentum despite a two-goal deficit.

Junior Adam Rand (Niantic, Conn.), who completely dominated the face-offs against Virginia, won 9 of 10 draws in the first half. He finished the game with 18 of 23.

Over a minute and a half into the second half, the crowd jumped to its feet when Campbell scored unassisted to get Stony Brook within one. Crowley completed the comeback, taking a pass from junior Jordan McBride (New Westminster, British Columbia) and scoring right on the door step to tie the game at five.

Virginia, which didn't score for over 25 minutes of game action, ended the drought when Bocklet's shot glanced off Paar and in. Bocklet scored with 45 seconds left in the third quarter to make it 7-5.

Six seconds into the fourth quarter, Belton raked the ball past Ghitelman for his 23rd goal of the season, a career best. Off the ensuing face-off, senior Steven Waldeck (Levittown, N.Y.) eventually scooped up the ground ball and sent the crowd into a frenzy with his 10th goal of the season, tying the game at seven.

After Bratton made it 8-7, Crowley, running to his right, ripped a shot to tie the game for the fourth time. But Bocklet regained the lead for UVa, scoring off a pass from Mikey Thompson in transition.

Colin Briggs scored the game-winning goal with 3:45 left.

Senior Tom Compitello (Hauppauge, N.Y.) made things interesting when he came out from behind the cage and beat Ghitelman low for the score. Stony Brook won the ensuing face-off and Campbell got off a shot but it went wide. A failed clear set the Seawolves up in the waning moments, but McBride's low-angle shot with 25 seconds left was saved and Virginia eventually ran the clock out.

Waldeck finished his illustrious career with 313 ground balls, including 112 in 2010, the third most in school history. Among all long poles, he led the country with 10 goals and four assists. The long stick midfielder finished his four-year career with 17 goals and 11 assists.

Paar ended the season with a 9.55 goals against average and .562 save percentage. His 13 wins this season are the most by a goalie in school history.

Stony Brook loses to top-ranked Virginia. 10-9

Stony Brook University's lacrosse team gave a record LaValle Stadium crowd of 10,024 the thrill of a lifetime and gave No. 1 Virginia the scare of a lifetime Sunday afternoon. But in the end, the Cavaliers hung on for an exciting 10-9 victory in anNCAA Tournament quarterfinal game.

Colin Briggs scored on a pass from Chris Brocklet with 3:45 left to give Virginia a 10-8 lead that held up despite a furious finish. Tom Compitello scored on a pass from Timmy Trenkle with 2:11 left, but the Seawolves were unable to get another good shot on goalie Adam Ghitelman, who was outstanding.

Stony Brook (13-4) erased a 7-5 deficit early in the fourth quarter on goals 20 seconds apart by Kyle Belton and Steven Waldeck. Shamel Bratton put Virginia back on top, 8-7, with 13:40 left, but Crowley tied it for the last time with 5:36 left.

PHOTOS: Stony Brook loses to top-ranked Virginia

Virginia (16-1) had taken a 5-1 lead early in the second quarter before the Seawolves rallied and proved they belonged on the field against the nation's top-ranked team.

Virginia will play Duke in next Saturday's NCAA semifinal game in Baltimore. The other semifinal matches Notre Dame against Cornell. The Big Red easily defeated Army, 14-5, in the first game of the doubleheader at LaValle Stadium.

Stony Brook will try to slow down Virginia in front of home crowd - NEWSDAY (Bob Herzog)

First came the dream sequence. "I don't deny that it crossed my mind," Stony Brook University men's lacrosse coach Rick Sowell said of the possibility that his team would be playing a home game Sunday in an NCAA Tournament quarterfinal. "But that was as a dream. It was too far-fetched. Am I surprised? Absolutely."

Now comes the reality show, in the form of lacrosse royalty: Top-ranked Virginia is Stony Brook's opponent.

"They're No. 1 in the country for a reason," said Seawolves star middie Kevin Crowley (49 goals, 25 assists), the nation's top scorer along with Smithtown West's Rob Pannell (27, 47) of Cornell. "Their athleticism is a concern. But this has been an unreal ride and we want it to continue."

LaValle Stadium was the pre-determined site for today's quarterfinal doubleheader that matches Cornell against Army at noon and Stony Brook against Virginia at 2:30 p.m. But only the most optimistic fans, alumni and players could have imagined that Stony Brook would wind up in the right bracket at the right time to play at home after a first-round victory.

"It was definitely one of the things you saw on the schedule that the quarterfinals were here and it would be a pretty neat scenario if it could play out," said Stony Brook's No. 3 scorer, middie Tom Compitello of Hauppauge, who has 36 goals and 35 assists. "Especially for me, to play at home in front of all my family and friends. It's definitely going to be a great time."

The doubleheader has been a complete sellout since Tuesday, with a standing-room-only crowd of 9,600 expected.

"Selling out; the excitement of it all; the support we've received from our campus and our community. It's neat for our kids who've worked so hard," Sowell said. "It's fun to be playing this time of year in front of a big crowd, but it doesn't make our task easier."

That's because Virginia is one of the best and most balanced teams in the nation. Sophomore attackmen Chris Bocklett and Steele Stanwick are skilled scorers. The midfield features twin brothers Shamel and Rhamel Bratton of Huntington. The defense is anchored by standout goalie Adam Ghitelman of Cold Spring Harbor.

"You have to prepare for their speed, which you can't really duplicate in practice," Sowell said. "We don't want it to be a track meet. We don't want our goalie to see too many shots. We'd like to build a lead and set the pace."

That means, among other things, the Seawolves must contain the Brattons. "They're so dangerous because of their athleticism," Sowell said. "They have great range. They can shoot from 12 to 15 yards. They can change directions and they can split you. We'll send people early and often when they get ready to dodge."

Defenseman Steven Waldeck of MacArthur knows his unit will be tested. "You can't help but notice Virginia's speed and athleticism," he said. "We'll play help defense. We know they'll take a lot of shots, but we want to keep them outside and give our goalie a chance to make saves."

Stony Brook's talented man in the cage is Charlie Paar of Huntington, who was a high school teammate of the Brattons. Just another intriguing story line you could only have dreamed about back on Feb. 20 when the season began.

Baseball Drops Regular Season Finale To Binghamton, 13-6

Box Score
Photo Gallery

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Freshman Adam Brown (Melville, N.Y.) allowed just an unearned run in 7.0 innings and senior Robert Dyer (Selden, N.Y.) had two hits including a home run but the Binghamton Bearcats used a seven-run eighth to defeat the Stony Brook University baseball team, 13-6, on Saturday afternoon at University Field in the regular season finale for both teams. The Seawolves finish the regular season 26-25 overall and 15-9 in the America East and will be the No. 3 seed in the upcoming 2010 America East Tournament hosted by Binghamton. Stony Brook will open the double-elimination tournament on Wednesday against No. 2 Maine. First pitch is set for 11 a.m.

The teams entered the seventh inning tied at one but senior Robert Dyer (Selden, N.Y.) led off the seventh inning with a home run to left to give the Seawolves a 2-1 lead. Senior Michael Barbot (Clermont, Fla.) retired the first two hitters of the eighth. But the Bearcats then erupted for seven runs highlighted by a go-ahead two-run triple from Dave Ciocchi and a two-run single from C.J. Lukaszewski.

The Seawolves scored four runs in the ninth including a three-run home run off the bat of senior Sal Intagliata (Franklin Square, N.Y.). It was his first collegiate home run.

Brown allowed just four hits in his 7.0 innings of work. He did not walk a batter and struck out five. Matt Simone earned the victory for Binghamton, hurling an inning of relief.

The Seawolves hosted their annual Alumni/Senior Day at Saturday's contest. Over 50 alums returned including Joe Nathan `97. It was the final regular season game at University Field thanks to the generous donation of Nathan in support of the construction of a new baseball field at Stony Brook University. Beginning next season the field will be named "Joe Nathan Field."

The Seawolves also honored their six seniors- Michael Stephan (Patchogue, N.Y.), Chris Maier (Farmingdale, N.Y.), Jordan Purington (Westbrook, Maine), Justin Echevarria (Uniondale, N.Y.), Dyer and Barbot - prior to the game.

Men's Lacrosse Aiming For Final Four Berth Against Virginia On Sunday

Seawolves fell to Cavaliers, 13-8, on February 27

Stony Brook, N.Y. - A final four berth is on the line when eighth-seeded Stony Brook and top-seeded Virginia meet in an NCAA Quarterfinal game on Sunday afternoon at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium. Face-off is scheduled for 2:35 pm. The game will be televised live in HD on ESPNU, with Eamon McAnaney (play-by-play), Quint Kessenich (color), Matt Ward (color) and Bob Holtzman (sidelines) calling all the action. Fans can hear the game locally on WUSB 90.1 with Matt Mankiewich, Frank Barile and Brendan Chamberlain broadcasting. Live stats are available at GoSeawolves.org.

The Seawolves (13-3) are making just their second appearance in the NCAA Tournament and won their first NCAA game last week, 9-7, over Denver. Junior Kevin Crowley (New Westminster, British Columbia) and senior Tom Compitello (Hauppauge, N.Y.) each had three goals in the victory over the Pioneers.

Crowley, the America East Player of the Year and Tewaaraton Award finalist, leads SBU with 49 goals and 74 points. Junior Jordan McBride (New Westminster, British Columbia) has 48 goals and Compitello's 35 assists leads all players. He also has scored 36 goals.

Senior Steven Waldeck (Levittown, N.Y.) had 11 ground balls in the win over Denver and has 104 for the season. He also scored a goal and leads the country in long pole scoring with 13 points (9g, 4a). Senior Charlie Paar (Huntington, N.Y.) owns a 9.81 goals against average and a .565 save percentage. In the last nine games, Paar has an 8.43 GAA.

Chris Bocklet leads Virginia (15-1) with 46 goals. Steele Stanwick has 28 assists and is second on the team with 25 goals. Tewaaraton Award finalist Ken Clausen leads the defense with 46 ground balls and 36 caused turnovers. Adam Ghitelman is saving 56 percent of the shots he's faced and has a 7.79 goals against average.

Binghamton Sweeps Doubleheader From Baseball

Stony Brook, N.Y. –Senior Michael Stephan (Patchogue, N.Y.) hit a game-tying three-run home run with one out in the seventh inning but Jim Calderdone singled in the go-ahead run with two outs in the eighth to lead the Binghamton Bearcats to a 5-4 victory over the Stony Brook University baseball team in the first game of an America East Conference doubleheader on Friday afternoon at University Field. Sophomore Tyler Johnson (Chatsworth, Calif.) hurled a five-hitter in game two but the Bearcats edged the Seawolves, 2-1. Stony Brook is now 26-24 overall and 15-8 in the America East.

The Seawolves trailed 4-0 entering the bottom of the seventh of game one but put runners on second and third with nobody out. Junior Stephen Marino (Lake Grove, N.Y.) then hit an RBI groundout to make it 4-1. Binghamton starter James Giulietti walked senior Robert Dyer (Selden, N.Y.) and Stephan then hit Giulietti’s first pitch over the right field wall.

But Jeff Abrams walked with one out in the eighth and then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from C.J. Lukaszewski. Calderone followed with a line drive single to right-center field to score Abrams with the go-ahead run. Senior Justin Echevarria (Uniondale, N.Y.) reached on an error with one out in the bottom of the eighth but Binghamton closer Alex Adami retired sophomore Pat Cantwell (West Islip, N.Y.) and junior Chad Marshall (Paris, Ontario) to end the game.

Binghamton jumped on top with an unearned run in the fourth. The Bearcats then added three runs in the seventh on consecutive two-out RBI singles from Henry Dunn, Dave Ciocchi and Joe Charron.

Sophomore Nick Tropeano (West Islip, N.Y.) started for the Seawolves and gave up just one unearned run in 6.0 innings. The right-hander struck out 11 and allowed just three hits. Marshall, Cantwell and Stephan each had two hits for Stony Brook.

Binghamton jumped to an early 1-0 lead in game two, scoring a run in the first on an RBI double from Peter Bregartner. The Seawolves tied it in the second on a two-out home run from freshman Tanner Nivins (Kitchener, Ontario).

The Bearcats grabbed the lead back on a sacrifice fly from Jeff Skelhorne-Gross. Johnson shut down Binghamton from there but the Seawolves were unable to push across the tying run as the Bearcats completed the sweep.

Johnson took the loss despite allowed just two runs on five hits in 7.0 innings. Mike Augliera earned the victory, giving up one run on four hits in 5.0 innings. Joe Swindells earned the save with 2.0 scoreless innings.

The Seawolves will host their annual Alumni/Senior Day at tomorrow’s 12 p.m. game against the Bearcats. Joe Nathan ‘97 will be in attendance at Saturday’s contest, which will be the final regular season game at University Field thanks to the generous donation of Nathan in support of the construction of a new baseball field at Stony Brook University. Beginning next season the field will be named "Joe Nathan Field."

The Seawolves will also honor their six seniors- Stephan, Dyer, Echevarria, Chris Maier (Farmingdale, N.Y.), Jordan Purington (Westbrook, Maine) and Michael Barbot (Clermont, Fla.) prior to the game.

JOE NATHAN COMES BACK TO STONY BROOK -Baseball To Host Alumni/Senior Day on Saturday

Seawolves to host Alumni at Saturday's 12 p.m. contest against Binghamton.

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University's baseball team will host their annual Alumni/Senior Day at Saturday's 12 p.m. game against Binghamton. Joe Nathan `97 will be in attendance at Saturday's contest, which will be the final regular season game at University Field thanks to the generous donation of Nathan in support of the construction of a new baseball field at Stony Brook University. Beginning next season the field will be named "Joe Nathan Field."

The Seawolves will also honor their six seniors- Michael Barbot (Clermont, Fla.), Robert Dyer (Selden, N.Y.), Justin Echevarria (Uniondale, N.Y.), Chris Maier (Farmingdale, N.Y.), Jordan Purington (Westbrook, Maine) and Michael Stephan (Patchogue, N.Y.)- prior to the game.

Currently in second place in the conference and winner of seven straight, the Seawolves can clinch the America East regular season title and the right to host the 2010 America East Baseball Championship on May 26-28 with a sweep of the first-place Bearcats at University Field this weekend. First pitch for Friday's doubleheader is set for 12 p.m.

Alumni/Senior Day Schedule
11:30 a.m.- Arrival/Check-in
12 p.m. - On-field Ceremonies
12:20 p.m. - Food, drink served
*Coach Senk will address the alumni following the game

Baseball Completes Four-Game Sweep of Hartford

Stony Brook, N.Y. – Senior Michael Stephan (Patchogue, N.Y.) went 3-for-4 with three RBI including a go-ahead two-run double in the fifth inning as the Stony Brook University baseball team completed a four-game sweep of the Hartford Hawks with a 6-4 win in the second game of a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at University Field. The Seawolves pounded out 21 hits on their way to an 18-5 victory in the first game. SBU has now won seven in a row and is 26-22 overall and 15-6 in the America East.

The teams entered the fifth inning of game two tied at three but junior Chad Marshall (Paris, Ontario) led off the fifth with a walk and then moved to third on a double from junior Stephen Marino (Lake Grove, N.Y.). Senior Robert Dyer (Selden, N.Y.) grounded out to short for the first out but Stephan followed with the two-run double to left to give the Seawolves a 5-3 lead.

Hartford nearly tied the game in the seventh, putting runners on first and second with two out. Jason Freethey then capped a long turn at-bat with a run-scoring single to drive Stony Brook freshman starter Adam Brown (Melville, N.Y.) from the game. SBU brought in senior Chris Maier (Farmingdale, N.Y.), who walked Corey Beahm to load the bases.

But Maier got Mike Amendola to line out to Stephan in left to get out of the jam. Stony Brook then added an insurance run in the bottom of the inning on a two-out run-scoring single from Stephan.

Maier pitched a perfect eighth and then handed the ball to freshman William Carmona (Hempstead, N.Y.), who walked Jon Ricco to open the ninth. But he then got Bobby Gorski to ground into a double play before Adam Sobiewski fouled out to first to end the game.

Brown picked up the win, allowing three earned runs on four hits in 6.2 innings. He also tied a season-high with eight strike outs. Carmona added three hits for the Seawolves and is now hitting .405 this season including .493 during conference play.

Hartford jumped to an early lead in the first game, scoring three runs in the first. Freshman James Campbell (Bridgeport, Conn.) nearly got out of the inning without allowing a run but Freethey drew a two-out bases loaded walk and Gorski followed with a two-run single.

But the Seawolves answered with five runs in the bottom of the first highlighted by a two-run double from Marino. SBU added four runs in the second as Carmona hit a three-run double and then scored on an RBI single from freshman Tanner Nivins (Kitchener, Ontario).

Stony Brook pushed its lead to 13-3 in the third on two-run double from Stephan and run-scoring hits from sophomore Pat Cantwell (West Islip, N.Y.) and Carmona. Cantwell had four hits in the doubleheader and now has a 22-game hitting streak.

Campbell earned his first collegiate victory for the Seawolves, allowing four runs on six hits in 6.0 innings. Marino had two hits and two RBI while Stephan had three RBI in addition to scoring five runs.

The Seawolves will return to action on Friday, beginning a three-game series with first-place Binghamton. First pitch for Friday’s doubleheader is set for 12 p.m.

It's taken a while, but Stony Brook is on the sports map

By JOHN JEANSONNE john.jeansonne@newsday.com

Yesterday's NCAA Tournament first-round men's lacrosse victory is another stony tossed into the athletic brook. More concentric circles, rippling outward from what used to be a quiet little out-of-the-way place for collegiate sports, creating waves well beyond these local shores.

The bigger picture takes in more than Stony Brook University's resolute 9-7 decision over Denver. More, really, than the fact that Stony Brook long ago was awarded hosting rights to next Sunday's tournament quarterfinals, whether its team was still alive or not. (High tide is definitely on the way now.)

Because the lacrosse lads, apart for their own rainmaking - their school's highest ranking (No. 8) in the sport and first to win an NCAA Tournament game since lacrosse went to Division I in 1990 - are riding the thunder of a breakout sports year on the Long Island campus.

In 2009-10, Stony Brook has won or shared conference titles in football, men's basketball, men's soccer, women's cross country and men's lacrosse. The basketball team created a hullabaloo by earning an NIT bid for a high-visibility home game against Illinois.

"Special year," athletic director Jim Fiore said. "These are tough times to be a pessimist."

The sports operation on this 24,000-student state university campus remains a relatively humble one, compared to the great crowds and enormous budgets of the Michigans and Texases and Penn States out there. Yesterday's game at 8,136-seat LaValle Stadium, opened in 2002, drew 4,262. But that was a significant leap from the regular-season game there against the same Denver team on March 20, when only 746 spectators showed up.

A 19-member pep band was tooting away. A majority of the crowd was wearing Stony Brook red. The game was on one of the numerous ESPN national platforms - ESPNU. There were big, blue NCAA championship tournament logos painted on the field.

It may not yet be an Eastern Long Island colossus, but the trajectory of athletic success and what Fiore calls "building the brand" is decidedly on the rise for a college that was opened in 1957 and, as per SUNY edict, did not award athletic scholarships until 1986. Even until Fiore arrived in 2003, he said, there had been no intention to go "big time."

It was at that point that then-university president Dr. Shirley Strum Kenny, summoning Fiore from his post at Princeton, informed him that "she had expectations," he said. "She wanted to play Texas in football!"

Perhaps that was because Kenny was a Texas alum. Fiore, who grew up in Long Beach and played college football for Hofstra, said he came to Stony Brook not even aware if the school had a logo, or exactly a settled-upon name. SUNY-Stony Brook? Stony Brook State?

Fiore hired former University of Connecticut assistant Steve Pikiell for men's basketball in 2005 and former Trinity (Conn.) football coach Chuck Priore in 2006. Football (63 scholarships), men's and women's basketball (15 apiece) and lacrosse (12.5) all are funded at the NCAA maximum, and Fiore is convinced that Stony Brook has become "the best choice" for a college "if you're serious about sports and want to stay on Long Island.''

He added, "When I was growing up, even 15 years ago, there was one choice [Hofstra]. Now we're the best choice. If people come here to see what we have, they'll come back. We averaged 4,500 for football, and now that Hofstra has dropped football, that will help us. And we are the state school."

Fiore says Stony Brook athletes have a combined grade-point average of 3.0, and his pitch further includes the assertion that his teams offer fans "cheap entertainment" - $10 a ticket. To have the lacrosse team playing at home next Sunday in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals - it would be called, with some audacity, the Elite Eight if this were basketball - "means we've arrived," Fiore said. "As an institution, as an athletic program, we can play with any team in the country.

"We're winning the recruiting battles, we've changed the culture. Alumni are coming back, wearing red. It's taken us seven years, but we're doing that."

Stony Brook as "jock school"?

"It's becoming that way," lacrosse coach Rick Sowell merrily agreed after yesterday's victory. "I'm just glad to join the party. The football guys always are coming by my office and wishing us luck. And the institution has done a terrific job."

Stony Brook's name in lacrosse had been spreading just far enough, and wide enough, that Sowell was able to recruit a handful of key players from Western Canada - "You can do a whole study on the influx of Canadian players in the game," Denver coach Bill Tierney said. "That's what's going on out there."

Plus Long Island kids long have played county lacrosse championship games at LaValle Stadium, helping to make Stony Brook what Fiore called a "location destination."

When the final horn sounded Saturday, Sowell, shaking his head, said he "couldn't believe it. The beginning of the year, knowing the quarterfinals would be here and there was some talk that Stony Brook would be there playing, I couldn't relate.

"To be sitting here, one of the final eight, that's just too much to comprehend. There was a little pressure, starting in February when a lot of our league wasn't doing well, and then last week we got tight, we unraveled a little bit."

Sowell still was having to take things a game at a time. "Our one goal at the beginning of the year," he said, "was just to get back to the America East championship game" that it lost in 2009. "You know, there was a time not so long ago when Albany was a machine , then UMBC took over. There were times when I'm thinking, 'How am I going to get this done in a couple of years?' I'm thinking, 'No way.'

"But about January, when the basketball team was doing well and the football team had finished a great season, I'm chomping at the bit. I felt I had a winning lottery ticket with this team. Now it's like: This is good."

To Fiore's mind, "You don't have to say, 'Where's Stony Brook?' anymore; 'What's Stony Brook?' "

Sowell agreed. "We've got a good thing going here at Stony Brook. I guess, get used to it. We're not going away."

Crowley, Compitello lead SBU to NCAA quarters (Newsday)

By BOB HERZOG bob.herzog@newsday.com

The 200-pound gorilla in the room just laughed. He had tried this trick shot before in practice, but it never worked. "I saved it for the game," Stony Brook midfielder Kevin Crowley joked about his spectacular, game-changing, behind-the-head shot that gave the Seawolves a one-goal lead over Denver in the fourth quarter yesterday.

Stony Brook never gave up that lead, and Crowley added his third goal of the game with 3:37 left to close out the scoring in a 9-7 NCAA Tournament first-round victory before 4,262 fans at LaValle Stadium.

Tom Compitello also scored three goals for eighth-seeded Stony Brook, which earned its first-ever NCAA Tournament men's lacrosse win and will host top-seeded Virginia in the quarterfinals next Sunday.

"They've got a gorilla," Denver coach Bill Tierney affectionately said of the 6-4, 200-pound Crowley, who has 49 goals (one short of the school record) and is one of five finalists for the Tewaaraton Award, given to the nation's top player. "It's tough to stop him. I think Dillon Roy is one of the best poles [defensemen] in the country. If he can't stop him . . . What did Crowley have? Three? And they were all big, powerful goals."

One, of course, was pretty darn fancy, too. Crowley was stick-checked by Roy as he maneuvered on the left wing early in the fourth quarter. But he managed to pick out a high corner and beat goalie Peter Lowell from 10 yards for a 7-6 lead.

"I knew there was a flag down. He already had gotten the stick up on me," Crowley said. "I practiced that shot a couple of times, but I wasn't really thinking about it at the exact second. I guess the opportunity just came and I let it go."

The Seawolves (13-3) were opportunistic from the start. Their first goal came when defenseman Steven Waldeck intercepted a clearing pass with Lowell out of the net and scored from long range while tumbling to the turf. And faceoff specialist Adam Rand scored his first goal of the season to move Stony Brook within 4-3.

Charlie Paar anchored a rock-solid defense with eight of his nine saves in the second half. Compitello scored an unassisted goal with 9:29 left to make it 8-6. "Personally, it's a dream come true," he said. "This is why you come to college - to compete at the highest level."

According to Tierney, a former Long Island high school coach and six-time national champion at Princeton, the Seawolves' defense was at a high level all night. "They changed up their style on defense. They jumped in our face a little. It was a surprise," he said. "It took us a while to get used to it. In fact, we're still trying."

Mark Matthews had four goals for Denver. Waldeck said that after halftime, when it was 5-5, his unit emphasized defending the crease. "Slide, rotate and recover as one," he said. "We drilled it in practice. You can give up those outside shots when you've got a goalie like we have behind you. We just let Charlie be Charlie."

And Denver couldn't stop Crowley from being Crowley. "He was shooting over my head,'' Roy said. "He got the better of me today."

Compitello, Crowley Lead Men's Lacrosse Past Denver, 9-7

Seawolves will play Virginia next Sunday in Stony Brook

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Junior Kevin Crowley (New Westminster, British Columbia) and senior Tom Compitello (Hauppauge, N.Y.) each tallied three goals to lead eighth-seeded Stony Brook past Denver, 9-7, in an NCAA Tournament first-round game. Senior Charlie Paar (Huntington, N.Y.) made nine saves, eight in the second half, as the Seawolves advance to the quarterfinals for the first time in school history.

Crowley, who now has 49 goals on the season, has scored at least three goals in seven of the last eight games. One of five student-athletes named as a 2010 Tewaaraton Award finalist, given to the nation's most outstanding collegiate lacrosse player, Crowley is one goal shy of tying the school record in a season (Kevin Pall - 50).

Stony Brook (13-3) has won nine straight games and the 13 wins this season is the most in school history. The Seawolves have not lost a game since falling to Cornell, 12-9, on March 23.

Mark Matthews led Denver (12-5) with four goals and an assist. Alex Demopoulos added two goals and four assists.

"Denver has had our number the last few years, and we knew we had to play 60 minutes," head coach Rick Sowell said. "Our games against Denver have come down to the final minutes, and tonight we made a few more plays. I think this game lived up to the expectations."

Senior Steven Waldeck (Levittown, N.Y.), who finished with 11 ground balls, got Stony Brook going with his ninth goal of the season, which leads all long-pole scorers this season. "We started to come together as a whole the last five or six games," Waldeck said. "With our slides and rotations, we're definitely on the same page."

Denver answered 1:30 later, as Matthews scored on the door step off a pass from Demopoulos. A man-up goal from Flint gave the Pioneers a 2-1 advantage at the 5:55 mark.
Crowley, the unanimous choice for America East Player of the Year, tied the game at 2-2, taking a pass from junior Timmy Trenkle (Commack, N.Y.) and putting it top right past Pioneers goalie Peter Lowell.

Denver took its biggest lead, 4-2, after Matthews and Demopoulos each tallied goals midway through the first half. But on the ensuing face-off, junior face-off specialist Adam Rand (Niantic, Conn.) won the draw, scooped up the ground ball, and scored his first goal of the season.

Compitello, who had 68 points coming into the game after 39 in two seasons, scored back-to-back goals to regain the lead for the Seawolves. "Playing in this type of game is the reason I came to Stony Brook," Compitello said. "Personally, this is a dream come true." Demopoulos made it a 5-5 first half after scoring with 1:36 left in the second quarter. The Pioneers didn't score another goal until two minutes into the fourth quarter.

Sophomore Kyle Belton (Langley, British Columbia) scored just in front of the crease at 1:08 of the third quarter to make it 6-5.

Matthews tied it at 6-6 with a man-up tally. After a flag was thrown giving a Stony Brook a free opportunity, Crowley backed his man down, and unleashed a shot over his right shoulder without looking at the net for the score.

Compitello's goal with 9:29 left in the fourth quarter made it 8-6. Matthews, who scored all four of his goals on assists from Demopolous, made it 8-7 with 6:05 left in the game.

Denver scored just two goals in the second half, with both coming in the fourth quarter.

Crowley capped the game's scoring, with the final tally coming at 3:37 unassisted.

"This team is just excited to be here," said Paar, who made five fourth-quarter saves. "We want to keep playing. Every game going forward is uncharted territory."

The Seawolves turned the ball over only 12 times, their lowest output of the season.

SBU, which played in just one NCAA Tournament game (L, 12-3 to Cornell in 2002) will face Virginia next Sunday in an NCAA Quarterfinal game in Stony Brook. Cornell, which topped Loyola, 11-10 in 3ot, will face the winner of Syracuse-Army, to be played tomorrow, in the other quarterfinal.

For tickets and more information, please call (631) 632-WOLF or visit Stony Brook's official athletics website, GoSeawolves.org.

Baseball Sweeps Doubleheader From Hartford

Senior Robert Dyer records 200th career hit in game two.

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Senior Robert Dyer (Selden, N.Y.) hit a walk-off RBI single with one out in the eighth inning to lead the Stony Brook University baseball team to a 3-2 victory over the Hartford Hawks in the first game of an America East Conference doubleheader on Saturday at University Field. Sophomore Tyler Johnson (Chatsworth, Calif.) then tossed a four-hitter and the Seawolves pounded out 17 hits on their way to a 13-3 win in game two. Stony Brook is now 24-22 overall and 13-6 in the America East.

The Seawolves trailed 2-1 entering the seventh and final inning of game one but freshman William Carmona (Hempstead, N.Y.) smashed a line-drive home run over the left-field fence with one out to tie the game at 2. Mike Amendola led off the eighth with a single for Hartford but Stony Brook starter Nick Tropeano (West Islip, N.Y.) then bare-handed Andy Drexel's bunt and fired to second to cut down Amendola.

Senior catcher Justin Echeverria (Uniondale, N.Y.) then picked Drexel off first for the second out before Tropeano walked pinch-hitter Bobby Gorski. But Tropeano got Rodger Wilmot to ground into a fielder's choice to get out of the inning.

Sophomore Pat Cantwell (West Islip, N.Y.) then led off the bottom of the eighth with a single to left and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from junior Chad Marshall (Paris, Ontario). Hartford starter Mike Thatcher intentionally walked junior Stephen Marino (Lake Grove, N.Y.) to bring up Dyer, who drilled a single up the middle to score Cantwell with the winning run.

Tropeano (7-3) earned the win for the Seawolves, striking out nine in his 8.0 innings of work. It is his fourth complete game in his last five starts. Thatcher took the loss for Hartford, allowing three runs on seven hits in 7.1 innings.
Hartford grabbed the early lead with an unearned run in the second but senior Michael Stephan's (Patchogue, N.Y.) solo home run in the bottom of the inning tied the game at one. Hartford took the lead back in fifth on an Amendola RBI double.

The Seawolves jumped to an early lead in the game two, scoring three runs in the first. Marshall drove in the first run with an RBI double and Stephan then capped the inning with a two-run home run to center.

SBU used the home run ball to put the game away in the third. Dyer and freshman Maxx Tissenbaum (Toronto, Ontario) each hit solo shots while freshman Tanner Nivins (Kitchener, Ontario) hit a three-run shot.

Stony Brook added an unearned run in the fourth and then scored four in the fifth highlighted by run-scoring doubles from Dyer and sophomore Sal Intagliata (Franklin Square, N.Y.). Dyer went a combined 5-for-9 in the doubleheader to become the fifth player in program history to record 200 career hits.

Johnson earned his eighth win for the Seawolves, allowing just five hits and no earned runs. The right-hander is one win from tying Drew McDowell `94 and Jon Lewis `06 for the most single season wins by a Stony Brook pitcher. Cantwell had four hits in the doubleheader and now has a 20-game hitting streak.

The teams will wrap up their four-game series with a doubleheader on Sunday. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.

Softball Falls to Boston University in America East Championship Final

Seawolves Finish Season with 32 wins
Orono, Maine - Stony Brook University's softball team staved off elimination for three-straight games before losing to Boston University, 4-1, in the America East Championship final on Saturday afternoon. The Seawolves forced the deciding game by defeating the Terriers, 2-0, earlier in the day. Stony Brook finishes the season with a 32-21-1 record, its third consecutive season with 30 or more wins.

Seniors Alyssa Struzenberg (Cooper City, Fla.), Crista Cerrone (Floral Park, N.Y.) and Katelyn O'Donnell (Kingston, Mass.) were named to All-Tournament team. Struzenberg started all fives games for the Seawolves, recording three complete game shutouts while posting a 1.43 ERA. Cerrone went 3-for-13 with a pair of clutch home runs and O'Donnell went 5-for-13 with a pair of RBI.

Facing elimination for the third-straight game, Stony Brook University's softball team defeated Boston University, 2-0, in the first game of the day. Pitching her fourth game in three days, Struzenberg shutout the top-seeded Terriers while recording three strikeouts. Senior Vicki Kavitsky (Cherry Hill, N.J.) drove in the Seawolves first run of the game in the third inning with a sac bunt which scored senior Katelyn O'Donnell (Kingston, Mass.) from third base. Cerrone added an insurance run in the fourth with a solo homer to left field.

In the second game, Boston University took a 2-0 lead after scoring runs in the first and fourth innings. The Seawolves cut the lead in half in the fifth inning when sophomore Bernadette Tenuto (Audubon, N.J.) drove in sophomore Suzanne Karath (Fishkill, N.Y.) from third with a grounder to first.

That would be the lone run of the game for the Seawolves, however, as Cassidi Hardy recorded six strikeouts for the Terriers.

Seniors Lead Softball to America East Championship Final

Orono, Maine – Senior Alyssa Struzenberg (Cooper City, Fla.) threw a pair of complete game shutouts while seniors Crista Cerrone (Floral Park, N.Y.) andKatelyn O’Donnell (Kingston, Mass.) accounted for the Seawolves two runs as they defeated Albany and Maine by scores of 1-0 in the second day of the America East Championship. Facing elimination in both games, the Seawolves have now advanced to the Championship game where they will face Boston University.
In the first game of the day, Cerrone took the first pitch of the second inning and drove it over the leftfield fence for the lone run in the 1-0 victory over Albany. Struzenbergthrew a complete game shutout, recording nine strikeouts while walking just one.

Struzenberg was solid again in game two, allowing just three hits while striking out three against Maine. SBU struggled to get things going offensively, however, failing to capitalize with runners in scoring position in the second, fourth and fifth innings.

The Seawolves cracked into the scoring column in the sixth, though, with a clutch two-out single to right by O’Donnell. With Cerrone on second, O’Donnell lined a shot down the line to break the scoreless tie.

In the top of the seventh, Struzenberg retired the side in order to secure her second 1-0 decision of the day and return the Seawolves to the America East Championship game.

Stony Brook will play Boston University at 12:00 p.m. tomorrow. Because the Terriers have yet to lose in the Championship, the Seawolves will have to defeat them twice to win their second America East Championship in the last three years.

Softball Falls to Maine 5-1 in First Round of America East Championship

Seawolves will face Albany on Friday

Box Score
Orono, Maine - Stony Brook University's softball team lost its first round game of the America East Championship, 5-1, to Maine on Thursday afternoon. Six different Seawolves recorded hits, but Maine used a five-run third inning to pull away. SBU is now 29-20-1 on the season.
Stony Brook was the first team to score, pushing across a run in the top half of the second inning. Senior Crista Cerrone (Floral Park, N.Y.) started things off with a double to left field. Two batters later, senior Katelyn O'Donnell (Kingston, Mass.) hit a two-out single through the left side which scored Cerrone.
The Seawolves' lead would not last long, however, as Maine scored five times in the third to move in front 5-1. Kristen Calvetti had the big hit in the inning for the Black Bears, a two-run homer over the left centerfield fence.
SBU did rally in the fourth, putting runners on first and third with just one out, but a pair of fly outs ended the threat.
Stony Brook will face Albany in the tournament's losers' bracket on Friday. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m. If the Seawolves win, they will advance to the semifinals where they will face the loser of the Boston University vs. Maine game.

Men's Basketball Holds End of the Year Banquet

Seawolves celebrate record-breaking 2009-10 season.

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University's men's basketball program held its end of the year banquet on Tuesday night at the Goldstein Student-Athlete Development Center. The Seawolves celebrated a record-breaking 2009-10 season during which they set program records for overall victories (22) and conference wins (13) in addition to winning their first America East regular season title and earning their first postseason bid in their Division I history.
Senior guard Muhammad El-Amin (Lansing, Mich.) was presented with the team's Most Valuable Player Award. The first player in school history to earn America East Player of the Year honors, El-Amin scored a Division I program-record 517 points in 2009-10 and finished his two-year career just 29 points shy of 1,000.
Sophomore forward Tommy Brenton (Columbia, Md.) earned the Best Defensive Player award. A second team All-America East selection, Brenton led the America East in rebounding (9.7 per game) as he set a Division I program record with 311 rebounds. A member of the All-Defensive team as well, he ranked second in the America East in steals (1.8 per game).
The Coaches Award was given to sophomore guard Bryan Dougher (Scotch Plains, N.J.), who started all 32 games and set a school record with 95 threes. A second team All-America East selection, Dougher ranked 13th in the country in three-point percentage (.424) and was 10th in the America East in scoring at 13.8 points per game.
Sophomore forward Dallis Joyner (Norfolk, Va.) and junior guard Chris Martin (Springfield Gardens, N.Y.) were named the team's Most Improved Players. Joyner was named the s most improved player in the frontcourt as started 31 of 32 games and had 97 more rebounds (207-110) and 69 more points (258-189) than his freshman year. Martin appeared in 31 games, making 17 starts. He averaged 10.8 points per game and scored in double-figures 20 times.

The Iron Man Award went to sophomore forward Danny Cater (London, England), who appeared in all 32 games despite battling injuries all season. Senior center Andrew Goba (Durban, South Africa) was given the Scholar Athlete Award. A two-time captain, Goba was named to the America East All-Academic team and became the first student-athlete in program history to be named the America East Scholar-Athlete.
Speed, Strength & Conditioning Coach Dave Van Dyke was honored for his Dedication & Commitment to the men's basketball program while Stony Brook University Director of Athletic Bands John Leddy was given the School Spirit Award. Stony Brook University Director of Residential Programming Gina Vanacore was presented with the School Spirit Award