Stony Brook Student-Athletes Post GPA Over 3.0 For Fourth Straight Year

Seawolves had 12 of their 19 America East sponsored teams post GPAs above a 3.0
America East Release

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University's student-athletes posted a combined GPA of 3.03 during the 2009-10 academic year, its fourth straight year with an overall GPA above 3.0. SBU, which had 12 of its 19 America East sponsored teams post GPAs above a 3.0, also excelled on the playing fields, finishing second in the recently announced 2010 America East Stuart P. Haskell, Jr. Commissioner's Cup final standings, its best finish ever.

The Seawolves had 29 America East All-Academic selections and three America East Scholar Athletes, which are given to the athletes who distinguish himself/herself as the top student-athlete in his/her sport. More than 50 percent of Stony Brook student-athletes posted a GPA of 3.0 or higher and 31 individual athletes earned a GPA of 3.8 or higher.

The women's tennis squad had the highest grade point average of any Stony Brook team, posting a GPA of 3.35. Women's and men's cross country were a close second and third with GPAs of 3.32 and 3.30 respectively.

The women's cross country team was also named a United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Team and the women's soccer squad earned the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/Adidas Team Academic Award for the fifth straight season.

Nearly 3,200 student-athletes competed at nine America East institutions in the 2009-10 season. The conference's student-athletes compiled an average of 3.05 on the team grade-point averages, which were calculated by dividing the total team quality points by the total credits completed for grade.

Wheeler's interception gives SBU fans a glimpse - Newsday (Bob Herzog)

A New York City player who is going to college at Stony Brook stunned the team representing his future home.

Devante Wheeler of Brooklyn's Poly Prep intercepted a desperate pass out of the end zone by John Kinder to set up an improbable touchdown as the City team defeated the Island, 15-10, last night before a record Empire Challenge crowd of 8,224 at Hofstra's Shuart Stadium.
With Long Island leading 10-9 and trying to run out the clock, an errant snap over the head of Kinder forced the Lawrence quarterback into the end zone. Kinder, eschewing a safety, scrambled and tried a sidearm pass as he was falling.

Wheeler picked it off at the 7 and ran it to the 1 with 2:01 left. Two plays later, City quarterback Jordan Rodriguez sneaked in for the winning touchdown. Long Island holds a 7-6 lead in the series, which went to an Island vs. City format in 1998.
Before Wheeler's interception, it looked as if Long Island had received a special delivery. Two huge special-team plays late in the third quarter put the Island ahead 10-9 after Nick Fiorito kicked a 44-yard field goal to give the City a 9-7 lead.
Seaford's Mike Gallo, a sure-handed receiver who was one of the up men, picked up a short kickoff and broke up the middle for an electrifying 56-yard gain to the City 14. Four plays later, Jesse Signa of St. Anthony's made a 30-yard field goal.
In the first quarter, before rain made the footing difficult, the New York City team was able to connect on some big passing plays. Jordan Rodriguez hit Marcus Spann for 38 yards midway through the first quarter to keep a drive alive.
Four plays later, Rodriguez darted up the middle on a keeper to score the game's first touchdown with 4:39 left in the first quarter. Fiorito's PAT attempt was blocked by Riverhead's Malcolm Cater.
From the spread, Long Island showed off its running game on its second possession. Anthony Brunetti of Holy Trinity, the Newsday Thorp Award winner for 2009, burst off the left side for 23 yards to the City 17. Davon Lawrence of Sachem North gained 5 and 8 yards on consecutive runs and a first down at the 3. Lawrence played linebacker in the Upstate-Downstate all-star game June 6 at the Carrier Dome.
On the first play of the second quarter, Lawrence took a handoff from Amityville quarterback Gavin Kretz, cut right and burst into the end zone. Jesse Signa's kick gave Long Island a 7-6 lead that stood until halftime.
"This is a lot more fun," Lawrence said of returning to the running back position he hopes to play at Stony Brook. "I've always been a running back. The O-line was making a big push."
Cater was the Long Island player of the game with 6½ tackles. New York City's Jason Bromley was MVP with seven tackles, including two sacks. One of them came on the drive after Rodriguez's touchdown as Kinder's desperate rally fell short.

Stony Brook appears committed as Big South member

Myrtle Beach Sun News

Stony Brook has no designs on bolting from its associate membership in the
Big South.

The Long Island, N.Y.-based school is under contract to compete in the
league in football only through 2011. A new deal has not been reached, but
the sides have started negotiations and could extend their marriage of
convenience, which allowed the Big South to earn an automatic bid into the
FCS playoffs.

"To be totally honest, I love the Big South," Stony Brook Athletic Director
Jim Fiore said at the NCAA Myrtle Beach Baseball Regional earlier this
month. "I truly like and respect the people in the Big South. The conference
is committing [resources] and getting harder and harder. ... We're a proud
member of the conference.

"We're committed to the Big South. I'm not waiting for anybody. The Big
South is a good home for us."

The Seawolves shared the Big South championship last season, beating Liberty
in the season finale to clinch a share of the title with the Flames. Stony
Brook is a member of the America East for other sports.

The school could play a large role in the future of the FCS landscape. After
the dust settles on the realignment in the FBS power conferences,
lesser-profile conference changes could occur on the FCS level.

The Colonial Athletic Association has lost two football-playing members in
the last year and could look to replace Hofstra and Northeastern. Stony
Brook could be an attractive option - especially now that Hofstra no longer
plays football - since it is located in the shadow of New York City, a media
market that any FCS conference would love to have.

But Fiore said Stony Brook enjoys its affiliation with the northern schools
in the America East and doesn't necessarily see itself being a good
full-time fit in a conference that spans as far south as the Carolinas.

"We like our success, we like where we are going and we like what we have in
the program," Fiore said. "With that said, it's all finances at the end of
the day. ... That said I don't know what's going to happen. We want to be
talked about like the Michigans and Virginias: a large, state research
institute. ... We ultimately want to be aligned athletically with that.
That's my job."

Thank you

Crowley To Play With Philadelphia All-Stars vs. Team USA On Friday

Game will be played at 8 pm at Lehigh University

Philadelphia, Pa. - Junior Kevin Crowley (New Westminster, British Columbia) will be joining the Philadelphia All-Stars for an exhibition game against Team USA on Friday evening at Lehigh University. Face-off is scheduled for 8 pm.

Crowley, who was the 2010 recipient for the Enners Award, given to the USILA's most outstanding Division I player, 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.

Friday's exhibition is the second of three games for Team USA before they leave for England. The squad will take on the Major League Lacrosse All-Stars on July 8 at Harvard. SBU head coach Rick Sowell is an assistant for Team USA.

Holly Van Dalen Finishes 7th in 5,000; Earns All-American At NCAA

Eugene, Ore. - Junior Holly Van Dalen (Wanganui, New Zealand) became Stony Brook track's first Division I All-American when she finished seventh in the 5,000 at the NCAA Championships at the University of Oregon on Friday evening. Van Dalen ran the 5,000 in 16:06.77, a new school record.
Her twin sister, Lucy, will attempt to also earn All-American, as she competes in the 1,500 final. The race will start at 1:18 pm eastern and be shown live on CBS.

Stony Brook Finishes Second In Commissioner's Cup

Lake Placid, N.Y. - Behind a combination of six regular season and championship titles, Stony Brook finished second, its best finish ever, in the 2010 America East Stuart P. Haskell, Jr. Commissioner's Cup final standings. The conference announced the final standings at the Lake Placid Club Golf House earlier this week as part of its annual meetings. The Commissioner's Cup annually recognizes the strongest athletic program in the America East Conference as determined by a scoring system which rewards an institution for success during both the regular season and championship competition in the conference's 20 sports.

Stony Brook (328 points) posted its highest finish since joining the America East in 2001 while Boston University (345 points) won the Cup for the fifth straight season. The Seawolves, whose 17-point margin from first place was the closest since Albany came within five points of the Cup in 2006-07, won regular-season titles in men's basketball and men's lacrosse, both program firsts. Also buoyed by conference championships in men's soccer, women's cross country, men's lacrosse and baseball, Stony Brook enjoyed its finest season since joining Division I in 1999.

"I am extremely proud of the efforts of our student-athletes, coaches and staff members who all contributed to our recent growth and development which ultimately culminated in a phenomenal year in the history of Stony Brook athletics," said Director of Athletics Jim Fiore. "While our success will never be defined solely by winning championships, as a department and university, we appreciate the opportunity to compete for the Commissioner's Cup and look forward to continuing to challenge for the top spot in the year's ahead."

The Stuart P. Haskell, Jr. Commissioner's Cup is named in honor of the first commissioner of the America East Conference. Haskell served as commissioner of the conference from 1987 until his retirement in 1997.

During the 2009-10 athletic year, Stony Brook achieved unprecedented success in all areas. Women's Cross Country won the conference title for the third straight year while the men's soccer team captured the America East title and earned a trip to the first round of the NCAA tournament before falling in overtime to Brown University. The football team, which is part of the Big South Conference, started the year by winning a championship in only its second season in the conference. Tyler Santucci (New Kensington, Pa.) was named Big South Defensive Player of the Year and Chuck Priore was named Coach of the Year. Seven players earned all-conference honors and Senior Chris Richards (Quartz Hill, Calif.) signed a contract with the Seattle Seahawks.

The basketball and lacrosse teams both enjoyed banner seasons as each advanced to the postseason. SBU hosted the University of Illinois in a postseason NIT game before a sold-out crowd of 4,400 at Stony Brook Arena. After defeating Denver in the first round, the Seawolves men's lacrosse team advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals where a standing room only crowd of more than 10,000 saw Stony Brook battle #1 University of Virginia before falling 10-9. Senior Muhammad El-Amin (Lansing, Mich.) and junior Kevin Crowley (New Westminster, British Columbia) were named America East Players of the Year in men's basketball and men's lacrosse respectively. Men's Basketball Head Coach Steve Pikiell and Lacrosse Head Coach Rick Sowell were honored as America East Coaches of the Year in their respective sports.

More than 50 Stony Brook student-athletes earned all-conference honors, including 14 first-team selections. Four men's lacrosse players - Crowley, Jordan McBride (New Westminster, British Columbia), Steven Waldeck (Levittown, N.Y.) and Tom Compitello (Hauppauge, N.Y.), one men's basketball player (El-Amin) and one baseball player William Carmona (Hempstead, N.Y.) were all named All-American. Crowley also won the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association's Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award, given to Division I's most outstanding player and he was a finalist for the Tewaaraton Award, given to the nation's most outstanding collegiate player. On the track, Junior twin sisters Holly and Lucy Van Dalen (Wanganui, New Zealand) completed a phenomenal year. After winning their third straight conference title as members of the cross country team, Holly advanced to the NCAA Indoor Championships, each won individual events at the prestigious Penn Relays and then qualified for the NCAA Outdoor National Championships.

Junior Stephen Marino (Lake Grove, N.Y.) won the America East's male sportsmanship award for demonstrating core values on a consistent basis and Senior Alyssa Struzenberg (Cooper City, Fla.) was named a finalist for the America East Woman of the Year award.

In the classroom, Stony Brook student-athletes also had a successful year earning numerous conference and national all-academic honors. As a collective group, Stony Brook student-athletes currently boast a cumulative gpa of 3.05.

Lucy Van Dalen wins heat, qualifies for 1,500 final

Eugene, Ore. - Junior Lucy Van Dalen (Wanganui, New Zealand) won her heat and advanced to the finals of the 1,500 at the NCAA Outdoor Championships at the University of Oregon. The finals will be held on Saturday afternoon at 1:18 pm eastern. Van Dalen broke her own school record, running a 4:13.19.

Running in the middle of the pack for the majority of the race, Van Dalen pushed to the front and took the lead just as she crossed the finish line.

Her sister, Holly, will be competing in the 5,000 tomorrow evening at 9:45 eastern.

Women's Basketball Signs Three Student-Athletes to Letters of Intent

Stony Brook, N.Y. – A trio of transfers has rounded out the Stony Brook University women’s basketball 2010-11 incoming class. Head coach Michele Cherry has announced the signing of Talisha Bridges (Kalamazoo, Mich.), Juanita Cochran (Saginaw, Mich.) and Whitney Davis (Muskegon, Mich.) to national letters of intent, joining Morghan Farnsworth (Cornish, N.H.) to complete this year’s signing class. Bridges and Cochran arrive at Stony Brook via the University of New Orleans which has decided to move to the Division III level, while Davis has played the last two seasons at Muskegon Community College.

"I'm very excited about our incoming class,” said coach Cherry. “We have added depth, athleticism and versatility both in the backcourt and up front. This class, coupled with our returners, should allow us to get very creative at both ends of the floor. In addition, with the three transfers, we are adding an experienced trio who will be ready to play the day they step on campus. Furthermore, and most importantly, we have added good students and great people who should gel right away with our returners."

Bridges appeared in 28 games last season for the Pioneers, averaging 5.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 12.5 minutes per game. She poured in a career high 19 against Nicholls State. Prior to UNO, she played for Loy Norrix High School and was named the Kalamazoo Gazette 2008-09 Class A-B Player of the Year after averaging 20.1 points and 10.4 rebounds in her senior season.

"Talisha is a great athlete and a great basketball player,” said Cherry. “She is a lockdown defender but can also score. She has three point range but is very quick to the basket as well. In addition, she can play multiple positions and brings Division I experience with her. We'll be able to put her versatility to work right away."

Cochran played in 29 games last season, starting the last 19. She averaged 5.3 points while pulling down 6.0 rebounds per game. She was also second on the team with 32 blocks. Cochran played for Saginaw Arthur Hill high school and was a three-time selection to the All-Saginaw Valley and Saginaw New All-Area teams.

"Jaunita is a legit low post presence,” said Cherry. “She can score on the block, she's a very good rebounder and she's a good post defender and shot blocker. She will give us much needed size and depth up front. In addition, her experience, having started 19 Division I games, will only help her in being able to come in a contribute right away."

Davis joins the Seawolves after two successful seasons at the junior college ranks. Last season she was named to the NJCAA All-America second team, while leading the Western Conference in scoring with a 17.7 points per game average. She also pulled down 12.8 rebounds which ranked ninth nationally. She was named to the Western Conference All-Region first team her sophomore season while serving as the team’s captain.

"Whitney is a proven scorer,” said Cherry. “She has a strong arsenal and she can score in a number of ways. While her mid-range game off the dribble is very good, she can also shoot off the catch and can use her ball handling and quickness to get to the basket. Furthermore, she can play multiple positions. She gives us another scoring option and weapon in the backcourt."

Justin Echevarria Selected By San Diego Padres In 2010 MLB Draft

Echevarria picked by San Diego Padres in 40th round.

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Senior catcher Justin Echevarria (Uniondale, N.Y.) of the Stony Brook University baseball team was selected by the San Diego Padres with the ninth pick of the 40th round of 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Wednesday afternoon. The Seawolves have had 32 players sign professional contracts under head coach Matt Senk including 23 since the program jumped to Division I in 2000.

A 2010 second team All-America East selection, Echevarria appeared in 46 games behind the plate and hit a career-high .291. He also threw out 13 base runners in just 19 attempts. A 2008 second team all-conference selection as well, Echevarria appeared in 151 games in his Stony Brook career.

Echevarria helped the Seawolves to their second America East title in the past three years in 2010. He also had a hit and a RBI in Stony Brook's 6-2 win over North Carolina State on Saturday at the Myrtle Beach Regional. It was the first Division I NCAA Tournament win in the program's history.

William Carmona Named Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American

Carmona led the America East in batting average.

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Freshman designated hitter William Carmona (Hempstead, N.Y.) of the Stony Brook University baseball team has been named a 2010 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper announced on Wednesday. Carmona is the third Stony Brook player to earn the honor and the first since junior Chad Marshall (Paris, Ontario) in 2008.

Named the America East Rookie of the Year, Carmona's .387 batting average led the America East. Carmona led the conference in on-base percentage (.457) as well and was the only freshman named to the All-America East first team. He also hit .462 in the America East tournament and was selected to the All-Tournament team.

The Seawolves recently won their second America East title in three years and won the program's first NCAA Division I tournament game with a 6-2 victory over North Carolina State at the Myrtle Beach Regional last week.

AMERICA EAST TO RETURN TO HARTFORD FOR 2011 MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Cambridge, Mass. — The America East Conference has chosen the University of Hartford as hosts for its 2011 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships.Just months removed from the fi rst-ever combined men’s and women’s championship, the conference Athletic Directors chose to build off themomentum created from this past year and once again hold the tournament in Hartford.“Our 2010 Championship in Hartford was a great experience for our teams and our fans and this drove the decision by our Athletic Directors to build offthis success,” said America East Commissioner Patrick Nero. “We look for 2011 to be even better.”The 2011 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships will be held on March 3-6, 2011 at The Chase Family Arena at the Reich Family Pavilion on Universityof Hartford’s campus. The fi rst, quarterfi nal and semifi nal rounds for both the men and women will be held at the combined tournament, while thetitle games will again both be held the following weekend at the site of highest seeds remaining.“I am thrilled to be able to once again host the America East Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships in West Hartford,” said University of HartfordDirector of Athletics Patricia H. Meiser. “Our arena provides a unique and fan friendly environment in hosting the championship and we look forward towelcoming all nine conference schools, their teams and their fans back to campus in March.”“I am delighted that the University of Hartford has been selected to host the combined men’s and women’s America East Conference championships forthe second straight year,” said University of Hartford President Walter Harrison. “I look forward to building on last year’s success, and welcoming fans fromthroughout the conference back to the Greater Hartford area again.”Both fi rst round games will be held Thursday, March 3, while the women’s quarterfi nals will follow on Friday, March 4. The men’s quarterfi nals will bescheduled for Saturday, March 5 and both the men’s and women’s semifi nal tilts will take place Sunday, March 6. The highest seeds remaining in both themen’s and women’s tournament will host the championship games with the men’s title game on Saturday, March 12 and the women’s fi nal tentatively setfor that same day.The 2010 America East Championship presented by Newman’s Own drew over 17,000 fans to Chase Arena, the University’s 3,508 facility, and over 21,000fans in total. The tournament also featured the largest title sponsor in conference history in Newman’s Own, whose Foundation also sponsored a CampusCommunity Challenge, which contributed more than $100,000 to organization in America East communities.Prior to the combined format, Hartford had hosted the America East Women’s Championship seven times in the previous eight years. The women’s championshiphad utilized a single-site format since 1998. Maine hosted the fi rst single-site event, followed by University of Vermont in 1999, 2000 and 2001,and Hartford in 2002-06. The tournament traveled to Binghamton in 2007 before returning to Hartford in 2008 and 2009. Last year was the fi rst time thewomen’s championship had a dual site format, which helped result in a 77 percent increase in attendance from the previous season.The America East Men’s Championship has utilized the present format of a single site for the fi rst rounds, with the championship game played at the higherremaining seed since 1996. University at Albany’s SEFCU Arena hosted the tournament in 2009, while Binghamton University’s Event Center was the site ofthe championship in 2006 and 2008. Boston University hosted at Agganis Arena in 2007 and at Walter Brown Arena in 2003 and 2004, while the Terrierswere a co-host in 2002 at Matthews Arena. The championship was played at the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark, Del. from 1996 to 2001.Hartford has attracted more than 66,000 fans to championship games at Chase Arena since 2002. The Hawks also led the conference last season, drawingan average of 1,737 fans for women’s basketball games. Chase Arena drew over 43,000 fans for home men’s and women’s basketball games during the2009-10 regular season.For information on the America East basketball, log on to the conference’s offi cial website, http://www.americaeast.com/.

Marino Earns America East Male Sportsmanship Award

Lake Placid, N.Y. (June 8, 2010) – Junior Stephen Marino (Lake Grove, N.Y.) of the Stony Brook University baseball team has been named the recipient of the America East 2010 Male Sportsmanship Award, the conference announced Monday night during a dinner at the Lake Placid Club Golf House as part of its annual meetings. Marino is now automatically eligible for the NCAA Male Sportsmanship Award, which will be determined by the NCAA Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct in July. Marino demonstrated sportsmanship during the 2009 baseball season when he suffered a broken wrist. Once healed, despite being eligible for a medical red shirt due to the percentage of games played at the time of his injury, Marino approached his coach, unsolicited, to voluntarily forego his red-shirt opportunity and help his team reach the conference championship, for which the squad did eventually qualify. He put the greater good of his team above his own collegiate baseball career and his own long-term personal goals, exemplifying a true team spirit. In addition, Marino has consistently proven good sportsmanship both on and off the field. As a fierce competitor, he still shows respect for opposing players and umpires, and always expresses encouragement for his own teammates. Also during the 2009 season, Marino and other team leaders went to visit a local youth baseball player who was being treated with a rare blood disease at Stony Brook Hospital. He and his teammates also registered in the national bone marrow donor registry in honor of the local youth. To be nominated, an individual or team must have demonstrated consistently the values of caring, fairness, civility, honesty, integrity and responsibility in his or her daily participation in intercollegiate athletics. The student-athlete or team nominees must be a member of an intercollegiate athletics team during the 2009-10 academic year.

Steven Waldeck Selected By Toronto In 2010 Major League Lacrosse Draft

Nationals pick long stick midfielder with 17th overall pick

New Haven, Conn. - Former men's lacrosse standout Steven Waldeck (Levittown, N.Y.) became Stony Brook's first-ever Major League Lacrosse draft selection when the Toronto Nationals called his name with the 17th overall pick on Sunday evening at Yale University. Following the Warrior Major League Challenge, an invitation-only Scouting Combine featuring the top senior lacrosse players from all NCAA divisions, Toronto drafted Waldeck with its third overall pick.
"It was really amazing last night when Toronto called my name," Waldeck said. "It's crazy to think I'm no longer a Seawolf and now a professional athlete playing in Canada for the Nationals. I couldn't be more excited to start playing and show lacrosse fans what Stony Brook is all about."
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 three-time All-America East first-team selection finished his four-year career with 17 goals and 11 assists.
He was an honorable mention All-America as a senior and named to the 2010 Tewaaraton Award watch list.
Toronto also selected Notre Dame's Scott Rodgers, Waldeck's teammate at MacArthur High School in Nassau Country, Syracuse's Cody Jamieson, C.W. Post's Mike Cama, Georgetown's Andrew Brancaccio, Albany's Dave Brock, Colgate's Ryan McClelland and Dowling's Kyle Rubisch.

Baseball Eliminated From NCAA Tournament By Coastal Carolina

Myrtle Beach, S.C. - Stony Brook University's baseball team was eliminated from 2010 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship on Sunday afternoon, falling to Coastal Carolina, 25-7, at the Myrtle Beach Regional held at BB&T Coastal Field. Stony Brook, which picked up its first NCAA Tournament win in its Division I history on Saturday, finishes the season at 30-26.

Coastal recorded 25 hits and put the game away with a 10-run fourth. Freshmen Tanner Nivins (Kitchener, Ontario) and Maxx Tissenbaum (Toronto, Ontario) led the Seawolves with two RBI each.

Senior Robert Dyer (Selden, N.Y.) was the first batter from either team to reach base, leading off the second with a single up the middle. But Coastal starter Josh Conway did not allow Dyer to move past first as he retired the next three hitters.

Stony Brook freshman right-hander Adam Brown (Melville, N.Y.) retired the first seven batters of the game before walking Adam Rice with one out in the third. Tucker Frawley followed with an RBI double to left-center field to give the Chanticleers a 1-0 lead.

Coastal then blew the game open with the 10 runs in the fourth. Tommy La Stella drew a leadoff walk and then came home on a two-run home run from Jose Iglesias. Chance Gilmore then doubled and came home on a run-scoring single from Daniel Bowman. An Adam Rice sacrifice fly pushed the Chanticleers lead to 5-0.

A Scott Woodward run-scoring triple made it 6-0 before Rico Noel drove Brown from the game with a two-run home run. Gilmore made it 10-0 with a two-run double before Bowman capped the inning with an RBI triple.

The Seawolves answered back with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, loading the bases with one out. Freshman William Carmona (Hempstead, N.Y.) then drew a walk to force in a run before Dyer came home on an RBI groundout from Nivins to make it 11-2.

Coastal added a run in the fifth on a Frawley run-scoring groundout. The Chanticleers scored two runs in the sixth to take a 14-2 lead but the Seawolves responded with three in the bottom of the inning on a Nivins RBI double and a two-run home run from Tissenbaum.

The Chanticleers built their lead to 17-5 in seventh on RBI singles from La Stella and Rice as well as a sacrifice fly from Rich Witten. Stony Brook scored a run in their half of the seventh as sophomore Pat Cantwell (West Islip, N.Y.) was hit by the pitch before moving to third on a single from junior Chad Marshall (Paris, Ontario).

Junior Stephen Marino (Lake Grove, N.Y.) then hit a hard line drive that was snagged by Coastal pitcher Jackson Geary, who then tried to double Marshall at first. But Geary threw the ball into the ground, allowing Cantwell to come home and score.

Postgame quotes
Stony Brook Head Coach Matt Senk
Opening Statement
"I want to thank Coastal Carolina for the outstanding tournament they put on, they are terrific hosts. As far as the game today, I am extremely disappointed in my team, in myself, and in my coaching staff. Our starting lineup had five hits today. Not to take away from Coastal. They are a great team, but when you can't throw the ball over the plate, and in the places it was with hitters like that, that's the results you are going to get.

On next year
"We have 12 freshmen. Arguably the guys that swung the bat the best for us this weekend were our freshmen. We are very young and we will miss the seniors they have done a tremendous job for us in their careers. We are very excited about the class we have coming in and as far as the baseball program is concerned when you take a step back we had a terrific year with very young players and terrific ones coming in next year, that is what happening in our University and its athletic department all around. We are looking forward to the future based on what happened this year."

Stony Brook Stuns N.C. State - Baseball America

Myrtle Beach S.C.—Stony Brook surged to an early 6-0 lead and sophomore righthander Tyler Johnson made it stand up as the Seawolves kept their season alive with a 6-2 win against North Carolina State. The win was Stony Brook's first ever in a Division I regional, and they'll advance to play another elimination game at the Myrtle Beach Regional on Sunday afternoon.

One day after Stony Brook ace Nick Tropeano battled through eight innings against No. 4 national seed Coastal Carolina, the Seawolves got another superb effort on the mound. Johnson threw eight innings and fanned 10 hitters, while allowing just two runs on six hits against one of the country's more potent offenses.

Johnson was able to throw three pitches for strikes, and he said after the game that his changeup was the best it had been all year. When he wasn't striking out N.C. State's hitters, he was able to keep the ball on the ground effectively with his sinking fastball, inducing 10 groundouts to go with the whiffs.

"Going against an ACC team and striking out that many guys was definitely not easy," Johnson said. "They made it real hard on me right off the bat. But as always, throwing those three pitches for strikes and letting them put the ball in play really helped me accomplish my goal today."
The only inning Johnson faced serious trouble was the second, when his own throwing error on a pickoff attempt helped open the door for N.C. State's first run. The Wolfpack eventually loaded the bases for right fielder Drew Poulk, who hit a grand slam against the College of Charleston on Friday night. But Poulk grounded weakly to short, and the Wolfpack never seriously threatened again, managing just two more hits against Johnson before he was pulled after the eighth inning.

"(Johnson) kept the ball down," N.C. State coach Elliot Avent said. "Sinkerballers, changeup guys. Those are guys we've had trouble with all year. He's the one guy we didn't want to see."

While Johnson was shining for the Seawolves, the other major storyline of the day was N.C. State's decision to start freshman righthander Anthony Tzamtzis, who'd been a reliever all year. Tzamtzis has a power arm, but his command deserted him from the outset. The Seawolves, who were shut out yesterday by Coastal Carolina's Cody Wheeler, jumped on Tzamtzis for six runs on five hits in the top of the first. Tzamtzis didn't do himself any favors by hitting two batters and walking another.

Less than a week after making a run to the championship game of the ACC tournament, the Wolfpack is headed home without having used its second- and third-best starters, sophomore righty Cory Mazzoni and senior lefty Alex Sogard, in this regional. It's a disappointing ending to a bounce-back season for the Wolfpack, which missed regionals entirely last year after making it to super regionals in 2008. Avent said the Wolfpack needed to take the gamble in order to save Mazzoni and Sogard for two potential games on Sunday. Instead, the 'Pack won't be playing again until February.

"It's about you lose your first game, and pitching hasn't been the strength of our ballclub," Avent said. "We've been pitching better now down the stretch, but it hasn't always been the strength of our ballclub. We don't have eight or 10 arms that we're going to run at you. That's not been what's gotten us here. So, we made a decision. You've got to win four games now. We thought Tzamtzis was the guy. He's a velocity guy. Watching Stony Brook play yesterday, we thought velocity would beat them."

Stony Brook will play tomorrow afternoon against the loser of tonight's winners' bracket contest between top-seeded Coastal Carolina and No. 2 seed College of Charleston. The Seawovles will be heavy underdogs no matter which team they face, but they've shown over the last two days they're not intimidated by their competition here.

SIGHTS FROM MYRTLE BEACH NCAA REGIONAL

Baseball Knocks Off North Carolina State At Myrtle Beach Regional, 6-2

Seawolves earn first Division I NCAA Tournament win.

Myrtle Beach, S.C. - Sophomore Tyler Johnson (Chatsworth, Calif.) allowed two runs in 8.0 innings and the No. 4 Stony Brook University baseball team scored six first-inning runs on its way to a 6-2 victory over the No. 3 North Carolina State Wolfpack in an elimination game at the Myrtle Beach Regional on Saturday afternoon at BB&T Coastal Field. Stony Brook improves to 30-26 with the victory, which is the programs first ever Division I NCAA Tournament win. The Seawolves will now play in another elimination game on Sunday at 1 p.m. (WUSB) against the loser of Saturday night's College of Charleston/Coastal Carolina contest.

Johnson tied a career-high with 10 strikeouts and allowed just six hits. It was the 10th victory of the season for Johnson, setting a program single season record. The two runs scored by the Wolfpack were their second fewest this season.

Stony Brook jumped on N.C. State starter Anthony Tzamtzis early as the first five Seawolves reached base. Sophomore Pat Cantwell (West Islip, N.Y.) doubled to lead off before Tzamtzis hit juniors Chad Marshall (Paris, Ontario) and Stephen Marino (Lake Grove, N.Y.) to load the bases. Senior Robert Dyer (Selden, N.Y.) then drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch to force in a run.

Senior Michael Stephan (Patchogue, N.Y.) followed with a two-run single through the right side to give the Seawolves a 3-0 lead. Freshman William Carmona (Hempstead, N.Y.) bunted into a fielder's choice for the first out but freshman Tanner Nivins (Kitchener, Ontario) followed with an RBI double to make it 4-0 and drive Tzamtzis from the game.

The Wolfpack brought in Vance Williams who was greeted with a run-scoring single from freshman Maxx Tissenbaum (Toronto, Ontario). Senior Justin Echevarria (Uniondale, N.Y.) followed with an RBI single to right to bring in Nivins and make it 6-0. The Seawolves sent 11 batters to the plate in the inning, which lasted 30 minutes.
N.C. State got on the board in the second on a two-out RBI single from Matt Bergquist. The Wolfpack then loaded the bases against Johnson but Drew Poulk grounded into a fielder's choice to end the inning. N.C. State added a run in the fifth on an Andrew Ciencin sacrifice fly.

The Wolfpack got a one-out single from John Gianis in the sixth but Johnson retired the final two hitters to get out of the inning before getting the side in order in the seventh. The Seawolves nearly added a run in the eighth as Nivins doubled with one out. Tissenbaum then sliced a single into left but the leftfielder Gianis threw out Nivins at the plate to keep the Stony Brook lead at four.

Johnson finished with a flourish, striking out the side in the eighth. Carmona relieved Johnson to start the ninth and gave up back-to-back singles to start the inning. But Carmona then got Tarren Senay to fly to center for the first out. Kyle Wilson then drove a line drive to centerfield that freshman Travis Jankowski (Lancaster, Pa.) was able to haul in in right-center field.

Carmona then got Dallas Poulk to hit a grounder to Marshall, who flipped to Tissenbaum for the force at second. It is the eighth 30-win season for the Seawolves under Senk. It is also the second victory over a school from the ACC for Stony Brook, which defeated No. 11 Virginia, 6-2, last season.


Postgame Quotes
Stony Brook Head Coach Matt Senk
Opening statement...
"I'm not sure where to begin. I am beyond excited for our school. Most of our athletic department is here and it has been an amazing year this year for Stony Brook athletics and to keep the year going for us with this win, this great year for the school, we couldn't be more proud to be a part of this university and department. I have great young men that play for me, great people that I work for, and to finally break through, this is our third NCAA tournament Appearance as a Division I program and we did win an NCAA game as a Division III program in 1995, but to have this breakthrough is beyond exciting and we couldn't be more pleased for our players and our university."


On beating an ACC team...
"It means a lot doing it against a big time conference. We went against Alabama earlier in the year, and we have made a point of going against the best competition we can. It's a philosophy we adopted this season as a team and what our march has been about. Last year in a midweek we played well enough to beat Virginia and this year to turn around and do this is extremely exciting, especially against the ACC. The fact that this comes against a major conference just makes it better."


Stony Brook Pitcher Tyler Johnson
"In the last couple weeks I've been feeling my pitches better, getting a bit stronger. My plan was the same as always, go out and throw my pitches for strikes. Going against an ACC team and to strike out that many guys is definitely not easy. They made it real hard on me. Throwing those pitches for strikes and letting them put the ball in play really allowed me to accomplish my goal today."

Baseball Falls To Coastal Carolina In NCAA Tournament Opener, 6-0

Myrtle Beach, S.C. – Sophomore Nick Tropeano (West Islip, N.Y.) allowed three earned runs in 8.0 innings but Cody Wheeler hurled a six-hit shutout to lead the No. 1 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers to a 6-0 victory over the No. 4 Stony Brook University baseball team in the opening game of NCAA Myrtle Beach Regional at BB&T Coastal Field on Friday afternoon. Stony Brook falls to 29-26 with the loss and will play the loser of tonight’s College of Charleston/N.C. State contest in an elimination game on Saturday at 12:45 p.m. WUSB pregame.
“I’m really proud of the heart our guys showed today,” Stony Brook head coach Matt Senk said. “Nick [Tropeano] pitched an outstanding game and really competed out their. But give credit to Coastal Carolina, they’re an excellent ballclub. They got some timely hits and made some terrific defensive plays.”

Tropeano (8-4) allowed 11 hits in his 8.0 innings, walking just two while striking out five. Wheeler (11-0) walked two and struck out six. Freshman Tanner Nivins (Kitchener, Ontario) led the Seawolves with two hits in four at-bats.

Junior Stephen Marino (Lake Grove, N.Y.) reached on a two-out single in the first before Wheeler retired senior Robert Dyer (Selden, N.Y.) on a ground out to second. Tropeano got off to a terrific start, striking out the side in the first.

The Seawolves put together a rally in the second, as Nivins singled with two-out and then stole second. Freshman Maxx Tissenbaum (Toronto, Ontario) then drew a walk but seniorJustin Echevarria (Uniondale, N.Y.) flew out to center to end the inning.

Coastal jumped on top with a run in the second. Tommy La Stella led off the inning with a bloop single to left. Adam Rice then dropped a bunt down the first base line that Tropeano grabbed with his glove and tossed to Dyer for the out. Tropeano then bare-handed Taylor Motter’s hot shot up the middle and threw it to Dyer for the second out.

But Daniel Bowman followed with a run-scoring single down the leftfield line to give the Chanticleers a 1-0 lead. The game was delayed for an hour because of lighting in the area following the third inning and the Seawolves nearly took the lead when play resumed.

Senior Michael Stephan (Patchogue, N.Y.) was hit by the pitch with two outs and Nivins followed with a clean single to left. Tissenbaum then drove the ball to the warning track in centerfield but Coastal centerfielder Rico Noel made an over the shoulder catch to keep Stony Brook off the scoreboard.

The Seawolves put together another scoring threat in the fifth as sophomore Pat Cantwell (West Islip, N.Y.) singled with one out. Then with Cantwell on the move, junior Chad Marshall(Paris, Ontario) sliced a singled to left to give SBU runners on first and third.

Marino then hit a hard grounder up the middle but the shortstop, Motter, gloved it, stepped on the second and fired to first for an inning-ending double play. Tropeano nearly worked in and out of trouble in the fifth as Bowman led off with a triple.

Tropeano then retired Chance Gilmore on a liner to first before getting Rich Witten on a grounder to third. But Noel reached on catcher’s interference and then with Scott Woodward at the plate a balk was called which allowed Bowman to come home with the game’s second run.

Woodward followed with an RBI single and then scored on Jose Iglesias’ double down the left-field line. The Chanticleers added a run in the eighth on a run-scoring single from Chance Gilmore.

Baseball To Open NCAA Tournament Against Coastal Carolina on Friday

Seawolves to take on Chanticleers on Friday at 1 p.m. (WUSB)


Gametracker Listen Live Watch Live Game Notes Tournament Central
Myrtle Beach, S.C. - Stony Brook University's baseball team will make its second appearance in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship in the last three seasons on Friday afternoon as it begins play in the Myrtle Beach Regional. Seeded fourth in the regional, the Seawolves will open the four-team double-elimination regional against the host and top-seed Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at BB&T Coastal Field. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Fans can listen to the game locally on WUSB 90.1 FM and goseawolves.org. Friday's contest can also be followed online via Gametracker and live video stream at www.goseawolves.org.
America East Tournament RecapStony Brook entered last week's four-team double-elimination tournament as the No. 3 seed. SBU defeated No. 2 Maine, 10-1, in the opener behind sophomore right-hander Nick Tropeano (West Islip, N.Y.), who allowed one run on four hits in 8.0 innings.
The Seawolves then advanced to take on No. 4 Albany in a winner's bracket game, defeating the Great Danes, 8-4. Freshman William Carmona (Hempsterad, N.Y.) hit a grand slam in the ninth to give the Seawolves an 8-0 lead. Sophomore Tyler Johnson (Chatsworth, Calif.) allowed three runs, two earned, in eight-plus innings. He allowed just one hit over the first 8.0 innings.
SBU then clinched the title with a 4-2 win over Albany last Friday. Freshman southpaw Adam Brown (Melville, N.Y.) earned the win, giving up just two runs in 8.2 innings. Sophomore Pat Cantwell (West Islip, N.Y.) and junior Chad Marshall (Paris, Ontario) hit back-to-back home runs in the seventh inning to break a 1-1 tie. Cantwell hit .385 in the three games and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.


NCAA Tournament HistoryMaking its third appearance in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship since jumping to Division I in 2000, the Seawolves will be looking for their first NCAA Tournament victory. At the 2008 Tempe Regional, Stony Brook fell to No. 1 Arizona State in the opener, 9-7, before being eliminated by No. 2 Vanderbilt, 9-4. At the 2004 Kinston Regional, SBU fell to East Carolina, 8-2, in the opener. The Seawolves were then edged by No. 2 Tennessee, 1-0.

Radio InformationMatt Mankiewich will broadcast Friday's contest locally on WUSB 90.1 FM and goseawolves.org. The pre-game show kicks off at 12:45 p.m.

Scouting Coastal CarolinaThe No. 4 overall national seed, the Chanticleers are ranked as high as No. 3 in the national polls. Coastal went 51-7 and won their fourth straight Big South Title. The Chanticleers had eight players selected to the all-conference first team including Big South Pitcher of the Year, Anthony Meo.
Versus Coastal Caroliona

This will be the third all-time meeting between the schools. The Seawolves dropped a two-game series at Coastal a season ago.

Stony Brook Extends Contract of Head Lacrosse Coach Rick Sowell

Sowell led Seawolves to a 13-4 record and the NCAA Quarterfinals

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University Director of Athletics Jim Fiore has announced the contract of head men's lacrosse coach Rick Sowell has been extended through 2015. The 2010 America East Coach of the Year, Sowell recently completed his fourth season and guided the Seawolves to their best season in the 27-year history of the program.
"What Rick has done on and off the field with our men's lacrosse team has been tremendous," Fiore said. "This contract extension confirms our commitment to excellence in men's lacrosse, while also demonstrating a long term commitment to Coach Sowell as our program leader. We remain committed to Coach Sowell in every way, and we foresee many years of continued success for Stony Brook men's lacrosse. This season was marked by unprecedented success and we are excited to continue to have Rick's leadership going forward."
Sowell's team ended the year with a 13-4 record, the most wins ever for the program. Stony Brook's banner season also included wins over renowned programs like Towson, Delaware and Denver as well as a nine-game winning streak. SBU also achieved its highest ranking ever, ending the regular season ranked #6 in the Inside Lacrosse and USILA Coaches polls. Sowell is one of just a handful of coaches to take two Division I schools to the NCAA Tournament.
"My family and I have enjoyed our four years at Stony Brook," Sowell said. "Jim Fiore has created a wonderful working environment for me and my staff. These are exciting times to be at Stony Brook and I look forward to continued success with our lacrosse program."
The regular season culminated with a win over Vermont, giving the Seawolves a 5-0 record in America East play and their first ever regular-season conference title.
Playoff wins over Vermont and Albany, which Stony Brook also defeated 15-0 in the regular season, gave SBU its first America East Tournament championship since 2002 and an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

Seeded eighth in the tournament, Stony Brook hosted Denver and topped the Pioneers, to advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals where it faced Virginia. Before a standing-room only crowd of 10,024 and a national tv audience, the Seawolves battled the Cavaliers to the end before falling valiantly 10-9.
Junior Kevin Crowley (New Westminster, British Columbia), the unanimous America East Player of the Year, had one of the best seasons in program history. Crowley scored 51 goals, the most by an individual in a single season in school history, and added 26 assists. He had more goals this season than his previous two years 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 both goals and assists. One of the best midfielders in the country, Crowley is a finalist for the Tewaaraton Award, given to the nation's most outstanding collegiate lacrosse player. Last week he was named as the USILA's 2010 recipient of the Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award, given to the nation's most outstanding Division I player.
Junior Jordan McBride (New Westminster, British Columbia) became Stony Brook's all-time leading goal scorer with 134 after scoring a pair of goals against Albany in the America East Championship game. McBride also became the first player in school history to score at least 40 goals in three straight seasons, finishing 2010 with 48 goals, a career best.
Six different Seawolves were named All-America East, including senior Steven Waldeck (Levittown, N.Y.), who was named to the USILA North/South Senior All-Star Game and competed in the Warrior Major League Challenge, an invitation-only Scouting Combine event featuring the top senior lacrosse players from all NCAA divisions.
Crowley, McBride, Waldeck and senior Tom Compitello (Hauppauge, N.Y.) were each named All-American, with Crowley becoming Stony Brook's first first-team selection.
McBride was named to the third team while Waldeck and Compitello were honorable mention.
Sowell who will be an assistant coach for Team USA in next month's World Championships in Manchester, England, has also had head coaching stops at Dartmouth College and St. John's University before taking over the reins at Stony Brook in 2006. He's 37-22 at Stony Brook.

Stony Brook confident for NCAA baseball tournament

By STEVEN MARCUS steven.marcus@newsday.com

The calendar has reached June and the banner athletic season continues at Stony Brook University.

Quick, name a sport the Seawolves have not dominated. Success has come in cross-country, soccer, football, basketball and lacrosse. And now Stony Brook's America East champion baseball team has qualified for the NCAA Tournament. It seems as though the only highlight to elude Stony Brook in recent months was landing the 2014 Super Bowl.

Stony Brook (29-25) will face Coastal Carolina (51-7) Friday in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Stony Brook lost to Coastal by scores of 9-0 and 36-3 in the 2009 season.

"I think it's just like in any sport, you have to have a short memory,'' senior first baseman Rob Dyer said of those scores. "I think this year with our pitching, we have a shot against anybody.''

The final week of the regular season certainly did not portend a championship finish. With a chance to host the conference tournament, Stony Brook was swept at home by Binghamton, which became the host and top seed as Stony Brook fell to third. Coach Matt Senk addressed the team and said, "Right now we're feeling terrible, but in a week's time, we could be doing cartwheels and back flips.''

Pat Cantwell, a sophomore outfielder who played for West Islip High School, said the team got the message. "Losing was rough and it hurt, but I think it actually helped going into the tournament,'' he said. "It made us hungrier than ever.''

The turning point occurred in the first game, a 10-1 victory over second-seeded Maine. Nick Tropeano, Cantwell's teammate in high school, was the winning pitcher. "Coming out and making a statement against Maine set the tone,'' Cantwell said. "Putting up those runs, Nick had a great game.''

Binghamton faltered and was eliminated before the two teams could meet. "That was the crazy part,'' Cantwell said. "We became more focused on ourselves instead of who we were playing.''

The incentive of being in a winning environment around the university also helped, Tropeano said. "Our coach talked about how all the teams had come together. Even the athletic director [Jim Fiore] got involved, talking about our championships. That pumped us up.''

This will mark SBU baseball's third NCAA bid. College of Charleston and North Carolina State also are in the Myrtle Beach Regional. "It will not be a deer-in-headlights situation,'' Senk said. "We've made sure to play a tough non-conference schedule over the years to be prepared.''

Stony Brook is 0-4 in NCAA Tournament games, but the players foresee a change in the double-elimination tournament. "We're definitely looking to do some damage,'' Tropeano said. "We're not looking to go two and out. I think we are capable of winning.''