Friday, June 29, 2012
SPORTS SECTION: 35th Anniversary Show, Sunday, 10 p.m.
WUSB 90.1 FM celebrates its 35th Anniversary this weekend and the Sports Section, 10 p.m. Sundays will look back at the past years at the Stony Brook University station.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Stony Brook mourns the passing of Coach Dave Alexander
“On behalf of the entire university community, I extend my most heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the Alexander Family during this incredibly difficult time,” Stony Brook Director of Athletics Jim Fiore said. “We lost a treasured member of our family today. Coach Alexander was an exceptional mentor and educator for literally thousands of Stony Brook student-athletes during his 32-year tenure. Dave’s greatest impact stretched well beyond the pool, as he touched the lives of so many as a coach, friend, colleague and ambassador for our institution. I know I speak for the entire university community when I say that he will be forever missed. There is no doubt that Dave’s indelible spirit will remain with us always.”
Alexander, winner of more than 300 dual meets during his 32-year Stony Brook career, was the founder of the Seawolves women’s swimming & diving program in 1979 where he worked diligently alongside men’s swimming & diving head coach and friend John DeMarie. Alexander eventually took over for DeMarie in 1995 when he assumed his most current role as head coach for both Stony Brook programs.
“Today is a very sad day for me and all who knew David Alexander,” DeMarie said. “He was my best friend. We shared not only the pool, but our lives. Dave was always available to any of his swimmers who needed some time and good advice on any matter affecting their lives. He was always patient and understanding. I will miss him more than words can tell, as will so many others whose lives he has touched so positively.”
During his tenure as head coach, Alexander produced more than 100 All-Conference swimmers, four All-Americans and over 20 NCAA Championship qualifiers. He was a three-time Metropolitan Conference Coach of the Year award recipient (1991, ’96, ’98) and was named America East Coach of the Year in 2006. He also led the men’s team to the Metropolitan Conference Championship title in 1998.
Viewing services are scheduled for this Saturday, 7-9 p.m., and Sunday, 2-5 and 7-9 p.m., at Nolan & Taylor-Howe Funeral Home, 5 Laurel Avenue, Northport, NY 11768. The Funeral Mass will take place Monday at 11 a.m. at St. Phillip Neri Parish, 15 Prospect Avenue, Northport, NY 11768. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations can be made to the Stony Brook men’s & women’s swimming & diving teams.
Visit GoSeawolves.org in the coming days for a tribute to Coach Alexander.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
O'Boyle announces signing of three to NLIs
Head coach Beth O'Boyle
Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook head women's basketball coach Beth O'Boyleannounced today that guards Chikilra Goodman (Philadelphia, Pa.), Teasha Harris (Bloomington, Ill.) and Latasia Ward (Bronx, N.Y.) have signed national letters of intent to play for the Seawolves beginning this fall. All three come from the junior college ranks and have two years of eligibility remaining.
"We couldn't be more excited to welcome Chikilra, Teasha and Latasia to the Stony Brook family," O'Boyle said. ""All three come from great junior and high school programs and are competitive, aggressive players with a winning mentality. They are very talented basketball players and great young women that are excited about building a championship program."
Goodman, a 5'8 point guard, comes to Stony Brook after one season at Paris Junior College in Texas where she earned Region XIV All-conference honorable mention honors.
As a senior at Bodine High School in Philadelphia, she led the nation in scoring at 36.6 points per game and also averaged 17.0 rebounds and 6.3 steals per game.
"Chikilra has the ability to score in a variety of ways," O'Boyle said. "She is also a tough, physical player that is a great defender."
Playing for Kirkwood Community College in Iowa, the 5'7 Harris earned first team All-Region honors last season as the Eagles went undefeated in conference play, won the Region XI Tournament, and advanced to play in the 2012 NJCAA DII National Tournament.
Harris scored over 1,000 points at Bloomington High School in Illinois, averaging over 15 points and four steals per game as a senior.
"Teasha is a terrific all-round player," O'Boyle said. "She is poised, has great court sense and has the ability to create and make plays."
Ward arrives at Stony Brook after two years at ASA College in Brooklyn where she became the program's all-time leading scorer and led the school to their first two Region XV championships. An honorable mention All-American last season, she averaged 11.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in her career at ASA.
A 5'7 guard, Ward went to ASA after a stellar career at Wings Academy in the Bronx where she earned All-State and All-City honors as a senior while leading Wings to the PSAL Class A title game. A 1,000-point scorer and a three-time captain, Ward averaged over 20.0 points per game in each of her final three seasons.
"Latasia is an athletic scorer, who has a tremendous mid-range game," O'Boyle said. "She is a tough, gritty player and is another local product that we're adding to our program."
Goodman, Harris and Ward join a Seawolves recruiting class that already includes forwards Brittany Snow (Voorhees, N.J./Seneca) and Alyssa Coiro (Califon, N.J./Rutgers Prep) as well as guard Kim Hanlon (White Plains, N.Y.).
"We couldn't be more excited to welcome Chikilra, Teasha and Latasia to the Stony Brook family," O'Boyle said. ""All three come from great junior and high school programs and are competitive, aggressive players with a winning mentality. They are very talented basketball players and great young women that are excited about building a championship program."
Goodman, a 5'8 point guard, comes to Stony Brook after one season at Paris Junior College in Texas where she earned Region XIV All-conference honorable mention honors.
As a senior at Bodine High School in Philadelphia, she led the nation in scoring at 36.6 points per game and also averaged 17.0 rebounds and 6.3 steals per game.
"Chikilra has the ability to score in a variety of ways," O'Boyle said. "She is also a tough, physical player that is a great defender."
Playing for Kirkwood Community College in Iowa, the 5'7 Harris earned first team All-Region honors last season as the Eagles went undefeated in conference play, won the Region XI Tournament, and advanced to play in the 2012 NJCAA DII National Tournament.
Harris scored over 1,000 points at Bloomington High School in Illinois, averaging over 15 points and four steals per game as a senior.
"Teasha is a terrific all-round player," O'Boyle said. "She is poised, has great court sense and has the ability to create and make plays."
Ward arrives at Stony Brook after two years at ASA College in Brooklyn where she became the program's all-time leading scorer and led the school to their first two Region XV championships. An honorable mention All-American last season, she averaged 11.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in her career at ASA.
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A 5'7 guard, Ward went to ASA after a stellar career at Wings Academy in the Bronx where she earned All-State and All-City honors as a senior while leading Wings to the PSAL Class A title game. A 1,000-point scorer and a three-time captain, Ward averaged over 20.0 points per game in each of her final three seasons.
"Latasia is an athletic scorer, who has a tremendous mid-range game," O'Boyle said. "She is a tough, gritty player and is another local product that we're adding to our program."
Goodman, Harris and Ward join a Seawolves recruiting class that already includes forwards Brittany Snow (Voorhees, N.J./Seneca) and Alyssa Coiro (Califon, N.J./Rutgers Prep) as well as guard Kim Hanlon (White Plains, N.Y.).
Monday, June 25, 2012
Jim Fiore named 2011-12 Under Armour Northeast Region AD of the Year
Fiore led Stony Brook to its most successful athletic year ever in 2011-12.
DALLAS - Stony Brook University Director of Athletics Jim Fiore has been named the 2011-12 Under Armour Northeast Region Athletics Director of the Year, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced Monday. Fiore will be honored during NACDA's 47th Annual Convention Wednesday at the James J. Corbett Awards Luncheon at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas.
Wrapping up his ninth year as Director of Athletics; three of them under current University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., Fiore has worked tirelessly to lead Stony Brook University on an aggressive course for success in all aspects of intercollegiate athletics. He has been widely praised for his unparalleled success, directing an athletics department that is widely considered a model for rising athletic departments across the country. Since arriving to Stony Brook in July 2003, Fiore has undertaken a major restructuring of the intercollegiate athletics program, including the hiring of new coaching and administrative staff, implementing dramatic facility upgrades and celebrating unprecedented revenue generation. For the near future, Fiore is focused on building Stony Brook University Athletics into the premier athletic program in the Northeast Region among all public research universities.
"Jim Fiore has energized Stony Brook University's Intercollegiate Athletics program beyond any expectation, and he is extremely deserving of this award," said President Stanley. "He has taken a fledgling program and built it by making strong administrative and hiring decisions, by engaging alumni as donors and fans, and by embracing the community to make the Stony Brook Seawolves the team to watch - in every major athletic competition. We are fortunate to have him, and look forward to great things to come."
Under Fiore's leadership in 2011-12, Stony Brook enjoyed its most successful year ever as an athletic program, capturing nine conference championships, sending six of its programs to a national postseason tournament and celebrating the program's first-ever individual national champion. The football team won the Big South Conference title for the third straight season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division I Football Championship. The women's cross country team completed a half-decade of dominance after capturing its fifth consecutive America East Championship. The men's soccer team won its second America East crown in three seasons and advanced to the NCAA College Cup. The men's basketball team ran through the America East en route to a regular season championship and its second NIT appearance in three seasons. The women's tennis team secured its first-ever America East Championship and NCAA Tournament berth. The men's lacrosse team captured its third straight America East regular season crown and then won the tournament title for second time in three seasons to advance to the NCAA Tournament. Women's track & field star Lucy Van Dalen wrapped up her Seawolves career by winning the program's first-ever individual national championship, taking the mile at the 2012 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championship.
The crowning athletic achievement under Fiore in 2011-12 was the baseball's team's run to the College World Series. After winning the America East Championship for the second time in three seasons, the Seawolves won the NCAA Coral Gables Regional by knocking off perennial powers Miami and Central Florida and then defeated six-time national champion LSU in a best two-out-of-three on its home field in the NCAA Super Regional to advance to its first-ever College World Series. Buoyed by five national television appearances on the ESPN Family of Networks, headlines and stories in numerous national media outlets and a stirring buzz across social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, the baseball team shocked the world and captured the hearts of people all across the country with their run to Omaha. The Seawolves garnered numerous postseason honors, including first-team All-American Travis Jankowski, who became Stony Brook's first-ever first-round Major League draft pick to headline a school-record seven Seawolves draftees.
Fiore has also laid the groundwork for future success at Stony Brook through major facility improvements. He helped secure the $21.1 million Stony Brook Arena renovation project that will commence this summer and be completed by Fall 2014. The arena, which will seat just over 4,000 fans, will become Long Island's new premier athletic and entertainment destination and serve as the home to Stony Brook men's & women's basketball. Earlier this month, he opened the new 8,000 square foot Dubin Family Athletic Performance Center, which will be the new home to Seawolves strength & conditioning and was privately funded by alumnus Glenn Dubin '78 '12, whose $4.3 million gift was the largest ever given to a SUNY athletics program. Later this summer, University Pool will undergo a $10 million renovation as well. In recent years, Fiore also opened Joe Nathan Field (baseball), University Track, the Goldstein Family Student-Athlete Development Center and Pritchard Gymnasium (men's & women's basketball and volleyball).
All NACDA-member directors of athletics in the United States, Canada and Mexico who met the criteria were eligible for the award. Among the criteria were service as an AD for a minimum of five academic years; demonstration of commitment to higher education and student-athletes; continuous teamwork, loyalty and excellence; and the ability to inspire individuals or groups to high levels of accomplishments. Additionally, each AD's institution must have passed a compliance check through its appropriate governing body (i.e., NCAA, NAIA, etc.), in which the institution could not have been on probation or cited for a lack of institutional control within the last five years during the tenure of the current athletics director.
Nominators were NACDA-member directors of athletics, institutional presidents and conference commissioners. Special Selection Committees composed of current and former directors of athletics, present and past NCAA and NAIA presidents, current and former commissioners and other key athletics administrators voted on nominees for the award.
DALLAS - Stony Brook University Director of Athletics Jim Fiore has been named the 2011-12 Under Armour Northeast Region Athletics Director of the Year, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced Monday. Fiore will be honored during NACDA's 47th Annual Convention Wednesday at the James J. Corbett Awards Luncheon at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas.
Wrapping up his ninth year as Director of Athletics; three of them under current University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., Fiore has worked tirelessly to lead Stony Brook University on an aggressive course for success in all aspects of intercollegiate athletics. He has been widely praised for his unparalleled success, directing an athletics department that is widely considered a model for rising athletic departments across the country. Since arriving to Stony Brook in July 2003, Fiore has undertaken a major restructuring of the intercollegiate athletics program, including the hiring of new coaching and administrative staff, implementing dramatic facility upgrades and celebrating unprecedented revenue generation. For the near future, Fiore is focused on building Stony Brook University Athletics into the premier athletic program in the Northeast Region among all public research universities.
"Jim Fiore has energized Stony Brook University's Intercollegiate Athletics program beyond any expectation, and he is extremely deserving of this award," said President Stanley. "He has taken a fledgling program and built it by making strong administrative and hiring decisions, by engaging alumni as donors and fans, and by embracing the community to make the Stony Brook Seawolves the team to watch - in every major athletic competition. We are fortunate to have him, and look forward to great things to come."
Under Fiore's leadership in 2011-12, Stony Brook enjoyed its most successful year ever as an athletic program, capturing nine conference championships, sending six of its programs to a national postseason tournament and celebrating the program's first-ever individual national champion. The football team won the Big South Conference title for the third straight season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division I Football Championship. The women's cross country team completed a half-decade of dominance after capturing its fifth consecutive America East Championship. The men's soccer team won its second America East crown in three seasons and advanced to the NCAA College Cup. The men's basketball team ran through the America East en route to a regular season championship and its second NIT appearance in three seasons. The women's tennis team secured its first-ever America East Championship and NCAA Tournament berth. The men's lacrosse team captured its third straight America East regular season crown and then won the tournament title for second time in three seasons to advance to the NCAA Tournament. Women's track & field star Lucy Van Dalen wrapped up her Seawolves career by winning the program's first-ever individual national championship, taking the mile at the 2012 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championship.
The crowning athletic achievement under Fiore in 2011-12 was the baseball's team's run to the College World Series. After winning the America East Championship for the second time in three seasons, the Seawolves won the NCAA Coral Gables Regional by knocking off perennial powers Miami and Central Florida and then defeated six-time national champion LSU in a best two-out-of-three on its home field in the NCAA Super Regional to advance to its first-ever College World Series. Buoyed by five national television appearances on the ESPN Family of Networks, headlines and stories in numerous national media outlets and a stirring buzz across social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, the baseball team shocked the world and captured the hearts of people all across the country with their run to Omaha. The Seawolves garnered numerous postseason honors, including first-team All-American Travis Jankowski, who became Stony Brook's first-ever first-round Major League draft pick to headline a school-record seven Seawolves draftees.
Fiore has also laid the groundwork for future success at Stony Brook through major facility improvements. He helped secure the $21.1 million Stony Brook Arena renovation project that will commence this summer and be completed by Fall 2014. The arena, which will seat just over 4,000 fans, will become Long Island's new premier athletic and entertainment destination and serve as the home to Stony Brook men's & women's basketball. Earlier this month, he opened the new 8,000 square foot Dubin Family Athletic Performance Center, which will be the new home to Seawolves strength & conditioning and was privately funded by alumnus Glenn Dubin '78 '12, whose $4.3 million gift was the largest ever given to a SUNY athletics program. Later this summer, University Pool will undergo a $10 million renovation as well. In recent years, Fiore also opened Joe Nathan Field (baseball), University Track, the Goldstein Family Student-Athlete Development Center and Pritchard Gymnasium (men's & women's basketball and volleyball).
All NACDA-member directors of athletics in the United States, Canada and Mexico who met the criteria were eligible for the award. Among the criteria were service as an AD for a minimum of five academic years; demonstration of commitment to higher education and student-athletes; continuous teamwork, loyalty and excellence; and the ability to inspire individuals or groups to high levels of accomplishments. Additionally, each AD's institution must have passed a compliance check through its appropriate governing body (i.e., NCAA, NAIA, etc.), in which the institution could not have been on probation or cited for a lack of institutional control within the last five years during the tenure of the current athletics director.
Nominators were NACDA-member directors of athletics, institutional presidents and conference commissioners. Special Selection Committees composed of current and former directors of athletics, present and past NCAA and NAIA presidents, current and former commissioners and other key athletics administrators voted on nominees for the award.
CONGRATS TRAVIS AND JIM!
Great Monday for STONY BROOK, Travis Jankowski named ABCA Co-POY and Jim Fiore, Under Armour Northeast Region AD of the Year, CONGRATS! -- WUSB Sports Radio (@WUSBSportsRadio)
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Stony Brook's baseball success inspires other SBU athletes, too
By steven.marcus@newsday.com
Division I athletic programs usually forge their identity through success in football and/ or men's basketball. Stony Brook has had that success, but it was the Seawolves' College World Series baseball team that became the standard-bearer.
And that is a strong statement for baseball, considering Stony Brook was the only university in the country that had its football, men's soccer, men's basketball, men's lacrosse and baseball teams play in a postseason tournament in 2011-12.
But the baseball breakthrough has surpassed any earlier achievement. "It has set the bar,'' football lineman Michael Bamiro said, "that literally we all can get it done'' on a national scale. "We see that from the baseball team. So we know what to expect from ourselves.''
The football team made it to the second round of the FCS playoffs, where it lost by seven points to top-ranked Sam Houston State, which wound up losing to North Dakota State in the national championship game.
Janine Hillier of the women's lacrosse team added, "All the positivity that's going on at Stony Brook right now encourages all the athletes and students to work harder. It makes me think of what coach [Joe] Spallina says: 'Winning is an all-the-time thing, not a sometime thing.' ''
And men's lacrosse player Bryan Judge said, "I think every team is playing off each other and trying to compete to go further and further. I think it will be good for all the teams.''
The men's lacrosse team reached the 2010 national quarterfinals and would have made the Final Four if not for a one-goal loss to Virginia. The 2012 team lost to Johns Hopkins in the NCAA Tournament's first round.
The men's soccer team lost to Monmouth on penalty kicks in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The women's lacrosse team nearly advanced, too, but lost to Albany by two goals in the America East Tournament championship game.
Women's tennis and cross country also won conference titles. Individually, Lucy Van Dalen became the university's first individual national champion when she won the mile in the NCAA Indoor Track Championships. Van Dalen recently was named to the London Olympics for her native New Zealand.
At Stony Brook, merely qualifying for the NCAA Tournament no longer is the main objective. Baseball broke through the one-and-done barrier usually faced by mid-major programs. "Seeing them on a national scale now, where we have missed the opportunity twice in a row, all you can do is be on their side,'' said basketball player Lenny Hayes, whose team lost in the America East championship game the past two seasons and reached the NIT for the second time in three years in 2011-12. "It's not about, 'Darn, I wish that was me and we should have been there.' It's more like, 'I'm so happy they did this.' How quickly it's progressed, it's exciting. They definitely deserve it. The team speaks for itself. Now people can see Stony Brook is for real. We're a force to be reckoned with.''
Men's basketball coach Steve Pikiell said his team and others will benefit from the publicity garnered by baseball. "I don't see how it cannot have an effect on everyone's program,'' he said. "It's awesome. My recruits were following it. It just gives you more leverage when you are [recruiting]; they can do it. It gives your school credibility, our athletic department credibility. It's just a great story for all our athletes, more so our university. We're 12 years Division I. Florida State has been to 15 College World Series; we haven't even been Division I 15 years. It's unbelievable a place like ours could come so far in any sport.''
Baseball coach Matt Senk, whose team went 6-4 in the tournament after going 1-6 in three previous trips to the regionals, said he does not expect his team's first trip to the College World Series to be its last. "I think that after going through this, this is a lofty goal, the loftiest of goals, '' he said. "But I'm not coming away from this thinking this is once-in-a-lifetime or unattainable. In fact, I'm thinking the opposite. We're feeling that in the sport of baseball, we can continue to work hard and make some noise on the national scene.''
Division I athletic programs usually forge their identity through success in football and/ or men's basketball. Stony Brook has had that success, but it was the Seawolves' College World Series baseball team that became the standard-bearer.
And that is a strong statement for baseball, considering Stony Brook was the only university in the country that had its football, men's soccer, men's basketball, men's lacrosse and baseball teams play in a postseason tournament in 2011-12.
But the baseball breakthrough has surpassed any earlier achievement. "It has set the bar,'' football lineman Michael Bamiro said, "that literally we all can get it done'' on a national scale. "We see that from the baseball team. So we know what to expect from ourselves.''
The football team made it to the second round of the FCS playoffs, where it lost by seven points to top-ranked Sam Houston State, which wound up losing to North Dakota State in the national championship game.
Janine Hillier of the women's lacrosse team added, "All the positivity that's going on at Stony Brook right now encourages all the athletes and students to work harder. It makes me think of what coach [Joe] Spallina says: 'Winning is an all-the-time thing, not a sometime thing.' ''
And men's lacrosse player Bryan Judge said, "I think every team is playing off each other and trying to compete to go further and further. I think it will be good for all the teams.''
The men's lacrosse team reached the 2010 national quarterfinals and would have made the Final Four if not for a one-goal loss to Virginia. The 2012 team lost to Johns Hopkins in the NCAA Tournament's first round.
The men's soccer team lost to Monmouth on penalty kicks in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The women's lacrosse team nearly advanced, too, but lost to Albany by two goals in the America East Tournament championship game.
Women's tennis and cross country also won conference titles. Individually, Lucy Van Dalen became the university's first individual national champion when she won the mile in the NCAA Indoor Track Championships. Van Dalen recently was named to the London Olympics for her native New Zealand.
At Stony Brook, merely qualifying for the NCAA Tournament no longer is the main objective. Baseball broke through the one-and-done barrier usually faced by mid-major programs. "Seeing them on a national scale now, where we have missed the opportunity twice in a row, all you can do is be on their side,'' said basketball player Lenny Hayes, whose team lost in the America East championship game the past two seasons and reached the NIT for the second time in three years in 2011-12. "It's not about, 'Darn, I wish that was me and we should have been there.' It's more like, 'I'm so happy they did this.' How quickly it's progressed, it's exciting. They definitely deserve it. The team speaks for itself. Now people can see Stony Brook is for real. We're a force to be reckoned with.''
Men's basketball coach Steve Pikiell said his team and others will benefit from the publicity garnered by baseball. "I don't see how it cannot have an effect on everyone's program,'' he said. "It's awesome. My recruits were following it. It just gives you more leverage when you are [recruiting]; they can do it. It gives your school credibility, our athletic department credibility. It's just a great story for all our athletes, more so our university. We're 12 years Division I. Florida State has been to 15 College World Series; we haven't even been Division I 15 years. It's unbelievable a place like ours could come so far in any sport.''
Baseball coach Matt Senk, whose team went 6-4 in the tournament after going 1-6 in three previous trips to the regionals, said he does not expect his team's first trip to the College World Series to be its last. "I think that after going through this, this is a lofty goal, the loftiest of goals, '' he said. "But I'm not coming away from this thinking this is once-in-a-lifetime or unattainable. In fact, I'm thinking the opposite. We're feeling that in the sport of baseball, we can continue to work hard and make some noise on the national scene.''
Friday, June 22, 2012
Lucy Van Dalen qualifies for 2012 Olympic Games
Interview on One News
San Diego, Calif. - Lucy Van Dalen '12 added another accomplishment to her extraordinary legacy as she qualified for the London Olympics with a 4:05.76 in the 1,500 at the Summer Nights Track & Field Series at San Diego's Mesa College on Wednesday.
Van Dalen, a native on Wanganui, New Zealand, ran well inside the the country's Olympic qualifying mark of 4:07.00.
"I'm absolutely stoked, I couldn't be happier really. It was an amazing race to be in, there were six of us girls who were going for a fast time. I couldn't have been in a better race really, I feel blessed to have got the 'A' standard, it's really exciting," Van Dalen told FoxSports in New Zealand.
Her time was within a second of the New Zealand record and is the 28th fastest in the world in 2012.
Van Dalen, whose top time was a school-record 4:11.59, needed to get within the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) 'A' standard of 4:06.00. Because fellow countrywoman Nikki Hamblin was injured and is unable to run, Van Dalen only needed to run under the 4:07.00 standard to be nominated by Athletics New Zealand for London.
Most recently, she shaved three-and-a-half seconds, running in New Jersey last week.
Her time ranks behind Hamblin's 4:04.82 as No. 2 on New Zealand's all-time list.
Van Dalen had planned to qualify in the 5,000 in France later this summer, but likely will receive an invitation to compete in the 1,500.
Qualification for the 1,500 runs until July 8. The Olympics begin on July 28
San Diego, Calif. - Lucy Van Dalen '12 added another accomplishment to her extraordinary legacy as she qualified for the London Olympics with a 4:05.76 in the 1,500 at the Summer Nights Track & Field Series at San Diego's Mesa College on Wednesday.
Van Dalen, a native on Wanganui, New Zealand, ran well inside the the country's Olympic qualifying mark of 4:07.00.
"I'm absolutely stoked, I couldn't be happier really. It was an amazing race to be in, there were six of us girls who were going for a fast time. I couldn't have been in a better race really, I feel blessed to have got the 'A' standard, it's really exciting," Van Dalen told FoxSports in New Zealand.
Her time was within a second of the New Zealand record and is the 28th fastest in the world in 2012.
Van Dalen, whose top time was a school-record 4:11.59, needed to get within the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) 'A' standard of 4:06.00. Because fellow countrywoman Nikki Hamblin was injured and is unable to run, Van Dalen only needed to run under the 4:07.00 standard to be nominated by Athletics New Zealand for London.
Most recently, she shaved three-and-a-half seconds, running in New Jersey last week.
Her time ranks behind Hamblin's 4:04.82 as No. 2 on New Zealand's all-time list.
Van Dalen had planned to qualify in the 5,000 in France later this summer, but likely will receive an invitation to compete in the 1,500.
Qualification for the 1,500 runs until July 8. The Olympics begin on July 28
Stony Brook baseball memorabilia up for auction now!
Stony Brook, N.Y. - The Stony Brook baseball team shocked the world by advancing to its first-ever College World Series. Now you can commemorate the Seawolves' incredible run by bidding on four exclusive auction items brought to you by Stony Brook Athletics. The items are autographed by the entire Stony Brook team and include a jersey, ball, bat and helmet.
The auction is now open and will run for two weeks until Friday, July 6. Don't miss this opportunity to own a piece of history! Bid today!
After winning the America East championship, the Seawolves upended Miami (FL), Missouri State and Central Florida to win the Coral Gables Regional and advance to the Baton Rouge Super Regional against six-time national champion, LSU. The Tigers took game one, but Stony Brook bounced back to win games two and three to shock the world and advance to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.
The Seawolves capped the 2012 campaign with 52 wins, a program record, and laid claim to being the first-ever America East team and first Northeast Region team since 1986 to reach the College World Series.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
America East Leadership Holds Annual Meetings
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- The America East Conference held its annual league meetings last week in Maryland. The conference’s Athletic Directors Council, Senior Woman Administrators and Faculty Athletic Representatives met in Annapolis on June 13, while the Administration Group convened on June 14. The Board of Presidents met on June 15 in Baltimore to wrap up the week.
The Board of Presidents discussed realignment and its recent impact on America East. The presidents have broad knowledge of the landscape and are committed to doing what’s in the best interest of the conference. The eight remaining institutions reiterated their commitment to the America East and its broad-based, competitive athletic programs, which complement the academic integrity and mission of each member institution. Ways to effectively promote, brand and establish an identity that reflects the strong academic and athletic profile of the league’s schools, such as academic collaborations among member institutions, were also discussed as the presidents strive to enhance the brand and identity of the league.
In regards to possible expansion, the Board of Presidents emphasized the importance of taking a thoughtful and strategic approach to the consideration of future members. America East’s current profile of primarily major research institutions located in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions are important for a conference that strives to provide the best experience for its student-athletes, both academically and athletically. Any future decisions will be based not with short-term solutions in mind, but with a focus on the long-term strategy and approach to preserving the strong reputation that the conference has established in its 33 years.
“While rumors and speculation regarding conference membership continue to swirl, these conversations have been and will continue to remain confidential among our conference leadership. Our presidents are engaged on these matters and understand the fluid dynamic that exists in today’s landscape. They are focused on the future of this league and are committed to dialogue and activity that will advance the conference forward,” said America East Commissioner Amy Huchthausen. “While some may wish to see membership issues debated in a public forum, that is simply not how it is done. Speculation will continue, no doubt, about us, our schools, other conferences and other schools, but we will have no comment regarding any specific institution or scenario presented. If and when we have news to report, we will certainly do so.”
The Administration Group, consisting of athletic directors and high-ranking administrators, heard concluding reports from several evaluation committees, which were formed to review overall policies and procedures of the conference, as well as in select sports. The group also reviewed the consent package recommended by the conference’s Championships and Competition Committee. Key action items included:
• Approval of a single-site, predetermined championship format in men’s lacrosse starting in 2013
• Elimination of the conference’s overnight travel policy
• Elimination of the conference’s regular-season travel squad limits
• Elimination of the women’s basketball scheduling standards
• Stipulation added that the conference marketing grant be used to enhance or promote television broadcasts or opportunities
• Approval of a 10-week, 30-game regular-season schedule in baseball
All sport committees, which included men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s lacrosse and men’s and women’s soccer, were comprised of conference administrators and coaches. Common themes included the desire to increase non-conference winning percentage and to maximize exposure opportunities. “The work of the evaluation committees over the past few months generated positive dialogue among our membership as they reviewed key areas of focus,” said Lee McElroy, chair of the Athletic Directors Council. “We commend the good work of these committees in identifying themes and recommendations to help move the conference forward.”
The Administration Group also heard presentations from ESPN’s Brent Colborne, Senior Manager of Programming and Acquisitions, and NeuLion’s Ed O’Brien, Vice President, and Ryan Pederson, Partner Relations Manager. The presentations centered around the conference’s increasingly aggressive multimedia and television initiatives, which include a commitment to improve the quantity and quality of its broadcast opportunities, both at the conference and institutional level. The group also received NCAA governance and reform updates from Jackie Campbell, Director of Division I at the NCAA.
Other business included the review of conference officiating fee structure and the appointment of Steve Abbott, University of Maine Director of Athletics, as the next chair of the Athletic Directors Council, and Dr. Samuel Stanley, Stony Brook University President as the next Board of Presidents Chair. “I want to thank Lee McElroy, Director of Athletics at the University at Albany, and Mark Huddleston, President at the University of New Hampshire, for their great leadership over the past year,” said Commissioner Huchthausen. “Their support and leadership as the conference transitioned to a new commissioner was instrumental in helping us make immediate progress in some key areas. I look forward to working with Steve and President Stanley in the coming year as we continue to move forward.”
The Athletic Directors, SWA’s and FAR’s also met as groups to discuss pertinent business on Wednesday. That evening, the conference held its annual awards dinner in Annapolis. Boston University received the Commissioner’s Cup trophy, while the University Hartford was presented the Academic Cup. Stony Brook University’s Lucy Van Dalen was honored as America East Woman of the Year, Hartford’s Kevin Brandon and Boston U.’s Women’s Soccer team garnered America East Male and Female Sportsmanship Awards, respectively and University of Vermont’s Elyse Ogletree received the America East/CFES Service Award.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Stony Brook likes Ike!
Mets honor Stony Brook's CWS team
The pair and their teammates watched batting practice near the dugout and mingled with the Mets, who honored the team after its first appearance in the College World Series. Seven Seawolves were drafted.
"On TV they look like gods," said Carmona, a third baseman from Hempstead who was taken by the Phillies in the 11th round. "When you see them up close, you have hopes and dreams. Every person on that field has worked hard to get where they are. I'm going to have to do the same if I ever want to share the same field."
Jankowski, an outfielder who was drafted by the Padres as the 44th pick overall, said, "I know it's not going to be easy, but I'm up for the journey. This isn't a quick process."
Mets outfielder Lucas Duda, a seventh-round pick from USC, remembered Stony Brook from his freshman season when he hit his first collegiate home run off Seawolves righthander Tom Koehler, now a Triple-A prospect with the Miami Marlins. "I wish them the best of luck," Duda said. "It's a hard, long journey. Not only do you have to be highly skilled, you have to have a little bit of luck involved. For example, when Carlos Beltran is your rightfielder there's not too much time for you. In that sense, I kind of got lucky."
Kirk Nieuwenhuis, drafted by the Mets in the third round from Azusa Pacific University (Calif.), added, "Perseverance is imperative, something you have to have. Without that you're not going to make it through the minors."
Ike Davis visited with coach Matt Senk and they reminisced about the Seawolves' NCAA regional game against Davis' Arizona State team in 2008. Senk threw out the first pitch. His preparation? "In 22 years, I think I've thrown about 3 million rounds of batting practice.''
Athletic director Jim Fiore said of Senk's success: "Certainly we are going to sit with Matt and make sure this is a great situation for Matt to be the head coach here for a long time."
Photo credit: Jason Decrow | New York Mets' Ike Davis, center, poses with seniors from the Stony Brook baseball team, left to right, Sal Intagliata, Tyler Johnson, Pat Cantwell and Evan Stecko-Haley during batting practice. (June 19, 2012)
Travis Jankowski and Willie Carmona, two Stony Brook University players selected in Major League Baseball's player draft, were not far away from the dividing line between fan and big-league player at Citi Field last night. The pair and their teammates watched batting practice near the dugout and mingled with the Mets, who honored the team after its first appearance in the College World Series. Seven Seawolves were drafted.
"On TV they look like gods," said Carmona, a third baseman from Hempstead who was taken by the Phillies in the 11th round. "When you see them up close, you have hopes and dreams. Every person on that field has worked hard to get where they are. I'm going to have to do the same if I ever want to share the same field."
Jankowski, an outfielder who was drafted by the Padres as the 44th pick overall, said, "I know it's not going to be easy, but I'm up for the journey. This isn't a quick process."
Mets outfielder Lucas Duda, a seventh-round pick from USC, remembered Stony Brook from his freshman season when he hit his first collegiate home run off Seawolves righthander Tom Koehler, now a Triple-A prospect with the Miami Marlins. "I wish them the best of luck," Duda said. "It's a hard, long journey. Not only do you have to be highly skilled, you have to have a little bit of luck involved. For example, when Carlos Beltran is your rightfielder there's not too much time for you. In that sense, I kind of got lucky."
Kirk Nieuwenhuis, drafted by the Mets in the third round from Azusa Pacific University (Calif.), added, "Perseverance is imperative, something you have to have. Without that you're not going to make it through the minors."
Ike Davis visited with coach Matt Senk and they reminisced about the Seawolves' NCAA regional game against Davis' Arizona State team in 2008. Senk threw out the first pitch. His preparation? "In 22 years, I think I've thrown about 3 million rounds of batting practice.''
Athletic director Jim Fiore said of Senk's success: "Certainly we are going to sit with Matt and make sure this is a great situation for Matt to be the head coach here for a long time."
Monday, June 18, 2012
Rangers sign 3rd round selection Patrick Cantwell from Stony Brook
SAN DIEGO- With the underdog Stony Brook Seawolves eliminated from the College World Series, it did not take long for C Patrick Cantwell, the Rangers third round selection in the draft to reach an agreement with the team.
Cantwell, a 22-year-old senior, hit .290 for Stony Brook in 2012.
His signing means the Rangers have reached agreement with each of their first 16 picks through the 13th round. The two highest unsigned picks are football prospects OF Kwinton Smith and RHP-OF Jameis Winston, who have signed football letters of intent with South Carolina and Florida State respectively.
The Rangers have now signed 27 of their 43 selections in the draft.
His signing means the Rangers have reached agreement with each of their first 16 picks through the 13th round. The two highest unsigned picks are football prospects OF Kwinton Smith and RHP-OF Jameis Winston, who have signed football letters of intent with South Carolina and Florida State respectively.
The Rangers have now signed 27 of their 43 selections in the draft.
What's next for America East? - Andy Katz, ESPN
Stony Brook, the strongest America East school, couldn't care less, while Vermont, one of the more successful programs in the league, senses some apprehension.
Regardless, the America East remains a one-bid league that was hit again with a departure. Losing Delaware, Drexel, Hofstra, Northeastern and Towson to the CAA over the past 10 years have been major blows to the conference.
The addition of Binghamton helped, but Stony Brook is the big add. The Seawolves are investing in athletics like few programs at the one-bid level, and the baseball team just completed a historic season that ended this weekend with an appearance in the College World Series.
"I don't think it does anything to our league," said Stony Brook athletic director Jim Fiore about losing BU. "They've been trying to get out of the league for 15 years to the A-10 or the CAA. I personally say you're either with us or you're not. They went to the Patriot [League], which is a conference that advocates for academics. We wish them the best."
Fiore said he was disappointed in the decision since the two schools had developed a friendly rivalry. This wasn't Duke-Carolina or even Lehigh-Lafayette, but it was evolving.
"We're not in any anxiety right now. We have eight real solid schools, which are committed," said Fiore.
There is natural trepidation when alignment issues trickle down to a conference like the America East.
"It does make everyone a little nervous," said Vermont coach John Becker. "BU leaving means one less game in our conference tournament. We just get rid of the 8-9 game. But Stony Brook has been looking for a new conference too."
That's not the case, according to Fiore and coach Steve Pikiell.
"We have the right number at eight," said Pikiell. "We're happy at eight. We're not aggressively hunting for a conference. We want to stay in the America East."
Fiore said the CAA is going through its own issues after losing Old Dominion to C-USA, VCU to the A-10 and Georgia State to the Sun Belt.
CAA commissioner Tom Yeager is actively looking at expansion and, according to Davidson coach Bob McKillop, was on the Charlotte-area campus. But no formal offer was given, and it's unclear if Davidson would accept since it is comfortable in the Southern Conference. The CAA is also looking at Charleston and, according to sources, Furman and Elon are on a lengthy list. However, Stony Brook makes the most sense if it wants to link up its northern teams with Hofstra.
"It's a turbulent time, but I like where we are," said Fiore. "We want to be the Gonzaga of the East. We're committed to the America East and the next level. We're putting in $20-25 million into a basketball arena. We were just in the College World Series. We're committed from the top down. I like the people in our league, and I think we have a great new commissioner in Amy Huchthausen."
Becker said losing the Boston area isn't a huge blow since he wants to add the Terriers to the nonconference schedule. New Hampshire and other schools will likely try to do the same.
"We'll figure it out," Becker said.
If the America East were to expand, the obvious choices would include the former league members that are now in the CAA. But if that can't occur, the NEC's two more highly respected academic schools -- Quinnipiac and Bryant -- would be targeted, according to multiple sources.
Quinnipiac and Bryant don't fit the academic profile of the NEC, as both schools profess to be of a higher quality. Quinnipiac puts more money into athletics than probably any other NEC school and has the top arena in the league. Bryant is eligible for the conference tournament and postseason in 2013 for the first time since transitioning to Division I.
Bryant would likely jump at the chance to be in a bus league with the state schools in New England and New York. Quinnipiac would rather be in the CAA or A-10 if given the choice.
Quinnipiac coach Tom Moore said the school has consistently been moving forward. But Fiore doesn't see an America East fit for either school -- for now.
"I don't think either are on our radar," Fiore said. "The presidents want to be patient. We're not in any rush to add anybody
New York Mets to honor Stony Brook baseball Tuesday at Citi Field
The Seawolves shocked the world with their run to the College World Series.
Queens, N.Y. - The New York Mets have invited the Stony Brook baseball team to be honored for their run to the College World Series at Tuesday night's 7:10 p.m. game vs. the Baltimore Orioles at Citi Field.
The team will head to Citi Field for batting practice to meet some of the Mets players and then be honored prior to first pitch.
The Seawolves, under 2012 NCBWA National Head Coach of the Year Matt Senk, are coming off the most successful season in program history. With a program-record and NCAA-leading 52 wins, the Seawolves shocked the world by defeating Miami, Missouri State and Central Florida in the NCAA Regional and LSU in the NCAA Super Regional to reach its first-ever College World Series.
Stony Brook has received unprecedented exposure for its College World Series run around the country, including captivating the host city of Omaha, which embraced the Seawolves as their hometown team. Over the last week, Stony Brook has been featured in many prestigious media outlets including Newsday, New York Times, New York Post, New York Daily News, SNY, YES, News 12, ESPN Radio, WFAN, Associated Press, ESPN.com, SI.com, MLB.com, Los Angeles Times, Omaha World Herald, Baseball America and many more.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Stony Brook's run ends with 12-2 loss to Florida State
OMAHA, Neb. -- As actor Tom Hanks famously said in the movie "A League of Their Own," there's no crying in baseball. But who could blame Stony Brook's Seawolves if they had to choke back a few tears when their College World Series dream died hard in a 12-2 loss to Florida State Sunday afternoon at TD Ameritrade Stadium.
It was the second humiliating defeat for the Seawolves (52-15), who arrived as the nation's winningest team but got pounded by a combined score of 21-3 by UCLA and FSU. Stony Brook was everybody's lovable underdog in Omaha, but the Seawolves found the weight of expectations from their newfound fans too heavy a burden.
Still, their achievement in becoming only the second No. 4 regional seed ever to make it to the College World Series was a remarkable breakthrough for a school that has played Division I sports only since 1999, and no one ever can take away their dominant performance in the Baton Rouge Super Regional at LSU to get here.
But it was FSU starter Mike Compton (12-2) who was dominant in quieting Stony Brook's powerful lineup, allowing six hits, two walks and two runs in six innings. The Seminoles (49-16) advanced to meet the loser of Sunday night's game between UCLA and Arizona.
Walks and defensive miscues, which the Seawolves largely avoided on their way to Omaha, were their undoing against Florida State.
It began in the first inning when Brandon McNitt issued a one-out walk to Devon Travis, who went to third on a single by James Ramsey. With Ramsey going, McNitt struck out cleanup hitter Jayce Boyd, and catcher Pat Cantwell threw to second baseman Maxx Tissenbaum. Travis broke from third when the ball left Cantwell's hand, and with no chance to throw him out at the plate, Tissenbaum ran down Ramsey and tagged him for the third out.
McNitt settled down to retire the next five batters, but with two outs in the third, singles by Sherman Johnson and Travis and an RBI double by Ramsey made it 2-0.
Boyd then grounded to freshman shortstop Cole Peragine for what should have been an inning-ending out, but Peragine double-clutched and then skipped his throw past first baseman Kevin Courtney, allowing two runs to score.
McNitt compounded that mistake by walking Steve McGee before shortstop Justin Gonzalez launched a three-run homer into the leftfield bullpen for a 7-0 lead.
McNitt got the final out of the inning, but the damage was significant -- six runs after there were two outs, five of them unearned.
No. 9 hitter Sal Intagliata singled to lead off the bottom of the third for Stony Brook's first hit. Two outs later, Willie Carmona (two hits) belted a long drive into the gap in right-center. Intagliata was almost to the plate when the ball hopped into the stands for a ground-rule double. He had to return to third, and the threat ended when Tissenbaum lined out.
It got worse in the fourth. McNitt walked John Holland to start the inning, and two outs later, Travis banged a two-run homer into the leftfield bullpen for a 9-0 lead.
That ended the day for McNitt (8-4), who gave up nine runs, only four of which were earned, six hits and three walks in 32/3 innings before being relieved by James Campbell.
The Seawolves finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth. Courtney led off with a double and went to third on a single by Travis Jankowski. Cantwell's grounder drove in the first run and Carmona's hard single to rightfield made it 9-2.
Whatever thoughts the Seawolves might have had were doused in the top of the sixth. Campbell allowed a one-out walk to Holland and then gave up three straight doubles to Seth Miller, Johnson and Travis to make it 12-2.
Travis had three hits, three RBIs and three runs scored for Florida State, which outhit Stony Brook 11-7. Johnson had two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored and Ramsey added two hits.
Baseball's CWS run ends with loss to Florida State
Omaha, Neb. - The greatest season in Stony Brook baseball history came to an end Sunday as the Seawolves dropped a 12-2 decision to No. 3 national seed Florida State in a College World Series elimination game at TD Ameritrade Park.
Stony Brook caps its incredible run to Omaha with a 52-15 record along with the America East Championship, NCAA Coral Gables Regional championship and NCAA Baton Rouge Super Regional title. The 52 wins are a program record, and the Seawolves have laid claim to being the first America East team ever and first Northeast Region team since 1986 to reach the College World Series.
Junior William Carmona (Hempstead, N.Y.) led the Seawolves with a 2-for-4 day, including a double and an RBI single. Sophomore starter Brandon McNitt lasted 3-2/3 innings and gave up nine runs, but only four of them were earned.
The Seminoles struck in the top of the first as Devon Travis drew a walk and advanced to third on James Ramsey's single to left center. The next batter, Jayce Boyd, struck out and on the third strike, Ramsey took off from first, drawing a throw from Cantwell. Travis then advanced home on the throw while Ramsey was caught stealing to end the inning. The run counted to give the Seminoles a 1-0 lead.
Florida State then broke out with six runs in the third, five unearned. After McNitt retired the first two batters, back-to-back singles set up first and third for James Ramsey, who stroked a double down the right field line to plate a run. Boyd then reached on a throwing error that scored two runs. One batter later, Justin Gonzalez smashed a three-run home run to left to put the Seminoles on top 7-0.
It was 9-0 before the Seawolves plated a pair in the bottom of the fifth. With runners on second and third and one out, junior Pat Cantwell (West Islip, N.Y.) brought home sophomore Kevin Courtney on a 4-3 groundout. Then Carmona followed with a sharp single to right to bring home junior Travis Jankowski (Lancaster, Pa.). The Seawolves trailed 9-2 after five innings.
Florida State immediately responded with three runs in the sixth on back-to-back-to-back doubles, the big blow being a two-run double off the right center wall by Sherman Johnson.
Sophomore pitcher Joshua Mason (Woodland Hills, Calif.) provided 2-2/3 innings of strong relief, allowing just one hit while striking out one and walking none.
Stony Brook caps its incredible run to Omaha with a 52-15 record along with the America East Championship, NCAA Coral Gables Regional championship and NCAA Baton Rouge Super Regional title. The 52 wins are a program record, and the Seawolves have laid claim to being the first America East team ever and first Northeast Region team since 1986 to reach the College World Series.
Junior William Carmona (Hempstead, N.Y.) led the Seawolves with a 2-for-4 day, including a double and an RBI single. Sophomore starter Brandon McNitt lasted 3-2/3 innings and gave up nine runs, but only four of them were earned.
The Seminoles struck in the top of the first as Devon Travis drew a walk and advanced to third on James Ramsey's single to left center. The next batter, Jayce Boyd, struck out and on the third strike, Ramsey took off from first, drawing a throw from Cantwell. Travis then advanced home on the throw while Ramsey was caught stealing to end the inning. The run counted to give the Seminoles a 1-0 lead.
Florida State then broke out with six runs in the third, five unearned. After McNitt retired the first two batters, back-to-back singles set up first and third for James Ramsey, who stroked a double down the right field line to plate a run. Boyd then reached on a throwing error that scored two runs. One batter later, Justin Gonzalez smashed a three-run home run to left to put the Seminoles on top 7-0.
It was 9-0 before the Seawolves plated a pair in the bottom of the fifth. With runners on second and third and one out, junior Pat Cantwell (West Islip, N.Y.) brought home sophomore Kevin Courtney on a 4-3 groundout. Then Carmona followed with a sharp single to right to bring home junior Travis Jankowski (Lancaster, Pa.). The Seawolves trailed 9-2 after five innings.
Florida State immediately responded with three runs in the sixth on back-to-back-to-back doubles, the big blow being a two-run double off the right center wall by Sherman Johnson.
Sophomore pitcher Joshua Mason (Woodland Hills, Calif.) provided 2-2/3 innings of strong relief, allowing just one hit while striking out one and walking none.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Seawolves look to bounce back against Florida State, Sunday, 4:45 p.m. WUSB
OMAHA, Neb. -- If Stony Brook is going to rebound from its 9-1 loss to UCLA in the opener of the College World Series, the first order of business will be for starting pitcher Brandon McNitt to avoid issuing walks to a Florida State lineup averaging 8.8 runs per game in NCAA Tournament play.
Three Seawolves pitchers gave up eight walks to the Bruins, violating one of the principal tenets in coach Matt Senk's playbook. "As soon as you walk somebody, you take a peek in the dugout and he's flipping out," McNitt said Saturday. "We could be up by 10 runs, and it's still one of those things he emphasizes. Especially leadoff walks and two-out walks are the worst. He just wants you to go after guys and attack them and don't let up."
McNitt got knocked around in a regional loss to Central Florida two weeks ago but came back with a strong effort in Game 1 of the Baton Rouge Super Regional at LSU, allowing only an unearned run and three hits in seven innings against the Tigers. He left with a 2-1 lead that the Seawolves eventually lost, but pitching well in a tough environment was a confidence-booster.
"If I can carry that LSU game into this game, I'll continue to go right after guys," McNitt said. "If they're going to beat me, they're going to beat me hitting the ball."
In Baton Rouge, the Seawolves faced a partisan crowd of 11,000, but they are the darlings of an Omaha crowd of more than 20,000 that loves the underdog. McNitt said the celebrity treatment proved a bit disconcerting before the UCLA game, but his strength is his composure.
"We really came into that last game not focused at all," McNitt said. "We didn't play very good. Nobody said anything, but you could obviously see everybody was caught up in all the attention. Back at home, we don't get this at all, so having the whole stadium rooting for us is a pretty big deal. It's a different environment, but now that we've got the first game out of the way, we'll be all right."
Stony Brook catcher Pat Cantwell said the Seawolves' starting pitchers are not the type to blow the ball past batters and pile up strikeouts. They rely on location.
"We're going to have to use both halves of the plate, and he's going to have to throw his breaking ball for strikes,'' Cantwell said of McNitt. "As always, he's going to have to make a big pitch in a certain spot. If he can do that, I think our bats are going to be ready to go. Brandon is just going to go out and do his thing. If he does, I'm confident we're going to be there at the end."
Friday, June 15, 2012
UCLA beats Stony Brook 9-1 in CWS opener
OMAHA -- Adam Plutko turned in a third straight strong start and UCLA jumped on College World Series newcomer Stony Brook for five runs in the first inning on its way to a 9-1 victory in Friday's opener.
The No. 2 national seed Bruins (48-14) sent 10 batters to the plate in the first against Tyler Johnson (12-2), who allowed a season-high seven runs in a 2 1-3-inning outing that was his shortest of the year. Jeff Gelalich's bases-loaded single opened the scoring, and Kevin Williams' two-run double off Jasvir Rakkar in the third made it 7-1.
Pat Cantwell's homer accounted for Stony Brook's only run off Plutko (12-3), who allowed five hits and struck out seven in seven innings.
Stony Brook (52-14), a Division I baseball program for only 12 years, emerged on the national scene this week with its "Shock The World" mantra after upsetting powerful LSU in a three-game super regional in Baton Rouge, La.
The celebrated Seawolves from Long Island came to town as the first team from the Northeast to play at the CWS since Maine in 1986.
On college baseball's biggest stage they were no match for a UCLA team that has won 134 games the past three seasons - the best stretch in program history.
Plutko, who threw a two-hit shutout against Creighton in the regional and allowed two runs in seven innings against TCU in the super regional, gave up just two singles before Cantwell drilled his second homer of the season in the third.
Stony Brook threatened to cut into UCLA's six-run lead in the fifth after Sal Intagliata's double put men on second and third with no outs. But first baseman Trevor Brown threw out Kevin Courtney at home after Travis Jankowski grounded out, though it appeared on television replays that Courtney touched the plate ahead of Tyler Heineman's tag.
The Bruins, winners of 10 straight and 20 of their last 22, have outscored the competition 42-10 in six NCAA tournament games.
They wasted no time getting to Johnson, who came in 3-0 in the NCAA tournament and off wins in 12 straight decisions since a March 2 loss to East Carolina.
Beau Amaral and Heineman singled and Cody Keefer walked before Gelalich, the Cincinnati Reds' first-round draft pick, singled down the right-field line for two runs. Brown followed with an RBI single and Pat Valaika's safety squeeze bunt made it 4-0.
The Seawolves' hard luck continued when Kevin Kramer's grounder bounced off the third base bag before William Carmona could make a play, allowing another run to score.
It was the third time this season Stony Brook has allowed five or more runs in an inning. The Seawolves fell behind 5-0 in the first inning against Missouri State in a regional elimination game but rallied to win 10-7.
Stony Brook has staved off elimination five times in the tournament and will have to do it again Sunday in order to extend its stay in Omaha.
Stony Brook's Matt Senk Named 2012 NCBWA Coach of the Year
Dallas, Texas - Stony Brook head coach Matt Senk was named the 2012 National
Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Coach of the Year, the
organization announced Friday at a news conference. Senk, in his 22nd season,
led the Seawolves to their first-ever appearance in the College World
Series.Senk led Stony Brook to the most wins (52) in Division I this season. The Seawolves are only the second No. 4 seed to advance to the CWS since Fresno State in 2008. SBU is the first New York school to advance this far since St. John's in 1980 and the first Northeast school since Maine in 1986.
The 2012 America East Coach of the Year, Senk guided Stony Brook to its fourth America East tile and second in the last three years. After winning the Coral Gables Regional, the Seawolves shocked the world, upsetting LSU to capture the Baton Rouge Super Regional en route to Omaha.
Seven players were chosen in the 2012 Major League Baseball first-year player draft. Junior Travis Jankowski (Lancaster, Pa.) became Stony Brook's highest drafted player after the San Diego Padres called his name with the 44th overall pick.
Senk and the Seawolves will open the 2012 College World Series against UCLA at 5:00 p.m. EST. The game will be televised live on ESPN2.
BOSTON UNIVERSITY HEADED TO PATRIOT LEAGUE
"Boston University is an outstanding addition to our membership as a private institution with a robust academic reputation and prolific athletic history," said Weiss. "This decision to add Boston University to the Patriot League mirrors the Presidents' commitment and vision to the stability and long-term positioning of the League."
Boston University will join American University, Bucknell University, Colgate University, The College of the Holy Cross, Lafayette College, Lehigh University, the United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy as full members in the Patriot League. In addition, Fordham University and Georgetown University are associate members for the sport of football, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology competes in the Patriot League as an associate member in women's rowing.
"We are very impressed by the academic quality of the institutions in the Patriot League and by the League's commitment to student-athletes while effectively competing at the NCAA Division I level," said Boston University President Robert A. Brown. "We believe that the philosophy of the League is a good match for Boston University and that the schools in the League will give our athletes a rich competitive environment."
The Patriot League was formed as an all-sport conference in 1990-91 after beginning as a football only conference (Colonial League) in 1986. Army, Bucknell, Colgate, Holy Cross, Lafayette and Lehigh are each founding members of the League. Navy joined the Patriot League for the 1991-92 academic year. American was the last full member to join the Patriot League (2001-02).
Boston University has enjoyed a remarkable recent history in numerous sports, including winning the Commissioner's Cup in the America East for each of the past seven years. During that time, the Terriers have won 40 America East Conference championships in 14 sports.
Boston University will join the Patriot League in the following sports; men and women's basketball, men and women's cross country and track and field, field hockey, women's golf, men and women's lacrosse, women's rowing, men and women's soccer, softball, men and women's swimming and diving and men and women's tennis.
"I am delighted to welcome Boston University to the Patriot League," Patriot League Executive Director Carolyn Schlie Femovich said. "Boston University has a strong tradition of excellence in academics and Division I athletics, both of which reflect the core values of the Patriot League. They will strengthen the League both in the classroom and on the field of play."
"This is a really unique opportunity for us to challenge ourselves," said Mike Lynch, Boston University Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics. "We will be entering a league that embodies the ideal of valuing academics as the highest priority while sponsoring very competitive athletic programs. That is our commitment too."
Boston University is nationally ranked among the nation's premier academic institutions both within the undergraduate and graduate community. In addition, BU is also listed among the top global universities according to a variety of reports.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Stony Brook is not a fluke
The Seawolves have the talent to play with anyone in college baseball
Updated: June 14, 2012, 7:31 PM ET
By Teddy Mitrosilis | ESPN.com
For complete coverage of the 2012 NCAA baseball tournament, from the first pitch of the regional round to the final pitch at the CWS in Omaha, turn to ESPN.com.
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