Spider Sports Recap | Week of March 27

Baseball 

March 27: Loss 12-2 vs. Longwood University 

After a 5-2 loss against Longwood earlier in the season, the Spiders lost again against the Lancers, this time at home at Pitt Field. Longwood got to work on the scoreboard early, scoring six unanswered runs through the first three innings. UR decreased the deficit to four runs after graduate student designated hitter Andrew Papantonis doubled home two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, but for the remainder of the game, the Spiders were held to zero runs. On the mound, sophomore right-handed pitcher Jake Michel lost his third game of the season as he allowed six runs. 

March 31: Loss 19-13 vs. Saint Joseph's University

In UR’s first outing against an Atlantic 10 opponent on the season, the Spiders lost by six runs in a high scoring game against the Hawks. Despite double-digit runs for UR, SJU had control throughout the game. Through seven innings, the Hawks led the Spiders 17-7. UR had a strong eighth inning, scoring six runs behind a three-run home run from redshirt senior left fielder Johnny Hipsman, but the team’s efforts were too little too late as the Hawks tacked on two more runs to solidify their 19-13 victory to begin the three-game series. 

April 1: Loss 15-0 vs. SJU 

In game two of the series, another high-scoring game ensued, however this time, offense came strictly from the Hawks. UR lost their fourth straight game and were shutout by SJU. The Hawks only led 1-0 through the first four innings, but in inning five, SJU ran away with the game, scoring 14 runs in the final five innings. The Spiders’ bats were nowhere to be found as the team only garnered two hits throughout the game, from redshirt junior centerfielder Alden Mathes and graduate student Matt Stinebiser, who came in as a pinch hitter. 

April 2: Win 7-2 vs. SJU

In the final game of the series, UR emerged victorious as this time around, the bats worked for the Spiders and the team was able to prevent the series sweep. Through five innings, the Spiders led by four runs, 6-2, but for the rest of the game, the Hawks put up zeros on the scoreboard and the Spiders tacked on one more run to secure the win. First-year third baseman Jordan Jaffe led the way for the Spiders with a 3-RBI home run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Redshirt junior catcher Jason Neff also had a strong day for the Spiders, going 2 for 2 at the plate with 2 RBIs. On the mound, graduate student right-handed relief pitcher Kyle Subers picked up the win, throwing nine strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched. The Spiders’ next game is at home against James Madison University at 2:30 p.m. April 4. 

Track & Field 

March 30-April 1: Colonial Relays 

The Spiders traveled to the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA to compete in the Colonial Relays. First-year Brooke Reif finished fourth in the 1500m with a time of 4:34.00. In the 800m, sophomore Morgan Lyons finished with a 2:17.52 time to give her a fifth place finish. Other top-10 times came in the 5k and the 10k where first-year Paige Joyce and junior Manon Stephen came in eighth and ninth place in their respective races. In the 4x400 relay, Lyons, senior Maddie Orr, sophomore Aylin Bruce and sophomore Dylan Miller finished sixth. Several men’s cross country runners also competed in the event. In the men’s 800m, first-year Cooper Groat ran a 1:54.95 and placed seventh. In the men’s 5k invitational, junior Stuart Terrill finished in the top-five with a time of 14:19.39. From April 12 to April 15, the Spiders will compete in the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut CA, the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, CA and the Larry Ellis Invitational in Princeton, NJ. 

Women’s Tennis

Editor’s note: Claire Le Du is a writer for the Collegian. 

March 30: Loss 4-2 vs. the University of Delaware 

After a loss away against Elon University, the women’s tennis team lost to UD 4-2 at the Westhampton Tennis Complex in the first of a three-match home stretch. The Spiders found some success in singles play as juniors Carly Cohen and Polina Shitikova each won against their respective opponents in two sets. In doubles play, the Spiders won one of three matches. Senior Marta Buendia and redshirt sophomore Claire Le Du emerged victorious against their opponents 5-4. 

April 1: Loss 4-2 vs. Fordham University 

The Spiders lost their eighth straight match in another A-10 matchup, this time against Fordham. Similar to their last match against UD, the Spiders took home two wins in singles play. Those wins came from first-year Elizabeth Novak and Le Du, respectively. Doubles play did not fare so well as UR did not pick up any wins in their partner play. 

April 2: Win 4-2 vs. Rhode Island University

In the final match of their home stretch, the women’s tennis team snapped its losing streak with a 4-2 win over the Rams. In singles play, UR picked up four wins. Le Du, Shitikova, Novak and junior Andrea Campodonico all took down their respective opponents in two sets. Doubles play was not as successful for UR, but the team did win one match with duo Shitikova and Campodonico. The Spiders’ record sits at 5-14 with three regular season matches left. The team’s next match is away against Davidson College at 1 p.m. April 15. 

Men’s Golf

March 31-April 2: 4th place finish at Cutter Creek Intercollegiate 

The men’s golf team finished in 4th place out of 10 schools in Snow Hill, NC at the Cutter Creek Intercollegiate tournament. The team’s overall score was 885 (+21). Sophomore Cole Ekert paced the Spiders with a sixth-place finish overall in the event. Ekert shot 218 (+2) over three rounds. The Spiders’ next best individual score came from senior Ben Cooper, who finished tied for 12th place in the tournament with a 221 (+5). Next up was sophomore Patrick Isztwan, who finished tied for 25th place in the tournament. The Spiders play next at the RedHawk Intercollegiate in Pittsburgh, PA from April 17 to April 18.  

Men’s Tennis 

March 31: Loss 4-2 vs. George Mason University 

After a 4-0 win away against Longwood University, the Spiders’ efforts were unsuccessful away against GMU. UR did not win any of its singles matches and its only wins of the day came in two doubles matches. Those wins came from junior Sebastian Miano and graduate student Alex Wernink. 

April 1: Win 4-0 vs. Fordham University 

The men’s tennis team bounced back with a win away against Fordham, its first A-10 victory of the season. In singles play, three of UR’s matches went unfinished, but the other three resulted in wins for the Spiders. Junior Daniel Kliebhan won against his opponent in three sets, graduate student William Karpinski won against his opponent in two sets and graduate student John Walsh won against his opponent in three sets. As for doubles play, UR picked up two more wins, with victories coming from Miano and junior Alaister Burke and then Walsh and Wernink, respectively. UR’s next match is away against William & Mary at 12 p.m. April 5. 

Women’s Lacrosse

April 1: Win 20-12 vs. St. Bonaventure University 

The women’s lacrosse team brought its win streak to five games with a victory over the Bonnies. This was UR’s tenth win overall on the season and fourth A-10 win of the season. UR started the game strong as the team scored four goals in the first quarter to take an early 4-0 lead. In quarter two, the Spiders kept the momentum, outscoring the Bonnies 6-3 in the quarter which led to a 10-3 lead at halftime. In the second half, the Bonnies’ offensive shone through a bit more as St. Bonaventure scored nine goals in the final thirty minutes. However, UR continued its dominance and scored 10 more goals in the second half, leading to a 20-12 victory. Senior midfielder Lindsey Frank led the way with five goals and two assists. Sophomore attacker Colleen Quinn had four goals and three assists. This win put the Spiders’ record at 10-2 on the year. The team has five games remaining and the next one is away against No. 4 JMU at 5 p.m. April 5. 

Men’s Lacrosse

April 1: Loss 14-12 vs. SJU 

After a win away against St. John’s University, the men’s lacrosse team lost in a close game against SJU. The Spiders had the edge through one-quarter of play as the team led 5-3 heading into quarter two. However, in the second quarter, UR did not score, allowing the Hawks to tie things up at five goals apiece. The Spiders got off to a quick start in the third quarter, scoring three goals by the 9:12 mark of quarter three, but the Hawks fought back once again, leaving the game tied at nine heading into the last 15 minutes. The first part of the fourth quarter was back-and-forth in terms of scoring, but eventually, the Hawks took a three-score lead. UR cut the deficit to two goals but were unable to complete the comeback, losing 14-12. Junior midfielder Lance Madonna scored three goals on the day and senior attacker Dalton Young scored two goals and had a team-high five assists. The Spiders’ record sits at 5-4 with four regular season games remaining. UR’s next game is at home against the University of Massachusetts at 11:30 a.m. April 8. 

Contact sports editor Jimmy James at jimmy.james@richmond.edu.