By JOSHUA NATOLI
Sports Editor
Now that winter sports such as basketball and swimming and diving have drawn to a close, it’s time for the Golden Knights spring sports to take to the fields for the 2013 season. Baseball, softball, track and field, and lacrosse have already begun what they hope to be successful seasons for The College of Saint Rose.
The Golden Knights baseball team got an early February start to their season by heading down to South Carolina for multiple matchups with the Francis Marion Patriots. The Golden Knights left the southern state with a 1-2 record against the Patriots.
The Golden Knights took to Richmond, Virginia earlier this month for two games with the Mansfield Mounties. The two games were not pretty as the Golden Knights lost both by a combined score of 27-10, leaving them with a 1-4 record. The Golden Knights stayed in Richmond for a matchup against the Bloomsberg (PA) Huskies. The Golden Knights could not hang on to the momentum after coming back from a 11-7 deficit, but fell short by one run, losing 11-10.
Florida was the next stop for the Golden Knights for meetings with Concordia, Dominican, Wilmington, and Nova Southeastern. The Golden Knights once again could not get it done after their rally in the ninth inning fell short for a 10-8 loss against the Clippers. The match against Dominican held a different story. The Golden Knights defeated the Chargers 1-0 in extra innings for their second win of the year. The Golden Knights were not so fortunate against the Wilmington Wildcats, dropping both games of a doubleheader 7-4 and 8-2. A second matchup against Dominican proved to not have the same effect. The Golden Knights fell to the Charger 9-6 after trailing 5-0 in the first inning. The Golden Knights worst loss thus far came against the Nova Southeastern Sharks. The Golden Knights were no-hit by three combined pitchers, leading to a shutout loss of 16-0.
The 2-10 record does not say it all for the Golden Knights. Northeast-10 Conference play has yet to begin. If the Golden Knights can play strong against their conference rivals they have a legitimate postseason chance. The Golden Knights also have a few solid hitters to rely on this year. Junior Joseph Carcone has been lethal with the bat thus far. Carcone boasts a .423 batting average and three runs batted in. Junior Brian Maynard has also been stout at the plate. Maynard is currently batting .316 with two runs batted in. Freshman Chad Adams is not far behind Maynard with a .310 batting average and two runs batted in as well.
On the hill sophomore Bryan Carr has lead the Golden Knights. Carr currently boats the lowest earned run average in the starting rotation with 3.38. Carr has also recorded six strikeouts.
The next matchup for the Golden Knights is a doubleheader with the Lions of Molloy College this coming Saturday in Rockville Centre, New York.
The Golden Knights softball team also took to Florida earlier in the month for matchups with Dominican, Cedarville, University of the Sciences, Wilmington, West Virginia Wesleyan, Wayne State, Gannon, and Bridgeport at the National Training Center Games in Clermont.
A doubleheader against Dominican was first on the long list of games for the Golden Knights. Saint Rose dropped both games 3-0 and 5-0 respectively to the Chargers. Their next two contests were also losses. The Golden Knights fell to the Cedarville Yellow Jackets 4-3, then lost to the University of the Sciences Devils 12-4.
The following day meant another loss to Cedarville for the Golden Knights by a score of 9-5. The Golden Knights turned their day around in the night game against the Wilmington Wildcats, earning a victory with a score of 5-2.
The following day the Golden Knights were met with two losses. The West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats upended Saint Rose 10-0 in the first contest. The Golden Knights also dropped the matchup with Wayne State with a score of 10-6.
A loss against the ironically named Gannon Golden Knights by a score of 5-0 lead to Saint Rose’s second win of the NTC games by a score of 3-2 over the Bridgeport Purple Knights.
There is plenty of upside in the Golden Knights clubhouse despite winning only two games during their Florida trip. Olivia Reeves is looking to have another outstanding year at the plate. Reeves is currently batting .259 with one home run. The Golden Knights have also been solid on the mound. The pitching rotation has a combined earned run average of 3.99.
Their next matchup is a doubleheader this Thursday at Post University.
The Golden Knights Lacrosse team began its season against LIU Post at the Plumeri Sports Complex. Saint Rose dropped their home-opener against the Pioneers 15-6. The next matchup for the Golden Knights was at Mercy. The Golden Knights could not hang on as they lost to the Mavericks 14-10. The next game for the Golden Knights was away against Dowling. The Golden Lions upended Saint Rose 9-4.
Although the three losses speak for themselves, the Golden Knights have been able to average 6.67 goals a game. Goalie Nick Longo has been solid for Saint Rose in the net. Longo has nabbed 34 saves so far this season.
Their next matchup is at Chestnut Hill this Tuesday.
On the track, senior Macky Lloyd competed in the 2013 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Birmingham, Alabama. Lloyd finished in seventh place out of thirteen participants, setting a new personal best with a time of 4:09.79.
Looking ahead the Golden Knights will be heading to West Point March 30th to compete in the Dick Shea Open.
