TimesLeader.com

BILL ARSENAULT

March 31, 2009

WVC trio leading Bucknell baseball BILL ARSENAULT On campus

The Bucknell University baseball team is shooting for a second straight Patriot League title and three former Wyoming Valley Conference athletes will play a part in that bid.

They are senior infielder Bret Sokirka (Wyoming Area), sophomore pitcher Dylan Seeley (Wyoming Seminary) and versatile freshman Matt Lamore (Crestwood).

Sokirka, a 6-foot, 190-pounder, is hitting .267 (16-for-60) with two doubles, five runs scored and 10 RBI.

“Bret is having a good start to his senior year,” coach Gene Depew said. “He began the season as our third baseman but is now our regular second baseman. He will be a key contributor for us as we look to defend our league title.”

Seeley is 1-3 with a 6.84 earned run average. He’s pitched in six games and started five. In 25 innings, the right-hander has given up 34 hits and 24 runs, 19 earned. He’s walked 13 and struck out eight.

“Dylan is back in our starting rotation and although his stats don’t look that good yet, he has thrown against some very good competition and has gotten better each time out,” Depew said. “He will be counted on to be a starter in our Patriot League games.”

Seeley picked up his first victory in a 7-5 Patriot triumph over Army on Sunday. He worked six innings and gave up five hits and three earned runs with three walks and three strikeouts to help the Bison move to 11-13 overall and 3-1 in league play.

Lamore has seen limited action but has played in the outfield, been a designated hitter and even pitched in three games in relief.

“Matt has shown us a lot of versatility,” Depew said. “We look for him to continue to develop into a very good player and contributor.”

COLLINI SOLID – Senior Lauren Collini (Dallas) is doing the job for the Drew University softball team both on the mound and at the plate.

Collini is 2-3 with a 2.33 earned run average in nine games for the Rangers. She’s worked 33.0 innings and given up 28 hits and 18 runs, 11 earned. She has walked 12 and struck out 32.

Collini plays left field when she’s not pitching and is hitting .289 (13-for-45) with a double, home run, 13 runs scored and 11 RBI. In last weekend’s doubleheader sweep over the College of New Jersey, Collini gave up two hits, walked three and struck out nine in a 3-2 first-game victory.

“Lauren is playing like a true senior and if she continues to get stronger, she will have her best season yet,” coach Tamara Evans said. “On the mound, she is working hard and she’s stepping it up at the plate. She’s showing her senior leadership as well.”

The Rangers are 8-9 on the season.

BELANCHIK COMES UP BIG – Freshman Kyle Belanchik (Crestwood) had his best effort of the season when he pitched his Millersville baseball team to a 9-0 complete-game victory over Philadelphia Sciences in his last start. He gave up six hits with no walks and six strikeouts.

“Kyle’s outings have been up and down but in that start he faced 26 hitters and threw first-pitch strikes to 25 of them,” coach Jon Shelan said.

That victory evened the 6-foot-2, 185-pound left-hander’s record to 2-2. He has a 7.40 earned run average giving up 41 hits in 24.1 innings and 22 runs, 20 earned. He’s walked just three and struck out 17.

“Kyle has made some mistakes up in the zone in which college hitters have taken advantage of,” Shelan said.

The coach sees big things ahead for Belanchik.

“Kyle will continue to start in mid-week, non-conference games to allow him to work on maturing on the mound,” Shelan said. “We believe that he will eventually become a legitimate league (PSAC) ace in our rotation. He has as much potential as anyone on our staff and he’s a pleasure to have on the team.”

DUO HELPS CRUSADERS – Junior Katie Connors (Pittston Area) and sophomore Sara Bartoletti (Coughlin) are members of the Susquehanna softball team.

Connors starts at second base and is hitting .242 (8-for-33) with two runs scored and three RBI for the Crusaders, who are 8-8 overall and 1-1 in the Landmark Conference. She’s made four errors on 43 chances (.925).

“Katie has done an outstanding job defensively, making several diving plays to prevent balls up the middle,” coach Kathy Kroupa said. “Her hits have all come at crucial points for us as well. We look forward to her continuing to be a big asset to the program.”

The versatile Bartoletti has played in 10 games and started three. She’s hitting .429 (3-for-7) with a run scored and two RBI. She’s handled 20 chances in the field without an error.

“Sara has done a fantastic job filling many roles this season,” Kroupa said. “She has won time at second base, is a backup outfielder and is one of our best base runners. We use her on the bases in situations that require both speed and intelligent base running. She is a great asset due to her many talents and abilities and we continue to be very impressed with her.”

BEANS BOUNCES BACK – Freshman Jordan Beans (Hanover Area) got off to a good start with the McDaniel softball team, but suffered an injury. She’s back in the lineup now and is hitting .250 (7-for-28) with five runs scored and five RBI. She also has three stolen bases and had three hits, two RBI and four runs scored in a doubleheader sweep over Rutgers-Newark.

“Jordan injured her shoulder in our fourth game,” coach Phil Smith said. “She missed a couple of weeks with the injury.”

Smith is impressed with the play and the versatility of his freshman.

“She is one of our top freshmen,” Smith said. “She’s being asked to play several different positions. She is a very good athlete and can play outfield, third base and second base.”

SABO DOING WELL – Junior Shannon Sabo (Hazleton Area) is currently 5-2 in singles and 6-1 in doubles for the Virginia Wesleyan women’s tennis team. She’s playing either No. 3 or No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles.

“Shannon is an important and integral member of our team,” assistant coach Ed Kahn said. “She always has a positive attitude and has really ratcheted-up her level of play this year. She’s a pleasure to have around and we look forward to big things from her the rest of this season and next.”

COVERT FITS IN – Freshman Mark Covert (Dallas) has done an outstanding job for the East Stroudsburg men’s tennis team. He posted a victory in No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles as the Warriors blanked Caldwell 9-0 last Saturday.

“Mark has been doing a great job,” coach Al McCormick said. “His record in singles is 6-3 and many of those wins helped us to our victories. He is learning every day how to play at this level and that he has to bring his A-game all the time.”

McCormick hopes the development continues.

“If Mark continues playing the way he is, he should help us make it to our conference championships,” the coach said. “And, he’s doing well in the class room. He’s just a great kid.”

The Warriors are currently 4-3 on the season.

KLINE PITCHING IN – Sophomore Matt Kline (Hazleton Area) is a member of the Bloomsburg baseball team’s pitching staff. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound right-hander has a 0-1 record with an 8.27 earned run average. He’s worked 20.2 innings and given up 22 hits and 24 runs, 19 earned. He’s walked 21 and struck out 15.

“We have used Matt out of our bullpen thus far,” coach Mike Collins said. “He has great stuff. His fastball reaches the upper 80s and he combines that with a hard breaking ball. His curveball is a terrific out-pitch and his ability to pound the fastball and miss bats with the curve makes him an attractive option for us in tight spots.”

Collins goes a step further.

“Matt can overpower college hitters in RBI situations,” the coach said.

Kline has been slowed a little by a blister but Collins feels he’ll be ready for the remainder of the season.

The Huskies are currently 11-17 overall and 3-9 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

KURZWELL DOING THE JOB – Junior Rachel Kurzwell (Wyoming Seminary) is a solid member of the Mt. Holyoke women’s lacrosse team which is 3-4 on the season.

Kurzwell has played in all seven games and started five. She has a goal, four ground balls and a draw control.

“Rachel has really stepped up on the defensive end this year and has improved tremendously with her footwork and checking,” coach Mariam Esber said. “Last year, she played a defensive midfield position and this year, due to injuries on the team, she has had to play in a low defensive spot.”

The team is getting healthy again but Esber is still counting on Kurzswell.

“Rachel is critical as a defender/midfielder for us,” the coach said. “She has the capability to play in several different positions and I expect her to continue to improve.”

Bill Arsenault covers college sports for The Times Leader. He can be reached at billarsenault70@msn.com.