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When it comes to quality starts, University of Delaware senior Adam Davis is right up there with the best of them in Division I college baseball.
Tri-captain and Hazleton Area graduate is 2-1 with a 2.62 earned run average for the 9-9 Blue Hens. In five starts, he’s worked 34.1 innings and given up 33 hits, 14 runs, 10 earned, with 10 walks and 31 strikeouts. The 6-foot, 175-pound right-hander worked 7.1 innings, giving up eight hits and two runs, both earned, with no walks and eight strikeouts last Saturday against Northeastern. Delaware lost 3-2 in 13 innings.
Prior to that, Davis worked 6 innings, giving up three hits, no runs, walking three and fanning four but getting a no-decision in a 3-0 victory over Georgetown. He pitched 6 innings, giving up six hits and two runs, both earned, with two walks and seven strikeouts to pick up a 9-2 victory over Hofstra and tossed 8 innings, giving up three hits, walking one and striking out seven in a 9-0 shutout of Sacred Heart.
“Adam is our ace and back on track as he was two years ago,” coach Jim Sherman said. “He’s a fierce competitor and he’s throwing very well. He’s an outstanding captain that has our pitching staff on his back when it comes to leadership.”
After a strong 2013 season, Davis missed most of last season with an injury.
Big start for Hayward
St. Joseph’s junior and Coughlin grad Dannah Hayward was named Atlantic-10 Co-Performer of the Week after a big effort with the women’s outdoor track team in last weekend’s Monmouth Season Opener in Long Branch, N.J.
Hayward, competing outdoors for the first time since May of 2013, captured the 400-meter hurdles, beating a field of 24 with a time of 1:04.30. It’s the third weekly honor for Hayward in her career – both indoor and outdoor. She sat out the 2013-14 indoor and the 2014 outdoor seasons with an injury.
“Dannah overcame some challenging conditions to gain an encouraging win,” coach Kevin Quinn said. “She looked strong all the way and has picked up right where she left off before her injury.”
Hayward and the Hawks return to action in the William & Mary’s Colonial Relays this weekend in Williamsburg, VA.
Regionals for Lagoski
Elena Lagoski and the Michigan State women’s gymnastics team will be competing in the NCAA Regionals this Saturday. The Spartans are seeded fifth in the Ames Regionals at Iowa State.
The Wyoming Valley West grad will be competing in the floor and vault. She enters the meet with a 9.950 score in floor and a 9.875 score in vault.
The top two teams and the top two other high scorers in each event will advance to the NCAA Gymnastics Championships April 17-19 in Fort Worth, TX.
Goodwin’s Delivering
Senior Ryan Goodwin is hitting .444 for the Mitchell baseball team, which recently wrapped up its spring trip to Fort Myers, FL with an 8-2 record.
The Tunkhannock graduate had 16 hits in 36 at-bats on the trip with five doubles, 10 runs scored and 16 RBI. In a three-game sweep of Newbury, the 6-1, 175-pound catcher was 7 for 12 with three runs scored and eight RBI. Behind the plate, he hasn’t made an error on 76 chances.
“Ryan has started off really hot and came up in some big spots and delivered,” coach Travis Beausoleil said. “He caught every game (10 games in nine days) and was an absolute workhorse.”
The coach feels that if Goodwin buys into a good approach at the plate and continues to be tough and gritty behind the plate he could have “an absolute monster year.”
“Ryan has always had the talent but he is seeing more pitches and buying into a middle-way approach at the plate,” Beausoleil said. “If he continues this type of play, he could help lead the team to compete for a regional and a national title.”
Kracum leads the way
Senior Nicole Kracum has become the leader both on the court and off for the Lebanon Valley women’s tennis team.
Kracum, a Hazleton Area grad, is 5-2 this spring in No. 3 singles and 8-4 overall. She’s 3-4 at No. 1 doubles with Mary Kate Lemon, the duo 6-6 counting the fall season.
“Nicole had a great start to our spring season by winning all four of her matches at Hilton Head (South Carolina),” coach Joy Graeff said. “She’s worked hard over the last four years to improve her doubles play and is playing No. 1.”
But Graeff would rather talk about Kracum as a leader.
“Nicole shows her leadership by her dedication and willingness to help her teammates in any way she can,” the coach said.
Kohli’s a big hit
Senior second baseman Sara Kohli is hitting .405 for the La Roche softball team. The Dallas grad has 15 hits in 37 at-bats with two doubles, seven runs scored and 10 RBI. She’s also 2 for 2 in stolen bases.
“The Lady Redhawks are off to their best start since 2012 (7-5) and Sara is playing a major role this season,” coach Orie Gentile said. “She has steadily improved every year to the point where she is serving as team captain and is one of the senior leaders.”
When Kohli isn’t playing second base, she’s been seeing action as a designated hitter.
Kallada starts in goal
Freshman Kellie Kallada has started every game in goal for the Wilkes women’s lacrosse team. Kallada, a Crestwood grad and the Colonels are 7-1 after an easy 18-1 victory over Cedar Crest last Monday. She played just 46.35 minutes and didn’t give up a goal with two saves. On the season, she has given up 71 goals with 35 saves, but has given up less than 10 goals in five games.
“Kellie is adapting well to the college pace,” coach Kammie Towey said. “She is very aggressive in goal and she’s a hard-working player who is always coming in for individual sessions to work on footwork or clears.”
The coach feels that as Kallada continues to progress, she’s starting to get more confident. She earned Freedom Conference Defensive Player of the Week (March 23).
“That is a huge accolade for a freshman,” Towey said.
Tlantenchi honored
The Yankee Small College Conference announced its Academic All-Conference teams for the fall last week and Unity College freshman soccer player Haley Tlantenchi was selected. The Meyers grad played in 14 games with one start on defense for the Maine-based school and picked up an assist. The Rams finished 9-6 overall and 5-4 in YSCC play.