Joseph Vanden Acker

Author: Joseph Vanden Acker

Schumacher slams Green Knights as Vikings post doubleheader sweep

Katie Schumacher
Katie Schumacher

APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University softball team won a thriller over St. Norbert College in the opener Thursday and then blew out the Green Knights in the nightcap of a Midwest Conference doubleheader at Whiting Field.

Lawrence took the opener 2-1 in eight innings, and the Vikings rolled to an 11-2 victory in five innings in the second game.

Katie Schumacher drove in the tying run in the bottom of the seventh in the opener and then hit a grand slam and a solo homer in the nightcap for Lawrence (10-7-1, 3-1 MWC). It was the first grand slam and the first multi-homer game of Schumacher’s career.

In the opener, St. Norbert’s Emily Laufer hit a solo homer in the top of the seventh to give the Green Knights (1-15, 1-7) a 1-0 lead. A one-out walk by Taylor Dodson got the Lawrence rally started in the bottom half of the inning, and Schumacher smacked a two-out single to right to score pinch-runner Marisa Thackston to tie the game.

Anna Wawiorka’s one-out hustle double put the Vikings in business in the bottom of the eighth, and Meg Krautsch laced a two-out single to center to score Wawiorka for the walk-off win. Wawiorka went 3-for-4 in the opener for the Vikings.

Maddie MacLean went the distance for Lawrence and allowed five hits while striking out one and walking none. Lexi LeCalsey went the distance and took the loss for St. Norbert.

In the nightcap, St. Norbert jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Ashley Schuettpelz’s two-run homer in the top of the first.

The lead didn’t last long as the Vikings loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom half of the inning. Schumacher then blasted a grand slam to put the Vikings up 4-2.

The Vikings added three more runs in the second with the help of two errors. Wawiorka stole home in the inning, and Dodson added a run-scoring single to give the Vikings a 7-2 edge.

Lawrence added another unearned run in the third after Savanna Marsicek smacked a run-scoring single.

Schumacher then started a three-run rally in the fourth with a lead-off homer, and Krautsch and Marsicek added run-scoring singles to give Lawrence an 11-2 edge.

Schumacher went 2-for-3, drove in five and scored twice for Lawrence. Marsicek and Krautsch had two hits apiece as the Vikings finished with 11 hits in the nightcap.

Jessica Demski allowed six hits over five innings to pick up the win for Lawrence. Francesca Marrese pitched 1.1 innings and took the loss.

Game one box score

Game two box score

Lawrence hockey raises more than $2,000 for American Cancer Society

The Lawrence hockey teams wore special orange jerseys for kidney cancer awareness during their Jan. 15 game against Aurora University.
The Lawrence hockey teams wore special orange jerseys for kidney cancer awareness during their Jan. 15 game against Aurora University.

APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University hockey program raised more than $2,000 through its efforts with the Body Check Cancer Game in January.

A check for $2,345 will be presented to the American Cancer Society on April 16 at the Buchanan Kiewit Wellness Center as part of the Relay for Life.

“Supporting cancer research is very important to our family and our players,” Lawrence coach Mike Szkodzinski said. “Cancer has touched my family and many others within our program. To see the result of the auction is almost overwhelming. We are grateful for the tremendous support from our friends and fans.”

The Vikings wore orange jerseys to signify kidney cancer awareness during the Jan. 15 game against Aurora University. The Szkodzinski family had a death in the family from kidney cancer in December 2015. Those jerseys were then sold through a silent auction that took place through the remainder of the season.

Honorary captain and cancer survivor Kathy Privatt, the James G. and Ethel M. Barber Professor of Theatre and Drama and Associate Professor of Theatre Arts, dropped the ceremonial puck before the opening period. Raffle prizes and a pair of chuck-a-puck contests raised additional funds during the game.

 

Red-hot bat earns Krautsch MWC Player of the Week honors

Meg Krautsch
Meg Krautsch

APPLETON, Wis. — Lawrence University’s Meg Krautsch was red-hot at the plate this past week and was named the Midwest Conference Player of the Week.

Krautsch (Oshkosh, Wis./West), a sophomore shortstop, batted .625 for the week and drove in 12 runs in just four games as the Vikings posted a 3-1 record.

Krautsch went 10-for-16 with two doubles and a triple as Lawrence swept a nonconference doubleheader at Rockford University and split a Midwest Conference doubleheader at Monmouth College.

Krautsch drove in five runs in one game against Rockford and picked up four hits in the other as the Vikings won 10-3 and 12-3. She also collected three hits and drove in three runs in one game against Monmouth. The Vikings downed Monmouth 7-3 in the opener before the Scots won 12-6 in the nightcap.

Krautsch, who was named the MWC Player of the Week for the second time this season, is now batting .407 on the season with five doubles, one triple, two home runs and 23 runs batted in.

Lawrence returns to action on Wednesday when the Vikings host St. Norbert College.

Maroons nip Lawrence

CHICAGO, Ill. — The University of Chicago baseball team scored two runs in the bottom of sixth inning Sunday and went on to a 3-1 nonconference victory over Lawrence University in a game cut short by rain.

The second game of the doubleheader was canceled.

The game was tied 1-1 headed to the bottom of the sixth when Chicago (9-8) got a two-run double from Nicholas Toomey to surge ahead. The Vikings (6-9) batted in the top half of the seventh, and the game was called after that.

Lucas Friss allowed six hits over seven innings, striking out four and walking two, to pick up the win for the Maroons.

Kyle Duex went the distance for the Vikings and took the loss despite allowing just two earned runs.

Lawrence grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth after Carl Olsen reached on a fielder’s choice. Zach Rabideau followed with a single, and Anthony Ortiz singled to score Olsen.

Chicago tied it with an unearned run in the bottom half of the fifth. Lawrence had a chance to take the lead back in the top of the sixth. The Vikings loaded the bases on singles by Matt Holliday and Travis Weber and an error, but the Maroons forced a run out at the plate and got another ground ball to end the inning.

Box score

Lawrence shuts out Prairie Fire

GALESBURG, Ill. — The Lawrence University men’s tennis team routed Knox College 9-0 in a Midwest Conference match on Sunday.

The Vikings (10-7, 4-1 MWC) shuffled some players in the doubles lineup as Bill Schuman-Kline and David Brooker played No. 1 and Kieran Laursen and Ben Tomhave played No. 2. Both teams were 8-1 winners.

The Vikings rolled through the top five singles matches, dropping just 11 games total. Lawrence received a forfeit at No. 6 and at No. 3 doubles.

Brian DeCorte was perfect on the match as he won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 singles, and both David Jumes at No. 1 and Ethan Perushek at No. 5 dropped just one game in winning in straight sets.

Lawrence University 9, Knox College 0

Singles competition
1. David Jumes (LU) def. Ashwin Kushwaha (KC) 6-0, 6-1
2. Brian DeCorte (LU) def. Minh Le (KC) 6-0, 6-0
3. Mitch Kasprzyk (LU) def. Rohail Khan (KC) 6-3, 6-3
4. Adam Busch (LU) def. Errol Kaylor (KC) 6-2, 6-1
5. Ethan Perushek (LU) def. Brandon Alaniz (KC) 6-1, 6-0
6. Izaya Turenne (LU) def. No player (KC), by forfeit

Doubles competition
1. Bill Schuman-Kline/David Brooker (LU) def. Ashwin Kushwaha/Rohail Khan (KC) 8-1
2. Kieran Laursen/Ben Tomhave (LU) def. Errol Kaylor/Brandon Alaniz (KC) 8-1
3. Adam Busch/Izaya Turenne (LU) def. No player/No player (KC), by forfeit

Lawrence hammers Blueboys

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The Lawrence University men’s tennis team rolled to an 8-1 Midwest Conference victory over Illinois College on Saturday.

The Vikings (9-7, 3-1 MWC) easily swept the three doubles matches and then took the Nos. 2-6 singles matches.

David Jumes and Brian DeCorte at No. 1, Bill Schuman-Kline and David Brooker at No. 2 and Adam Busch and Izaya Turenne at No. 3 were all winners. Busch and Turenne were 8-0 winners.

DeCorte at No. 2, Mitch Kasprzyk at No. 3, Busch at No. 4, Ethan Perushek at No. 5 and Ben Tomhave at No. 6 all won in straight sets in singles. Busch posted a 6-0, 6-0 victory in his match.

Lawrence University 8, Illinois College 1

Singles competition
1. Miguel Vaca (IC) def. David Jumes (LU) 3-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-8)
2. Brian DeCorte (LU) def. Michael Connolly (IC) 6-2, 6-1
3. Mitch Kasprzyk (LU) def. Elijah Rhoad (IC) 6-2, 6-2
4. Adam Busch (LU) def. T.J. Lawal (IC) 6-0, 6-0
5. Ethan Perushek (LU) def. Ryan Golab-Vice (IC) 6-4, 6-2
6. Ben Tomhave (LU) def. Austin Franceschelli (IC) 6-1, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. David Jumes/Brian DeCorte (LU) def. Miguel Vaca/Michael Connolly (IC) 8-4
2. David Brooker/Bill Schuman-Kline (LU) def. Elijah Rhoad/Ryan Golab-Vice (IC) 8-1
3. Adam Busch/Izaya Turenne (LU) def. T.J. Lawal/Austin Franceschelli (IC) 8-0

Davies, Schrobilgen pace Vikings at Private College Championships

WAUKESHA, Wis. — The Lawrence University track teams grabbed three top-three finishes on Saturday at the Wisconsin Private College Championships at Carroll University.

Cam Davies was the top finisher on the men’s side as he took second in the 1,500 meters in 4:07.04. Jacob Jodat of Wisconsin Lutheran won the event in 3:58.73.

Josh Janusiak took home third place in the 5,000 for the Vikings in 15:45.03, and teammate Jordan Atkins was eighth in 16:19.22. Max Stahl took fourth in the javelin with a throw of 146 feet, 6 inches, Wes Hetcher was sixth in the pole vault with a height of 11-11.75 and Dan Sandacz grabbed eighth in the 110 hurdles in 16.71 seconds.

The Lawrence men finished ninth in the team standings with 24.5 points.

On the women’s side, Erin Schrobilgen grabbed third in the 5,000 in 19:00.61, and teammate Clare Bruning was sixth in 19:16.51. Hayley Cardinal finished eighth in the 400 hurdles in 71.02 seconds, and the 4×400 relay team was sixth in 4:50.18.

The Lawrence women finished 11th with 14 points.

Results

Singles success leads Scots over Lawrence

GALESBURG, Ill. — The Monmouth College men’s tennis team won five of the six singles matches Saturday and rode that to a 6-3 Midwest Conference win over Lawrence University.

Lawrence’s lone victory in singles came from No. 1 player David Jumes, who rolled to a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Landon Walker.

Jumes also teamed with Brian DeCorte for an 8-2 victory over Walker and Marco Franco at No. 1 doubles. Lawrence (8-7, 2-1 MWC) led 2-1 after the doubles competition as Bill Schuman-Kline and David Brooker topped Saxon Day and Paulo Pliego 8-3 at No. 2.

The key matches in singles went to the Scots as Dylan Wong topped DeCorte 1-6, 6-2, 6-1 at No. 2, and Pliego downed Adam Busch 4-6, 6-1, 1-0 (10-8) at No. 5.

Monmouth College 6, Lawrence University 3

Singles competition
1. David Jumes (LU) def. Landon Walker (MC) 6-2, 6-0
2. Dylan Wong (MC) def. Brian DeCorte (LU) 1-6, 6-2, 6-1
3. Marco Franco (MC) def. Bill Schuman-Kline (LU) 6-2, 6-1
4. Saxon Day (MC) def. Mitch Kasprzyk (LU) 6-3, 6-1
5. Paulo Pliego (MC) def. Adam Busch (LU) 4-6, 6-1, 1-0 (10-8)
6. Ronnie Griffin (MC) def. Ethan Perushek (LU) 6-2, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. David Jumes/Brian DeCorte (LU) def. Landon Walker/Marco Franco (MC) 8-2
2. Bill Schuman-Kline/David Brooker (LU) def. Saxon Day/Paulo Pliego (MC) 8-3
3. Dylan Wong/Ronnie Griffin (MC) def. Adam Busch/Izaya Turenne (LU) 8-6

Vikings pick up doubleheader split at Monmouth

MONMOUTH, Ill. — The Lawrence University softball team picked up a Midwest Conference doubleheader split Saturday at Monmouth College to open league play.

Lawrence took the opener 7-3, and Monmouth won the nightcap 12-6.

In the opener, rookie Maddie MacLean went the distance and limited the Scots to three runs on 11 hits to earn the win for Lawrence (8-7-1, 1-1 MWC).

Kori Looker went 2-for-3 and drove in a pair of runs, Rachel Urich went 2-for-4 and Taylor Dodson had two RBIs for the Vikings.

Monmouth’s Liz Hippen went the distance and allowed eight hits, walked eight and struck out four.

Lawrence jumped on top in third when the Vikings loaded the bases and Dodson drew a walk. Looker followed with a two-run double to put the Vikings up 3-0.

The Vikings added two more runs in the fourth with the help of two singles and an error to push the lead to 5-0. Monmouth cut the margin to 5-2 with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning.

Lawrence pushed the lead to 7-2 in the sixth on MacLean’s run-scoring single and Dodson’s RBI ground out.

In the second game, Monmouth (12-8, 6-2) broke a 1-1 tie with six runs in the fourth inning. The big blow in the frame was pitcher Kaylee Kurtz’s three-run homer.

Kurtz, who went 3-for-4 at the plate, allowed four runs over 4.2 innings to pick up the win.

Meg Krautsch went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs for the Vikings. Lawrence’s Katie Schumacher went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and drove in a pair of runs, and Tierney Duffy collected a pair of hits.

Lawrence scored three times in the fifth to trim the margin to 7-4 as Krautsch and Schumacher both had run-scoring singles. Monmouth added two runs in the bottom half of the inning to go back up 9-4.

Krautsch had a two-run single in the top of the sixth to cut the lead to 9-6, but Monmouth sealed the win with three runs in the bottom half of the inning.

Game one box score

Game two box score

Walk-off homer gives Knox sweep over Vikings

GALESBURG, Ill. — The Knox College baseball team got a walk-off homer in the nightcap Saturday to complete a nonconference doubleheader sweep of Lawrence University at Blodgett Field.

Knox won the opener 11-1 in seven innings and took the nightcap 4-2.

In the second game, the score was tied 2-2 heading to the bottom of the ninth when Dan Rothbauer came on in relief for the Vikings (6-8). Rothbauer retired the first two hitters when Tristyn Ruiz drew a walk. Drake Sykes followed with a two-run homer to win it for Knox (4-10).

Chris Shaw was stellar as the Vikings starter, allowing just one earned run over eight innings. He gave up six hits, struck out eight and walked five.

Lawrence grabbed the lead in the top of the fourth when Brandon Klar, just back from injury, blasted a lead-off homer for a 1-0 edge. Rothbauer followed with a double, and Matt Holliday singled to put runners at the corners. Rothbauer then scored on Travis Weber’s double-play ball to put the Vikings up 2-0.

Knox picked up single runs in the fourth and seventh to tie it at 2-2.

Kam Wells went 3-for-4 in the opener for Knox. Jack Barreca worked the final 1.1 innings to get the win in relief.

In the first game, Alec Jordan went the distance for Knox and limited the Vikings to just five hits. He struck out seven and walked one.

Matt McCaffrey went 4-for-4 and drove in three runs, and Matt Mueller was 3-for-4 with two RBIs for the Prairie Fire.

Zach Rabideau allowed five runs in 2.1 innings and took the loss.

Game one box score

Game two box score