Joseph Vanden Acker

Author: Joseph Vanden Acker

Whitworth shuts out Vikings in season opener

CLERMONT, Fla. — The Lawrence University softball season got off to a rough start as Whitworth University defeated the Vikings 8-0 Friday in a nonconference game.

Madi Perez allowed only one hit over four innings to pick up the win for the Pirates (10-3). He struck out four and didn’t walk a batter. Jessica Demski went the distance for Lawrence (0-1), allowing 14 hits while striking out three and walking two.

Myranda Ramirez went 4-for-4 and scored three runs to pace Whitworth. Chelsey Hayes and Allie Rude both had two hits and drove in two runs apiece for the Pirates.

Whitworth scored twice in the first, once in the second and twice in third on Rude’s two-run homer. The Pirates led 6-0 and scored twice in the sixth to end the game.

Box score

 

 

Registration open for Viking Bench Golf Outing

APPLETON, Wis. — Registration is now open for the 2016 Viking Bench Golf Outing, which is set for June 13.

The event, which raises funds for the Lawrence University Department of Athletics, is a four-person, 18-hole scramble at Royal St. Patrick’s Golf Links in Wrightstown, Wis. The golf scramble is followed by a social hour and dinner in the Royal St. Patrick’s clubhouse.

The cost of the outing, which includes green fees, cart, welcome gift, lunch, beverage tickets and dinner, is $125. If you cannot join us for golf but wish to have dinner, the cost is $30.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. and golf follows with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. The social hour begins at 3 p.m., and the buffet-style dinner is at 4 p.m. To register for the event, go to: http://www.lawrence.edu/athletics/general_information/golf_outing.

Multiple sponsorship opportunities are available ranging from a $250 hole sponsor to a $5,000 title sponsor.

For questions regarding registration or sponsorship, please contact Lawrence Assistant Director of Athletics Joel DePagter at 920-993-6281 or at joel.t.depagter@lawrence.edu.

 

Inside LU Athletics: Vikings fastpitch squad looks to reload

Savanna Marsicek returns to start in center field for the Vikings this spring.
Savanna Marsicek returns to start in center field for the Vikings this spring.

APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University softball team is looking to reload, not rebuild, this spring.

The Vikings lost first-team All-America shortstop Amanda Jaskolski and top pitchers Liz Barthels and Kara Vance to graduation. On top of that, All-Midwest Conference and All-Great Lakes Region catcher Sam Belletini will miss the season due to a medical issue.

What the Vikings do return is five senior position starters and a senior pitcher from a team that went 28-12 last season, won the MWC’s North Division and finished second in the MWC Tournament.

“Of our six seniors, five of them have been consistent four-year starters. There’s a lot of experience that returns to the field,” said Lawrence coach Kim Tatro, who won her eighth MWC Coach of the Year award in 2015. “Our plan will be to rely on everyone rather than have just one or two great hitters. We have newcomers that are pretty explosive at the plate as well.”

The returning Vikings are paced by two-time all-conference pick Anna Wawiorka, who will move from third base to behind the plate because of Belletini’s absence. A prep catcher, Wawiorka hit .309 last season, piled up 18 extra-base hits, drove in 29 and will be backed up by rookie Sophie Carter.

First baseman Katie Schumacher will be on of the anchors of the infield for the Lawrence softball team.
First baseman Katie Schumacher will be on of the anchors of the infield for the Lawrence softball team.

With Wawiorka now catching, sophomore Kori Looker moves to third, a position she played in high school. A starter in the outfield last season, Looker hit .333 and drove in 18.

The graduation loss of Jaskolski is tempered because of the addition of sophomore shortstop Meg Krautsch. A transfer from Ripon College, Krautsch had a fine rookie season by hitting .326 with three homers and 13 runs batted in.

“What we do have a is a pretty good alternative (to Jaskolski),” Tatro said. “It’s impossible to replace (Jaskolski), but having Meg come over from Ripon was great. She already has college experience, and she was one of the stronger shortstops in the conference.”

The right side of the infield has two returning veterans in senior Katie Schumacher and junior Marisa Thackston. Schumacher started at first last season and hit .295 while Thackston started at second and hit .265.

Lawrence also returns starters Savanna Marsicek in center field and Tierney Duffy in right. Duffy hit .390 last season and Marsicek hit .264 and drove in 22 runs with 11 extra-base hits. Rookies Rachel Urich and Sofie Pedersen could play left, and Urich also plays second base and pitches.

Rounding out the returners is senior designated player Taylor Dodson, a .325 hitter a season ago.

Lawrence’s pitching relies on senior Jessica Demski and freshman Maddie MacLean. Demski went 4-0 last season, including a huge win that helped the Vikings clinch the North Division title, with a 3.00 earned run average. Demski is more of a control pitcher while MacLean brings greater velocity to the plate.

“Jess really proved herself at the end of last year. She had limited opportunities, but when we needed her the most, she was there,” Tatro said. “We don’t have two pitchers that are similar. I think that makes us collectively a better staff.”

The Vikings have a stern test to start the season with 12 games over the course of a week beginning Friday in Clermont, Fla.

“It’s about everybody stepping up and everyone doing their part,” Tatro said. “If we have to be more creative, playing some small ball and utilizing some speed we’ll do that.”

 

Lawrence fencer Schlesinger receives berth in NCAA Championships

APPLETON, Wis. — Lawrence University fencer Nathan Schlesinger knew the situation at last Saturday’s NCAA Midwest Regional — win and you’re in.

Schlesinger, a freshman from Austin, Texas, who competes in foil, took it to the wire and beat Algird Szumlas of the University of Detroit Mercy in overtime and punched his ticket to the NCAA Championships.

“I knew that was it,” said Schlesinger, who received the official notice that he was in when the NCAA Championships field was announced Tuesday. “I knew that was going to be the critical bout to put me over the top and qualify me. I was cloud nine for a little while there.”

Schlesinger is headed to Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass., for the NCAA Championships, which take place March 24-27. The foil competition is March 26-27.

Schlesinger is Lawrence’s first qualifier for the NCAA meet since Jeff Peyton completed a four-year run at the national meet in 2001. Peyton also competed in foil. Schlesinger also is the first Lawrence athlete to qualify for an NCAA championship since high jumper Rose Tepper went to the NCAA indoor meet back in 2011.

“I knew going into the (regional) tournament I had to place higher than a certain group of people,” Schlesinger said. “There were two particular competitors that would give me a challenge that I knew I had to beat.”

Szumlas was one of those two and Cleveland State University’s Adam Mack was the other. Schlesinger beat Mack pretty easily but it went down to the final touch to defeat Szumlas.

Schlesinger finished the competition with a 5-6 record, and when he checked the scoresheets, he saw that Szumlas had four wins and Mack had only three.

“I was so excited,” said Schlesinger, who has been fencing for six-plus years. “I signed the scoresheet and ran over to my teammates.”

The Midwest Regional was slated to have five qualifiers from foil and claiming the top four spots were Notre Dame’s Axel Kiefer, Ohio State’s Stanislav Sudilovsky and Maximilian Chastanet and Notre Dame’s Kristjan Archer. Since NCAA rules prohibit more than two fencers from one school from qualifying in any weapon, Schlesinger claimed the final berth ahead of fencers from Notre Dame and Ohio State.

“Nate has worked very hard,” Lawrence coach Steve Amich said. “He came to Lawrence with a whole lot of ability. You have to credit his teammates as well because you’re only as good as the competition you work with on a daily basis. The rest of the foil team was part of this process. It’s very rewarding to have this happen. I’ve been to the NCAAs seven times but none in the last 10 years so it’s nice to get back.”

Lawrence’s fencing history at the NCAA Championships goes back to 1995 when Mike Gattnar won the national title in epee.

Lawrence’s Engler signs to play pro hockey in Switzerland

Lawrence's Renato Engler has signed to play professional hockey in Switzerland.
Lawrence’s Renato Engler has signed to play professional hockey in Switzerland.

APPLETON, Wis. — Lawrence University hockey standout Renato Engler is opening a new chapter in his playing career.

Engler, who wrapped up a stellar career with the Vikings last month, has signed a contract to play professional hockey in his native Switzerland. A native of Davos, Switzerland, Engler has signed to play with HC Thurgau in the National League B.

“Being able to compete in the (Northern Collegiate Hockey Association) was an invaluable experience for me,” Engler said. “I got to play hockey at a very fast and physical level. Every game made me a better player and definitely prepared me for the next step. Signing to play pro would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the Lawrence University hockey program.”

Lawrence coach Mike Szkodzinski said Engler’s work ethic and ability proved to be a combination that HC Thurgau, located in the city of Weinfelden, desired.

“Renato did everything he could to make our team and himself better. He is a workhorse and brings as much energy and passion as any player we have coached over the past 10 years. His skating ability will allow him to be very successful at the next level,” Szkodzinski said.

“Without a doubt, Renato is one of the best all-around players to put on the Viking jersey. We are very proud of him signing his first pro contract. He deserves the opportunity, and we are confident he will be a key member of HC Thurgau.”

Engler led the Vikings with 25 points this past season on the strength of a team-high 16 assists to go along with nine goals. Engler played in 100 games for Lawrence and finished with 21 goals for 39 assists and 60 points. He ranks in the school’s career top 20 in goals, assists and points.

“Playing college hockey at Lawrence has been the best decision in my career so far,” Engler said. “Practice was designed in a way that individual skill development and team tactics both went hand-in-hand.”

Engler is the 11th Lawrence player in the past eight years to play professionally after his career with the Vikings. Defenseman Josh Peterson was the first in 2008, and forward Tom Lee, who played for the Danville Dashers of the Federal Hockey League, was the last in 2015.

The Vikings finished third in the NCHA’s North Division this season and have qualified for the conference playoffs in every season of Szkodzinski’s 10-year tenure as head coach.

Schlesinger leads Lawrence fencers with seventh-place finish at NCAA regional

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Rookie Nathan Schlesinger led the Lawrence University fencing team with a seventh-place finish at Saturday’s NCAA Midwest Regional at Ohio State University.

Schlesinger, a freshman from Austin, Texas, took seventh in foil with a 5-6 record. Schlesinger scored 31 touches for the day and was just a minus-5 for the regional.

Lawrence had one more men’s top-10 finisher as Ben Carlick, a freshman from Berkley Heights, N.J., grabbed 10th in foil. He posted a 3-8 record and registered 25 touches for the day.

In men’s epee, Philip Ziller and Connor Schurr won one bout apiece. Ziller finished 12th and Schurr was 13th. Lawrence did not have a representative in men’s sabre.

On the women’s side, Lawrence had two top-10 finishers, Shelby Guinn and Lauren Phillips. Guinn won one bout and registered 16 touches to take 10th in sabre. Lauren Phillips registered 17 touches and placed 10th in women’s epee.

Erin Paxson took 11th for the Vikings in sabre, and Kali Thibault won a pair of bouts and scored 26 touches to place 16th in women’s foil.

Vikings blank Lakeland

APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University men’s tennis team rolled to a 9-0 nonconference shutout of Lakeland College on Friday night at Fox Cities Racquet Club.

Lawrence (5-2) dropped just two games total in dismantling the Muskies (0-3).

Bill Schuman-Kline at No. 2 singles, Ethan Perushek at No. 3, David Brooker at No. 4 and Kieran Laursen at No. 5 all won by 6-0, 6-0 scores. Those were the first collegiate singles victories for both Brooker and Laursen.

David Jumes improved to 7-0 on the season at No. 1 singles with a 6-1, 6-0 victory.

The Vikings also were strong in the doubles, winning 8-0 at No. 1 and 8-1 at No. 2. Lawrence won the No. 3 doubles match by default.

Lawrence University 9, Lakeland College 0

Singles competition
1. David Jumes (LU) def. Boknevitz, Greg (LC) 6-1, 6-0
2. Bill Schuman-Kline (LU) def. Fujino, ShoSean (LC) 6-0, 6-0
3. Ethan Perushek (LU) def. Rodriguez, Carlos (LC) 6-0, 6-0
4. David Brooker (LU) def. Nummerdor, Jared (LC) 6-0, 6-0
5. Kieran Laursen (LU) def. Skewis, Dylan (LC) 6-0, 6-0
6. Ben Tomhave (LU) def. No player (LC), by default

Doubles competition
1. Bill Schuman-Kline/David Brooker (LU) def. Boknevitz, Greg/Fujino, ShoSean (LC) 8-0
2. Ethan Perushek/Ben Tomhave (LU) def. Rodriguez, Carlos/Nummerdor, Jared (LC) 8-1
3. David Jumes/Kieran Laursen (LU) def. No player/No player (LC), by default

Match Notes:
Lakeland College 0-3
Lawrence University 5-2
T-2:00 A-30

Elmhurst takes two from Vikings

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — It was a rough Sunday afternoon for the Lawrence University baseball team, which dropped a nonconference doubleheader to Elmhurst College at Lenz Field.

Elmhurst (3-0) won the opener 19-3 and took the nightcap 12-2.

Cullen Ellis made the start in the first game and took the loss for the Vikings (1-3), who committed multiple errors.

Lawrence got all three of its runs in the fifth inning when the Vikings loaded the bases with the help of Andrew Lauber’s double. Cole Erickson then smacked a bases-clearing triple for all three of Lawrence’s runs.

The defense also struggled in the second game for starter Kyle Duex, who took the loss despite allowing just two earned runs.

Anthony Ortiz, Erickson and Matthew Holliday all had two hits apiece for the Vikings in the nightcap.

Lawrence again scored its only runs in the fifth inning. Erickson had singled and come around to score to get Lawrence on the board, and Ortiz then came to plate. Ortiz’s fly ball dropped in, and he streaked around the bases for an inside-the-park homer, the second round-tripper of his career.

Lawrence is off until March 18 when the Vikings open an eight-game spring break stretch in Winter Haven, Fla.

Vikings power past Carleton

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The Lawrence University baseball team pounded out 18 hits and rolled to a 16-9 nonconference win over Carleton College on Saturday at Lenz Field.

The Vikings (1-1) scored 13 runs in a three-inning stretch to break the game open. Sophomore Chris Shaw went 5 2/3 innings in his Lawrence debut to earn the victory. He allowed six hits and six runs while striking out six.

Rookie outfielder Andrew Lauber had a big day as he went 2-for-3 with a triple and three runs batted in for the Vikings. Lawrence’s Travis Weber and Dan Rothbauer had three hits apiece, and Rothbauer stole three bases.

Anthony Ortiz, Carl Olsen, Matthew Holliday and Kyle Duex all had a pair of hits for the Vikings, and Ortiz and Olsen each drove in a pair of runs.

The Vikings trailed 1-0 when they scored four times in the second on four hits, including Duex’s run-scoring single, and an error. Lawrence stretched the lead to 8-1 with four more runs in the third with Lauber and Olsen both smacking RBI singles.

Lawrence widened the margin to 13-1 with five more runs in the fourth. After Rothbauer walked to start the inning, Holliday followed with a double. Weber’s single scored Rothbauer, and Lauber followed with a two-run triple to put the Vikings up 11-1. Ortiz finished the inning with a two-run single.

Carleton scored six times in the sixth to narrow, the margin to 13-7, but the Vikings added two more runs in the sixth and another in the seventh to complete the scoring.

Big first inning propels North Central past Lawrence

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The North Central College baseball team scored seven unearned runs in the first inning and rode that to a 20-8 nonconference win over Lawrence University on Saturday at Lenz Field.

The Cardinals (1-0) scored all seven runs after two were out and then steadily pulled away after that. North Central led 8-2 heading to the bottom of third and then scored twice in the third and four times in the fourth.

Dan Rothbauer went three innings and took the loss for Lawrence (0-1). He allowed five hits and two earned runs.

Freshman Nolan Spencer had a big debut for the Vikings as he went 4-for-5 with a triple and three stolen bases. Matthew Holliday went 3-for-5 and fell a homer short of the cycle as he picked up a single, double and triple.

Travis Weber went 2-for-5 and Lawrence finished with 14 hits.