Joseph Vanden Acker

Author: Joseph Vanden Acker

Vikings shut out Onondaga

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Lawrence University men’s tennis team rolled to a 9-0 nonconference win over Onondaga Community College on Friday.

The Vikings (6-4) swept the three doubles matches and then did the same in the six singles matches without dropping a set.

The trio of David Jumes at No. 1, Adam Busch at No. 4 and Izaya Turenne at No. 6 all posted impressive 6-0, 6-1 victories.

Lawrence University 9, Onondaga CC 0

Singles competition
1. David Jumes (LU) def. Matthew McCall (OCC) 6-0, 6-1
2. Brian DeCorte (LU) def. Jon VanKouwenberg (OCC) 6-1, 6-1
3. Mitch Kasprzyk (LU) def. Darren Pikul (OCC) 5-1, retired
4. Adam Busch (LU) def. Ben Jones (OCC) 6-0, 6-1
5. Ethan Perushek (LU) def. Jeff Stone (OCC) 7-5, 6-0
6. Izaya Turenne (LU) def. Mason Record (OCC) 6-0, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Brian DeCorte/Adam Busch (LU) def. Matthew McCall/Jon VanKouwenberg (OCC) 8-2
2. Mitch Kasprzyk/Ethan Perushek (LU) def. Ben Jones/Carlos Pina-Alicea (OCC) 8-3
3. David Jumes/Ben Tomhave (LU) def. Darren Pikul/Justin Taylor (OCC) 8-4

Match Notes:
Onondaga CC 0-6
Lawrence University 6-4
T-2:30 A-15

Knights top Lawrence

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Lawrence University men’s tennis team won the top two singles flights but fell 7-2 to Calvin College in a nonconference match on Friday.

Lawrence’s David Jumes picked up a 6-3, 6-2 win over Matt Buesing at No. 1 singles, and Brian DeCorte posted a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Tom Griffin at No. 2 for the Vikings (5-4).

Calvin College 7, Lawrence University 2

Singles competition
1. David Jumes (LU) def. Matt Buesing (CAL) 6-3, 6-2
2. Brian DeCorte (LU) def. Tom Griffin (CAL) 6-3, 6-2
3. Matt Van Winkle (CAL) def. Mitch Kasprzyk (LU) 6-2, 6-1
4. Jared Doezema (CAL) def. Adam Busch (LU) 2-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-5)
5. Dave Brown (CAL) def. Ethan Perushek (LU) 6-3, 6-0
6. Anthony Vroom (CAL) def. Izaya Turenne (LU) 6-1, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. Matt Van Winkle/Taylor Asfour (CAL) def. Brian DeCorte/Adam Busch (LU) 8-1
2. Matt Buesing/Tom Griffin (CAL) def. Mitch Kasprzyk/Ethan Perushek (LU) 8-1
3. Gene Hill/Chris Dausman (CAL) def. David Jumes/Ben Tomhave (LU) 8-1

Inside LU Athletics: Vikings have high hopes for 2015

APPLETON, Wis. — The goal for this season is the same for the Lawrence University softball team, but the Vikings would like the outcome to be dramatically different.

The Vikings enter the 2015 campaign set on returning to the four-team Midwest Conference Tournament for a third consecutive season. Lawrence finished second in the league in 2013 but endured a disappointing two-and-out from the 2014 MWC Tournament to complete an 18-13 campaign.

“I say this every year, but I feel it’s true very year — there’s plenty of parity in the Midwest Conference and we have a great chance to get back to the conference tournament,” Lawrence coach Kim Tatro said.

“We’d like to return and play better. If we are successful, great. If not, at least we played to our abilities.”

Lawrence, which opens its season Friday in Clermont, Fla., returns the North Division’s top player. Shortstop Amanda Jaskolski was the North Division Player of the Year in 2014 and a first-team All-Great Lakes Region selection.

“Jazz just needs to do what she does, and that’s pretty special,” Tatro said. “I don’t think I’ve coached anyone in my time here who has a better glove. She reassures the entire team when she’s on the field because of the confidence she exudes.”

Jaskolski hit .409 last season with eight doubles, one triple, six home runs and 30 runs batted in. Jaskolski also anchored a defense that posted a .964 fielding percentage in 2014, the second-best percentage in school history.

In addition to Jaskolski, the Vikings return junior Anna Wawiorka at third base. An all-conference selection in each of her first two seasons, Wawiorka hit .330 last season with five doubles, three triples, two homers and 12 RBIs. She scored a team-high 27 runs in 31 games. The versatile Wawiorka also figures to see time behind the plate now that all-conference catcher/first baseman Alex Chiodo has graduated.

The Vikings don’t lack for talent behind the dish because sophomore Sam Belletini also returns. Belletini hit .321 as a rookie with a team-best 10 doubles to go with one triple, one homer and 20 RBIs.

Although Chiodo and second baseman Cory Paquette were lost to graduation, the Vikings have several players waiting to step in on right side of the infield. Junior Katie Schumacher will step in at first, and senior Kara Vance, sophomore Marisa Thackston and freshman Kori Looker all have a shot to start at second.

“We look pretty solid,” Tatro said. “We’re a veteran group with almost everyone on the team being a returner. The expectations of what we are trying to accomplish are pretty clear.”

Junior outfielder Savanna Marsicek is back in center after hitting .316 with four doubles, one triple, one homer, 13 RBIs and 19 runs scored last season. Juniors Taylor Dodson, who hit .324 with 10 doubles and drove in 19 runs last season, and Tierney Duffy, who hit .280 last season, also return. Sophomore Rheya Upadhyaya and Looker are also battling for a starting spot.

“Our outfield looks good, they really do,” Tatro said. “Having five people fight for three spots has been kind of fun.”

The Vikings have just 13 players on the roster, but Tatro has many options when filling out the lineup card.

“With a roster of 13, you would think you’re pretty locked in and not very versatile,” Tatro said. “But at any point, any one of our 13 could start in a different spot, and that’s a good problem to have.”

A large part of determining the Vikings’ fate this season rests on the pitching staff of Vance, Liz Barthels and Jessica Demski. Vance posted a team-best 11-6 record last season with a 4.63 earned run average over 90.2 innings. Barthels went 6-6 in 79 innings and had a team-best 3.81 ERA. Demski was solid in 15.1 innings with a 1-1 record and 4.11 ERA.

“All three of them have different strengths, and all three of them have the ability to see the field for us,” It will be one of those situations where if someone isn’t having their best game, we’re not going to hesitate to make a move. It may be that pitching by committee is the best route for us.”

Lawrence blanks Sabres

APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University men’s tennis team made quick work of Marian University on Friday night with a 9-0 nonconference victory at Fox Cities Racquet Club.

Lawrence (5-3) lost just four games total as it raced out to a 3-0 edge after sweeping the doubles matches.

The Vikings then posted four 6-0, 6-0 victories on their way to sweeping the singles. David Jumes at No. 1, Sotaro Kurahashi at No. 2, Ethan Perushek at No. 4 and Izaya Turenne at No. 5 all won without losing a game.

It was a big night for freshman Ben Tomhave, who picked up his first collegiate victories. Tomhave teamed with Turenne for an 8-1 win at No. 3 doubles and then posted a 6-1, 6-2 victory at No. 6 singles.

Marian dropped to 0-3 on the season.

Lawrence University 9, Marian University 0

Singles competition
1. David Jumes (LU) def. Jose Valencia (MU) 6-0, 6-0
2. Sotaro Kurahashi (LU) def. Spencer Braswell (MU) 6-0, 6-0
3. Mitch Kasprzyk (LU) def. Payton Trammel (MU) 6-0, 6-2
4. Ethan Perushek (LU) def. Mike Kunes (MU) 6-0, 6-0
5. Izaya Turenne (LU) def. Jacob Ryd (MU) 6-0, 6-0
6. Ben Tomhave (LU) def. Zachary Stanczyk (MU) 6-1, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Brian DeCorte/Adam Busch (LU) def. Jose Valencia/Spencer Braswell (MU) 8-2
2. David Jumes/Ethan Perushek (LU) def. Payton Trammel/Mike Kunes (MU) 8-1
3. Izaya Turenne/Ben Tomhave (LU) def. Jacob Ryd/Zachary Stanczyk (MU) 8-1

Miscue on final play lifts North Central past Lawrence

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — An error on the final play of the game Sunday allowed two North Central College runs to score, and the Cardinals pulled out a 5-4 nonconference win over Lawrence University at Lenz Field.

The Vikings (0-4) led 4-3, but North Central (3-1) had loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. With a full count and the runners going, the ball was grounded to second baseman Brandon Klar. He fielded it cleanly, but Klar’s throw was dropped and two runs scored to give North Central the win.

Lawrence led 3-1 before the North Central scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh. The Vikings then took a 4-3 lead with a run in the top of the ninth. Freshman Travis Weber tripled and scored on Tim Kinsella’s single to put the Vikings back on top.

Weber went 3-for-4 with a triple and drove in a run to pace Lawrence. Davis Ogilvie had a pair of hits, both doubles, and Jake Gordon also went 2-for-4 for the Vikings.

Atley Gay went seven strong innings for Lawrence. He allowed five hits and no earned runs while striking out one and walking two.

Box score

Luther stops Lawrence

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The Luther College baseball team broke the game open in the sixth inning and went on to a 12-4 nonconference win over Lawrence University on Sunday at Lenz Field.

Luther (2-1) was nursing a 4-3 lead when the Norse scored three times in the sixth to take control. The Norse added a run in the seventh and four more in the eighth to seal the victory.

Luther scored twice in the first, but Lawrence grabbed a 3-2 lead in the top of third. Jake Gordon’s two-run double was the key hit in the inning for the Vikings. Luther countered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning to take the lead back at 4-3.

Drew Doares, who competed in fencing’s NCAA Midwest Regional on Saturday, was the starter and went 4.2 innings. He allowed seven hits, struck out four and did not walk a batter. Blake Peterson started and got the win for Luther.

Box score

Lawrence takes down Dubuque 5-4

DUBUQUE, Iowa — The Lawrence University men’s tennis team swept the doubles competition and went on to a 5-4 nonconference win over the University of Dubuque on Saturday.

Lawrence (4-3) jumped out to a 3-0 lead over the Spartans (4-8) after the doubles play. David Jumes and Sotaro Kurhashi were 8-6 winners at No. 1. Brian DeCorte and Adam Busch won 8-3 at No. 2, and Mitch Kasprzyk and Ethan Perushek posted a 9-7 win at No. 3.

After Perushek beat Zebulon Hill 6-2, 6-0 at No. 6 singles, the Vikings led 4-1, but Dubuque won the next two matches to close the margin. Jumes then posted a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Richard Rhinehart at No. 1 to close out the victory for Lawrence.

Lawrence University 5, University of Dubuque 4

Singles competition
1. David Jumes (LU) def. Richard Rhinehart (DBQ) 7-5, 6-3
2. Matthew Sablay (DBQ) def. Sotaro Kurahashi (LU) 7-6, 6-1
3. Nikolay Gospodinov (DBQ) def. Brian DeCorte (LU) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
4. Ranfer Hernandez (DBQ) def. Mitch Kasprzyk (LU) 6-1, 6-2
5. Jordan Hamling (DBQ) def. Adam Busch (LU) 6-4, 5-7, 6-3
6. Ethan Perushek (LU) def. Zebulon Hill (DBQ) 6-2, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. David Jumes/Sotaro Kurahashi (LU) def. Matthew Sablay/Ranfer Hernandez (DBQ) 8-6
2. Brian DeCorte/Adam Busch (LU) def. Jordan Hamling/Richard Rhinehart (DBQ) 8-3
3. Mitch Kasprzyk/Ethan Perushek (LU) def. Nikolay Gospodinov/Zebulon Hill (DBQ) 9-7

Carleton rallies late to nip Lawrence

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The Carleton College baseball team rallied from three-run deficit to pull out a 9-8 nonconference victory over Lawrence University on Saturday at Lenz Field.

The Knights trailed 6-3 after six innings but erupted for five runs in the seventh and then scored what proved to be the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth.

After Carleton’s big bottom of the seventh gave the Knights a 8-6 lead, Lawrence rallied in the top of the eighth. Joel Birch doubled to score Carl Olsen, and Tim Kinsella followed with another double to score Birch and tie the game at 8-8.

Birch and Kinsella both went 2-for-5 to pace the Vikings.

A hit batsman and double by Hayden Tsutsui started the winning rally for the Knights in the bottom of the eighth. After the Vikings threw a runner out at home, Tsutsui scored on a sacrifice fly to give Carleton the lead for good.

The Vikings grabbed a 6-2 lead with a five-run third inning. Luke Zablocki belted a two-run homer in the frame, and freshman Travis Weber hit his first career homer, a solo, shot in the inning.

Matthew Holliday pitched six strong innings for the Vikings but took the no-decision.

Box score

North Central shuts out Vikings

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The North Central College baseball team rolled to a 30-0 win over Lawrence University in a nonconference season opener on Saturday at Lenz Field.

The Cardinals rapped out 23 hits and scored in every inning but the ninth. North Central led 11-0 after three innings and capped its offensive outburst with a nine-run sixth frame. Chris Hill went 4-for-4 and drove in five runs to lead North Central.

Lawrence was limited to two hits, including the first career hit for freshman Matthew Holliday. Luke Zablocki had the other hit for the Vikings.

Bryan Polowy allowed one hit over six innings, struck out 10 and did not walk a batter en route to the win. Freshman Zach Rabideau took the loss for Lawrence.

Box score

Davis grabs sixth in sabre to lead Vikings at NCAA Regional

EVANSTON, Ill. — Joe Davis grabbed sixth place in sabre on Saturday to pace the Lawrence University fencing team at the NCAA Midwest Regional at Northwestern University.

Davis led Lawrence’s contingent of fencers in sabre, and all three Vikings placed in the top 11. Davis, a freshman from St. Louis, Mo., put together an 8-5 record on the day to grab the top finisher by a Lawrence fencer since Ian Pelton took sixth in sabre in 2013.

Senior Graham Jones, who took seventh in sabre at the 2014 regional, placed ninth after compiling a 6-7 mark. Senior Drew Doares went 3-10 and placed 11th to round out the sabre contingent.

Tanner Rasmussen paced the Vikings in epee by taking 10th place. Rasmussen compiled a 5-8 record on the day. Alden Grasse, Kai Kramer and Jacob Hodges finished back-to-back-to-back in men’s foil. Grasse was 10th, Kramer took 11th and Hodges was 12th, and all three men posted 2-10 records on the day.

On the women’s side, Lauren Phillips was the top finisher for the Vikings. Phillips took 10th in epee with a 6-10 record. Channing Tucker was 12th and Nicole Mitchell took 13th in epee, and both women went 4-12.

Natalie Hagopian took 13th to lead Lawrence’s foil contingent, and she posted a 4-12 record. Rebecca Albrecht took 15th in foil after going 3-13, and Kali Thibault was 16th with a 1-15 record.

Women’s sabre results