April 20, 2009

In this issue: Men's Golf | Softball | Men's Tennis | Women's Tennis | Men's Track & Field | Women's Track & Field

Last Week
April 15 at Susquehanna University Invitational Postponed

This Week
April 21 at Messiah College Invitational 1 p.m.
April 25-26 at Capital Athletic Conference championships (Piney Branch Golf Course) All Day

Hood's only invitational last week was postponed due to rain. This week the Blazers travel to Messiah College Tuesday before journeying to Hampstead, Md., this weekend for the Capital Athletic Conference championships at Piney Branch Golf Course.

Last Week
April 13 Lost to Wesley College 1-3
April 13 Defeated Wesley College 8-4
April 16 Defeated Wesley College (Capital Athletic Conference Tournament) 6-1
April 17 Lost to No. 19 Salisbury University (Capital Athletic Conference Tournament) 0-15 (five innings)
April 18 Defeated Stevenson University (Capital Athletic Conference Tournament) 1-0 (nine innings)
April 18 Lost to York College (Pa.) (Capital Athletic Conference Tournament) 0-6

This Week
April 23 at McDaniel College (DH) 3:30 p.m.
April 26 at Catholic University (DH) 1 p.m.

The Blazers won two Capital Athletic Conference tournament games last week, matching the best performance by a Hood team (male or female) in the CACs. Hood, the fourth seed in the six-team tournament, used a strong pitching performance from freshman Bridgette Ringley in the opening round game to defeat fifth-seeded Wesley College, 6-1. After falling to nationally ranked and top-seeded Salisbury University Friday, the Blazers pulled out a dramatic 1-0 victory over sixth-seeded Stevenson University Saturday to stave off elimination. Sophomore Krista Zerby (above) came up with the clutch base hit with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Hood then advanced to face third-seeded York College (Pa.) later that day, but managed just four base hits against Spartan hurler Sam Koehl in a 6-0 defeat. Junior Jen Willison collected three of those hits, including a pair of doubles. Hood has two nonconference twinbills remaining on the schedule. Hood's doubleheader with McDaniel College originally scheduled for Tuesday has been moved to Thursday due to anticipated inclement weather.

Last Week
April 15 at Frostburg State University cancelled
April 16 Lost to No. 10 University of Mary Washington 0-9
April 17 Defeated St. Mary's College (Md.) 6-3
April 18 Defeated Stevenson University (Capital Athletic Conference tournament) 5-4

This Week
April 20 at No. 10 University of Mary Washington (Capital Athletic Conference tournament) 4 p.m.

Hood went 2-1 last week and posted its first Capital Athletic Conference tournament victory ever Saturday by edging Stevenson University, 5-4, on the road. Three Blazers came from behind to force a decisive third set in their singles matches. Carter Reitman (above), Mike Hardman and Andrew Blowe outlasted their opponents at first, third and fourth singles, respectively, while David Blowe upended his Mustang foe in a tiebreaker. The fifth-seeded Blazers will travel to nationally ranked University of Mary Washington Monday for a semifinal matchup with the Eagles.

Last Week
April 17 at Trinity University (D.C.) Postponed
April 17 Defeated St. Mary's College (Md.) 5-4
April 19 Lost to St. Mary's College (Md.) (Capital Athletic Conference tournament) 3-6

This Week
No matches scheduled

Hood split a pair of matches with the St. Mary's College (Md.) Seahawks over the weekend. The first matchup would decide the seeding for the Capital Athletic Conference tournament. The Blazers nipped the Seahawks by a narrow 5-4 margin, and by virtue of a tiebreaking coin flip, secured the No. 4 seed and a home match for the first round of the playoffs. Highlighting the match was Jillian Elkaim (above), who ousted Michelle Compton at the No. 1 spot, 6-1, 6-0, for her school record-setting 14th victory of the season. In a rematch of Friday's contest, the Seahawks came out on top this time, claiming five of the six singles matches to advance in the tournament.

Last Week
April 18 at Capital Athletic Conference Championships (hosted by the University of Mary Washington) Fifth place

This Week
April 25 at Shippensburg Invitational 9 a.m.

Freshman Chris DiGangi (above) reached his season goal of winning the conference title in the pole vault. DiGangi cleared 14' 1.75" to tie his school record. The Hood men finished fifth in the competition won by Salisbury University. The Blazers' 4 x 400 relay team of senior Tomilayo Komolafe, sophomore Ola Komolafe, junior David McDuffie and junior Blair Ames finished third. Senior thrower Matt Haynes set a new school record on 155' 10" in the javelin in picking up fourth place and also finished sixth in the hammer. Ola Komolafe was the next highest finisher for the Blazers, taking fourth in the 400 meters. Justin Everett picked up a pair of sixth-place finishes in the long jump and triple jump. William Andrews recorded a fifth place finish in the steeplechase. David Andren lengthened his school record in the shot. Personal bests were recorded by Mike Richter (200 and 400 meters), David McDuffie (400 hurdles), Nick Manning (steeplechase), Conor Prachar (long jump and triple jump), Jeff Lipinski (discus) and David Frazier (100 meters).

Last Week
April 18 at Capital Athletic Conference Championships (hosted by the University of Mary Washington) Fourth place

This Week
April 25 at Shippensburg Invitational 9 a.m.

The Blazer women were led by senior Jessica Parrish (above) who turned in the dominant performance of the meet, winning four individual events and anchoring a third place relay to a school record. Parrish set school and personal records by running 12.29 at 100 meters and triple jumping 35' 10.75". The mark in the 100 meters set a new CAC record and met the NCAA Division III provisional standard for the national championships. She also carried the individual titles in the long jump and 200 meters. In the 4 x 100 meter relay she was handed the baton in fourth and closed strongly to defeat York's relay team in a school record time of 51.48. Jessica Stanley also added her name to three school records. She finished second in the 400 in 1:00.93 to earn all-CAC designation and ran legs on the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relays (both finished third). Erica Hamor earned all-CAC honors by tacking 13 feet onto her school record in the javelin, throwing 104' 7" and finishing second. Freshman Emma Arneson continued to show improvement, lowering the 100-meter hurdles school record to 17.34 and finishing fourth in the final.