Casey Sullivan and Christy Tinker, Softball
It was certainly a sunny spring break for this rookie duo.
Facing off against some of the nation's best competition in Orange, Calif., Sullivan and Tinker showed they aren't gun shy. During the 12-game stretch - their first taste of collegiate softball - the two teed off against some of the NCAA's best hurlers, filling some of the offensive void left by junior Danielle Lopez, who tore her ACL in preseason workouts, and helping the team compile an 8-4 clip to start the season.
Coach Cheryl Milligan couldn't afford to rest the red-hot Tinker. Playing in all 12 games, the freshman notched an astounding .500 batting average on 21 hits in 42 at-bats to lead the team. She also drove in 13 runs and scored six of her own. No freshman jitters there.
Sullivan was not too shabby herself, coming in at .386, with 2 homers and 15 RBI in 44 at-bats. A staple in the middle of the infield, Sullivan played second and shared short with junior Heather Kleinberger.
With such offensive firepower from two of its rookies, the team amassed a .376 batting average to jumpstart the season on a road trip that saw the team record a 4-8 record last year.
Chris Connelly, Men's Lacrosse
Senior Chris Connelly stepped up his play for the men's lacrosse team this week, pulling through with the game-winning goal in a win over No. 18 Roanoke Tuesday and contributing another in the upset over NESCAC rival and nationally-ranked No. 3 Wesleyan on Saturday.
Connelly led the Jumbos with five points on Tuesday in the win over the Maroons of Roanoke. The senior had two goals, the most important being a go-ahead man-up goal with 1:19 left on the clock. Senior tri-captain Mark Warner received the assist on the play, which came a mere 16 seconds after Roanoke was called for the one-minute penalty. Connelly's man-up goal was the fifth for the Jumbos that day. He compiled two goals and three assists, helping the Jumbos overcome a 8-5 halftime deficit.
Connelly was also a presence on the offensive end Saturday in the upset win over No. 3 Wesleyan. Connelly turned in one goal and one assist for a total of two points, giving him seven points during the spring break games for the Jumbos. Connelly is currently third on the team in points for the season, with 10, coming in behind Warner (12) and sophomore Clem McNally (13). He will have another chance to put up points for the Jumbos when they travel to take on NESCAC rival Conn. College on Wednesday.
