As the spring sports seasons reach their halfway point, the march toward OAC and NCAA tournaments approaches.
Leaders from the baseball, softball and men’s and women’s lacrosse teams discuss their season so far and what their team must do to get to the next level.
Men’s Lacrosse
The men’s lacrosse team is currently 8-4 on the season, and according to the laxpower.com computer ratings, they are the number one independent Division III school in the country.
Senior midfielder Juan Contreras said he couldn’t be happier with how the season is going.
“We are getting better after every game and every practice,” Contreras said. “We’ve had tough losses but we have bounced back, which shows a lot about the character of this team.”
The Cards currently have five remaining games this season, three of which at Memorial Stadium, as they continue to push toward the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history.
“I think we will continue to improve and head into the playoffs with some momentum and hopefully make some noise,” Contreras said.
Women’s Lacrosse
The women’s lacrosse team, in just the program’s second season, is 5-5 on the year and are ranked eighth nationally in the laxpower.com computer ratings.
“I don’t think our record is a real reflection of how good we actually are,” said Alyssa Johnson, a junior attacker. “But compared to where we were last year at this time, we are a much improved team that is only getting better.”
The Cardinals have two away games to play before ending the season with three straight home games at Clements Field.
“I truly believe we will win the remainder of our games and finish 10-5 going into next season when we start OAC play and can qualify for the NCAA tournament,” Johnson said.
Baseball
The Cardinal sluggers are trying to continue riding the momentum of a great start into the heart of OAC play.
After their annual spring break trip, the Cardinals were 13-2 but have since gone 6-7, including 6-4 in OAC play, to push their record to 19-9.
Senior infielder Scott Staarmann says the team’s success is due in part to their depth, and the fact that they have more than just the nine starters who are ready to play at any moment.
“We have a solid pitching staff that I have no doubt in my mind will give us a strong outing no matter who is on the mound, and our hitting has been real good, too,” Staarmann said.
With only eight games left and currently being in fourth place, the Cardinals continue to work toward being one of the top four OAC teams that make the conference tournament.
“If we keep playing like we are, we will definitely make the postseason,” Staarmann said. “Once our guys truly see our potential as a solid baseball team, then I think we will be an unstoppable force.”
Softball
At 13-9 overall and 3-5 in OAC play, the Cardinal softball team sits in eighth place in a very tight and competitive conference.
Despite the slow start in the OAC, junior pitcher Kelsey Long said she sees improvement and a lot of desire to win among her teammates.
“This is what we need to be successful in the OAC, and as long as we can continue to stay aggressive, we will be near the top of the OAC,” Long said.
“We still have about half of our league games left, so coming out and taking them will bring us to the OAC tournament.”
With only four of their remaining 12 games scheduled at home, the Cardinals will have to win the majority of their games on the road where they are currently 4-0.
“I see the team being competitive in the OAC tournament and it would be great if we (received) our first bid to the regional tournament,” Long said. “We have a lot of drive and haven’t even hit our peak yet.”
