SPORTS
PAGE 14
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Softball is headed to the PSAC playoffs By Sydney Dietz Sports editor
The Mercyhurst softball team is heading to the PSAC playoffs after winning back to back games against the Clarion University Golden Eagles. The team was on a nine-game streak and their triumph over Clarion pushed it to 11 games. The softball team has been outstanding this season with only 11 losses out of 41 games. Their last double header was against Hurst rival the Gannon Golden Knights in which the Lakers won. For the last few weeks nothing has stopped them and this game against the Golden Eagles was no exception. The first game was played on Saturday, April 30, at 1 p.m., at the Mercyhurst softball field. Neither team scored in the first inning but the Lakers stepped up in the second inning with five runs, even after suffering two outs. Sophomore Kaci Alderson earned a walk which led to the Laker’s productive inning. Freshman Hannah Rozanski hit her third home run of the season which put Mercyhurst up 2-0. After two pitches, senior Chloe McQuestion doubled to right
center which continued the dynamic energy on the field. Soon after, freshman Eliza Reynolds got a double of her own, which meant McQuestion could advance to the third play. Redshirt freshman Kacie Irwin made it to first base after receiving a walk. Senior Cheyenne Hindman drove in McQuestion from the third with a walk which put the score up to 3-0. Later in the inning, junior Allison Dejidas singled which brought home Irwin and Reynold making the score 5-0. The Golden Eagles did not score until the fourth inning. However, the Lakers responded in the bottom of the fourth by obtaining a run increasing the score to 6-1. In the sixth inning, the Lakers advanced their score by three. Hindman singled to junior Anna O’Green then Dejidas doubled home Reynolds and Hindman to make the score 9-2. Junior Marisa Cartellone singled home to end the game with a final score of 10-2. The second game was played at 3 p.m. and ended with a sweep from the Lakers. Only five innings were needed due to the Lakers scoring. Graduate student Sarah Koscho started the scoring in the second inning with a single
Hurst Athletics photo
Sophomore pitcher Mikaela Schramski prepares for a pitch during a double header against the Clarion Golden Eagles.
to center and second with a third after a wild pitch. Alderson then lifted a fly ball to center which drove in Koscho. After a ground out, Rozanski singled with two outs to start a scoring streak. McQuestion got a single which put the runners on first and second base. Reynolds then doubled to left field and scored both runners.
The Lakers scored three more times in the bottom of the third which changed the score to 6-0. After a fly out, Alderson was hit by a pitch to put two runners on. In the fourth inning, the Lakers scored even more points when Alderson got a single that brought Dejidas and Reynolds in. The Lakers celebrated a victory with a final score of 8-0. Because
the Lakers have worked so hard to achieve the record they earned this season, they will now compete at the PSAC playoffs. The Lakers clinched the third seed in the West. The first game will be held on Wednesday, May 6, when they go up against Shippensburg in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Way to go Lakers!
Get to know the cross country coach HURST RESULTS By Samantha Weber Editor-in-chief
Michael Williamson has been coaching the men’s and women’s cross country teams since 2020. He has been the assistant head coach for both teams since 2014. In his time as an assistant coach, three men and four women achieved all-conference honors. Williamson talks about how he became a coach at Mercyhurst. “After graduation, I took on the role of assistant coach to the program for the 2014 season and held that role until 2020 when coaches Mike and Kathy Fraley announced their retirement after 30+ years with the program. I then took on the role of head coach in 2020,” he said. Williamson graduated from Mercyhurst in 2014 with a degree in Social Work. He also ran cross country for the Lakers from 2010-2013. In his last year, he was named the team captain and led the men to have the highest conference and regional finish that year. Williamson lives in Erie with his wife Rosemary. She helps coach Gannon’s cross country teams. Williamson currently works full-time at The Charter School of Excellence. “The school district focuses on urban youth who are two or more years below grade level
and support them through their Social Emotional and Academic barriers,” said Williamson. While not working at school and coaching, Williamson teaches pro-social skills to Juvenile Probation clients, trains to stay a competitive runner, loves spending time with his wife and their dog, Biscuit, and watching Marvel and Star Wars. Williamson recalled the first time he started running. “I have been running distance since I was 13 years old when I started doing track in 7th grade.,” Williamson said. “My homeroom teacher recommended I join the track team after always wanting to run around the track each time we went outside to walk it. After middle school track, I went out for the high school cross country team and have enjoyed running ever since.” Coaching is a difficult job and one must really love the sport and the kids in order to be the best coach for the team. Williamson comments on his favorite part about being a coach, “I love being the biggest fan of my student athletes. Seeing the hard work that they put in pay off and seeing them celebrate their accomplishments and successes,” Williamson said. “I enjoy sharing my love of the sport of running with all of them and
April 28: Men’s lacrosse vs. Davis & Elkins College: 23-5 Lakers
Hurst Athletics Photo
Mercyhurst’s cross country coach Michael Willamson.
to see them appreciate and enjoy the sport more and more as they progress through the program.” The team just took a trip to Boston for the Boston Marathon. Williamson said it was one of his favorite memories as a coach because he got to see his teams experience one of the oldest and most prestigious races in the world. Williamson is very proud of the teams so far but he would love to see them improve.
“ I am excited to see the growth of all the student athletes from this past season into next season. Both teams had individual successes this past year that they can build off of with a solid summer training season coming up to be ready to race in the fall,” said Williamson.
April 30: Women’s Lacrosse vs. Gannon: 13-9, Lakers April 30: Men’s Tennis vs. Edinboro University : 3-4, Edinboro
