Campus Roundup: Spring sports in full swing for area athletes
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
By Jon Christoff Sports Writer
The spring season is in full swing for many colleges throughout the country, and several local athletes have already taken to the diamond or the track for their respective schools. Here's a look at how each has fared so far: Baseball
Paul Keith, Penn State-Altoona: Keith was tabbed the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference's Pitcher of the Week for his efforts in a complete game effort against Drew University in Poinciana, Florida. The Moshannon Valley alum struck out 12 in the contest, while limiting Drew to a pair of runs on three hits. Keith (1-1) won the award once last season and was second-team all-conference.
Matt Adams, Slippery Rock: The Rock ended spring break with an 8-3 mark to move to 10-4 on the season after sweeping Mansfield over the weekend. Adams had a monster game in Slippery Rock's 21-8 win over the Mounties, as he went 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles, a home run and four RBIs. The former P-O catcher is hitting .509 in 53 plate appearances with five homeruns and 26 RBIs to go along with eight doubles.
Adam Jury, Slippery Rock: Jury has swung a hot bat for The Rock (10-4) early in the season, as he's compiled a .468 batting average in 13 games started. Jury has scored 16 runs and driven in 13 more for Slippery Rock, which travels to California University of Pennsylvania on Friday.
Ryan Mostyn, IUP: The Crimson Hawks completed a four-game sweep over Newport News Apprentice on Saturday with a come-from-behind win, 4-3. Mostyn has started in all four games for IUP (4-0), and has a .200 batting average.
Tyler Noel, Mansfield: The Mounties split a doubleheader with Pitt-Johnstown on Sunday morning in Florida to move to 7-12 overall. Noel is 0-4 on the season with a 6.75 ERA. The Glendale alum has 16 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings of work. Mansfield hosts Clarion on Friday.
Matt McCamley, Lock Haven: McCamley went 2-for-3 as the Eagles wrapped up play in Florida by splitting a doubleheader with Assumption College on Saturday. Lock Haven is 4-13 on the season and will travel to face IUP at Point Stadium on Friday at 1 p.m.
Phillip Solley, Pitt-Bradford: Solley has started in one game for Pitt-Bradford. Solley, a Curwensville graduate, was 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored for the Panthers (3-1), who continue play at Queen Creek, Ariz. on Friday against Wesleyan University.
Bart McGary, Pitt-Bradford: McGary went 2-for-3 in a start against Wesleyan University on Monday night. Starting in right field, McGary scored a pair of runs and added two putouts in the Panthers' 5-3 triumph.
Tyler Westover, UPJ: Westover has compliled a .250 average for the Mountain Cats (8-2), who climbed in the NCBWA Regional Poll to No. 3, four points behind second-ranked Slippery Rock. The Flinton native has started in four games and appeared in three others. Westover has a pair of doubles and five RBIs to his credit.
Dylan Viehdorfer, Geneva College: After taking the first game of a doubleheader on Tuesday night, Geneva stands with a 3-2 mark on the season. Viehdorfer, a West Branch alumnus, is listed as a pitcher/first baseman for the Golden Tornadoes, who continued play in Florida this morning with a doubleheader against Northwestern (Minn.).
Grady Luzier, Penn State-Altoona: Luzier scored a run and was one of three Penn State-Altoona players with a pair of hits, in a split doubleheader with Bowdoin on Tuesday. The West Branch graduate has started in all eight games for the Lions (4-4), and has a .484 average. Luzier has three doubles and a triple to his credit to go along with eight runs scored and three RBIs. Penn State-Altoona is back in action Thursday when it takes on Curry College.
B.J. Stephens, Mount Aloysius: The Mount is 3-7 on the season and is at St. Vincent's College on Friday. Stephens has seen action in one game for the Mounties without an official plate appearance.
Softball
Brittany Pataky, Lock Haven: Lock Haven, ranked No. 15 nationally, split a doubleheader to wrap up play in Hawaii. The Lady Eagles defeated Hawaii Pacific 1-0 before falling 3-2. Pataky has appeared in six games for Lock Haven and has three starts to her credit, while hitting .182 with a pair of runs scored.
Rachelle Yarger, Clarion: Yarger made a diving catch in right field to end the game in Clarion's 4-1 win on Saturday over Lake Superior at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla. The Lady Eagles dropped the nightcap, however, 5-3. Clarion (1-9) returns to action on March 22 at Tiffin.
Alanna Luzier, Penn State-Altoona: The former Lady Bison singled in the Lady Lions' only run in a 6-1 loss to Roanoke College on Sunday, and scored a run and drove one in on a sacrifice fly in a doubleheader loss to Ferrum College on Monday. Penn State-Altoona (1-5) opens its conference schedule on March 21 at Medaille.
Track and Field
Ryan Jones and Rebecca Shiner, Westminster: The Titan track and field teams return to action Friday and Saturday at Coastal Carolina. Westminster will also tangle with the Chanticleers on March 20-21.
Nate Shadeck, Slippery Rock: The Rock will be represented by four individuals at the NCAA Division II National Championships on Friday and Saturday. The outdoor schedule resumes on March 27 at the Raleigh Relays in Raleigh, N.C.
John Bowman and Michael Johnson, Penn State-Behrend: Penn State-Behrend kicks off its outdoor schedule on March 27-28 at the Wheeling (WV) Invitational.
All former area athletes who play a sanctioned college sport are eligible to be recognized by The Progress for their athletic endeavors in the College Roundup. Athletes are encouraged to have their school's sports information director fax, mail or email updates on their progress to the sports department. Updates can be faxed to 814-765-5165 or mailed to College Roundup, c/o The Progress Sports Department, Post Office Box 291, Clearfield, PA 16830-0291. Emails are also accepted at sports@theprogressnews.com.