CSJ weekly athletics roundup

Submitted

Maggie Miller

College of St. Joseph is celebrating a winning week, highlighted by the softball team’s first Yankee Small College Conference Championship win on Saturday, May 7.

The baseball team spent the week preparing for their second-straight United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Tournament appearance. The Fighting Saints are the host team for the tournament, which is being held through May 12 at East Field in nearby Glens Falls, N.Y. The USCAA held its baseball National Tournament banquet on Sunday, awarding conference honors to players and coaches.

CSJ Head Coach Bob Godlewski was named Coach of the Year, and Alan Madsen earned Player of the Year honors. Tyler Kunzmann, Connor Martin, and Madsen were named First Team All-Americans, while Nestor Velazquez earned Second Team All-American honors.

Here is a look at how the winning week played out.

Thursday, May 5

College of St. Joseph finished their regular season with a 1-0 win over Middlebury College. It took a cumulative effort from the Saint’s pitching staff to earn the victory over the Panthers. Bill Brancatella got the start for CSJ, pitching three innings and giving a close to perfect performance.  Powerhouse Alan Madsen was put in relief during the fourth inning, pitching three innings of pure dominance. The Fighting Saints end the regular season 48-11.

Saturday, May 7

Softball captured the team’s first Yankee Small College Conference Championship with a 2-0 victory against defending champion NHTI.

The Lady Saints defeated Southern Maine CC 4-0 in the conference semifinals earlier in the day. CSJ Powerhouse Maggie Miller gave up three hits and three strikeouts in a complete game shutout, allowing the team to advance to the championship game against conference-rival NHTI.

Miller’s dominating performance in the circle earned her the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Johnson earned Offensive Player of the Tournament Awards.

The Lady Saints end the regular season 23-14, and are headed to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Tournament in Akron, Ohio on May 15 as the No. 5 seed.