Staff Writer
Kasey Kelly of the softball team and Rob Maher of the men’s lacrosse team have been stellar over the last week earning them the Springfield Student Newspaper Players of the Week award for 4/5/12 through 4/11/12.
Athletes of the Week for 4/5/12 – 4/11/12
Kasey Kelly
Kasey Kelly has demolished opposing pitching of late. Last week alone, Kelly batted .538, hit two home runs, four doubles, had nine RBI’s and scored another nine runs. Springfield went 4-0 in conference play during that stretch. For the entire season, Kelly is sporting a .405 average on the season which is good for second on the team. The senior second baseman is one of the leaders on the team with her play and she looks to lead the team to the NCAA’s when the playoffs roll around. As for the individual awards, she sees them as an accomplishment but not something to dwell on because her team is more important.
Q. How would you say the softball team is doing so far?
A. I would say so far, so good. Our hitting has started to break out, which means theres only good things to come.
Q.How does it feel being named the NEISCA Player of the Week?
A. It feels good to get an award, but I’m still going to focus on the team because we win as a team.
Q. Do you consider yourself a senior leader on the team?
A. I would say that I am a leader but we have two captains that are great leaders on and off the field. They do everything they can to motivate us and make us the best we can be.
Q. How do you think the rest of the season will do?
A. We are all confident that we will do well in the NEWMAC Tournament.
Q. Do you think the team can go far this year?
A. I believe that we will go far. We are a team with a lot of talent and we are close. Our chemistry on the field and our desire to make NCAA’s will motivate us for the rest of the season.
Rob Maher
Rob Maher recorded a career-high 23 saves in Springfield’s 9-6 win over No. 12Amherst College on Tuesday night. Maher was able to see the ball well and hold Amherst’s potent offense to six goals which proved to be enough as the Pride’s offense was able to score nine goals and give Springfield a more than comfortable lead. Maher has started in seven games for the Pride and holds a .664 save percentage and a goals against average of 6.17 which are both on the team. With Maher in net, Springfield is 4-2. Maher, who usually splits time with Connor Nash (who is out with an injury) has done a nice job as a full-time goaltender. He will look to lead the Pride to yet another Pilgrim League title this season.
A. Our pitchers are putting together quality starts and giving us a chance to win. Also, our lineup from one to nine is getting on base and scoring runs.
Q. Being a freshman, how has the transition been from high school to college baseball?
A. The transition was easy for the most part. The only thing that’s different is playing so many games in one week.The doubleheaders on the weekends is also a big adjustment.
Q. Do you feel any added pressure being a freshman and starting for a varsity college team?
A. No, my high school coach Marty Gomez prepped me to have what it takes to make the transition very smooth.
Q. You’re hitting .390 right now, do you think you can maintain a high batting average like this throughout the season?
A. I’d rather have it higher, but as long as we’re winning it doesn’t matter. As a leadoff hitter getting on base and scoring runs is what I have to do.
Q. How do you think the team will fare the rest of the way?
A. I think we’re going to be a very good team and win our fair share of games. We need to take it one game at a time and not get ahead of ourselves. It is a long season.
Nick Lovett may be reached at nlovett@springfieldcollege.edu