ACKEIN CATCHES 100th HIT
It was never a question of ‘if’ she would get there, it was ‘when’. A four-year starter on Clark’s softball team, Lauren Ackein became the 13th member to join the Century Hits Club earlier this week. Entering the season with 83 career hits, the senior co-captain recorded her 100th knock with a single up the middle in the Cougars’ extra-inning victory against Amherst College on Tuesday.
“I knew I was relatively close to 100 hits coming into the season,” Ackein said. “I got a lot of hits that game, but I wasn’t sure if I had made it. My dad actually told me later that night.”
Although honored to be included in a category with the likes of Jen Scavone, an All-America and former professional softball player and Aimee Lee, an eight-time school record holder, Ackein hangs her hat on her softball “attendance” record. The catcher has played and started in every game – 106 – behind the plate since her first-year at Clark. When asked how her knees were holding up, Ackein laughed, “You only get four years to play for the rest of your life – my knees can handle it.”
A high school outfielder, Ackein has transitioned into the catching position without missing a count. “I was nervous as a freshman playing a new position, but it was a need on the team,” she said. “I’ve come to love the position and can’t imagine playing another one.”
With the Cougars sitting at .500 (9-9, 3-3 NEWMAC), Ackein is confident they will have a strong second half. “We have a real young team with a lot of talent,” she said. “We’ve worked out a majority of the kinks at the start of the season. As a team, we have high hopes for the rest of the year.”
Ackein now has 101 career hits.
Back to the top
CLARK VOLLEYS FOR A GOOD CAUSE
The Cougar volleyball team will be participating in the annual Cathy D’Apice Memorial Tournament, a fundraising event for breast cancer research, in Connecticut on Sunday, April 15. D’Apice, a three-sport athlete at Conard High School in West Hartford, Conn., and a collegiate volleyball player at Ithaca College (N.Y.), lost her battle with breast cancer a few days shy of her 30th birthday. This will be the fourth year Clark has participated in the cause. In past years, the Cougars not only raised the most money at the tournament, but also set a tournament record two years ago. If you would like to make a contribution, please contact Assistant Coach Terry Malone at tmalone@clarku.edu by April 13th.
Donations will go to the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative, Inc.
Back to the top
NOTES FROM THE COUGAR DEN
Half-way through the 2007 season, three senior Cougar baseball players are rapidly approaching noteworthy marks.
Captain Kyle Breidenstine is just nine hits away from recording 100 total on his career. Breidenstine, who is hitting an impressive .426 on the year, has nine games remaining to reach the mark. Look out for the doubleheader against MIT, where he has hit well against the Engineers, boasting a .357 average in the past four match-ups.
Nick Tapper is holding his own in the run department as he is four marks shy of 50 runs batted in for his career. Tapper leads the team this season with 20 RBIs in 18 games.
Mike Levy, quickly becoming a workhorse for the Cougars, is just three shy of 50 innings for his career. Playing primarily in the outfield for his first two years, Levy met limited time in the bullpen until he was converted to a starting pitcher last season. “It says a lot about these three players,” states head coach Jason Falcon of the milestones. “They are certainly deservedly reached, and hopefully they can translate into success for the team.”
In lacrosse, standout freshman Garrett McAdam is having a very impressive first year campaign. The Portland, Maine native leads the team with 19 goals, three assists for a team-high 22 points.
“He’s been playing really well,” said head coach Evan Davis. “He shows great raw ability to be a difference maker, and he will grow into a very good player.”
Also noteworthy for the Cougar lax team is the performance of Andrew Webber. He has returned in a big way after seeing limited time last season. A dominant scorer, Webber led the team his freshman season with 43 goals. This season, the junior has notched eight goals to contribute to the squad’s success. “He’s a huge presence on the field,” says Davis of one of the team’s offensive leaders, “As an upperclassman and goal scorer, he brings a great sense of stability to the team.”
By Bill Cobb: Sports Information Intern
Back to the top
The highlights for this newsletter are provided by
Dalya Qualls, Sports Information Director, 508-793-7164
Email: dqualls@clarku.edu
|
|
ACKEIN CATCHES 100th HIT
