D.J. Ream went 7-for-15 with five runs and eight RBIs in the final series of the season.

On the final day of the season the UMBC baseball team hit double-digit wins with a 10-3 victory over Hartford in game three of their series. The day prior the Retrievers topped Hartford in the series opener, 5-1.

UMBC finished the season 10-37 and 3-20 in conference play. Needless to say, it was another very trying season for the UMBC baseball team but the freshmen and sophomores continue to show a lot of good things in the split series with the Hawks.

In game one sophomore pitcher Mike Mitchell went seven innings and allowed only four hits and a single run. Meanwhile, at the plate, redshirt freshman D.J. Ream went 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI.

After giving up a run in the first inning Mitchell shutout the Hawks the rest of the way and in the fourth inning Brian Klukowicz hit a two-run home run to give UMBC the lead and two innings later Rich Conlon, Ream, and Max Himmelstein all crossed the plate for extra insurance.

Ream was fantastic in the series. In the other win he went 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBIs and in the series he went 7-for-15 with five runs and eight RBIs.

UMBC took a 3-0 lead after one inning and added four runs in a third to extend UMBC’s lead to 7-1. While Hartford scored two more runs in the sixth inning, UMBC scored three more to make it a 10-3 victory.

Austin Drewyer pitched another complete game in his final collegiate start, allowing only three runs off six hits in seven innings.

UMBC dropped the second game of the series, 16-3, a game in which Ream went 2-for-5 with one RBI. UMBC also put up nine runs in the season finale as Conlon capped off his career with a 3-for-3 game with three runs and Himmelstein went 2-for-5 with a run and three RBIs. Ream went 1-for-3 with a run while also bringing in three runs in the game.

Brian Klukowicz went 3-for-5 and scored two runs while recording five RBIs.

The UMBC baseball team won their fourth-straight midweek game to get their eighth win of the season by beating Beltway-Rival Towson, 13-7.

UMBC scored six runs in the first inning and took an 11-4 lead after four innings on their way to the victory.

D.J. Ream, Rick Phillips, and Brian Klukowicz all went 3-for-5 from the plat and all of them scored two runs each. Klukowicz added five RBIs partly thanks to two doubles in the game.

UMBC cycled through the lineup in the first innings, recording six runs off five hits while two errors helped get some extra base runners.

Rob McCabe opened the game with a single up the middle and was eventually brought in for the team’s first run when Max Himmelstein hit an RBI single to center field. Phillips them hit an RBI single to right field to bring Ream in for a run before Kluckowicz hit a two-run double to bring Phillips and Himmelstein in for runs.

The damage was not done, though. Klukowicz then scored after the Tiger short stop misplayed a ball hit by Curtis Schickner, who eventually made it around for a sixth run for UMBC.

Though Towson was able to score two runs in the second inning, Conlon and Himmelstein both crossed home plate to give UMBC an 8-2 lead after two innings before Brian Perlmutter and McCabe both scored in the third inning to make it a 10-2 game.

Towson scored two runs but for their fourth-straight inning to open the game the Retrievers got a run after Perlmutter hit a single up the middle to bring Klukowicz in for the score.

After Sean Swetnam allowed four runs off seven hits, though his team has a huge lead, Coach John Jancuska decided to go to the bullpen and brought out Luke Diblasi, who ended up winning is second game of the year after allowing only one unearned run off three third in four innings.

Samuel Bashioum allowed two runs in the final innings, after Klukowicz hit a two-run double to right field to bring Phillips and Ream in for runs in the eighth inning to give UMBC a 13-5 lead, but he did not let Towson rally a comeback as he closed out the game for the victory.

UMBC scored three runs in the first inning in their 4-3 victory that was won by Josh Dick in relief.

Freshman pitcher Jon Cohn started the game on the mound and while he allowed one run in the first inning, the bats really helped him out. Rob McCabe hit a lead-off double down the first field line and advanced to third when Rich Conlon moved him over. Brian Klukowicz then hit a single to second base but it was enough for McCabe to score. Max Himmelstein reached base on his first at bat in the game wile D.J. Ream hit a two RBI double to left center to give UMBC a 3-1 lead.

Cohn allowed another run in the third inning but Dick pitched four shutout innings in relief, where he only allowed two runs.

UMBC added a run in the seventh inning when Klukowicz brought McCabe in for his second run of the game while Samuel Bashioum closed it out for a save.

Austin Drewyer has done very well this year but he got hammers by the Seawolves, allowing nine runs off 10 hits in 4.1 innings of work. But five errors lead to three of them being unearned.

Stony Brook scored three runs in the second inning, another in the third, and Coach John Jancuska pulled the plug on his ace after he allowed five runs in the fifth innings.

Luke Diblasi came into the game to replace Drewyer and allowed only two hits in 2.2 innings of relief work but as soon as he got take out for Samuel Bashioum Stony Brook started hitting again and scored four runs in the eight inning before John Cohn shut they would in the ninth inning, getting every hit by way of strikeout.

That ninth inning was the only time UMBC has any sort of offensive success. Rob McCabe hit a single to right field but it was deep enough to bring D.J. Smith and Brian Klukowicz in for scores, however, by that point, two runs were far from enough to get a victory.

D.J. Ream drove in both runs in game four of the series.

The UMBC baseball team was swept by Dartmouth in a four-game series in Winter Haven, Fla.

The Retrievers were beat, 13-4, 8-2, 17-2, and 16-3, over the course of five days.

Shane Vlasic and Sam Bashioum really struggled with the Big Green batters in game one of the series. Vlasic did not even get a single batter out before he was pulled, allowing four of Dartmouth’s runs. Bashioum allowed seven more runs, though only three were earned. But after that rough start the Retriever pitchers shut their opponent down, shutting them out six-straight innings before Steve Miller allowed two runs in the eighth inning.

Brian Klukowicz led the team from the plate, going 2-for-3 with one run and two RBIs.

The whole weekend was rough for the pitching staff. In game two of the series Austin Drewyer allowed 13 hits, which led to five runs for the Big Green. In the seventh inning, after Drewyer was taken out, Josh Dick allowed three runs off three hits.

D.J. Smith and Bryan Perlmutter both scored in the fifth inning but the team couldn’t manage another run.

In game three of the series UMBC was right in the game through six innings, trailing only 3-0. In the seventh inning the Big Green doubled their lead but in the eighth innings, Matt Siggins and Travis Pearson allowed a total of 11 runs.

D.J. Ream hit a single to left field in the ninth inning to bring Rich Conlon and Curtis Schickner in for runs but it was far from enough to come back.

In the finale John Cohn was hammered, allowing eight runs, seven earned, off eight hits before getting pulled in the third inning. Sean Swetman didn’t fair much better in relief. He allowed two more runs in the third inning and them three in the eighth. Bashioum relieved Swetman and allowed three more runs in the inning.

Kevin Kean led the team with a 2-for-4 game with one run and one RBI. Michael Pesci also went 1-for-4 with one run and one RBI.

After allowing two runs in the first inning the pitching staff allowing only four more hits in the game. Mike Mitchell, who started the game, pitched seven innings and fanned five Fairfield batters and Luke Diblasi closed out the game with two near-perfect innings.

UMBC managed runs in the first inning by Rich Conlon and in the third inning by Max Himmelstein before the pitchers took over in the final six innings before Pesci notched the win.

The Retrievers did not fair as well in the first game of the double-header as Austin Drewyer continued to struggle and allowed eight runs off 10 hits in 7.1 innings. However, only four of those runs were earned as UMBC had two errors.

UMBC scored both of their runs in the 9-2 loss in the eighth inning with Brian Klukowicz grounded out to second but scored Rob McCabe before Himmelstein singled to the left side to bring D.J. Ream across home plate.

UMBC was shut out until the eighth inning when Rob McCabe scored after Brian Klukowicz knocked a double to center field. The Retrievers scored again in the ninth inning when Casey Mediary was brought home for an unearned run.

Sean Swetnam lasted five innings in relief and though he was not charged with an earned run, the Colonials scored a run thanks for another Retriever error. Luke Diblase also gave up an unearned run thanks to a third UMBC error in the ninth inning.

Featured Image Courtesy The Retriever Weekly

Once again an athletic season did not quite live up to its expectations. The men’s lacrosse team looked like a shell of itself of the last four years, the softball team started out hot and sunk fast and missed out on the play-offs, and the baseball team suffered a second straight nine win campaign. But this season was about the women’s lacrosse team. The team is no longer a gimme’ win for teams and in her first year as coach Kelly Berger took the team to their first ever America East Conference Championship, where they lost by just one goal. There are a lot of bright spots heading into the future after this season, even with some down teams. But as for this years awards:

Top Coach

Kelly Berger, Women’s Lacrosse

It should be no surprise who the top coach award should go to this season. Once again, in just her first season Kelly Berger got the team into no only their first AEC tournament in four years, but their first ever AEC Championship. In the last few years the team was one that could not really compete in the AEC, but that all changed with the coaching change that the athletic department made last summer. This year the team beat everybody they were supposed to beat, and played some good lacrosse against some quality teams. While they were near elimination from the tournament they got a big road win to clinch a berth, upset undefeated (in conference play) University at Albany in the first round, and lost by just one to Boston University. In just one year Berger turned the team into one that never could quite get the win, into a favorite for next year’s championship.

Male Freshman of the Spring

Nick Doub, Men’s Lacrosse

It’s not very often that an unproven freshman comes in mid-season and takes over a starting spot that was held by the team’s leading scorer, but Nick Doube did just that. He replaced Bobby Stockton, who at that point led the team with 12 goals, in the starting midfield and shined. While he ended the season with four goals and two assists, what made him keep his spot was his ability on defense and his superb passing skills kept him in the lineup for not only this year, but most likely for the next three years of his career.

Female Freshman of the Spring

Jamie Fahey, Women’s Lacrosse

Jamie Fahey was a major reason the women’s lacrosse team ended where they did. Not only did she play lock-down defense, but when she got the ball she was always a threat to take it up for a goal. With exceptional speed and great ball handling, she looks like she’s going to be one of the top players on the team for years to come. After her season she was named to the All-Rookie Team, Rookie of the Year, Second Team All-AEC, and was named to the Mid-Atlantic Second team by the Women’s Lacrosse Coaches’ Association and All-Rookie team by womenslacrosse.com

Best Male Performance:

Keith Onto, Men’s Track and Field, 7,239 points in Decathlon

The decathlon was an event invented to find out who the best athlete in the world is, and when it mattered the most Keith Onto had a beyond stellar performance in as he won at the AEC Championships with 7,239 points. He won the 400-meter dash, 110-meter hurdles, long jump, high jump, Javelin, and Discus, finished second in the 100-meter dash and shot put, third in the 1,500-meter run and pole vault. The second place finished totaled just 6,662 points.

Best Female Performance

Emily Coady, Women’s Lacrosse, Eight Goals in AEC Tournament

While many players had great single game performances, nothing compared to the two game performances Emily Coady had at the AEC tournament. In an upset of UAlbany in the semi-finals Coady scored four goals in a two goal victory. Going into that game UAlbany was undefeated in conference play, but Coady’s performance lifted UMBC past the Great Danes and into their first ever AEC championship game, where once again, she shined. While the team ended up losing in the finals to heavily favored Boston U, Coady scored four goals for a second straight game as the team lost by just one goal. Her eight goals in two games nearly gave UMBC a championship, and left them as a serious contender for next year.

Best Moment

Women’s Lacrosse Upsets UAlbany, 11-9 in AEC Tournament

I’ve been mentioning the game the entire time, it was a huge upset. UAlbany was heavily favored, had a 13-2 overall record and were 6-0 in conference play, and beat UMBC in the regular season on UMBCs own turf. But when it mattered the most UMBC got their revenge with an 11-10 victory over the Great Danes to make it to their first ever AEC Championship game.

Most Improved Male Athlete

Brian Klukowicz, Baseball

Even though the Baseball team struggled for a second straight season, Brian Klukowicz gave the team hope for the future. As a freshman he appeared in just eight games and made 18 at-bats. He had just one hit. But this year Klukowicz became a very reliable hitter that the team can build around. He played in ever game, started all but three, hit .286 with four home runs, and reached base 35% of the time. He also led the team in runs with 26, and had 17 RBIs.

Most Improved Female Athlete

Erika Braerman, Women’s Lacrosse

It’s hard to say she improved because she was very good last year, but was just in a different role. Last season Erika Braerman just had to be a solid passer who could help set up the offense, this year, she was the offense. Braerman went from scoring nine goals with 11 assists last year to leading the team with 54 points off 32 goals and a team high 22 points. It did not take long for Braerman to grow into her new role, and with her return next season, the team has a lot of hope for a championship.

Unsung Male Athlete

Mike Camardo, Men’s Lacrosse

How much more unsung can you get than Mike Camardo. The man very well may be the best player the team has ever had and he’s never even made it to the first team All-AEC. He may not have the sexiest position, long stick midfielder, but he is great at what he does. He’s not a guy who is going to score a lot, just one goal and two assists this year, but defensively he is phenomenal. He once again led the team with 54 ground balls and 36 caused turnovers. Camardo’s job was to shut down the opposing offense, and make chances for his offense, and that is just what he did.

Unsung Female Athlete

Kate Quick, Women’s Lacrosse

This year was about the high powered offense the women’s lacrosse team had the outscored their opponents 223-160, but lost in all that was a great play of former first team All-AEC goalie Kate Quick. In 10032:08 minutes she saved 126 goals and helped make all of that offense happen. While she did not have nearly as much success as last year, she was still a staple in goal, starting all 18 games the Retrievers played, and did her part to not only save shots, but set up the defense however the team needed.

Fan’s Choice Male Athlete of the Spring

Victor Gilreath, Men’s Track and Field

Coming off an incredibly impressive winter season, Gilreath absolutely dominated in the fall season, totaling seven medals in six events, including four gold medals in the triple jump and one silver medal in the high jump.

Fan’s Choice Female Athlete of the Spring

Amanda Fefel, Softball

While the softball team sputtered in conference play and missed making the AEC tournament, Amanda Fefel capped of a phenomenal career with a great season. This season she led the team in nearly every offensive category, totaling 53 hits, 13 home runs, 35 RBIs, 101 total bases, a .631 slugging percentage, and reaching base 40 percent of the time. She was also second on the team with a .331 batting percentage and 33 runs. But she also dominated on the mound, leading the team with a 2.64 ERA and four saves. This year she also broke the all-time UMBC softball home run record, hitter her 41st career home run, became the only retriever named to four straight first-team all-conference teams, and earned an ECAC all-star selection.

Male Athlete of the Spring

Victor Gilreath, Men’s Track and Field

Once again, Gilreath was just absolutely dominant in his second season since transferring from University of Maryland and when it mattered the most he did great. Gilreath won gold at the America East Conference Championship with a leap of 15.45 meters, breaking a 19-year-old championship record. He also started the season with three straight gold medals, a third place finish at the IC4A Championships and a 43rd place finish at the NCAA Regional Championships.

Female Athlete of the Spring

Emily Coady, Women’s Lacrosse

She may be just a sophomore, but Emily Coady has proven to be the future of the women’s lacrosse team. This year she led the team with 35 goals and added eight assists to finish second on the team with 43 total points. She also finished fourth on the team with 20 ground balls. Emily Coady proved right away in her freshman season that she was going to be a very reliable player for the women’s lacrosse team, but this year she took her game to an all-new level. Even though she missed being named to an All-Conference team she ran the high powered offense from behind the net, opened up everybody else for good opportunities, and created her own. In the AEC tournament she scored four goals in both games as the fourth-seeded Retrievers upset UAlbany and came up just one goal shy against Boston U in the conference finals.

**Photos of Kelly Berger, track and field athletes, and Brian Klukowicz courtesy of UMBC athletics.

The season ended with a complete sweep by Maine, a series in which the team played close in, but not good enough to get wins.

Day One- Game 1: Maine 13, UMBC 2

The season was at the point where all you have to do it see what you have for next year, and that is what Coach John Jancuska did as he used seven different pitchers for one inning each in the first game of the day one double-header. Three of the pitchers combined for 13 runs allowed but Sean Swetnam, Josh Dick, J.R. Seader, and Steve Miller accounted for just four hits and no runs with three strikeouts.

Max Himmelstein and Michael Pesci were the only retrievers to score runs as Marty Zawacki and Casey Mediary picked up RBIs.

Day One- Game 2: Maine 7, UMBC 3

Once again pitchers only had one inning of work, through Travis Pearson pitched two innings. Steve Miller came out unharmed, giving up no hits and striking out two batters. After falling behind by seven runs UMBC scored three runs. Casey Mediary went 3-for-3 with two runs while Rich Conlon went 3-for-4 with one run.

Day Two- Game 1: Maine 5, UMBC 3

I what would be his last game at UMBC, Ed Back started on the mound and lasted seven innings and strike out four batters, however, off of 10 hits the Black Bears scored four runs, which would be enough to drop him to a 4-9 record on the season. Max Himmelstein led the team going 3-for-4 with one run. Rick Phillips and Curtis Schickner scored the other two runs.

Day Two- Game 2: Maine 6, UMBC 2

Kevin Clark pitched his last collegiate game and went a complete eight innings while striking out three. It has been a very rough year for the team, but in particular Clark, who could not catch a break again and fell to 0-8 on the season. He gave up just six runs off five hits but the offense only produced two runs, which came from Brian Klukowicz and Casey Medairy, who hit a home run.

There are only so many ways to say it: UMBC can’t hit right now, or pitch, or even play good defense. It’s another trying year for the once proud baseball team. Just two years ago the team looked to be on the way up after making the America East Conference Tournament. Last year, after losing a lot of seniors and reloading with freshman they struggled but looked to have the basis for a solid future, but this year that theory has gone out the window. Injuries are a big reason that the baseball team has struggled of the last few years. Ed Bach went from being a pitcher who threw in the mid-90′s as a freshman and attracted scout to every outing to an average college pitcher while Marty Zawacki and David Divita went from the highly touted pitching duo that would shut down batters and win a championship to guys who are used sparingly if at all. Luck is part of the game and over the past few years UMBC’s baseball team just hasn’t had much and with the bad luck the team has just continually been outclassed in conference play.

Game 1: BU 18, UMBC 1

Ed Bach lasted just 3.2 innings before being pulled off the mound. In that time he struggled, giving up 12 runs off nine hits while striking out just one batter. But the defense did not help him out either. While Binghamton University scored 12 runs off Bach, he was responsible for just four as the defense recorded three errors.

On the offensive side of things the team just managed five hits, totaling one run, which came from Brian Klukowicz.

Game 2: BU 7, UMBC, 0

In the last two seasons Kevin Clark has been one of those pitchers who just does not get any run support. He fell to 0-7 on the season despite giving up just three runs off six hits in seven innings of work. Once again UMBC just could not get the runs to help his effort out as BU pitchers Mike Augliera and Matt Simone combined for just a three hit shutout.

Brian Klukowicz recorded two of those hits but nobody could bring him around for a score.