Hitting the Links: 4/14/2011

As we get deeper into the spring season, everything seems to heat up. Usually, it is the temperature that leads the way, though this year seems to have forgotten that trend. While the weather may still be lagging just a little bit, the competition in America East is certainly has been getting warmer lately.

In lacrosse, softball and baseball, we are into the conference schedules. In the case of lacrosse, we are halfway through the conference season. In outdoor track & field, records are being broken as teams prepare for the conference meet. In tennis, teams are facing conference foes to gear up for the America East Championship, just over two weeks away!

Hitting the Links: 4/13/2011

Good afternoon AExtra fans.

Tonight is a big night for a recent alum of an America East school. Vermont grad Marqus Blakely makes his NBA debut tonight with the Houston Rockets. The Rockets close out their season tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Blakely's signing got plenty of attention back in Burlington.

Blakely is a recent America East star who is just beginning his professional career. But how about someone who has already made his mark in the pro ranks? Former Maine baseball player Mike Bordick, was inducted into the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame last month. Bordick, who finished his Major League career with 1,500 hits, is known for taking over the shortstop position for the Orioles when Cal Ripken Jr. moved over the third base. 

Stony Brook Introduces Beth O' Boyle

Earlier this week, Stony Brook held a press conference to introduce Beth O'Boyle as the new women's basketball coach for the Seawovles. O'Boyle comes to Stony Brook following an excellent tenure as an assistant coach at Canisius. During her time with the Golden Griffins, O' Boyle played a key role in leading the team to its first-ever WNIT appearance, while also proving herself as an outstanding recruiter. It should come as no surprise that there is a lot of excitement surrounding O'Boyle, as she will bring a strong work ethic and passion for the sport of basketball to Stony Brook. Here is some footage from her press conference on Monday:

Blakely Earns NBA Opportunity

Throughout the season, former Vermont Catamount Marqus Blakely has been consistently excellent at the NBDL level. Blakely, who averaged 15 points and 6.3 rebounds during his time in the D-League, will finally have the opportunity to test his game at the highest level, as he reached a deal with the Houston Rockets. The former America East Player of the Year will meet up with the team for the season-finale against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.

Hitting the Links: 4/11/2011

What a weekend in America East! With upsets, comebacks, close calls and the occasional  weather hiccup all over the schedule, the teams of America East kept their fans on their toes throughout the weekend.

This was most evident Saturday evening when Hartford hosted Stony Brook in a battle to sit atop the men's lacrosse standings in the conference. Hartford looked good going into the fourth quarter, holding Stony Brook's explosive offense to just three goals through the first three quarters. It turns out though that the Hawks just delayed the outburst as the Seawolves erupted four seven goals in the final period. Four of those goals came from the stick of Robbie Campbell, who delivered a career performance in that final quarter to lead the Seawolves to a 10-8 win. 

Vermont Men Knock Off Albany, Women Fall to UMBC

Burlington, Vt., was the site of two America East lacrosse games this weekend, with the women hosting UMBC on Saturday and the men hosting Albany on Sunday.

Despite a late rally on Saturday, UMBC held off the Catamounts for the 14-13 win. Vermont scored the final five goals of the game, but the Retrievers were able to leave Vermont with the win:



On the men's side, it was a monumental day for the Catamounts, as they ended a nine-game losing streak to Albany with the 11-6 win:

UMBC Men's Lacrosse explode for six goals in second quarter and hold off Binghamton, 8-6

UMBC sophomore midfielder Dave Brown (Coopersburg, Pa.) scored three goals and added an assist as the host Retrievers edged Binghamton, 8-6, in an America East Conference contest. The Retrievers won back-to-back games for the first time this season and improved to 4-5 overall and 1-1 in league play. The Bearcats fell to 5-6, 1-1. Here are highlights and post-game comments.