sports Sports 4 5 LAX UPDATE D-FULLER’S WOMEN'S WATER POLO By Nicholas Ruble '18 7-0 advantage, taking a final period. VMI goalie Cadet Op/Ed Writer 7-1 lead at the half, with Evan Windisch had nine By Brienno Illari '18 had to face a nationally rival Villanova. Fourth game quickly ensured the only Keydet goal impressive saves in the ATHLETE OF Cadet Sports Writer ranked Wagner college. classmen Shelby Barkley as the Gaels put 2 in, scored by Mike DeBlasio. Keydet loss. To many, the top 20 began the assault with 2 demanding a response Keydet lacrosse “Mercer won 15 of 24 THE WEEK Hoping to open ranking Wagner may goals in the first quarter, from the tag team of started out the year face-offs with attack man Tom Nofi By Del Fuller '17 second home run was the the season with a have appeared to be a but the Wildcats quickly Lazzaro and Sophia Sunday, February 8th Justin Evans leading the scored two goals as Cadet Sports Writer third of back-to-back-to- resounding performance, team the Keydets would closed the gap leaving DelBondio closing the against the Naval way with 12. The Bears well in a hard fought back team home runs. the VMI Women’s Water not be able to hold their the score at 2 all. Never gap at 2 to 1. The second Academy at Annapolis. outshot the Keydets by game against Wagner When asked how it felt Polo Team (WWPO) own against. Although accepting defeat, Barkley frame closed without The Keydets have gone a 48-30 margin and won College. Wagner, making to have such a great day traveled north to the Wagner Seahawks responded with two quick a definitive leader as 0-11 this year so far, the ground ball battle aggressive plays early Hey Keydet fans! at the plate, Stalls said, Loudonville, New York appeared impeccable, paced goals to close out neither sided posted any with a few games left to by a slim 31-25 ratio. and often throughout Spring is finally among “I was having a blast for their first conference the Keydets managed the half at 4 to 2 for the goals, until the last few play. Both teams had multiple the game pulled out a us as temperatures are not only because I was match against Marist to find the weakness in Keydets. The question minutes of play. Serrano turnovers throughout 12-4 victory over the rising and the summer playing well, but more and Wagner College on their armor earning 7 remained if the Keydets earned a goal unassisted The Keydets have the game with the Bears Keydets. VMI scored first is quickly approaching. importantly, the team March 21st. Marist was goals against this strong could maintain the lead for the Keydets closing struggled so far, going committing 14 to the in the game with just After all of the snow that had a great day as a the first opponent to face competitor. and prevent their hard the half at 3 to 2, but 0-11 on the season. Keydets’ 16.” three minutes off the hit us late this winter, whole putting up twenty- off against the Keydets. work from slipping away. the beginning of the The latest game took clock as Mike DeBlasio the spring sports teams five runs and getting the Fierce competition A second loss 3rd frame signaled a place against the Bears Prior to the Mercer scored an unassisted are finally getting back sweep of the double ensued and the Marist closed out the day at 0-2, Soon after the change in tone. The of Mercer University, game, VMI played the goal. Soon though, into the swing of things. header.” Stalls credits all Red Foxes narrowly but the Keydets kept their start of the second half game became palpable where despite their best UVA Cavaliers. Before the Wagner Seahawks The VMI Baseball team of his successes to the escaped with a victory in heads high and learned that question received as Bailey Huddleston efforts; Big Red lost the UVA game, VMI put up five goals, thus suffered a few early confidence he gained a 14-8 Keydet loss. from their mistakes, a bold response. and Perkins scored one 4-17. The Bears (4-5, faced off in a league shifting momentum away injuries to key players when he placed first in hopefully to make an Mackenzie Perkins a piece attempting to 4-0) managed a perfect game against Bellarmine from the early VMI goal. in Brandon Angus, Ray the softball throw at But often times the appearance in their next scored 3 followed up by fill the 1 deficit. But as 4-0 in conference games, University. VMI outshot DeBlasio led the Keydets Lopez, and Andrew a middle school track victor isn’t determined conference game against 2 from Celine Lazzaro the final buzzer chimed, while the Keydets (0-11, the Knights by a 37- with five shot attempts; Woods, but each are meet. He said, “My life by the scoreboard, but Villanova. On the road helping the keydet to the Keydets hard work 0-4) dropped their fourth 30 margin, but could including three that were finally playing again, was completely turned the heart and soul left on once again, the Keydets a 10 to 6 victory. The through it all proved just conference game of the not convert on man up on goal, while Wesley and the team seems to around after that fateful the field or in this case, competed against Iona well fought battle shy of a victory, narrowly season. Speaking on the opportunities even with Sanders logged four and be hitting its stride. The day. I felt like I was on the pool. The Keydets and Villanova on Sunday. earned the WWPO their falling to Iona 7 to 5. game, Head Coach Brian good shot selections. Nofi had three, of which team had a huge week top of the world, and remained resilient until Still possessing the first conference season The Keydets leave from Anken said, “We gave Bellarmine caused six two were goals. last week winning three even now, eight years the end showing the true bloodcurdling passion victory, but before the the weekend’s contest up a few early goals in turnovers to the Keydets’ VMI’s next game of five games when they later, I think back to that grit and undying heart to win from their narrow excitement could set in slightly battered, but transition which got us four. The teams were is next Saturday, Apr. played at Virginia Tech honor when I’m faced only found in Keydet losses, the Keydets the Keydets were back in motivated to continue too frustrated to focus close in face off wins 11th at Furman with (3/31), at UVA (4/1), and with adversity to tell athletes. With little time held nothing back as the water facing off with working hard and striving on our game plan … their as the Knights took a the Keydets continuing had a three game series myself I am capable of to recover, the Keydets they faced conference Iona Gaels. An intense for success in the pool. goalie also had some thin 15-13 edge out of to strive for a win in against conference foe, doing anything.” great saves early on to 28 attempts. Bellarmine Southern Conference Furman, concluding throw our offense off. We lead 6-0 early before play. The opening face in a double-header on Recently, he and were not able to figure fourthclassmen Tom off is scheduled for a Saturday (4/4). teammate David Geary out their face off guys, Nofi scored four minutes 2:30 p.m. start. Good started a pregame which allowed them too prior to the half. Eric luck to the Keydets as For the second ritual to get them in many possessions and for Groleau, Mike DeBlasio, they hunt for their first year in a row, the team the zone. They pick us to be on the defensive Wesley Sanders, Brad win and a chance to won at UVA. The team up a microphone and end too often.” Mercer Biondello all scored, and qualify for the SoCon lost the opener of the interview VMI’s Sports began the game with a Nofi scored again in the tourney! GO KEYDETS! weekend series at Information Director, Image Courtesy of facebook.com Furman on Friday (4/3), Brad Salois, and ask him but they battled back to about his daily breakfast sweep a double header routine and discuss WWE on Saturday behind the fights. I then asked Stalls OPENING DAY FOR MLB bat of Thomas Stallings. what his favorite song at Not only is he our Keydet the moment is, and he Athlete of the Week, said, “My Love by Justin but Louisville Slugger Timberlake. I’ve been honored him as one of feeling it lately.” The their five National Players baseball team looks to of the Week. Stallings, or finish the season strong “Stalls” as most people behind Thomas Stallings’ call him, had a career- bat in some key upcoming best four hits in the first conference games. game of the Saturday Keydets remember, it’s double header. After not an NCAA violation striking out in his first to ask Thomas for an plate appearance of the autograph, but it is if you day, Stalls had a base hit offer him money, food, in each of his next six a car, etc., so please at-bats, including three keep that in mind. I look home runs. Two of his forward to seeing you all home runs came in back- at the next home game! to-back at-bats, and the WHOLE DAMN TEAM! Images Courtesy of xosnetwork.com CLOSE CALLS AND BLOWOUTS ON 2015-2016 BASEBALL OPENING DAY By Brandon Goodwyn '16 Toronto’s youngest Ramirez who hit a homer season. got their first win of game for Houston. But Cadet Sports Writer starter in history, opened in the fifth and a grand the season against being on base wasn’t the game and kept the slam in the ninth to help The sold out Minnesota. David Price enough for Altuva, he Baseball Fans! Yankees hitless until Boston claim its 8-0 stadium in Miami hosted took Justin Verlander’s swiftly decided to steal Monday, April 7th kicked the fourth, allowing victory over the Phillies. the Atlanta Braves for position as opening a base, then scored from off the official start of only three hits. Without what could have been pitcher and came very a single by his teammate the 2015-2016 baseball Derek Jeter and Alex In the National an exciting opening day close to a shutout. In Springer. But victories Image Courtesy of http://dy.snimg.com Image Courtesy of http://cdn.fansided.com season. This opening Rodriguez's slow return, League, the Rockies for the Marlins. However, fact, Price didn’t allow come from both sides of day was a special one, the Yankees had a poor shut out the Brewers the Braves got an early a base hit until Kenny play; Houston’s victory with 28 teams starting start to the season. by an outstanding 10- run in the first inning, Vargas had a nice hit also came as a result of their season. Ladies and However, one team’s 0. Dickerson started when the game was in the fifth. Price will flawless pitching. Dallas gentlemen, this was the lousy start is another’s the game off by hitting suddenly interrupted be a huge asset to the Keuchal threw for seven busiest opening day ever! great beginning as the a two-run homer in the due to rain. The Miami Tigers as Verlander tries innings, only allowing With such an active day Blue Jay’s have high first inning, with the Blue fans weren’t too excited to heal his shoulder and three hits and Tony Sipp came plenty of exciting hopes to return the Jays scoring a total of 4 about the rain and the unfortunate loss of and new closer Luke match ups, blowouts and postseason for the first runs in the first inning. conveyed their emotions Scherzer last season to Gregerson threw perfect quality starts for several time since the 90’s. The Brewers tried to by booing. Without Washington. Keep an eighth and ninth innings. players. counter in the second much support from their eye out for Price as the Boston shut down with bases loaded, but fans and their slugger season progresses, as he In other news, In the American the Phillies in their game a grounder from Jean Giancarlo Stanton going will be vital in placing his the Nationals suffered East, Toronto defeated Segura caused a double 1-4, Miami wasn’t able to team in the postseason. the Yankees 6-1 by day opener, leaving an unfortunate loss putting up 5 runs in Philadelphia scoreless. play. Colorado continued pick up momentum and to the New York Mets third inning, scoring Despite Ortiz going 0-4 to play aggressive, suffered a close loss to Houston and 3-1. San Francisco beat another in the seventh at the plate, the Red Sox scoring 2 runs in the the Braves. Atlanta’s new Cleveland had a close Arizona 5-4 in a close and allowing only one earned a total of 8 runs. third and another 4 in player, Nick Markakis, game, going nearly six game, Texas fell to run from New York in The Phillies had trouble the fourth. With the had the opening day of innings with no runs Oakland 8-0 and the L.A. the sixth. New signee, with their offense due to help of excellent pitching his life, by driving in two scored. Houston Manager Dodgers beat San Diego Russell Martin made the excellent pitching of from Rafael Betancourt runs and forcing the 2-1 A.J. Hinch claims he 6-3. Opening Day kicked some noise by getting Boston’s Clay Buchholz, and Christian Friedrich, victory. wasn’t concerned off with a thrilling start two RBI’s and setting who allowed only three the Rockies were because he had Jose to the new season and the momentum for his hits over seven innings. able to maintain their Detroit made Altuva. Altuva came into you can catch baseball team to capture the big That powerful Boston exceptional lead and noise in the American the sixth inning and hit all weekend to view your Image Courtesy of http://cdn.rsvlts.com win. Drew Hutchison, offense came from Mr. grab their first win of the League Central as they the first base hit of the favorite team. “To Inform the VMI Community” “To Inform the VMI Community”