March 17, 2024

Thompson Hurls No-Hitter as Baseball Wins Four

With spotty weather and four games in two days on the docket, the Colby Baseball team couldn't ask for a better start than what senior Nick Thompson had in store. Toeing the rubber for his second appearance of the season, the southpaw dazzled Saturday against Brandeis to throw Colby's first no-hitter since Tony Ruvo no-hit Williams in 1958.

Thompson was supported by stellar defense behind him and 12 hits for the Mules, providing more than enough run support to cruise to a 9-0 victory in game 1. The momentum continued in the nightcap as Colby sent the Judges home with a series sweep 13-3. Clint Flippo led the charge at the plate collecting four hits in the set. He was followed closely by Ryan Grace, Cole Palmeri, Patrick Shrake, and Brady O'Brien who had three hits apiece.

Fighting off rain in Sunday's pair against New England College, the Mules stayed hot on both sides of the field outscoring the Pilgrims by a total of 18-0 (6-0, 12-0). Five different hurlers shared the shutouts, with the pitching decisions going to Thomas Rioux (5.2 innings in game 1) and Derek Woods (4.0 innings in game 2) who scattered two hits apiece. Marcus Forrester went 6-8 at the dish, scoring two runs and knocking in five.

The Mules will enter spring break with a 6-2 record traveling to Auburndale, Fla. for eight games next week. They open up on Saturday with a doubleheader against Ramapo College.

Softball Moves Games Up to Take Two Against Thomas

While originally slated to kick off their season this coming week against Thomas, the Colby Softball team seized an opportunity, and good weather, to jump the season opener up a full week. While Thomas had already completed their spring break trip to the tune of 12 games, the Mules were anxious to log some innings of their own before heading to Florida at the end of the week.

The opener was a low-scoring battle stretching to the very end. With a single to left in the bottom of the sixth inning, Liv Menyo scored Juliana Kiley to break a 2-2 tie and push across the game-winning run. Abby Orso spun four innings from the circle, scattering three hits without allowing an earned run for the win.

Game 2 was a story of hot bats as Colby pounded out 15 hits for 10 runs, topping the Terriers 10-4. Courtney Schumacher went 4-4 at the plate in the nightcap, scoring three runs with three RBI. With a double already under her belt, the cleanup hitter put an exclamation point on the evening with a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth to cap the scoring.

Leadoff hitter Carissa Cassidy joined Schumacher with four hits on the day, leading the Mules with two stolen bases. Kiley wasted no time to record her first collegiate hit knocking in two runs with a single in the first inning of game 1. Chloe Wilcox collected two hits in game 2, including a triple in the first inning.

Colby will take their 2-0 record to Florida for a 12-game spring break trip. The Mules open Saturday morning in Clermont against the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at 9:00am.

Women’s Lacrosse Hosts #19 Amherst and Roger Williams

In their second straight two-game weekend at home, the Mules took a tough 9-8 loss to the Mammoths Saturday before bouncing back with a 15-9 win over the Hawks on Sunday.

Saturday’s NESCAC battle was played tight the whole way through as the final result came down to the wire. Going into the final frame tied at six, Amherst went on to score three unanswered goals in the span of two minutes. Colby was able to find the back of the net at the two minute mark (Julia Maimonis) to pull the Mules within two, and Ally Franz netted her second of the game with 20 seconds remaining. Amherst won the final draw and ran out the clock to secure the tough NESCAC victory. Goalie Sarah Hearns finished with eight saves in the contest.

On Sunday against Roger Williams, the Mules opened the first quarter with five goals over the Hawks two, setting a pattern of outscoring RWU in each quarter that lengthened to a 15-9 final and a Mules victory. Colby was led by Franz with a her second five-score game of the season followed by Julia Jardina with four points (two goals, two assists). Kat Munter had an impressive defensive showing with three caused turnovers and four ground balls, as did Emily Darby with two caused turnovers and three ground balls.

Colby, is now 4-1 on the season (2-1 in the conference), and will look towards their next matchup at Hamilton College on Saturday.

Men’s Tennis Hosts MIT in Augusta

After starting the spring season with three straight 9-0 sweeps, the Mules hosted the 21st-ranked Engineers Sunday in Augusta.

In doubles matchups Jake Cohen paired with Sam Henry and took the win 8-4 in the one spot. In singles, Cohen won in the 2-seed (7-5, 6-1) and Paul Dandler took the victory from the 4-seed (7-5, 6-4, 6-3).

Colby will now prepare for their spring break trip to California for four matches next week starting Monday, March 25th.

Men’s Lacrosse Battles #15 Amherst

The Mules headed down to Amherst, Mass. Saturday for a midday matchup against the Mammoths for their third conference game of the season.

Colby found themselves tied with Amherst 1-1 two minutes into the second quarter after securing a goal from Doug McCarthy, however, the Mammoths turned up the intensity scoring four straight before heading into the halftime break with a 5-1 lead. In the second half the Mules went toe to toe with their nationally ranked opponents netting six goals, just one shy of Amherst's seven, but the first half deficit was too much to overcome. Max Solmssen finished with a pair of goals and two assists to lead the way with four points. Bennett Goller and McCarthy scored two goals apiece. Goalkeeper Will Heisler recorded 15 saves.

The 2-2 Mules are back in action this Wednesday as they visit Saint Joseph's College of Maine for a non-conference matchup.

Swimming & Diving Sending 10 to the NCAA Championships

Ten Mules will represent Colby later this week at the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Six women will compete for Colby. Gabriella Landau (100 Backstroke) and Kellen Mottl (100 Breaststroke) will race independently as well as joining with Tahlia Crowley and Lily Moy for the 200 Medley Relay. Eleanor McGrath and Avery Rappaport will test the boards for the Mules in the diving events. On the men's side of competition, Neil Mortimer will compete in the 100 Butterfly and join Ethan Chang, Carson Rehkopf and Brandon Xiong in the 200 Freestyle Relay.

The four-day event will begin Wednesday March 20th and conclude Saturday March 23rd. Fans can head to the NCAA website for all the information on tickets, streaming, live results and the event schedule.