Spring teams surging toward postseason

Baseball took three of four from Clarkson in an important Liberty League series to improve to 8-6 in the league and 21-7 overall. Pitching played a key role Saturday for the Thoroughbreds throughout the series as junior Zack Rudman (Pittsford, N.Y.) was on the mound in game one and senior Nick Laracuente (Tenafly, N.J.) improved to 8-0 with a complete game victory in game two. On Sunday, senior Trevor Brucato (Stamford, Conn.) tossed a second straight four-hit shutout in the opener to lead Skidmore to a 3-0 win. The team will host St. Lawrence this Saturday and Sunday, April 30 and May 1, for a pair of doubleheaders. 

The 14 ^th-ranked men's lacrosse team posted a 1-1 record this week, moving to 10-3 on the season and securing a berth in the Liberty League tournament in the process. Sophomore Mike Holden (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) totaled 10 goals in two games, including five in the first half of a 20-10 victory at Vassar. Against the Brewers, 11 different players scored a goal and sophomore Bryan Connolly (Babylon, N.Y.) finished with a goal and five assists. The Thoroughbreds host Clarkson at 1 p.m. Saturday with the regular-season title and home-field playoff advantage on the line.

Despite a 0-2 record this week, the women's lacrosse team clinched a spot in its first Liberty League tournament since 2006. Skidmore is 5-2 in league play and 9-6 overall after a pair of tough road losses to No. 16 Amherst and No. 11 Middlebury. Against Amherst, junior Lauren Madden (Huntington, N.Y.) scored four goals and at Middlebury, seniors Kimberly Segalas (Stamford, Conn.) and Lindsay Stavola (Montauk, N.Y.) each scored. The Thoroughbreds wrap up the regular season at home this week against Manhattanville on Wednesday and No. 2 Hamilton on Friday.

Golf won the rain-shortened 25 ^th annual Palamountain Invitational. Senior Joe Flowers (Benton, Maine) won the tournament with an even-par round and junior Peter Anderson (Wellesley, Mass.) tied for second. Seniors Matt Canavan (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) and Ryan Lloyd (Toronto, Ontario) finished tied for fifth. The Thoroughbreds host the Spring Invitational Wednesday, April 27, at Saratoga National.

Softball went 0-2 with a pair of tough losses at Union. Senior Caitlin Ketcham (North Clarendon, Vt.) drove in four runs over two games, including a three-run blast in game two. Skidmore is 10-14 overall and 0-4 in the league. The Thoroughbreds are at Williams and Middlebury Tuesday and Wednesday, April 26 and 27, and wrap up the regular season with a pair of league doubleheaders at home against St. Lawrence (April 30) and Rensselaer (May 1).

Men's tennis lost a pair of matches this week to No. 10 Williams and No. 1 Middlebury to wrap the regular season. Against Williams, senior Spencer Cheng (Bainbridge Island, Wash.) won at number-two singles and at Middlebury, freshman Oliver Loutsenko (Bellmore, N.Y.) picked up the win at number-two singles. Skidmore will play for the Liberty League championship this weekend at St. Lawrence.

The men's and women's crew teams competed in the Liberty League championships this past weekend at St. Lawrence. The Thoroughbreds got third-place finishes from the women's varsity eight, the women's varsity four, and the men's novice eight. Both teams will be competing in the state championships this weekend in Whitney Point. ~ By Cody Berschwinger