I've seen more pictures of fanny packs and suspect tan lines this past week than any other interval in my life. I'm sure the various activities such as "Translate My Tribal Tattoo" and "sunbathing" were enjoyable, but it's time to get back to suffering through that great State College, Pa. weather again. I was always told to never regret any decision made in my life, but not even applying to Florida Gulf Coast or UC Santa Barbara is on my Mount Rushmore of mistakes. Now go read how Penn State athletics are doing:
Baseball
Penn State finished the eight-game west coast road trip 2-6 and fell to 5-12 overall. The two victories came against Saint Mary's and Santa Clara 9-6 and 6-5 respectively.
Sophomore Jack Anderson picked up both wins. He came in on relief and tossed 5 2/3 innings allowing only two hits and recorded six strikeouts against Saint Mary's. Anderson made his appearance out of the bullpen in the seventh inning against Santa Clara and allowed only one baserunner in 2 1/3 innings. All of Anderson's wins this year have come in relief.
This Week Ahead: The first home stand of the 2014 campaign starts with a two game series with NYIT and then a doubleheader on Saturday with Bucknell. Another doubleheader will be played at Bucknell on Sunday. There may not be a worse sport to play when it's cold out than baseball. We are!
Softball
After an 0-2 performance at the James Madison Invitational on March 1, Penn State went 1-4 down in the Michele Smith Spring Tournament in Clearwater, Fla. Well, hopefully they got to take in a Spring Training game or something.
Sophomore outfielder Macy Jones went 2 for 2 including a two-run home run in the 1st inning to lead the 5-0 charge against Yale on Saturday. Sophomore Christy Von Pusch tossed a complete game one hitter against the slightly socially awkward individuals.
This Week Ahead: Rager in Snyder Hall rooms that overlook Beard Field this weekend starting Friday as Purdue rolls into town for a three game series
Golf
Heeey Mr. Gopher...Anyway, the strapping lads in slacks finished 11th out of 13 in the Seminole intercollegiate this past weekend shooting a combined score of 898. Junior Jens Talbert tallied a three day total of 224 (75-76-73) to finish tied for 36th.
The women were in Gainesville and finished 10th out of 14 overall. Juniors Katlyn Elliott and Ellen Ceresko finished tied for 27th posting 222 totals. The two also finished their weekends with rounds of 73.
This Week Ahead: There has to be an 8-9 age group mini-golf tournament or a vacant Golden Tee machine around somewhere to keep everyone entertained until The Masters arrives. The ladies head down to Johns Island, S.C. next Monday and the men head to Williamsburg, Va. on Sunday.
Lax
Our No. 5 lacrosse brethrens dropped their first CAA match with No. 14 UMass at home 8-6. Penn State dropped to 3-3 on the season despite three goals from sophomore TJ Sanders against the tough Minutemen defense.
The ladies are riding a three game winning streak after getting wins over No. 12 Loyola, Rutgers and Vanderbilt. 11 goals from junior Kelly Lechner have paced the Nittany Lions during their streak.
This Week Ahead: It's #MichiganHateWeek for the women as Michigan comes in on Sunday. Home games against Dartmouth and Albany on Tuesday and Saturday respectively round out the men's week.
Swimming
You know your day is going to suck when you have to label an activity as "All Day". The men's and women's diving teams participated in NCAA Zone Qualifying in Blacksburg, Va. last week.
I wonder if a coach has ever said in a post-game press conference, "MY BOYS CAN SWIM!!!"
This Week Ahead: The NCAA Championships are March 20-22 in Minneapolis. I'm pretty sure every feasible body of water in Minnesota is still frozen. I'm confused.
Tennis
The men took down UCF and Southern Miss on Thursday down in Orlando by counts of 4-3 and 6-1 respectively. Needless to say, the standard has been set for the Croke Park Classic. "Golden Knights and Golden Eagles fall to Gap box logo blue and 8.5 x 11'' Office Depot printing paper white Nittany Lions!"
The ladies dropped both matches to USF and SMU in Tampa early last week 6-1 and 5-2 respectively. It was the battle of the NCAA Tournament dipwads that couldn't find a date to the big dance. Still a sore subject Ponies?
This Week Ahead: Ladies head to Sparty on Friday and come home to take on Michigan on Sunday. The men of Sparty will come to State College Friday and try to slap wings in mid-air with the ladies when they head to Ann Arbor on Sunday.
Men's Volleyball
After a 12-game winning streak for the Nittany Lions spanning from Mid-January to late February, Penn State finds themselves losers in three of their last five matches. A 3-0 sweep over Cal State Northridge on Friday wasn't enough momentum to pull the upset over No. 2 Long Beach State out in California.
This Week Ahead: For some reason Loyola (IL) and Lewis are associated with Penn State athletics. The best shot blocker I've ever seen from my high school played basketball at Lewis. It's about a half hour south of Chicago.>
