It might not look, feel or be particularly warm outside, but I’m assuring you that the University of Hartford spring sports are beginning their seasons very soon, and the expectations are big.
Lacrosse kicked off their season over the weekend against the No. 2 nationally ranked Maryland Terrapins, and, well, they got destroyed 16-4, but that’s why Maryland is nationally ranked and Hartford isn’t at the moment.
This game was a real gut-check for Hartford as opening the season against such a strong opponent could either demoralize a team and ruin their confidence from the start, or they could have more motivation to succeed at a higher level, against future opponents.
Seventh year head coach Peter Lawrence will make sure his team doesn’t get complacent with their 2011 America East Championship and get them locked into improving on a 6-9 record last season with a 3-2 conference record because that doesn’t cut it in the eyes of the coach.
Granted, they have a very young team after turning over their championship roster from a few years ago, but if I or anyone else knows coach Lawrence, he’ll have his team ready on Saturday against Holy Cross and for the rest of the season.
From the lacrosse field to the bleachers, the 2013 baseball team has a bright future with second-year head coach Justin Blood returning to the dugout after his six-year stint with the University of Connecticut baseball program. After being a part of a coaching staff that lead UConn to their best record in program history, he lead UHa to a 16-40 record in his first season, which isn’t too bad.
It’s the most wins the program has had since the 2008 season, but far from where Blood wants them to be, or where he expects them to finish this season. Blood has seen what a successful team looks like on the field, now he looks to replicate it with a much smaller talent pool. If he’s as good as I think and heard he is, coach Blood has a serious chance to turn the baseball program around to threaten the rest of the America East.
It’s important that students realize this and come out to games at Fiondella Field, because they could use some support and you’ll get to see a lot of competitive games this year under a new, young, out-for-Blood coach.
At the other end of Fiondella Field is the 2013 women’s softball team, which under third-year head coach Diana Consolmagno, looks improve on their 10-43 record last season. With huge wins over Costal Carolina and UConn (whom we were previous 0-19 against), there are signs for optimism on the softball diamond.
Consolmagno comes from the Big East program at Rutgers and now looks to recruit just as much talent as she had in the past and improve on a team that struggled last year at the plate and on the mound.
A team ERA of over five and a team batting average at .214, much improvement is available, which could lead to manageable goals throughout the season for the team.
The women are leaving to Florida for the FIU Tournament this weekend, to kick off their season and just like the athletic programs surrounding theirs on campus, big expectations are there.
I know students on campus don’t appreciate the school’s athletic programs around them, but it’s not too late to change.
The 2013 spring sports are going to provide a ton of excitement and look to kick off a trend of success for years to come.