Joe Knight ’16 provided a big lift for the Men’s Basketball team in his second collegiate game with 10 points and seven rebounds in a hard-fought win over Caltech.
Claremont, Calif. (February 4, 2013)—Whereas two weeks ago was all about symbolic or moral victories for Sagehen Athletics, this past week was just about plain old victories, as the four winter teams went a combined 7-0, and Softball opened up its season with a solid split by bouncing back after a loss in the opener to take the nightcap of a doubleheader.
The Men’s Basketball team only had one game this week and had to deal with a strong challenge from Caltech, which jumped out to a 10-point lead early (23-13) and still had the game tied at 52-52 with just over seven minutes to play. However, the Sagehens pulled away late for a not-as-easy-as-it-looks 72-56 win. After starting forward Jake Klewer PO ’14 rolled an ankle just 15 seconds into the game and didn’t return, Joseph Knight ’16 gave the Sagehens a huge lift with 10 points and seven rebounds in 18 minutes in only his second collegiate game (he missed the first 17 games with injury/illness).
James Xavyr Moss ’13 also added 10 points and seven rebounds, as the victory moved the Sagehens alone into third place in the SCIAC, one game ahead of Whittier and Chapman. The Sagehens travel to Chapman on Wednesday for a huge game, where a win could virtually secure a postseason bid.
The Swimming and Diving teams swept their duals this weekend, as the Sagehen women’s team cruised to two easy wins, defeating Caltech 208-61 and Cal Lutheran 191-97 to improve to 8-2 in dual meets and 7-1 in the SCIAC. The Sagehens Men’s team edged Cal Lutheran in a tight meet 153-141, and defeated Caltech 221-57, improving to 6-4 in dual meets and 6-2 in the SCIAC.
The Sagehens Men’s team, which does not have a varsity diver, fell behind Cal Lutheran 32-0 before the swimming competition even began, and also lost both relays, but earned just enough points in the main competition to come away with the 12-point win. William Thorson ’16 helped the comeback by earning a pair of second-place finishes in the two butterfly events. Andrew Wright ’16 was second in both distance events, and Devon Kennedy ’16 finished behind Wright in third place in the 500-meter freestyle to complete a 1-2-3 finish for the Sagehens.
The women’s side saw the Sagehens face little drama on its way to two wins, which officially sets up a battle with CMS at the SCIAC Championships for the 2012-13 league title (whoever finishes first at SCIACs will take the crown). Margaret (Mari) Pettibone ’15 added to the individual take by sweeping the two breaststroke events, while Dawn Barlow ’16 was second in both diving events. Barlow and Avery Barron ’15 will compete in the prelims of the SCIAC Diving competition this weekend at Caltech.
Softball opened up its spring season with a home doubleheader against Vanguard, falling in the opener 10-1, but regrouping to capture a narrow 3-2 win in the nightcap. Ashley Morello ’15 started a three-run third inning for the Sagehens in the third inning of the nightcap with a single, scoring the game’s first run, while Shannon Julius ’14 and Lindsay McCord ’16 each earned opening day starts.
Two more spring sports get underway with home games this weekend, as the Baseball team hosts a three-game series with Pacific (single game Friday, doubleheader on Saturday) and a Sunday game with Whitworth. The Women’s Lacrosse team, meanwhile, starts its 2013 season with a home game against Chapman on Saturday at 1 p.m. (which will be played on the South Athletic Complex on top of the parking garage at Pomona College).
Both the Baseball and the Women’s Lacrosse teams are full of Pitzer athletes with 12 apiece. The Baseball team has senior captain Erik Munzer ’13 in center field and senior pitcher Stuart Gano ’13 as one of its top three pitchers, while E.J. Lopez ’15, Samuel Fox ’15 and Mark Okuma ’15 are returning to their starting roles in the infield. Women’s Lacrosse, meanwhile, has returning All-SCIAC players Jana London ’14 at attack, Rachel Kessler ’14 on defense and Casey Leek ’13 in goal.
In news from the fall season, Jason Cox ’13 was named the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Division III Player of the Year, while Jarrod Gaut ’14 was named an honorable mention selection.
