Archive - 2013 - Sports Article
April 21st
NEWPORT–Anna Bingham hit a two-run homer to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh, but Burlington would score in the eighth, as the Falcons fell 4-3 in extra innings.
It was a much better outing for the girls, who were coming off of a 23-2 loss to Vergennes just two days earlier.
While it was a low scoring game overall, things got off to a bang when Erika Lyon went deep off of NCU's starting pitcher Taylor Blake.
Blake would settle down after that, and hold the Seahorses off the board until the seventh.
Meanwhile, the Falcons waited until the 6th inning before tying the game.
Staff Reports
BASEBALL
Lake Region 16, Hazen 0 (5)
ORLEANS–Matt Messier threw five no-hit innings, and went 3-3 at the plate with three doubles and four RBI's as the Rangers won their mercy rule-shortened contest with Hazen on Thursday.
Other highlights form the game included a great game at the plate by Dustin Bathalon, who was 2-2 with a double and four RBI's.
Sam Barbeau added a single and 2 RBI's for Lake Region as well.
Now the 1-0, the Rangers will host Enosburg today at 4:30.
The game was originally slated for Saturday morning, but the field was too wet to play on.
SOFTBALL
April 19th
ORLEANS-Less than ideal conditions greeted the North Country and Lake Region tennis teams on Friday afternoon.
While the temperature was a very comfortable 70 degrees, the wind made play almost comical as shots, serves, volleys and rallies alike went from routine to unpredictable as the gusts wreaked havoc with the little green ball.
In the end, the Falcons would win the match 3-2 to improve to 1-1 while Lake Region falls to 0-1.
"It is very difficult for kids to play in conditions like this," said Lake Region coach Laura Laramee
"The ball never bounces where you are planning it to."
April 18th
By
Mike Olmstead, Sports Editor
ST. JOHNSBURY–North Country's track and field team made their way down I-91 to go head-to-head with the St. Johnsbury Hilltoppers on a gorgeous Wednesday afternoon.
The Hilltoppers and Falcons were the only two teams at the track on a busy sports Wednesday, and according to coach Lonnie Wade, it was a great chance to get the young Falcons acclimated to the sport.
"The meet went well overall," said Wade. "We are young so it was good to get many of the kids some experience."
By
Mike Olmstead, Sports Editor
LYNDON–North Country's softball had a rough start to their season, as they fell to the Lyndon Institute Vikings 13-1 on Wednesday afternoon.
Despite the high score, which NCU coach Leslie Dunn said was a little misleading, the Falcons defense was on display, pleasing the coach to no end.
"I was very happy with our defense," said Dunn. "Two of our outfielders (Missy Morse, Mikaella Doran) picked up outfield assists, which you rarely see. Overall I am pretty pleased with they way they played, and what can I say, Lyndon got timely hitting and we didn't."
By
Mike Olmstead, Sports Editor
LYNDON–Despite being no-hit on Wednesday afternoon, the North Country Falcons took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh before the Lyndon Institute Vikings rallied to force extra innings, where they came away with the 2-1 win.
"The issue for us tonight was that we have not hit live pitching yet this year," said NCU coach Brian Bonvechio.
And he is not exaggerating either.
The Falcons have only seen pitches from Bonvechio and assistant coach Mike LaCourse, which makes it mighty difficult for players to be ready come Opening Day.
April 15th
By
Mike Olmstead, Sports Editor
NEWPORT–The North Country girls tennis team underwent a lot of changes in this past off-season, and it started at the top of the program with the retirement of long-time head Marie George.
George, who had been with the program since its inception thirty years ago, decided to step down so she could spend more time in Florida before heading north for the summer.
So, with no George in the mix, the search was on for a new coach.
The school found that coach from within, as one of the North Country's guidance counselors, Jody Driscoll, has taken the reigns, and is ready for his new challenge.
April 14th
By
Submitted by Amy Wheeler
JOHNSON–The cool brisk weather on Saturday April 6th was not a deterrent to 230 martial arts students from twenty schools who gathered to compete at Dunlavey’s 24th Annual Spring Open Championship held at Johnson State College in Johnson, VT.
Students from the Newport Branch of Dunlavey’s Black Belt Academy represented the host school well, bringing home three Grand Championships.
April 11th
By
Mike Olmstead, Sports Editor
NEWPORT–In 2012, the North Country boys tennis team finished the year in fourth place in the Metro Conference, paced by a well rounded roster of experienced players that were committed to the program.
This year, the team will return a good portion of last year's group, while adding some new faces to the program.
"We have a good nucleus returning, and good contingent of freshman-first year players who are still working on their skills," said head coach Gary Atchinson.
The team already got their season underway as they squared off against MMU on Monday, losing the match 4-3.
By
Submitted by Deslandes Blue Wave
Deslandes Blue Wave Tae Kwon Do Academy attended the Spring Championship tournament held at Johnson State College on April 6th. Nine students from the academy attended the tournament and represented their school proudly by bringing home a total of 19 medals and one Grand Champion Samurai Sword. Competitors range from the age of 4 to adult, proving it doesn't matter how old you are, anyone is capable of competing. Blue Wave students are trained to compete with respect and sportsmanship whether they win or lose, which they all displayed that day.
