Pioneer Points
ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Director of Athletics Debby De Angelis.
- May 26, 2010
There's nothing like going out with a bang, and this spring, our Pioneers did just that! With the weather cooperating for once this season, the baseball team set out to finish our first season in the CCAA with a statement series against Cal State LA.
The seniors put on a show in their final series in the red and black, starting with James McShane's game-winning grand slam in the opener that gave East Bay a 9-7 win. Saturday's doubleheader was another exciting affair, as game one saw the lead change three times in the final four innings before the Pioneers broke the game open thanks to junior Nick McManus' four RBI and two runs on three hits, including his record-breaking 79th hit of the season. Game two was another thriller that saw freshman Charlie Sharrer hit a walk-off, two-run homer after East Bay clawed back from a 5-1 deficit.
Sunday's series finale was all about seniors Devin Grigg, Jimmy Ly, Aaron Hannigan, Stephen Gatehouse, Jeff Croft, Levi Josewski, Richie Gonzalez, Jake Walter, Matt McCormick and McShane. Hannigan tossed a complete game to earn the win in his final start, while Grigg and Ly each had two hits to cap their Pioneer careers.
After earning their first CCAA sweep to end the season, the honors rolled in for East Bay, as Sharrer was named Freshman of the Year, Grigg earned All-CCAA Second Team honors and McManus and Gatehouse garnered All-CCAA Honorable Mention selections. With 23 wins and an eighth-place finish in conference play, we definitely made a name for ourselves and the team is already looking forward to next season.
Meanwhile, in the pool, the Pioneer water polo team continued its successful season with a trip to the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) Tournament where it earned its best finish in program history, taking fifth. Though East Bay dropped its opener, the team bounced back to win its final three games in the tournament, including its third win of the season over Division I Santa Clara. Senior Jenna Casady earned a spot on the WWPA All-Tournament Team, while junior Liz Warren led the Pioneers with 14 goals in the tournament.
With our seasons now completed, both the staff and student-athletes are looking forward to a lull in action and a chance to celebrate another great year. On May 15, the celebrations began as we inducted six new members into the ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Athletic Hall of Fame. Former Pioneer pole vaulter Darryl Robinson, high jumper and triple jumper Miloe McCall, women's basketball player Leah (Thornton) Pero, baseball player Archie Gilbert, volleyball and softball player Angel Alcorcha, and men's and women's soccer coach Colin Lindores were all inducted as our newest Hall of Famers. We also recognized the 1988 Division II National Championship women's soccer team, one of the many successful squads coached by Lindores. With the help of more than 100 family members, friends, former teammates, fellow Hall of Famers and coaches, we honored these Pioneer legends for their contributions that have helped to create the flourishing program we have today.
We are now looking forward to our annual Student-Athlete Banquet, where we celebrate all of our Pioneers and their triumphs on the field and in the classroom. Along with handing out awards for Pioneer pride, outstanding athletic performances and academic success, we will also bid farewell to 35 senior student-athletes and student trainers, who have helped to shape our teams and our campus during their time here.
Despite having plenty on their plates already, our student-athletes are continuing to make an impact outside of the playing field, as a record number of Pioneers are running for ASI offices. Many of our returning student-athletes are looking to show their talents outside of athletics, and I applaud them for making an effort to create change and become integrated in campus life.
Good luck to our Pioneer candidates and thank you seniors. Go Pioneers!