LOCAL CONNECTIONS: Successful start to college career for Collins
Mar. 30—St. Francis University (Pennsylvania) track and field freshman Bryce Collins (Riverside) had quite the collegiate debut.
At the Bob Davidson Memorial Invitational, hosted by High Point University in North Carolina, Collins placed second in the high jump at 6 feet, 9 3/4 inches. That height ranks second in program history, trailing only the 6-10 3/4 mark set by William Velez in 2008. Collins' effort earned him Northeast Conference Men's Track and Field Rookie of the Week honors for the period ending March 21.
In his second collegiate meet, Collins won the high jump at 6-6 3/4 in a tri-meet against host Bucknell University and the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.
Smart sisters
Quinnipiac University senior Alyssa Watson (Wallenpaupack) and Indiana University of Pennsylvania freshman Mia Watson (Wallenpaupack) were both named to the 2020 National Field Hockey Coaches Association National Academic Squad. The squad recognizes student-athletes who had a cumulative grade-point average of 3.3 or higher during the first semester of the 2020-21 academic year.
Alyssa made the Division I team for the fourth consecutive season, one of 190 student-athletes to achieve the feat. Mia was one of 25 IUP players to make the Division II team — the most selections by any school.
Both Alyssa and Mia are nursing majors.
Hit man
Boston College sophomore Vince Cimini (Scranton Prep) has hit safely in six straight and eight of his last nine games.
Against Merrimack College, BC fell behind after 2 1/2 innings, 8-0, but rallied for a 10-9 victory. Cimini had two hits, including an RBI double in the bottom of the sixth that cut the Eagles' deficit to 8-4. During a weekend series against Clemson University, Cimini was 5 for 12 with one double, one RBI, three runs and three walks.
After going hitless in his first five at-bats, Cimini is batting .375 (15 for 40) with five doubles, six RBI, 10 runs and 10 walks. He also has been perfect in the field at second base, handling 34 chances without an error (19 putouts, 15 assists).
Quick connects
In Game 1 of a doubleheader sweep of Lafayette College, Lehigh University junior Mason Black (Valley View) threw a seven-inning, complete-game three-hitter with one walk and 10 strikeouts in a 4-1 victory. Black didn't allow a hit for the first three innings in improving his record to 2-1. Sophomore batterymate Adam Retzbach (Lakeland) provided offensive support with a two-run home run, his third of the season. ... Bard College sophomore Joe Barcia (Abington Heights) had a double, triple, two walks and three runs in a 10-5 win in Game 1 of a season-opening doubleheader split with Vassar College. ... Duquesne women's bowling sophomore Kierra Saldi (Holy Cross) was named second-team all-Northeast Conference. Saldi ranks fourth in the NEC in overall average/frame at 20.455 and first in 70 tradition format frames with a 22.400 average. Duquesne finished third at the NEC Championships and waits to see if it will receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships and United States Bowling Congress sectionals. Both will be announced today. ... University of South Dakota track and field redshirt junior Matt Slagus (North Pocono) set a personal best in the hammer throw at the Wayne State Wildcat Classic in Nebraska. Slagus' heave of 192 feet, 4 inches exceeds his previous best of 183-8, ranks fifth in program history and earned him a fourth-place finish at the meet. He also finished fourth in the discus at 150-9.
SCOTT WALSH covers area college athletes and teams in Local Connections. Contact him at swalsh@timesshamrock.com; 570 348-9100 ext. 5109; and follow him @swalshTT on Twitter.
SCOTT WALSH covers area college athletes and teams in Local Connections. Contact him at swalsh@timesshamrock.com; 570 348-9100 ext. 5109; and follow him @swalshTT on Twitter.
