Crimson Wave News
March 2009
Softball Game Cancelled Due to Weather
3/31/09- The Crimson Wave softball game scheduled for today March 31st at 3:00 pm against the University of St. Francis has been cancelled due to the weather. Please check back for a make up date.
Baseball Falls Short Against Tigers
3/29/09 - The Crimson Wave baseball team dropped both games of a conference doubleheader today to Olivet Nazarene University.
In game one the men took an early 1-0 lead but could not hold off the Tigers giving up runs in the second and sixth innings to take the loss 2-1. John Chance was 3-4 at the plate with three singles for the Crimson Wave.
In game two the Crimson Wave again came out and took an early 1-0 lead. The Tigers would the lead in the fourth inning 3-1. With both teams scoring a run each in the seventh, the Crimson Wave fell short 4-2.
The Crimson Wave (3-18) will travel to the University of St. Francis on Wednesday April 1st for a 1:00 pm match up.
Crimson Wave Make Come Back to Defeat Davenport
3/28/09 - The Crimson Wave softball team made a seventh inning come back today to defeat Davenport University 7-6.
After taking an early lead in the third inning, 2-1, Davenport made a comeback and took the lead in the sixth inning 6-2. The game wasn't over for the Crimson Wave, making a seventh inning comeback. Ashley Lake led off the inning for the Crimson Wave with a single to right center field. After a single by Stephanie Zimny and four straight walks the ladies were trailing by only two runs. Angie Malinowski ended the game with a single to left center field to drive in the winning run.
Jessica Chamberlain was 2-3 with two singles, while Aubrey Wiersema was 2-4 at the plate with a double and a triple. Ashley Dau took the win on the mound for the ladies.
The Crimson Wave (5-29) will host the University of St. Francis on Tuesday March 31st in a 3:00 pm doubleheader.
Baseball Sweeps St. Francis for First Time
3/24/09 – The Crimson Wave baseball team swept conference opponent the University of St. Francis, currently ranked 22nd in the NAIA, in today’s doubleheader.
The Crimson Wave dominated game one after scoring three runs in the first inning. The men started the second inning on a John Chance home run, following it with three more runs on a Mike Helfen double. Inning three brought a second home run by Chance and a 8-0 lead by the Crimson Wave. The Fighting Saints scored their only run of the game in the fourth inning, but the Crimson Wave matched it with three runs to take an 11-1 lead. The men held off the Fighting Saints in the fifth inning and took the game on the ten run rule, 11-1. Chance ended the game going 2-2 with three runs and two RBI’s. Ben Stepanian was also 2-2 with two runs and a RBI. Billy Metzen had five strike outs and the win for the men on the mound.
In game two the Crimson Wave found themselves down 1-0 early on. The men would rally back in the third inning on a Helfen homerun and a double by Chance who batted in Erik Leibengood. The Crimson Wave would never look back scoring three runs in the fourth inning on a Ryan Schiever home run and two runs in the fifth on a Brett Summers home run. The men would score their final run in the sixth inning. The Crimson Wave held off a small run by the Fighting Saints in the seventh to complete the sweep 8-3. Summers was 2-3 at the plate with two RBIs and one run scored, also taking the win on the mound for the Crimson Wave with 8 strike outs.
For the Crimson Wave (3-15) this was a monumental day, as it was the first time in program history that they have defeated the University of St. Francis. The men will travel to Olivet Nazarene University on Friday March 27 for a 3:00 pm conference match up.
Game Against Trinity International University Rescheduled
3/24/09 - The Crimson Wave softball game against conference opponent Trinity International University originally scheduled for today has been rescheduled for Wednesday April 1st at 3:00 pm. The game has been rescheduled due to weather and field conditions.
Ladies Face Tough Competition at the Dennis Gault Invitational
3/22/09 -The Crimson Wave softball team traveled to the Dennis Gault Invitational this weekend. The ladies played five games throughout the two day tournament against teams including Avila College and the University of St. Mary’s.
In the ladies first game on Saturday the Crimson Wave took on the University of St. Mary’s (KS). The ladies were defeated 9-1. Ashley Dau took the loss for the ladies. Ashley Lake went 2-2 with a triple and a RBI. Penny Bensinger went 1-2 with a single and one run scored.
Game two brought the ladies up against McKendree College where the ladies were defeated 3-0. Stephanie Zimny was 2-2 with a single and a triple. Corey Cappello took the loss on the mound for Crimson Wave.
In game three the ladies faced Avila College. After a close battle the ladies fell to Avila 2-1. Zimny pitched the loss for the Crimson Wave while going 2-4 at the plate with a double and a run scored. Cappello was 2-3 with a double.
On Sunday the ladies started the day with a matchup against Rogers State University. The ladies were defeated 6-1 with Zimny on the mound. Jessica Chamberlain was 2-2 with two singles. Cappello was 2-3 with two singles.
The ladies finished the tournament with a matchup against Graceland University. The ladies were defeated 18-1.
The Crimson Wave (4-27) will host CCAC conference opponent Trinity International University on Tuesday March 24 in a 3:00 pm double header.
Baseball Splits with Hannibal-LaGrange
3/21/09 - The Crimson Wave baseball split a non-conference double header today with Hannibal-LaGrange College.
In game one the men won 10-7. After scoring four runs in the first inning the Crimson Wave never looked back. Ryan Young went 3-3 at the plate with three runs. Brett Summers had four strikeouts on the mound for the men.
In game two the men jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning and held that lead until Hannibal-LaGrange tied game in the 4th inning, 1-1. After a back and forth game in the fifth inning, Hannbal-LaGrange took the lead in the sixth and never looked back taking the game 4-3. Jonathon Chance went 2-4 with the stick with two runs.
The Crimson Wave (1-15) will host the University of St. Francis on Tuesday March 24 in a 1:00 pm double header.
Softball Falls Short at Robert Morris
3/19/09 - The Crimson Wave softball team fell short today in their first conference contest of the season at Robert Morris College. In game one the ladies fell to the Eagles 3-1 in 9 innings. Penny Bensinger and Ashley Dau each had a single for the ladies while Stephanie Zimny and Angie Malinowski each had a stolen base. Zimny also scored the ladies only run.
In game two the ladies were defeated 8-4. Brittany Dickerson and Ashley Dau had a double each while Zimny and Malinowski each got a stolen base.
The ladies are now 4-22 overall and 0-2 in conference.
Softball Game Moved to Robert Morris
3/19/09 - The Crimson Wave softball game for March 19th has been moved to Robert Morris College.
Men Qualify for Third Straight Season
3/15/09 - Will the third year be a charm? That is what is going through the minds of the Crimson Wave men’s bowling team tonight after qualifying for the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships in Rockford, IL April 15-18.
After day one of competition the men found themselves in 7th placing trailing the qualifying spot (4th place) by 185 pins. ‘Knowledge, plus experience, plus desire” is what Head Coach Mike Kubacki said it would take earlier this season. The men came back on day two and had just that, the experience of being in this situation, the knowledge; a season of hard work, and the most important thing desire.
During the first fifteen baker games the team fought their way back moving into 5th place just one spot out of qualifying. During these fifteen games the team made up pins and closed the total pin deficit to just 65 pins.
With the final fifteen games starting, it became all or nothing for the Wave, the men turned up their game and outscored Nebraska-Omaha, who was sitting in the 4th place qualifying position, by 112 pins to secure their return to the Intercollegiate Team Championships. This was the first time throughout the two day qualifier that the Crimson Wave cracked the top four.
“It was like winning a game with a last second shot. We are all very excited and very excited that we got to do it together” Said Kubacki on their final round.
This will be the third straight national appearance for the men, in the three year existence of the men’s bowling program at Calumet College of St. Joseph. Finishing 7th overall last season, the men feel this year they can make a run at the championship.
Women Make it Two in a Row
3/15/09 - The Crimson Wave women’s bowling team entered the USBC Intercollegiate Team Sectional ranked in the top 25. With a rocky season behind them, the women renewed their focus over the last month and it paid off. “All the hard work the ladies put forth this past month has really paid off for them, when they decided as a team they wanted it, I knew it would show.” Said Head Coach Shon Washington.
The ladies ended the first day of the qualifier in 7th place just 83 pins shy of the qualifying position (4th place). Day two the ladies came out strong and chipped away but then hit a bump and fell back. In the second to the last block of games the Crimson Wave did the unheard of and outscored their opponent by 191 pins, scoring a total of 830 pins for the four block series. This put the women in fourth place and just four games away from qualifying.
During the last four games the ladies held their position. “The ladies showed the spare shooting team they are and closed frames. We didn’t give up any pins on open frames, and closed the frames when we needed to hold our position. “Said Washington on their final four game series.
This is the second year in a row the ladies have qualified for the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships, in the third year of the programs existence. The Team Championships will be held in Rockford, IL April 15-18 at the Cherry Bowl.
Five Named to All-Academic Team
3/15/09 - Five Crimson Wave men's bowlers were named to the USBC All-Academic Team for the 2008-2009 season; Justin Hauser, Matt Ruehl, Josh Bailey, Sammy Krucek, and Ryan Alberson. This was the second straight year that Rayn Alberson and Sammy Krucek has earned this award. A student athlete must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 to earn this award.
Eight Named to All-Academic Team
3/15/09 - Eight Crimson Wave women's bowlers were named to the USBC All-Academic Team for the 2008-2009 season; Sara Bane, Alice Veenstra, Sandra Murphy, Jessica Funk, Shannon Wenzel, Nikki Krooswyk, Melissa Christianson, Katrina Elwardt. This is the second straight year that Alice Veenstra, Sara Bane, and Melissa Christianson have earned this award. A student athlete must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 to earn this award.
Baseball Stays Close With Top Rated Teams
3/15/09 - The Crimson Wave baseball team traveled to Oklahoma City for a spring break trip that would throw them up against four nationally ranked teams including top rated Oklahoma City University. The men faced two All-American pitchers and dozens of division one transfers throughout their week.
The men kicked the week off facing Oklahoma City University. Billy Metzen took the mound for the Crimson Wave this game earning him 7 strikeouts. The men kept the game close through the sixth inning, with help from Chris Kopp going 3-4 at the plate. During the seventh and eighth innings the stick of Oklahoma was just too much for the Crimson Wave and they gave the game to the Stars 12-2.
The men came back a day later and faced off in a double header against St. Gregory University. In game one John Chance went 3-4 at the plate with 2 RBI’s in the men’s loss 18-8. Game two the Crimson Wave got themselves back on track and gave up only 9 hits compared to the 13 the men put in play. John Chance again put together a string of hits going 3-5 with 2 RBI’s while Ryan Schievers went 2-3 with one RBI.
Day three saw the men at Oklahoma Baptist University and another close game. The men were edged out in the 9th inning by one run 10-9. Eric Leibengood stepped up for the men going 2-3. Ben Stepanian scored 3 runs for the Crimson Wave.
After a good night of rest the men traveled to Southern Nazarene University to take on the Crimson Storm in an afternoon double header. The men struggled through the first giving it to the Crimson Storm 14-4. Game two saw the Crimson Wave back to their brand of baseball and another one run defeat 6-5. John Chance again stepped up for the men going 2-3 while Ben Stepanian had 3 RBI’s.
The men would catch a bit of luck having a day off and then a rain out on day six, this gave the men extra rest and time to collect their thoughts.
The final day of the trip men took on the University of Science and Arts in a morning doubleheader. The Crimson Wave dropped game one 3-2 giving up only 4 hits. The men came back in game two and could never get in rhythm giving the game to Science and Arts 12-0.
These tough fought battles will prepare the men for the upcoming conference season. "This was a great experience playing top rated teams and seeing many great pitchers through the week." said Head Coach Tony Myszak. The men will have a week off then host Hannibal-LaGrange College on Saturday March 21st in a 2:00 pm doubleheader.
Krucek Headed To Nationals
3/13/09 - Crimson Wave men's bowler Sophomore Sammy Krucek has qualified for the USBC Intercollegiate Singles Championship in Euless, TX May 17-19, 2009. Krucek finished 2nd overall in the Fairview Heights Qualifier held at the St. Clair Bowl in Fairview Heights, IL. Krucek ended the qualifier with a total of 1341 pins just 22 pins behind first place. Krucek will spend the rest of the weekend helping the Crimson Wave try to qualify for their third straight Intercollegiate Team Championships.