Sports

Cougars Baseball Team Strikes Victory Last Thursday

SAU’s Baseball team played against Saint Francis last Thursday, March 17th.

By: Sarah Williams

SAU’s Baseball team played against Saint Francis last Thursday, March 17^th. The game was the first home game this season and Spring Arbor won by a few points.

According to Saucougars.com, the first game score was 6:5. The second was 5:4. The Cougars scored 6 Runs, 10 Hits, and 3 Errors in the first game. In the second, they scored 5 Runs, 10 Hits, and 3 Errors. Saint Francis scored 5 Runs, 8 Hits, and 0 Errors, then 4 Runs, 6 Hits, and 2 Errors.

Player Highlights

Game 1

Bryce Richey scored a RBI double in the sixth inning. Along with the RBI by Peyton Harding, the Cougars were able to grab 4 runs breaking the previous score 0:2. Harding also made a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning adding an insurance run.

In the 11^th inning, Landon Raczkowski delivered a two out hit to drive in Jake Spedoske.

Harding grabbed two RBI’s while Ben Redfield scored twice.

John Williams worked on the mound for 6 innings. He allowed 2 runs on 7 hits while striking out 10 batters.

Cade Kontny tossed the final five frames. He only surrendered one hit.

Game 2

Brant Mullins stopped Saint Francis from overtaking the score 4:3 and completed the doubleheader sweep in the seventh inning.

Redfield and Richey scored two hits each and Richey drove in a pair.

Hunter Nielsen was on the mound for 6 innings, allowing 3 runs on five hits while fanning 6.

To see the 2022 Baseball Roster, click here!

Spring Arbor and Saint Francis have two more games in their four-game set. On Monday, March 21, there will be a doubleheader game. It will start at 1pm at Burbridge Field in Spring Arbor. After facing Saint Francis, the Cougars will face Rochester at home on Tuesday, March 22, startingat 2 pm. The 2022 schedule can be found here!

Women’s Basketball Team Defeated Huntington

By: Sarah Williams

The SAU women’s basketball team won their first conference game against Huntington college on Wednesday, December 1. The score was 71 points to 45 points.

According to saucougars.com, the cougars stayed ahead of Huntington through the whole game. The game was their first victory at a Crossroads League matchup of the season.

	1	2	3	4	F
Huntington	6	13	14	12	45
Spring Arbor	19	20	18	14	71

Game highlights:

In the first half of the game, Alex Long (#32) scored 16 points. She finished with 18. Daelynn Jackson (#23) scored 10 points throughout the game. Grace Shoobridge (#22) scored 10 points and rebounded 14. Taylor Folkema (#21) scored 13 points and rebounded 12. Folkema also assisted the cougars by providing a defensive effort.

To view their schedule, click here.

FOLKEMA,TAYLOR — Photo of Taylor Folkema provided by saucougars.com

SHOOBRIDGE,GRACE — Photo of Grace Shoobridge provided by saucougars.com

LONG,ALEX — Photo of Alex Long provided by saucougars.com

JACKSON,DAELYNN — Photo of Daelynn Jackson was provided by saucougars.com

Cougars Defeated Grace Christian University By 6 Points

SAU men’s basketball team defeated Grace Christian University on Wednesday, November 3rd at Aldrich Athletic Center in Grand Rapids, MI. The score was 73 to 63.

According to SAUcourgars.com, SAU’s team statistics were 41 percent successful field goal shots during the first half. In the second, they scored 50 percent. Grace Christian University had a field goal percentage 36 percent.

Photo of Joshua Laman provided by SAUcougars.com

The game leaders are said to be Joshua Laman (#24), Trey Cottingham (#2), Tyler Kaminski (#40), and Eli White (#11). Lamen scored 19 points, a “career high” record. Cottingham scored 12 points, Kaminski followed with 11 points, and White got 10 points.

Photo of Trey Cottingham provided by SAUcougars.com

Austin Braun (#12) , Kevyn Robertson (#23) and Tyler Kaminski (#40) made the Game Highlight. Braun managed 8 assists, which boosted offense. Robertson and Kaminski both grabbed 8 rebounds allowing the Cougars a 14 second chance for points.

Photo of Tyler Kaminski provided by SAUcougars.com

The SAU’s men basketball team will travel to Lima, Ohio to face Northwestern Ohio next Saturday, November 6^th. For their 2021-2022 schedule, click here.

Photo of Eli White provided by SAUcougars.com

SAU Golf Teams Compete at Ackerman-Allen Shootout

Monday, April 18th, was the Ackerman-Allen Shootout for SAU’s men and women golf teams.

Monday, April 18^th, was the Ackerman-Allen Shootout for SAU’s men and women golf teams. The games were held at Purdue’s Akerman-Allen Golf Course in West Lafayette, Indiana with ten other teams competing. The men’s golf team finished in third place and the women’s golf team finished in seventh.

Men’s Golf Team

According to the saucougars.com’s article, the men’s golf team finished in 3rd at the Ackerman-Allen Shootout and the cougars ended with a score of 309 in round one and 307 in round two, totaling at 616. Parkland College had won the competition with the score of 591. Taylor University was second with 595.

From the saucougars’ article, the SAU scores and team scoreboard were as follows:

TEAM SCOREBOARD

Parkland – 293-298-591

Taylor – 292-303-595

Spring Arbor – 309-307-616

Indiana Wesleyan – 304-317-621

Olivet Nazarene – 315-313-628

Grace – 315-316-631

Mount Vernon Nazarene – 319-320-639

Huntington – 319-325-644

Taylor (B) – 323-323-646

Bethel – 329-336-665

SPRING ARBOR SCORES

Rory Myers – 72-74-146 (3rd)

Sean Vann – 76-73-149 (7th)

Brett MacNeil – 80-80-160 (t-23rd)

Brett Casto – 89-80-169 (t-45th)

Noah Abbey – 81-95-176 (52nd)

The men golf team will be competing at The Crossroads League Championship at Orchard Ridge County Club in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It will be on April 26-27.

Woman’s Golf Team

According to the saucougars.com’s article, the women’s golf team competed at the Ackerman-Allen Shootout and won seventh place with a score of 700. Taylor University had received first place with a score of 635. Indiana Wesleyan University won second with 639. Third was Bethel University with 640.

Saucougars’ article provided the SAU scores and team scoreboard:

TEAM SCOREBOARD

Taylor – 321-314-635

Indiana Wesleyan – 310-329-639

Bethel – 320-320-640

Olivet Nazarene – 335-342-677

Huntington – 337-352-689

Mount Vernon Nazarene – 342-349-691

Spring Arbor – 352-348-700

SPRING ARBOR SCORES

Jamie Erickson – 85-85-170 (20th)

Kaitlyn Mallory – 86-87-173 (24th)

Caitlin Lysher – 90-86-176 (28th)

Meredith Harkema – 91-92-183 (33rd)

Grace Iacopelli – 94-90-184 (34th)

The women’s golf team will compete at The Crossroads League Championship at Harbor Shores GC in Harbor Shores, Michigan. It will be on May 3-4.

By: Sarah Williams

SAU to Host NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship Opening Round

The NAIA National Office announced SAU will host the 2020 NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship Opening Round.

According to SAUcougars.com, on Wednesday, April 7th, the NAIA National Office announced SAU will host the 2020 NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship Opening Round. SAU was selected as one out of the ten host sites.

The NAIA Women’s Soccer article states that selections took into account geography, facilities, and host qualification. The nine other schools hosting are:

School Location

Columbia (Mo.) Columbia, Mo.

Cumberlands (Ky.) Williamsburg, Ky.

Indiana Wesleyan Marion, Ind.

John Brown (Ark.) Siloam Springs, Ark.

Marian (Ind.) Indianapolis, Ind.

Martin Methodist (Tenn.) Pulaski, Tenn.

Southeastern (Fla.) Lakeland, Fla.

Westmont (Calif.) Santa Barbara, Calif.

William Carey (Miss.) Hattiesburg, Miss.

The 37th Annual Women’s Soccer National Championship will have opening rounds on the campus sites on April 15th-17th, 2021. The winners will advance to final matches on April 27th-May 3rd, 2021 at the Foley Sports Tourism Championship Field in Foley, Alabama.

The SAU article said each of the 10 opening round sites will feature four teams. Teams, opponents, and schedules for the opening rounds will be available as soon as Monday, April 12th on the NAIA Facebook page.

By: Sarah Williams

Cougars Baseball Team Victory

The latest in SAU baseball.

SAU Cougar’s men baseball team won and lost one of the doubleheader games with Grace college last Saturday March 27^th. They won 8-5, then in the second game lost 1-7.

The saucougars.com article Baseball wins series with Saturday split includes the games’ highlights. In the first games first inning, Zach Kraabel stopped Grace from scoring in the next four frames. In the second inning, SAU offense had five-runs. Third inning, Jackson Kitchen and Vincent Herschberger scored hits back-to-back. Forth inning, Herschberger ripped a RBI double and Glenn Miller scored a two-run home run. In the sixth and seventh innings, the Lancers scored four runs total. In the ninth and final innings, Kraabel earned the win when he striked out “a career-high seven batters”. Cougars won 8-5.

In the second game, Lancers scored a run in the first inning. In the fourth and fifth inning, the Lancers scored six runs total. During the game, Brant Mast scored the only home run during the game. “Landon Raczkowski went 2-for-3 with two doubles,” stated saucougars.com. Also, Ben Garcia and Jakob Southworth threw 2.2 innings of scoreless relief combined. Cougars lost 1-7.

SAU men baseball team will host Rochester University in another doubleheader on Tuesday, March 30^th. It will be at 2pm on Hank Burbridge Field.

By: Sarah Williams

SAU Men’s Baseball Team is on a Roll

The SAU men’s Baseball Team won their forth game in a row against Siena Heights last Wednesday, March 10th.

SAU men’s baseball team won against Siena Heights last Wednesday March 10^th. They scored 8 to Siena’s 6 at Adrian, Michigan.

Image of Brant Mast was provided by saucougars.com

According to the saucougars article Baseball Wins Fourth Straight, SAU has won four straight games, including a conference series. The victory against Siena Heights was a team effort. The team roster is available here. The game highlights are below.

Photo of Jackson Kitchen was provided by saucougars.com

The cougar’s scored first. During the first inning, Brant Mast did a triple and hit the ball into play and reached third base without intervention. He scored on a Runs Batted In (RBI) groundout by Jackson Kitchen. This means Kitchen had hit the ball on the ground to a fielder and his plate appearance helped Mast score.

Landon Raczkowski made home runs. Siena Heights made some miscue, allowing the Cougars to score two more runs. The score was 6-2.

Photo of Landon Raczkowski was provided by saucougars.com

In the ninth the score was 8-5. Siena Heights scored a run and filled all three bases with runners. Vincent Herschberger earned a save and the final score was 8-6.

Image of Vincent Herschberger was provided by saucougars.com

According to the 2020-21 Baseball Schedule, the men’s baseball team has a five-win streak. They had won 2-1 on March 5^th and 6-2 and 5-1 on March 8^th against Mount Vernon Nazarene. After this victory, on Friday March 12, the Cougars scored 8-5 against Saint Francis. They have a doubleheader on Saturday March 13^th in Fort Wayne, Indiana against Saint Francis. Their next game is March 16^th in Adrian, MI against Siena Heights at 2pm.

By: Sarah Williams

SAU Men’s Tennis Defeated Albion

The Spring Arbor University men’s tennis team won against Albion College last Tuesday, February 23.

According to the saucougars.com’s article: Men’s Tennis defeats Albion in Spring Debut, the match was the first game of the spring season. The Cougars won with a score of 6-3. This makes the fifth consecutive year Spring Arbor University won its spring opener.

The victory was also the sixth straight win against the Britons when the 2014 and 2015 season are included.

Saucougars.com’s match results:

Singles

1. Joel Mast (SAU) def. Brett Gurzell (ALB) 6-0, 6-1

2. Connor Mogle (SAU) def. Michael Polizzi (ALB) 6-0, 6-0

3. Drew Hall (SAU) def. Daniel McGarry (ALB) 6-3, 6-0

4. Brendan Bentley (SAU) def. Drake Malcolm (ALB) 7-6(4), 6-1

5. Jadon Engle (SAU) def. Patrick Smoker (ALB) 6-0, 6-2

6. Bret Bentley (SAU) def. Matthew Czarnecki (ALB) 6-2, 6-0

Doubles

1. McGarry / Polizzi (AC) def. Nathaniel Buchholz / Sam Soper (SAU), 8-4

2. Gurzell / Malcolm (AC) def. Charlie Dobben / Karlton Zerlaut (SAU), 8-4

3. Cecil Burkhart / Czarnecki (AC) def. Jacob Savage / Ryan Loganadhan (SAU), 8-5

According to saucougars.com’s 2020-21 Men’s Tennis Schedule, the cougars will face Alma in Alma, MI. The game will be on Saturday, March 13 at 1pm.

By: Sarah Williams

Cougars Defeat Grace: Head Coach Earns 100th Victory

Spring Arbor University’s women basketball team’s head coach received his 100th victory on February 8th when the Cougars defeated Grace Christian University

Spring Arbor University’s women basketball team’s head coach received his 100^th victory on February 8th when the Cougars defeated Grace Christian University.

Photo of Grace Shoobridge was provided by saucougars.com

Photo of Gracie Cabana was provided by saucougars.com

According to an article by SAU official spot website, saucaugars.com, Ryan Frost’s victory count made him the third SAU head coach to reach that mark. The coach with the number of highest wins is Tom Britsch with 289 wins. Second is Darrell Dunckel with 207 wins.

SAU Women’s basketball team won 70-52 at the McDonald Athletic Center, Spring Arbor.

Game highlights include Gracie Cabana hitting three shots from behind the arc. The Cougars scored 20-12 in the first quarter.

Photo of Cierra Lipps was provided by saucougars.com

Photo of Anne Wright was provided by saucougars.com

In second quarter, Grace Shoobridge scored 10 points, helping the Cougars take a 20 point lead into halftime at 43-23.

In third quarter, Cierra Lipps scored eight points consecutively in a one-minute span. The quarter ended with 58-31.

In forth quarter, Shoobridge and Lipps scored 14 points a piece. Anne Wright scored 10 points. Teona Feldpausch scored eight points and 13 rebounds.

Photo of Teona Feldpausch was provided by saucougars.com

SAU women’s basketball team faced Saint Francis University last Saturday, February 13. They will face Grace College at Winona Lake, Indianapolis Wednesday, February 17. Their schedule is available on saucougars.com.

By: Sarah Williams

Sand, turf and sweat: Intramural season has arrived

By Celeste Fendt

At Spring Arbor University (SAU), intramurals are not all about winning. They are recreational sports outside of the school’s athletic department meant to bring people together and grow the community. In addition to the healthy competition, intramurals promote exercise and outreach among students, since students from all grades can participate, including commuters.

“Our goal is to foster community and bring people together from different areas of campus to provide fun and exciting events,” Cecilia (C.C.) Said, the Intramural Director for the Student Government Association (SGA), said.

Teams are determined by SGA and are generally split up by floor, house or wing. However, some sports, like ultimate frisbee and basketball, give students the option of creating a co-ed team. Commuters also have their own team, but an individual commuter student may be drafted by another group. Faculty members, their spouses or even the president can be drafted as well.

Each season typically runs for three to four weeks. One or two weeks at the end are reserved for a single or double elimination tournament, depending on the sport and the student turnout.

Said has been involved with intramurals since her freshman year. For her first two years at SAU, Said took on the role of floor captain for the dorm she lived in.

Because of her love for sports, Said decided to apply for the Intramural Programmer position for her junior year, which is more hands-on.

“[The programmers are] the ones who are out on the field making sure that everything’s going well,” she said.

Now, as a senior, Said is the Director of Intramurals for SGA. Her job consists of creating schedules for all the intramural sports seasons and making sure the intramural mission is carried out.

Said encourages all students to participate. “We’re all there to just have a good time and make new friends,” she said. “Just go for it.”

The first intramural event, the Block Party, includes sand volleyball and basketball tournaments. It will take place on Saturday, Sept. 9. The first day of the sand volleyball season is the following Monday, Sept. 11.

For more information on how to become involved, come to the first volleyball game, visit the SAU app or contact an SGA representative.