Category: Sports Shorts

by Andrew Vines ’29 on March 19, 2026

Softball

The softball team had a great week, going 4–1. On Wednesday, March 11, they swept Stonehill College in a doubleheader. In game one, the Friars won 10–1 and had five homers from Zoe Krizan ’28, Cameron Dunn ’27 (2), Sofia Peterson ’26, and Julia Renny ’26. In game two, Grace Brooks ’29, Tori Grifone ’26G, and Alyssa Twomey ’27 shut out the Skyhawks in an 11–0 victory. The Friars opened Big East play in Omaha against Creighton University. After dropping game one of the series, the Friars bounced back and won games two and three on Saturday, March 14. The Friars were down 6–0 in game two, but battled back in a comeback that was capped off by a two-run double from Elisa Smith ’26 in the sixth to put the Friars ahead 8–6. The Friars won game three 6–3 behind a strong pitching performance from Twomey, who tossed a complete game, allowing 0 ER and striking out two. DePaul University comes to town next March 20–22. 

Men’s Ice Hockey

The men’s ice hockey team hosted the quarterfinal of the Hockey East playoffs on Saturday, March 14 when the No. 8-seeded Merrimack College Warriors came to Schneider Arena. The Friars came up short in overtime. In the 3–2 defeat, the Friars scored goals from Graham Gamache ’27 and John Mustard ’28. Mustard’s goal came late in the third period to send the game to overtime. With this loss, the Friars will not be participating in the Hockey East semifinals at TD Garden for the third straight season. Luckily, the Friars had a great regular season and find themselves comfortably in the NCAA tournament. They will learn their next opponent during the selection show on Sunday, March 22.  

Men’s Basketball

The men’s basketball team competed in the Big East Tournament this past week at Madison Square Garden. Stefan Vaaks ’29 had two great games. He had 28 points, going 8/13 from beyond the arc, against Butler University. Against St. John’s University, he had 23 points, shooting 5/9 from the three-point line. Against Butler, Ryan Mela ’28 and Jaylin Sellers ’G26 both had 23 points. Sellers had a great season, which ended with a Second Team All-Conference honor. Jamier Jones ’29 and Vaaks both made the Big East All-Freshman Team with Vaaks being a unanimous selection. The team officially parted ways with head coach Kim English after the Big East Tournament. 

Women’s Basketball

The women’s basketball team traveled to Mohegan Sun Arena for the Big East Tournament. The Friars were the No. 7 seed and opened up the tournament against DePaul University. In this first round game, Sabou Gueye ’26G had 31 points in a 69–55 victory. Sabou also was awarded First-Team All-Conference honors this season. She averaged 15.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 49 percent shooting. Gueye and Orlagh Gormley ’28 both had 19 points in the quarterfinal loss to No. 2 seed Villanova University. Gormley shot 3/6 from beyond the arc. Coach Erin Batth and the team finished 15–18 with a win in the Big East Tournament.