UMass.-Boston challenges for crown

For the first time since joining the Little East Conference, the University of Massachusetts at Boston baseball team is a challenger for the league crown, which in recent years has been dominated by Eastern Connecticut State University and the University of Southern Maine.

The two schools are ranked 1-2 in the preseason poll, but UMass.-Boston, which is ranked No. 4, has to be considered a dark horse.

One reason is a threesome of local players: former Brockton High shortstop Bryan Curran, former Silver Lake Regional standout Bob Kniffen, and Plymouth North High alum Sean Ketterer.

Curran and Kniffen are also team captains.

UMass.-Boston began its rise last year when Brendan Eygabroat took over as head coach. The Beacons had their highest total of Little East Conference victories -- 7 -- and beat Eastern Connecticut and Southern Maine for the first time in school history.

All three players were outstanding, and Eygabroat is counting on them again this year.

Curran batted .364 as a junior. "Bryan is coming off a great year in which he was first-team Little East All-Star at third base," said the coach. "He has been asked to slide over to shortstop this season and is doing a great job. Bryan will be one of the top hitters in the league again this season and should have another outstanding year. Bryan is a tremendous leader and might be the hardest worker in the program."

Kniffen hit .339 and stole 18 bases in 21 attempts. He also was one of the Beacons' top relievers with a 2-1 record in 12 appearances.

"Bob had an outstanding junior year in which he set the school record for hits in a season with 57," said Eygabroat. "Bob is a very skilled offensive player and runs the bases very well. He also might possess the strongest outfield arm in the league. He will also see time as a late-inning reliever for the Beacons. Bob is a great all-around athlete and will be a huge factor in our success this year. He is a great natural leader."

Ketterer led UMass.-Boston in hitting with a .372 average in his first season after transferring from Massasoit Community College. At the Brockton community college, he served as a captain and led the team to two Junior College World Series appearances.

"Sean is the best pure hitter on the team and maybe in the Little East Conference," said Eygabroat. "He has an outstanding work ethic and is going to be a big factor in our season. Sean had a wrist injury last season, which limited his games played, but when he did play, he changed the entire complexion of our lineup. Sean is also a very good defensive outfielder with very good range and a strong throwing arm."

The Beacons were in Scottsdale, Ariz., March 17-21 and open the New England phase of their schedule tomorrow at Bridgewater State College.

Westwood grads boost

Northwestern team

Lacrosse fans will be making their way to Boston University's Nickerson Field today to see two-time defending national champion Northwestern University take on the Terriers.

Don't be surprised to see more fans rooting for Evanston, Ill.-based Northwestern, because it has plenty of local connections.

The coach, Kelly Amonte-Hiller, grew up in Hingham and starred at Thayer Academy in Braintree before going on to earn All-America honors at the University of Maryland.

She hasn't forgotten her roots and has recruited from her old backyard.

Many of her best players are from the region. Four former Westwood High School stars -- Kristen Kjellman, Meredith Frank, Ali Jacobs, and Sara Harrington -- are on her roster. Another player, Caitlin Jackson of Norwell, also plays for the Wildcats.

Northwestern has fond memories of Nickerson Field. It is where it won the national championship last spring.

This year the Wildcats got off to a rocky start, losing a 7-6 opener at the University of North Carolina. But Northwestern came right back with victories over Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, and the University of Pennsylvania.

Northwestern is ranked No. 2 in the country, and Kjellman is the best player in the nation. Last year she won the Tewaaraton Trophy, which goes to the top female college player in the country.

Playing for Boston University today is sophomore defender Kelly Munroe, who played with Kjellman, Frank, Jacobs, and Harrington on Westwood High's state championship teams.

Babson goes for 3d

title with local help

Expect seniors Andrea Cartullo of Holbrook and Katie Lazar of Milton to lead the attack as Babson College chases its third straight New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference softball championship.

Cartullo and Lazar are among 13 returning veterans who played on last year's NCAA Tournament-bound squad.

Cartullo, a former Cardinal Spellman High School standout, is one of the Beavers' most prolific hitters. Going into the season, the center fielder and lead off hitter has a .374 lifetime average with 175 hits. She also holds the school's all-time record for stolen bases with 49.

Lazar, a silky fielding second-baseman, has a .288 batting average and five home runs. She also knocked in 70 runs in her first three seasons.

The Beavers opened the season with a 3-3 road trip in Panama City, Fla., March 9-11. Lazar batted .400, and Cartullo hit .278 with three walks from her lead off position.

Babson opens the New England phase of its schedule March 29 when the Beavers travel to Bridgewater State College for a doubleheader.

In his first game he had a double as the Leopards defeated Anderson College, 5-1, March 12 in Port Charlotte, Fla. As a freshman, the left-handed hitting left fielder knocked out 20 hits, including a double and a homer.