D3Playbook: Captains, My Champions

written by STEVE ULRICH
your must-read briefing on what's driving the day in NCAA Division III

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TOP STORY

1. Captains, My Champions

"For the first time in the 38-year history of Christopher Newport University softball, the Captains are celebrating a National Championship. Keith Parr's team completed a storybook season Tuesday afternoon by beating Trine University, 3-0, to wrap up the best-of-three National Final Series at Moyer Sports Complex, and claim the trophy for the 62-team tournament.

The Captains finished the season with a 47-1 record, and won their final 24 games. CNU opened the 2022 campaign with 23 consecutive wins, at the time the longest winning streak in program history. The 47-1 record is the second best in Division III softball, behind only Tufts' 55-0 championship season in 2015.

Freshman left hander Jamie Martin tossed a two-hit, complete game shutout in the circle for the Captains to complete the historic run through the 62-team tournament. She struck out six and improved her record to 22-1, and was awarded the Most Outstanding Pitcher honor. Senior catcher Bailey Roberts was named Most Outstanding Player following the second straight win over the Thunder in as many days."

>> What They're Saying: "Our team has stepped up time and time again this year, and today we accomplished our ultimate goal," Parr said during the post-game celebration. "I couldn't be more proud of this group, they've worked so hard and never backed down. This is just one win today, but it's the biggest win you could ever ask for."

>> Read More

BASEBALL

2. Field of Dreams

The field is set for the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship at Perfect Game Field in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from June 3-8.

Bracket 1 - Friday
No. 2 Marietta (43-5) vs. Catholic (34-14), 10 a.m.
No. 7 Salisbury (36-10) vs. No. 12 UW-Stevens Point (40-8), 1:15 p.m.

Bracket 2 - Friday
No. 1 Eastern Connecticut (44-3) vs. No. 21 Baldwin Wallace (37-11), 4:30 p.m.
No. 4 La Grange (42-7) vs. No. 15 Trinity, Texas (37-11), 7:45 p.m.

all times CDT

>> Notes: Salisbury is the defending champion. Trinity won the 2016 title, while Marietta went back-to-back in 2011 and 2012. Eastern is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its last national crown, while the others look for title No. 1.

>> Official Brackets

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LACROSSE (M)

3. All-Americans

Max Wayne, Christopher Newport | photo by Kris Hines

The 2022 USILA Division III men's lacrosse All-America team was announced last Thursday.

First Team
A-Mac Bredahl, Tufts
A-Peter Burnes, Union
A-Cross Ferrara, Salisbury
A-Ryan Gebhardt, MIT
A-Dylan Rice, Christopher Newport
M-Coby Auslander, Christopher Newport
M-Ryan Barnable. RIT
M-Jarrett Bromwell, Salisbury
M-Jack Mulvihill, St. John Fisher
D-Matthew Belluche, Union
D-Ryan Kennedy, York, Pa.
D-Joe Scarfi, St. Lawrence
D-Max Wayne, Christopher Newport
GK-Seamus Fagan, Hamilton
LSM-Taylor Jensen, RIT
SSDM-Campbell Pozin, Christopher Newport
Faceoff-Ethan Barnard, Bowdoin
Faceoff-Joe Post, St. John Fisher

Award Winners
Player of the Year: Max Wayne, Christopher Newport
Outstanding Attackman: Cross Ferrara, Salisbury
Outstanding Midfielder: Ryan Barnable, RIT
Outstanding Defenseman: Max Wayne, Christopher Newport
Outstanding Goalie: Seamus Fagan, Hamilton
Long Pole Midfielder of the Year: Taylor Jensen, RIT
Short Stick Defensive Midfielder of the Year: Campbell Pozin, Christopher Newport
Face-Off Players of the Year: Ethan Barnard, Bowdoin; Joe Post, St. John Fisher

>> Complete Team

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LACROSSE (W)

4. All-Americans

Jane Earley, Middlebury | photo by Will Costello

The 2022 IWLCA Division III women's lacrosse All-America team was announced last Thursday.

First Team
D-Erica Barr, Middlebury
A-Jordan Basso, Gettysburg
M-Anna Clarke, Tufts
A-Jane Earley, Middlebury
GK-Emily Kitchin, Franklin & Marshall
A-Olivia Lai, Wesleyan
GK-Molly Laliberty, Tufts
A-Jennifer LaRocca, TCNJ
M-Hannah Lorenzen, Cortland
M-Chloe MacDonald, York (Pa.)
A-Ally Marino, Franklin & Marshall
A-Allie McGinty, William Smith
D-Mary Pat McKenna, Franklin & Marshall
D-Caroline McKenna, Salisbury
M-Erin Nicholas, Middlebury
D-Indigo Pellegrini de Paur, Wesleyan
D-Rachel Rosenberg, Ithaca
A-Erin Scannell, Salisbury
A-Allie Schwab, Washington and Lee

>> Complete Team

NEWS

5. Lightning Round

Track and Field

The USTFCCCA announced its All-America teams for the 2022 outdoor season.

Happy Birthday

Cake and candles to Nicki Pieart, Lake Forest AD; Ryan Novitsky, Keystone SID; and Lindy Stetson, alum of Roanoke
Do you know of someone celebrating a birthday soon? Drop us a line at D3Playbook@gmail.com.