It has been four long years of NCAA Division III provisional status for the Geneva College athletic department. With the spring athletic season coming to a close this past week, it marks the end of the provisional era on College Hill. Beginning in the fall, Geneva will become a full-fledged member of NCAA Division III and the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.
The last four years have, however, been quite rewarding both on and off the field. The 2011 season ended on a high note with both the baseball and softball teams competing in the post-season. While the baseball team dropped a pair of tightly contested games to Malone at the NCCAA East Regional tournament, the softball team represented Geneva quite well with a fourth place finish on the national stage.
Geneva’s baseball team dropped 5-2 and 4-1 decisions to NAIA Malone University last Wednesday to see its season come to an end with an overall record of 20-17. Matt Baer and Mike Trn each posted impressive pitching performances but came up on the short end of a pair of hard luck losses. In relief, Doug Sanson tossed 3.2 innings of scoreless action in the two games combined. Geneva managed just eight hits in the doubleheader with the lone RBI going to Justin McGurgan.
The softball team shocked everyone by upsetting top seeded and defending NCCAA and NAIA national champion Central Baptist, AK in the first round of the NCCAA national tournament. Julie DiLonardo held the Mustangs to just five hits despite Central Baptist leading the nation in every offensive category. Martha Adams’ two-run double in the fifth inning tied the game and Ashley Davis knocked in the go ahead run two batters later. The Golden Tornadoes then dropped a 3-1 decision to eventual national champion North Greenville. Geneva defeated Cedarville 4-3 to advance to the fourth place game but Central Baptist proved to be too much the second time around in an 8-0 loss. DiLonardo was named to the All-Tournament team as well as picking up second team All-American honors. Sophomore Leah Prisuta was named a first team All-American. Geneva finished the 2011 campaign with an overall record of 27-13 and a fourth place finish at the national tournament.
Geneva graduates pass the test for teacher certification in elementary education (Praxis II) at over a 99% rate in the first attempt–one of the highest pass rates in Pennsylvania.
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