The Future of SBU Athletics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=U71aA2OeOZ8

The future is quickly approaching and the Bona Nation is experiencing a re-birth of extraordinary potential.  The above clip is only the first part of a vast vision that all of us who love SBU have been waiting for.  It has been said that if you did not or do not attend St. Bonaventure then you will never understand the sacrifices that both the student body, the faculty and the student-athletes share when if comes to facility needs across the campus. 

Thanks to the administration, the work of the faculty and generous giving by the Alumni, the past several years have seen a growth on campus not seen since early in its birth.  A library addition, an over haul of the dining facility, a new science building, a fitness center and now a new finance building schedule to be opened in the fall of 2013 are all adding to a vibrant collegiate experience on campus.

The planned facilities for soccer/lacrosse/rugby and for softball are on their way to becoming reality.  The new facilities will only enhance the college experience for the whole student body and will add a new vigor to the athletic endeavor on campus. 

Please watch the attached video and help us realize our dreams and goals.  We need YOUR help!  Help us fund raise.  Point us in the direction of those who might be willing to help or become a Bona Backer and support us on our journey.  You will be helping generations of students realize their dreams and goals.  Just your enthusiasm alone for the project and sharing the video above will help us spread the word.  Your support is needed and so very much appreciated.

I have had the privilege to coach at SBU for over 20 years and in all that time the Alumni and our boosters, when asked, have never let me down.  We (I) need you all one more time.  Thank you for all your support over the years and I know that together, we will make an extraordinary future for Bonnies everywhere!  GO BONAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

 

I want to wish all of you out there a very Merry Christmas and warm wishes for the Holiday season.  It is a special time of year and a time to reflect on everything that has blessed us over the year.  My life is made richer with every one of you in my life.  Bonnies Softball...I love you all!  To the entire Bona Nation...keep up the ethusiasm for your alma mater and stay connected.  Home is where the heart is and my heart is on the campus of St. Bonaventure University. 

The 2013 Class has signed!!

I would like to welcome the newest Bonnies to the family.  Katie Milone, Desiree Gonzalez, Kiera Lorenzo, Kristen Hickling and Kelly Farrell.  We are excited about their addition.  These young ladies represent the future of SBU softball and the future is bright.  Congratulations, ladies!! 

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

 

The Fast Break Room was turned into Santa's workshop for awhile as the Bonnies wrapped their gift boxes for Operation Christmas Child.  It is our second year of doing this and we are blessed with the opportunity to give to those less fortunate than ourselves.  I am proud of all of all of you for donating your time and money for such a worthwhile cause.  There will be 22 happy children somewhere in the world come Christmas time, thanks to all of you. 

 

A special thanks to 2012 graduate, Kristin Sullivan for helping to organize our day.  Thank you, Sully!

 

JDRF "WALK FOR A CURE"

The St. Bonaventure Softball program hosted its second annual JDRF "Walk For A Cure" on the campus of St. Bonaventure University.  An early morning fog rolled across campus and that is always a clear signal for a wonderful day ahead.  The team and other supporters walked a three mile trail around campus, helping to bring awareness to Juvenile Diabetes and to raise money to support the millions that are touched by Type 1 Diabetes.  We would like to thank all our sponsors and everyone that shared in our walk.  We are blessed to have your support.

 

2012-2013 ST. BONAVENTURE SOFTBALL

News from the Universe...

THE UNIVERSE IS EXPANDING!  Stayed tuned for some great news. 

Two more Verbals!

St. Bonaventure softball received two more verbal commitments, one for the 2013-2014 season and one for the 2014-2015 season.  Recruiting season is going really well this year! 

Outstanding Verbal Commitments!

The Bonnies softball program received two big time verbal commitments today!  What a great way to start off the new school year. 

Practice starts...September 1st! 

SCHOOL STARTS SOON!

Welcome back to all the current Bonnies and a warm welcome to the in-coming freshmen! 

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

2012 DAY CLINICS

2012 SBU SOFTBALL DAY CLINICS
Saturday August 25, 2012 (11:00am-3:00pm)
or
Saturday September 1, 2012 (9:00am-1:00pm)
9-12th Grades ONLY
Cost: $100.00
Where: St. Bonaventure Softball Field

Topics Covered:
Running Skills
Throwing Skills
Hitting Mechanics and the Mental Game
Infield Play Fundamentals
Outfield Play Fundamentals
Catching Skills Fundamentals
Pitching Mechanics and the Mental Game
Live Game Instruction

The 2012 Day Clinics will be staffed by the SBU coaching staff and players including Head Coach Mike Threehouse who is in his 23rd year of coaching at the Division I level including his 17th as the St. Bonaventure University Head Softball Coach.

For more information or to sign up, please call 716-474-1574 or email, mthreeho@sbu.edu

A10 Softball Schedule 2013

Our 2013 A10 schedule has arrived.  With the addition of Butler arriving earlier than expected there was one slight change but here is our A10 slate, @Butler/St. Louis, @Rhode Island/Umass, ST. JOE'S/TEMPLE, @George Washington, CHARLOTTE, FORDHAM/LASALLE, @Dayton.  We are forced to go back to Dayton in 2013 because of the addition of Butler.  Over-all, it is not a bad change.  I have never played in Indianapolis so it will be a new experience.  I am looking forward to it. 

Also on the schedule for 2013...BUFFALO, NIAGARA, @St. Francis, @Canisius, ROBERT MORRIS, BINGHAMTON, @Youngstown State. 

Our tournaments are @Delaware State, @Campbell University, @North Florida and @Florida Gulf Coast.  We were scheduled to go to California orginally but with the addition on travel to Butler, we are forced to cancel that trip.  We might be adding one or two more doubleheaders.  We are looking at a full 56 game schedule. 

The Atlantic 10 Championships will be held in Amherst, MA this year on the campus of the University of Massachusetts, May 8-11, 2013.

2012 Fall Schedule

Alumni Game September 8th, St. Bonaventure, NY                                                                                                                   Nan Harvey/Canisius Softball Tournament September 15th and 16th...Amherst, NY

FALL 2012 ALUMNI GAME

The 2012 Alumni game is scheduled for Saturday September 8th starting at 1:00pm.  Let's get everyone there!  Anyone who has ever played...1 year to 4 years is welcome.  There is a picnic following the game.  I will be sending out the official invite soon to those I have emails for.  I need everyone to pass the word.  Hope to see you on campus in September!

Opportunity Lost...A Future Full of Promise

The 2012 season did not end the way I imagined it but we graduated another class with wonderful grades and they will be ready for the real world challenges ahead.  I wish all our seniors the best on their next stage in life. 

We lost an opportunity down the stretch of 2012 and it is my responsibility that that does not happen in 2013.  A busy summer lies ahead with recruiting, showcases, camps and softball related travels around the country and around the world.

We have a fantastic group of freshmen arriving this fall.  The group consists of a two pitchers, a middle infielder, and outfielder and a couple corner players.  Every one of them will start to make an impact on the team as soon as they arrive on campus.  I am really looking forward to working with them as they begin their NCAA Division I careers. 

Our returning players: Ashley Snider (.317), Christine Watson (.273), Kelli Rohan (.256), Danielle Frye, Hali Enderby, Lauren Waite, Jessenia Andujar, Lindsay Stowell, Jill Murphy, Grace Rooney, Tori Brown, Kacie Strong, Katherine Caboot, Anndrea Burgess and Julia Pratt will be the ones responsible for getting the Bonnies in the top half of the A10.  It will take a new view and a lot of hard work.  It will not be easy but it is not impossible.  They will be called on to do things they have never done before at SBU but if they want something they have never had (an A10 post season birth)...they will have to do things they have never done on the field and in the weight room. 

Big things are happening at SBU.  New buildings are being added and a new softball facility is being planned.  We are hoping to see new complex in the very near future.  I am excited about what is coming.  The future is full of promise. 

GW and Senior Day...

The day started out extremely disappointing.  We have had chance after chance this year to demonstrate our will to win and unfortunately we have not met that challenge very well.  As a coach, you want to believe you have answers but for this one I can't sugar coat it...We got beat...plain and simple.  We did not put up much of a fight or effort and any aspect of the game.  All we can do from this point on is keep trying to find the winning combination of talent and attitude.  At the end of the day...it is totally my responsibility as Head Coach.  After all we have been through...we still have a shot, it just takes us playing our best for 4 games in Philadelphia.  I can't ask for anything more than our best but we have to be willing to give nothing but our best.  If we do that, I can live with any result. 

The Day ended much better than it started.  We celebrated our five seniors, Ashley Nowak, Brittany Storch, Diana Phalon, Kristin Sullivan and Brooke Frey.  All five have stuck out their four years through good and tough times.  They have supported each other at every move and have become friends for life.  The pictures are of our celebration of their senior day and the celebration dinner that followed.  In order: Ashley Nowak, Diana Phalon, Brittany Storch, Kristin Sullivan and Brooke Frey.  Congratulations, Ladies!

I want to thank all the parents that brought food that helped make the day so special and for Rick Rohan for taking and sharing these pictures.

SBU vs GW

26 hours and counting...till Senior Day and our games verses GW.

Fordham/LaSale Post Game Report

Christine Watson was 8-13 with 2 home runs

We traveled to NYC and Philly last weekend in search of at least two wins to keep us in the hunt for the A10 championsips.  Playing Fordham is always a challenge.  They have one of the best pitchers in the country and are a very well coached team.  We did not play poor softball they just beat us.  We were limited to just six hits on the day with Christine Watson going 2-5 on the day. 

We moved the Sunday games verses LaSalle to Saturday to beat the storm that was brewing.  I am one that never ducks a game.  I will play them at a neutral site or I will even switch locations to play.  The most imporant thing we should accomplish in this conference is to get EVERY game played that can be played.  Unfortunately, that does not always happen.  We were fortunate enough to play on Saturday.

Saturday was a crazy day.  Our first game was an 10 inning nail biter with some amazing plays and more amazing hits.  The Bonnies pounded out 13 hits which 4 or them were home runs.  Brooke Frey, Ashley Snider, Christine Watson and Brittany Storch all went deep.  It was Storch's three run home run in the 10th inning that catapulted the Bonnies to victory.  It was senior Brittany Storch's first career home run and it could not have come at a better time!  Jen Sansano earned the victory going all 10 innings.  She gutted out a tough day and showed that even when she is not at her best she can still win.  That is a mark of a good pitcher.   We need to make a few more plays behind her as only 3 of the 8 runs were earned but we win and lose as a team.  Sometimes the pitcher has to take up the slack and vice versa.  This game had it all...it was a team win in the purest sense.

Game two was highlighted by a the hot hitting of Christine Watson and Ashley Snider.  Both Watson and Snider went deep again to help us to a 12-4 victory.  Diana Phalon got the win.  Christine had the best weekend of her young career.  The sophomore went 8-13 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI.  The wins moved our A10 record to 6-8 and 17-19 over-all.  With games against George Washington University this Saturday...we are looking to even our record at 8-8 and keep us very much in the hunt for the A10 championships in St. Louis Missouri in 2 1/2 weeks.  I hope to see every one there! 

Charlotte Recap...

Lost 5-4 (8)...Lost 5-0. We managed the game pretty well and had a 4-1 lead in the 5th. We just did not play well enough to win and Charlotte capitalized like every good team would. We had our chances but in the end it was not enough. There were some bright spots and Brooke Frey continued to hit well and has become the leader I always knew she could be. Hali Enderby also got into the swing of things with 3 hits on the game.

Game 2 was dominated from beginning to end by Charlotte. Diana Phalon did all she could in the circle but we struggled again on defense. It's not from a lack of trying...we just need to work through it and we get back to work on Tuesday when we face Canisius starting at 3pm at SBU. Hope to see a good crowd. Looks like sunshine will be returning to Olean just in time.

This team has a chance to break the record for most wins in a season by any SBU softball team. 10 more wins will get them to the most ever. With a good second half of the A10 season...we also have a great chance at still making a legit run at the A10 championships. It's ALL up to us no matter what anyone else does. Just the way I like it! GO BONAS!!

NEXT UP...

THE
CHARLOTTE
49ERS

4/14/2012 12pm & 2pm

Catching Up....

I apologize for the lack of posts recently. I was focused in on the season and with the start of the A10 slate and our first home games of the year, I had a lot to do. Being a coach at SBU requires to go above and beyond so when the home slate starts, I become not only the head coach but grounds crew and game day set up man.

It was quite the weekend with Rhode Island and Umass in town. Rhody came in riding a pretty impressive 4 out of 5 wins and that made me a bit nervous but when the bell rang, the Bonnies came out swinging. A great game pitched by Jen Sansano and a 3-run homerun my junior captain Jessenia Andujar gave us a quality 3-1 win in game 1. Game two was once again dominated by Jen Sansano until the 7th inning when URI made a 6-1 game a 6-5 nail biter. Senior Diana Phalon came in and shut the door. She is one of the most mentally tough softball players I have ever coached on the field. She hates to lose and gets every ounce out of herself in big situations. Our wins moved us to 4-2 on the young conference season.

Sunday was a bit different. Umass came to town playing with a purpose. Head Coach Elaine Sortino made her fight with cancer public and for the first time in my 16 years, she was not on the opposite bench. I have to say...it was a bit strange. Umass dominated the games and came away with 2 wins. The Bonnies did what we had to do. We made sure we were at least .500 and in one of the 6th playoff spots headed into this coming weekend with Charlotte. Losing is NEVER a good thing but the positive we take out of it is that most likely everyone is losing to Umass. So we should not lose any ground to anyone ahead of us because of the two losses.

NEXT UP...

SATURDAY MARCH 31, 2012
@ST. BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY
12:00pm and 2:00pm
HOME OPENER!

SBU vs Dayton

Our first trip started with a ride on the new "BONA BUS." The bus was donated by a booster and boasts leather seats for 27, 8 televisions, a working kitchen and a bathroom. I was a bit concerned how we would all fit but it seemed to work out well. The back of the bus is very spacious so players had enough room to even sprawl out on the floor if they wanted. If you asked the players the only bad part was that the front of the bus had to watch what Coach Threehouse wanted, seeing we have DirecTV playing on the televisions. The back has their own hook up so the were not really watching Sportcenter and Spring Baseball for 7 full hours. :)

We stepped out on the field with a good feeling. Coach Randall and Coach Halladay both stated that they thought we would play well. Being the Head Coach...you always want to believe that but I am a process guy, meaning that I know "playing well" means a lot of things need to happen...and they did! Jen Sansano had full control of game 1 and tossed a 5 hit shutout. She got her support from an opposite field homerun from junior Hali Enderby who has been, in my opinion one of the best centerfielders I have seen all year.

Game two was a different tale but the Bonnies never cease to amaze me with their tenacity. I decided to throw Sansano again but Dayton made adjustments and by the time we got out of the first inning we were down 4-0. That did not even phase this team one bit. The Bonnies answered with 3 runs in the 2nd and before you know it, we were in for a great game. Senior Diana Phalon took the ball and shut down the Flyers till we could get the lead back. Brooke Frey did the rest at the plate with a little help from her friends. Brooke went 3-3 with 2 homeruns and 2 intentional walks. The second of those walks gave junior Captain, Jessenia Andujar her chance. Lacing a double to right in the 8th put the Bonnies in the lead for good and Diana not only pitched the final three outs but picked a hard hit ball off the ground to throw out Dayton's hottest hitter of the day.

You have to admire the effort of the day. We have a lot to work on and a looooong way to go and we will have some ups and downs but this team learned that all it takes is patience, confidence and some fortitude to play this game at this level. We took a good step this weekend and I am looking forward to the practice week ahead to prepare for St. Louis who comes into town on March 31st. I hope to see all of you there! GO BONAS!

Bonnies sweep first A10 series...

With wins of 4-0 and 8-6, the Bonnies are 2-0 on the young A10 season. More to follow soon...

NEXT UP...

Tennessee State Tournament Review

All-Tournament Team:

Jen Sansano (P)

Christine Watson (1B)

We traveled to Tennessee State in Nashville, TN for our final tournament of the year before our Atlantic 10 slate starts. We have seen a lot of highway between our destinations and SBU but the team has held up well. A 10-10 start is one of the best we have had in recent memory and with a little better play at times we could have 5 more wins. I am excited about the rest of the year.

Our wins came against Tennessee State and Belmont while the losses came against Mercer and Ohio State. Jen Sansano was stellar all the weekend and that is a positive sign of things to come for her. We still need to play better defense behind her and that will be the concentration all week long in practice. If we secure the defense we will be very tough to beat. The heat gets turned up this weekend as we hit the road for a trip to Dayton for our first A10 games of the season!!

Through a Soldier's Eyes...

Senior Diana Phalon hosted a Senior Capstone project in the Regina Quick Fine Arts Center on the campus of St. Bonaventure. A wonderful project documenting World War II through a soldier's eyes. The team showed up to support her. Great job, Diana!

Supporting the other teams at SBU...

Jessenia Andujar, Jill Murphy, Katherine Caboot and Sam Ward celebrate the Men's Basketball Atlantic 10 Championship. Great Picture! Now I will be looking for that kind of passion on the softball field!!! GO BONAS!!!!

ST. Bonaventure University

I need to point something out...the SBU women's soccer team made it to their 4th straight A10 championship this year, while the men's swim team grabbed their 6th straight silver medal, coupled with a run by women's basketball that has the whole nation talking and now with an A10 CHAMPIONSHIP trophy being brought home by the men, the rich tradition that is SBU athletics has been and continues to be not only one of the greatest representations of St. Bonaventure University but a tribute to all those who have played, coached, worked in administration and who has ever supported SBU athletics. WE are ALL....THE ST. BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY. Stand proud Alumni!

NEXT UP...TENNESSEE STATE TOURNAMENT

Post Florida Trip...

The Bonnies are back in Olean and after a few days to recharge the batteries. I am looking forward to working on just a few things that we need to focus on to move us forward. We have hit a few bumps...some soreness and a loss to the Bona extended family always stirs emotions but I know the ladies will rebound and be ready to go heading into the Tennessee State Tournament next weekend.

As for the Florida trip. Returning with a 7-5 record is the best record a Bonnies team has come home with over the extended break. It is not easy being away for so long and playing so many games in such a short time but the team responded well and with a little more experience, we will turn the close losses into wins.

Winning the Stetson Hatter Classic started the trip out right. The pitching staff was tremendous and Captain Catcher Brooke Frey handled the pitchers masterfully, over that stretch. A pitcher can't throw a shutout without a good catcher behind the plate and the combination of Jen Sansano, Diana Phalon and Brooke Frey threw 3 straight shutouts to start the tournament.

We then faced Mount St. Mary's in a weekday doubleheader and came out with a split. Facing a hard throwing pitcher from The Mount we learned that you can't fall behind in the count or bad things will happen. We rebounded from a 7-0 shutout to a 4-3 win in the night cap.

We went into the North Florida Tournament looking to keep up the winning. McNeese State proved to be a strong opponent but we had our chances against them in 2-0 and 3-0 losses. With a little timely hitting, we would have changed the outcome of both games. Jen Sansano was at her best when she tossed her first career no-hit game in a 6-0 win verses Mount St. Mary's. Brooke Frey called a masterful game and Jen was solid all night long. A loss to Delaware State in the early morning was frustrating but they are a quality team who is favored to win the MEAC this year. Our big win came in a 4-3 score against North Florida. It was our biggest non-conference win in some time. The Bonnies put up a 4 spot in the 5th with big hits from Hali Enderby, Ashley Snider and a big two out hit from sophomore Christine Watson. Diana Phalon did the rest, allowing only 3 runs on 11 hits.

All in all...the Florida trip was very successful and has set us up nice for our next trip. The Bonnies head to Nashville Tennessee to take on Tennessee State, Belmont, Mercer and Ohio State. A good showing there will set us for our Atlantic 10 run that starts in Dayton the following weekend. Until then...one game at a time...one play at a time...one pitch at a time. Practice resumes today! GO BONAS!

Unfortunate Changes to this Blog...

Unfortunately I am no longer allowing for comments on this blog. In today's world it is easy to hide behind a computer and be negative and degrading to others while no one knows who you are. Comments were left on the blog recently that upset many of our players. These comments were VERY insensitive to a couple other players seeing what they were going through personally at the time and I am taking steps to protect them from that kind of talk.

I welcome all of you to keep reading up on the Bonnies. This year's team has a chance to be very special and our 8-8 start is the best start we have had in years. Our next tournament is in Nashville Tennessee and we are looking forward to the practice week ahead to prepare for a successful trip. Look for our Florida trip recap coming soon and a look ahead to the Tennessee State Tournament! GO BONAS!!

Day 1 of the Osprey Invitational

We had two games today...Game 1 verses McNeese State was an opportunity lost as senior pitcher Diana Phalon allowed only three hits and 1 earned run over 7 innings of work but we were only able to muster three hits of our own and were shutout 2-0. A couple errors cost us a chance to beat a quality team but it showed us once again that we can play with any team on the schedule.

Game 2 was a rematch verses Mount St. Mary's. Diana Phalon threw a great game verses McNeese State and Jen Sansano followed with a gem of her own. A 6-0 NO-HITTER !! It was Jen's first career no-hitter at the Division I level. Senior catcher, Brooke Frey called every pitch and also knocked in our first two runs of the day with a 2-run double.

Jen and Diana have been fantastic and are getting better and better every day. They are turning into a fantastic 1-2 punch...no matter what the order of the 1-2!

Stats:

Phalon 2.53 ERA, 1 Shutout, 14 Earned Runs in 38.2 innings with 21 strikeouts and only 2 extra base hits allowed. A double and homerun. .256 batting average against.

Sansano 3.00 ERA 3 Shutous, 17 Earned runs in 39.2 innings with 27 strikeouts and 6 extra base hits allowed. 3 doubles and 3 homeruns. .224 batting average against.

It was definately a day for the pitchers! Great job, ladies!

UP NEXT - OSPREY INVITATIONAL

The NCAA at its best!

The Bonnies and The Mount wore pink shirts, wrist bands, ribbons and shoe laces to honor and remember all of those stricken with breast cancer and cancer of all forms. Junior Captain Jessenia Andujar rallied the team to surprise our manager Sam Ward who lost her mom a year ago today to breast cancer. Sam did not know we would be wearing pink till I walked her to the dugout before the game.

It was a wonderful gester by both teams and I am proud of both teams for their caring and sportsmanship. A special thank you goes out to Coach Anna Nagro from Mount St. Mary's who helped make the day a special one for all of us who were involved.

Recap of Mount St. Mary's Doubleheader...

Game 1 Loss 7-0

Game 2 Win 4-3

The Bonnies split a double dip with The Mount on Wednesday night at North Florida. We mustered only 3 hits against the best pitcher we have seen this season. There were some highlights as Kelli Rohan continued to terrorize defenses and had two of the three hits.

Game two was much more Bonnies style softball with key hits and a well pitched game from Jen Sansano who ran her record to 3-2 on the young season. Senior Brooke Frey went 3-3 while Rohan added two more hits and Ashley Snider added two of her own. Solid defense anchored the day and we came away with a split.

We still have lessons to learn. We are real good at winning but we have to stop getting sad and get MAD when we are losing. Attitude is usualy the only thing that will help you dig yourself out of a hole. You just have to be willing to buckle down and do whatever it takes to get it done. The most important is not letting yourself think about the result...concentrate on the process and good things will happen. We are getting better and better every day.

Next up...Mount St. Mary's University

We have a tough doubleheader coming up. The Mount has the Pitcher of the Week in their conference and she showed her stuff by pitching two stellar games verses Stetson this past weekend at the Hatter Classic which was eventually won by the Bonnies.

We have some work to do but the Bonnies are well rested and a game plan is in place to deal with one of the faster pitchers we will face this season. A new day and a new game is always a new challenge...just how we like it. We are excited to get back on the field.

Game times are at 5:30 and 7:30pm at the University of North Florida. I hope to see all of you there! GO BONAS!

The Reward for a Championship...