Ever since the conference’s formation in 1971, off-season workouts with coaches have been a NESCAC no-no. But under that recognize the loss of games and competitions due to COVID-19, NESCAC spring sports coaches were allowed to work with their teams this fall.

For first-year ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Bobcats in traditional spring sports like baseball, lacrosse, and softball, being allowed to practice with their coaches and new teammates right away this fall has been a unique experience in a unique time — and a silver lining in an otherwise difficult transition to college.

Video by Aaron Morse/ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ College

“I lost my season last year, and it was hard to practice over the summer,” said men’s lacrosse player Lowell Hairston ’24 of Reisterstown, Md.

“Just being out on the field in any capacity has been honestly fantastic. Even with the modified drills with less people on the field and not being able to hit each other, it’s been so worth it.”

For head men’s lacrosse coach Peter Lasagna, being able to bound around Garcelon Field with his team “has been an exquisite joy. The reason why we know each other, the reason that we are connected, is because of our shared passion for lacrosse. For us to be able to actually experience that together in their first months of college has just been wonderful.”

They aren’t necessarily “normal” practices, with drills being modified to fit physical-distancing guidelines and, you know, everyone wearing masks. But to first-year students, none of that really matters.

Getting to know the coaches right away has been a crucial component of the fall practices for spring sports student-athletes. Hairston is already learning a lot about coach Lasagna.

“He’s honestly one of the most empathetic people,” Hairston said. “But he’s also just funny and knows when to get serious on the field too.”

Over at Leahey Field, pitcher Jack Potash ’24 of Seymour, Conn., was able to face live hitting for the first time in an entire year.

“I have been pitching pretty much since I have been playing baseball,” Potash said. “I did not get a chance to play this summer so it felt good; it’s always nice to go back on the mound.”

Learning from older peers is a big aspect of the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ experience as a whole. And it’s no different in the world of athletics. One thing the more experienced Bobcats have emphasized is that flexibility is the key to success.

“Being able to adapt to different situations is definitely a huge thing,” said women’s lacrosse player Madie Donovan ’24 of Cohasset, Mass. “I think our upperclassmen are awesome and have really helped with that transition, you know getting up to speed with lifting and practices and class, all at the same time.”

When it comes down to it, the strong ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ community continues to shine through, even in difficult times.

“I just love it here,” Hairston said. “I have not had an experience like this. I have not been able to be in a community like this in…forever. So this is truly unique.”

The ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ baseball team put together its best NESCAC East season in program history this year, finishing with a record of 9-3.

Last Saturday, we traveled to Brunswick to cover the Bobcats’ twin bill vs. Bowdoin. Needing one win to clinch a spot in the , ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ won both.

“You know everybody was locked in from the moment we woke up,” said sophomore Christian Beal of Flossmoor, Ill. “When this team needs a win, we find a way to win, and that’s special.”

Needing one win vs. Bowdoin last weekend to clinch a spot in the NESCAC tourney, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ got two, and had some fun along the way:

Justin White ’19 of Whitesboro, N.Y., is a special story in his own right. When White was a first-year, he got cut from the team. He made the squad as a sophomore but didn’t record his first collegiate hit until mid-April last season.

Now, he’s one of the key reasons ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½’ offense is much-improved this season, ranking eighth in the NESCAC with a .536 slugging percentage in conference games.

“He’s an example for guys, anybody out there that’s really struggling with playing time and not getting in and not getting the results that you want, to stick with it and push through and work hard and it will eventually pan out,” said head coach Jon Martin.

White’s “crazy journey” to the starting lineup is just one of many story lines to watch this weekend at the NESCAC tournament in Waterville, Maine.

Cut from the team as a first-year, Justin White ’19 has come on strong:

Brian Mahoney '08

Considering Brian Mahoney already owned ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½’ career record for singles before he even began his senior season, it came as no shock that Mahoney would claim the program record for career hits so early in the season.

Mahoney (Sudbury, Mass.) went 2-for-5 in ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½’ 8-6 victory at Tufts on Friday, and in so doing he surpassed Nate Maxwell ’04’s program record of 135 career hits with his 135th and 136th. In the following day’s doubleheader Mahoney was 4-for-7, giving him a round figure of 140 for the time being.

Now in his fourth year as ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½’ starting shortstop, Mahoney is hitting .395 so far this season with 8 RBIs and 7 runs scored. He owns a career batting average of .359, with 71 runs scored and 58 runs driven in.

Mahoney and the Bobcats will play host to UMaine-Farmington at Husson College Thursday at 3 p.m., then travel to Trinity College for a three-game weekend series.