From January to May of 2017, Andrew Wuebker worked as an Assistant Communications Intern for Roger Williams University’s athletics department. At this internship, he wrote articles on deadline for the university’s athletics website that recapped home games of various campus varsity sports; including wrestling, men’s and women’s swimming and diving and baseball. He also attained the experience of working in a professional environment, collaborating with RWU athletics department staff and other interns.
Below, you will find a handful of clips Andrew produced at this internship.
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Baseball Gets Shut Out By UMass Boston
By Andrew Wuebker | April 12, 2017
BRISTOL, R.I. — The Roger Williams University baseball team was shut out 8-0 by the University of Massachusetts Boston Beacons on Wednesday afternoon in a non-conference matchup at Paolino Field.
Freshman Joey Rodgers (Dighton, Mass.) was the winning pitcher for the Beacons, throwing for eight innings and allowing only four hits, all singles, and a walk.
Sophomore Reid Bryant (Andover, Mass.) was the starting pitcher for the Hawks, but wasn’t tagged the loss since he allowed no runs through only two innings pitched. Freshman Jack Rooney (Glenmont, N.Y.) was tagged with the loss when he gave up two runs in the fourth, through only 1.2 innings.
The Hawks posted only five hits on the day and had a difficult time putting runners in scoring position. Sophomore Eli Camner (Hamden, Conn.) and senior Brian Terzian (Westport, Conn.) went 2-of-4 at the plate, while sophomore Anthony Dominguez (Chester, N.J.) had the last hit for the Hawks.
The game began with three scoreless innings from both teams, but the Beacons wouldn’t be held in check for long as they tacked on two runs off Rooney in the fourth.
Eddie Riley (Quincy, Mass.) had an RBI single to left center field to drive in Nick Herzog (Riverhead, N.Y.) who led off the inning with a single to right center. Ryan McCormick (Cumberland, R.I.) took credit for the second run when he was able to tag home on a sac-fly to center field.
In the seventh inning, the Beacons loaded the bases and took take advantage of back-to-back errors by Roger Williams to jump out to a 4-0 lead. Dan Mantoni (Northbridge, Mass.) then walked in the fifth run of the afternoon, while a Kyle Boudrias (Medford, Mass.) RBI groundout to third made it a six-run deficit for the Hawks.
An RBI fielder’s choice in the eighth by Charlie Huegi (Sandy Hook, Conn.) made it a seven-run game. Riley then came home on a walk to Sal Frosceno (Derby, Conn.) to close out the scoring.
The Hawks dropped their record to 9-17 on the season, while the Beacons improved to 14-7. Roger Williams plays next at Johnson & Wales University on Friday, April 14 at 3 p.m. while UMass Boston will play Babson College on Thursday, April 13 at 3:30 p.m.
Click here for the published article.
Baseball Wins Big In Doubleheader Vs. Eastern Nazarene
By Andrew Wuebker | April 8, 2017
BRISTOL, R.I. — In a doubleheader matchup of two Commonwealth Coast Conference bottom-dwelling teams, the Roger Williams University Hawks baseball team defeated the Eastern Nazarene College Lions twice on Saturday afternoon; posting 10-0 and 6-1 victories.
In game one, the Hawks and Lions remained scoreless through two innings, but the Hawks’ bats got hot in the third, posting six runs.
Freshman Justin Stone (Blackstone, Mass.) got things started for the Hawks in the third inning with a base hit. Following his hit, freshman Ryan McDermott (Wrentham, Mass.) got walked, then Stone stole second. Sophomore Chris Bosco (North Andover, Mass.) was also walked, loading the bases with nobody out.
Senior Bryan Terzian (Westport, Conn.) drove a run in for the Hawks’ next at bat, flying out to left field which allowed Stone to score from third putting RWU up 1-0. Sophomore Eli Camner (Hamden, Conn.) singled to the left side on the Hawks next at bat, loading the bases once again with one out.
The play of the day undoubtedly went to sophomore Anthony Dominguez (Chester, N.J.) on the next at bat when he doubled up the middle, bringing in all three of his teammates home, blowing the game open 4-0. Junior Sean Gaffney (Simsbury, Conn.) then topped Dominguez on the next at bat, tripling to the right side which brought Dominguez in for the Hawks’ fifth run.
Freshman Tyler Rondeau (Bourne, Mass.) ground out to the Lions’ pitcher on the next play, but was enough to bring Gaffney home for the Hawks’ sixth run of the inning. Shane Nowak (Litchfield, N.H.) grounded out to second ending the inning.
The Lions on the other hand didn’t have many scoring chances at all in game one, as senior right-handed pitcher Jimmy Hamilton (Schenectady, N.Y.) was bringing the heat all day long. Hamilton went seven innings allowing only four hits and no runs.
The Hawks added four more runs to their total in their fourth inning. Terzian, Bosco and Camner scored the runs, putting the game out of reach with a 10-0 win.
In game two, the Lions had a chance to at least earn a split when they obtained a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but again couldn’t quiet the Hawks bats as they allowed two runs in the fourth, one in the fifth and three in the sixth.
Nowak’s double to right center field in the fourth brought in Gaffney and Dominguez for the go-ahead runs. In the fifth, it was a Dominguez single that brought in Camner for the third run. In the sixth, Bosco doubled to left field which brought in Stone and Nowak. Then Terzian singled shortly after, bringing Bosco home for RWU’s final run.
Sophomore pitcher Tyler Brett (Hebron, Conn.) got the win for the Hawks, while sophomore pitcher Xavier Faria (Assonet, Mass.) got the loss for the Lions.
The Hawks (8-15, 3-5 CCC) play Eastern Connecticut State University on Sunday, April 9 in Bristol at 1 p.m., while Eastern Nazarene (5-12, 1-7 CCC) plays Lesley University in a doubleheader in Quincy, Massachusetts on Monday, April 10 at 4 p.m.
Click here for the published article.
Women’s Swimming & Diving Wins NEISDA Championship
By Andrew Wuebker | February 20, 2017
KINGSTON, R.I. — The Roger Williams University Women’s Swimming & Diving team took home the New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving (NEISDA) championship crown on Sunday night, defeating 20 other teams in a four-day tournament hosted by the University of Rhode Island.
The four-day tourney at URI began early morning on Thurs., Feb. 16 and concluded Sun., Feb. 19. Roger Williams recorded a first-place score of 1452, accumulating 587.5 points.
What started as a 20-person recruiting class (12 men, eight women) for RWU last July turned into a championship-winning team for the swimming and diving program. Swimming and diving Head Coach Matt Emmert called this class last July one of the “most talented classes” they have ever recruited.
“This is the deepest and arguably one of the most talented classes we’ve brought to Roger Williams University,” said Head Coach Matt Emmert last summer. “During the recruiting process, each of these athletes made a profound impression on our team and myself, with their ability to successfully balance academics and athletics.
“They’re excited to make their mark on the future of RWU Swimming & Diving, while building upon the legacy established by previous classes before them. I cannot wait to get them in the mix with our returning team members and start training. Less than 60 days until our first official practice, but who’s counting! It’s a great day to be a Hawk!”
It could be said after the team’s performance this weekend that not only did the freshmen class make their mark, but the program overall left a historical imprint in the form of a title that will certainly be the measuring stick for the swimming and diving program going forward.
A number of Hawks on the team were significant factors in the team’s title run these past few days.
Senior Andrea Almandoz (Subbury, Mass.), freshman Kenzie Sweeney (Groton, Mass.), sophomore Gabrielle Pielka (Mahwah, N.J.), junior Shantelle Richards (Nashua, N.H.), junior Alyssa Bush (Adams, Mass.), freshman Allison Surian (Burlington, Conn.), senior Shannon Earley (Orange, Conn.), senior Brittany Cuevas (Holliston, Mass.) and sophomore Casey Klein (Newtown, Conn.) were a few of the Hawks among multiple others who finished with personal bests in various events over the tournament’s four days.
Along with Almandoz, Earley and Cuevas, senior Margaret Pegno (Manhassat, N.Y.) is also one of the four senior who will graduate this spring from the swimming and diving program with a NEISDA championship win under their belts.
Simmons College, Keene State College, Brandeis University, University of New England, Regis College, Eastern Connecticut State University, Gordon College, Westfield State University, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Colby-Sawyer College all finished in the upper half of the NEISDA tourney also.
Click here for the published article.
Men’s Swimming & Diving Wins NEISDA Championship
By Andrew Wuebker| February 20, 2017
KINGSTON, R.I. — The Roger Williams University Men’s Swimming & Diving team took home the New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving (NEISDA) championship crown on Sunday night, defeating 11 other teams in a four-day tournament hosted by the University of Rhode Island.
The four-day tourney at URI began early morning on Thurs., Feb. 16 and concluded Sun., Feb. 19. Roger Williams recorded a first-place score of 823 with a performance score of 609.
What started as a 20-person recruiting class (12 men, eight women) for RWU last July turned into a title-winning team for the swimming and diving program. Swimming and diving Head Coach Matt Emmert called this class last July one of the “most talented classes” they have ever recruited.
“This is the deepest and arguably one of the most talented classes we’ve brought to Roger Williams University,” said Head Coach Matt Emmert last summer. “During the recruiting process, each of these athletes made a profound impression on our team and myself, with their ability to successfully balance academics and athletics.
“They’re excited to make their mark on the future of RWU Swimming & Diving, while building upon the legacy established by previous classes before them. I cannot wait to get them in the mix with our returning team members and start training. Less than 60 days until our first official practice, but who’s counting! It’s a great day to be a Hawk!”
It could be said this was a great year to be a Hawk, rather than a single day.
A number of Hawks from that freshmen class as well as from the team overall made significant contributions to the team’s title win on Sunday.
Freshman John Babuka (Richmond, Ky.), sophomore Hunter Olson (Framingham, Mass.), freshman Michael Sannicandro (Acton, Mass.), junior Paul Marchese (Monroe, Conn.), senior David Kitchen, junior Andrew Gillie (Danvers, Mass.), freshman Jeremy Penny (Bayville, N.Y.), freshman Joe Frey (Pittsburg, Pa.), freshman Conor Quinn (Milford, Conn.), sophomore Matthew McKenzie (Centreville, Va.) and junior Jonathan Chow (Wellesley, Mass.) were a few of the Hawks among multiple others who finished with personal bests in various events over the tournament’s four days.
Along with Kitchen, seniors Alex Campbell (Winsted, Conn.) and Brian Hann (Forestdale, Mass.) graduate this spring from the swimming and diving program with a NEISDA championship win under their belts.
Norwich University, Brandeis University, Keene State College, Bridgewater State University and Regis College all placed in the upper half of NEISDA tourney finishers also.
Click here for the published article.
Wrestling Falls To Johnson & Wales For Second Loss Of Season
By Andrew Wuebker | February 10, 2017
BRISTOL, R.I. — The Roger Williams University Wrestling Team suffered their second loss of the season to Johnson and Wales University in a highly anticipated matchup on Friday night, Feb. 10, in a 21-12 decision. The loss was also RWU’s second to Johnson and Wales this season, the first being a 28-14 decision on January 22.
Roger Williams (18-2) entered the matchup as the No. 7 ranked team in the country for Division III, while JWU (22-1) entered the matchup No. 3 in the country.
Roger Williams Head Coach Jon Egan previously said that with this matchup between the WU’s, both school’s wrestling programs were putting their schools “on the map”, so tonight’s matchup would offer an outstanding showing from both sides. Earlier in the week, a promotional video for the match was made and a packed gymnasium on Friday night was also proof of the highly anticipated bout.
The night began with the 174 lbs. weight class, with RWU freshman Taylor Shay (New Fairfield, Conn.) facing off against JWU senior Mike Labell (Stanhope, NJ). Shay would drop a very close match with Labell 5-4 to start off the night, giving JWU an early 3-0 lead.
In the second matchup of 184 lbs., Hawk senior Joe Albina (Milford, N.H.) pulled off a comeback from behind victory when he pinned JWU freshman Michael DiNardo (Mahopac, N.Y.), giving RWU a big confidence boost, en route to a 6-3 Hawk lead.
At 197 lbs. however, RWU freshman Christopher Francis (Bristol, R.I.) lost to JWU sophomore Khamri Thomas (Windsor Locks, Conn.) on a 9-5 decision to even things up at 6-6.
But RWU would regain the lead however, when Hawk senior Kyle Foster (Somers, Conn.) would defeat JWU junior Jonah Aurelio (Riverside, R.I.) at 285 lbs. in a low-scoring affair, a 3-1 slugfest to give RWU their last lead of the night at 9-6.
In the final match of the first half, RWU freshman Nicholas Babaria (Scarsdale, N.Y.) was pitted against JWU junior Bobby Jordan (Woodbridge, N.J.) at 125 lbs., with an extra point decision giving Jordan the win, pulling JWU even with the Hawks at 9-9.
To begin the second half, Johnson and Wales would grasp the momentum for good, taking a three-point 12-9 lead when sophomore Jay Albis (Fishkill, N.Y.) defeated Hawks freshman Jason Jacobi (Effort, Pa.) in an 8-3 decision at 133 lbs.
At 141 lbs., Roger Williams junior Justin Cochran (Paramus, N.J.) would barely get beaten by JWU sophomore Joe Ferinde (Nutley, N.J.) at 141 lbs. in a 4-3 decision. Cochran had the advantage for most of match, but an escape by Ferinde late in the matchup put him ahead for good to give JWU a six-point edge of 15-9.
In the eighth match of the night, the Hawks desperately needed a spark to stay within striking distance of a win. Roger Williams freshman Tyler Gazaway (New Providence, N.J.) would be that spark, coming away with a 9-6 decision victory over JWU junior Jamiel Stapleton (Malone N.Y.) at 149 lbs. to pull the matinee close once again with the score at 15-12.
However, JWU would prove worthy of their No. 3 ranking in the final two matches of the night, with JWU junior Desmond Towns (Morristown, N.J.) and senior Stephen Jarell (East Greenwich, R.I.) shutting down any Hawk comeback attempt with wins by decision over Hawk seniors Ty Herzog (Slatington, Pa.) and Alec Golner (Tyngsborough, Ma.) at 157 and 165 lbs., respectively.
While Roger Williams couldn’t come away with the win, The Battle of the WU’s certainly did live up to the hype and should be an entertaining matchup to watch in the future.
The Hawks move on to face American International College (0-10) on Sat., Feb. 11.
At halftime, all RWU senior wrestlers were honored in the final home meet of the season.
Andrew A. Wuebker 