BOSTON – Three different programs earned victories last week with NJIT, UMBC and Binghamton taking home wins.
NJIT went 1-3 against VMI, with a strong 11-7 victory in the finale. UMBC came through with a 2-1 win over Monmouth on Sunday, while Binghamton beat Valparaiso 3-2.
UMBC and Maine both play midweek games, and all seven teams are again in action this weekend. Binghamton faces the No. 1 Wake Forest on Friday while Bryant is at Maryland for three games. The Bearcats nearly took down No. 1 Wake Forest on Saturday, falling just 9-8 and 7-5 in a doubleheader. Bryant also played tough against Maryland.
This week five teams have mid-week games as part of 30 total games on the #AEBASE schedule. Binghamton faces a tough schedule including games against Virginia Tech. UAlbany faces Purdue this weekend, while NJIT heads out west to battle Cal St. Bakersfield.
The preseason poll was announced on January 24.
Fans will once again be able to watch the majority of the #AEBASE this season. Select games will air on The AE on ESPN while others will air on AmericaEast.TV. Those games will be available on computers, OTT devices and the brand new America East app, which is available on all IOS and Android devices and can be found by searching ‘America East Conference’ in app stores.
Follow the @AmericaEast on X to stay up-to-date on America East women's lacrosse news all season long and use #AEWLAX to join the conversation.
#AEBASE Weekly Award Winners – March 5
Player of the Week
Luke Longo, NJIT – Gr., Catcher/First Base, Whitehouse Station, N.J.
- Slashed .375/.500/1.188 in a 1-4 week with eight RBI, seven runs, six hits and four home runs.
- Went 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI in a one-run loss to VMI.
- Hit a three-run homer in the final game of the weekend to push NJIT to victory.
- This is Longo’s first career #AEBASE Player of the Week honor.
Pitcher of the Week
Sam Downs, UMBC – Gr., Pitcher, Frederick, Md.
- Posted a 0.00 ERA in 6.2 IP while allowing just four total hits with one walk while striking out four batters against Monmouth.
- This is Downs’ second career #AEBASE Pitcher of the Week honor.
Rookie of the Week
Cade Ladehoff, NJIT – Fr., Utility, Bradenton, Fla.
- Slashed . 421/.421/.895 while knocking in nine runs with eight hits and four runs scored.
- Had at least one hit in every games, including a 2-for-5 performance in the finale with two home runs and five RBI.
- This is Ladehoff’s first career #AEBASE Rookie of the Week honor.
2024 #AEBASE Weekly Award Winners
Feb. 20 –Player of the Week: Carlos Martinez, UMass Lowell; Pitcher of the Week: James Capellupo, UMass Lowell; Rookie of the Week: Sean O’Leary, UMass Lowell
Feb. 27 –Player of the Week: Mike Gunning, Binghamton; Pitcher of the Week: Sam Downs, UMBC; Rookie of the Week: John Vitucci, UAlbany
Mar. 5 –Player of the Week: Luke Longo, NJIT; Pitcher of the Week: Sam Downs, UMBC; Rookie of the Week: Cade Ladehoff, NJIT
ABOUT AMERICA EAST
Founded in 1979, the America East Conference is an elite NCAA Division I athletic conference that fosters an environment for student-athletes to become champions. Comprised of academically renowned, like-minded member institutions located in the Northeast region of the United States, America East is committed to broad-based excellence and progressive in its approach to supporting its more than 3,500 student-athletes across 18 sponsored sports. For more information, visit www.AmericaEast.com and follow the America East Conference its social media channels, @AmericaEast.
- America East Conference – Where Champions Rise -