Fighting Knights Final Home Sendoff
By Alli Mancini
Assistant Editor
This weekend, several Fighting Knights are stepping onto their home fields one last time as the spring athletic season begins to wrap up. Men’s lacrosse, baseball and softball will all be wishing their seniors best of luck in their future endeavors.
The softball team will host Rollins in their final home series of the 2018 season. Coach Amy Bellisari will be sending off five seniors: Erin Sundook, Francais Olexa, Rachel Lightner, Taylor Steczo and Victoria Rios.
As a power hitter, Rios currently has eight home runs, which leads the entire Sunshine State Conference. Going into the game, Lynn sits at eighth place in the SSC with a 10-14 conference record.
“The graduating seniors this season were pivotal players on our team; they were talented and hardworking while setting the tone for the rest of the squad,” said Bellisari. “Fran is a one-of-a-kind player, and Taylor could always be counted on. Erin is a great defensive player and is willing to go anywhere, while Rachel provides her teammates with endless support and smiles. Plus, Tori has been a great player to have on our team over the last three years.”
The men’s lacrosse team will host the University of Tampa on Saturday night at 7 p.m. when eight seniors play under the lights in Bobby Campbell Stadium one final time. Lacrosse started out the season 7-1, making that the best start to a season in program history.
The seniors on this team include Andrew Custance, Austin Shircliff, Chris Lasprogata, Greg Onofri, Mark Pryor, Nick Howard, Oakley Wise and Steve Polsinelli. Each of these seniors has been unique in their own ways. Onofri was injured in a preseason game in early 2018, which cut his career early, and head coach Brian Kinsbury described the incident as heartbreaking.
“This class has had a good run at Lynn, representing themselves, the lacrosse team and Lynn in good light,” said Kingsbury. “Most of this class transferred into Lynn, adapted and then lived the Lynn lacrosse culture of respect. They also adapted to the Lynn way of spirit, service and strength.”
The baseball team will host Embry-Riddle in their final homestand, with 11 Fighting Knights stepping onto Lynn’s diamond for a showdown. Senior day will take place on Sunday, with the first pitch being thrown at noon.
The team is currently in seventh place in the SSC, while Embry-Riddle is placed last, with a 3-13 record on the road. After this series concludes, the team will head to Palm Beach Atlantic in two weeks for the final conference series.
The seniors on this team include Daniel Nuzzi, DJ Daniels, Enrique Perez, Gabe Gomez, Gabe Martinez, Jake Rouse, Jonathon Wake, Patrick Dorrian, Rigo Beltran, Tyler Green and Willie Seay.
“This is honestly a great group of seniors. They are very resilient. It is easy and clear to see that they will be successful throughout their lives,” said Rudy Garbalosa, head coach. “These men have truly been a pleasure to coach.”
