AACC Kicks off Spring Sports

The following article was submitted to the Broadneck Patch by Duane Herr, Physical Education and Athletic Assistant at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC).

Anne Arundel Community College student-athletes returned to classes Monday after a heavy weekend of sport events. Three Spring sports opened their seasons and the men’s basketball team brought home a Region title.

On Friday both AACC men’s basketball and baseball hit the road for Pittsburgh, PA and Louisburg, NC respectively.

The men’s basketball team (15-14) set out for the Region 20 Tournament in hopes of returning to the District 7 Tournament for the second consecutive year and just the second time in school history. On Saturday the Pioneers defeated Penn Highlands 77-71 to advance to the championship contest. Host college CCAC-Allegheny met AACC in the finals and the Pioneers won the crown 72-65. Anne Arundel sophomore Jalen Lester earned the tournament’s MVP with a combined 47 points for the two-game tournament. Jarvez Pierce posted 15 points and 8 rebounds in the final. Anthony Frazier scored 14 points with 9 rebounds and James Aorilio chipped in with 13 points and 6 rebounds.

The men’s basketball District 7 tournament will be held March 8-9 at Rockingham Community College.

The AACC baseball team (0-5) traveled to Louisburg College to open their season with a three game series against the Hurricanes. Unfortunately, the Pioneers didn’t get the start to their season that they would have liked as they were swept with losses of 5-12, 0-8, and 1-7. After a quick trip home the Pioneers baseball team then played their home opener on Sunday with a doubleheader against visiting Niagara County Community College. The Pioneers played two close games but came out on the losing end 2-4 and 4-6. On Wednesday, March 6 they host Stevenson University JV in a 3pm contest.

AACC softball (1-3) also opened their season with doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday at AACC’s Arnold Campus. On Saturday the Pioneers hosted Delaware Technical & Community College and were defeated by scores of 0-20 and 0-10. Looking to overcome a tough start, the Pioneers turned their sites to Sunday’s doubleheader against Niagara County Community College. AACC softball split with Niagara dropping the front end of the doubleheader 5-9 but winning the night cap 11-10, holding off the last inning comeback by the Thunderwolves.

Rounding out the weekend festivities for AACC Athletics was men’s lacrosse who opened their season at home, also against Niagara County Community College. The Pioneers (1-0) erupted offensively to defeat Niagara 17-1 for their first victory of the season. Alex Hutchison led AACC with 6 goals and added one assist. Marshall Meyer, Sean Johnston, and Ryan Killion each scored 3 goals. Meyer earned 2 assists and Johnston added an assist. Carson Bekken and Brock Lawhorn each tacked on one goal and a pair of assists. The Pioneers will host the #2 team in the country when Nassau Community College visits the Arnold Campus Saturday, March 9 for an early season test.

AACC women’s lacrosse was scheduled to travel to Connecticut to open their season but was forced to cancel due to playing conditions. Their season opener is now set for Monday, March 11 at Howard Community College.