The spring 2021 season has been one of perseverance for Salisbury University athletics.
From postponements to cancellations, protocols to team-quarantining, SU student-athletes and coaches have had to jump through plenty of hoops to be where they are today.
As of right now, several Salisbury teams competing this spring are in position to make a championship run.
The fourth-ranked women’s lacrosse team finished the regular season with an unblemished 13-0 record and won the first Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference title over No. 20 Christopher Newport. The squad looks to make another run deep into the National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament after a first round victory.
The third-ranked men’s lacrosse team wrapped up the regular season with an 11-1 record, rattling off 11 consecutive victories after dropping the opener to fourth-ranked Lynchburg.
Salisbury baseball will begin C2C play just after finals wrap up with the first game slated for May 14.
Seventh-year skipper Troy Brohawn credits his players with maintaining discipline and being smart with the COVID-19 protocols.
“I think it comes down to our guys making good decisions,” Brohawn said. “That’s what has really allowed us to be where we are right now.”
Looking forward to postseason play, the Sea Gulls are in prime position to try and capture the first ever C2C conference title.
Salisbury softball’s head coach Lacey Lord has had a particularly interesting experience with the pandemic. The 2021 season is Lord’s first season at the helm, after replacing longtime head coach Margie Knight.
“Everything in coaching is about being flexible and adaptable,” Lord said. “In a season like this, you realize just how important that is.”
Before the cancellation of the 2020 season, SU softball boasted a 17-3 record in Margie Knight’s final season that put them atop the then-Capital Athletic Conference.
Lord said the seniors on the team have helped maintain the culture that was in place under Coach Knight.
“This season for us has been about managing the ups and downs of all of the changes that have happened,” Lord said. “We’ve really leaned on our culture and leadership to get these freshman and sophomores acclimated since they haven’t had the opportunity at an entire season.”
Lord said after not being able to carry out last year’s season, the players are not taking this year for granted.
“They know that they had something taken away from them last year,” Lord said. “And now every time they come out here, they’re grateful for that.”
By TOMMY WEST
Staff writer
Photo courtesy of Sports Information.