“With eight of our 12 varsity teams returning from successful spring pre-season trips and combined with fields cleared of snow, the spring season has started off well for us here at Deerfield. The construction on the new Athletics Complex and the Tennis Pavilion are moving along as planned and the place is busy! There is a lot to be excited for as we usher in the start of spring contests. Come and support our teams and cheer for Big Green!” – Athletic Director Bob Howe.
The girls lacrosse team kicked off the preseason trips as they traveled to ESPN’s Wide World of Sports for their 5-day preseason trip. During preseason camp, the team was undefeated, posting a 2-0 record against their opponents in Florida. The team will continue its’ preseason this week at home and play their final scrimmage this Saturday, 3/31 at Longmeadow High School at 10am. The regular season schedule will kick-off next week on Wednesday, April 4th with an away contest at St. Mark’s at 4:00pm.
The baseball team under new head coach, Pat Moriarty, began their 2018 training at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. In Bradenton, the team posted a 2-1-1 record, ending their trip on a 2-game winning streak. Preseason continues for the baseball team this week at home, yesterday the group scrimmaged against Chicopee, and later this week they will scrimmage Northampton High School at home. The first regular season pitch will happen against Belmont Hill this Saturday, 3/31 at 3pm at the New England Baseball Complex.
The boys and girls rowing program returned to the University of Central Florida boathouse on Lake Pickett in Christmas, Florida. This year’s trip was special because it was the first time that DA rowers stroked in Deerfield’s brand-new fleet of Filipi boats. The boys rowing team will have scrimmage races against Belmont and Exeter next Saturday, April 7th at Belmont Hill’s rowing venue and their first regular season race will be against Brooks and St. Mark’s on April 21st. The boys will look to defend their individual and team NEIRA titles and National US Rowing title in the 1V. The girls will continue training on the Deerfield River for the next two weeks before kicking-off their season against St. Mark’s, Greenwich and Newton Country Day on April 21st. After graduating only 3 seniors, the girls 1V will look to defend their NEIRA title and return to Nationals in June.
Softball enjoyed a sunny preseason at Disney’s training facility. The team welcomed new players to the fold and strong consistent pitching and a great team effort at the plate and in the field highlighted their preseason practices. The team returns to the Pioneer Valley and will round out their preseason with a scrimmage vs. neighboring Frontier High School on Monday, April 2nd before facing off against Cushing in their first regular season game on Wednesday, April 4th at home. In 2017, the qualified for the Western Massachusetts quarterfinals.
The boys and girls varsity tennis teams were preparing for their upcoming seasons at IMG Academy’s training facility alongside 5-time Grand Slam Champion, Maria Sharapova who was also working to improve her game. The trip provided a great jump-start to the season, which will begin this Saturday, 3/31 at Groton at 1:30pm and the girls will scrimmage Kingswood at home on April 4th and begin their regular season matches on Saturday, April 7th at home vs. Groton at 3:00pm. Both teams are anxiously awaiting the completion of the Jay ’55 and Mimi Morsman Tennis Pavilion for their debut performances in the facility.
The boys lacrosse preseason trip took place at IMG Academy, during the trip the boys had the opportunity to learn from a couple of professional athletes, Alex Killorn ’08 and Casey Powell. The boys varsity team faced-off against Belmont Hill yesterday in their final scrimmage of preseason and they kick-off their regular season schedule against Brunswick on Saturday, March 31st. Saturday’s home game is slated to start at 3pm.
Spring track and field practices are underway in the Pioneer Valley. The squad will continue their training for the next 2-weeks in anticipation of their first home meet of the season on Saturday, April 14th at 3:45pm against Andover and Taft.
Girls water polo has been busy training in the Koch Pool this week for their first game of the season happening this Saturday, March 31st at 2pm at Exeter. Many of the girls water polo team players have already been practicing in the pool during the winter term, as members of the swim teams.
The sunny spring New England weather is much appreciated by the Deerfield golfers as they prepare for their upcoming season, which will tee off on Wednesday, April 11th against Avon and NMH at Crumpin Fox Country Club. The team will return all of last year’s team, except for one senior. An exciting season is ahead for this veteran squad!
The cycling team is away to the races, returning all of last year’s members to the 2018 roster! The team is getting their bikes tuned up and ready to ride for their first race of season on Wednesday, April 11th at the Proctor Circuit Race at 4pm.
Good luck to all the spring teams!