St. Thomas athletes competed across the nation over spring break and success was the common denominator.

Baseball team

The St. Thomas baseball team posted a 6-2 record during its spring break trip to Florida. Highlights of the week included splitting a doubleheader with No. 5-ranked University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, posting a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Twins rookie team and rallying to defeat Worcester State (Mass.) 5-3 after an eight-run seventh inning in the team’s final game Saturday, March 24. The Tommies (12-4) are currently ranked No. 13 in the Division III standings and open conference play against Hamline on Saturday, March 31.

Junior pitcher Dylan Thomas, who earned his first victory of the season against Worcester, said the trip helped the team adjust to playing outside, and he personally enjoyed every minute of it.

“It was great team building and a lot of fun to be in the sun,” Thomas said.    

Softball team

The St. Thomas softball team (13-5) traveled to Clermont, Fla., for its spring break games. After dropping two games early in the week, the team closed out its trip with a 9-3 record.

Junior second baseman Kimmy Hassel boosted the Tommies to a key 11-5 victory over previously undefeated Ramapo College (N.J.) Tuesday; Hassel hit a single and a grand slam in the same inning to spark an eight-run rally.

Hassel said the trip was beneficial for the team and saw everyone step up and take advantage of the extra training.

“We were able to face many different styles of pitching and hitting, which helped us identify and work on our strengths and weaknesses,” Hassel said.

St. Thomas faces Hamline at home Wednesday, March 28.

Men’s and women’s tennis teams

Both the men and women’s tennis teams spent spring break in Hilton Head, S.C. Both teams posted victories over Illinois Wesleyan to start the week, but the men lost a close 5-4 game to Hobart College (N.Y.), and the women fell 7-2 to Allegheny College (Pa.).

Sophomore Rachel Wright said she appreciated that coach Terry Peck set up the trip because she enjoyed getting extra games in before big conference matches.

“It was great to improve our strokes and prepare us for our big match against St. Benedict next week,” Wright said.

Men’s golf team

The men’s golf team played in its first 2012 competition at Arizona Christian University in Phoenix, Ariz. Junior Michael Mortensen lead the Tommies shooting a 73 and tying for second place out of 26 golfers Thursday, March 22.

Mortensen said it was nice to “get out on the course” and compete again.

“My ball striking was a little inconsistent, but I putted really well and that’s what helped me shoot a solid round,” Mortensen said.

Men’s and women’s track and field teams

The men and women’s track and field teams traveled to San Diego to compete in the Point Loma Invitational. Even though rain and wind provided less than ideal meet conditions, several Tommies posted solid performances.

Sophomore Erin Statz took first in the 3000-meter race, sophomore Hannah Volkman took first in the discus and the 4-x-100 meter relay of sophomores Christina Rozeske and Emily Van Heel and freshmen Erika Tipp and Angela Tipp took first. Sophomore Joe Wistrcill had the only first-place performance for the men; he won the 110-meter hurdle race.

Junior Katie Ryan said the team didn’t let the weather ruin its spring break trip.

“We still got really good training, and we got to go out to dinner at fun places,” Ryan said. “The teams got to bond, so it was worth it.”

Hayley Schnell can be reached at schn3912@stthomas.edu.