Spring football practices for Vermont State University Castleton kick off on April 15 and there can be no question about where the focus will be. There will be a new player at the controls as quarterback Evan Smith is not returning.
When it comes to that important of a position, coach Tony Volpone and his staff would rather have a base in the decision making process before the August camp rolls around so anything they can learn during the 16 spring practices is of great value.
It will not be Rutland’s Trey Davine. He has opted not to play this season, Volpone said.
“That was disappointing but it was his decision,” Volpone said.
Wes Cournoyer was not active last season due to an injury so he is one possibility along with a couple of walk-ons.
“We will have three quarterbacks and none were active for us last year,” Volpone said.
The four-a-week spring practices wind up on May 8.
Noah Crossman, a talented punter able to flip the field as well as a long-range field goal kicker is also gone.
One member of the incoming freshman class is Mount Mansfield Union’s Kyle Taft who is a punter as well as a defensive back.
YATES SHINES
Vermonters could not be surprised at Sierra Yates softball pitching debut for Husson University. One of the most dominant pitchers in the state while doing her thing for BFA-St. Albans, Yates took the ball and fired a complete-game victory over Simmons in Kissimmee, Florida this month.
The freshman struck out four, walked one and surrendered five hits in notching the 7-1 victory.
Yates just might get to pitch against a few batters she knows on March 29 when a Vermont State University Lyndon team, with a roster stocked with many Vermonters, comes to Bangor, Maine for a doubleheader against Husson.
BREWSTER
Fair Haven graduate Courtney Brewster had a solid season for the Colby-Sawyer College women’s basketball team. She led the Chargers in scoring (10.2 per game) was was second in rebounding, pulling down 6.4 per contest.
Brewster’s former Fair Haven teammate Kerigan Disorda has a base hit in her only plate appearance for the 3-4 Vermont State University softball team.
White River Valley graduate Blake Southworth leads the VTSU Lyndon team in batting with 10 hits in 25 trips to the plate for a .400 average.
SOFTBALL SPARTANS
The Vermont State University softball team had a successful southern trip, going 5-3 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Now, the hometown fans will get to see this team that has the earmarks of a very good club this spring. The Spartans host 2-8 Skidmore in a doubleheader on Sunday with games slated for noon and 2 p.m.
Three Spartans returned from the Palmetto State with hefty batting averages — Alexis Rogers at .480, Samera Rideout with her .400 average and Allie Almond at .375.
Katie Gallagher came back with a 2-0 pitching record.
RUBRIGHT OUT
Last year Bode Rubright scored a whopping 39 goals for the NCAA Division III Lake Forest men’s lacrosse team, tying him for tops on the team.
This year, the Middlebury Union High graduate has yet to play and could be out for the season with a labrum injury.
