The Buccaneers are returning to competition this weekend after COVID-19 put sports on hold at Beloit College for the last 377 days. Three Buc spring programs will be in action this weekend including baseball, softball, and women's lacrosse. Opening weekend features nine contests Saturday to Sunday afternoon.
 
BASEBALL | Schedule | Roster
The Beloit College baseball program returns their entire defensive and offensive lineups from 2020 but Buc fans will see a big turnover in the pitching corps. Last year's squad went 8-1 during the team's annual spring break trip in Florida. The lone loss came at the hands of Ursinus College in Beloit's season-opener. From there the Bucs went 8-0 with a premier 8-0 win over perennial regional power Illinois Wesleyan.
 
On the mound, the Bucs lost starters Connor McCloskey, Justin Kopech, and reigning Midwest Conference North Division Pitcher of the Year Danny Belling to graduation. Beloit returns Jacob Sligar and AJ Parnell, both with 2020 wins on the mound, to their staff this season. The Bucs also have a host of position players that registered appearances a year ago returning.
 
The 2020 Bucs hit .360 and outscored their opponents 79-18 while the defense was stellar committing just three errors over the course of nine games before the shutdown.
 
Returning nearly all starters from a team that Head Coach Dave DeGeorge noted could've been the best in program history bodes well for the Bucs this season. "Both offensively and defensively, this is one of the best line-ups we've had in my 31 years as coach," said DeGeorge. "However, we have an unproven pitching staff. I'm looking forward to seeing our team come together this season. Our goal is to win the 2021 league title."
 
Players to Watch:
Bronson Balholm – Senior Catcher – Hit .464 to lead Beloit in 2020
James Wicker – Senior Third Baseman – Led the Bucs with 16 hits including 3 doubles in 2020
Garrison Ferone – Junior Shortstop – MWC Newcomer of the Year in 2019; enters season on an eight-game hit streak
Matt O'Leary – Sophomore Second Baseman – Perfect 21-21 in fielding chances in six games last season
 
Season Opener: Saturday, March 27 at Knox, 12 p.m. (doubleheader) (no spectators allowed)
Home Opener: Sunday, March 28 vs. Knox, 12 p.m. (doubleheader) (no spectators allowed) 
 
SOFTBALL | Schedule | Roster
The Buccaneer softball team heads into the 2021 campaign with a strong group of returners with a talented set of newcomers joining the squad. Seven starters return including the entire pitching staff this season.
 
A shortened season a year ago saw Beloit post an 8-6 record that including a four-game win streak during the team's annual spring break trip to Florida. The Bucs ledoff that trip with a gutty 11-10, eight-inning win over Westfield State. Beloit came from behind four times in the game, finding a myriad of ways to score, to open the trip with a victory.
 
The winner of that game, Maddy Pfortmiller, along with Makayla Jo Zundel and Cora Aubert return to the staff of hurlers along with pitcher/second baseman Alyssa Morris.
 
Heading into this season, Head Coach Kim Zarling noted that same scrappy offense that finds ways to score, the depth of the pitching staff, and strong team chemistry could be the earmarks for something special. "Despite the abbreviated pre-season, the Bucs are working extremely hard to get ready for our first competition in over a year," said Coach Zarling. "The dynamic defense we have this year mixed with a strong offense, a solid pitching staff, and our experience, we have everything to put together a special season."
 
Players to Watch:
Emily Stapay – Senior First Baseman – Led Beloit with six doubles and 12 walks in 14 games last season
Kaitlynn Taft – Junior Catcher – Leading returning hitter to the squad, hit .368 in 2020
Maddy Pfortmiller – Junior Pitcher – Went 5-2 tossing five complete games in the circle a year ago
 
Season/Home Opener: Saturday, March 27 vs. Ripon College, 1 p.m. (doubleheader) (no spectators allowed)
 
TRACK AND FIELD | Schedule | Men's Roster | Women's Roster
The last time the entire Beloit College Track and Field program competed was at the Midwest Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships in February of 2020 but they've come back from the long hiatus strong and ready to compete.
 
"The drive and motivation is higher than ever," said Coach Ellie Waddle. "There is no doubt that this season will be fun to watch."
 
Despite not being able to compete against other teams, the cross country program put together a strong fall season as a squad. Coach Waddle noted the distance athletes are primed for impressive personal records as nearly the entire women's team PR'ed during fall time trials and some have already improved their personal bests during intersquad meets this spring.
 
Individually, Eva Laun-Smith, already the most decorated in program history, will look to add to her accolades. She became the first to earn All-America honors indoors after capturing a bronze medal in the triple jump in 2019. She returned to compete in two events (the 60-meter hurdles and long jump) at the NCAA Indoor Championships last season but the meet was canceled due to COVID-19. However, the national organizations for track and field still recognized the qualifiers honoring the top eight qualifiers in each event as All-Americans. Now a three-time All-American indoors, Laun-Smith will look to make a return to outdoor nationals for the first time since her freshman season.
Competitors to Watch:
Eva Laun-Smith – Senior – Hurdles, long jump, triple jump – Outdoor national qualifier in the triple jump in 2018
Aminah Crawford – Senior – 100, 200 – Outdoor national qualifier in the 100 in 2019
Travis Price – Senior – Sprints – Member of the 4^th place 4x100 at 2019 MWC Outdoor Championships
Mauricio Penn – Senior – Mid-distance – 5^th in the 400 at 2019 MWC Outdoor Championships
 
Season/Home Opener: Saturday, April 3 at Strong Stadium in Beloit
 
WOMEN'S LACROSSE | Schedule | Roster
The Beloit College women's lacrosse team has met adversity head on going into the 2021 season. Despite having a limited number of games scheduled, the team is geared up to get back on the field for competition.
 
"This preseason has been different than any other," said Head Coach Sammi Weiser. "The team is so thankful to be able to play lacrosse and be together as a team again. The intensity has been high, our level of intention has been set, and the team will not take one minute of this season for granted."
 
Playing just five games before the shutdown a year ago, the Bucs went 3-2 capping the season with a pair of wins including a premier 11-8 win over Concordia University Wisconsin.
 
This year's team looks quite a bit different as Beloit returns just five starters but the squad is determined to be united as one and tackle everything they encounter together, hence this year's team slogan, "Stronger Together". Noting that after being scattered across the country for a year, having the whole team together felt like a mini homecoming but Coach Weiser indicated the slogan goes deeper. "We know that in order to reach our full potential as a team we need to do it together, as one unit," explained Weiser. "Pushing each other to be the best we can be on and off the field each and every day … knowing that if you fail your team will pick you back up and encourage you to try again. We are Stronger Together, maybe stronger than ever."
 
Players to Watch:
Sy Dragon – Senior Midfielder – Registered three goals last season
Melinda Balades – Senior Defender – Leading returning defender with 17 groundballs and six caused turnovers a year ago
Olivia Farbarik – Sophomore Attack – Started all five games in 2020 posting two goals while causing four turnovers
 
Season Opener: Saturday, March 27 at Cornell College, 1 p.m. (spectators allowed)
Home Opener: Wednesday, April 7 vs. Cornell College, 5 p.m. (no spectators allowed)

**As of March 24, 2021, no spectators, including Beloit College students, will be allowed at athletic events hosted by Beloit College. For more information, including links to live coverage, visit the Spectator FAQ page.