Sports Media Assignment #4 (Interview an Athlete):
FRANKLIN, MA- Out of the many sports that Dean College has to offer, one that may pass over everyone’s heads is cross country. It is not a widely promoted sport and does not get the recognition of others, but I had the chance to talk to one of their members about their experience with the program.
Justin, a junior student from Eastchester, NY majoring in exercise science, said that the interest of running began as a freshman at Eastchester High School and was influenced by his family members.
“It is a family tradition”, Tillinghast said. “Most of my family did track and field and they thought I would also be good at it”.
Justin continued to participate in the school’s track and field program throughout High School. However, he did not carry that over right away into college.
“I didn’t know about it my freshman year. Sophomore year, my parents wanted me to focus more on academics and continue to get more used to college life.”
That changed during the last offseason when Justin approached his friend and current teammate Sebastian Marsalese.
“I was hanging out with Sebastian one day”, said Tillinghast. “I asked him that I wanted to talk to coach about joining the team”.
After filling out paperwork and meeting with the Athletic Trainer, Justin was cleared for his first season.
Justin said that after the process of paperwork is complete, the rest of the way is a breeze.
“Everyone makes the team, so it’s easy after the signing up process”, Tillinghast said. “Practices are 4 days a week, usually 45 minutes. Races are once a week, and we usually don’t leave New England”. Meets consist of 5k’s, 6k’s, and 8k’s, with the 6k’s for women only and 8k’s for men only.
Joe Cabral is the head coach of the Dean College Cross Country team. He is also the head coach of the men’s basketball program at the college.
Tillinghast also believes he stands out from the rest of the team due to the effort that he puts in during the offseason.
“I tend to train more. I practice 6-7 days a week during the offseason. Others focus on 4 days a week”.
Tillinghast said he plans to do cross country again next year for his senior season.
“Running is good exercise for me, and it will keep me active at school”, Tillinghast noted. “It is something I can do on my own while representing the school”.
While cross country may not draw the huge crowds that other Dean College athletics do, a great sport with supportive teammates awaits those that are interested!
Sports Media Assignment #5: Red Sox Beat Report (Week of 2/26-3/3)
Monday 2/26:
Nick Yorke can thank Andrew Schultz as a wild pitch led to him scoring a walk-off run to seal a 7-6 Red Sox win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Zach Fogell got credit for the win after only pitching the 9th inning, with 1 walk, no hits, and no strikeouts. The offense was clicking for Boston today as the team recorded 10 hits, with Heineman being the only one to record 2. However, the Sox left 10 men stranded on base. They are now 3-1 in spring training and will take on the St Louis Cardinals tomorrow.
Manager Alex Cora has confirmed that the Red Sox have had talks with free agent pitcher Jordan Montgomery. According to ESPN, Cora and the Red Sox recently held a zoom call with Montgomery, but that it took place two weeks ago. Cora believes that the team is doing a good job in trying to build the roster up. “I think we’re working”, Cora told ESPN. “We’re working hard towards that. If it happens, it happens”. With over a month left until Opening Day, the Sox could be seeing more future additions to their team soon.
Tuesday 2/27:
Today was a sight that we only get to see during Spring Training as the Boston Red Sox and St Louis Cardinals battled to a 3-3 tie. Boston led 3-1 going into the 8th inning, however, a Luken Baker single in the 8th and a bases loaded walk to Jeremy Rivas quickly tied the game in the 9th. 3 walks were issued in the 9th by Red Sox pitcher Noah Song, as well as 1 hit. Garrett Ramsey came in and recorded the last out before any more damage could be done. The tie will not factor into any of the teams’ records, but the Sox extend their unbeaten streak to 4 games and will face the Washington Nationals tomorrow.
Wednesday 2/28:
The Sox’ unbeaten run has come to an end as Boston falls to the Washington Nationals 4-3. Boston led 2-0 after 2, but 4 unanswered runs in the 3rd and 5th inning would be the difference in the game. A problem that the Red Sox have shown lately is the strikeout-walk ratio, with only 7 strikeouts and 6 walks today, a theme that has seemed to have affected Boston in the last 2 games. Mark Kolozsvary was the only Sox player with multiple hits, going 2-3 with 2 runs batted in. Jesse Winker was similar for Washington, going 2-3, again the only player on their side with more than one hit, and also noting one run batted in. The Sox head to 3-2 and will take on the Detroit Tigers tomorrow on leap day.
5 months after Red Sox legend Tim Wakefield passed away, Red Sox nation is feeling the emotions again as his widow, Stacy Wakefield passed away today. Stacy died after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Stacy worked alongside Tim in raising money for multiple groups, including the Red Sox Foundation and the Jimmy Fund, visiting patients, and raising funds for children also dealing with cancer. Stacy and Tim will be survived by their two children, Trevor, and Brianna.
Thursday 2/29:
The bats and pitching were in great form this afternoon as the Red Sox defeated the Detroit Tigers 5-2. All 5 runs came before the 5th inning, and two of them being driven in by Trevor Story, who is looking to have a bounce back year in 2024. After a 3 inning and 6 strikeout performance from Garrett Whitlock, 4 pitchers in the next 5 innings would allow no runs and only 2 walks to help maintain steady pace for Boston. Anthony Bemboom for Detroit had a great day, going 2-2 and scoring a run. He is now .600 in spring training. The Red Sox are back in action tomorrow against the Minnesota Twins.
Friday 3/1:
The Red Sox once again started out good today on the offensive side, but their bats ran cold after the 2nd inning, which helped prevail the Minnesota Twins to win 5-3. The first two Boston runs came on singles in the 1st and 2nd innings from Wilyer Abreu and David Hamilton respectively. However, a 3rd inning grand slam from DH Royce Lewis helped extend the lead to 3 for the Twins. A late comeback attempt fell short, as Romy Gonzalez’s 444 foot solo shot in the 9thwould be the last score of the game. The Red Sox are now 4-3 in preseason play and will have 2 matchups tomorrow, 1 away at Tampa Bay and 1 home against Washington.
Saturday 3/2:
Two different teams in action for Boston today did not seem to have any effect as the Red Sox won both of their spring training matchups today. Their home 4-2 win against the Washington Nationals saw a total of 10 pitching strikeouts from Red Sox pitchers, with 5 coming from Tanner Houck in a span 3 innings. The Sox also had 2 home runs in the game, one each from Cutter Coffey and Chris Miller. The other matchup saw Boston defeat Tampa Bay 3-2 in Port Charlotte. This game saw most of Boston’s “first-team” lineup in action, with notable players such as Refsnyder, McGuire, and Reyes starting to name a few. 2 home runs were also hit in this game, one from Refsnyder and one from Joe Dunand. Benitez and Gonzalez recorded 3 strikeouts each over 2 1/3 combined innings and the team recorded 13 overall. The next Sox matchup is tomorrow against Toronto.
Red Sox newcomer Vaughn Grissom might be in jeopardy. After being expected to debut this weekend, he is now doubtful for Opening Day. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Grissom what “shut down” with a left groin strain that he sustained Thursday while participating in fielding drills. Grissom was traded to Boston after the 2023 season for pitcher Chris Sale and cash considerations. The now 23 year old infielder has spent most of his career in the minor leagues, but had been given opportunities with the Atlanta Braves throughout the last 2 years, batting .287 with 5 home runs and 27 runs batted in. With less than 4 weeks until Opening Day, the starting 2nd baseman position is now vacant until further notice.
Sunday 3/3:
The Red Sox improve to 7-3 in spring training play as they defeated the Toronto Blue Jays this afternoon 3-1, making it their 3rd consecutive spring training win. Kutter Crawford started for the Sox and went 3 innings before transitioning over to Brandon Walter who would give up the only run in the game. Lucas Luetge earned the Win and Jason Alexander earned the save. Next matchup for the Sox is tomorrow when they take on the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, Florida at 1:05pm.
Rumors are once again swirling around with MLB executives who believe that Jordan Montgomery, a free agent starting pitcher, will soon be signing with the Red Sox. Montgomery was a part of the 2023 Texas Rangers roster last season, who won the World Series. According to Jon Heyman from the New York Post, Montgomery was looking for a contract above Aaron Nola’s 7 year, $172 million deal back in January.