Sports Shorts
Softball Splits Doubleheader with Smith
After pushing the tying run across in the top of the seventh to force extra innings, the MIT softball team exploded for 10 runs in the ninth to win game one of a New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) doubleheader, 16-7, at Smith College on Tuesday. The Engineers fell in the nightcap, 10-4, in a game that lasted just six innings due to darkness.
MIT struck first in game one, opening up a 4-1 lead. Five singles and a hit batsmen would lead to four runs for Smith in the fifth, giving the Pioneers their first lead of the game at 5-4. Jessica L. Iacobucci ’12 picked up a key RBI in the seventh, as Lily Keung ’10 scored the tying run to extend the contest.
The teams traded runs in the eighth before MIT’s offensive outburst secured the win. Iacobucci and Jessica M. Oleinik ’11 each drove in runs in two separate plate appearances during the scoring run.
In the second game of the day, Tech fell behind early and was unable to overcome a seven-run deficit, eventually falling in six innings.
Smith put three runs on the board in each of the first two innings, as pitchers Erin Quinn and Emily Hiltzik, held the Engineers to just four runs on six hits. Aubrey L. Tatarowicz ’10 led off the fourth with her first career homerun, one of the few offensive bright spots in the losing effort.
—Greg McKeever, DAPER Staff
MIT NamesChad MartinovichHead Football Coach
On Wednesday, MIT Director of Athletics Julie Soriero announced the hiring of Chad Martinovich to serve as the second head coach in the history of the MIT football program. Martinovich makes the trek to Cambridge from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), where he was the Defensive Coordinator for the last four years.
Martinovich takes over the reins from long-time head coach Dwight Smith, who retired from coaching following a strong campaign in which he earned NEFC Coach of the Year honors for the second time. Smith had been with the program since its return to the club ranks in 1978, and guided the Engineers into their first varsity game in 1988.
At RPI, Martinovich’s defense ranked first in the Liberty League three straight years, while the team qualified for the NCAA Championship Tournament in 2007. In the other three seasons Martinovich spent commanding the Raiders’ defensive corps, RPI were ECAC Bowl champions.
“I’m excited and really looking forward to being part of the MIT family,” said Martinovich. “It’s a tremendous honor to follow in Coach Smith’s footsteps, and I am eager to bring the alums into the fold as soon as possible. Collectively, we aim to build on the program’s solid foundation, and take MIT football to new heights by delivering a great product on and off the field.”
—James Kramer, DAPER Staff