By Jim Fenton
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Here's a look at the week ahead (April 20-26) for the Bridgewater State University athletics teams:
MONDAY
BASEBALL, at home, Worcester State, 2:00 PM: The Bears look to extend a 15-game winning streak when they host the Lancers at Alumni Park on Patriots Day.
BSU is 20-5 and leads the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference with a 14-1 record. The Bears have not lost since March 24 against the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
Worcester State (13-13) is tied for second in the MASCAC with Anna Maria at 11-4.
The teams will play a doubleheader in Worcester on April 28.
SOFTBALL, at Worcester State (DH), Noon: The Bears travel to Worcester for a twinbill.
BSU (15-15) is 6-4 in the MASCAC, one game behind the Lancers (15-13, 7-3 conference) in the standings.
This will be the final road games for the Bears, who end the season with five in a row at Alumni Park.
TUESDAY
MEN'S TENNIS, at home, Rhode Island College, 3:30 PM: Sole possession of first place in the Little East Conference will be on the line at the Rosen Memorial Tennis Courts.
Defending champion RIC (8-2) and BSU (7-4) are tied for first place at 4-0. The winner will clinch at least a tie for the regular-season title.
The Bears, winners of five matches in a row, lost twice to the Anchormen last season, including a 5-1 decision in the tournament championship match.
The teams have split the last four meetings.
WOMEN'S LACROSSE, at home, Salem State, 7:00 PM: The Bears finish their Mazzaferro Field schedule by hosting the Vikings.
BSU is 5-10 overall, 3-2 in the MASCAC with two straight wins. Salem State is 8-4 and 2-3 and is on a four-game losing streak.
It will be Excel/Best Buddies Night.
THURSDAY
MEN'S TENNIS, at Salve Regina, 3:30 PM: The Bears and the Seahawks meet for the first time since 1998 in a non-conference match.
BSU won the last match, 5-4, at home and this is the program's first trip to Salve Regina since 1995.
FRIDAY
BASEBALL, at Westfield State, 3:30 PM: The teams start a three-game series with the opener at Hagan Field.
BSU went 2-1 against the Owls last season. Westfield State is 11-19, 8-7 in the MASCAC.
SATURDAY
MEN'S TRACK & FIELD, at the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships, 10:00 AM: The Bears, winners of seven straight conference titles, look
to keep the streak going in a meet hosted by Fitchburg State University.
BSU won 11 individual events and two relay races at the MASCACs, held in Bridgewater last season.
The Bears compiled 240 points with Westfield State second with 172.
WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD, at the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships, 10:00 AM: The Bears travel to Fitchburg State for the conference championship meet.
BSU has finished second the past two years after winning titles in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
The Bears were second to Westfield State a year ago. Naomi Cass (Westport, Mass.) returns after winning the 1,500 and 5,000 races for BSU.
WOMEN'S LACROSSE, at Framingham State, 10:00 AM: The regular-season concludes for the Bears with a trip to Framingham.
The Rams are 6-8 and 3-2 in the MASCAC. They defeated BSU, 10-8, last season and reached the conference tourney final, losing to Worcester State, 13-11.
BASEBALL, at home, Westfield State (DH), Noon: It will be Senior Day at Alumni Park when the Bears and Owls meet in a doubleheader.
SOFTBALL, at home, Westfield State (DH), 12:30 PM: The Owls visit Alumni Park to take on the Bears in a pair of games.
Westfield State enters the week 27-1 and 9-1 in the MASCAC. The Owls won their first 26 games this season before losing to Framingham State, 7-3, on Saturday.
Westfield State had been one of two undefeated Division III teams in the nation before that loss.
MEN'S TENNIS, at Vermont State Castleton, 1:00 PM: The Bears end the regular season with a trip north to face the Spartans.
BSU is 5-0 in the series, which began in 2019. Vermont State Castleton is 2-6 and 0-2 in the Little East.
The conference tournament begins on April 28 with the quarterfinal round followed by the semifinal round on April 30 and the championship will be decided May 2.