Sophomore Eric Ringstad posted wins at No. 1 singles and doubles to help lead the Skyhawks to victory. (PHOTO BY Bert Lane)

Skyhawks post four double-winners to collect win in spring home opener

EASTON, Mass. (March 14, 2013) – Stonehill College, ranked ninth in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) East Regional rankings, opened its spring home schedule with a 9-0 sweep of Eastern Nazarene College in non-conference men's tennis action at Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex this evening.

Sophomores Eric Ringstad (Fairbanks, Alaska/Monroe Catholic) and Thomas Alaimo (North Andover, Mass./Central Catholic) as well as juniors Nick Hyzak (Guilford, Conn./Guilford) and Brett Armstrong (Manville, R.I./Mount Saint Charles Academy) were all double-winners to lead Stonehill to victory in its first home match of the spring season. Ringstad and senior Chris Martin (Darien, Conn./Darien) combined for an 8-5 win at No. 1 doubles before Ringstad posted a 6-3, 6-3 decision over senior Austin Steelman (Darlington, Md./The Tome School) at No. 1 singles.

Alaimo and Hyzak teamed up for an 8-0 victory at No. 2 doubles before Alaimo notched a 6-2, 6-0 victory over sophomore Tyler Perron (Plympton, Mass./Silver Lake Regional) at No. 4 singles. Hyzak followed with a 6-4, 6-1 decision over sophomore Sam McKay-Corkum (Rehoboth, Mass./Providence Country Day) at No. 2 singles. Armstrong cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 victory at No. 5 singles over freshman Kevin Paterno (Buenos Aires, Argentina) after combining with sophomore Jonathan Sanders (Holbrook, N.Y./St. Anthony's) for an 8-1 victory at No. 3 doubles.

Sophomore Jared Drzal (West Sayville, N.Y./Sayville) and freshman Philip Klados (Lake Forest, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic) also picked up points for Stonehill with singles victories. Klados claimed a 6-3, 6-2 decision over junior Tim Luz (Cumberland, R.I./Cumberland) at No. 3, while Drzal rolled to a 6-1, 6-1 win over junior Nick Thompson (York, Pa./Central York) at No. 6.

Stonehill (10-2, 3-0 NE-10) is back in action on Sunday when it hosts New York Institute of Technology, ranked fifth in the ITA East Regional rankings, for a key regional matchup at 11 a.m. Eastern Nazarene (3-4, 0-0 CCC) visits Curry College on Saturday, March 23, at noon.

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1. Eric Ringstad (STO) def. Austin Steelman (ENC) 6-3, 6-3

2. Nick Hyzak (STO) def. Sam McKay-Corkum (ENC) 6-4, 6-1

3. Philip Klados (STO) def. Tim Luz (ENC) 6-3, 6-2

4. Thomas Alaimo (STO) def. Tyler Perron (ENC) 6-2, 6-0

5. Brett Armstrong (STO) def. Kevin Paterno (ENC) 6-1, 6-2

6. Jared Drzal (STO) def. Nick Thompson (ENC) 6-1, 6-1

Doubles

1. Ringstad/Chris Martin (STO) def. Steelman/Thompson (ENC) 8-5

2. Hyzak/Alaimo (STO) def. McKay-Corkum/Luz (ENC) 8-0

3. Armstrong/Jonathan Sanders (STO) def. Perron/Paterno (ENC) 8-1