Orlando, Fla. - March 13, 2023 - The Springfield College men's tennis team was edged by Ithaca, 5-4, in its opening match of its four-match swing in Florida at the USTA National Training Center. 

The loss dropped the Pride to 5-3 on the year as it competed for the first time this spring. 

Beginning in singles play, the Pride earned three points as Phakin Thongbooncharoen (Bangkok, Thailand) picked up a 7-6, 7-5 win at No. 4, while Tim Norin (Stockholm, Sweden) prevailed by a 6-1, 6-4 decision at No. 3.  Eric Nicander (Stockholm, Sweden) added a 6-4, 6-4 win of his own at No. 3 as the teams went into doubles play knotted up at 3-3.

In doubles, Thongbooncharoen and Mike Kendrick (Watervliet, N.Y.) earned an 8-7 victory at No. 3, but the Bombers battled their way to decisions at the top two spots to clinch the match. 

Springfield hits the court again on Tuesday when it squares off against St. Scholastica.

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