With one week remaining in the regular season, both the baseball and softball teams are perched atop their respective NESCAC divisions, having already secured postseason playoff berths. If both teams can maintain this solid level of conference play, Tufts will be hosting both tournaments in early May.
The softball team (20-8-1, 6-0) remained undefeated in conference play as the Jumbos topped Colby 8-0 twice this weekend. This dominance over conference rivals has been typical of the 2001 campaign, as the team has outscored opponents 45-4 in its six NESCAC games. The only remaining NESCAC East games of the season will come against the Bowdoin Polar Bears (10-4, 2-0) this weekend in Maine.
"Without a doubt the NESCAC games are key," sophomore Nikki Blotner said. "Bowdoin is the only other undefeated team, and we play them next weekend. We are the better team, we just need to play hard and focus."
Although it is mathematically possible, Bowdoin will have its hands full if it hopes to knock Tufts out of the top spot. On Monday, the Polar Bears will play a doubleheader against Colby (6-7, 2-2), and on Wednesday, they play two against Bates (7-10, 0-2). Assuming Bowdoin sweeps all of these games, it would still need to sweep Tufts this weekend in order to finish first in the conference.
"We try to play our best every time we go out, but the NESCAC games are always important." coach Kris Talon said. "We want to host the tournament this year, and we are in pretty good shape for that."
The top seed in the East will host the four-team tournament on May 4-6, which is comprised of the top two teams from both the East and West divisions. Currently on a tear where they have won 13 of their past 14 games, it would take nothing short of a natural disaster to prevent the women's team from hosting this year's tournament.
The men's baseball team is also in a similar situation, as it took two of three from the Colby White Mules this weekend, boosting its record to a conference-leading 7-1 mark. With three games remaining in the NESCAC schedule, the Jumbos would have to lose two of three for second-place Trinity (21-5, 8-3) to have any chance of usurping the lead. While the 4-1 loss to Colby on Friday was the first blemish on its conference mark, Tufts rebounded with two resounding victories, out-scoring the White Mules 28-7 in the final two contests.
Setting the tone for the season, Tufts swept a three-game weekend series against Trinity, obliterating the Bantams and taking over sole possession of first place last weekend. Just as in softball, the top seed from the East will host the postseason tournament. While Tufts and Trinity are the clear favorites coming out of the East, Williams (18-3, 6-1) and Amherst (12-8, 3-1) are currently holding the top two spots in the West. The tournament will take place on May 11-13.
