What seemed to be a competitive match up on paper turned out to be a runaway victory for the baseball team. Last Tuesday, while pounding out 25 hits, the Jumbos scored in all but two innings and cruised to a 25-4 victory over Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
Rallies were the theme of the game as the Jumbos exploded for six runs in the second and third innings, while tallying four runs in the seventh and the ninth. This win propelled the team to its ninth straight victory, improving it's mark to 9-3-1 overall, and dropped Mass. Maritime's record to 6-5.
Although there were many solid performances at the plate, the story of the game was sophomore middle-reliever Dave Frew, who picked up his first collegiate win. Frew entered the contest in the third inning after starter, senior tri-captain Steve Lapham, surrendered two runs in the second inning to go along with three walks.
Frew saw limited action last season, but has worked his way onto the staff as a long reliever. When given the opportunity, Frew seized it. He pitched five strong innings, giving up only one earned run and striking out two batters. "Anytime you can get a team win it's great," Frew said. "To add your first career win is just as nice."
Senior tri-captain Dan Callahan had a memorable day at the plate. He broke two Tufts baseball records: most triples and most hits, all time. Callahan's two triples pushed his career mark to 11, breaking the previous record of nine, set by Dan Morse (1996-1999). He also picked up the 182nd hit of his career with a single in the ninth innings.
Junior tri-captain Evan Zupancic proved he hit the weight room during the off-season by belting two homeruns from the leadoff position in the lineup. Zupancic finished the game 4-6, with four runs scored and six runs batted in.
Joining Zupancic with homeruns were junior designated hitter Jon Herbert and junior shortstop Brian Shapiro. Herbert matched Zupancic with six runs batted in, hitting from the second spot in the lineup. He also crossed the plate three times, en route to a 3-for-5 day. Shapiro was 2-for-6 on the day, but the homerun blast was his team-leading fourth of the season. He also contributed four RBI. "It took a little while to get used to their pitching," Shapiro said of Mass. Maritime, who used four pitchers, none of whom went longer than 3.1 innings. "But by the middle of the game we started going opposite field and ball kept dropping."
The Jumbos have been getting solid contributions from a platoon of third basemen, sophomores Adam Kacamburas and Nick Palange. Kacamburas' season batting average is .424 (14-33) and Palange's is .500 (7-14). Against Mass. Maritime, the duo combined to go 2-3 from the plate with three walks. Kacamburas scored three times, while Palange crossed the plate once.
While the older players are the leaders of the team, freshmen Frank Dinucci and Bobby Kenny showed why the squad has promise for years to come. "We (freshmen) are guys who like going out playing with older guys and going out competing against other great players," Dinucci said of his chance to be in the starting lineup.
Dinucci was 2-4 with one double, also walking twice. He made Mass. Maritime pay each time as he scored five funs on the day. "I'm glad coach Casey has been giving me an opportunity to play," Dinucci said. "I try to help the team every time I play."
Frew was quick to point out a major reasons for his effectiveness on the mound was Kenny's work. As a catcher, he called a great game and offensively, he went 1-6, scoring one run. "Bobby Kenny called a great game," Frew said. "He kept hitters off balance."
Sophomores Drew Blewett and Greg Hickey combined for five runs batted in as the whole team ran on all cylinders. Even ninth place hitter, Dinucci got in on the action scoring five runs. "Anytime your ninth hitter can score five runs in a game, you know you're doing something right," Frew said.
This weekend, the baseball team will be double dipping twice against a tough Wesleyan (9-5) opponent. On Saturday, the squad travels to Middletown, Connecticut to take on the Cardinals and on Sunday, the two teams battle at Tufts. Wesleyan swept perennial NESCAC contender Amherst last weekend, so this weekend should be a true test for the Jumbos.
