Spring Break trip leaves baseball team with 5-4 record

The Tufts baseball team opened its 2003 season with a whirlwind tour of North Carolina and Virginia over Spring Break. The Jumbos went 5-4 on the road trip leading into their first league games, a three-game set at home against Bates this weekend.

Tufts finished up its roadtrip with two disappointing losses (9-4, 6-4) in a double header against Virginia Wesleyan last Sunday. The Marlins struck early in game one, scoring three runs in the fourth inning with the help of a John Kasiski leadoff triple.

Jumbo senior Jon Lee started and gave up eight hits, including one home run, in four innings of work.

In game two, Tufts took the lead 4-0 with three runs in the top of the first. Even though the team crossed the plate three times, the Jumbos did not record a hit in the inning. Two walks, two hit batsmen, a fielder's choice and a Virginia Wesleyan error aided them.

The Marlins began chipping away at the Jumbos' lead in the third and fourth innings culminating with four runs in the fifth to take the lead for good, 6-4.

The shift in offensive momentum caused the Jumbos to go quietly 1-2-3 in both the sixth and seventh innings.

"We're not clicking yet," coach John Casey said. "Hopefully that will happen soon. Some guys get off to good starts and some are [slower]. We were fairly pleased with the defense, especially the infield and catchers."

On Saturday, Tufts played another double header against Apprentice College. These games were much more successful than those played the next day as Tufts swept the series (1-0, 4-3).

The two Jumbo victories snapped a ten game Apprentice winning streak. Senior pitcher David Martin had a no hitter going into the sixth inning in game one.

Two games on Tufts' marathon southern tour were postponed due to rain. The Jumbos were scheduled to play Greensboro College and North Carolina Wesleyan on Mar. 19 and 20.

Prior to the inclement weather, Tufts fell to Div. III tenth ranked Methodist College 5-1 in Fayetteville, NC. Methodist starter, sophomore Eric Autry, went seven innings and, at one point, retired ten straight Jumbos.

Tufts played a double header on March 17 against St. Andrew's Presbyterian College. It split the two game series winning game one 5-4 and falling 10-2 in game two.

The first game was all Tufts early on. Junior designated hitter Greg Hickey blasted a leadoff homer in the top of the second inning to give the Jumbos the lead. Hickey had an impressive offensive outing going four for four with two runs and two RBI.

Starting pitcher, junior Randy Newsom, went the distance giving up seven hits and striking out three opposing batters.

"Martin and Newsom both threw well both times out," Casey said. "They are both 2-0."

Tufts had its largest margin of victory against Randolph-Mason College on Mar. 16. The Jumbos won decisively 28-5 while giving everyone on the roster a chance to play.

Tufts scored at least two runs in every inning and amassed 27 hits in their swatting of the Yellow Jackets. Senior tri-captain Evan Zupancic went five for five on the day with four runs and six RBI. Two of his five hits were belted out of the park for homeruns.

Lead off batter senior Jon Herbert also had a successful day hitting safely in four of his six attempts with five RBI and one homerun.

Tufts tallied its first victory of the year, 10-6, in its season opener at Lynchburg (VA) College on Mar. 14. Lee recorded the win giving up just three earned runs in six solid innings of work. Hickey started his season off with a bang going five for five.

"Hickey has been hitting the ball hard," Casey said. "He gets hot and hits the ball to the fence. He has probably been our most consistent hitter so far."

Spring Break allowed the Jumbos to get some time playing outside and determine what improvements need to be made before league play begins this weekend against Bates.

"There were some things we did okay, and others that we didn't," Casey said. "We hit the ball well early, but not as well as the week went on. The bullpen has been inconsistent and it will be important for guys to step up. We were certainly competitive in every game and we played some good teams down there."