Baseball clinches playoff berth with sweep at Colby

The baseball team secured a spot in the upcoming NESCAC tournament with a three game series sweep over the Colby White Mules last weekend. The team's conference season came to an end as the Jumbos prepare for two more out of conference match-ups before beginning the tournament begins.

Senior pitcher Jon Lee continued his excellence this season in winning his eighth game of the year. With the victory, Lee tied the all-time Tufts career record for wins with 28 originally set by Bud Niles in 1950. The righty is now 8-2 on the year and 28-6 in his four year stint as a Jumbo.

"Jon Lee is one of the best pitchers I've ever played with," junior pitcher Randy Newsom said. "Every time we need a big game, that kid steps up."

Saturday's doubleheader was highlighted by two complete game pitching performances by Lee in game one and Newsom in the nightcap.

Newsom, now 4-1 on the season, threw for nine strong innings and gave up five runs.

"I got good defense," Newsom said. "It was a pretty good team win and a pretty good team weekend."

The offense, led by senior tri-captain centerfielder Evan Zupancic, produced 11 runs to seal the victory for Newsom. Zupancic went 3-4 in the game and scored five of the 11 Jumbo runs.

"Zupancic has been hot," senior left fielder Jon Herbert said. "He had a terrific weekend and really helped carry us."

Though two of the three games in the series were won by substantial margins, game one of the doubleheader was much closer.

Tufts scored four runs early in the contest with the help of an adjusted batting order that was put to use on Friday and continued through the weekend. Coach John Casey moved Evan Zupancic into the leadoff spot and had Herbert move down in the lineup.

"I had been batting first or second," Herbert said. "I had been struggling so the coach dropped me down to see some better pitches."

Newsom added that having Zupancic leading off tends to get things started.

"Evan is an on-base machine," Newsom said. "I love having him there. He has some power and he sets the table really well."

The Mules tied it up in the fourth, but the Jumbos would come back to take the lead for good in the fifth. Herbert knocked in the game winning run with a double to right-centerfield.

Sophomore first baseman John McBride had two doubles in the game and fellow second year second baseman Frank Dinucci had three hits.

In the first game against Colby on Friday, the Jumbos won in decisive fashion 15-5. Senior tri-captain Dave Martin earned the win and Zupancic went 5-6 with three runs and an RBI.

Tufts took an early lead in the second inning when junior third baseman Adam Kacamburas worked the count to force a walk with the bases loaded. Junior DH Greg Hickey followed Kacamburas with an RBI single.

In the sixth inning, the Jumbos went on an offensive stampede scoring six runs on four hits and two walks. The inning was highlighted by Herbert's grand slam homerun.

"I knew that the bases were loaded and that it was a new pitcher," Herbert said. "He would be anxious to throw some strikes. I was looking for one right down the middle."

Senior tri-captain shortstop Brian Shapiro roped a two run single to complete the Tufts attack in the sixth.

"Our offense got sparked," Herbert said. "Once we get going as a team, we can really keep it rolling sometimes."

Martin was unscathed for the first seven innings giving up just one un-earned run in the bottom of the fifth. In the eighth, however, the Mules had four straight hits including a two run single by catcher Eric Roy. Colby scored three runs before Tufts went to the bullpen.

"[Martin's] pitch count was up there," Newsom said. "He was pitching really well, but they were taking a lot of pitches."

Senior Mike Byron came on in relief for Martin. He surrendered an RBI single before retiring the side, but did manage to keep the Jumbos safely ahead of Colby.

Tufts added a run in the ninth inning to increase to its lead to 15-5. Newsom came in to work the bottom of the ninth. He retired the Mules in order with two strike outs and a grounder back to the pitcher's mound.

Tufts was scheduled to make up a doubleheader at home against Wesleyan on Saturday. However, Wesleyan was rained out on Saturday when it was scheduled to play a NESCAC West league opponent. Since the league game was more important for playoff standings, the Wesleyan/Tufts games were cancelled and will not be made up.

Tufts will square off today at home against reining Div III national champion Eastern Connecticut College.

"We need to get rolling now," Newsom said. "We're just going to play them hard. If we play our game, and we play well, I think we'll have a shot."

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