Sudden finish for the defending champions

Cruising into the end of the regular season on a seven-game winning streak, it looked like everything was finally in sync for the Tufts baseball team. The pitching, which was strong all season, continued to exercise authority and command from the mound. The offense, after battling early-season inconsistency, was producing in the clutch.

But in the end, it came down to scoring, and the Jumbos could not. The defending NESCAC champions scored just one run in two games - suffering back-to-back 5-1 and 6-0 losses to the Amherst Jeffs and Williams Ephs - and were eliminated in last weekend's NESCAC Playoffs.

"We didn't perform as a team," senior tri-captain Dave Martin said. "We just didn't score. As the season went on, we were playing better as a team and I was encouraged. We had that big win against [ranked first in nation] Eastern Conn. and I thought that would continue into the playoffs."

Williams, who improved to 27-9 with the decisive 6-0 win on Saturday May 10, attacked early and often to pressure the Jumbos. Martin (6-2, 3.59 ERA) lasted just one and two-third innings, surrendering four earned runs on five hits while walking two.

The Ephs opened the game with two runs on a double, a single, a walk, another single and a sacrifice fly to give sophomore starter Chris Bodnar (4-2) all the runs he needed for victory.

Williams added a pair of insurance runs the next inning to chase Martin. Freshman Erik Johanson relieved, avoiding further trouble when junior catcher Greg Hickey caught Williams first baseman Jabe Bergeron stealing second to end the inning - the first of three Ephs runners Hickey nailed in the game.

Senior Mike Byron and sophomore Jeremy Davis pitched in relief and kept things in control for the remainder of the game. Byron, in his final college appearance, allowed just two hits in four shutout innings, while Davis added his own scoreless inning.

Bodnar, meanwhile, shut down a Jumbo offense that batted .297 with 189 runs scored during the regular season. Tufts never threatened, managing just five hits against the lefty, who struck out seven and walked three.

On Friday, May 9, the Jumbos locked horns with Amherst in what started as a pitching duel. Senior starter Jon Lee (9-3, 2.20 ERA), vying for his 30th career win, sparkled for the first seven innings. The Manhasset Hills, NY native limited the Jeffs to five hits and one run, with the lone run coming on Amherst shortstop Zach Schonberger's solo homer in the third.

The Jumbos tied it in the fifth, playing smart baseball against Amherst starter Andy Kerns. Senior left fielder Jon Herbert beat out an infield single, advancing to second on sophomore second baseman Frank Dinucci's sacrifice bunt. Herbert then stole third before scoring on a sacrifice fly by sophomore catcher Bob Kenny. But Kerns buckled down, striking out senior tri-captain Evan Zupancic with a runner on second to end the inning.

Kerns, who upped his season record to a perfect 6-0, did not allow another hit for the rest of the game, allowing just two Jumbos to reach base, on sixth inning walks. He struck out nine in earning the complete game victory.

"It was just heartbreaking, to sum it up in one word," Zupancic said. "We didn't come to play that weekend, and we were severely punished for it."

The Jeffs jumped on Lee in the eighth, loading the bases with no outs on two singles and an error by first baseman John McBride. Cleanup man Dave Levinson followed with a single to score the eventual winning run, breaking the scoring gridlock. Junior Randy Newsom, summoned from the bullpen to relieve Lee, was greeted by designated hitter Fran Morales' two-run single. Amherst capped the scoring with two more runs that inning.

It was a disappointing end to a successful career for Lee, who broke the 53-year-old Tufts career wins record in his previous start against Babson. Lee finished with a 29-7 record (.805 winning percentage) and a 2.55 ERA, fourth-best in Tufts history. He combined with Martin and Newsom to form one of league's toughest starting rotations this season. The trio went 19-4 with a 2.45 earned run average, notching 119 strikeouts and just 33 walks in 168.2 innings of work.

Zupancic and Hickey also joined to form a deadly offensive duo. The pair combined for a .382 average with nine homers and 57 runs batted in. Zupancic also broke the career record for homers, hitting his 22nd career blast this spring. However, according to Zupancic, personal achievement was far from his main focus.

"To tell you the truth, I'd trade all my stats and numbers for a shot to be in the regionals and go further," Zupancic said. "I wouldn't have had the stats if it hadn't been for a bunch of talented guys I played with. They put up some great numbers too."