Freshman designated hitter Kyle Backstrom exploded for three home runs -- the first of his collegiate career -- and drove in all but one of Tufts' tallies in a 9-4 victory over Babson on Tuesday.
"Kyle was amazing," senior co-captain Adam Kacamburas said. "He was just in the zone."
The young slugger now leads the Jumbos (16-11) not only in home runs but also in the RBI column with 26 and in slugging percentage with .582. He is currently batting .354.
Tuesday's win extended Tufts' winning streak to four, while Babson (22-14) fell off the win-wagon after a seven game run. The fact that the victory was by no means a blowout made Backstrom's performance all the more impressive -- and crucial.
"He picked us up on a day when we needed him," coach John Casey said. "He's one of those guys who's capable of just carrying you on any given day."
Backstrom broke Tufts out of a scoreless deadlock in the top of the fourth with his first homer, a three-run blast over the left field wall. Sophomore Matt Clement and freshman Bryan McDavitt both scored on the play, after reaching base on a pair of solid singles.
In their next ups, Babson creeped the score up to 3-1, but Backstrom answered in the top of the fifth with another towering shot out of the park, for two runs. McDavitt had added his own RBI earlier in the inning, with a sacrifice fly to right field.
Though the Beavers trimmed their deficit down to 6-3 in the sixth, a three-run seventh for the Jumbos gave the visitors a comfortable cushion. Backstrom lifted one over the left field fence to send McDavitt on his second free trip around the diamond that afternoon, and also plated Kacamburas with the hit.
Backstrom finished the day 4 for 5. In the only at-bat that he did not convert into a hit, Backstrom's shot barely failed to clear the center field wall and was fielded by Babson's Chris Mearn.
While no official records have been kept on the matter, it is possible that Backstrom's three-homer game is unprecedented in Tufts history. Neither Casey, who has been at the helm of the baseball program for two decades, nor Sports Information Director Paul Sweeney could remember another player duplicating Backstrom's feat. Whether or not it's a university record, Backstrom's performance will likely settle itself in Tufts baseball lore.
"I don't remember anyone hitting three, that's pretty good," Casey said. "None of the three were even close. He swings hard when he gets up."
Amazingly, Backstrom said he does not consider himself to be a major power hitter. He also estimated that he only hit six or seven home runs during his high school career.
"I don't swing for the fence," Backstrom said. "I call them 'home runs by mistake.' I try to hit line drives and if they happen to go over the fence that's good, but I'm not used to hitting them that often."
Unsure of how to explain his phenomenal afternoon, Backstrom said he was just 'having a good day.'
"Some days you just see the ball better than other days," Backstrom said. "I was sitting back looking for something to hit and I guess I felt good [Tuesday]. You just have to hit the pitcher's mistakes."
The plate experience that he's gained this season definitely affected Backstrom's breakout performance too, he said.
"I think it's just seeing more and more pitches and more and more different types of pitchers, and just getting more comfortable at the plate," Backstrom said. "I go up there now and try not to think so much. I try to hit the ball where it's pitched."
While a three-homerun game is not likely to be repeated by any Jumbo in the near future, Tufts does need to be in top form this weekend against Bates. Only a three-game sweep of the series will earn the Jumbos a berth in the upcoming NESCAC tournament.
"Let's just hope [Backstrom] continues this weekend," Casey said. "I was impressed [Tuesday]. He just swung the bat really well."
"We made the plays we should have and we played solid defense for the most part, but the story of the Babson game was Backstrom's offensive explosion," Kacamburas echoed. "That is what we're going to have to do from here on out to win the big games."
After returning from the Friday-Saturday Bates series in Lewiston, Maine, Tufts will face off against Babson again this Sunday, at home at 1 p.m.
