Baseball Notes: Alums return for home opener

The baseball team's home opener saw the unveiling of the new Tufts Baseball Press Box, a gift of alumni Todd Romboli (A93) and Steve Lee (A97). The box sits atop the first base dugout, and while just a raw timber shell at present, gives a sweeping view of Huskins Field, while also providing some much needed shelter from Saturday's bitter wind.

At least ten baseball alumni were on hand to watch the team open the season before some went to the 2004 Jumbo Club Awards Dinner in Cousens Gymnasium.

"It was nice to see so many alums back, I think that speaks a lot to the program," senior co-captain Randy Newsom said. "When you have kids coming from Connecticut, a guy flying in from Chicago, and a guy coming up from New York, just to watch us open up at home, that's when you know you're part of something special. That's what I hope these freshmen realize."



Running up the pitch count

Sophomore starter Zak Smotherman ran the count full on seven of the 18 batters he faced, and threw 40 pitches alone in Wesleyan's three-run fourth inning of Saturday's second game. But the southpaw lowered his ERA by nearly half a run with the four-inning, four-run (only two earned) outing, finishing the day with a 4.63 ERA.



Pick me, pick me

Senior infielder Nick Palange has served largely in the utility role throughout his career, entering the season with a .235 average in 132 career at bats. But the Southboro, MA native has been pressing coach John Casey for more playing time with his surprising offensive start this season, batting .361 through yesterday's games at Wesleyan, with a team-high two homers and a lofty .611 slugging percentage.

"Realizing that I've just got to go out and not worry about everything and not get too stressed over each particular play or at bat [has been a big difference]," Palange explained. "It's obviously been working so far for me personally, but honestly, after a game like [Saturday's 6-0 loss to Wesleyan] it doesn't matter how well I played, you'd much rather play badly and win than play well and lose."



Freshman nerves? No sir

Freshman center fielder Chris Decembrele had an eight pitch battle with Wesleyan starter Eric Wdowiak in the third inning of Saturday's 9-8 win. With two runners on, Decembrele worked the count full before fouling off two pitches, then laced a slicing drive down the leftfield line for a two-run double that gave Tufts a 7-2 lead.