AMAN GUPTA -- Softball Team at Williams College - The Jumbos haven't lost a NESCAC game in three weeks, and haven't surrendered a NESCAC title in four years. Tufts softball is finally playing Tufts softball, and with former head coach and heated rival Kris Herman on the opposite side of the diamond, there is absolutely no way those two streaks are ending anytime soon. The Jumbos tee off against the Purple Cows at 2:30 in Williamstown today in the first round of the NESCAC softball playoffs, and look to see junior ace Caroline Grieco pitted against Williams sophomore Clara Hard. Coming off her no-hitter and near perfect game in her last NESCAC game, Grieco will surely be dominant once again and silence the Ephs noisy bats. Yes Williams and Hard have dominated this season, and yes the Jumbos have been a bit shaky against dominant pitching, but Tufts has extra motivation this year, more than just defending their NESCAC crown.
Prediction: It's going to be a pitching duel for the ages. Coach Cheryl Milligan will be out to prove herself as a head coach, and her team will come out on top in the end. Final Score? Tufts 2, Williams 1.
JESSE GERNER -- Terry Francona vs. Curt Schilling -- two weekends ago against the Yanks at Fenway, Curt Schilling was pissed. Wednesday night against the D-Rays at Fenway, Schill was pissed again. Why? Because he was pulled by Sox skipper Tito Francona after putting in solid outings and holding leads both times.
But last Thursday night in Toronto, Schill was yet again pissed, though this time it was after giving up a grand slam to a career .250 hitter in Jays shortstop Chris Gomez, just the 53rd homer in his 12-year career.
What's my point? Schilling has every right to be mad at getting pulled - no pitcher likes getting the hook while working with a lead - but Schilling needs to know that, as dominant and awesome a pitcher as he is (hell, he's a god to most Sox fans), this is not a one-man show (see Philadelphia Phillies, circa 1990s). He has to trust Tito, who is the reason he chose to come to Boston.
Prediction: Sure, Francona made a big boo-boo by not yanking Mr. New England Maple Cheddar Sandwich after Toronto tied the game 3-3, but it might work in the Sox' favor. It could wake up the entire team -- including Tito -- and make them realize that the Sox have a bullpen that has been, well, ridiculous (hey Grady, you hear that?), and show that it's a team effort and everyone has a part to play. Rather it now than in September. Give Terry a chance, he knows what happened last year.
KRISTY CUNNINGHAM -- Men's Lacrosse vs. Spring Fling -- The men's lacrosse team squares off at home against Conn. College at 1 p.m. tomorrow. At the same time, the Sugar Hill Gang should be playing on the President's Lawn as part of Spring Fling. The lacrosse team is poised to make a run for the NESCAC championship and, with a win over Conn. College and a lucky Middlebury loss to Bates, could even host the league championship tournament. The question is, what event will Tufts' lacrosse fans choose? Spring Fling debauchery, or a chance to see the Jumbos in action?
Prediction: Spring Fling will probably win this one if for no other reason than the fact that once you're in, you can't go out, watch the game, and come back. Tufts' fans still could catch a lacrosse game at home this weekend, however, if the Jumbos host round one of the playoffs on Sunday.
