The Jumbos battled the Wesleyan Cardinals four times over two days this weekend, and took the series 3-1. They swept the doubleheader at Wesleyan on Saturday and split the second doubleheader, played at Tufts, on Sunday.
Senior Jeremy Davis pitched a one-hitter in the nightcap of the doubleheader at Wesleyan on Saturday. Wesleyan managed only one unearned run against Davis, who pitched the entire game, and the Jumbos backed up the solid pitching with run support to take the game 5-1.
Davis struck out only one but recorded 17 infield outs. According to Davis, the possibility of throwing a no-hitter or a one-hitter didn't affect his mentality.
"I try to remain at the same level of focus and intensity no matter what the situation," Davis said.
In the fifth inning, Wesleyan's Adam Kopiec had an RBI single to even the score at one. The one run to cross the plate was unearned. Davis has allowed no earned runs in 17.2 innings pitched this season.
The Jumbo offense responded to the Cardinals' game-tying run with an offensive rally that tipped the scales in Tufts' favor. Freshman designated hitter Steve Ragonese hit two doubles, including a game-winning RBI in the sixth inning. Sophomore first baseman Bryan McDavitt also bashed an RBI double in the seventh to widen the gap. Only two of the five runs allowed by Wesleyan starter Andre Sternberg were earned.
Sunday, the two teams traveled to Medford, switching venues to face off at Huskins Field. Because the teams were playing four games over the course of two days, each game was only seven innings instead of the usual nine.
The Jumbos failed to carry the momentum of their first two wins against the Cardinals into their first game, and lost 1-3.
Senior Wesleyan starter Will Gordon allowed only three hits, but walked six. Two of the Jumbos' hits came from junior Jim O'Leary, as the lefty built off a 3-3 performance in the first game.
The Jumbos managed to tie the game 1-1 in the second inning after a double steal by sophomore second baseman Brian Casey and junior shortstop Greg Chertok, but Wesleyan senior Mac Clonan clubbed the game-winning hit in the fifth inning.
In the second game, Tufts' solid pitching held the Cardinals to no runs, and the offense did its part and then some, producing 17 runs in a blowout 17-0 victory. Ten runs came during an explosive first inning in which three Wesleyan errors helped the Jumbos light up the scoreboard.
O'Leary continued to produce, bashing a bases-clearing double in the first and a two-run single in the second. With his success this weekend at the plate, O'Leary moves to 13-27 on the season (.481) and 11 RBI, five of which game in the fourth game.
McDavitt also contributed, smashing a two-run double in the first and finishing 2 for 3 with 3 RBI for the day. McDavitt continues to be a force for the Jumbos on offense, hitting .367 in a team high 60 at-bats.
"I think everyone's seeing the ball a little better," McDavitt said. "A lot of our hits have been going opposite field. We're just doing the small things, like moving the runner and getting bunts down. Those things are helping us win baseball games."
Because the teams were playing four games over the course of two days, each game was only seven innings instead of the usual nine.
Although the heavy run support ensured a Jumbo victory, junior starter Zak Smotherman kept the Cardinals' offense silent for six scoreless innings in which he allowed four hits and no walks, striking out three.
In Saturday's first game, the Jumbos opened the series with an 8-5 win that went into extra innings. Sophomore ace Ben Simon started for the Jumbos, allowing 10 hits and four runs in six innings. Sophomore Aaron Narva took over in the seventh, carrying the game into extra innings and picking up the win. Narva allowed one run, walked one, and struck out one.
O'Leary was the key for the Jumbos on offense, entering the game in the fourth and going 3 for 3 with two singles and an inside the park home run to center that tied the game at 4-4 in the sixth inning.
"I just try to stay sharp, take good batting practice, and be ready in case I get in," O'Leary said.
The Cardinals tied the game 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh to bring the game into extra innings. The run was the first Narva has allowed in his role as closer this year.
In the eighth, O'Leary blasted a single that drove in two runs and was the start of a three-run, game-winning rally.
"We're doing pretty well right now," McDavitt said. "We're hitting the ball pretty [well] playing solid defense, and the pitchers are throwing well. We just need to do those things more consistently. That's going to be the key when we start facing Bowdoin, Trinity, and Colby later on."
