In recent years, the softball team has made a habit out of hammering Colby. The Jumbos have won nine straight games over the Mules, none of which has been decided by less than six runs. Six of the games were ended by the mercy rule, and Colby has only scored more than one run in a game once during the streak.
But none of those games mattered as much as this weekend's three−game set in Waterville, Maine. Tufts enters the tilt with a conference record of 7−2, and needs one win to secure a playoff berth and a second to clinch the NESCAC East for the sixth straight year. The title also comes with a No. 1 seed in the NESCAC Tournament that will take place May 7−9 at the home of the NESCAC West champion.
"Obviously we think about [the standings], but it's not what is important," senior captain Casey Sullivan said. "What is important is getting a ‘W'."
If the Jumbos hope to continue their dominance over the Mules, they will need their bats to step it up. Tufts averaged 7.34 runs per game last season, but it has only managed 4.89 per game this year. While the Jumbos still have posted solid power numbers, leading the NESCAC with a .539 slugging percentage and 13 home runs in conference play, they have struggled to produce runs by other means. They are fourth in the NESCAC in batting average and in the bottom half of the conference in hits, runs and RBIs.
"We need to come out fired up and ready to go, and not worry about the consequences of making an out," freshman Emily Beinecke said. "Our team motto lately is to not dwell on it and to do whatever you can to get on base. It's about stringing together hits and focusing on advancing runners."
If these are indeed the keys to the Jumbos' offense, then last week's game against Williams was a blueprint for success. Tufts scored 12 runs on 12 hits, including multi−hit games from Sullivan, Beinecke, junior Kim Miner and sophomore Lena Cantone. The Jumbos did not have a single extra−base hit, but they stole six bases and put together strings of hits, scoring six runs in the first and another four in the second.
"Everyone did a really great job of coming out and attacking the at−bats, taking care of them and being aggressive," Sullivan said.
The Mules will not make it easy for Tufts though, as they have an impressive newcomer and a wily veteran on the mound. Senior Brittany Tasi (4−6, 3.72 ERA) has plenty of experience against the Jumbos and has had success pitching against both Bowdoin and Trinity, while freshman Lauren Becker (6−5, 2.53 ERA) has continued the tradition of NESCAC pitchers having strong first years. Tufts will have to work for every run it gets this weekend.
The Jumbos will also need to make sure not to give too many away. Tufts committed seven errors in the Trinity series, though they only led to two unearned runs. With games getting so close as the season winds down, these mistakes could be deadly.
"A lot of it is focus," Beinecke said. "Sometimes I will take my eye off the ball for one split second. It's completely a mental thing. Casey has made almost zero errors this season and I think it's because she is one of the most focused players I've played with. I think we need to all to look to her example and stay with the play."
While this series is important for playoff seeding, it is also one of the Jumbos' last tune−ups before the NESCAC tournament. If the season were to end today, they would be placed in the tournament with Trinity (2−1 record against), Williams (1−1) and Middlebury, whom Tufts has yet to play. All of the teams have shown a lot of capability, and the title will truly be up for grabs. The Jumbos need to take this opportunity to make the last minute adjustments they need for success.
"Everyone knows that if we want to do well in the NESCAC tournament we need to keep up with this momentum and continue the type of play that we have had the last few games," Sullivan said. "Playing well this weekend would set the tone for the NESCAC tournament."
The Jumbos have a lot more to play for this weekend, but do not count out the Mules. They will be playing the last games of their season at home on Senior Day, and would like nothing more than to get some revenge on the team that has made their life miserable over the last few years.
"As long as we play our game, I think we will have absolutely no problem with Colby," Beinecke said. "I feel we are a very worthy opponent. When we stick together and focus on the things we really need to do, such as small ball and advancing base runners, I think we are a pretty unbeatable team."
