Coming off a 10–2 record, Tufts’ pitching led the team to a sweep over Suffolk University in Saturday’s doubleheader, winning 5–3 and 10–0 respectively.
The Rams traveled to Sol Gittleman Park for two cold-yet-sunny afternoon games at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. In their final week before NESCAC play, the Jumbos were assertive in the batter box and on the bases, giving starting pitchers sophomore Emmet Christian and senior right-handed pitcher Cole Donato ample run support.
Senior catcher/outfielder Malcolm Whitfield had a standout performance, logging three hits, four RBIs and two walks between the two games.
Christian got right to work on the mound, with a three-up, three-down first inning, recording the first two of his seven strikeouts. Likewise, Whitfield wasted no time connecting on a 0–2 pitch down the first base line and reaching second on a throwing error in the bottom of the first.
The Jumbos backed Christian in the second inning: Junior infielder Max Pavlik led off with a single to right field and advanced to second on an infield bunt by senior outfielder Owen McKiernan. Suffolk pitcher Nick Arnett struggled to find the zone with far outside pitches, giving up a walk to sophomore catcher Gavin Lind. From there, Arnett felt the pressure of runners on base — back-to-back hits to left field from senior infielder Jesse McCullough and Whitfield drove in three runs.
Sophomore outfielder Jack Kamin again capitalized on Arnett’s lack of control with an RBI single to shallow left. He then narrowly evaded a tag to steal a base. Sophomore infielder James Henshon ended the rally, leaving Whitfield as the first of nine runners stranded on base. The score stood at 4–0 in favor of the Jumbos.
Christian wavered slightly in the third, allowing two walks, but avoided any serious jams. A neat double play ended the inning and he kept rolling. Though the Jumbos recorded no hits in the third, they drew two walks. Arnett lucked out with a strikeout to McCollough to evade loaded bases.
A two-run home run in the fourth by Suffolk shortstop Sam Arbuster put the Rams on the board for just the second hit given up by Christian. Tufts responded in the latter half of the inning, as Whitfield knocked a triple to deep center left for his second time on base of the day. Kamin punched a 2–2 pitch right back to the same spot on an RBI double to give Christian extra run support. This ended the day for Arnett. The Jumbos remained in the lead at 5–2.
Yet, Suffolk reliever Ian Maude also struggled to control the zone — he walked Henshon, and first-year outfielder Tate Bannish reached base on a fielder’s choice. Bannish also stole second, the Jumbos’ third of the day. Maude gave up a third walk of the inning to load the bases, but an infield play to third stranded three more runners.
In the fifth, Christian allowed a single to center, but made quick work with a popout and double play, facing only three batters over nine pitches. The Jumbos recorded another single and stolen base. Whitfield also got caught stealing, exemplifying the assertive play of the offense.
Suffolk put up another run in the sixth with a solo homer to left field. Christian ended the day with two earned runs and seven strikeouts over six innings. Sophomore Derek Desmarais pitched the seventh, allowing a single and getting the save. The final score was 5–3.
“We’ve been really aggressive on the bases, and that’s something we’ve been working on a lot,” junior infielder/outfielder AJ Lysko wrote in a message to the Daily. “Our pitchers also did a great job this weekend throwing strikes. They stayed in control, limited walks, and made hitters earn everything.”
Just under a half hour later, Donato took the mound for the Jumbos in their second game of the day. The game got eventful in the bottom of the second — Suffolk pitchers again struggled to find the zone and Harry Meehan immediately gave up two walks.
Junior infielder Tyler Wong scored the first run for the Jumbos on a sacrifice ground out by McCollough. Whitfield followed with an RBI single and a stolen base, then crossed home on an error that also allowed Kamin to reach base.
Meehan continued to struggle, letting Henshon reach on another wild pitch. Bannish slapped a single to the middle of left field, knocking in Kamin. The Jumbos batted around and left three runners on base, putting up four runs.
Donato gave up two walks in the third but avoided any significant jams. The Jumbos’ adrenaline kept pumping with another run in the third.
Donato kept it clean, facing 25 batters in five innings but only allowing three hits. He finished the day with seven strikeouts and no earned runs over six innings.
In the bottom of the seventh, Henshon walked and advanced to third on a Bannish single to center. Bannish stole second, the third of the game but the sixth of the day. Pavlik walked to load the bases, then Lind walked to bring Henshon home. The Jumbos were up 8–0.
Junior outfielder Caden Abraham singled to left center for two RBIs, opening a base just for McCollough to walk and load the bases yet again. Two consecutive walks scored two more runs, bringing the Jumbos to a final score of 10–0.
“The guys are doing good jobs taking chances, getting good jumps, and putting pressure on the defense,” Lysko wrote. “It’s helped us create more opportunities and keep things moving offensively.”
The Jumbos beat UMass Boston, 7–3, in an afternoon game Tuesday and will travel to Brunswick, Maine, this weekend to face the Bowdoin Polar Bears.
