Star-studded infield leads the way for Jumbos
March 11Softball coach Cheryl Milligan is not going to sugarcoat it. Her team's infield is "the best around, no question."
Softball coach Cheryl Milligan is not going to sugarcoat it. Her team's infield is "the best around, no question."
I've always believed in the idea of "clutch." Having watched Derek Jeter in New York for almost as long as I've watched baseball, I felt I knew exactly what clutch was: stepping up to the plate knowing you were going to get a hit, willing yourself to battle through the at-bat. Having watched Alex Rodriguez for a number of years as well, I felt I knew exactly what clutch was not: feeling the compression in your chest, thinking about failure and hearing boos in your head. Sure, you could point out that Jeter's postseason OPS is only two points higher than A-Rod's (.846 to .844), but that hasn't mattered. I've seen A-Rod choke a thousand times, but I'll never forget Jeter's extra-inning, game-winning home run in the 2001 World Series. Yup, D.J.'s clutch, A-Rod's not.
The women's lacrosse team was clearly out to make an early-season statement in its home opener on Wednesday, demolishing non-conference foe Wellesley 20-3 for its second consecutive win to start the season.
Every year, the seniors of the softball team get together and come up with a motto, a phrase signifying the squad's goals for the coming season. This year, Tufts will play under the mantra "Right Now."
In the words of the iconic new wave band The Cars, "Let the good times roll."
If you don't already know about the equestrian team, you should. They're good.
Coming off a five-month hiatus after its fall schedule, the men's tennis team is preparing to extend its undefeated streak as it kicks off its more competitive spring season. While other teams face possible "rebuilding years" with the graduation of key seniors and the induction of incoming freshmen, the Jumbos believe this may be one of their most promising squads yet.
I write the following column not as a Red Sox fan (although if a little of that sneaks in, I apologize -- I can't help it), but simply as a fan who enjoys the game of baseball and would like to avoid all the baggage that comes with it.
The men's lacrosse team polished off its second straight opponent last night, demolishing non-conference foe Lasell College 22-8 to improve to 2-0 on the young season. The game was played down the road in Newton.
Although Tufts' season came to an end Sunday at Regionals at MIT, the squad got the chance to compete some of the best fencers in the world.
Given all the success it enjoyed in the fall and the hard work and commitment it showed during offseason winter training, the women's tennis team has a lot to look forward to when the spring portion of the season kicks off Monday.
Sophomore men's lacrosse player D.J. Hessler was named as NESCAC Co-Player of the Week, marking the first time since 2007 that a member of the team has received the honor. The Jumbos' attackman played a critical role in constructing a 9-0 scoring drive and pulling out a 15-6 victory in Tufts' home-opener against Amherst at Bello Field Saturday.
With the women's distance medley relay squad and freshman jumper Nakeisha Jones already automatically qualified for NCAA Championships at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind. this weekend, both Tufts track and field programs added to the Jumbo Nationals roster yesterday. With the announcement of provisional qualifiers that will get to compete against Div. III's best, Tufts now boasts six Nationals-bound athletes on both the men's and women's squads:
There's a lot to live up to when you're among the top 10 of anything in the United States. Just ask the sailing team.
I spent this past Saturday at MIT with dozens of people I recognize, admire and mainly envy. Here's what I learned about some of them:
If you're looking for a Tufts sports program with a history of consistency and success, look no further than the men's baseball team.
With a new season about to get underway this Friday, the baseball team is thinking streak.
With spring training underway and the World Baseball Classic in full swing, one big name has just decided to go under the knife — or should we say scope. In honor of A-Rod's arthroscopic hip surgery, which will have him out of pinstripes for 6-9 weeks, here are the top 10 guys you may not have realized have yet to trot out onto the turf this spring. 10. Jake Westbrook: The nine-year veteran was enjoying a sensational start to last season — a 2.73 ERA in four April starts — before an elbow injury forced him to undergo the infamous Tommy John surgery. Westbrook is not expected back until the second half of the summer, when he could play an important role down the stretch for the Cleveland Indians. 9. Ervin Santana: The Angels All-Star right-hander will open the season on the disabled list with an elbow injury. Santana posted his best season thus far in his young career in 2008 with a 16-7 record, 214 strikeouts and a 3.49 ERA. 8. Ben Sheets: The Milwaukee Brewers hurler had surgery in February, repairing the common flexor tendon in his elbow, and he will be back in August. He will be looking to continue on last year's success, which included a 13-9 record and a 3.09 ERA. Sheets is currently a free agent, and he will most likely try to hook on with a contending team upon his return. 7. Tim Hudson: This two-time All-Star finds himself stuck on the 60-day disabled list with a bum elbow. Hudson is working his way back from Tommy John surgery performed last August, and we will not see him back on the field for the Braves until late July. 6. Jeff Francis: This Canadian pitcher is gone until the 2010 season. He rode a 4.22 ERA and a regular season 17-9 record all the way to the 2007 World Series. And despite going 2-0 in the postseason prior to its finale, Francis blew up in his only Series appearance, giving up six earned runs and 10 hits over four innings. His Game 1 failures foreshadowed an abysmal 4-10 record and 5.01 ERA in 2008, and now a torn labrum in his shoulder will keep him sidelined until next year. 5. Vernon Wells: Despite a rough 2007 campaign, the Blue Jays centerfielder put together a respectable season with 20 home runs, 78 RBI and a .300 average. But Wells did miss 54 games last season, and the question that remains is his durability. Predictably, Wells is already battling a sore hamstring this spring training. 4. B.J. Upton: A torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder could have him missing opening day. The speed and power of Upton was seen best in his performance with the Rays during their improbable postseason run to the World Series. In just 66 postseason at-bats in 2008, Upton crushed seven home runs and had 16 RBI while scoring 16 runs of his own. 3. Troy Glaus: Since undergoing shoulder surgery in January, the Cardinals resident of the hot corner has been working his way back to full strength. Glaus has only recently begun to swing a bat, however, and we can expect him to be out until mid-April. 2. Chase Utley: A three-time All-Star and the game's best-hitting second baseman, Utley will be out of action until at least mid-March, thanks to offseason hip surgery. The career Phillie has recorded over 500 at-bats in each of the past four seasons, and that consistency should allow him to approach 1,000 hits by season's end. 1. Joe Mauer: The reigning AL batting champion is still reeling from kidney surgery performed in December. Mauer will undergo further tests today and remains out indefinitely with lingering back pain as a result of the surgery. Last season Mauer led all AL hitters with a .328 average, knocking 176 hits while he was at it.
Hockey fans don't need to wait until the NHL's regular season is over to get a taste of the playoffs, especially in Boston. The Hockey East playoffs, which feature eight Div. I New England teams battling for the Lamoriello Trophy, are about to begin. Hockey East is one of the premiere Div. I men's hockey conferences in the country and features many NHL prospects on the rosters of its teams -- as well as devoted and thoroughly insane fans.