Athlete of the Week

Coming into the season, the question for the baseball team was not offense. With seniors Max Krance and Andrew Hanson returning, the Tigers were sure to score runs at a fast pace.

The pitching staff, however, was lacking a defined ace. With the departure of junior Chris Young to the Pittsburgh Pirates Princeton was in need of an arm to take Young's place.

In stepped sophomore righthander Ryan Quillian.

Quillian threw his third straight complete game in Friday's 1-0 win over Columbia, allowing only three hits and two walks in seven innings while striking out seven. It was the second shutout for the sophomore in his last three outings.

The righthander was masterful in his performance against the Tigers' main competition in the Gehrig division this year carrying a two-hit shutout into the seventh before he stifled a late rally by the Lions.

The win gave Princeton momentum that it would carry through the weekend as the Tigers would take three of four from the visiting Lions.

The first cousin of Bronco wide receiver Ed McCaffrey has made his presence known and leads the Tigers in almost every statistical category, from wins (5) to strikeouts (37) to ERA (3.07) and strikes fear in his opponents whenever he steps on the mound.

Quillian has not only provided a three key Ivy wins of late for the Tigers, he has also given Princeton something far more valuable — a dependable ace in the No. 1 spot in the rotation.

"This year Quillian's really improved and turned into a leader," head coach Scott Bradley said.

The Tigers were in need of leadership on the mound and an arm they could depend on to carry them into the Ivy Championship series for the sixth straight year — so far a six foot, three inch sophomore has filled the void a 6-11 righthander left the Tigers.