Head coach Scott Bradley and his diamond-duelers are right where they wanted to be heading into the final weekend of regular-season play. Now they just have to finish the job.
The baseball team will try for its sixth straight Lou Gehrig Division championship as it takes on Cornell in two doubleheaders this weekend. Saturday, the Tigers travel to Ithaca, N.Y. for a pair before returning home for two more games and — hopefully — a celebration.
Princeton (19-18 overall, 11-5 Ivy League) currently resides in first place in the Gehrig Division — two games in front of rival Columbia (19-21, 9-7) and three ahead of Penn (14-21, 8-8). Cornell (13-28, 4-12) is in last place.
The Tigers need three wins against the Big Red to ensure themselves the outright division title, regardless of Columbia's performance this weekend, but the players know not to let Cornell's record deceive them.
"They'll be playing loose baseball this weekend without a whole lot to lose," sophomore catcher Tim Lahey said. "I heard last year that Cornell always plays us real tough and I found that out first hand as a freshman."
"Even though their record might not show it, Cornell is a tough team to beat," freshman outfielder Adam Balkan said. "They have some talented starters who have the ability to shut down any offense."
The Big Red's top starters are Dan Baysinger and Brendan McQuaid, with a 3.72 and a 5.33 ERA, respectively. But their combined record is just 4-8 and the team ERA is a lofty 6.76.
The Princeton mound is headlined by freshman Ross Ohlendorf, whose 3.32 ERA, five wins and 39 strikeouts are all tops among Tiger starters. Princeton's ERA is 5.18.
Sophomore Thomas Pauly continues to be the opposition's nightmare, leading the team with a 1.26 ERA and nine saves in 17 appearances.
Offensively, both squads are similar. Princeton has a team average of .279 compared to Cornell's .268. The Tigers have scored 228 runs to the Big Red's 225. Runs batted in, on-base percentage and walks are all equally close. The biggest difference is in power: Cornell has bashed 26 home runs to just 10 for Princeton.
Balkan and senior captain Pat Boran lead Princeton with a .315 average and 46 hits each. Boran, the new Tiger record holder for hits in a career, has a team-high 31 RBI.
"Our bats are going to be the key to this series," Balkan said. "Our pitching has been pretty solid the whole season, but keeping the bats hot is going to allow us to win ball games."
"Our pitchers have been pitching very well, and our defense has stepped it up," sophomore utility man Steve Young said. "Offensively, we've been having good at-bats, and getting the RBIs when we've needed them."
In the most crucial weekend of the season, the Tigers' tactics remain the same.
"Coach Bradley's approach never changes," Lahey said. "As long as we go out there and play good, solid defense and put balls in play we're going to be in good shape."
Even if the Tigers sweep the four-game series this weekend, they will need some help in order to clinch home field advantage for the Ivy League Championship Series. Harvard (15-10, 11-5) leads the Red Rolfe Division with the same league record as Princeton and squares off against Dartmouth (18-18, 7-9) this weekend.
The Tigers lost to the Crimson in both meetings this season, meaning Princeton needs one more win than Harvard in the final four games to earn home-field rights.
"We realize what is in front of us," Boran said. "It's hard not to think about winning four, but our focus is going to be to win one game at a time."
"We need to win four games for a chance at home field advantage," sophomore pitcher Thomas Pauly said, "so we are going to keep playing consistent like we've done the last few weeks and hopefully things will turn out well."
At the beginning of the season, Bradley said it would take 14 or 15 wins to win the coveted home-field advantage.
Three or four to go.
Read More
Women’s ice hockey names Courtney Kessel as new head coach
Lily PampolinaFollowing the resignation of Cara Gardner Morey, Princeton appointed Courtney Kessel as head coach.
Following the resignation of Cara Gardner Morey, Princeton appointed Courtney Kessel as head coach.
Former women’s basketball forward Parker Hill ’25 signs professional contract in Switzerland
Doug SchwartzAfter a successful senior season, women's basketball forward Parker Hill signed a contact to play professional basketball in Europe, following in the steps of her past teammates.
After a successful senior season, women's basketball forward Parker Hill signed a contact to play professional basketball in Europe, following in the steps of her past teammates.
No. 7 women’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals against No. 1 UNC
Hayk YengibaryanWith the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
With the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.