For all of the benefits of residing in beautiful New Jersey, the baseball team must annually cope with a significant drawback. While most southern teams are able to begin playing numerous games by the end of February, Princeton continues to toil away in the depths of Jadwin Gym.
Over spring break, though, the Tiger will do their best to make up for it. Princeton leaves today and heads south for an intense spring break that will consist of 10 games in 10 days. The trip will serve as an extreme test of the team's endurance and give the Tigers a good chance to work out the kinks left over from a long winter. The Ivy League schedule will begin once the team returns.
"Spring break is one of the best experiences of the year," junior first baseman Ryan Eldridge said. "It's an excellent opportunity to build a team identity and to see guys step into their roles on the team."
William & Mary, Longwood, North Carolina, North Carolina A&T and Old Dominion are all on the itinerary for the week.
Princeton (0-2) will start first in Virginia with a three-game set against William & Mary (9-6). Thus far, the Tribe has had a rollercoaster season, which began with three straight wins, followed by a four-game losing streak, then a six-game winning streak. William & Mary currently finds itself on a two-game slide.
From there, the Tigers will travel to Farmville, Va., for one game against Longwood (4-14). The Lancers have gotten off to a rocky start so far this year as they adjust to stiffer competition in their first year in Division I baseball.
Tarheels rolling
Perhaps the most difficult stretch of the week will come in Chapel Hill, N.C., as Princeton will be in town for a two-game set versus North Carolina (10-3). The Tar Heels are coasting through their early season, especially at home, where they are a perfect 10-0.
UNC's strength lies in its pitching staff. Currently, the staff's top three pitchers have earned-run averages below two, including a sterling 0.71 ERA held by ace Andrew Miller. Miller has a 3-0 record and has recorded 30 strikeouts in only 25 innings of work.
After spending Tuesday and Wednesday at UNC, the Tigers will remain in the Tar Heel state, this time facing North Carolina A&T in Greensboro. The Aggies got the best of Princeton last year, winning a closely-contested game, 10-9.
The last leg of the trip will take the Tigers back to Virginia for a three-game set against Old Dominion in Norfolk. Last year's trip also included the Monarchs on the schedule. The three games resulted in a complete sweep for the Tigers, as they took all three games before returning to campus.
This year, things might be more challenging, as Old Dominion (10-6) comes into the game having won six of its last seven.
Building for the long run
For Princeton, the trip will be an excellent opportunity to play a number of games against teams that will surely provide solid competition, something the team needs at this early point in the season.
"The schedule is very challenging," head coach Scott Bradley said, "but we are more concerned about improving and getting ready for the Ivy League season than we are in the results."
The team's first weekend of play finished with mixed results. The Tigers dropped both parts of a doubleheader against Richmond, yet there were certainly some bright spots that gave Princeton confidence starting out the season.
"The pitching staff looked awesome last week," Eldridge said, "and, hopefully, game by game, our offense and fielding improve so that, when we start the Ivy League season, we're playing our best ball."
The team realizes the importance of this upcoming stretch and its impact on the rest of the season.
"The spring trip enables us to play a number of games against very good teams," Bradley said. "In the end, it makes us a better team."
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