Last at-bat fatal three times over

The problem with being on the wrong side of a walk-off home run isn't the walking off; it's that it leaves you standing there.

The Princeton baseball team (4-10 overall) found itself standing shocked over spring break, as it lost three heartbreakers on the final batter of each game — including two walk-off home runs — in the midst of an intense spring break schedule that saw the Tigers play eight road games in nine days and return to campus with three wins and five losses.

The first of Princeton's three series took place at Greensboro, N.C., where the Tigers could not match the Spartans (12-11) — who perhaps took inspiration from a recent blockbuster movie release — in the series' first matchup, losing 10-12.

The Orange and Black put in a strong offensive effort, scoring eight runs through the first four innings and ultimately finishing with 10, but Princeton's pitchers couldn't keep Greensboro from scoring 10 runs of its own.

With the game tied at 10 and entering the bottom of the ninth, senior pitcher Gavin Fabian walked the lead-off man, and then centerfielder Scott Schneider immediately made Fabian pay by slamming a walk-off home run to win the game for the Spartans.

The second contest was a much quieter affair.

Princeton starter Steven Miller pitched a solid game, surrendering only five hits and two earned runs in five innings, but Greensboro's Alex Shelton pitched even better, allowing only one run to hand the Tigers their second defeat, with a final score of 1-2.

Princeton seized its first victory of the break in its Monday game against the Spartans. The Tigers won, 7-4.

Junior rightfielder Spencer Lucian was the star of the day, hitting three for four, including a home run while knocking in three of the Tigers' seven runs.

The Tigers then took the short bus ride to Davidson, N.C., for their series against the Wildcats.

Davidson (15-11) may have underestimated Princeton going in but soon learned to fear the Princeton hitters after a 19-9 throttling at the hands of the Tigers.

Lucian had five hits while freshman catcher Jack Murphy drove in five runs.

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Senior starter Eric Walz took care of business on the mound, allowing only one hit in five innings for the win.

On Wednesday evening the Tiger staff allowed only two runs through the first eight innings, but in the bottom of the ninth, when a Princeton victory seemed assured, senior lefthander Michael Zaret walked one run home and then watched as Davidson leftfielder Gregory Zage smashed a two-out, walk-off grand slam to stun the Tigers and take the game, 7-6.

After the difficult loss, Princeton rested Thursday before traveling to Farmville, Va., for three games against Longwood (20-8).

Lancers starter Brian McCullough dominated the Tigers in the first game, throwing a complete-game shutout for a 4-0 victory, but Princeton recovered to defeat Longwood in a comeback 4-2 victory the next day.

Miller again threw an outstanding game, striking out eight in five innings.

Longwood had the last laugh, however, as the Lancers took the rubber match of the series, 4-3.

Strong pitching on both sides sent a 3-3 game into extra innings, and in the bottom of the 11th, Longwood second baseman Topher Ellis singled home a run to secure the win for the Lancers.

The eleventh hour disappointment, Princeton's third loss of the break to come on the final pitch of a game, will leave a bitter taste in the Tigers' mouths.

Hopefully for Princeton, it'll provide motivation for the Ivy League season that starts this weekend with a game against Brown. Before that, though, Princeton will face Rutgers on Wednesday in a final tuneup before league play begins in earnest.

With the Tigers looking to repeat their memorable feats of last year, they'll need to make sure that their opponents are the ones left standing there.