Hot hitting sweeps Richmond

Of course, sometimes it can be just as fun to see a few balls fly over the fences. The baseball team (6-1) eschewed all subtlety over the weekend, instead bringing to bear overwhelming offensive force in a shock-and-awe campaign that carried the Tigers to three impressive wins over Richmond (4-9-1).

In Princeton’s 8-5 victory on Saturday, the Spiders kept the game close until the Tigers’ sluggers notched four runs in the top of the seventh inning. Richmond’s ill fortune began when Spider third baseman Derek Boliek botched a grounder from junior shortstop Dan DeGeorge. DeGeorge, an excellent catalyst in the leadoff spot, immediately stole second and was driven in by freshman second baseman Matt Connor.

Richmond was unable to stop the bleeding, as second baseman Chris Cuppia committed an error that allowed sophomore catcher Jack Murphy to reach base and Connor to score. Senior third baseman Spencer Lucian then put the finishing stroke on the inning, smashing a two-run home run to give Princeton a 6-2 lead that it would never relinquish.

Sophomore centerfielder David Hale also had an excellent game for the Tigers, going two for five with a home run and two RBI.

In the second game of the series, Princeton eliminated all suspense by starting the fireworks a bit earlier en route to a comparatively stress-free 10-2 win. In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Tigers once again capitalized on the Spiders’ mistakes to put runs on the board.

Much like in the previous game, DeGeorge was the impetus for a big inning, reaching on a throwing error before scoring on an RBI single from junior designated hitter Adrian Turnham. Turnham was a force at the plate on Sunday, hitting five for 11 and knocking in five runs.

After Turnham’s single, Richmond starter Rob Berzinskas suffered a breakdown in his command, walking Murphy to load the bases. Lucian, the next batter, stayed patient in the batter’s box and eventually drew a walk of his own — driving in a run without lifting the bat off his shoulder.

Freshman starter Dan Barnes pitched effectively in the second game, tossing four innings of one-run ball while striking out five. Junior pitcher Brad Gemberling, making his season debut, showed flashes of dominance by striking out five batters of his three relief innings.

Freshman lefthander David Palms, one of Princeton’s excellent crop of young arms, rounded out the Tigers’ strong team pitching performance with two scoreless innings. Palms ceded only one hit and struck out three.

The second game of Sunday’s doubleheader was a wild contest, with Princeton going up 5-0 before Richmond mounted a late comeback attempt, ultimately falling 10-7. The Spiders, however, were done in by sloppy defense yet again. Richmond’s eight errors gave the Tigers plenty of opportunities, and Princeton’s hot bats did not fail to take advantage.

The fourth inning was a prime example of the Spiders’ gifting runs to the Tigers. With two out and two on, Connor came up to bat. Richmond starter Ian Marshall got Connor to a two-strike count before the Tiger second baseman hit a ground ball to Boliek at short.

Boliek botched the pickup, however, loading the bases for Turnham. Turnham’s single to centerfield earned him two RBI and saddled Marshall with two unearned runs and the loss.

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Of the Tigers’ 10 runs, in fact, only two were earned. Those two runs came on a fifth-inning home run from junior designated hitter Andrew Doupe, who drove in senior leftfielder Micah Kaplan.

Kaplan had an excellent game himself, going three for five and scoring two runs.

Princeton has certainly gotten off to a scorching start to the season, though only time will tell if the offense can maintain this high-octane performance. The Tigers will next take their shock-and-awe campaign to North Carolina over spring break to face UNC Greensboro and North Carolina.