Tiger bats looking to stay hot

The coming weekend marks the second of five weekend road trips to open Princeton’s schedule before the team plays its home opener at Clarke Field on March 29.

After enduring a disappointing season a year ago, when Princeton failed to clinch its sixth Ivy League title in eight years, the Tigers have come charging out of the gates in their first four contests.

“It was nice to go down there and win three of four,” head coach Scott Bradley said. “But when we go into these weekends early in the season, our real expectation is to get better.”

Especially encouraging for Princeton has been the emergence of sophomore catcher Jack Murphy as a viable replacement for Sal Iacono ’07 in the middle of the lineup.

Despite leading the Tigers with six home runs in his rookie season, Murphy’s batting average was not as excellent, as he hit only .277, just below the team average.

This season, however, Murphy is well on his way to eclipsing last year’s totals, smashing four home runs in as many games. Even more encouraging is his .462 average, which ranks second on the team behind junior centerfielder Derek Beckman.

“To his credit, [Murphy] came back to school this fall and really made a commitment to hit the weight room … now he’s a little leaner, even though he’s carrying more weight,” Bradley said. “For him to come out and hit a home run in his first at-bat was huge.”

Murphy will look to continue his home run streak this weekend as the rest of the Tigers attempt to catch up. Princeton has just two non-Murphy home runs — one apiece by junior designated hitter Adrian Turnham and junior shortstop Dan DeGeorge.

The Tigers have not relied solely on their power but on their speed as well, stealing seven bases during last Sunday’s hard-fought doubleheader. Unlike the high-scoring affairs on opening day, Sunday’s games forced Princeton to play more small ball in its 6-4 and 8-5 victories.

Princeton will need a similar blend of power and speed if it is to be successful this weekend against a Richmond team already 11 games into its season.

“We were really pleased with the quality of at-bats last weekend,” Bradley said. “It was the first time we were outside, so we didn’t really know what to expect, but I doubt we can count on another four home runs from Jack Murphy again.”

The Tigers will likely send a group of starters similar to last weekend’s to the mound against Richmond, especially considering their opening weekend success.

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Senior righthanders Steven Miller and Christian Staehely and sophomore righthander David Hale will look to reprise their outings of a weekend ago. Miller — who threw a six-inning complete game against Delaware — has jumped out to an early lead in the team’s strikeout race, notching 11. Not far behind him is Hale, who K’d six of his own but also allowed four walks compared to Miller’s two.

“We only play three games instead of four this weekend, so we want to get the players back on the mound and have them throw strikes,” Bradley said.

Facing off against the Princeton staff will be a Richmond lineup led by slugging first baseman Joe Mahoney. The six-foot, six-inch senior led the team with 17 home runs a year ago and was second on the team with 16 stolen bases.

“Richmond is a little stronger [than Delaware], they’ve played a few more games — so much of college baseball is pitching, and their pitching is a little stronger,” Bradley said.

Chief among the Richmond pitchers is southpaw ace Matt Zielinski. Last year, he was the first-ever Richmond player to be named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year. Zielinksi — also named a Freshman All-American — finished the season with a 6-5 record and a team-leading 3.30 ERA.

In the bullpen, the Spiders are led by closer Brian Alas and reliever Chris Sullivan. Alas set Richmond records last season by appearing in 36 games and saving 14 of them. Despite his 4.77 ERA, Alas blew only one save and led the team with a 2.58 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Sullivan also proved a reliable force for Richmond in relief, pitching in 23 games and posting the team’s second-best ERA at 4.38.

In spite of the talented returning core for Richmond, the Tigers have high hopes to extend their three-game winning streak and continue their momentum through spring break.