Bulldog lineup to test pitching staff

After securing late leads against the Crimson and winning both games by one run, the Tigers could not hold on against Monmouth on Wednesday. The Hawks used a six-run fifth inning to come from behind and defeat Princeton 11-8 in a rain-soaked affair. After scoring eight runs in the first four innings, the Tigers were held hitless.

This weekend, the Tigers will look to be more consistent offensively and defensively from start to finish in every game.

Yale (9-15-1, 2-1) has had a tough non-league season despite a roster that packs some punch. Catcher Ryan Lavarnway leads the Bulldogs offensively. Lavarnway boasts a .432 average, 12 home runs and 36 RBI through 25 games. Outfielder Josh Cox has also chipped in with a .396 average and nine stolen bases hitting at the top of the order.

Pitcher Brian Irving leads the Bulldogs’ pitching staff with a 3.81 ERA and 33 strikeouts through 28 1/3 innings. Righthander Brandon Josselyn is Yale’s second threat, with a 1-3 record and one complete game to his name.

The Bears (8-12, 1-3) boast an impressive .306 team batting average. Brown is led by catcher Matt Colantonio, who bats .433 and has knocked in 13 runs. Designated hitter Conor Reardon checks in at .371, while four other starters bat at least .300. But while Brown hits for contact well, the Bears struggle to hit for power. So far, Brown has only hit seven home runs and 31 doubles.

Pitching is not the Bears’ strong point, as all three of Brown’s primary starting pitchers have ERAs over 5.30. Righthander Matthew Kimball enters the weekend at 1-1, having struck out 15 batters in 20 1/3 innings. Righthander Alex Silverman enters with a 5.55 ERA and a 3-0 record through 24 1/3 innings.

The Tigers will look to senior third baseman Spencer Lucian to get the offense going. Lucian is batting .462 with 16 RBI and nine stolen bases. Lucian has been especially effective with runners in scoring position, batting .467 in such situations. Princeton has other offensive weapons as well. Sophomore catcher Jack Murphy has notched a .381 average with five home runs and 23 RBI, while junior outfielder Adrian Turnham is batting .325 and has yet to commit an error.

“We have had a chance to take a number of swings in batting practice the last few days, so hopefully we will be a little more consistent with the bats,” head coach Scott Bradley said.

Princeton’s pitching has been effective all year. Sophomore David Hale has led the way with a 2-1 record, 3.25 ERA and 34 strikeouts through 27 2/3 innings. Freshman righthander Dan Barnes has put together a 1-2 record and 3.33 ERA in his rookie campaign, while senior Steven Miller has a 2-2 record in 30 innings with 30 strikeouts and a 4.20 ERA.

Freshman David Palms should also see some playing time over the weekend. Palms is 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA through 15 innings, and he pitched very effectively in the Monmouth game.

If there’s one overarching element of their game the Tigers need to focus on this weekend, it is consistency.

Following a pedestrian 2-2 showing during the first weekend of Ivy League play, Princeton will need to play successfully this weekend if it wishes to establish itself as an Ivy League power.