Baseball: Hurlers shine in series win

But the Tigers (16-16 overall, 8-8 Ivy League) fought back, winning the other game against the Lions on April 12 and sweeping the doubleheader against them the next day. Then, Princeton took three of four games last weekend against Penn (13-22 overall, 2-14 Ivy League), defeating the Quakers behind strong pitching performances.

“You play all year to play important games,” head coach Scott Bradley said. “We need to consistently swing the bats a little better and score some runs, and then we have to play situations.”

On Saturday, Princeton scored in its first at-bat, when junior outfielder Jon Broscious hit an infield single to the Penn shortstop, scoring senior infielder Dan DeGeorge. The Quakers evened up the score at one in the bottom of the inning off a sacrifice fly.

The Tigers remained unfazed, scoring two more runs in the second inning. Senior infielder Adrian Turnham walked, and a double from freshman outfielder Sam Mulroy brought Turnham home. Two batters later, senior outfielder Derek Beckman singled in Mulroy. Princeton added another run in the fourth inning when DeGeorge hit an RBI double down the left-field line after Beckman had been hit by a pitch and stole second.

The feisty Quakers were not done though, as they tagged starter Hale for two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh to tie up what would have been a seven-inning game. After a scoreless eighth inning, Princeton scored the eventual game-winner on an RBI groundout from sophomore infielder Matt Connor that plated Broscious. Sophomore righthander Matt Grabowski pitched two scoreless innings in relief in the Tigers’ 5-4 win.

“Hale got a little tired, and they had a couple of big hits to tie it up,” Bradley said. “Grabowski threw two scoreless innings, and we were able to manufacture a run.”

In the nightcap, a sterling eight-inning performance from senior starting pitcher Brad Gemberling led Princeton to a 7-4 win. The Tigers built up a 4-0 lead after four innings, aided by three Penn errors. Sophomore infielder Greg Van Horn hit a solo home run in the fifth inning to make it 5-0 and put the game away in the ninth with a two-run shot that gave Princeton a 7-2 lead. A two-run Quaker homer in the bottom of the ninth tightened the lead to three runs, but freshman pitcher Ryan Makis held on to secure the victory. Gemberling improved to 5-1 on the season off his 10-strikeout performance, allowing just one earned run.

“It was obvious from the start that Gemberling was outstanding,” Bradley said.

The Tigers got off to a good start Sunday as well, with sophomore lefthander David Palms throwing a complete-game three-hitter in the seven-inning opener. Princeton took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third when DeGeorge singled in Beckman, who had reached base on an error and stolen second to put himself in scoring position. This 1-0 lead proved to be enough for Palms, but the Tigers added some insurance in the sixth inning when junior designated hitter Brian Berkowitz hit a three-run homer. Princeton added a fifth run in the seventh inning to cap the 5-0 victory. But the real hero of the game was Palms, who fanned four and won his third straight game.

Unfortunately for Princeton, there would not be a repeat of Saturday’s sweep on Sunday. There was another shutout, but this time it was Penn pitcher Chris McNulty who was the hero, blanking the Tigers for the 4-0 win. Junior starting pitcher Langford Stuber started the day well, pitching four scoreless innings to open the game, but he ran into trouble in the fifth when the Quakers scored all four of their runs off five hits. Untimely double plays ruined Princeton’s chances for a rally, as double play balls nullified leadoff singles in both the eighth and ninth innings. The Tigers managed six hits, but they could not get a runner past second base after the second inning.

“It’s difficult to win four straight games from one team,” Bradley said. “Their pitcher pitched a really good game, so we have to give him credit for that.”

Ultimately, though, Princeton did what it had to do this weekend: take three out of four games from Penn. While the fourth win would have been the icing on the cake, Bradley said the Tigers’ goal was always to take three out of four.

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The Tigers are now tied for first in the Ivy League’s Gehrig Division with Cornell at 8-8 in conference play. The Orange and Black will square off against the Big Red in a four-game home-and-home series this weekend. If Princeton wins three out of four, it will head to the Ivy League Championship Series for the first time since 2006.