After an 18-year hiatus, the baseball team returned to California this weekend for a final tune-up before the start of its Ivy League campaign. Princeton (5-13 overall), who last played in the Golden State in 1992, went 1-3 in its series against offensive powerhouse Santa Clara (11-11 overall).
The opening game of the series against the Broncos on Friday evening was reminiscent of the Tigers’ games against nationally ranked North Carolina over spring break.
Junior Dan Barnes took the mound for Princeton searching for his second win against a Broncos lineup that has batted .343 this season. After the first two innings, however, the Tigers were behind 5-0. While Princeton grabbed three runs back over the next three innings off RBI singles by senior infielder Noel Gonzales-Luna and sophomore catcher Sam Mulroy, Santa Clara never lost the lead.
The Broncos knocked Barnes out of the game in the fourth by scoring four runs and added an additional six runs off of senior reliever Ross Staine in the sixth to make it 15-3. The game eventually finished 19-4 as Barnes, who allowed nine runs in three and two-thirds innings, took the loss.
The first game of Saturday’s doubleheader saw a tighter contest through the opening three frames. The Tigers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second after sophomore outfielder Tom Boggiano’s RBI single. Santa Clara knotted the score in the bottom half of the inning with a sacrifice fly, but Princeton answered back in the top of the third after Mulroy scored off a wild pitch.
The Broncos took the lead for good in the bottom of the third after two RBI doubles and an RBI single made the score 4-2. Santa Clara would add two more runs in the bottom of the fourth before Princeton had its best opportunity of the game in the top of the sixth.
The Tigers began the inning with two walks and an RBI single, making it 6-3. With runners on the corners and no outs, it looked as if Princeton had found a way back into the game. But junior outfielder Brandon Englert was picked off at first base, senior outfielder Jon Broscious struck out swinging, and freshman infielder Alex Flink popped out to end the threat. The Tigers would regret this missed opportunity, as the Broncos scored six runs in the next three innings. The game finished 12-3, with junior David Palms, who gave up nine runs and 11 hits in six full innings, taking the loss.
Despite the rapid turnaround between games, the Tigers had a remarkable transformation against the Broncos in the second contest on Saturday. Every player in the Princeton lineup had a hit, and the team scored a season-high 16 runs.
As in the first encounter, Princeton was first out of the gates, scoring four runs in the opening three innings thanks to a Broscious solo shot and a bizarre three-RBI single by senior designated hitter Brian Berkowitz.
The Broncos mounted a strong response, scoring six runs over the next four innings, but the Tigers’ lineup was simply too powerful. Broscious blasted his second solo homer of the game — this time down the left-field line — in the fourth inning, while the team scored four more runs in the sixth. The Tigers added six runs in the last three frames to make the final score 16-8. Senior Langford Stuber got the win for Princeton, allowing seven runs in five innings, while freshman Kevin Link got the save, allowing one run on one hit in four innings.
The Tigers could not carry their momentum from Saturday’s win into the series finale on Sunday. Despite scoring two runs in the opening frame off an RBI double from Berkowitz, Princeton lost control of the contest in the second inning after Santa Clara scored seven runs off freshman starter Zak Hermans. The Tigers had a chance to escape the inning with only three runs conceded, but an error on a ground ball by Hermans allowed the Broncos to score four additional runs.
After this, the game was over, and Santa Clara went on to score eight more runs in the final three innings. Broscious’ two-run homer offered a small consolation for the Tigers as they lost the game 15-5, with Hermans taking the loss.
This Saturday, Princeton begins its Ivy League campaign in a two-game series against Harvard at Clarke Field.
Read More
No. 7 women’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals against No. 1 UNC
Hayk YengibaryanWith the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
With the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
No. 3 men’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals after 19–18 loss to No. 5 Syracuse
Hayk YengibaryanWith the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
With the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
Preview: No. 3 men’s lacrosse plays No. 5 Syracuse in NCAA quarterfinals
Hayk YengibaryanShould the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Should the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.