Men’s baseball snags critical series win at Dartmouth

Princeton baseball (14–24 overall, 8–10 Ivy League) faced Dartmouth (12–21, 7–11) this past weekend with in-conference bragging rights on the line. The Tigers demonstrated their defensive prowess and especially strong pitching across all three games, eventually coming out victorious in two of the three matchups. The series win was critical for the Orange and Black as they remain actively in pursuit of the fourth and final spot in the Ivy League Conference Tournament. 

Princeton takes series opener in comfortable fashion

Sophomore pitcher Liam Kinneen started on the mound for Princeton, and kept Dartmouth scoreless in his eight-inning outing. Allowing just one walk and six hits while striking out four, Kinneen kept The Big Green offense at bay and gave the Tiger bats plenty of opportunity to surge ahead in the scoreboard. 

The bottom of the fourth saw the first real scoring opportunity for either team, as Dartmouth got players on first and third by their fifth at bat. However, by striking out outfielder Stefan Di Corrado, Kinneen retired the side before The Big Green could bring anyone home. 

“I was just trying to stick to my process, hoping to provide some length and put the team in the best position to win,” Kinneen wrote to The Daily Princetonian postgame. “I knew as long as I did my job, the hitters and bullpen would be able to pick me up as they did.” 

Having survived the first scoring opportunity of the matchup, Princeton etched the first marks on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth. Singles from first-year utility Brady Kaufman and first-year infielder Bennett Crerar put the Tigers on base, and a double down the third base line from sophomore infielder Isaac Lamson brought both home. In sequence, a bunt from sophomore infielder Grant Werdesheim combined with a throwing error by the Big Green brought Lamson home as the Tigers upped their lead to 3–0. 

Three up, three down for Dartmouth brought Princeton quickly back to bat. 

“Liam Kinneen was terrific and had one of his best games yet! He really established his command early in the game and he was able to throw eight terrific innings for us!” head coach Scott Bradley wrote to the ‘Prince.’

Kaufman stole second after having walked on his at bat, and put the Tigers in scoring position again. A single from junior infielder Tommy Googins brought Kaufman across home plate, and widened the lead 4–0. 

After a series of walks in favor of the Orange and Black in the eighth, junior infielder Jake Kernodle rounded the bases and the Tiger lead extended 5–0. An inning later, Werdesheim added another run to the Tiger total in the top of the ninth after singling on his at bat, stealing second, and advancing to third and home on a fly and ground out, respectively. 

Replacing Kinneen in his stellar performance, first-year pitcher Ryan Penney came in to pitch the last inning for Princeton and struck out two. Although Dartmouth was able to get on the board late with a single, the Tigers got the job done in a contest defined by excellent pitching, winning 6–1 in the series opener.

Dartmouth pulls away to tie series at 1–1

Princeton, though drawing first blood, ultimately fell to Dartmouth in game two. The Big Green hit a critical four run homer in the fifth inning which ultimately gave the hosts an insurmountable lead on the Tigers.

Princeton initially scored off of a single from first-year first baseman Tomas Cernius which brought Lamson home, after he was hit by the pitch on his at bat and proceeded to steal second. 

However, Dartmouth responded immediately, putting up two runs in the bottom of the inning. The Big Green played aggressively, stole multiple bases, and took advantage on a passed ball. 

The fifth inning was most critical for the Big Green’s success. Three consecutive walks meant Dartmouth had their bases loaded as catcher Tyler Sirchia stepped up to bat, and the sophomore capitalized on the opportunity with a grand slam to widen the lead to 6–1. 

Junior pitcher Elliott Eaton, who started pitching for the Tigers, had struck out four batters and allowed just two hits in his four inning outing, but was ultimately replaced by senior pitcher Will Sword following the grand slam. 

Dartmouth consequently put up another two runs during the bottom of the fifth to further their lead to 8–1. And, while Princeton scored in the top of the seventh on a run batted in (RBI) from Lamson, the Tigers remained at a deficit. 

The doubleheader day ended in a split, with both teams looking to claim a series victory in game three. 

Tigers flip the script and seal series victory

With postseason aspirations, the third and final contest of the series was a must-win for the Tigers.

“We knew we needed the win to keep our playoff hopes alive. Going into Sunday the mindset was definitely win or go home,” Cernius wrote. 

Senior pitcher Justin Kim started on the mound for the Tigers and kept Dartmouth scoreless across his six-inning outing, allowing just three hits for The Big Green and striking out two.

Once again, Princeton was the first to score, as Cernius hit a home run to right field in the top of the fourth. 

“I just want to stay calm at the plate and stick to my approach. Whoever is on the mound never really matters, I am always just ready to hit once I’m batting,” Cernius wrote. 

Princeton followed with three runs across two hits in the fifth to extend their lead 4–0. A double from Kaufman put the Tigers in scoring position, and a double from Googins brought him home. With Googins and Lamson both in scoring position, both were able to reach home before the end of the inning. 

Despite a hit by pitch and single for Dartmouth in the sixth, Princeton’s defense prohibited the Big Green from scoring, ending the inning with a Princeton double play.

With momentum on both offensive and defensive fronts, Princeton widened their advantage in the seventh, scoring five runs across three hits. A walk for Cernius with bases loaded brought Googins home, and a single from Kernodle resulted in two RBIs. 

The Tigers had the bases loaded again, as first-year utility Joe Montembeau walked, Kernodle advanced to second, and Cernius reached third. Consequently, a single from Kaufman earned another two RBIs and saw Montembeau to third. After a strong, strategic seventh, the Tigers led 9–0. 

“Our first year players Tomas Cernius and Brady Kaufman had a great weekend offensively!” Bradley wrote. 

Penney came in to pitch for Princeton in the final innings, as Dartmouth scored two runs across three hits in the bottom of the seventh, but The Big Green couldn’t make up the deficit.

Princeton emerged from game three victorious 9–2, and took the series.

“The biggest takeaway from this series is that we’re really starting to hit our stride as a team, both pitching and offensively,” Kinneen wrote. “We had contributions from a number of different guys and are looking forward to carrying this momentum onto Harvard.”

The Tigers will be looking to sweep their series against Harvard (8–25, 6–12) at home this weekend to maximize their chance of making the Ivy League tournament. Before the Tigers face the Crimson, however, they will host Siena University (15–24, 8–13 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) on Wednesday, April 29.

“We need to keep winning. We need to win to give ourselves a shot, and winning all of these games would be great momentum to take into playoffs,” Cernius said. “We’ll see what happens, but I want to make sure I play with everything I’ve got and leave it all on the field.”

Siena Sydenham is a Sports contributor for the ‘Prince.’

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