MEDFORD, MA (April 25, 2023) -- The Tufts University baseball team took the lead in the bottom of the second on a two-run shot by Ben Leonard, and never looked back as the Jumbos increased their win streak to 11 with a 6-3 win over visiting Eastern Nazarene College in non-conference play from Sol Gittleman Park Tuesday night.
The Lions (23-9) struck first in the top of the second inning, as second baseman Elvis Rojas plated Anderson Jimenez with a fielder's choice as he beat out the possible double-play ball.
However, Tufts quickly responded in the bottom of the inning, as left fielder Leonard launched a two-run homer to put the Jumbos ahead 2-1. It was Leonard's third homer of the year, which came off the bat at 102 MPH while traveling 385 feet.
Tufts added another run in the fourth inning, as the Jumbos used a double steal to score Jimmy Evans from third base after he doubled earlier in the frame. The Jumbos then scored three more runs in the seventh inning, as Jesse McCullough singled in a run to make it 4-1. Later in the inning, Evans doubled off the right-field wall to plate McCullough and Bowman came through with another RBI single to push the Tufts lead up to 6-1.
Eastern Nazarene attempted to mount a comeback in the top of the eighth inning, scoring two but that was all they would get as the Jumbos held on for the win.
Silas Reed picked up the win for Tufts (23-6), improving his record to 4-1, while Jon Tessier took the loss for Eastern Nazarene, dropping to 4-4. Brendan McFall earned his ninth save of the season for the Jumbos. Reed got the win after going 1.1 innings, allowing no hits and no runs while striking out two.
Gavin Brown started for the Jumbos, allowing one hit and one run over 4.2 innings, striking out eight but walking seven. McFall worked the final six batters, striking out one.
Tufts' offense was led by Leonard, who went 1-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, and a walk. Evans also had a strong game, going 2-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI, and a stolen base. McCullough was also 2-for-4 with a RBI and run scored, his fourth straight multi-hit game, while Bowman also tallied two hits.
For ENC, Rojas had a good game at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Jimenez also had a solid game, going 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored.
The win streak for Tufts reached 11 Tuesday, the longest since winning 11 back in 2013.
The Jumbos will look to push their consecutive wins streak to 12 on Tuesday evening, making the short trip to Brandeis University for non-conference play at 7 p.m. in Waltham, MA.
--JUMBOS--
