Jumbos' Offense Explodes Winning Season Opener 26-5

MEDFORD, MA (March 6, 2024) - The Tufts University baseball team opened its 2024 season today at Sol Gittleman Park against Brandeis University. The Jumbos exploded for 26 runs during the game, scoring runs in seven consecutive innings and finishing with a 26-5 victory.

Senior Silas Reed got the opening day start for the Jumbos. He struck out seven on the day facing 19 batters and allowing four runs over 4.1 innings pitched. He got the first inning started by fanning the first batter faced. He would allow a base runner due to a walk in the top of the first. The Jumbos would get out of the top of the first without allowing a run. In the bottom of the first, the Jumbos' offense got started with sophomore Malcolm Whitfield roping a lead-off single to right-center. Whitfield then stole second and third, with the Jumbos getting a run in the inning when he scored on a throwing error by the Judges' catcher.

In the top half of the second Reed captured another strikeout and had a 1-2-3 inning. The Jumbos would add another run in the bottom half of the second. Senior Ozzie Fleischer smoked a single to left field to score sophomore Jesse McCullough, who had reached first on a fielder's choice and was moved to second due to a sweet bunt down the third base line by senior Patrick Solomon.

In the top of the third inning, Reed fanned the first two batters then forced a line out to right fielder Cooper Smith. The Jumbos' offense came alive in the third inning as they scored 10 runs. The inning was highlighted by fifth-year Connor Flavin who laced a triple to right center that scored two runs. Later in the inning, Fleischer roped a two-run single to left field to run the score to 7-0 in favor of the Jumbos. Owen McKiernan capped the frame with a two-run single making it 12-0. The Jumbos had five hits with four walks and a hit-by-pitch in the inning.

Henry Flecker and Smith then had rbi singles in Tufts' three-run fourth to take a 15-0 advantage.

Brandeis would get back five runs in the top of the fifth, including a two-run single from Eddie Zanor. However, the surging Jumbos would not stop scoring. In the bottom of the fifth Solomon hit the first home run of the season as he hit a two-run shot to left field that traveled 365 feet and 101 MPH off the bat. The Jumbos would add three more runs in the inning overall to make the score 20-5.

In the sixth inning, freshman AJ Lysko hit his first collegiate home run as he hit a two-run moonshot to right field that traveled 392 feet. The home team then added four runs in the seventh for their 26 total.

The Jumbos had a total of 23 hits in the game, nd they swiped eight stolen bases. Flavin recorded two triples in the game going 3-5, Whitfield also went 3-4 on the day and score five runs. Freshman Malachi Pena had his first collegiate appearance today he went 3-4 with two doubles and two RBIs. Fleischer (3 hits, 3 rbis), McCullough (4 runs), Smith and Solomon (3 rbis each) added to the Jumbo fireworks.

Hunter Beindorff, Liam Wilson, Matt Hirsch and Robert Gray all pitched a scoreless inning of relief for Tufts, with Beindorff being credited with the victory. Jumbo pitching held the Judges to just two hits, but did issue nine walks.

Sean Decker-Jacoby started and took the loss for Brandeis, as he was tagged for seven hits and seven runs in 2.1 innings.

The Jumbos will face off in doubleheader action Saturday against Eastern Connecticut State University at Sol Gittleman Park on the campus of Tufts University. The first game will be played at noon with the nightcap to follow.