MEDFORD, MA (April 12, 2024) - The Tufts University men's baseball team opened their three-game series against New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) rival Colby College on Friday night.
The Jumbos (13-10) gave the ball to junior Connor Podeszwa to start the game. The Mules got to Podeszwa early as he only pitched 1.1 innings, they scored three runs in the top of the first inning and four runs in the top of the second inning to jump out to a 7-0 lead. The Mules also added two more runs in the top of the third to go up 9-0 over the Jumbos.
The Jumbos got their first run of the game on an RBI single by junior Henry Fleckner that brought fellow senior John Fritz home to score. The Mules added a run in the top of the seventh then two more runs in the top of the eighth to extend their lead to 12-1.
The Jumbos had a huge bottom of the eighth inning as they collected six runs in the half-inning. The inning was highlighted by a three-RBI double to right field by first-year Malachi Pena that scored first-years Tyler Wong and Ian Robertson, and senior Jackson Reydel to make the score interesting as it was now 12-7 going into the last inning.
Going into the ninth inning the Jumbos gave the ball to sophomore Jack Edwards who was making his season debut out on the mound. Edwards walked his first batter but was later able to induce a double play to end the inning and give the Jumbos one last crack in the bottom of the ninth.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Jumbos got things started with a lead-off single by Robertson then a few batters later senior Ben Leonard who had the night off was picked to pinch hit, Leonard was able to shoot a double down the left field line that scored first year Pierson Cooper and Fritz to make the score 12-9. The Jumbos had a chance to win the game as they had the bases loaded but were unable to bring the game-tying runs home. The Jumbos showed a ton of resilience as they were down by 11 runs at one point in the game.
First-year Grant Strother made his collegiate debut for the Jumbos as he pitched an inning and recorded his first strikeout. Robertson went 1-2 with an RBI in his first at-bats of his collegiate career. The Jumbos finished the game with 10 hits and three errors on the day.
The Jumbos will stay in action as they will finish their three-game set with the Mules tomorrow in a doubleheader. The first game of the twin-bill will start at 12 P.M. followed by the second game.
