MEDFORD, MA (March 9, 2025) -- The Tufts University baseball team put up a valiant fight in a back-and-forth contest against Wheaton College (Mass.), but ultimately fell 14-11 in a 10-inning showdown at Sol Gittleman Park Sunday afternoon.
The Jumbos (2-3) showcased resilience throughout, responding to multiple lead changes and staging late-game rallies to force extra innings. However, Wheaton's three-run 10th inning proved to be the difference as Tufts was unable to answer in the bottom half.
Tufts took the early lead with one run in the third, followed by two in the fourth frame highlighted by an RBI single from fifth-year Ozzie Fleischer. Wheaton (3-2) responded with four runs in the fifth inning, with the big blow coming on a three-run shot from Tommy Wagner. Undeterred, the Jumbos rallied right back in the bottom of the sixth, as Fleischer tied the game with an RBI triple to make it 4-4. Junior Jesse McCullough put Tufts ahead with a RBI single, scoring later in the inning on a sacrifice fly by Max Pavlik to make it 6-4.
The lead would swell up to four runs for the hosts at 8-4 after a two-run single from Caden Abraham, but that's when the Lyons offense came to life. Wheaton tallied five in the eighth inning to take a 9-8 lead, but Pavlik responded in the bottom of the eighth with his first collegiate homer to tie the game again at nine.
In the ninth inning, Wheaton scored two runs on a RBI double from Casey Wensley but the Jumbos loaded the bases with no outs. Fleischer pulled Tufts to within one at 11-10 on a RBI fielder's choice, and McCullough executed a perfect squeeze bunt to push in the tying run. Tufts had the winning run at second base with two outs, but couldn't cash in the run as the contest went to extras.
In the 10th, Wheaton would take control again with three runs for the final margin of victory.
Fleischer finished 3-for-5 with three RBI and a run, while Cooper Smith added three hits in six at-bats while scoring once. Senior Ben Leonard was 2-for-5 with a walk, and first-year James Henshon also had two hits for the Jumbos. McCullough was 1-for-2 with two RBI and two runs and a stolen base, and Henry Fleckner recorded a 1-for-4 day with two runs and two stolen bases.
On the hill, Tufts saw starter Jacob Lapp go five innings while striking out four and allowing four runs on eight hits. Hunter Beindorff was strong in relief, allowing only two hits in 1.1 innings.
Wheaton's Robbie Lamond was 6-for-6 with three runs, two RBI and a walk, posting two doubles and a triple to help lead the Lyons to the win.
Tufts will have a day off before hitting the road for the first time in 2025, traveling to Providence, RI to battle Johnson & Wales University at 3 p.m. in non-conference play.
--JUMBOS--
