HARTFORD, CT (April 21, 2023) -- Sophomore
Ben Leonard capped a decisive three-run eighth inning with a two-run single for the Tufts University baseball team, coming from behind to knock off host Trinity College 4-2 in the first game of a three-game weekend series against the Bantams at Murren/DiBenedetto Field.
The win was the Jumbos (20-8) eighth straight win overall, while Tufts has opened New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) play with seven consecutive victories. Tufts also posted its 20th win of the season, marking the second time in as many seasons head coach
Paul Svagdis has earned the win mark. It was the 25th time in program history the squad has earned 20 wins in a season.
The visiting Jumbos were first on the board on Friday afternoon, as
Ozzie Fleischer singled with one out in the top of the third to start the rally. Fleischer stole second base and with two outs came around to score on a RBI single from first-year
Jesse McCullough.
Tufts starter
Connor Kinney would cruise through the first five innings before Trinity went ahead on a two-out, two-run single from Yoshi Omi-Jarrett in the bottom of the sixth.
Tufts went 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh, but would put together the eventual game-winning rally in the top half of the eighth.
Henry Fleckner walked and stole second with one out to put a runner in scoring position. McCullough singled following Fleckner, putting runners at the corners for
Jimmy Evans.
Evans singled to right field to bring around Fleckner, moving to second base on an error to set up runners at second and third with one out. After a strikeout, Leonard came through with a two-out single through the right side as Evans' dove in just before the tag at the plate to give the Jumbos a 4-2 lead.
Senior
Aidan Tucker would lock down the game from that point for Tufts, retiring the Bantams in order in both the eighth and ninth innings to earn his third victory of the season.
Kinney went 6.0 innings for the Jumbos, allowing seven hits and two earned runs while striking out four batters. Tucker was very strong out of the bullpen, striking out three over three scoreless innings of relief.
McCullough posted his first collegiate multi-hit performance on Friday, going 2-for-4 with a RBI and run scored. Evans was 2-for-3 with a walk, RBI and run scored as well for Tufts, which is out to its best start in NESCAC play since going 11-1 in league play in 2016. The Jumbos earned their fourth NESCAC title in that season.
Omi-Jarrett went 2-for-4 with a walk and two RBIs for the Trinity (17-9) offense. Perry was solid through six innings, allowing four hits and a run with one walk and five strikeouts for the Bantams.
The teams will complete the three-game series tomorrow with a noon doubleheader in Hartford.
--JUMBOS--
