It was a rocky road for the men's baseball team this weekend, as the Big Green continued their travels against Cornell University and Princeton University.
Dartmouth went 0-4 on the trip, losing doubleheaders to both the Big Red and the Tigers. Dartmouth's record now stands at 2-10 (0-4 Ivy League), and the Big Green have still not played their home opener. That is scheduled for this Saturday against the University of Pennsylvania.
The first game of Friday's doubleheader against Cornell was an unfortunate sign of things to come.
The two teams were scoreless through five innings, and Dartmouth got things started with two runs in the top of the sixth. But Cornell came right back. With one out the Big Red got a home run to make it 2-1. Then, with two outs, Cornell strung together a couple of hits and a Dartmouth error to take a 3-2 lead.
In the top of the seventh, Dartmouth returned the favor. Andrew Spencer '97, Jake Isler '96 and Travis Horton '96 put together three hits and a stolen base to help the Big Green retake the lead, 4-3. But in the bottom of the seventh, a slow dribbler, a walk and a successful bunt loaded the bases for the Big Red. A Cornell line drive just off a Dartmouth glove scored two, and Cornell had a 5-4 win.
In the second game, neither team was able to pull away. The Big Green struggled a bit, hitting some hard balls but seemingly always right at people.
Cornell was able to hold on for a 4-3 win, Dartmouth's third consecutive loss by one run.
"We just have so many young players," Dartmouth Coach Bob Whalen said. "You have to know how to win, and it's real hard when you start four freshmen and three sophomores."
The one-run loss streak continued Saturday, when the Big Green dropped their first game to Princeton 9-8.
After trailing 8-5, Dartmouth scored three runs in the top of the seventh to tie the game at eight. Princeton could not get a run across in the bottom of the inning, so the teams went to an extra frame. A run in the bottom of the eighth won the game for the Tigers.
Spencer, this season's first Ivy League Rookie of the Week, continued to impress. He had three singles and two RBIs, and scored two runs.
In the second game against Princeton, the Big Green ran into a tough pitcher. The Tigers' Brian Bulp allowed only three hits in the 5-0 decision.
Still, Whalen thinks that brighter days are ahead. He said a combination of playing at home and more experience for the freshmen at the Division I level will soon produce some victories, especially in those games decided by one run.
"I'm encouraged," he said. "I'm really pleased with the kids' effort. Transition never happens as fast as you would like."
