Baseball Takes Twin Bill From Tigers in Ivy Opener

Saturday, March 29

Princeton, N.J.

12:00 PM

Dartmouth College

7-7, 1-0

Princeton

8-10, 0-1

Dartmouth

Princeton

Baseball Takes Twin Bill From Tigers in Ivy Opener

3/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Dartmouth

Game One Box

Game Two Box

PRINCETON, N.J. ? The Dartmouth baseball team scored in the top of the eighth to edge Princeton, 5-4, in the first game, followed by a seven-run sixth frame to take the nightcap from the Tigers, 8-5, in its Ivy opening doubleheader. The Big Green has now extended its winning streak to five games.

In game one, Dartmouth cranked out 12 hits led by senior co-captain Damon Wright (Dallas, Texas) who went 3-for-4 with a two-run triple and a run scored. Joining Wright was junior Michael Pagliarulo (Winchester, Mass.) as he posted a single and a double with two runs scored, while freshman Jeff Onstott (Houston, Texas) collected two singles and run scored.

Senior co-captain Russell Young (Cleburne, Texas) went the distance for Dartmouth with eight innings pitched, scattering 11 hits and four runs, while fanning eight batters. Young pitched into trouble in the fourth and fifth innings, allowing three of the four runs, but settled down and retired the final six hitters to earn the win.

After failing to score in regulation, Dartmouth crossed the plate in top of the eighth to take the extra inning contest from Princeton, 5-4. Wright led off the eighth with a single, advanced to third on a double by Pagliarulo. Wright was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice to the first baseman, but after a walk, pinch hitter Brett Gardner (Bellevue, Wash.) got the ball in outfield and Pagliarulo was able to score the winning run.

In the nightcap, the Big Green once again went on the offensive with 13 hits and it's the sixth straight game that Dartmouth has pounded out 10 or more hits. Seven of the nine batters in the lineup collected hits. Senior Jason Blydell (Nahant, Mass.) went 3-for-4 with three singles, an RBI and two runs scored. Juniors Jack Monahan (Overland Park, Kan.) and Johnathon Santopadre (Vacaville, Calif.) broke the game open in the sixth with back-to-back two-run singles.

Freshman hurler Jake Pruner (Triangle, Va.) earned his first collegiate victory as he went six strong innings after give up three runs in the first inning. Pruner allowed eight hits and five runs overall, while fanning five Tigers. Relieving Pruner was senior Bobby Steinsdoerfer (Crystal Lake, Ill.) who went two hitless innings to extend his streak to five innings in relief without giving up a hit. Freshman Ryan Smith (Greenlawn, N.Y.) then appeared in the ninth and shut the door for his third save of the season.

With the Big Green down 4-1, Dartmouth exploded for seven runs in the sixth inning to take a commanding 8-4 lead. The Big Green had its first six hitters in the inning reach base and score, led by Pagliarulo who tallied two hits and an RBI in the inning. In addition to Monahan and Santopadre's two-run singles, Wright also posted an RBI single.

Dartmouth (8-7) will look to increase its winning streak as the Big Green heads north to Cornell for another Ivy League doubleheader, beginning at 12 p.m.