Editor's Note: This is the fifth in a series of articles profiling members of the Class of 2004 on Dartmouth varsity sports teams.
In only two seasons under coach Bob Whalen, the six members of the Dartmouth Baseball Class of 2004 have helped make a full career's worth of history. This past season, highlighted by a 25-1 win over Harvard (the worst loss in Crimson history), was the Big Green's third consecutive 20-win season, marking the first time in Dartmouth history that the Big Green batsmen have created such a streak.
The '04s have been right in the thick of the team's success, as outfielder Scott Shirrell '04 and third baseman Ed Lucas '04 were named to the All Ivy first team in 2002, and pitcher Tim Grant '04 was a second team selection. After helping to bring Dartmouth baseball to unprecedented success, the '04s are as happy as one would expect.
"I could not have envisioned being more content with a program or the people involved with it," said pitcher Pat Dowling '04. "Each season has been very unique within itself, although the overriding theme was success." Second baseman Cooper Chapin '04, one of his class' three infielders along with third baseman Lucas and first baseman Patrick Nailer '04, added that he "couldn't ask for a much better baseball experience."
At the same time, though, Chapin acknowledges that the team has room for improvement.
"I believe that most of the team would agree with me in saying that last year, although we did win 20 games, was somewhat of a disappointment," said Chapin. "I don't think that we played quite to our potential, but I am extremely excited for next year, and I believe we will have a good chance to be very competitive and make another run at the Ivy League Championship."
Indeed, the team's recent success has left the '04s wanting to accomplish even more. According to Shirrell, who set a team record with 14 runs batted in during the 25-1 win over Harvard, "Our success over the past few seasons has just caused our own expectations to go up."
Pitcher Tim Grant '04 added that the team's play over the past two seasons has "given us a taste of success and what it takes to get there. In being so close to an Ivy title, particularly our freshman year, we know what to expect, and are hungrier than ever to get our own."
In order for the Big Green batsmen to bring home the Ivy title, they'll need to get through Harvard, as the Crimson will enter the 2003 season as the defending Red Rolfe Division champions, and are not likely to forget the 25-1 drubbing they received this past May.
According to Shirrell, who tied a Dartmouth record with three homeruns in that game (2 of them grand slams),"There has been a strong rivalry between us and Harvard since our two teams first started playing. Our 25 to 1 win over them last year definitely lit a fire under them, and I expect the rivalry to intensify over the next couple of years. They consistently put a good team on the field, and that makes for some great matchups against us."
Chapin also believes that the timing of the Dartmouth-Harvard games also adds to the intensity of the series. According to Chapin, "Because Harvard weekend is the final series of the season, and one or both of the teams are usually playing for the Red Wolfe division title, there is added incentive and pressure to win."
According to Shirrell, however, "There is always pressure to win, but that primarily comes from us players. We all have a strong desire to succeed."
To succeed in 2003, the team will have the help of eight new players from the Class of 2006, and as the '04s join the veteran half of the team, they will be some of the players that the incoming freshmen look to for advice and guidance. When asked what he would like to impress upon incoming players. Grant responded, "I think we're going to look to pass on the work ethic and commitment that was handed down to us from the classes above." Shirrell added, "Even though we are a spring sport, most of our work gets done in the fall and the winter. The season gets here before you know it and is over in a flash."
Indeed, the Ivy League baseball season moves at a breakneck pace, as the team plays two doubleheaders every weekend. According to Dowling, "The jammed schedule is both one of my favorite things about baseball and what I dislike most. Playing games scheduled [so close together] makes for a furious charge to the finish, even when the season begins, which keeps us busy, to say the least. In the same respect, our season only lasts at a maximum two months, so while it is sometimes slow in coming, it goes quickly."
According to Shirrell, the brisk pace of the season helps bring the team together. When asked about the effects of the baseball team's packed schedule, Shirrell responded, "I think that the way our schedule is set up allows our team to become a lot closer then a lot of other sports [teams]. While in season, we are together pretty much 7 days a week. This allows many close friendships to form and these relationships show up on the field.
"Baseball is very much a team sport and having a team that enjoys being around each other is a great advantage. A lot can happen in a 40-game season and having such a close team allows us to deal with any adversity that we might face."
Grant also appreciates the closeness among the players. According to Grant, when he came to Dartmouth, "I didn't anticipate how close the team would be. Due to the time commitment baseball in particular demands, we practically live with each other for most of the school year." Judging by the results of the past two seasons, the Big Green batsmen live well together. Shirrell certainly thinks so.
"I came into Dartmouth expecting a lot from baseball," said Shirrell. "After having played for two years, I would say with the exception of an Ivy League championship, we have lived up to my expectations. We have had two very good seasons and done well in the league, and with the players we have coming back, I feel we will once again challenge for the Ivy League title."
