Even though no score was tallied, Head Coach Bob Whalen was pleased with his team's overall performance, especially considering the team has only had eight formal days of practice since its arrival in Hanover.
"The team showed some very good things" Whalen said, "but also showed they haven't played together for that long. We're just in the process of getting better everyday."
In addition, Whalen noted that both teams the Big Green has matched up against this fall, University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Baseball Canada-Quebec, are both strong programs that will help prepare the Big Green for the spring season.
The scrimmages are used primarily for "teaching the system and evaluating our players," Whalen said. "We also can't teach defense inside as well as we can outside because of the limited space and different bounce."
The scrimmages are especially important because the team is only allowed 12 formal practices in the fall.
The fall may also determine starting roles for team members who have had less exposure to playing time than others.
"This year more than the previous several years, the fall will be especially important because we have a lot of new players and players returning from injury that need to be evaluated and who are competing for starting spots," Whalen said.
The Big Green returns a significant number of starters from last season, while the team has also brought in a strong recruiting class.
"All of our recruits for this year have done some good things and we're pleased with their ability," Whalen said.
"There is a good foundation of upperclassmen who have been in the program, and I think the freshman class is one of the more talented classes we've had since I've been here," Jason McManis '08 said.
Dartmouth should have many positional battles this season for starting roles. At catcher, Jack Monahan '09, last year's starter, is returning but will battle it out with Kyle Evans '09 and freshman Brandon Parks '11.
At first base the team returns starter Michael Pagliarulo '09 who will compete with another starting infielder from last season, Raymond Allen '09, and with newcomer Jason Brooks '11.
Second base may be the most competitive starting spot on this year's squad. McManis started at second last season and will now compete with former Dartmouth baseball Rookie of the Year and the 2006 starter Johnathon Santopadre '09. Also, one of the team's star recruits, Jeff Onstott '11 looks to make his presence known on the field at second base.
At third base and shortstop, returning starters James Wren '10 and Erik Bell '08 look to retain their starting roles for the Big Green this season although they could be challenged by McManis or Onstott.
Two mainstays in the Dartmouth outfield are co-captain Damon Wright '08 and Nick Santomauro '10, both of whom were All-Ivy selections last season. In the mix for the third outfield spot are Brett Gardner '10, Jason Blydell '08 and Sam Bean '11.
The team also returns four strong pitchers in co-captain Russell Young '08, All-Ivy closer Kyle Zeis '08, Chase Carpenter '08 and Robert Young '10. Big Green players are optimistic about the season.
"I think this could be a great season for us. None of the guys here want to sacrifice winning, so everyone is giving 100 percent in all of our workouts." McManis said.
The Big Green will open its season at the United States Naval Academy on Saturday, March 1, 2008.
