The team split a doubleheader on Saturday, opening its season with a two-hit, eight-strikeout shutout by co-captain Russell Young '08. On Sunday, the Big Green, led by co-captain, Damon Wright '08, notched an extra-inning victory in the rubber match.
"It feels great to be outside again," Wright said after the weekend. "There is no better feeling than getting on the field for the first time against a formidable opponent."
Dartmouth's 1-0 win over Navy in the opener was a great way to begin the season, Wright added.
"Taking the first game of a series on the road is such a confidence and momentum builder," he said.
Dartmouth began its season with a strong performance at the plate. In the top of the first, lead-off batter Johnathon Santopadre '09 drew a walk, Jeff Onstott '11 earned his first collegiate hit in his first at-bat from the two-spot, and Nick Santomauro '10, last season's rookie sensation, drove home the only run of the game with a looped single to center.
On defense, the Big Green made several diving plays that kept Young's shutout alive. A single run would have been enough for Navy's starting pitcher Oliver Drake to avoid the loss. Drake gave up one run and struck out 10 Big Green batter in seven innings.
"You never really know how good your team is going to be until you play your first game," Wright said. "We have a great nucleus of upperclass experience mixed with a lot of young talent. Personally, I believe we have the ability to win our division and the Ivies."
In Saturday's second game, Navy posted 12 runs in the first four innings and held on to win the game, 12-5. Chase Carpenter '08 picked up the loss on the mound, but Ryan Smith '11 and Bobby Steinsdoerfer '07 were bright spots in the Big Green's pitching effort, combining for four no-hit innings to hold Navy to 12 runs.
Dartmouth had a strong offensive performance in the second game, totaling 11 hits and three earned runs. Onstott racked up two more hits in five at-bats, while freshman Jason Brooks '11 earned a home run off of his first collegiate hit.
The Big Green pulled out a 4-3 victory in Sunday's rubber match to decide the series. Wright earned the figurative "game ball" with a 3-for-4 hitting performance, three steals, the game-winning hit and a RBI in the bottom of the 10th inning. Brett Gardner '10 also had a 3-for-4 hitting performance with an RBI, and Kyle Zeis '08 dominated the overwhelmed Navy hitters, fanning eight of 16 batters in the final 3.2 innings to earn the win.
Robert Young '10 started the game at the mound, allowing only three runs on 12 hits over five innings, with all three runs earned in the fifth. The Big Green led 2-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth, after a fielder's choice run by Wright in the second and an RBI double by Gardner that brought Brooks home in the fifth.
But five straight singles by the Midshipmen in the bottom of the inning gave Navy the lead 3-2. Young was able to get Dartmouth out of the inning without any further damage, forcing three quick outs.
The Big Green then evened the score 3-3 after a botched pick-off attempt lead to a run by Ray Allen '09, At the bottom of the seventh, as Navy threatened to break the game open with the bases loaded and one out, Zeis took the hill and struck out the next two hitters to end the inning and keep the tie game intact. Zeis unloaded the bases again in the bottom of the ninth with his sixth strikeout, and the game continued into an extra inning.
Erik Bell '08 started the inning with a double, and Wright hit him home with one out, giving Dartmouth the lead. Zeis' seventh and eighth strikeouts in the bottom half of the inning to finish the game.
"Every player on the team decided that we would not lose this game," Wright said. "Kyle Zeis showed so much poise on the mound and his performance was very impressive. I would say he was the key difference."
"I was really proud of the players," head coach Bob Whalen said. "From an effort and approach standpoint we played very well."
For the athletes, expectations are high after the weekend's strong performance.
"I expect us to be an extremely competitive team in the league this year, and our goal is to win the Ivies," Wright said.
The team will head to Florida next week for its spring trip. The team will play 10 games in nine days against teams such as Saint Louis University, Ohio State, Kansas and Northwestern.
