The Big Green (23-13, 16-4 Ivy) and the Big Red (16-21, 11-10 Ivy) will meet in two nine-inning games on Saturday, with the first game starting at 12 p.m. The third game of the series, if necessary, will be played at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Dartmouth secured its spot in the Ivy Championship after beating Harvard 14-2 on Saturday and 11-5 on Sunday.
"It wasn't a dog-pile-on-the-mound situation with everyone going crazy because we expected it," co-captain Robert Young '10 said about the team's reaction after securing the Red Rolfe Division title. "[Clinching] is the stepping stone to win the Ivy Championship. This weekend is going to be another great environment, and we might go a little bit crazier if we win."
Cornell made quick work of Princeton (18-18, 10-11 Ivy) in a one-game playoff for the Gehrig Division title on Wednesday, beating the Tigers 9-0 and earning the second spot in the championship series.
The Big Red scored all nine of their runs in the first inning of play off of five hits and four walks. Cornell starter Corey Pappel struck out 11, and three Big Red relievers combined to strike out another seven batters in the shut out.
"We are happy that they had to use some pitchers and that they didn't have a full week to relax," Young said. "Hopefully, we won't have to go to game three."
On Saturday, starters Young and Ben Murray '10 will both be throwing for the Big Green, but the order of their appearances has not yet been determined, Young said. Murray leads the team with a 3.83 ERA, while Young's ERA is 4.96.
The last time these two teams met in a doubleheader was on April 5, when the Big Green swept the Big Red 13-8 and 14-11.
"We have played the exact [Cornell] team already this year," Young said. "But at the same time, that was four weeks ago. They have made improvements. Still, we went out and swept them, so we have confidence that we can beat them now."
Joe Sclafani '12 and Nick Santomauro '10 each had three hits during the first game against Cornell that weekend, contributing to Dartmouth's total of 14 hits. Santomauro now leads the Big Green with a .395 batting average, while Sclafani is batting .362.
Trailing as the team entered the fourth inning, the Dartmouth sluggers erupted with six runs off of four hits in that game. Jim Wren '10 blasted a three-run home run to put Dartmouth ahead. Kyle Hendricks '12 earned the win after striking out three and giving up six earned runs.
The bats of Allen and Mike Pagliarulo '09 dominated the second game on April 4, as each ripped three hits for a combined four RBIs. Dartmouth jumped to the lead with an explosive nine-run second inning in which Sclafani belted a three-run homer to left field.
Big Green starter Cole Sulser '12 earned the win after striking out eight Big Red batters in seven innings, while Ryan Smith '11 got the save.
Like Cornell, Dartmouth has had a busy week, as the Big Green faced the University of Hartford on Tuesday and Boston College on Wednesday.
Jumping ahead early with a five-run first inning, the Big Green dominated Hartford (10-25, 2-8 America East) to win 13-5. The Big Green is 8-0 this season after establishing a lead in the first inning.
Dartmouth starter Colin Britton '11 earned the win, giving up four earned runs off of ten hits in five innings.
Boston College (28-17, 11-11 ACC) shut out Dartmouth 3-0 on Wednesday, as the Big Green could only muster five hits -- three of which came off the bat of Jake Carlson '12. Eagles starter Mike Dennhardt struck out 11 in his eight-inning outing.
"It was a little more relaxed," Young said after the game. "We played some of the guys that don't play as much in conference [games]. Our pitchers threw really well -- Max Langford ['12] had a great start. Boston College is a great team. If we win the Ivy Championships, we will be playing high-caliber teams."
Looking forward to the championship this weekend, Young said the games provided effective practice in live situations.
Dartmouth has not won the Ivy crown since 1987. The Big Green has reached the championship game four times under the tenure of current head coach Bob Whalen, but has failed to win the title each time, including last season's loss to Columbia in game three of the Ivy championship series.
"I think we are a lot more confident team this year because we were there last year," Young said. "We are going to get out there and take care of business."
