Correction appended
After a difficult four-game losing streak against Yale University last weekend, the Dartmouth men's baseball team regained momentum for a 5-1 win over St. Anselm College on Tuesday afternoon. The Big Green (19-10, 6-6 Ivy) scored more runs in the win its 17th straight at home than it did during the entire series against Yale.
Dartmouth's home winning streak is the second longest in the nation, behind University of North Carolina's 19-game streak.
"Today's game was important because we needed to get back on the right track and regain our confidence," first baseman Jason Brooks '11 said. "We came out today with a lot of energy, played hard and came away with a win."
After a quiet first inning, St. Anselm (17-17, 7-8 ECAC) scored the first run of the game against left-handed pitcher Michael Johnson '13.
Dartmouth responded in the fourth, however, when Jeff Onstott '11 tripled to center and scored on another triple from Jeff Keller '14.
Keller began the seventh inning by doubling to left-center. David Turnbull '12 singled one out later, scoring Keller and increasing Dartmouth's lead to 2-1.
St. Anselm changed pitchers in the bottom of the eighth before the Big Green scored three runs to secure the victory.
Sam Bean '11 started the rally by reaching first base on a bunt to third. Brooks tripled to center one out later, scoring Bean, before Ennis Coble '13 drew a walk to put runners on the corners.
Onstott then hit a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Brooks. Coble stole second and scored on Keller's second triple of the game.
"Hitting is something that seems to be contagious," Brooks said. "Today we were able to string a few quality at-bats together a couple of different times, and it seemed as though each guy in the line-up was able to feed off of the good at-bats of the guy hitting in front of him."
The Hawks fought back in the top of the ninth against reliever Ryan Smith '11. The inning began with a single and two walks, loading the bases and bringing the tying run to the plate. Smith got out of the jam, however, by retiring the next three batters and ending the game.
Dan Ternowchek '11 recorded the win with three no-hit innings, while Johnson allowed only four hits in five innings of work.
"After Yale I think everyone just wanted to come out and get a win," Keller said. "The hitters just wanted to start seeing the ball and hitting it hard again because that was something we didn't do a lot of at Yale."
Brooks said the team which scored just three runs over the weekend against Yale will work especially hard on offense for the remainder of the season. Bean added that players will try to improve their swings and their "offensive approach."
"That's what we've struggled with lately and we're getting under balls too much," Bean said. "We're going to work on fixing that and getting better pitches to hit and attacking those pitches when we get them."
Tuesday's game marked the first of an eight-game homestand, which continues Wednesday against Hartford University.
"We always play better defensively at home because of the turf," Bean said. "There are no bad bounces and no odd hops."
Bean added that players benefit from maintaining their usual schedules and from home-fan support.
Keller said Dartmouth's home winning streak serves as an advantage rather than an added pressure.
"We always feel confident at home and I think everybody understands what we need to do in these last seven games," Keller said. "I think there will be some extra intensity this weekend."
