The story of Tufts baseball hasn’t always been smooth, but signs of a turnaround are beginning to show. After a challenging start, the Jumbos, whose record is currently 6–9, recently grabbed some momentum, winning two of their last three games as they head into NESCAC competition.
Whittier double header
A West Coast swing ended in mixed results for the Jumbos. Facing Whittier in a Friday doubleheader, Tufts flexed offensive firepower early, riding a strong pitching performance from graduate student starter Silas Reed. Reed dominated with seven strikeouts over six innings, limiting Whittier’s offense to just three runs on five hits. The bats came alive in support, notably senior outfielder Cooper Smith, who collected two hits and drove in two runs, and first-year infielder James Henshon, who also drove in two on two hits. First-year infielder Cole Bohane later stepped up, crushing a towering two-run homer to punctuate a dominant 13–6 victory. Bohane finished the game with two RBIs, showcasing the promising power that could carry the Jumbos through the heart of their season.
Game 2 wasn’t as kind. Senior pitcher Connor Podeszwa delivered a gritty and determined outing, scattering eight hits across eight innings while striking out five batters and navigating multiple jams with seasoned composure. Despite his strong performance, the Jumbos struggled offensively, leaving 10 runners stranded. Their most significant missed opportunity came in the top of the ninth inning when they had a runner on second base but couldn’t break through. Whittier seized the moment in the bottom half, capitalizing on a wild pitch to secure a 1–0 walk-off victory from a sacrifice fly.
Returning home with momentum
Back at Sol Gittleman Park, Tufts faced a tough test from a strong UMass Boston squad. After falling behind 1–0 in the first inning, Tufts took control with a three-run rally in the fifth. Junior infielder Jesse McCullough sparked the inning with a leadoff single, advancing to third after walks by senior outfielder Ben Leonard and sophomore infielder/outfielder AJ Lysko. Smith drove in the tying run with an RBI single, and Henshon followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Jumbos a 2–1 advantage. First-year catcher Nick Banner, continuing his impressive rookie campaign, added another RBI single to extend the lead.
UMass Boston responded strongly, tying the game at 3–3 with a two-run homer from Jacob Levine in the sixth inning. In the seventh, the Beacons briefly retook the lead, 4–3, setting the stage for another Jumbo rally. Banner delivered again, smacking a decisive two-run double to right field to reclaim the lead at 5–4.
In relief, first-year pitcher Landon Meng was brilliant. Entering the game in the ninth inning, Meng quickly set down the Beacons in order, earning his first career save. His dominant performance in a tight situation highlighted his potential as a reliable closer in the Jumbos’ bullpen.
Early season growing pains
Before their recent success, the Jumbos struggled significantly with consistency, especially on the mound and defensively. Early in the season, their defensive lapses and shaky bullpen performances frequently put them in early holes, forcing the lineup into pressure-packed late-game situations. Losses against teams like Johnson and Wales University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology exposed vulnerabilities, as Tufts pitching allowed multiple big innings, and defensive miscues contributed directly to unearned runs.
Their inconsistency at the plate was also apparent in these early games, often resulting in stranded base runners and missed opportunities to capitalize on scoring chances. These frustrating outcomes highlighted a clear need for improved situational hitting and sharper focus in key defensive moments — areas the Jumbos have recently shown signs of addressing as they approach the heart of their season.
Numbers tell the tale
Offensively, Tufts has relied heavily on the consistent bats of Leonard (.373 batting average, 2 home runs, 9 RBI) and Smith (.365 batting average, 9 RBI). Smith, in particular, has been pivotal in key moments, consistently finding ways to put the ball in play under pressure. On the mound, Reed (3.24 ERA, 25 strikeouts in 16.2 innings) has been the cornerstone of the starting rotation, while Meng’s emerging late-game reliability adds reassurance.
Yet, the Jumbos still grapple with defensive miscues and pitching consistency — their team ERA stands at 6.44, a number that must improve significantly as conference play begins. Sophomore pitcher Ronan Hwang highlighted this focus in a statement to the Daily, writing, “I think the rough start to the season really fired us up” and that the Jumbos need to be “making sure we keep throwing strikes and keep the walks down as a pitching staff.”
Looking ahead to NESCAC
As Tufts shifts gears to conference competition, starting with Bates, the pieces seem to be coming together at just the right moment. Early bumps may have tested their resolve, but the recent stretch proves the Jumbos have the tools — and toughness — to make noise. As Hwang emphasized, “The mindset going into this weekend is to be ready — stay focused, maintaining the energy, and just wanting the moment/wanting to compete.”
