The Colby Echo

Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Rob Kievit The baseball team earned its first victory over Tufts in the past seven years.

As the baseball season heads into its last week of scheduled games, the Mules are sure of one thing. Their team has clinched a winning season for the first time in ten years. Colby, 16-13 overall and 3-8 in the NESCAC, will not be part of the conference playoffs but has ultimately made a huge leap this year. The Mules went 4-2 last week and enjoyed their most meaningful win of the year on Saturday when they took down Tufts University 7-6. It was the first time Colby had beaten Tufts since 2001, and it epitomized the turnaround and new outlook for the team. Although any Colby player or coach would balk at the idea that a winning season should hold such significance, it still remains an important stepping-stone for a program that is trying to re-establish itself as a yearly contender.

The week started with two non-conference games, pitting Colby against Waterville neighbor Thomas College and the University of Maine Farmington. Colby played at Thomas and came away with a 10-5 victory. RT Tourek '09 came in to pitch with one out in the second inning and continued to throw nearly seven innings of relief. Ken Kaufman '10 scored three runs to lead the offense while Ryan Murphy '11 closed the game in the ninth.

The Mules then hosted a double-header, taking both games from UMF at Coombs field. Game one went into extra innings and was ultimately won by a walk-off base hit in the eighth inning. UMF (5-16) was ahead 7-6 in the bottom of the seventh, but could not shut the door. With two outs and a man on second, Kaufman (3H, 1R) belted a single into right field to score John Lerner '11 (2H, 2R) and tie the game. In the bottom of the next inning Colin Riggs '08 (3H, BB, 1R) singled to lead off the inning. The fleet-footed Zack Starr '09 then pinch ran for Riggs and ultimately scored in walk-off fashion on a single by Lerner. The game two win was backed by sophomore Michael Cuqua's first collegiate homerun. Cuqua logged on in the second inning and deposited a majestic two-run shot into the left field woods. Those would be the only runs needed as Matt Moore '10 pitched over five innings, striking out three and walking one in a solid start. Murphy once again finished the game off.

Continued...

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