Bats power Midd past Skidmore and Wesleyan

Author: James Edward Kerrigan

Middlebury baseball picked up two victories and extended their win streak to five consecutive games over this past week.

After going on the road to beat Skidmore 9-6, the Panthers returned home for the weekend hoping to build on their momentum and earn crucial wins against division opponent Wesleyan. After a 9-1 Friday win, it looked as if this trend would prove correct, but a rainy Saturday postponed their winning streak.

Skidmore jumped out in front with a pair of runs in each of the first two innings. On both occasions, Skidmore took advantage of defensive mistakes - two Middlebury errors led to two unearned runs. But history repeated itself again for the Panthers. Dev Talvadkar '05 headed the comeback. Throughout the game, the Thoroughbreds of Skidmore could not devise a plan to get Middlebury's senior first basemen Talvadkar out. He reached base in every at bat; he also scored two runs and drove in three more. He got the squad going with heads up base running that resulted in the Panther's first run. In the fifth inning, Middlebury took their first lead of the afternoon with some L.A. Angels-like small ball. Co-captain David Riester '05 singled and stole second. Ryan Armstrong '06 drove in Riester and moved Noah Walker '06 to third (after he drew a walk) with a double. Talvadkar got the job done with a sacrifice fly to right field. Walker tagged and scored the go ahead run.

It was not just offense that helped Middlebury improve to 11-8 overall. Two freshmen looked more like senior veterans on the hill. Justin Wright '08 pitched seven strong innings while only surrendering three earned runs. Classmate Jack Britton came on in relief to pitch two no hit innings. Again, an unearned run was the only blemish on Britton's outing. All three Middlebury errors led to unearned runs.

Just like on Tuesday, Middlebury committed three errors on Friday against division opponent Wesleyan. This time however, they were fortunate to give up no unearned runs. Russ Budnick '05 earned a deserved win, his third of the season. Seven innings raised his season total to a team high 39.1 innings pitched. He fought for seven innings, struck out seven batters and gave up only one run.

It was like "déjà vu all over again" as Jack Britton '08 came on in relief for the game's final two innings and gave up no hits or no runs. Andrew Pavoni '06 went three for four while designated hitter Joe Ramoin's '05 first inning double drove in two runs. The consistent offensive attack struck for runs in five of the eight frames on the way to a 9-1 victory. The two Saturday games were rained out and a make up date has not yet been scheduled.

The fifth straight win pushed the Panthers one step closer to catching Williams in the NESCAC west region. Middlebury is one half game back, and Williams has yet to face the top seeded and undefeated Amherst squad. By no means will the playoff birth be handed to the resilient Panther club, but if they continue to build on the current momentum, play sound defensive baseball and take care of their own business, Middlebury may be playoff bound.

Middlebury goes on the road this week for three games. Wednesday they will play St. Michaels (whom they already pounded 15-4 at home this season) and on Sunday the men are slated for a double header at NESCAC east's top seed Trinity. The Bantams have been dominant throughout the season and will challenge the Panther squad.