New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Yale set to open the season in New Mexico
NEW HAVEN — John Stuper knows his Yale baseball team could be running into a waiting buzz saw when it opens the season this weekend with a fourgame series at New Mexico State.
The Aggies, defending champs in the Western Athletic Conference, opened their season by scoring 98 runs over four games against Texas Southern the previous weekend, 62 coming in a doubleheader sweep that included a 38-run Game 2 outburst.
The early-season schedule won’t get much easier for the Bulldogs. Three games at New Orleans are on tap next weekend. Then it’s spring break in Florida with eight games against Florida, Central Florida and Stetson. Stetson reached the NCAA tournament last year; Florida made it all the way to the College World Series.
But there’s a method to the madness.
Yale, a senior-laden team, made the NCAA tournament two years ago and was eliminated after a 15-inning loss to Columbia in the Ivy League championship series last season. The Bulldogs are again the presea-
son favorite to win the Ivy.
“It’s the toughest nonconference schedule we’ve ever played,” said Stuper, in his 27th season at Yale. “We have a phenomenal senior class. We figured even if we take a few lumps along the road, they could handle it. But the experience should help us well in Ivy League play.”
Pitching and defense have become Yale hallmarks. Last spring it led the Ivy League in team ERA and posted the best fielding percentage in Division I baseball.
Scott Politz and Kumar Nambiar are the top two starting pitchers. Benny Wanger, the team’s starting first baseman, doubles as the league’s premier closer.
“It’s nice to know your No. 1 and No. 2 pitchers and your closer are all first-team all-conference material,” Stuper said. “Now, we have to fill in around them.”
Politz, a three-time allIvy League selection, is 22-9 in his career with a 3.30 ERA. He went undrafted by MLB last June, but will almost certainly have a future as a pro. His velocity has increased and he sits at 90 while touching 92, according to Stuper, which only helps his curveball, slider and change.
Nambiar went 5-2 and averaged a strikeout per inning as a junior. Wanger saved six games and didn’t allow a run in 19 innings against Ivy League competition.
Yale’s infield thrives on defense. Simon Whiteman, a Trumbull native and Fairfield Prep product, made five errors in 197 chances at shortstop while leading the team in hits. He’ll serve as team captain. Second baseman Dai Dai Otaka, third baseman Alex Stiegler and Wanger at first are also outstanding fielders. Freshman Mason LaPlante, a two-time defensive player of the year in Texas, will also figure into the rotation when Stiegler is pitching.
Stuper believes his outfield carries more speed than any other he’s ever coached. Amity products Ted Hague and Brian Ronai, Harry Hegeman and Tim DeGraw will all see extensive action. DeGraw will bat leadoff and play center field. Hague hit .330 as a freshman. Ronai is a gifted athlete coming off a strong fall season. Hegeman will start in left.
Catchers Tom Fuller, Jake Gehri and Cal Christofori will all see action this season. Versatility is another Yale trademark. Wanger drove in 31 runs and is perhaps the best defensive first baseman in the league. Stiegler is the starting third baseman, also capable of playing second base and the outfield. He also carried a 3.38 ERA in 10 pitching appearances and could start Game 2 at New Mexico State on the mound.
Griffin Dey is the Bulldogs’ top power hitter, batting .306 with seven homers and 35 RBIs last spring. He’ll also see time as a relief pitcher.
Ivy League schools typically don’t have the pitching depth to keep up with power programs in the South and West. By the time Yale opens its Ivy season against Brown on March 23, it likely won’t have the sparkling win-loss record. But it should be well-prepared to fight for a third successive regular season championship.
“We should have a good year,” Stuper said. “Our record may not reflect it early because we’re playing teams that are really good. But it will prepare us for the league. That was the idea behind the tough schedule.”