Honor Roll Games of the Week: Mar. 8 – Mar. 14

March 8, 2019

Davidson Wildcats vs Richmond Spiders – 3 Game Series Begins Friday @ 6:00pm

Although Davidson won the seasons series 3-2 in 2018, it was Richmond that ended the Wildcats’ season in the A10 tournament with an 8-4 victory.  The weekend series is the first conference match-up for both teams this year and the only time they’ll meet before a potential rematch in the A10 tournament at the end of the May.

The Spiders are off to their best start since 2016, posting an 8-2 record over the first three weeks of play. The pitching staff has held opponents to just 3 earned runs per game, with notable performances from Honor Roll alumni RHP Lowell Schipper and RHP Brian Craven. Schipper has yielded only 3 runs across 3 appearances – including 2 starts, while Craven has yet to allow a run in 4 innings of work, picking up his first career save last week against Rider.

Davidson enters play with a 6-4 record after a tough opening schedule, including defeats against Top 25-ranked Honor Roll programs in  #25 Duke and #1 Vanderbilt. The Wildcats return home this weekend, looking to pick up a few early victories in A10 play. At the plate, Honor Roll alumni Eric Jones has carried the momentum from his strong play last year into the 2019 season. Jones – who was named National Player of the Week on 2/26/18 – currently leads the team in hits (13) while batting .342 with a .444 OBP. On the mound, fellow Honor Roll alumni RHP Pete Bloomberg has struck out 7 batters across 4.2 innings – surrendering only 1 run and picking up a save in a victory over Toledo.

Our prediction – Davidson cools off Richmond after their hot start, taking 2 of 3 games against the Spiders.

Brandeis Judges @ Tufts Jumbos – Monday @ 4:00pm

After earning the top spot in the 2018 NESCAC Baseball East Division, Tufts fell a win short of a three-peat for the NESCAC championship, falling to fellow Honor Roll program Amherst in a 3-2 nail-biter. The Jumbos – with 17 Honor Roll alumni on the roster – look to reclaim the title in 2019, and they begin the campaign with a conference showdown against Williams.

With 3 of their 4 All-NESCAC selections graduating last year, Tufts will look for the returning players to build off their contributions in 2018 and take the next step in their development. At the plate, The Jumbos received strong play from Honor Roll alumni C Harrison Frickman and SS/P Elias Varinos. Frickman played in over 20 games for the third straight season while setting career highs in HRs, RBIs, AVG and OBP.  Varinos also had a career year at the plate, scoring 20 runs and driving in 18. On the mound, Tufts will look for Jamie Weiss to build off his impressive freshman campaign in which he finished second on the team in appearances (12) and third in strikeouts (27).

Brandeis enters the 2019 season with a roster made up of mostly underclassmen, with Honor Roll alumni RHP Daniel Schupper being the lone senior on the team. Schupper has made 37 career appearances for the Judges out of the bullpen and led the team in appearances in 2018 (10). He’ll be rejoined on the pitching staff by fellow Honor Roll alumni RHP Albert Gutierrez, who finished second on the team in games started (6) and innings pitched (30.2) last season. Brandeis also has four Honor Roll alumni as part of their freshman class, all of who could see action early this season for the Judges.

Our prediction: Tufts starts their title pursuit on the right foot, picking up an opening day win over Brandeis.