The Tufts University baseball team saw its season come to a close in the NCAA Tournament Regional, falling twice in as many days to Claremont‑Mudd‑Scripps and Kean University. The Jumbos finished with a 31‑11 record, a campaign marked by strong pitching and a potent offense that placed them among the nation’s top home‑run producers.
Game One: A Narrow Defeat to Claremont‑Mudd‑Scripps
In the fourth matchup of the Regional, starter Cole Donato took the mound for Tufts, surrendering four earned runs on nine hits over eight innings. Despite the early setback, the Jumbos rallied in the bottom of the fifth to cut the deficit to one run. Claremont‑Mudd‑Scripps answered in the eighth, extending the lead to 5‑2 before sealing the game.
Tegin Maloney delivered a complete‑game effort for the opposition, striking out seven batters while allowing just two earned runs. The Jumbos’ offense managed a single run in the fifth, but the 95th home run of the season by the opposing team underscored their power surge, ranking them second nationally in that category.
Game Two: Kean’s Early Onslaught
The following day, Michael O'Brien started on the mound for Tufts, but Kean exploded for six runs in the top of the fourth, building a 6‑0 cushion. Tufts fought back with three runs in the fifth and another three in the ninth, narrowing the gap to 11‑6, yet the rally fell short of a comeback.
Across the two games, the Jumbos displayed resilience, combining solid pitching performances from Cole Donato and Michael O'Brien with timely hitting. The season’s 31‑11 record reflects a strong overall campaign, one that will be remembered for its competitive spirit and the program’s continued ascent in collegiate baseball.