The Bulldogs opened the Ivy League season with a doubleheader sweep at Princeton on Saturday afternoon.
Yale won the first game 3-2, and outslugged the Tigers 14-8 in the second. The Bulldogs improved to 10-6 overall and have won eight of 10.Â
In game one,
Mike Walsh (3-0) tossed six solid innings to earn the victory and
Jimmy Chatfield added two hits including his first of two homers on the day. Â
Reid Easterly came on to get the final eight outs to pick up his second save of the season. Â
Alec Atkinson opened the scoring in the sixth with a two-run single to score
Mason LaPlante and
Colton Shaw. Â Later in the inning, Chatfield launched a solo shot over the left field wall for his fourth homer of the season. Â
Yale's defense ended the game on a nifty double play. Â Atkinson ran into foul territory, caught a fly ball against the wall for the second out, turned and threw a strike to second where
Tommy Martin tagged the runner attempting to move up from first. Â
The Bulldogs offense provided a lift in game two. Â Yale scored in five straight innings -- including seven runs in the sixth -- to pace the team to a sweep.
LaPlante went 4 for 6 with three runs scored and began the sixth-inning rally with a two-run single.
Ben Metzner capped the sixth with a three-run shot down the right field line. Â Metzner finished with five RBI in the game.Â
Atkinson had two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored, while
Colton Shaw went 2 for 5 with three runs scored. Â
Grant Kipp (2-2) struck out nine over 6 and 1/3 innings to earn the win.
Ben Gibbs came on in relief and allowed one earned run over the final 2 and 2/3 innings.
The two teams will close out the series tomorrow with a single game beginning at noon.Â
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