Ivy Baseball Roundup

Brown

Gone is the Bears’ all-time hits leader, Dan Kantrovitz, but Brown returns its All-Ivy right side of the infield. 1B Shaun Gallagher hit .375 last year, while 2B Rob Deeb slugged .404. Jonathan Stern is the team ace after posting a 1.92 ERA last year, the ninth-lowest mark in the nation.

Cornell

The Big Red will once again be P/OF Erik Rico’s team. The senior tri-captain does it all for Cornell, hitting a team-best .381 and going 2-2 as the team’s No. 2 starter in 2001. He and Big Red ace Brendan McQuaid (5-2, 2.86 ERA in 2001) form one of the most fearsome pitching duos in the Ivy League.

Penn

All-Ivy RHP/1B Andrew McCreery is one of the best two-way players in the league. McCreery finished 2001 5-2 on the hill while hitting .379 with 36 RBI. Dan Fitzgerald and Ben Krantz add to Penn’s deep rotation, which struck out a school record 226 batters last year. 2B Nick Italiano (.362 in 2001) sparks the offense.

Princeton

The two-time defending Ivy champs took their first step towards another title by sweeping Penn last week. Ryan Quinlan, Princeton’s first-ever Ivy Pitcher of Year in 2001, and RHP David Boehle (4-1 in Ivies in 2001) lead the hurlers. SS Pat Boran (15 RBIs so far this year) keys the offense.

Yale

Jon Steitz is gone, but LHP Craig Breslow, who one-hit Harvard last year, returns as Yale’s ace. The stellar outfield is anchored by CF Chris Elkins. He leads Yale in nine offensive categories, including average (.383), RBI (10) and stolen bases (4). 1B Justin Walters (2 HR, 10 RBI) provides power at the clean-up spot.

Dartmouth

Dartmouth lost three of its stars to graduation, including Crimson killer 3B Brian Nickerson. But the Green still has plenty people left as it tries for a third straight Red Rolfe crown. RHP John Velosky is coming off an all-star season on the Cape. Dartmouth also has the last two Ivy Rookies of the Year, 1B Mike Mileusnic and OF Scott Shirrell.

Columbia

The Lions are now on pace to post their highest win total in 15 years. OF Matt Buckmiller has been on a season-long tear and already has nine homers. Adam Schwartz and Matt Waldman are the veterans on the pitching staff, but the most promising hurler might be Brian McKitish, who’s 3-2 so far.