Baseball Begins Ivy League Title Defense At Home Against Yale, Brown; Yale Start Time Moved to 1 p.m.
4/1/2016 11:27:00 AM | Baseball
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SCHEDULE NOTE: Game time for game one vs. Yale on Saturday, April 2 has been changed to 1 p.m. due to rain in the forecast. Sunday's start time against Brown remains at 12 p.m.
THE STORYLINES
COLUMBIA'S STATUS
The Ivy League title defense for the three-time conference champions begins this weekend with doubleheaders against Yale and Brown at Robertson Field at Satow Stadium. The Lions have had a week off after dropping two of three to UConn last weekend.
YALE'S STATUS
The Bulldogs have dropped four of their last five heading into conference play. Yale's strength has been its speed, swiping 30 bases on 37 tries.
Richard Slenker is pacing the Eli's offense, hitting .302 with a homer and eight RBI. Simon Whiteman has 11 stolen bases.
Yale's game one starter, Chasen Ford is 1-3 with a 5.09 ERA to go with 26 strikeouts in 23 innings of work. In the night cap, the Bulldogs will turn to Mason Kukowski, who is 0-4 with a 5.70 ERA and has fanned 16 batters.
INSIDE THE SERIES... YALE
Columbia is 68-98 against Yale. Last year, the Lions picked up a pair of convincing wins, topping the Bulldogs, 16-2 and 9-2, in New Haven.
BROWN'S STATUS
The Bears are 5-2 in their last seven games, including a pair of wins over Siena on Wednesday.
Sam Grigo is hitting .321 with three dingers and 14 RBI, while Brian Ginsberg has driven in 11 runs.
On the hill, Brown will start southpaw Austin French. He is 2-1 with a 1.98 ERA and 28 strikeouts.
INSIDE THE SERIES... BROWN
Columbia holds a 58-61-1 record all-time against the Bears. However, the Lions have won six-straight, including four shutouts, against Brown dating back to 2013.
OPENING STATEMENT
Columbia has swept its last three of its last four Ivy League opening doubleheaders and are 14-4 under Brett Boretti on Ancient Eight opening days.
PIZZANO ASSIGNED TO AAA TACOMA
Former Columbia baseball outfielder Dario Pizzano will start his fifth year as a pro with the Tacoma Rainiers, the AAA affilliate of the Seattle Mariners. Pizzano, who reported to major league spring training, was taken in the 15th round in the 2012 MLB Entry Draft by the Mariners. He hit .308 with four homers and 33 RBI in 58 games with AA Jackson and earned a nod to the Southern League All-Star Game. However, his season was cut short in June due to injury.
