2013 Season Recap

The Tulane Club Baseball team made great strides of improvement in 2012-2013, picking up a solid foundation of young players, and revitalizing the team. Tulane finished in Second place in the devision for the first time in over 6 years. After winning their first 2 games, The Green Wave suffered through a long 11-game loosing streak. Spring break could not have come soon enough for the tired team, as they took advantage of the week off to regroup and recharge, and go on a dominant 7-0 run ending the season 9-11, with a 9-8 recored in conference. Unfortunately, the surge was too little too late, as Tulane was not able to make the playoffs this year.


From left to right, top to bottom:
Top row: Jonny Cornfield (Sr. CF), J.R. deBart (Sr. OF/2B), Ari Janoff (So. C), Josh Woolford (GS. P/3B), Nick Bader (Fr. 1B), Blair deBart (Captain, So. SS)
Front row: Brian Robinowitz (So. 3B), Ian Sutton (Fr. P/OF), Brett Solomon (Fr. C/DH), Seth Matthews (Jr. OF)

From left to right, top to bottom:
Top row: Jonny Cornfield (Sr. CF), Gray Halliburton (Fr. 1B), John Veltri (Sr. OF), Tyler Schlichenmeyer (Jr. OF), Nick Bader (Fr. 1B), Ari Janoff (So. C),  J.R. deBart (Sr. OF/2B), Blair deBart (Captain, So. SS)
Front row: Matt Iannone (Fr. OF), Alex Gutwillig (So. 2B/P), Adam Friedant (Jr. SP), Brett Solomon (Fr. C/DH), Brian Robinowitz (So. 3B)



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Houston vs. Tulane

The Green Wave finished out their 2013 campaign with a three game home sereis against the University of Houston in a battle for second place.

Game 1:
Sophomore Alex Gutwillig got the ball for Tulane in game 1 and threw 7 strong innings, allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits with 8 strikeouts along the way. The Cougars were able to get 2 runs off of Gutwillig in the top of the third inning, giving U of H an early 2 run lead. Tulane answered in the fourth inning when Blair deBart was able to get aboard with a 1 out base hit. A fielder's choice followed by a single by Jonny Cornfield scored Tulane's first run. The Green Wave were able to push two more runs across in the inning on a single by Seth Mathews. Tulane manufactured one more run in the fifth to take a 4-2 lead. The final score stayed 4-2 in favor of Tulane.

Game 2:
Junior Adam Friedant took the hill in game two pitching nothing short of a gem. Friedant pitched 8 shutout innings surrendering only 2 hits. Both offenses had trouble getting anything going throughout this contest, as the first and only run was scored in the bottom of the eighth inning on a Brett Solomon double to right field.

Game 3:
Team ace Michael Harrison was on the mound in the season finale. The Green Wave were playing for the first time on Avenger field in the fly, which they hope to be able to make their home field in the future. The Green Wave wasted no time, pushing across 5 runs in the first inning. Tulane kept swinging, scoring in every inning and eventually winning the game 12-2.

Lee College vs. Tulane

The Green Wave looked to keep with their winning ways this past weekend, with three games scheduled against last place Lee College. 

Game 1:

Freshman Ian Sutton took the hill in Game 1, pitching well into the fourth, when he was hit in the face with a comebacker. Sutton suffered a fractured orbital bone on the play, but luckily avoided any more serious damage. Alex Gutwillig came on in relief, and shut down the Lee offense. The Green Wave bats were red hot on Saturday, putting runners in scoring position in each of the innings played. Short Stop Blair deBart was hit by a pitch again in this contest, giving him sole possession of second in the league in this category with six. deBart also had a couple of stolen bases and runs scored. Tulane lead the game from the beginning, and finished on top 6-4. 

Game 2:

Josh Woolford got the call in Game 2, overcoming his past issues with Lee College, completing the game with only 1 earned run. Tulane's hitting ways continued, putting up 12 runs and bringing home a 12-4 final victory. 

Game 3:

Game 3 was cancelled due to poor weather. 

The Green Wave now hold second place by mere percentage points over Houston. Tulane will finish out their 2013 campaign this weekend when Houston comes to visit. Two games are schedule for 11am Saturday and the Green Wave will be playing their final game of the season at noon on Sunday April 21st at The Fly. Come out and support your Tulane Club Baseball team as they look to finish second in the division for the first time in 6 years. Rise Up!!

Tulane at Houston

The Green Wave travelled to Texas for the final time this season to take on the University of Houston Cougars in a three game set. Due to complications with obtaining transportation, the team was forced to wait until early Saturday morning to depart for Houston.

Game 1:
With pitchers scarce this past weekend, Freshman Matt Kogan got the call in game 1. Houstan took an early 2-0 lead with consecutive doubles in the bottom of the first. Third baseman Josh Woolford led off the top of the second inning with a single, and later scored on a single up the middle by lead of hitter Blair deBart. The Green Wave continued to pile on runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, pushing across a total of nine runs to take a seemingly commanding 11-4 lead. Control began to become an issue for Kogan in the later innings, and Houston was able to take advantage and load the bases with no men out. Tulane brought in Centerfielder Jonny Cornfield to try and stop the bleeding. After getting two quick outs, a misplay in left alowed all three runners to score and the inning to continue. The Cougars scored a total of 6 runs in the bottom half of the sixth and held on to steal victory from Tulane with a final score of 12-11.

Top performers:
SS #12 SO Blair deBart 3-4, RBI, RS, SB, BB
CF #5   SR Jonny Cornfield 1-2, 3BB, 3RS
DH #10 FR Brett Solomon 2-4, 3-run HR, 2RS

Game 2:
Tulane was forced to bounce back after a tough Game 1 loss in just fifteen minutes time, as Woolford warmed up to take the hill in Game 2. Game 2 had a completly seprate feel to Game 1, despite the quick turn around. The only run of the game was scored after Houston walked Tulane Right Fielder Michael Harrison. Harrison was later driven in by Sophomore Ari Janoff. Josh "puma" Woolford found his whiskers in this one, going the distance in an impressive 7-inning shut out victory, striking out five in the process. The final score was Tulane 1, Houston 0.

Top performers:
P  #13  GS Josh Woolford 7 IP, 0ER, 5 K,

Game 3:
Tulane sent their ace, Michael Harrison to the hill on Sunday to try and earn the series victory. Harrison has been day-to-day after enduring elbow sorness following a relief apearence against FSU. On a strict 50 pitch limit, Harrison paid no attention and completed the full 7-innings anyway. The first portion of the game had a similar feel to the second game of the previous day. The 0-0 tie was broken in the top half of the fourth, when Short Stop Blair deBart drove in brother J.R. with a clutch 2-out basehit. The green wave would score 4 more runs in the fifth, taking a substantial 5-0 lead. The Cougars refused to give in, however, scoring 2 of their own in both the fifth and sixth innings, to bring the game within 1. Houston was able to put two runners aboard with one out in the bottom of the seventh, but Harrison overpowered the final two batters securing the 5-4 victory for the Green Wave.

Top performers:
P  #20 JR Michael Harrison 7IP, 11K, 4ER, 2BB

Tulane has 6 games remaining on the schedule this season, 3 at home against Lee College this weekend, followed by 3 at home agaisnt Houston. Come out and support your Tulane Club Baseball team. RISE UP!!

Rice vs. Tulane

The Green Wave played three games against the Rice Owls last weekend without many of their key players. The first two games were played on Saturday night at Muss Bertolino Stadium in Kenner, LA. The third game was played at Mel Ott Park on the West Bank. 

Game 1:

Without club ace Michael Harrison, the Green Wave sent out the duo of John Cornfield and Alex Gutwillig. The two pitchers fought valiantly, but poor defense and cold Tulane bats led to a final score of 12-2 in favor of the Owls. 

Game 2: 

Adam Friedant took the hill in game two, and pitched another solid outing, completing 7 strong innings. Unfortunately, again, poor defense and cold Tulane bats were unable to supply Friedant with any defense or run support. The game ended 6-0 in favor of the Owls. 

Game 3: 

Freshman pitcher Matt Kogan jumped on the bump in game 3 at Mell Ott Park. A defensive error in Right Field allowed 2 Owl runs to score in the first inning. The Green Wave quickly bounced back in the bottom half of the frame, when Freshman Brett Salomon smashed a 2 run home run to deep left field to knot the game at 2. Rice would go on to score another run in the third to take a one run lead. The Green Wave threatened in the bottom of the seventh inning, with runners on first and second. Unfortunately, the game ended on a monumental base running blunder, leaving the tying run in scoring position. The final score was Rice 3, Tulane 2. The Green Wave will attempt to end their losing skid at Houston in two weeks. 

Tulane at Rice

This weekend, Tulane traveled to Houston, Texas to take on the Rice Owls in a three game series. Unfortunately, car trouble on the way to Houston delayed the team from arriving until a little after 2:30 Saturday morning. A few minutes before Game 1, the two teams decided to play all three games on Saturday due to Sunday's rainy weather forecast. 


Game 1: 
Michael Harrison took the mound for Tulane in Game 1, coming off a week of elbow soreness dating back to his last appearance. Poor Tulane defense behind Harrison was a recurring trend of Game 1. In the first inning, The Owls loaded the bases after a single, a walk, and an error in the outfield. Harrison was able to battle back and record two consecutive strikeouts to end the frame unscathed. The top of the Green Wave's line up broke through with consecutive base hits and put three runs on the board in the top of the third inning, however, Rice responded the following half inning with three runs of their own on a double and a fielding error in the outfield. The Green Wave went quietly in their half of the fourth, but allowed six runs to score in the bottom half, pushing the score to 9-3 Owls. Rice would later tac on another run in the sixth. Tulane refused to go quietly, however. Relief pitcher Ian Sutton started off the top half of the seventh with a double down the right field line. The next two batters, Josh Woolford and J.R. deBart, hit consecutive singles to load the bases. With one out in the inning, Second baseman Alex Gutwillig, hit into a fielders choice, resulting in an out at the plate. Still down by 7 with two outs, Tulane left fielder Matt Kogan drove in one run on a base hit to right field. The next batter was Shortstop Blair deBart, who quickly fell down in the count 0-2. On the seventh pitch of the at bat, deBart drove a 2 RBI single into right field, scoring J.R. deBart and Alex Gutwillig to bring the deficit to only 4. Unfortunately, the offense stalled and the Wave fell 10-6. 

Top Game 1 performers:
#35 LF Matt Kogan: 2-4, RBI, RS
#12 SS Blair deBart: 3-4, HBP, 2RBI, RS 
#10 C  Brett Salomon: 2-4,2B, 2RBI


Game 2: 
Adam Friedant took the hill in Game 2 delivering an impressive 1-ER performance. The Green wave were able to take advantage of back to back errors in the field by The Owls with Sutton scoring from third on a wild pitch. Friedant continued to hit his spots, as he held the lead until an error in the infield allowed the leadoff hitter aboard in the bottom of the sixth, who would later score to tie the game at 1. The Green Wave put a runner in scoring position in the top of the ninth, but were unable to capitalize, leaving the game tied at 1. The Owls followed suit, putting the winning run at second base with 1 out. Ian Sutton fielded a subsequent base hit in right field, and fired a bullet to Brett Salomon behind the plate who applied the tag on a very close play. The runner was called safe and the game ended 2-1 in favor of Rice. 

Top Game 2 performers 
#7  P  Adam Friedant: 6.1IP, 4H, 1R, 0BB
#13 3B Josh Woolford: 2-3, 21B

Game 3:
The most unorthodox game was saved for last between these two squads, as Freshman Matt Kogan took the hill after a solid performance last week against FSU. Blair deBart got the Green Wave offense started in the top of the first with a base hit to right, and a steal of second base. deBart would later advance to third and score the first run of the game on two wild pitches. Brett Salomon, DH-ing in this game, continued to swing a hot stick with an RBI single to center, scoring Halliburton to put Tulane on top 2-0. Kogan stepped up in Game 3 delivering an absolute gem. In the fourth inning, however, Kogan surrendered 4 consecutive base hits to start of the frame, allowing the Owls to knot the game at two. He soon recovered, however, and got out of the inning with no further damage. The bottom of the fifth inning started in a similar way. Two consecutive singles put two Owls on with nobody out. A clutch double play up the middle, by middle infielders Alex Gutwillig and Blair deBart, put Kogan back on track who struck out the next batter to hold the game at 2-2. The became especially noteworthy in the top of the eight inning. The Green Wave were able to load the bases with nobody out. Pinch hitter, Adam Friedant, stepped up to the plate and hit a low-liner to first base, that appeared to hit the ground. No call was made by the umpire and complete confusion befell the Tulane base runners. Iannone sprinted home from third and beat an errant throw by the Rice first baseman, allowing a second Tulane run to score, seemingly putting the Green Wave ahead by two. The first base umpire later declared that the ball was caught in the air, resulting in 0 runs and two outs for Tulane. The next batter went down on strikes and a deflated Tulane squad ran back out on the field for more extra innings. Kogan, still pitching strong at this point, kept the team on track until the eleventh inning, when a wild pitch scored the game winning run. Tulane lost a very tough game 3-2. 

Top Game 3 Performers:
#35 P Matt Kogan: 9.2IP, 2ER, 7SO 


The Green Wave fought hard in all 25-innings of baseball played this past Saturday, despite the late arrival Friday night, and the absence of two key members. Rice is slated to travel to New Orleans this weekend to take on Tulane in three more games. 

Tulane vs. Florida State

The Green Wave fought hard against a strong FSU team at home, but ultimately fell just short this weekend.

Adam Friedant got the call for the Green Wave in Game 1 and went 6 strong innings. Down 2-0 in the fifth, Nick Bader singled and later scored on a pass ball to help Tulane pull within one. Two batters later, Blair deBart was hit by a pitch and came around to score the tying run on an RBI single by outfielder Matt Iannone. FSU quickly rallied for three runs in the top half of the six, and one more in the seventh, stretching their lead to 4. The Green Wave were able to put two runners on in the bottom of the seventh, but the offense stalled, ending the game 6-2 in favor of FSU.

Freshman Matt Kogan of Silver Spring, MD took the hill for Tulane in game two, with game-time temperatures dipping into the 30s. A Tulane fielding error put the second batter of the game aboard, who would later score the game's first run. The Green Wave rebounded quickly with two runs of their own, after Gray Halliburton followed a Kogan leadoff walk with a hit by pitch that knocked Halliburton out of the game. Sloppy defense continued to plague the Green Wave, however, leading to two unearned runs putting the game almost out of reach. Tulane was able to load the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning, but were not able to cash in, leaving the game 7-2 Seminoles.

The two teams met for a third time on Sunday in an exciting 9-inning affair. Veteran pitcher and third baseman Josh Woolford was on the mound for Tulane, having pitched a complete game shut-out victory against FSU in Fall play. "Woolf" was on the prowl again, going the distance in this game as well. FSU jumped out in front with three runs early, but Tulane's John Cornfield crushed an RBI double scoring Alex Gutwillig in the bottom of the fourth to put the Green Wave on the board. Cornfield came around to score on an RBI single by DH Brett Salomon, brining the score to 3-2. Shortstop Blair deBart was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning with the score now 5-2. After a strike out and a walk, Sophomore Catcher Ari Janoff continued to swing the bat well with a huge double to the wall in left. The trailing runner was tagged out rounding third, however, eliminating a possible run. Down by two in the ninth, a walk of Cornfield followed by a single by deBart put the tying runs on base. Tulane was unable to capitalize, and the game ended with a final score of 5-3.