It took a sweep of Dartmouth in the last series of the year for Yale to claim a share of the regular season championship with Columbia, and to also host the Ivy League Tournament. It was Yale’s first regular season championship since 2018, as they looked to win the win the tournament and gain their first automatic berth to the College World Series since 2017.
We were able to attend 4 out of the 6 games played, including the championship game. Weather was perfect all weekend, but there were lighter crowds than I expected. I was hoping for a packed Yale Field to bring some extra energy, but it wasn’t in the cards.
Day 1 – Friday, May 16th
Game #1: Harvard 3, Yale 1
With an early pick up from school, we made it to Yale just before the bottom of the 9th started. The parking lot behind the stadium was for staff only, and the lot next to the ballpark was full. Across the street was an overflow lot, so we parked there. I expected a giant crowd given the parking situation, and while it was much fuller than a normal game, it still felt light.
Yale was down 1-3, but found themselves with bases loaded and 1 out – unfortunately a foul out and ground out ended the rally, and gave Yale their first loss and a move to the loser’s bracket.
Game #2: Columbia 4, Penn 3
After a short break, game 2 started with Columbia taking on Penn. We stayed on the home side, Columbia, as they were our second favorite team in the tournament. Eli’s grandfather also joined us, his first time at Yale Field. A large portion of Yale’s team ended up sitting next to us to watch the game and see who they’d be facing in Game 3. Eli sat next to Jack Dauer and chatted with him on and off throughout the game, and also got several autographs on a foul ball.
Columbia came out strong in the 1st with 3 runs, including a fun to watch first-and-third double steal. Penn answered back in the 3rd with 3 runs of their own, and then pitching took over and kept the game tied through regular innings. But, with two outs in the bottom of the 10th and two men on, Anton Lazits crushed a walk-off double to end the game in exiting fashion.
Day 2 – Saturday, May 17th
Game #3: Yale 7, Penn 2
Back to Yale for Day 2 of the tournament, and started with a must-win game for Yale to continue on. The crowd was thinner than Game 1, but still larger than the other matchups. This time there was no shortage of offense, including a Tommy Martin 2-run home run and 11 total stolen bases, including another double steal. Colton Shaw retired the first 12 batters and went 8 innings, giving up 3 hits and 1 run. The win sets up Yale to play the winner of Game 4 – Columbia vs Harvard.
Eli repeated his strategy from Friday, and made his rounds to the Columbia players hanging out for autographs on another foul ball.
Game #4: Columbia 4, Harvard 1
During Game 3, Eli noticed some of the Columbia and Harvard players who were watching the game were eating Chic-fil-A, so in between games he asked for some as well. A quick DoorDash later and he was happy, sitting on the away side now to cheer for Columbia. Now full of energy, he made sure to get a high five from every player who walked by. Everyone was great the whole tournament, and spent time to say hi and thank him for coming.
Despite being in full Yale attire, Towa Uejima gave him a Columbia wrist band which he was overjoyed with. The game ended up being another pitcher’s duel similar to Game 2, with a 1-1 score after the second inning and nothing else through regular innings. Harvard’s Gio Colasante drove in their only run of the game with a solo HR, and Eli tracked down the ball for his collection. Columbia’s Thomas Santana went 8 innings, giving up 1 run with 8 strikeouts. Harvard’s Truman Pauley struck out a tournament record 13 batters over 9 innings.
Columbia scored 3 runs in the top of the 10th and hung on to close out Game 4 and 2-0 in the tournament. Yale will face Harvard on Sunday in an elimination game.
Day 3 – Sunday, May 18th
Game #5: Harvard 8, Yale 6
Eli’s school had a fundraiser at the Yard Goats at 1:00, so we didn’t go to Game 5. I watched on ESPN while waiting for him to get home. Things looked promising for Yale, with a Kaiden Dossa lead-off home run in the 1st and a 4-0 Yale lead through 4 innings. They had the lead after the top of the 8th, but Harvard scored 3 runs and Yale couldn’t recover in the 9th. This ended Yale’s season and tournament run, and Harvard advanced to face Columbia.
Game #6: Columbia 14, Harvard 6
We were able to get to the park a bit before the game started, again sitting on the Columbia (home) side. Crowd was sparse with Yale out, but we recognized some of the parents we chatted with throughout the tournament. Harvard came into the game with a tall task – having to beat Columbia twice to claim the championship. Columbia didn’t let it get to a second game, and came out swinging with a season-high 7 home runs, including a Sam Miller home run in the 3rd which Eli retrieved.
The game was really exciting to watch live, and seeing Columbia celebrate the win was great. We hung around for a while after to watch the on-field celebrations and trophy presentation, and then headed home after a long weekend of tournament baseball.
We will be tuned in on May 26th to see who Columbia will face in regionals!
