Having won four and lost but one on a successful training trip South, the varsity baseball team will open its season against Tufts this afternoon at the Jumbos' field.

Coach Norm Shepard will start left-hander Paul Del Rossi, who won two games on the trip, the second a five-hit shutout against Richmond. Del Rossi, a sophomore, has good speed and fine breaking stuff. He also has control, a rarity in college pitchers.

At this point the team's strong point is a slick fielding if not power-laden infield. Returning from last year are first baseman Phil Bernstein, shortstop Dave Morse, and third baseman Mike Drummey. The fourth starter is junior Terry Bartolet.

Bernstein, a left-handed power hitter, batted .291 last season and hit well down South. Morse, now captain, hit .333 on the trip and .306 last year. Drummey makes up in hustle what he lacks in finesse in the field, and hit .329 batting leadoff as a junior. Bartolet filled the gap left by the graduation of Al Martin and surprised everyone with a .333 spring trip average, highest on the club with Morse.

Dick Diehl, the regular catcher, has been sidelined and his place will be filled by sophomore Scott Harshbarger. Harshbarger can also play first and outfield when needed.

But the outfield remains a problem. Tom Stephenson, first baseman on last year's freshman team, will probably start in right field. The other two spots are still undecided, with juniors Andy Shea, Fred Karp, Gavin Gilmor and Curly Combs all possibilities. Shepard is faced with the prospect of replacing three out-fielders, all of whom hit over .300 last spring.

Stephenson hits the long ball, and along with Bernstein appears to be the only consistent power hitter on the team. Gilmor and Diehl both show flashes of promise in that regard, but for the most part this year's Crimson will not win ball games on its hitting.

Fortunately, in addition to a very tight infield, Shepard has a solid pitching staff. Al Yarbro and Dick Garibaldi each won a game on the southern trip, and appear to be ready. Sophomore Al Guzzetti, like Del Rossi a left hander, will probably be used often in relief assignments.