While Crockett's summer might have been the most impressive, Birtwell still remains the heart and soul of the pitching staff. The senior has been the staff ace since his freshman year, and his dominating sophomore season earned him Ivy Pitcher of the Year.

Birtwell was not quite as dominant last year, although he still led the team with a 3.31 ERA and 41 strikeouts. His 2-3 record was largely a product of the lack of offense that plagued the team all season.

Birtwell said the unusually cold, rainy spring also hurt the staff. Crimson pitchers were never able to settle into a comfortable rhythm, having to battle through several rainouts.

As the only senior in the regular rotation, Birtwell has become the de-facto leader of the staff, helping the younger pitchers develop.

"He's kind of like another coach out there," Ronz says. "It's nice to have a student perspective on what I'm doing."

The team expects continued improvement from Ronz. After starting slowly last year while adjusting to college hitting and the colder climate, Ronz hit his stride towards the end of the year.

In a crucial late-season game against Dartmouth, the southpaw went toe-to-toe with Big Green ace Conor Brooks for ten innings, at one point retiring 24 out of 26 batters.