For the Harvard baseball team, tomorrow’s doubleheader against Princeton will inevitably conjure up memories of last season’s Ivy Championship Series. The Crimson (7-12, 2-2 Ivy) came away with the Ivy title—the Tigers went home with two close losses and a burning sense of resentment.

For Schuyler Mann, the Crimson’s sophomore catcher and offensive catalyst, the sight of orange and black uniforms might remind him of scoring the game-winning run in the second of those two contests. It might remind him of being behind the plate, calling the 2-1 pitching gem in that same game.

But for one of tomorrow’s games, Mann will reminisce not from the field, but from the dugout, where, as designated hitter, he will only appear in the Harvard half of the inning.

With the return of 2000 All-Ivy senior catcher Brian Lentz from a year off, the backstop duties are now split. Harvard coach Joe Walsh, reluctant to remove either valuable player from the lineup, generally plays one at catcher and one at DH.

Thus Mann, who in his rookie season dazzled both offensively and defensively, has taken a reduced catching role this year.

“It’s more of a mind game than anything else,” Mann said of playing DH. “If you have a bad at-bat you have to go sit down and stew over it. If you’re playing in the field you can vent.”

But the change has not affected Mann’s hitting prowess. After three months of summer baseball in the Great Lakes League in Ohio, he returned to Harvard with his game strengthened and refined. Through 19 games, Mann is batting .347 with 12 RBI and 3 home runs.

“Swinging a wood bat all summer really makes a difference,” Mann said.

For Walsh, the difference in Mann’s play was quickly evident.

“He’s taking on that curveball that he had trouble with [last year], not letting it get in on him,” Walsh said. “He’s really become a complete hitter. All phases [of his swing] are sharper.”

With Mann as a home run threat in the lineup behind junior powerhouse Trey Hendricks, opponents are unable to pitch around the switch-hitting first baseman.

And Mann’s efforts defensively, though now slightly more limited, remain consistent.

“It’s nice having him behind the plate,” said senior pitcher Kenon Ronz. “He’ll tell you what he thinks and will listen to what you have to say. That’s nice to have in a catcher.”

Mann himself uses his split time to take lessons from Lentz’s experienced play.

“I like watching [Lentz] both catching and hitting,” Mann said. “All these things I take away from his game and want to add to mine.”