Dave Krauser '02 started the trip off with an outstanding pitching performance against previously unbeaten and third-ranked Ohio Wesleyan University, allowing two hits, no walks and no earned runs, while striking out two in 6 1/3 innings. Krauser relied heavily on the Jeffs defense to preserve his victory. "I trained hard this year and am more focused for my senior year," he said.
Centerfielder Paul Whiting '04 made one of the best catches of the trip when he scaled the outfield wall and robbed a Ohio Wesleyan batter of a homerun. Third baseman Matt Potter '04, one of the offensive stars of the trip, began his torrid hitting against Ohio Wesleyan with three hits and three RBIs. Potter impressed Head Coach Bill Thurston enough in the preseason to be inserted into the lineup at third base, and Potter earned the respect of both opposing pitchers and his teammates with a barrage of offense, early and often. The Jeffs as a team showed very little offensive rust, totaling eleven hits in their first game.
The next day, the Jeffs split a doubleheader with UMass-Boston. Jonah Ansell '03 started the first game on the mound, going 6 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and striking out nine in the Jeffs' 4-0 victory. Ansell has the potential to be a dominant pitcher in the NESCAC and will be extremely important as the season continues. Potter again led the Jeffs with two hits and three RBIs. Rookie shortstop Josh Santry '05 added three hits and second baseman John Brody '02 scored two runs.
The second game against UMass-Boston, a 10-7 loss, was a pill hard to swallow for the Jeffs. Andy Kearns '04 started, going 3 2/3 innings before giving way to Chris Vecsey '03, who took the loss in relief. The Jeffs led 7-1 but could not hold on to the lead.
Co-captain Jeff Leduc '02 started his first game of the season against Johns Hopkins University, a difficult 6-5 loss. Leduc pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on eight hits, before giving way to Pat Mawn '05, who took the loss in his first collegiate appearance. Potter again led the Jeffs with four hits and two RBIs.
Against Rowen University, the Jeffs once again sent Krauser to the mound. "They swung at a lot of bad pitches," said Krauser. Krauser took advantage of Rowan's eagerness, tallying nine strikeouts in seven innings of work in the 4-3 win. Left fielder Dave Powers '05 paced the offense with two hits and fellow freshman Santry added a hit and an RBI. "It was very important that Powers and Santry came right in and hit well and gave some support to the pitching staff," said pitcher Duncan Webb '04.
Webb got his first start of the season in the Jeffs' next game against Coe College, a 5-1 loss. "I felt good," said Webb. "But I wasn't too happy with the overall results." Whiting and John Schneider '03 both managed two hits apiece, but the Jeffs were unable to plate runners in scoring position.
Offensive woes continued as the Jeffs lost their second game in a row, this time to University of Southern Maine. The Jeffs banged out only five hits in the 9-6 loss. Kearns and Vecsey struggled early, and the Jeffs could not rebound. The lone bright spot was the pitching of first years Kyle Laverly and Eddie Imperatore, who pitched the last three innings in relief. First baseman Brett Nicol '03 also hit his second career homerun in defeat.
Leduc returned to the mound against St. Lawrence University in the Jeffs' 4-1 win. Leduc threw a complete game, allowing only two hits and striking out seven. Potter's bat came alive once again, supporting Leduc with three hits.
On Saturday, Amherst swept a doubleheader against Kalamazoo College. Ansell struck out 12, while allowing only two hits and one earned run in the 6-5 victory. Potter and Santry helped the offensive cause with two hits apiece.
The Jeffs squeaked out an extra inning win in the second game behind a solid effort from Mawn in his first career start. Mawn allowed only four hits and two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings. Webb pitched four innings of relief for his first win of the season and Vecsey picked up the save. "As relievers, we want to do our job and help the team," said Webb. "We let the team down and the pitching staff down if we don't finish the job. It feels good to help the starters and fellow relievers out of a jam." Schneider scored the winning run-one of his three runs-in the top of the ninth on a wild pitch. Powers added three hits and an RBI in the win.
A tough 6-1 loss to defending Division III national champion University of St. Thomas put the Jeffs at 6-5 on the season. Krauser lost his first game of the year, going 5 1/3 innings. "They were solid all through the lineup," said Krauser. "They were good hitters and put the ball in play." Schneider continued his hot hitting with three hits and an RBI. Potter concluded his scorching hitting display with two hits.
Amherst hosts Westfield today, before opening their NESCAC schedule with a home game against Wesleyan on Friday. Amherst will play a doubleheader at Wesleyan on Saturday, before visiting UMass-Dartmouth on Tuesday. "The most important games are the NESCAC games," Krauser said. "We're not as concerned about record at this point as we are about improvement."
"The trip was definitely a bonding experience for the team," said Webb. "We learned that we must treat every game equally and always play to win."