Even though it is still relatively early in the NESCAC season, the Jeffs' backs are now against the wall in their quest to finish in the top two in the West Division of the NESCAC.
The Jeffs looked extremely sharp in their first game back in New England, a 13-2 victory over non-league opponent Westfield State. Duncan Webb '04 got the nod on the mound, going seven strong innings during which he allowed no earned runs and only six hits, while striking out six. Webb received great support at the plate as the Jeffs banged out 18 hits as a team.
Matt Potter '04, the Jeffs' early season MVP, continued his red-hot hitting display with three hits and two runs. "I tried to get stronger over the winter and got in as much practice as I could," said Potter. Freshman shortstop Josh Santry contributed three hits as well and crossed the plate three times. Left fielder Dave Powers '05 performed well with two hits, three RBIs and two runs scored.
At 7-5 for the year at this point, the Jeffs were pretty confident going into their first conference series against Little III rival Wesleyan. However, the Jeffs were left shaking their heads after getting swept 11-6, 5-3 and 6-5.
In the first game, which Amherst played at home, the Jeffs jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first on a Powers double and a Potter line drive single down the third base line. "It's kind of weird," said Potter. "I've never batted cleanup in my life. I like being in those situations though." That was the Jeffs' last lead though, as the team's five errors led to an insurmountable 10-2 deficit after five innings.
Captain Jeff Leduc '02 got the loss, only lasting four innings. "It was one of those days," said Leduc. "I lost my focus a little and didn't feel comfortable." Ed Imperatore '05 pitched well in relief, only allowing five hits and no earned runs in five innings. Powers added his first career homerun in the ninth.
The Jeffs ended up on the wrong side of both games of a double-header the next day at Wesleyan. Jonah Ansell '03 and Chris Vecsey '03 held the Cardinals to only four hits in the first game, a 5-3 loss, but were hurt by four errors in the field. Right fielder John Schneider '03 had two hits and an RBI in defeat.
The Jeffs sent Dave Krauser '02 to the mound in the second game, which ended up as a heartbreaking 6-5 loss. He tossed eight innings, allowing four earned runs and 10 hits. Andy Kearns '04 relieved Krauser in the ninth and took the loss, his second of the season. Center fielder Paul Whiting '04 contributed three hits and two runs. Backup catcher Joe Katuska '03 added two RBI on a two out double.
Against non-league opponent UMass-Dartmouth, the Jeffs used a variety of pitchers in a 6-0 loss, their fourth straight. Pat Mawn '05 started, going four innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs for his second loss of the season. Freshman phenom Powers continued his strong start by garnering two of the Jeffs' four hits, but could not find his way across the plate.
Last weekend the Jeffs headed north to Middlebury College to battle their NESCAC West Division rival. Amherst came away with a split, but could have easily swept the doubleheader. Dave Krauser made it look easy in the first game, pitching a complete game and only allowing one run on seven hits in the 8-1 win. "Dave pitched great," said Leduc.
"Pitching is the strongest aspect of the team," Potter added. Potter supported Krauser with three hits and two RBIs. Second baseman John Brody '02 contributed two hits and two RBIs as well.
In the second game, the Jeffs held a 5-4 lead heading into the ninth inning due to early home runs by Schneider, Katuska and Whiting. The Jeffs were held hitless, however, in the last six innings. "We died offensively after the third inning," said Leduc. Webb took the loss in relief of starter Ansell.
On Sunday, Amherst and Middlebury played 15 scoreless innings before first baseman Jim Hockrein '02 knocked in the winning runs in the top of the 16th. Leduc, who had 15 strikeouts and Middlebury's Chris Fraser each pitched 12 scoreless innings before giving way to their respective bullpens. Kearns pitched four scoreless innings of two-hit ball in relief for the Jeffs, who were relieved to escape with a victory and a series win against Middlebury.
"It was a great game," said Leduc. "We were in a hitting slump and couldn't put it together today, but we won as a team."
Next week the Jeffs will battle non-league opponents Eastern Connecticut State University and Brandeis University before traveling to Maine to face NESCAC rival Bates College. The games against Bates do not count towards the playoffs, but are important games for the Jeffs as they try to rebound from a tough two-week stretch.
"We're definitely still in it," Potter said. "We need to get our bats back, but as long as our pitching stays the same, we're as good as any team."