The win against ECSU was the Jeffs' second win against a team ranked in the top five nationally. The Jeffs had previously topped Ohio-Wesleyan University, then ranked third, over spring break. The team now stands at 11-12 for the season and 2-4 in the race to make the NESCAC playoffs.
Sophomores Andy Kerns and Duncan Webb combined to shut down ECSU in a 5-2 victory in front of a home crowd. Kerns lasted five innings, allowing only two hits and one run. "Against a team like ECSU, you can't get nervous, because you have a tough job ahead," said Kerns. "You must clear your mind, go out and do the job."
Webb pitched four innings and allowing only three hits and one run. Kerns earned his second win of the season and Webb picked up his second save. "I used a new pitch I've been working on, that Coach [Bill Thurston] just decided to let me use," Kerns added.
The Jeffs jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a bases loaded walk by Devin Haran '03, a two run double by last week's hero Jim Hochrein '02 and a two run single by co-captain J.R. Drabick '02. That was all the pitchers needed, as the Jeffs cruised to a well-earned and much needed victory.
"For the past two weeks, our practices have been more geared towards hitting," said second baseman John Brody '02. "We know that hitting is not our strongest point, but our work is starting to pay off." John Schneider '03 and hitting machine Matt Potter '04 also added two hits each for the Jeffs.
Three days later, the Jeffs traveled to Waltham, Mass. to face Brandeis in a non-league game. The Jeffs once again jumped out to an early 4-0 lead after one inning, but this time could not hold off a late rally by the hosts.
The Jeffs' bats disappeared after the first inning, a common occurrence this year. "Once we get later into the season, the hitting will start to pick up," said Kerns. "The young guys are learning something new every game on offense."
Webb took the loss, his third of the season, after relieving starter Dave Krauser '02. Josh Santry '05 doubled and scored on an error in the seventh inning to extend the Jeffs' lead to 5-1, but Brandeis responded with a flurry of base hits before a bases-clearing triple and a single gave them the 6-5 victory.
Against Bates, co-captain Jeff Leduc '02 ran his scoreless innings streak to 19 in the first game of the doubleheader, a 3-0 victory. Leduc allowed only four hits and one walk while striking out five in the complete game shutout. "Leduc pitched really well," said Kerns. "He has lots of movement on his fastball and a hard curve. When he doesn't make mistakes, there aren't many batters who can hit him."
Brody helped the offense with a RBI single in the second inning and Santry added a solo homerun, the first of his career, in the fifth. "Our pitching has kept us in a lot of games when our hitting has struggled," said Brody. "It has been really nice to see the team come together and work for runs when the bats haven't been hot."
In the second game against Bates, the Jeffs ended up on the wrong side of a 7-6 decision. Jonah Ansell '03 got the start for the Jeffs. Unfortunately, Bates' bats woke up in time to earn a 7-6 victory. Catcher Joe Katuska '03 had two hits, including a homerun. Santry continued his hot hitting with two hits and two RBI. "We still have a long way to go if we want to be successful in the postseason," said Brody.
The Jeffs travel to Keene State today before hosting three games against NESCAC West Division rival Hamilton this weekend. "We saw some really good things this week, but there is still room for us to tighten up our defense and run production and become a more consistent team," said Brody. "With a pitching staff like ours, I'm confident we can pull things together and win some games."