The teams provided plenty of drama and excitement on Saturday, leaving everything they had on Memorial Field. A win in game one of the doubleheader gave the Jeffs the upper hand heading into the second game, but the Jeffs squandered two late rallies, forcing the pivotal game three.
The Jeffs prepared for the Williams series by pounding Trinity College 16-3. Amherst jumped all over Trinity early, scoring 10 runs in the first five innings. Jonah Ansell '03 and Andy Kerns '04 split the pitching duties, going 4 2/3 and 4 1/3 innings, respectively. Both struck out three Bantams. "[Ansell] and Kerns really shut their bats down," said Dave Powers '05.
Every Jeff starter had at least one hit in the victory. "We just exploded offensively as a team, which was great," said Powers. "We haven't had too many games like that this year." Second baseman John Brody '02 led the way with his 4-5, four RBI, two-run performance. Shortstop Josh Santry '05 had three hits and three runs in the leadoff position. Catcher Joe Katuska '03 and center fielder Paul Whiting '04 both homered and drove in four runs.
Seniors Dave Krauser '02 and co-captain Jeff Leduc '02 provided inspirational performances in their last home games on Saturday in the doubleheader split against the Ephs. "We played two great games," said Leduc. "There's definitely a sense of urgency. Everyone wants to win, but the seniors are very hungry. We were really pumped up for both games. Our guys were ready to play and we will be even more ready in the final game."
"I can't say enough about our pitching," said Powers. "Holding Williams to three runs in two game was unbelievable."
In the first game, the Jeffs sent a message to the Ephs that they were ready to play. Krauser went the distance, allowing only six hits and one earned run in the 8-2 victory. The Jeffs' bats hammered out 13 hits. Five Jeffs had at least two hits each, led by sophomore third baseman Matt Potter's three hits and two runs. Powers, who continued his hot hitting of late, and designated hitter Jarret Solomon '03 contributed identical two hit, two run, one RBI performances.
"We were as confident as we have been all season," said Powers. "We've beaten a lot of good teams. We knew their pitchers weren't overpowering. The hitters felt good and we continued where we left off from Trinity." Brody, the NESCAC Player of the Week, had two hits and three RBI.
In the afternoon, the Jeffs tried to crush Williams' playoff dreams, but came up on the short end of a 1-0 thriller. Leduc pitched six innings before an injury forced him to leave. He allowed the only run of the game on a fielder's choice in the fourth inning. Duncan Webb '04 relieved Leduc in the seventh inning and allowed only one hit. "[Webb] and I pitched really well and the defense played great," said Leduc.
The Jeffs had trouble all afternoon with Bodner, who improved his record to 6-1 in his four hit shutout performance. Outfielder John Schneider '03 managed to get two of Amherst's four hits, but was stranded on base both times. The Jeffs had a chance to tie it or win it in the eight and ninth but could not convert with a man on third.
The Jeffs played yesterday against non-conference opponent Springfield College. Amherst won the game 11-1 behind a formidable performance from freshman hurler Pat Mawn. "This game was definitely a good momentum boost," said Santry. "We are doing things the right way and we feel good about our chances of going to the postseason."