On April 24, the Jeffs traveled to Medford, Mass. to take on NESCAC foe Tufts University in a double-header. In the opener, the Jeffs were shut down offensively in an outstanding pitching performance by Jumbo senior hurler Jodie Moreau, who allowed only three scattered singles in her complete-game shutout performance. Jess Allen '04, Tamara Baer '03 and Gina Scribner '04 were the only Jeffs who were able to connect for hits. Despite having talented co-captain pitcher Lauren Peloquin '02 on the mound, the Jeffs eventually lost 5-0 and Peloquin's pitching record dropped to 13-6.
In the nightcap, the Jeffs' bats were once again silenced by the Jumbo pitching, as they were unable to start any kind of offensive rally. The Jumbos were able to build up a 4-0 lead on pitcher Emily Melia '03 and held Amherst scoreless until the Jeffs finally broke the shutout in the top of the seventh inning. The lone run was scored when right fielder Jenna Obelsky '03 singled, advanced to third on a single by pinch-hitter Kristen Bradley '05 and scored on a Tufts error. Scribner also added a pair of hits as the Jeffs took the 4-1 loss. The loss dropped their NESCAC record to 8-2.
Despite their losses, Peloquin believed the women gave a strong effort. "Tufts is a really good team and those were the best games we've played against Tufts since I've been on the team," said Peloquin.
The following Saturday, the Jeffs hosted archrival Williams in a doubleheader for their last NESCAC match-up of the regular season. Despite hard-fought performances in each of the games, the Jeffs again came up short offensively as Williams swept the series with a pair of 3-0 and 4-2 wins.
In the first of the two games, Williams took the lead early, scoring a run in the top of the first on a pair of doubles. Amherst threatened several times, pounding out seven hits, including a pair apiece by Scribner and Baer, but they were unable to string enough hits together to get any runs home.
The evening game was a pitchers' duel until the top of the fourth inning, when Williams tacked three runs on the board. Amherst would rally in the bottom of the sixth, with Missy Mordy '03 leading off with a walk. Baer followed with a single and both were sent home on a double to right by Scribner. However, that would be all the offense that Amherst would muster, as Williams added one more in the top of the seventh to seal the win.
"There were some good hits, but they were spread out in the line-up," said Baer. "We need to hit more consistently."
After the week's results, the Jeffs' record fell to 16-12 overall and 8-4 in the conference. Amherst returns to action Wednesday in their regular season finale at Springfield College, before they travel to Williams on Friday to face Tufts again for the post-season tournament.
They have been taking measures to try to improve their performance. "We've been spending a lot of time on hitting because that's where we've been lacking lately," said Peloquin.