Amherst boasted a hot-hitting, productive offense throughout the weekend that left Hamilton with little chance to get back into any of the games. On Friday, the Jeffs dominated early in the second inning, when a string of singles built up to junior Fran Morales' first home run of the weekend, which earned him three RBIs.
However, the team didn't let up, instead continuing their rout of Hamilton pitcher Dave Greene. The Jeffs launched another hitting fest with singles from senior co-captain John Schneider, first-year Zach Schonberger and sophomore Josh Santry.
The addition of freshman first baseman Dave Levinson's three-RBI home run gave the Jeffs a decisive seven-run lead, which they kept through the end.
Duncan Webb '04 started on the mound and collected the win, but was given strong relief from sophomore Ed Imperatore and senior closer Chris Vecsey. Schneider finished with three hits for the Jeffs. Schonberger, Santry and junior Brandon Cody each added two.
Morales was clearly the hottest hitter of the night, posting three hits and a home run. Morales remained an offensive force for the remainder of the series. Filling the designated hitter slot, Morales finished with a scorching .750 batting record, including nine hits and two home runs in his 12 at-bats during the two-day series.
Coming into the Saturday double-header, Amherst had quite a standard to uphold, and they did just that. The opener got off to a rocky start as the Jeffs trailed 4-3 coming into the fifth inning. But with junior catcher Tom Sullivan's home run to open the fifth, Amherst was back on their game, clinching the win with a five-run fifth inning and a four-run sixth. Sullivan finished with two solo homers, while Schneider added to the effort with a three-RBI home run.
Junior phenom Andy Kerns started the game and pitched the first three innings before giving way to right-hander Joe Vladeck '06 who finished the game in strong form with three hitless innings.
The nightcap was a classic blowout of a game, as a dispirited Hamilton let Amherst's bats fly unmatched. The Jeffs converted 21 runs off their 26 hits and eight Amherst batters posted multiple hit games.
From the opening inning, it was clear that the Jeffs held the game in complete control as they jumped out to a four-run lead due to hits from Cody, Santry, Levinson and Sullivan. Next came a three-run homer in the third from Schonberger, running the score up to 9-0. From then on, it was much of the same-the Jeffs pounded every pitcher Hamilton put before them, finally tallying 21 runs.
Juniors Paul Whiting and Brandon Cody led the team's bats with four hits apiece, while classmates Morales and Sullivan each added a pair. Cody finished off the game with a heroic ninth-inning grand slam to end the series.
"Hamilton was definitely one of our weaker opponents, but it was still great to have three big wins," said Schonberger. " If we keep hitting like that, it shouldn't matter who we play."
On Wednesday, the Jeffs secured a 6-4 victory over visiting, non-league foe Keene State College. Santry's three-run home run helped Amherst overcome their early 4-0 hole. Kyle Lavery '05 notched the win in his first action this season.
With the postseason looming in the near future, the Jeffs will host Trinity College today at 3:30 before heading to Williams College this Saturday to take on their NESCAC rival in what should be an exciting doubleheader. Less than 24 hours later, the Jeffs will once again take the field, this time at home, against the Little III rival Ephs. As it stands now, Amherst is in sole possession of first place in the NESCAC West; the top two teams from the division qualify for the NESCAC playoffs.