The softball team opens its NESCAC slate with a doubleheader on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. against Middlebury College. The Jeffs compiled a 5-4 record on last week's Florida trip; the Panther record stands at 1-3 including a 6-2 loss to Bowdoin College. Last season Midd won both ends of the doubleheader, 2-0 and 2-1, as Panther ace Megan McCarthy held the Jeffs to eight hits over two games. On offense, Christina Freyer hit .400 last season, though Miya Warner '06 held her to just one hit in five at-bats. The Jeffs have reason to be optimistic. Ace Warner, who compiled a 4-1 record in Florida, leads a solid defense, and if Amherst can muster a strong offensive effort from the likes of Gina Scribner '04 and Laura Trigeiro '06, this pair of games should come out in the win column for the Jeffs.