Their timing couldn't be better. After struggling with offensive consistency throughout the season, it seems the young Amherst hitters have gained the experience and confidence needed to propel the team through the last NESCAC weekend and into the postseason.
"I knew going into the season that we had one of the strongest defenses in the league," said senior captain Jessica Allen. "I also knew that our success would depend on our effectiveness at the plate. This past week we all really stepped it up as a team and were able to string together series of hits and generate runs."
Saturday, the Jeffs traveled to distant Hamilton College to put on a hitting display for the unsuspecting Continentals. Amherst tallied 13 hits in the first game alone, needing only six innings to do the damage before the mercy rule was instituted.
Led by senior Gina Scribner's 3-3, three RBIs performance, six Jeffs recorded hits. Notable among the pack were the team's batting average leader, junior Greta Anderson, who went 3-4, and the team's leadoff hitter, sophomore Laura Trigeiro who went 3-5 with a double and two runs scored. Amherst spread out its scoring throughout the game, managing one in the first, two in the second and three in the third before finally putting the game beyond Hamilton's reach with a four-run rally in the sixth.
Sophomore slinger Miya Warner paced the defense, allowing only three hits and striking out nine en route to the 10-0 shutout, her third of the season.
Embarrassed by their first showing, the Continentals returned for round two eager to even the score. The Jeffs only managed six hits in the second game, but were able to win nonetheless. Scribner once again led the team offensively with two singles and an RBI in four at-bats, making her a combined 5-7 on the day.
Rookie pitcher Hilary Little managed to stave off several Hamilton threats, scattering five hits to secure the 5-0 shutout while classmate Annalise Rodli contributed two hits, two runs and an RBI.
Earlier in the week Amherst traveled to Waltham, Mass. to face Brandeis University. Last season, the Judges handed the Jeffs an embarrassing 9-1 defeat. This year, behind a remarkable 15-strikeout performance by Warner, Amherst dominated in the field and at the plate, ultimately coming away with the 6-1 victory.
Next on Amherst's schedule is the much anticipated showdown against Williams College, set to take place this Saturday at Pratt Field. Only a two-game sweep will place Amherst in the NESCAC playoffs. The Ephs won the matchup last year in Williamstown, edging out the Jeffs 3-2 and 3-0.
Amherst is fortunate in that it boasts a complete lineup of players capable of putting the ball in play when the game is on the line. "I can honestly say that I have complete confidence in every player on the team," said Allen. "Whether it's in the field or at the plate, I would trust anyone on this team with the outcome of a game."
Looking ahead to Williams, "I think everyone would love to be the hero for the that game," said Allen, "but the only way to beat Williams is through a total and unrelenting team effort; we can't afford to lose focus or make any errors."
Depending on the outcome, this weekend could be the last home games for Allen and Scribner. The first game of the doubleheader starts Saturday at noon.