"The trip was a real good start to the season, definitely our best trip in the past few years," said junior centerfielder Andrew Green. "We had a good feeling going in, and the way we played reaffirmed that."
The Jeffs commenced the season in Fort Myers, Fla., with an impressive 5-1 victory over Anderson University on March 12. Starting pitcher Joe Vladeck '06 set the tone, striking out six and surrendering just one unearned run in five innings of work. In the sixth inning, rookie Chris Edgar took the mound for his collegiate debut, rising to the occasion. In four innings, Edgar fanned six batters and allowed only two hits to earn his first career save. Green paved the way offensively, notching a double and a triple while recording his first stolen base and RBI of the year. First baseman Dave Levinson '06 went 2-4 for the Jeffs, driving in a pair of runs.
The following day the Jeffs came out swinging once again against UMass-Boston. Trailing 2-1 early, Amherst rallied for a five-run sixth inning highlighted by senior co-captain outfielder Dave Powers' two-RBI double. With a commanding 8-3 lead in the final frame, the victory seemed assured barring a bullpen breakdown. However, UMass-Boston fought back to tie the game before closer Ed Imperatore '05 allowed a bases-loaded walk to end the game. Green once again led the way at the plate with a pair of hits and a walk in the loss.
"We had a tough loss early against Umass-Boston," said Banner, "but after that we really came together."
With only a day to recover from the devastating loss, Amherst was in for a tough test against St. Lawrence University. With the score 3-2 in the seventh inning, Amherst again squandered a late lead, giving up three runs in the bottom of the inning. The offense responded, however, with a trio of runs to reclaim the lead. St. Lawrence tied the game against Edgar in the eighth inning, but after a go-ahead sacrifice-fly by designated hitter Rob Anderson '06 in the top of the ninth, Edgar blanked the Saints in the back half of the inning to record his first collegiate win.
Green continued his offensive dominance, going 2-5 with a triple and a pair of RBIs, while Powers was a perfect 4-4 at the dish, driving in a pair of runs as well. First-year catcher Neal Allar added a pair of hits in his debut.
"That game really gave us some momentum and set the tone for the rest of the trip," said Green. "Every single guy who played in that game was key to the victory. It was a real team effort."
The Lord Jeffs followed their dramatic win by pummeling Clarkson University 15-1 the next day. The Andrew Green Show continued as he collected three hits, a pair of walks and scored three runs for Amherst. Shortstop Zach Schonberger '06 homered and added two runs and two RBIs. Rightfielder Jared Banner'07, catcher Josh Card '08 and Levinson each added a pair of hits in the offensive onslaught.
Vladeck improved his record to 2-0, tossing six innings and allowing an unearned run. Imperatore took over in the seventh and made short work of Clarkson. The senior recorded his first save of the year, pitching a perfect final three innings.
Amherst's bats were red-hot as the Jeffs entered their showdown with top-ranked Rowan University. Going into the ninth, Rowan led 11-7, when Schonberger blasted a solo shot and sparked an Amherst rally. The Jeffs fell short though, as Rowan narrowly escaped the upset, 11-9. Banner smashed a pair of home runs and drove in four runs, and Card added his first collegiate homer in the effort. Green added another three hits before leaving the game with a hamstring injury. Brian Donahue '07 took the loss for Amherst.
"They threw an All-American pitcher at us, but we shelled him and only lost 11-9," said Green. "We're going to be a very tough team to beat this year."
Following a rainout versus Illinois College on March 18, Amherst went on to defeat Colby College 10-7 on Saturday. After taking over for a struggling Nick Kehoe '07, Vladeck torched the White Mules in 6.1 innings of work, recording eight strikeouts and allowing only one earned run in his third victory.
Banner paced the attack, notching three hits, including a triple and three RBIs. Levinson added a pair of hits and an RBI for the Jeffs, while sophomore second baseman Mark Mazzone contributed three hits and two runs of his own.
Amherst rounded out the trip by crushing third-ranked St. Thomas University, 6-1, in a seven-inning affair on Sunday. Edgar earned his second win of the year, yielding just one run in five innings of work. Powers bashed a two-run triple to break a scoreless tie in the third and Amherst never looked back.
"Joe Vladeck and Chris Edgar were lights out on the mound during the trip," Banner said of his teammates, who combined for all five of the Amherst wins.
The team will look to maintain its explosive offense and improve its record at Westfield State University on Saturday for a non-conference doubleheader.