Junior Zach Schonberger got the team rolling in a 9-3 victory over non-league contender Keene State (13-7) on April 13. In the bottom half of the first inning, the shortstop ripped a two-run single to put the Jeffs on the board early. Schonberger also drove in a run in the fourth with a one-out double and struck again in the seventh with another RBI single, finishing 4-5 in the game while driving in four runs and crossing the plate once himself. Co-captain left fielder Dave Powers '05 amassed a fine day at the plate as well, going 3-5 with a pair of RBIs in the victory.
Nick Kehoe '07 earned his first victory of the season, striking out four batters and allowing just two unearned runs in three innings of work. Rookie Chris Edgar took over for Kehoe in the fourth and combined with Brian Donahue '07 and senior closer Ed Imperatore to shut down Keene State and close out the victory.
On Sunday, the Jeffs came out swinging once again and ambushed the Bates College Bobcats pitching staff for 24 hits and 17 runs in the twinbill. Junior first baseman Dave Levinson led the Jeffs' offensive barrage in game one, racking up three hits, including a double, to go along with his RBI and two runs scored. Schonberger provided more excitement, drilling a solo home run to start off the second inning, while Powers, Tommy Scott '07 and Mark Mazzone '07 each recorded multi-hit games.
Kehoe took the hill for the Jeffs once again and recorded his second consecutive win with an impressive showcase. The sophomore pitcher tossed a complete game and allowed just two earned runs on six hits while fanning seven Bobcats.
Edgar dominated in a very similar fashion in the second contest and led the Jeffs to a 10-3 victory in his eight innings of overpowering work. The impressive first-year struck out six batters, surrendering only a pair of earned runs on six hits, while upping his record to 4-1 on the year. Junior reliever Rob Anderson came on in the ninth and surrendered one run to wrap up the victory for Amherst.
Senior co-captain third baseman Josh Santry shone offensively for the Jeffs with RBI singles in the first and third innings before blasting a solo homer in the fifth. Scott added a double and a single for the Amherst cause while Schonberger and Jared Banner '07 each added a pair of RBIs.
"Sunday was a great team performance," said Santry of the team's collaborative effort. "Everyone contributed and that's been the theme throughout the year."
The team also added an impressive 9-5 victory over NESCAC favorite Trinity College in a non-league match up yesterday afternoon, bringing its winning streak up to seven games. Schonberger stayed aflame at the plate, going 4-5 and driving in three runs on three doubles. Banner also had a strong offensive showing, contributing a double, single, three RBIs and two runs scored.
Junior Joe Vladeck drew the start for Amherst and tossed four stellar innings, striking out five batters and surrendering two earned runs. Vladeck gave way to Donahue in the fifth, who yielded three runs and struck out four in five innings of work to secure his third win of the season.
"We just continue to get better and grow as a team and that is the most important thing," said Santry. "We want to ride this momentum we have into the next three weekends of NESCAC play because that's when we need to be playing at our best."
The Jeffs look to stay at the top of the NESCAC West this weekend, as they are slated for a trio of division games at Hamilton College before returning home to host Brandeis University on Tuesday.