On Saturday, the softball team faces NESCAC rival Middlebury College in a doubleheader on Hill Field. The Jeffs boast a 9-4 overall record tops in the NESCAC West. Middlebury is second right underneath the Jeffs, and both squads are undefeated in the conference. Middlebury has always been a fierce opponent. Last year, Amherst finished third in the NESCAC West, just below Middlebury, which meant the Jeffs just missed a berth in the NESCAC Tournament. While Amherst dropped the second game of last year's doubleheader against Middlebury, the Jeffs won the first in extra innings. Amherst has been having a great season so far this year-they facd last year's NCAA Div. III Champ St. Thomas (Minn) in their second game and barely lost, 2-0. While the Panthers promise to be a stiff opponent, the Jeffs have an excellent chance to mutilate Middlebury.