Amherst opened the week at Keene State University for an afternoon game but ran into some solid pitching and a few multi-run innings that led Keene St. to an 8-3 victory. The highlight of the Amherst offense occurred when third baseman Brendan Powers '09 opened the second inning with a single followed by a double from second baseman Mark Mazzone '07. Outfielder Tom Scott '06 stepped to the plate and drilled a three-run homer to give Amherst an early 3-0 advantage. Keene answered with all eight runs in the next four innings with Amherst rookie pitcher Ben Goldfarb getting the loss.
Williams is alwayas a huge game for the Jeffs. Senior first baseman Dave Levinson said, "We always get more excited to play them, plus the fans are more into it and as the game progresses intensity builds for both teams I think." Fans and intensity certainly built for the Friday showdown between Amherst and Williams. The Jeff seniors made what could be their final trip to dreaded Williamstown, Mass., and pitcher Joe Vladeck '06 made sure it would be memorable with a little help from designated hitter Neal Allar '08. Allar's two-run jack in the top of the 11th inning sealed a 5-3 victory over Williams behind a complete game masterpiece from Vladeck. Vladeck's line was simply scary: 11 innings pitched, five hits, two earned runs and 11 strikeouts including the final batter of the game for his fourth win of the season. Allar was 3-for-6 with two runs scored and three RBIs while outfielder Andrew Green '06 and first baseman Nick Boehm '08 each drove in and scored a run while punching two hits.
Saturday afternoon provided a setting for a doubleheader with Amherst starting pitcher Brian Donahue '07 on the hill and some major league interest in the stands. Donahue was impressive throwing a four-run complete game with seven strikeouts, however, the Jeffs only mustered five hits and Williams snagged a 4-3 victory. Williams catcher Chris Kenney was a perfect 4-4 and third baseman Mike Overrend had two RBIs to lead the Ephs past Donahue and the Jeffs.
"We just didn't play well on Saturday, especially in the second game" said Green. "Our offense has just been struggling lately, and we know that we need to come out of this slump next week. Those two losses really hurt us." In that second game, Williams sent seldom used left-hander Ryan Fote to the hill, and Fote responded with the best performance of his career. Fote tossed a complete game four-hit shutout leading Williams to an 8-0 victory. Kenney continued his solid day with three more hits and an RBI while Amherst's pitcher Nick Kehoe '07 went seven innings only allowing three earned runs in his second loss of the season.
As it stands now, Amherst (6-2-1) is just behind Middlebury College, 4-1 with Williams breathing down their neck at 3-3, creating a showdown between the top two teams in the NES-
CAC West this weekend. Amherst's seniors are used to this showdown. "In order to make the playoffs, we basically have to sweep Middlebury next weekend," said Green. "But in all my other years here it seems like we've been in this situation with Middlebury, and we've always taken care of business, so I'm confident we can get it going again. We have too much talent to stay in this slump, so we're due to break out this weekend."
But it is not only the seniors who are ready for the weekend series against the Panthers. "The Middlebury series is going to be awesome. We'll be playing under pressure all weekend because we have to beat them to get into the NESCAC Tournament," explained Allar. "They are a really hot team right now, having beaten Tufts, who at one point was ranked number one in New England. However, good pitching can shut down any hot team, and we have good pitching. As long as our bats reawaken, we'll have an excellent shot at winning."
NESCAC Notes
Middlebury and Bowdoin Colleges lead their respective divisions in NESCAC play while Amherst, Williams, Tufts University, and Trinity are all in the hunt for a spot in the NESCAC Tournament.