Ask any Amherst athlete his or her goals for the season and, chances are, they won't have to think very long before giving you an answer: "The two big ones are winning the NESCAC and sweeping Williams [College]," said co-captain shortstop Annalise Rodli '07. Often, that's easier said than done, which has been the case for the softball team. But that doesn't mean that it isn't a distinct possibility. On their Spring Break trip to California last year, the Jeffs finished 5-4. Amherst lost its second contest of the season, to two-time NCAA Champion University of St. Thomas, by a score of 2-0. After a blowout loss to Simon Fraser University, the Jeffs went on to win five straight, before dropping their final game of the trip to Biola University.

The team didn't let up, even after returning to its cozy Amherst home. Bouncing back in a big way from the loss to Biola, the Jeffs won their next six games, before losing the second game of a doubleheader to Middlebury College. After that loss, however, Amherst was unable to find its comfort zone, never winning or losing more than three in a row until the end of the season.

With a record of 5-3 in the NESCAC West, the Jeffs drew the number two seed, setting up a showdown with the East's top team, Tufts University. Like so many of the Jeffs' contests, the game was close throughout, tied 3-3 entering the bottom of the sevnth inning. Unfortunately for Amherst, the Jumbos were able to manufacture the winning run, ending the Jeffs' shot at a NESCAC title.

This season, the Jeffs' main focus is on playing better in the league. Last season, Williams College swept them in a late-season doubleheader, winning the first game 1-0 and the second 9-3. "Williams will be our biggest competition. It's always close-last year we lost by a run," said Rodli. For the two senior captains, Rodli and third baseman Caroline Polales, this season marks their last chance to take a game from the Ephs. "Caroline and I have never beaten Williams, and nothing would be better than beating them the last two games of the season." Beating Williams, however, is far from their only goal. Junior catcher Elizabeth Neckes added, "We look forward to recruiting more fans than the men's basketball team."

The class of 2010, comprised of centerfielder and speedster Jackie Tyler, infielder Emily Neill, pitcher Alex Chang-Graham and catcher Anne Kelly, has large shoes to fill. Rodli, for one, is confident they are up to the challenge. She added, "We have a very deep team, and all of the first-years will only add to the team's talent."

Of all of them, Chang-Graham has perhaps the hardest shoes to step into. The Jeff's ace, Miya Warner, graduated last year, taking with her numerous awards. A successful high school hurler, Chang-Graham is the heir-apparent to Warner's throne. She will spend time on the mound with junior Samantha Miller. The first-years have already fit right in with the rest of the team, and the upperclassmen are looking out for them. Neckes said, "Most importantly, they're all really, really, really ridiculously good looking and available."

Focusing on softball, Rodli sees an area of the Jeffs' game that could easily be improved. "We lost five or so [actually seven] games by one run [last year], and this year we need to turn those close games into wins." Had the Jeffs won every one of their one-run games, their record would have improved from 18-12 to 25-5. Perhaps it is unfair to play that game, but nevertheless it is a marker of the Jeffs' potential entering the 2007 campaign and a laudable goal.

Before the league portion of their season even begins, the Jeffs have nine games in California. With contests against some of Div. III's top teams, the week should go a long way towards predicting the outcome of the season. No matter what happens, though, the team remains a close and supportive family. "I couldn't imagine a better group of girls," said Rodli.

NESCAC Notes

Williams has a relatively young team this season, with only two seniors. Eight of the 14 Ephs are first-years or sophomores.