The beginning of conference play means that the team no longer has the luxury of experimenting, something that happened earlier in the season as a result of the youth. The remaining games on the schedule must not be taken lightly. “In conference play, there’s a greater sense of urgency—we know we only have 12 conference games, and our results determine whether we make the postseason or not,” said junior second baseman Mike Neff. “So every one of those games is really important for us.”
In its first NESCAC match-up two weekends ago against Wesleyan, Amherst jumped out to a 4-0 lead before giving up five runs in the bottom of the sixth to drop the opener. In game two of the doubleheader against the Cardinals, the Jeffs relied on first-year pitchers Jeff Keenan and James Cetkovski to limit the Cardinals to two runs, while manufacturing seven themselves to grab the win. In the final game of the series at Amherst, the Jeffs were powered by senior captain Neal Allar and first-year Scott Shaffer, who together accounted for five hits, three runs and four RBIs, including a two-run home run by Allar in the fifth. After holding off a late Wesleyan rally, Amherst took the game, 7-4, and the series, 2-1.
The following weekend, the Jeffs started quickly against Hamilton, taking the first game of the series by an 11-1 score. In the second inning, rightfielder Agnus Schaller hit his team-leading fifth home run. In day two, Amherst continued its strong play, shutting out Hamilton 10-0 behind a complete-game three-hitter from Ryan Platzbecker ’09. In the final game of the series, Keenan carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before allowing four runs in that inning. First-years Michael Sutton and Max McKenna were strong in relief, as the Jeffs looked to mount a comeback. Ultimately, however, after giving up two runs in the top on the ninth, Amherst fell short 6-3, completing its second consecutive 2-1 weekend.
The early results have been positive, but the team is well aware of the dangers of becoming complacent. “Our pitching thus far has been terrific and our offense has been explosive at times, especially with guys like Neal [Allar], Angus [Schaller], [Brendan] Powers and [Josh] Card,” noted Neff. “I think we need to be a little more consistent defensively and just stay aggressive at the plate. Another key for us is to make sure we stay in attack mode if we’re in the lead; we have to work to add to our lead rather than allow an opponent to hang around and get back in the game.”
The Jeffs, however, will need to pick up the pace if they want to match last year’s 9-3 conference mark or, even better, claim their first NESCAC title since 2005. One of the games they’re looking forward to the most is against archrival Williams College.
“Williams will be interesting—they lost some good seniors. We’ve lost two of three both years I’ve been here, so it’d be nice to win the series this time around,” said outfielder Schaller ’09.
“I get amped up just like everybody else when I watch football or basketball play Williams, but when you’re out there yourself, you’re trying to win to make the tournament.”
Yesterday, the Jeffs defeated 19th-ranked Keene State by a score of 7-6 at Amherst. Although the game was played at home, the Jeffs served as the visiting team.
In the top of the ninth inning, senior designated hitter Evan Bruno came though with a clutch two-out single to drive in Schaller, giving the Jeffs a 7-6 lead. Hurler Teddy Blank ’10 set down the side after a leadoff single in the bottom half of the inning to secure the Jeffs victory. Blank pitched the final six frames, allowing three runs.