After finishing their first three conference games, against Wesleyan University, with a 1-2 record, the Lord Jeffs entered this weekend’s set of three games at Hamilton College with high hopes for better results. After the postponement of the Friday game, the matchups were reduced to two, both to be played on Saturday. Both the Jeffs and the Continentals had 8-7 records going into the doubleheader, so their 1-1 split of the games was not surprising, though it did include some drama.
The Jeffs looked posed to win the first game, a seven-inning affair in Clinton, N.Y. They tallied four runs in the first six innings while sophomore pitcher Ryan Healy posted a shutout against the Continentals. Rightfielder Kevin Heller ’12 scored twice, while designated hitter Alex Coburn ’11 and centerfielder Scott Shaffer ’11 each added one run apiece thanks to homers by Heller and Coburn.
But in the seventh inning, the Continentals managed hit after hit, scoring four runs to tie the game and eventually loading the bases on a walk. Another sophomore pitcher, Max McKenna, took the mound in the final minutes of the inning. The Jeffs allowed one more run, losing the game 5-4.
Healy, who pitched 10 strikeouts in the first game, said the team’s offensive efforts were strong. “We hit pretty well in both games,” said the sophomore. “We held them down all game in the first game but we just couldn’t close the door in the end.”
After the bitter defeat in the first game, the Lord Jeffs faced their NESCAC opponent again in a nine-inning game later that day. Entering the eighth inning tied at four runs apiece, the Jeffs went ahead with two runs and didn’t relinquish their lead again. But, in keeping with the theme of the weekend, the plays that inning were rather dramatic. Heller, who scored the first run, singled, then stole second, then reached third on a catcher error. Powers got to first on a walk and stole second on a wild pitch. Catcher Thomas Wheeler ’12 then singled, allowing Heller to score, before his attempted steal and a misplaced throw by the Hamilton catcher allowed Powers to score the go-ahead run.
Though both teams had 10 hits, Amherst earned the win with a final score of 7-5. Heller led the team with three hits while Shaffer and co-captain Brendan Powers ’09 each added two. Ryan Platzbecker ’09 and Pat Harris ’11, who earned the win, pitched for the Jeffs.
Healy said the recent games, which have included a number of narrow losses, have been frustrating for the Jeffs. “We have a great team, the results just aren’t going our way right now.” Still, he’s optimistic. “If we stay focused and play hard consistently from the first to the last inning I am confident that we will do well. We just need to take it one game at a time.”
The Jeffs will face Keene State University next before setting their sights on Little Three and NESCAC rival Williams College in a pair of Williamstown games on Saturday.