In the first match of the three game series, all runs were scored in the first inning. The Jeffs allowed one run off of three hits, falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first. Amherst quickly responded, scoring three runs in the bottom of the inning to put them ahead permanently. The Jeffs’ three runs came off of a hit by junior second baseman Emily Neill, two walks, and an error by the Ephs. Amherst only had two hits in the game while Williams racked up nine, but left eight men on base.
The Williams squad looked much more comfortable at home and opened up the scoring in the bottom of the first, tallying two runs off of two hits, one walk, two wild pitches and a throwing error. The Jeffs got on the scoreboard in the second inning when senior outfielder Emily Bularzik drove in pinch runner sophomore Jillian Masi from second base. The Ephs built on their lead in the fourth and sixth innings, scoring three more runs to go ahead 5-1. In a last ditch effort, the Jeffs put together a strong seventh inning. With two outs, sophomore designated hitter Katie Kervick reached second on back-to-back errors by Williams. After Bularzik walked sophomore centerfielder Jackie Tyler singled to load the bases. Co-captain pitcher Maddie Tamagni ’09 drove in two runs with a single up the middle. The Jeffs’ seventh inning run would end there as Williams was able to get the final out, winning 5-3.
The final game of conference play proved to be a repeat of last year with each team in a must-win situation in order to make the NESCAC tournament. Last season, the Jeffs failed at their task and on Saturday they were out for blood. Once again Williams scored first, notching two runs off of two hits and two errors by the Jeffs. Amherst scored one run in the top of the fourth, but the Ephs struck again just one inning later, scoring four more runs to go ahead 6-1. With things looking bad for the Jeffs, they managed to muster up a last ditch effort in the top of the seventh, scoring three runs off of three hits. But the effort wasn’t enough as the Ephs took home the 8-4 victory and the bid to the conference tourney.
Despite a sour end the Jeffs have lots to be proud of the season. With a record of 19-8 (7-5 in the NESCAC) Amherst tallied its best overall record since 2000. The Jeffs will miss their four seniors, outfielder Alexa Princi, infielder Holly Trace, Bularzik, and Tamagni, but return their number one pitcher, Alex Chang-Graham ’10, and three out of the four top hitters.