Facing the defending national champion, Trinity College, the baseball team posted an impressive 1-1 record in its Saturday doubleheader. The first game, an 8-0 Amherst loss, was a no hitter for the Jeffs, while the nightcap, a 3-0 win, was a shutout for Trinity — their first since April 30, 2006. Trinity had managed to score in an astounding 112 consecutive games until meeting this year’s Jeffs.
Ryan Platzbecker ’09 was the starting pitcher for the opener, pitching 3 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs, two strikeouts and four walks. Trinity put itself on the board in the first, when two walks and a double led to their first run. The second also saw offensive activity by the Bantams, as a walk, single and double, combined with a passed ball and hit batter moved runners around for an additional two runs. The fourth, with the score already 3-0, saw an error by senior captain Brendan Powers turn into a run as it was followed by a walk and then a single. Hayden Metz ’12 came in to relieve with men on the corners, and a fielder’s choice ended the inning with the game 0-4.
Not much activity occurred until the sixth when Metz threw a wild pitch amid two hits and a walk. Mike Landman ’09 came in for the last two outs of the game with men on second and third. Landman recorded an out as he covered the bag for the assist by first baseman and senior captain Angus Schaller. This was followed by a base on balls, the recipient of which attempted to steal second but was caught by first-year catcher Thomas Wheeler to end the inning, but with the final score 8-0 as the Jeffs could not fight back offensively.
Ryan Healy ’11 started the second game at the mound for the Jeffs and pitched through 4 1/3 innings, during which he gathered three Ks and two BBs. After facing five batters and giving up two walks, sophomore Patrick Harris, who got the win, was relieved in the sixth by sophomore Max McKenna, who finished the last 3 2/3 innings of the game for the save.
Offensively, Amherst harvested its first run in the first, where a walk, single and passed ball combined with an infield out by Powers put the Jeffs on the board. The score stayed steady at 1-0 until the sixth, when the Jeffs grabbed two more runs. Powers earned his second RBI of the game with a single to knock in first-year Kevin Heller, who had previously walked and stolen second. Powers then proceeded to score on the pitcher’s error that occurred during Schaller’s at bat.
Looking over the weekend, Schaller believes that “the pitching staff deserves the game ball, especially Ryan Healy, for shutting out Trinity for the first time in a couple of years.” Schaller also reiterated the finding from spring break that the Jeffs “have a potentially potent offense, but need to be more consistent with the bats.” They hope to deliver more offensive power this weekend.
Amherst’s record now stands at 15-10 overall and remains at 7-3 for NESCAC since these games were non-conference. Amherst makes up a postponed game at Hamilton on Saturday and plays Williams on Sunday in Pittsfield as part of the 150th anniversary of collegiate baseball.
When asked about the last regular season game with rival Williams, Schaller said, “It’s going to be fun. It will be a big game too with playoff implications.” These two games will determine who hosts the NESCAC championship. Williams currently stands ahead with an 8-3 NESCAC record.