Although inclement weather created some difficulties, the Amherst baseball team ended up going 2-1 last week, claiming a series win over archrival Williams.

Before the series against the Ephs, the Mammoths were supposed to take on Mitchell College in a mid-week, non-conference game on Wednesday, April 4.

However, snow flurries kept the two teams from ever taking the field.

On Friday, April 6, Amherst was scheduled to travel to Williamstown to play the first game of a three-game series against NESCAC rival Williams, but winter weather once again forced a postponement.

The game was rescheduled for Sunday, April 8.

The Mammoths played their first game of the week on Saturday, April 7, when they hosted the visiting Ephs in a double-header.

Amherst split the two games, winning the first, 11-9, and dropping the second, 5-4.

Amherst jumped out to a significant lead in the first inning, scoring nine of its total 11 runs just in the bottom of the first.

Although the Mammoths tacked on another two runs in the third inning before the Ephs had scored a single run, the visiting team did manage to cut down the Mammoths’ lead by several runs before ultimately losing by only two.

Harry Roberson ’18, Ariel Kenney ’18, Nick Nardone ’19 and Rob Casey III ’20 all had multiple-RBI games.

Max Steinhorn ’18, Joe Palmo ’21 and Severino Simeone ’20 each had a stolen base. Steinhorn was also 3-4 with two runs scored.

Davis Brown ’19 started on the mound for Amherst, throwing six innings and allowing nine hits and five earned runs, with four Ks for good measure.

First-year Andrew Nagel and junior Mike Dow came in for relief and ultimately secured the win for the Mammoths.
The second game of the day made for an exciting match-up between the rival teams.

Amherst maintained a slim lead on Williams until the fourth inning when the Ephs scored two runs to tie up the game. Innings five and six were both scoreless.

In the top of the seventh, the Ephs tallied a single run to seize the lead.

The Mammoths answered with a score of their own in the bottom of the seventh.

Ultimately, Williams was victorious in the back and forth battle. After the Ephs scored in the top of the eighth to regain the lead, the Mammoths were unable to answer, losing by a single run.

Palmo lead the team in RBIs with two, while Nardone contributed one of his own. Kenney was solid at the plate, going 1-3 with two runs scored.

Starting pitcher Andrew Ferrero ’19 threw for three and two-thirds innings, during which he allowed three hits and three earned runs and struck out two batters.

In the make-up game on Sunday, Amherst established a 10-run lead after the first two innings, and Williams was never able to close the gap, eventually losing the contest by a decisive 12 runs; the final score was 16-4 in favor of the Mammoths.

Roberson, Kenney and Simeone all had multiple RBI games. Will Murphy ’20 and Steinhorn showcased their speed, stealing two and three bases, respectively. Senior Sam Schneider pitched six innings, allowing seven hits and two earned runs while also striking out five batters.

With the pair of wins, Amherst improves to 11-6 on the season and 4-1 in conference play.

The Mammoths return to action on Wednesday, April 11 when they travel to Elms College in Chicopee for a 7 p.m. game.

On Friday, April 13 the Mammoths will head to Middlebury, Vermont for a three-game series against NESCAC opponent Middlebury.

Their first game will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday, and Saturday will feature a double-header against the Panthers; the first starts at noon and the second at 3 p.m.