AMHERST, Massachusetts -- Archrivals Amherst College and Williams College split a pair of baseball games at Hitchcock Field. With a victory in game two, Williams wins the series over Amherst, 2-1, and claims the Little III title with a 5-1 record against Amherst and Wesleyan. This is the first time since 1976 that Williams has won a baseball series against Amherst.
Game One: Amherst 4, Williams 2
Mike Sweeney (Keene, NH) struck out seven Ephs in a complete game as Amherst defeated Williams 4-2 in game one. Centerfielder Spencer Christensen (Southboro, MA) walked to lead off the Amherst first, and a single by rightfielder Mike St. Clair (East Longmeadow, MA) gave Amherst a 1-0 lead. Both St. Clair and Mike Grant (Mendon, MA) went 2-for-3 for Amherst.
The Jeffs claimed three more runs in the third off three hits. Christensen, Hugh Quattlebaum (Andover, MA) and Mike Sullivan (Andover, MA) loaded the bases on a pair of singles and a walk before St. Clair drove in two more runs with single. Designated hitter Greg Berchelmann (St. Louis, MO) sent Sullivan home two batters later for a 4-0 lead.
Tim Albrecht (Braintree, MA) singled to lead off the fifth for Williams, and a single by Matt Sigrist (Rochester, NY) cut the Amherst lead to 4-1. After singling to lead off the sixth, Ian Macallister (Centerville, MA) came home on a Jeff Russell (Arlington, MA) hit for the 4-2 final.
Senior Sam Landis (Breinigbille, PA) struck out three in a complete game for Williams.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 -- R H E
Williams (26-6) 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 -- 2 4 1
Amherst (20-8) 1 0 3 0 0 0 x -- 4 7 0
W - Sam Landis and Norm Liversridge. A - Mike Sweeney and Dan Blednick.
WP - Sweeney (6-2). LP - Landis (6-2).
DP - W 1. LOB - A 5, W 3.
Game Two: Williams 1, Amherst 0
Tim Albrecht (Braintree, MA) doubled to lead off the fourth inning and scored the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly to leftfield by Jim Frew (Worcester, MA). Matt Jewell (Milton, MA) pitched a complete game for Williams, striking out four, walking three, and allowing only two Lord Jeff hits.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 -- R H E
Williams (27-6) 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 -- 1 4 0
Amherst (20-9) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -- 0 2 0
W - Matt Jewell and Tim Albrecht. A - Andy Ditchfield, Jon Cross (7) and Whit Griffinger.
WP - Jewell (6-0). LP - Ditchfield (6-2).
DP - W 1. LOB - A 4, W 4.
2B - A Sullivan, W Albrecht.
# # # 5/3/98