March 21, 2003 

FORT MYERS, FL - Playing its second nationally ranked opponent in as many days in Fort Myers, Florida, the Amherst College baseball team fell to 4-2 with a 13-9 loss to 22nd-ranked Ripon College on Thursday. Senior co-captains Joe Katuska (Southboro, MA), John Schneider (Grand Rapids, MI) and junior Paul Whiting (Mission Viejo, CA) each homered for the Jeffs. Junior right-hander Duncan Webb (Lynn, MA) took the pitching loss. 

Amherst also lost to ninth-ranked Aurora University 5-4 on Wednesday. 

The Jeffs pounded out 10 hits against Ripon. Katuska's round-tripper was part of a 3-for-5, two-RBI afternoon at the plate. Whiting's home run was a three-run shot. Schneider's blast was his second of the season. Junior Tom Sullivan (Tewksbury, MA) also went 2-for-4. 

Webb (1-1) drew the start and pitched 2.2 innings before giving way to first-year Brant Ford (Fabius, NY) in the third inning. Sophomore Ed Imperatore (Tenafly, NJ) relieved Ford in the sixth. 

Red-hot Ripon improved to 8-1 with the victory. 

Amherst has just three games left on its Florida swing, including Friday's 4 p.m. tilt against Messiah College. 

Box Score