March 29, 2004 

MIDDLETOWN, CT - Playing the last of a three-game set at NESCAC West Division rival Wesleyan University on Monday, the Amherst College baseball team fell victim to a game-winning RBI double in the ninth inning en route to a 6-5 loss, handing Wesleyan the series, 2-1, after the two teams split a doubleheader on Saturday. Monday's Game 3 was originally scheduled for Sunday in Amherst but moved due an unplayable Memorial Field. 

With the score knotted 5-5 in the final frame, Wesleyan won the game on an RBI double by rookie third baseman Alex Mautone. Mautone plated fellow first-year Adam Kopiec, who led off the inning by reaching on a two-base throwing error, one of five Amherst miscues in the game. The Jeffs had a man on board in the bottom half of the inning (Amherst was the home team despite playing at Wesleyan), courtesy of a two-out single by Zach Schonberger (Rye, NY), but failed to capitalize. 

Amherst rookie hurler Nick Kehoe (Washington Depot, CT) drew the start and pitched five complete innings, surrendering five runs (three earned) on just five Wesleyan hits. All-New England senior Andy Kerns (Barrington, IL) came on in the sixth and was stellar in relief, scattering two hits and striking out three in the final four innings. Nevertheless, Kerns took the hard-luck loss to fall to 1-2. 

Schonberger had a 3-for-5 day at the plate, highlighted by a two-run double in the first inning. Junior left fielder Dave Powers (Andover, MA) singled twice and drove in a run for Amherst, as did senior right fielder Matt Potter (Durham, NC). 

Wesleyan junior Tom Bloss (2-1), who tossed a complete-game shutout against the Jeffs on Saturday, pitched two scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win. Mautone finished 3-for-4 with a double and two singles, driving in two runs, including the game-winner, and scoring twice. Alexander Brooks added a two-run homer to give the Cardinals (5-8-1/2-1 NESCAC) a 4-3 lead in the top of the third inning. 

Amherst (6-7, 1-2 NESCAC) returns to action Wednesday at 3 p.m. at non-league foe Brandeis University. 

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