Courtesy of Hamilton College Sports Information

CLINTON, NY – Hamilton College and visiting Amherst College split a New England Small College Athletic Conference West Division softball doubleheader at Ferguson Field on Apr. 6. Hamilton (7-8, 2-4 NESCAC West) won the first game, 8-4, as the Continentals captured their first NESCAC West division series since 2002. Hamilton also defeated Amherst, 6-1, on Saturday. The Lord Jeffs (6-8, 1-2 NESCAC) came back to win the nightcap, 8-2, and snapped a five-game losing streak.

Kelly Fitzsimmons went 4-for-4 with a double and two RBIs in the first game and made a diving play on a ground ball to record the final out. Amber O'Connor doubled and drove in two runs. Megan Coughlin pitched 4.1 innings to earn the win. Coughlin was charged with three runs—one earned—and struck out two while walking one. Hoener pitched the final 2.2 innings and allowed just one earned run while striking out three and walking none.

Hamilton did most of its damage in the fifth inning when it batted around and scored seven runs to chase Amherst starting pitcher Maddie Tamagni (Salinas, CA), who took the loss. Tamagni gave up six earned runs in three innings while striking out two and walking one. Samantha Miller (Newton, MA) pitched the final three innings and gave up two earned runs while posting one strikeout and two walks. Amherst was led offensively by Jackie Tyler (Ridgewood, NJ) and Elizabeth Neckes (Dover, MA) as both went 3-for-4. Neckes doubled and scored two runs. Emily Neill (Kentfield, CA) added an RBI double.

In the second game, Neill highlighted a five-run fourth inning with a three-run homer and finished with four RBIs. Alex Chang-Graham (San Carlos, CA) pitched all seven innings to earn the win. Chang-Graham allowed two runs and struck out five while walking two. Tyler and Samantha Presnal (Belchertown, MA) each went 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI. Tyler had a double and Tamagni went 3-for-4 with a run.

The Continentals were led by Hoener, who singled in both runs in the second inning. Rachel Rapoza and Jen Sadowsky each doubled. Sadowsky also scored a run. Hoener took the loss by allowing five earned runs in 3.1 innings. Coughlin pitched the final 3.2 innings, allowing three runs while striking out four and walking none.

GAME 1 BOX SCORE

GAME 2 BOX SCORE