Courtesy of Wesleyan Sports Information

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Extending its win streak to four games, the Amherst softball team improved to 10-2 (1-0 NESCAC) on the season with an 8-3 victory over Little Three rival Wesleyan University.

Originally scheduled to play in Amherst, the Jeffs took to the road due to poor field conditions. Batting as the home team, the Purple & White plated six runs during the first two innings before keeping the Cardinals at arm's length the rest of the way.

Helping the Jeffs to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, Kaitlin Silkowitz '14 doubled down the left-field line. Moving to third on a passed ball, she later scored on a double steal after a walk to Donna Leet '15 with one out. Adding five more runs in the bottom of the second, the Jeffs built a 6-0 cushion. A pair of infield errors on swinging bunts helped open the gates, coupled with three Amherst hits. A two-run single up the middle by Kelsey Ayers '15 and junior Alyssa Sherwill's run-scoring base knock to left accounted for the Jeffs' three RBI in the frame.

Wesleyan scored its first run of the game in the top of the third. Taking advantage of an Amherst error near second base on first-year Jamie Hom's infield single, Su Pardo '16 came around and touched home. The Jeffs responded by upping the margin to 8-1 in the bottom half of the inning thanks to a towering two-run Leet double that caromed off the base of the left field fence.

Pardo went the distance in the circle for the Cardinals, allowing eight hits and two earned runs with six strikeouts and five walks. Amherst hurler Jackie Buechler '17 scattered six hits in the win, surrendering two earned runs while striking out four.

Leet finished 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Silkowitz was 2-for-3 with three runs scored. Sarah McKay '16 notched a pair of hits in two at-bats, while Ayers drove in two runs.

Amherst returns to action on Saturday, Mar. 29 with a doubleheader against Wesleyan beginning at 11 a.m.