AMHERST, Mass. -- The Amherst College softball figured out the best way to celebrate Senior Day Saturday, snapping a six-game losing streak with a critical doubleheader sweep of NESCAC rival Trinity College, 2-1 and 9-6, on the Amherst College Softball Field.
Seniors
Autumn Lee and
Jess Butler combined for 5 RBIs in the 9-6 nightcap victory, a victory saved by first-year
Abby Moravek, who earned saves in both games. Sophomore
Dani Torres Werra played a big role as well, running into the fence to make a great inning-ending catch with Bantams on board the bases, and throwing another Trinity runner out at the plate.
In the opener, Torres Werra threw five shutout innings in the 2-1 victory to pick up her 5th win of the season.
The Mammoths are now 15-9 overall and 3-5 in the NESCAC. Sunday, they will host another conference doubleheader, this time against Bates. The first pitch of the first game is 1 p.m.
GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS:
* Amherst took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third when senior
Rachel Lovejoy singled with one out, took second on a groundout by Torres Werra, and scored when
Sadie Pool delivered a line drive RBI-single to right-center with two outs.
* The Mammoths made it 2-0 with a run in the fourth. Butler singled leading off the inning and
Randi Finkelstein reached on an error.
Devynn Wildermann followed with a single up the middle to load the bases and senior
Megan Taketa then beat out a potential double-play grounder to allow Butler to score for the two-run lead.
* Torres Werra had a strong outing from the circle, retiring 11 Bantams in a row at one point. She did not walk a batter over five innings and struck out eight.
* Moravek took over in the sixth and Trinity got on the scoreboard. An infield single and a pair of walks loaded the bases with one out and a run score on a forceout at second. But with the bases loaded and two outs, Moravek induced a fly to centerfielder Lovejoy to end the threat.
* In the top of the seventh, Trinity put the tying run on second with two outs, but Moravek induced a grounder to Pool at third to end the contest and earn her first save of the season.
* Amherst had six hits. Pool was 2 for 3 with an RBI in the win.
GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS:
* The Mammoths scored twice in the second to take a 2-0 lead in the nightcap.
Autumn Lee had an RBI single to left and
America Rangel had an RBI single to third to bring home the runs.
* Trinity responded with four in the third, including a two-run homer from Kennedy Rogers that gave Trinity a 4-2 lead.
* Amherst came right back with three in its half of the third. A double by Torres Werra and walks to Pool and Finkelstein loaded the bases with one out. Butler came through in a critical moment, singling back up the middle to score two runs and tie the game at four. Lee then hit a chopper back toward the circle. Finkelstein raced home from third ahead of the throw from the Bantam pitcher for a 5-4 lead.
* After Trinity tied it at 5 in the top of the fourth, Amherst answered again. Lovejoy was hit by a pitch, and Pool lined a double to center to score with two outs.
* Down one run in the top of the fifth, Trinity put runners on first and second when Heather Mullaney drove a ball to deep right that appeared as if it might carry over the fence or at least one-hop the wall. Torres got a great jump and made a great catch as she ran full speed into the right-field fence. Somehow she hung onto the ball to end the threat.
* Amherst added two runs in the fifth when Lee singled and Moravek followed with a blast over the fence in left for a two-run homer and an 8-5 lead.
*Trinity threatened in the sixth, plating one run and having runners on first and second down two with two outs. A single into right field resulted in Torres Werra unleashing an absolute missile to Butler at home, well in time for a tag out of the runner.
* The Bantams had runners on first and second with no outs in the seventh down 9-6. But a fly to Lovejoy in center was good for the first out. Moravek then got a line drive to Finkelstein at second. She snared the drive and quickly threw to Pool at first to double off the runner and end the contest.
* Lee finished 3 for 4 with three runs scored. Butler was 2 for 3 with two RBIs.
