AMHERST, Mass. -- The Amherst softball team has found a winning formula as of late, using solid pitching and timely hitting to climb to second place in the NESCAC standings.

That continued Saturday as the Mammoths swept a key NESCAC doubleheader versus Hamilton College at the Amherst Softball Field, winning 5-2 and 8-4 to improve to 21-11 overall and 9-5 in conference play.

The Mammoths travel to Middletown, Conn. Wednesday to battle Little 3 rival Wesleyan. The first pitch is slated for 3 p.m.

GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS:

* Amherst scored its five runs in the first four innings, building a 5-1 lead. 

* The Mammoths scored twice in the first. Megan Taketa was hit by a pitch. Rachel Lovejoy sacrificed her to second. Dani Torres Werra reached an error as Taketa took third and then promptly stole second. Sadie Pool scored Taketa with a grounder to second. Autumn Lee then ripped a grounder past first base and into right field for an RBI-single and a 2-0 lead.

* Up 2-1, the Mammoths scored a single run in the second, third, and fourth innings. In the second, Taketa was hit by a pitch, stole second, and scored when Torres Werra lined a two-out single to right center. In the third, Lee singled and scored on a close play at the plate when Abby Moravek lined a double over the right fielder's head with two outs. 

* In the fourth, Taketa led off and reached second on an infield single and throwing error. Lovejoy brought her home with a double to right. 

* That was more than enough for Torres Werra, who went the first five innings from the circle and gave up four hits and one unearned run while walking no one and fanning one batter. 

* Taketa was 1 for 2 with three runs scored. Lee was 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored. Jess Butler was 2 for 3 as well. 

GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS:

* Amherst scored twice in the first and four in the second to build a 6-1 lead. 

* In the first Taketa walked, stole second, and advanced to third when Lovejoy reached on an error. Lovejoy stole second and both runners scored when Torres Werra lined a single to right center field for 2 RBIs. 

* In the Mammoths' second, Moravek reached on an error leading off and America Rangel then drew a walk. Taketa singled up the middle to load the bases with no outs. Lovejoy followed with a two-run double. After a pitching change and an out, Pool roped a double to score Lovejoy. Randi Finkelstein plated another run with a sacrifice fly. 

* In the Amherst fourth, after Hamilton had closed to 6-3, Lee singled and Finkelstein connected for her 11th long ball of the season, a two-run shot to left that gave Amherst an 8-3 lead. 

* Moravek improved to 7-3 from the circle, going six innings and allowing seven hits and three runs, all earned, while walking one and striking out one. 

* Taketa was 2 for 3 with two runs scored. Lee was 2 for 2 with a run scored. Pool was 2 for 4 with an RBI.