AMHERST, Massachusetts -- After a 4-1 week, Amherst College baseball holds onto the No. 1 ranking in New England according to the College Baseball Coaches Poll. Boasting a 19-4 record, the Jeffs began the week with an 18-0 rout at Fitchburg State where designated hitter Greg Berchelmann (St. Louis, MO) went 4-6 from the plate with five RBI, including his 5th home run of his sophomore season.
Facing archrival Williams the following day, Amherst posted a 12-6 win to begin its quest for the Little III title. Catcher Dan Blednick (Melville, NY) registered four singles while rightfielder Mike Sullivan (Andover, MA) had a base-clearing double in the first inning toward the win. After a 6-2 victory over Westfield State, the Jeffs hosted Wesleyan in a doubleheader and split with the Cardinals. Ian Downes (Pound Ridge, NY) earned a save for a 7-1 win in game one, beloss in game two.
Amherst hosts North Adams tomorrow at 3:30pm before the Jeffs travel to Middletown, Connecticut for a rematch with Weslyan. They will wrap up Little III competition on Saturday with a doubleheader in Williamstown. Williams leads the trivalry with a 3-1 record, followed by the Jeffs with a 2-1 mark. Wesleyan posts a 1-4 record against Amherst and Williams to date.
Remaining Amherst College Baseball Schedule Tue Apr 29 North Adams Home 3:30 Wed Apr 30 Wesleyan Away 3:30 Thu May 1 AIC Away 3:30 Sat May 3 Williams (2) Away 1:00 Sun May 4 Middlebury Home 12:00 Tue May 6 Springfield Away 3:30Division III College Baseball Coaches Poll (1st place votes) 1. Amherst (4) 19-4 2. Brandeis 20-7-1 3. Bridgewater State (1) 22-6-1 3. Eastern Connecticut (1) 22-9 5. Southern Maine 23-8 6. UMass Dartmouth 16-13 7. Plymouth State 19-12 8. Babson 18-14 8. Colby 16-7 Also receiving votes: Salem State, Springfield, Tufts. # # # 4/28/97