Jeffs Take Twinbill From Kalamazoo

Junior John Schneider scored three runs, including the game-winner, in the nightcap

March 23, 2002

FORT MYERS, FL – Junior right-hander Jonah Ansell (Oak Park, IL) tossed a complete game in the opener and classmate John Schneider (Grand Rapids, MI) scored the winning run in extra innings in the nightcap as the Amherst College baseball team swept a pair of one-run games from Kalamazoo College, edging the Hornets 6-5 and 7-6 Saturday afternoon in Fort Myers, Florida.

Ansell (2-0) surrendered just two hits and one earned run while fanning a dozen Kalamazoo batters in game one. The Hornets scored all five of their runs in the fifth inning, with the help of four Amherst errors, while the Jeffs rebounded with a pair of runs in the sixth to ice the win. Rookie shortstop Josh Santry (Allendale, NJ) and sophomore third baseman Matt Potter (Durham, NC) each went 2-for-4 to pace Amherst offensively. Potter also drove in a run.

In game two, a scheduled seven-inning affair, the two teams entered the top of the ninth tied 6-6. An opportunistic Schneider reached base on a leadoff error, advanced to second on a sac bunt by first-year outfielder David Powers (Andover, MA), moved to third on yet another Kalamazoo miscue – one of four in the game – and scored the winning run on a wild pitch.

Down but not out, the Hornets put a man on board against sophomore reliever Duncan Webb (Lynn, MA) with one out in the bottom of the ninth. Junior southpaw Chris Vecsey (Madison, NY) then took the mound and slammed the door, inducing a ground ball and a strikeout in workmanlike fashion for his second save of the season.

First-year Patrick Mawn (Wilton, CT) drew the game-two start and earned a no decision, allowing two earned runs on four hits in 4.2 innings. Webb pitched four full innings of relief for the win, evening his record at 1-1.

Schneider scored three runs, including the game-winner, and reached base four times with a pair of hits. Powers was similarly impressive, finishing 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.

With a three-game winning streak in tow, Amherst (6-4) concludes its Florida trip Sunday at 9 a.m. against the defending national champion University of St. Thomas, ranked second in the nation according to the latest ABCA Division III poll.

Click HERE for a full game 1 box score...

Click HERE for a full game 2 box score...