Wesleyan Baseball Takes Doubleheader from Amherst, Completes Three-Game Sweep

Junior outfielder John Schneider had a pair of hits in both ends of the doubleheader

April 3, 2002

MIDDLETOWN, CT – After downing Amherst 11-6 on Friday, the Wesleyan University baseball team completed a three-game sweep over the Jeffs on Saturday. The Cardinals took both ends of the NESCAC West Division doubleheader, 5-3 and 6-5, at Andrus Field, improving their record to 9-5 (3-0 NESCAC), and leaving Amherst at 7-8 (0-3 NESCAC).

In the opener, Wesleyan junior Bill Robinson tossed a complete-game seven-hitter, allowing just two earned runs in his first collegiate start. Amherst held the upper hand early on after an RBI-single by senior catcher J.R. Drabick (Lebanon, NH) gave the Jeffs a 4-3 lead in the top of the fourth. However, Robinson retired 10 of the next 11 Amherst hitters, while Wesleyan tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. The sixth inning turned out to be the game-winning frame for Wesleyan. With runners on second and third and one out, savvy base running gave the Cardinals the advantage when Matt Johnson scooted home on a passed ball. An Amherst error scored Dave Bushnell minutes later, leaving the score at 5-3 for the Cardinals.

Robinson went on to retire the Jeffs in order in the top of the seventh, and took home the win. Amherst junior reliever Chris Vescey (Madison, NY) took the loss, dropping his record to 0-2. For Amherst, right fielder John Schneider (Grand Rapids, MI) went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Wesleyan's Bushnell registered a 2-for-3 outing of his own, and Robinson helped his own cause, notching the lone Cardinal RBI.

In the nightcap, Amherst broke the ice in the second inning, when sophomore Amherst third baseman Matt Potter (Durham, NC) doubled. Senior second baseman John Brody (Baltimore, MD) then walked with one out, before junior catcher Joe Katuska (Southboro, MA) doubled with two outs to score both runners. After Wesleyan ended the threat, the Cardinal offense went to work on senior Jeff pitcher Dave Krauser (Short Hills, NJ). Matt Johnson singled and stole second base, scoring off a Josh Vincent base hit. Angus Fredenburg brought Vincent home with a double to even the score.

Amherst struck back in the top of the fifth inning when sophomore center fielder Paul Whiting (Mission Viejo, CA) singled, stole second and scored on a single by rookie shortstop Josh Santry (Allendale, NJ). However, Wesleyan fought back to tie the score again yet again in its half of the inning.

Wesleyan knotted the score again in the bottom of the seventh after a two-run rally from Amherst in the top of the seventh. Then, in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Cardinals loaded the bases and then scored Josh Daniels to end the game.

The win went to Tom Hodgman, who upped his record to 3-0 on the year. Amherst sophomore Andy Kerns (Barrington, IL) picked up the loss in relief, leaving his record at 0-2. Whiting scored twice off of a 3-for-4 showing at the plate for the Jeffs, and Santry and Schneider each went 2-for-5 with an RBI.

Amherst will head to UMass-Dartmouth on Tuesday afternoon, before making the trip to Middlebury College for another three-game, NESCAC West Division showdown this weekend.

Click HERE for full game-one box score...

Click HERE for full game-two box score...