Posted: Mar 12, 2017
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – The Amherst College baseball team totaled 19 runs and 16 hits in their 2017 season opener, as the Purple & White clinched a commanding 19-9 victory over fourth-ranked Keystone College Sunday afternoon in Port Charlotte, Fla.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
- Opening the season in impressive fashion, Amherst outscored the Giants, 10-1 through the first three innings before tacking on two runs in the fourth, a run in the fifth, four runs in the sixth and two runs in the eighth to secure the 19-9 victory.
- Max Steinhorn '18 led the Purple & White at the plate, notching a game-high three hits, plating four runs and finishing the contest with three RBI.
- Going 2-for-5, Anthony Spina '17 drove home four runs for Amherst, while Chase Henley '19 and Nick Nardone '19 registered two hits apiece.
- First-years Zach Horwitz and Severino Tocci also proved to be offensive catalysts for the Purple & White, with Horwitz finishing 3-for-5 at the plate and driving in three runs and Tocci notching three RBI behind a double and a sacrifice fly.
- Five pitchers saw time on the mound for Keystone, with Brendan Long (0-1) earning the start and taking the loss after allowing five hits and six earned runs in 2.0 innings.
- Jackson Volle '17 (1-0) earned the win for Amherst, tossing 4.2 innings and striking out three hitters. George Long '17 pitched 3.1 innings in relief, allowing just four hits and recording two strike outs, while Sam Schneider '18 whiffed one hitter in a perfect final inning on the mound.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Amherst edged the Giants in hits, 16-15, while both sides totaled two errors.
- The Purple & White pitching staff combined for six strikeouts and three walks, while Keystone's staff whiffed seven batters and walked six.
- Amherst left nine runners on base, while the Giants stranded 10.
UP NEXT
- Amherst returns to action tomorrow, Monday, March 13 with a double header against Ohio Wesleyan and Denison at 12 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively.