Playoff Game 2: at Szot v. E. Longmeadow LOSS (18-4)  Box Score

Season Ends In Extra Innings for the Hurricanes.  Amherst lost 5-3 in 8 innings to E. Longmeadow at Szot Park during the WMass semifinals.  The Spartans got the first run on a two out, two strike wild pitch in the 3rd, but Amherst answered back with 3 runs in the bottom half.  Stephen Fega led off with a base hit up the middle, and Mike Cunningham followed with a HBP.  Matt Bohl sac bunted them over, and Jeremy Gerber hit a rocket through the 3rd baseman's legs for a 2 run double.  Bad things happened for the 'Canes in the 5th when the leadoff hitter for E. Longmeadow got on first on an error by Gerber.  Then a sac bunt and two hits tied the game at 3.   Amherst couldn't get a base runner past first base for the remainder of the game, and the Spartans found an opportunity in the top of the 8th to take the lead.  The first two runners reached base on a single and a HBP, and two errors in the inning allowed both runners to score.   The 'Canes battled to the end with a leadoff single in the 8th by Cunningham, but that was all and Amherst was sent packing after a stellar 18 win, League winning season.  Read more at Mass Live.

 

Playoff Game 1: home v. Cathedral  WIN (18-3)  Box Score

Amherst Beats Cathedral 6 Times In A Row.  Hosting a quarterfinal tournament game against Cathedral, Amherst won 3-0 behind another strong game by pitcher Jasper Adams (6K, 0BB, 0R, 4H, 64 pitches, 18 balls).  The Hurricanes scored in the first on the usual: Jeremy Gerber walked and stole 2nd, James Allison sac bunted him to 3rd, and Jasper Adams knocked him in on a single to center.  In the 3rd, Ben Petrides hit a double after Allison was caught stealing, and then two pass balls later he scored.  The final run came in the 5th after Petrides led off with a single and Nate Roberts sac bunted him to 2nd.  Sam Orvis got the RBI hit this time past the glove of O'Herron the freshman shortstop. 

 

Game 20: at Cathedral  WIN (17-3, 8-2)  Box Score

Blowout at Cathedral Wins Canes the League Title.  Amherst won 13-3 against Cathedral as Agawam lost to Westfield, giving Amherst sole possession of the Valley League championship.  The Hurricanes have built momentum going toward the playoffs scoring 40 runs in the last 3 games of the regular season.  Friday's game was highlighted by two home runs in the fifth inning by Jasper Adams and Stephen Fega.  Adams was 3-4 with 2 runs and 4 RBI on the day.  Nate Roberts also had 3 hits, including an RBI double in the 6th.  The top three in the lineup (Jeremy Gerber, James Allison and Ben Petrides) each had two hits.  The Hurricanes played strong defense behind a stellar pitching performance by Spencer Shumway, who threw a complete game in less than 80 pitches for the second time this season.  Certain to have the top seed in the playoffs, Amherst waits for the tournament schedule to be released Wednesday.

 

Game 19: at Longmeadow  WIN (16-3, 7-2)  Box Score

Biggest Win of the Season at Longmeadow.  The Hurricanes demolished the Lancers 17-2 during Thursday's contest.  Ben Petrides pitched 6 innings giving up only 2 hits and 1 ER.  The Hurricanes took the lead early as Jeremy Gerber (3-5, 3RBI, 2R, 2SB) led off by reaching base and scoring for the third straight game.  He stole second and promptly scored on James Allison's (1-2, 2BB, 2HBP, 2R) single up the middle.  Ben Petrides (1-5, 2R, 2RBI) would then walk and score after a single by Nate Roberts (2-4, 2RBI, 2R) and a sac fly by Jasper Adams (1-3, 3RBI, 2R).  Meadow's only runs came in the second with two outs after a hit batsman, a double and an error.  The Canes added to their lead in the 3rd after two walks with 2 outs and consecutive singles by Mike Cunningham (3-4, 2RBI, 2R) and Evan Hazelett (1-2).  Three more came in the 5th as Roberts walked, Sam Orvis (2-3, 3R) and Cunningham singled, and Stephen Fega (0-2, RBI) executed a safety squeeze to score Orvis.  Matt Bohl (1-3, 2RBI) then knocked in Cunningham with a single up the middle.  With the score 8-2, the Canes decided to put the game away for good in the 6th, working through 4 Longmeadow pitchers and scoring 9 runs.  Gerber and Roberts had doubles, and Adams, Orvis, Cunningham and Petrides all singled in the inning.  Spencer Shumway and Mike Kelly would each get pinch hits in the seventh, and Stephen Looze scored the final run of the game after reaching base on a fielder's choice and scoring on Gerber's 3rd hit of the day. (Read more at Mass Live)

 

Game 18: at Holyoke  WIN (15-3, 6-2)  Box Score

Canes Win a Wild One at Holyoke.  Amherst beat the Purple Knights 10-6 after a long night of dropped popups, errant throws and infield hits.  The Hurricanes scored in the first when Jeremy Gerber reached base on an error by the first baseman.  Then James Allison got on via a dropped popup to short.  Gerber would score on a foul ball popup by Nate Roberts with nobody covering the plate.  Then Allison stole home to put the score at 2-0.  Holyoke answered in the bottom of the first with 4 runs on 3 hits and 2 errors by Gerber.  The Knights would take the lead in the 3rd on 2 infield hits and 2 more errors; this time by the first-baseman Stephen Looze.  Amherst didn't give up, though, and played errorless ball the rest of the way.  Evan Hazelett drove in two runs in the fourth on a shallow pop-up double, and Jasper Adams knocked in two with a sac fly and a double.  Sam Orvis two hits and 2 runs, and #2 Allison had a two run double on a 2-2 count in the seventh.  Despite having given up the most runs in a game all season, Jasper Adams pitched a superb complete game, striking out 10, walking none and giving up 0 ER. (see photos on Mass Live)

 

Game 17: Home v. Westfield  WIN  (14-3, 5-2)  Box Score

Amherst Keeps Westfield From Postseason.  In their 8th home game in a row, Amherst beat Westfield 3-2 to give the archrival Bombers their 11th loss of the season.  There were only 7 hits in the game, 3 coming from Amherst.  All 3 hits were RBI singles, though, which was enough to win the pitcher's duel.  The 'Canes scored early by manufacturing runs in the first two innings.  James Allison led off in the first with a walk and a stolen base.  Stephen Fega moved him over on a ground ball to second.  Then Ben Petrides scored Allison on a single to left.  Petrides advanced to second on a balk by the pitcher, and cleanup hitter Nate Roberts drove him in on a single to right.  Spencer Shumway led of the 2nd inning by walking.  Mike Cunningham moved him over on a sac bunt, and then senior Matt Hart drove him in on a seein' eye grounder up the middle.  That would complete the offense for the Hurricanes as the Westfield pitcher, Fenion, retired the final 13 outs in a row.   Spencer Shumway remained undefeated with his 4th win and 2nd complete game.   

 

Game 16: Home v. Agawam  LOSS  (13-3, 4-2)  Box Score

Amherst Loses First Home Game.  The Hurricanes lost again to Agawam in a pitcher's duel 3-1.  Jasper Adams (9K, BB, ER) pitched a complete game 2-hitter, only allowing four base-runners in the entire game.  Only their first was earned after a walk and two wild pitches in the fourth inning.   Amherst scored their run in the third after a triple down the left field line by James Allison (1-2, SB, BB, HBP) and a ground ball by Ben Petrides (0-3).  The tie was broken in the fifth when Toyfair, Agawam's pitcher, reached base on a ground ball to the shortstop, Jeremy Gerber.  Gerber bobbled it but made the play, and the umpire called Toyfair safe.  He and another Brownie scored with two outs on a two run single by the 9-hitter, Randall.  Amherst left 8 runners stranded and two were picked off, keeping the 'Canes from winning their 7th straight. (Read live blog on Mass Live)

 

Game 15: Home v. Cathedral  WIN  (13-2, 4-1)  Box Score

Amherst Rains Again v. Cathedral.  Amherst won a nail biter 3-2 after an hour delay waiting for umpires and another delay with no score in the second during a brief thunderstorm.  Cathedral put the first run on the board in the 3rd with a lead off solo home run by the 9-hitter, Meffen.  Amherst answered back in the fourth with a triple by Nate Roberts (1-3, R), who scored on a sac fly by Jasper Adams (1-2, R, RBI).  Cathedral scored again on a solo shot in the fifth by leadoff hitter Chris Suchy, but Amherst was determined to win in the 6th inning.  Ben Petrides (1-3, R, 2SB) led off with a single, stole second, advanced to 3rd on a pass ball, and then scored on a wild pitch to tie the game.  With one out, Adams hit a double and scored on a single by Sam Orvis (1-3, RBI) to go ahead.  That's all the 'Canes would need as Petrides (5K, 3BB) pitched another gem and closed the book on his third win. (Read more on Mass Live) 

 

Game 14: Home v. Pittsfield  WIN  (12-2)  Box Score

21 Hits in 21 Outs for Amherst.  Amherst beat Pittsfield 17-6 and took it to them early with a 10 run first inning.  The first 8 batters scored without a recorded out, led by Stephen Fega's (2-3, 3RBI) bases loaded double.  James Allison (4-4, 4R, 2RBI) and Ben Petrides (4-5, 2R, 3RBI) each had four hits to lead the 'Canes' offense.  The Amherst bench made huge contributions late in the game as Matt Hart (1-3, 2R, RBI), Matt Bohl (2-2) and Stephen Looze (2-2, R, RBI) accounted for 5 of the 'Canes 21 hits.  Hart also made two great stops at third base in the 7th inning to finish the blowout.  Spencer Shumway pitched 6 strong innings striking out 7 and giving up 3 ER. 

 

Game 13: Home v. Holyoke  WIN (11-2, 3-1)   Box Score

Hurricanes Win Fourth Straight.  Amherst beat the struggling Purple Knights of Holyoke 6-3 behind another strong performance by Jasper Adams (CG, W, 2ER, 3BB, 14K).  Holyoke took the lead in the 6th, but the 'Canes put up four runs in the bottom half to seal the deal.  Evan Hazelett (0-2, R, 2SB) got on with one out on a HBP, stole twice and scored on a WP to tie the game.  With 2 outs, James Allison (1-3, 2R, SB) walked and  Ben Petrides (2-4, RBI, SB) followed with a triple that scored Allison to go ahead.  Nate Roberts (2-3, 2R, 2RBI) added another run with his second double of the day, and then Adams (3-4, RBI) scored him on a single. 

 

Game 12: Home v. Westfield  WIN (10-2, 2-1)   Box Score

We're In!  Amherst battled their way to a third straight playoff berth against Westfield, coming out the victors 7-5 in extra innings.  This is the 3rd consecutive year that Amherst and Westfield have played a 9-inning nailbiter at Bullens field, and Ben Petrides (ND, 6IP, 6H, 2ER, 3BB, K) has been the starter for all three.  Petrides was ahead in the count on almost every batter, but Westfield put the ball in play, scoring 3 of their runs on errors.  Defensive mistakes weren't enough to break the 'Canes' spirit as Amherst tied the game at 4 in the sixth inning on Evan Hazelett's (3-5, 2RBI, 2SB) 2-out base hit.  Amherst took the lead in the top of the 7th when James Allison (2-4, 2R, SB, BB) led off with a single, stole second and scored on a double by Nate Roberts (1-4, 2B, RBI, BB, R).   Roberts (3IP, 0ER, 2H) came in to save the game in the bottom of the seventh, but a two out error tied the game at 5-5.  In the ninth inning, Roberts led off with a walk and scored on Mike Cunningham's (1-4, 2RBI, BB) bloop single to right.  Stephen Fega (1-4, R, BB) added another run after walking and scoring on another RBI single by Evan Hazelett.  That would be enough to seal the deal as Amherst enjoyed their 10th win of the season.

 

Game 11: Home v. Longmeadow  WIN (9-2, 1-1)  Box Score

'Canes Over Lancers 5-1.  Amherst delayed Longmeadow's charge to be the first team to secure a playoff bid, and now the Hurricanes need just one more.  Jasper Adams (CG, W, 11K, 1BB) kept the 'Meadow hitters silent most of the day, and a big fourth inning helped Amherst jump ahead after giving up a run on a pass ball in the top.   With one out, Adams (1-2, R) got the Hurricanes on the bases with a single to left.  Then Sam Orvis (1-2, 2R) answered with a rope to center.  Stephen Fega (2-3, RBI) laid down a safety squeeze bunt to score Jasper, and a botched play at the plate got Fega on first.  Mike Cunningham reached base on a fielder's choice, and Evan Hazelett (1-2, 2RBI), the DH, knocked in Orvis with a big double to left-center.  Hazelett and Cunningham would score on a 2-out, 2 strike single by Jeremy Gerber (1-4, 2RBI).  Hazelett also drove in the final run in the 6th with a sac fly to left.  Note of interest: Stephen Fega has RBI's in all but 4 games.

 

Game 10: Home v. Northampton  WIN (8-2)  Box Score

Hurricanes Back On Track.  Amherst beat Northampton 11-4 at Saturday's battle of the bridge.  Spencer Shumway earned his second win in as many appearances going 6 innings, striking out 10.  The 'Canes scored early afterJeremy Gerber (1-3, 2R) and James Allison (2-2, 2BB, 2R, 3R) singled, and Ben Petrides (3-4, 4RBI) drove them in on a double to left.  The Hurricanes came strong in the sixth with Gerber and Allison aboard on walks, and Petrides drove them in again on a single to left.  He and Jasper Adams (0-2, 2BB) would score on a single by Sam Orvis (2-2, 3RBI, 2R, 2BB). 

 

Game 9: at Agawam 4/26/07  LOSS (7-2, 0-1)  Box Score

Canes Hit But Don't Run.  Amherst lost at Agawam 3-5 despite getting 12 hits.  Nine runners were left on base and three were caught between bases during the 'Canes 2nd straight loss.  Ben Petrides held Agawam to 6 hits, but the hits were timely, including a leadoff home run by Steve Carmody and a bases loaded triple by Joel Bailey.  Petrides struck out 7 in 6 IP and walked 2 for another strong performance.  The Hurricanes offense was led by Sam Orvis (2-4, 2R, RBI), Nate Roberts (2-3, BB) and Stephen Fega (2-3, BB).

 

Game 8: at Central 4/24/07  LOSS (7-1)  Box Score

Central Halts Amherst's Streak.  Amherst lost the first game of the season 3-4 as Central earned their first.  Jasper Adams pitched a complete game, striking out 7 and giving up only five hits and 2 walks.  The highlight for the Hurricanes was a 6th inning dinger by Nate Roberts (1-3) to tie the game.  Amherst struggled to get outs in the bottom of the 7th, as Central's Unwin led off with a double off the fence.  The bases were loaded after an intentional walk and a fielder's choice, and then Adams hit the batter to walk in the final run of the game. 

 

Game 7: at S. Hadley 4/23/07  WIN (7-0)  Box Score

Hurricanes Tame the Tigers 12-0.  Amherst won their 7th straight as Nate Roberts (W, 4IP, OR, 1H, 3K) and Mike Kelly (S, 3IP, 0R, 1H) combined for a 2-hit shutout against South Hadley.  Mike Cunningham (1-3, 2RBI) got the offense going in the 3rd with a single that drove in two off of Tiger ace Derek Pelkey.  Amherst piled on the runs again in the fifth upon a 2 run triple by Sam Orvis (1-2, 2RBI, 3R, 2BB).  They weren't finished, though, as they scored 5 runs in the sixth, led by Roberts' (1-3, 2RBI, 3R) RBI single to right.  Ben Petrides (2-5, 2R, SB) and Jeremy Gerber (2-4, RBI) each had two hits, and the Hurricanes look to keep the streak alive Tuesday at Central. 

 

Game 6: Home v. Minnechaug 4/21/07  WIN  (6-0)  Box Score

Falcons Can't Fly Against the Hurricanes.  Amherst won 3-2, giving Minnechaug their first loss of the season.  The 'Canes were led by a strong pitching performance by ace Ben Petrides (7 IP, 7K, 2BB).  Amherst scored first when the leadoff hitter, Jeremy Gerber (3-4, 2R, 2SB) hit a single, stole third and scored on a wild pitch.  Minnechaug took a one run lead in the top of the 5th with back to back doubles.  Amherst quickly answered with 2 of their own when Gerber led off again with a single and stole second.  Petrides (1-2, SB) was intentionally walked, and then a dropped fly ball resulted in the bases loaded for Sam Orvis (1-3, 2RBI), who hit a two-run single to left.  Petrides retired the side in the 7th to give Amherst their 6th straight win.  Next game is Monday at South Hadley. 

 

Game 5: at West Springfield 4/19/07  WIN (5-0)  Box Score

Amherst Beats Westside 10-3.  Jasper Adams pitched all 7, striking out 11 and walking 1.  The 'Canes took the early lead with a 6 run 3rd, followed by a 3 run 4th inning.  The 3rd inning began with Matt Bohl reaching on an error.  Then Jeremy Gerber (2-4, 2R, 2SB) singled and stole 2nd.  James Allison (1-2, 2R, 3SB) walked, and then Adams reached second on a dropped fly ball to left field and a bad throw.  James Allison stole home, and then Nate Roberts (2-4, 2RBI, 1 Assist) singled, followed by a hit batsman and another walk.  In the fourth, the Westside pitchers couldn't find the zone as they walked the first three batters who all later scored on RBIs by Adams and Roberts.  The final run came in the seventh after a double by Evan Hazelett and back to back singles by Gerber and Allison.  Amherst will host Minnechaug Saturday at 4:30.

 

Game 4: Home v. Chicopee 4/13/07  WIN (4-0)  Box Score

Hurricanes too much for Chicopee.  Amherst beat Chicopee 9-1 as winning pitcher Ben Petrides pitched 6 innings giving up only 1 run on 5 hits and 2 walks.  Outstanding defensive plays stole the show including a backhand play in the hole by shortstop Jeremy Gerber, a 2-out assist at home by centerfielder Stephen Fega, and a double play by leftfielder Evan Hazelett.  The offense continued to roll with another 10 hit day for Amherst.  Petrides had 2 hits, as did Nate Roberts (2 2B, 2 RBI) and Mike Cunningham (2-3, 3 RBI).  The red hot 'Canes face 2005 WMass champs West Springfield on Monday.

 

Game 3: at Chicopee Comp 4/11/07  WIN (3-0)  Box Score

Adams and family punish Chicopee Comp 8-1.  Jasper Adams pitched 5 innings, giving up only one hit which came with 2 outs in the fifth inning.  He struck out seven, walked only one batter, and he also gave a hitting clinic to last year's WMass runner-up.  He had four hits and four RBIs to lead the 'Canes offense which had 10 hits on the day.  Designated hitter Ben Petrides had two hits including an RBI triple in the fourth, and centerfielder Stephen Fega had two RBIs on a single in the 3rd.  Read more on MassLive.  or see the 22 News coverage.

 

Game 2: at Northampton 4/10/07  WIN (2-0)  Box Score

Shumway shuts down Northampton for the 'Canes 2nd straight win.  Spencer Shumway pitched a complete game, 2 hit shutout for a 7-0 win.  Good things came in threes for senior James Allison, who had 3 hits, 3 stolen bases and 3 RBIs to lead the Hurricanes' offense.  Amherst is now 2-0 and faces Chicopee Comp for a rematch of last year's WMass championship game.
 

Game 1: Home v. Belchertown 4/9/07  WIN  (1-0)  Box Score

Amherst bests Belchertown 3-2 in 8 innings.  The winning pitcher was Nate Roberts, who threw 2 perfect innings in relief of the starter, Ben Petrides.  Roberts also led the 'Canes with 2 hits, including a leadoff double in the 8th.  He would score the game winning run on Stephen Fega's base hit up the middle.  Read the full story here.