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WILLIAMSTOWN, MA. — Amherst sophomore Emily Neill stroked
a two-run double in the top of the eighth inning Friday as the Lord
Jeffs defeated the Williams College softball team, 3-1, at Cole
Field.
The win kept Amherst's hopes alive concerning a spot in the
NESCAC Tournament next weekend. Amherst improved to 5-5 in the
NESCAC West, one game behind 6-4 Williams. The two teams play a
doubleheader in Amherst Saturday beginning at noon.
Williams fell to 18-17 overall, while the Jeffs improved to
13-17. Amherst sophomore Alex Chang-Graham was solid from the
circle, holding the Ephs to just three hits over eight innings
while walking one and striking out eight.
Amherst's winning rally in the eighth was triggered by a
lead-off single from Emily Bularzik. Elizabeth Neckes dropped down
a sacrifice bunt, and both runners were safe on an error. Neill
followed with a laser to left field that sailed over the head of
Eph left fielder Libby Copeland-Halerpin a both runners raced home.
Chang-Graham quietly retired the Ephs in order in the bottom of
the eighth for the victory.
Williams jumped ahead with a run in the bottom of the second.
Copeland-Halperin led off with a single to right and took second on
a sacrfice bunt from Morgan Simpson. After senior Taryn Goodman
singled up the middle, Copeland-Halperin scored on Caitlyn Cain's
groundout.
Amherst tied the game in its half of the fourth when Neill
launched a solo home run to left. Neill finished 2 for 4 with all
three Amherst RBI in the victory. Senior Katie Powers, Goodman and
Copeland-Halperin accounted for the three Williams hits.
Williams senior Margaret Ryan got the start for the Ephs,
tossing three frames and allowing three hits and one walk while
striking out one. She was charged with one earned run, coming on
Neil's home run.
Eph junior Morgan Simpson relieved and took the loss, allowing
only two hits and one walk while striking out three over five
innings of work.
