| Fred Shepard allowed a single
walk in his seven inning no-hitter. Amherst athletics photo |
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Fred Shepard threw a no-hitter in the second game of a twinbill as the Amherst College baseball team split its doubleheader against Fontbonne University Tuesday.
The Jeffs (4-2) dropped game one, 4-1 (7 inn.), but retaliated in the nightcap with a 7-0 shutout victory in seven innings. The Griffins are now 5-2 overall.
Despite holding a 6-5 edge in hits during the the early game, Fontbonne tacked on two runs in the top of the third followed by runs in the fourth and fifth to take a 4-0 lead. The Jeffs added a score in the bottom of the seventh to cut the deficit to three but the lead was too large to overcome.
Six different Jeffs tallied hits in the game. Leading the way was Jonathan Ramirez '16 with a RBI single to drive in Eric West '15, who reached on a line drive single to left field.
Mike Odenwaelder '16 started on the mound for Amherst and allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits in 4.2 innings. He was credited with the loss. Riley Streit '16 pitched 2.1 innings of relief without allowing a hit or walk.
Amherst retaliated nicely in the nightcap, cruising to a 7-0 win. Shepard threw a gem, pitching a no-hitter with four strikeouts and just one walk in seven innings.
The Jeffs were also great at the plate, connecting on 13 hits with eight batters getting involved in the action. Leading the way offensively was Alex Hero '14 with a 3-for-4 performance and two RBI while also scoring a run. Taiki Kasuga '14 went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and West was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Tyler Jacobs '15 and Anthony Spina '17 each added a RBI.
Following a two-run top of the first, Amherst scored at least one run in each of the next three innings to grab a decisive 6-0 lead after four innings. They added another score in the top of the sixth en route to the seven-run win.
Amherst returns to action Thursday, Mar. 20 for a 9 a.m. contest against Grinnell.