AMHERST, Massachusetts -- Amherst College fell 1-0 to top-seeded Bridgewater State College in the NCAA New England Championship game to finish No. 2 in the region despite a No. 5 seeding. The Jeffs were making their first-ever NCAA appearance in the four-year varsity history of the program, and four student-athletes from Amherst were honored with All-Tournament Team recognition.

The Jeffs began the day with a dramatic 4-3 victory over Wheaton for a chance at the Regional Championship. The teams had been scoreless through seven innings, and Wheaton struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the ninth. Amherst answered with a pair to extend the game, and the Lyons claimed a 3-2 advantage after a lead-off home run. But the Jeffs responded in the bottom of the 10th as sophomore Liza Feldman (Sudbury, MA) doubled into centerfield to drive in a pair of runs for a 4-3 victory.

Amherst and Bridgewater battled through five scoreless innings in the Championship match until the hosts strung a pair of hits together for the game-winner in the bottom of the sixth. The Jeffs conclude their finest season ever with a 31-8 mark as the New England Runner-Up .

Fourteen student-athletes were recognized for their outstanding performances in the NCAA New England Regional Tournament. Among them were four Lord Jeffs. Feldman earned honors as the top shortstop in the Regional while sophomore Darcy Sweeney (Keene, NH) was named the All-Tournament first baseman. Classmate Allison Schwarting (Los Angeles, CA) was recognized for her outfield play while doubling as pitcher, and senior co-captain Jen Shea (Hatfield, MA) earned one of four at-large selections as a pitcher.

1998 NCAA New England All-Tournament Team

First Base              Darcy Sweeney                   Amherst
Second Base             Kelly Stanton                   Bridgewater State
Shortstop               Liza Feldman                    Amherst
Third Base              Tiniesha Clark                  Tufts

Outfield                Allison Schwarting              Amherst
Outfield                Raven Pina                      Bridgewater State
Outfield                Kristen Conlon                  Wheaton

Catcher                 Dina Terceira                   Bridgewater State

Pitcher                 Tammy Webber                    Bridgewater State
Pitcher                 Kim Sears                       Wheaton

At-Large                Angela Vecchione (SS)           Bridgewater State
At-Large                Jamie Roach (3B)                Bridgewater State
At-Large                Christine Patterson (2B)        Smith
At-Large                Jen Shea (P)                    Amherst

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5/9/98