AMHERST, Mass. – Harry Roberson '18 and Anthony Spina '17 each notched four hits as the Purple & White recorded 21 total hits to open the NESCAC West season with a commanding, 18-8 victory over Hamilton College Friday afternoon at Memorial Field.

RECORDS

Hamilton (9-6, 0-1 NESCAC West)
Amherst (11-2, 1-0 NESCAC West)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After putting a run on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first, Amherst exploded for six runs in the second, five runs in both the fourth and fifth, and a run in the sixth en route to claiming the win, 18-8.
• Shut out through the first four innings, the Continentals would go on to score three runs in the fifth, four in the sixth and one in the seventh.
• Junior Jackson Volle (3-0) clinched his third win of the season on the mound for the Purple & White, striking out seven and allowing just three hits and three runs in five innings of work. John Vasiliu '19 would enter in relief and toss three innings, allowing six hits and striking out two, before Adam Pinto '16 entered in the ninth to close out the game for Amherst.
• Finlay O'Hara (1-1) took the loss for Hamilton, allowing 11 hits and seven runs in two innings on the mound. Max Jones and Andrew Watson would each toss three innings in relief for the Continentals, with Jones allowing seven hits and 10 runs and Watson giving up three hits and a run, while striking out one.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• Amherst opened up the scoring in the bottom of the first as Yanni Thanopoulos '17 singled down the left field line with runners on first and second to score Ariel Kenney '18.
• Taking the batter's box an inning later, Amherst exploded for six runs on eight hits, including doubles by Kenny and Conner Gunn '16.
• After a scoreless third inning, the Purple & White once again got into an offensive rhythm, recording five runs and five hits in the fourth and five runs and two hits in the fifth.
• Hamilton got on the board in the top of the fifth. Andrew Haser sent a leadoff hit over the fence before three throwing errors by Amherst allowed the Continentals to cross the plate two more times.
• The Continentals tacked on four more runs in the sixth and one in the seventh, but it was too little too late as the Purple & White would score once more in the sixth to walk away with the 18-8 win.  
• Roberson and Spina each went 4-for-5 in the outing, with Roberson racking up six RBI's and a run. Sending one over the fence in the bottom of the sixth, Spina finished the day with one RBI and three runs scored.
• Andrew Haser led the Continental offense with an impressive individual performance, going 3-for-4 with three home runs.   

BY THE NUMBERS

• Amherst outhit the Continentals, 21-10.
• The Purple & White pitching staff combined for nine strikeouts and three walks, while Hamilton walked four and fanned two.
• Amherst left nine runners on base in the matchup, while Hamilton left five runners stranded.

UP NEXT

• Amherst returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, April 2 with a doubleheader versus Hamilton College at Memorial Field. The games are set for 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.