Tigers' roller coaster season continues
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Amherst coach Brian Davis doesn't know why his baseball team decides to play well in some games and poorly in others, but the cycle repeated itself last week.

The Tigers (3-9, 5-13) scored late runs in losses to Lake Shore, 12-8, on May 15 and Depew, 9-2, on May 16 but followed with huge wins over Kenmore West, 15-3, on Friday and Alden, 7-2, on Saturday.

"Maybe now that the league games are over, the pressure is off. I don't know," said Davis of his team's play against Kenmore West and Alden. "It's a complete mystery to me."

Amherst banged out 16 hits against Kenmore West and scored five runs in the first, four in the second, and two in the third, fifth, and seventh. Tom Ponticelli led the offense (4 for 4, double, four runs scored, two RBIs, stolen base) and the pitching (seven innings, three earned runs, four hits, five strikeouts).

Will Gowen (4 for 5, double, two runs scored, four RBIs) and Shaun Garus (2 for 5, double, three RBIs) also paced the Tigers' hitting attack.

The team also played strong defensively, committing only one error.

Amherst's bats were smoking against Alden with 12 hits. Garus went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Ben Gaughan hit 2 for 3 with a run scored. Mike Yanity pitched a complete game five-hitter with seven strikeouts for the win. Again, Amherst's defense was solid with no errors.

"Hopefully, the team is seeing that if we make the plays in the field and hit the ball, we're all right," said Davis.

Amherst scored five runs in the seventh against Lake Shore. Gowen (2 for 3, run, RBI) and Andrew Hays (two-run home run in fifth) paced the offense.

Gowen and Andrew Gibson scored runs versus Depew.

Amherst closes out the regular season with three nonleague games. Two of the games (West Seneca West on Monday and Niagara Wheatfield on Tuesday, were to happen before The Bee went to press. The Tigers host Alden at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23. Seniors Gowen, Gibson, Garus, Chris Eyeington, Alex Kuttesch, and James Russell will be recognized prior to the game.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com