Amherst has seen it all this postseason.
Whether it’s a five-run deficit in the seventh inning or a blowing a three-run lead, the Comets persevered and are in the final four.
Going through adversity should serve Amherst well this weekend as it takes on New Albany in a Division II state semifinal at 10 am. June 13 at Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium in Canton.
“At this point between the tough regular season schedule we played and the last three tournament games we’ve played, I think we’ve seen pretty much everything,” Amherst coach Matt Rositano said. “Going back to the Riverside game we’re down, 5-0, and score six to win it. Against Green, we had to hold on there in the seventh. (June 5 against Oregon Clay), to fall behind with a disaster inning and be able to respond, we’ve seen it all now.”
Starting with the two-out rally against Riverside, the Comets have come up clutch. They came all the way back to beat the Beavers and win the district title, 6-5. Usually sound on defense, Amherst committed six errors against Oregon Clay in the regional final and trailed after four innings, 4-3.
The Comets responded with a four-run fifth inning to take the lead for good against Clay and win the program’s first-ever regional title.
“With the Riverside game, we were faced with elimination,” Amherst junior Landon Wolf said. “We were one out away and came back to win that game. We were tested in both (regional) games. Both opponents put up good fights. We battled together, banded together and came out victorious.”
Looking back at their road to the final four, it has been a difficult one for the Comets. They’ve faced tough opponents along the way and even against Oregon Clay, they had to overcome their own mistakes.
Those experiences are not necessarily ones Amherst would’ve liked to have, but the team hasn’t shied away from them. For better or worse, the Comets will be ready for whatever’s thrown at them next.
“I think it’s important for us to have those moments to know that going forward, we know how to overcome it,” Amherst junior Cole Marquez said. “As long as we stay as a team, we put together at-bats and make our plays on defense, we’ll be fine.”
These season-defining moments have shown what this Amherst team is all about. Despite circumstances where most teams would fade, the Comets have shined their brightest. They don’t know what it means to give up.
“It feels great to show Amherst who we are,” Marquez said. “No matter what the score is, we’re still going to keep fighting. We’ll take it all the way to the seventh inning and it feels good for that to pay off.”
Battling through adversity together has given Amherst confidence. Not only are the players confident in each other, they’re confident they can get past obstacle at this point.
The Comets have proved no deficit is insurmountable. They’ve also proved they have the composure it takes to win close games. With a new challenge on the horizon against New Albany, they’re prepared for whatever comes next.
“I think that confidence is more on them knowing no matter what happens, they’re going to be able to bounce back and they’re going to stick with it and get the job done,” Rositano said. … This is a resilient bunch, a tough group of kids. I’m just really happy for them.”
Amherst vs. New Albany
What: Division II state semifinal
When: 10 a.m., June 13
Where: Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium, Canton