In line with its level of play this season, The Bowdoin Softball Team (21-8, 7-1 NESCAC) ended regular-season play with a sweep.
The team went 2-0 against Trinity on Saturday, edging out the Tigers 2-1 in the first game and continuing on its streak to end the second game at 4-2.
With the win, Bowdoin earned the NESCAC East Division Championship and a shot at the NESCAC Tournament.
"From the beginning of this year we have aimed at winning the NESCAC tournament and having as much fun as possible in the process," said senior captain Rebekah Metzler. "We have been enormously successful thus far on both accounts."
Trinity scored off an error in the first inning to take an early lead. However, the Polar Bears responded with a double from Danielle Chagnon '06, which put runners on second and third. Britney Carr '04 brought in Gillian Stevens '04 with her sacrifice fly to tie up the game.
In the bottom of the second, Caitlin Polistena '07 hit a single and scored on a Trinity error to put Bowdoin on top. The team would keep the lead for the remainder of the game.
Erin Hanley '04 pitched for Bowdoin until Emily Nelson '07 took the mound in the seventh to seal the win.
This example of a strong lineup and a deep bench has proven essential for the team's success this season.
"One of the most rewarding aspects of this season has been, ironically, the lack of any specific superstar," said Metzler. "It has been a testament to this team that nearly everyone has been called on and pulled through in a clutch situation."
"However, it is undeniably an advantage to our program that first-year pitcher Emily Nelson has gone 11-2 and broken the single-season strikeout record and, as well, that senior Erin Hanley has broken the career strikeout record," she continued.
In the second game of the series, Bowdoin took the early lead, knocking in three runs in the first inning thanks to five singles in a row from Stevens, Chagnon, Carr, Megan Wyman '06, and Polistena. Stevens, Carr, and Polistena all went three for two at bat.
Nelson pitched all seven innings for the Polar Bears, allowed only six hits, and hid six strikeouts.
"Strong pitching, tough defense, and the ability to score runs while under pressure have been the keys to all our wins," said Metzler.
The team takes on Middlebury today at 5:00 p.m. at Williams for the first round of NESCACs.
"We can only hope to play to our potential, for that will be more than enough to walk away with a championship trophy," said Metzler.