After a tough weekend the Bowdoin softball team redeemed themselves with two key wins against the University of Maine at Farmington Beavers (1-5) on Thursday. Julia Jacobs '10 started on the mound for the Polar Bears in a complete game shutout 6-0 in game one. Jacobs improves to 4-4 on the season.
Three first year players made significant contributions in the second game. Courtney Colantuno '12 and Michelle Wells '12 enjoyed success on the mount while Hillary Smyth '12 smacked a three-run home run.
Hours of work to remove ice and snow finally prepared Pickard Field for the Bowdoin softball home opener last Saturday. The Polar Bears took on the Husson Eagles (5-7) in an afternoon doubleheader. Junior catcher Clare Ronan lead the way, belting an RBI double and then a three-run home run and the Bears never looked back.
The Polar Bear defense was stellar behind Karen Reni '10 on the bump. They committed zero errors on their way to an easy 7-2 victory. Reni earned the win with a complete game, four hit outing. She struck out six in her seven innings of work.
Game two was a different story. It took three innings for Husson to put the first runs on the board. Down 3-0 in the fourth inning, Ronan blasted a solo home run, but the Polar Bear offense came up short, losing 4-2.
Jacobs took the loss for the Polar Bears after pitching seven strong innings with four strikeouts.
Last Sunday the Polar Bears traveled to Waltham, Massachusetts to battle the Brandeis Judges (14-10) for Bowdoin's second doubleheader in as many days. Game one was shaky for Bowdoin as the defense allowed six unearned runs in the first four innings behind Wells, and could only muster four runs of its own, eventually losing 7-4. Game two was a tight one. The lead went back and forth as the Polar Bears and Judges needed extra innings to decide the victor. In the top of the eighth inning, Shavonne Lord '10 drove in Kaitee Daley '09 with a single to right field, giving Bowdoin the edge as Brandeis came up for its last licks.
Brandeis was down to their final three outs trailing by one run. With runners on second and third, Brandeis' Chelsea Korp '10 dropped a squeeze bunt to score the tying run. After an error by pitcher Reni, the runner from second rounded third base and scored to win the game for the Judges.
"Reni, Jacobs, and Wells all pitched better than our box scores show. The team needs to make their lives easier by scoring earlier and making big plays in the field," said Lauren Coven '10.
The Polar Bears received some more bad news after going 1-3 on the weekend. Sophomore pitcher and hitter Kara Nilan learned that due to stress fractures in her throwing arm, she will have to sit out the rest of the season. Daley's ankle is also causing problems that might bench her for the remainder of her senior season. Daley will get the final word after an MRI.
"They both have had outstanding field play and bats for the team this season," said Amy Hackett '12. "It's never easy to lose one, let alone two key players but I think depth is a major strength for our team and there are people ready and willing to step up and get the job done."
The Polar Bears will battle Bates in a home and away series starting on Friday.
"Right now, every game is a big game for us," said Hackett.