The Bowdoin softball team reached the 20-win mark for the third season in a row with a 5-4 win over University of New England on Wednesday. Inclement weather shortened the scheduled doubleheader to one game, but the Polar Bears were ready despite the rain.
First-year Courtney Colantuno (4-0) started on the mound for Bowdoin, pitching four strong innings as she earned the win. She only allowed one hit with the defense behind her allowing three unearned runs. She struck out three and walked three. Julia Jacobs '10 got the save in relief, pitching the final three innings. Jacobs allowed just three hits and one earned run as she also struck out three.
Colantuno helped her cause, hitting her first home run of the season in the second inning, driving in two runs. Lauren Coven '10 went two for four at the plate with one RBI. Senior catcher Alison Coleman drove in two as she went one for three.
Last Friday, the Polar Bears took on Tufts University (32-0, 12-0) at Pickard Field in the first of a three game divisional series as the Jumbos looked to complete a perfect NESCAC record. Jacobs (6-7) tossed a complete game allowing eight hits and four earned runs as she took the loss in a 5-0 Jumbo win. Tufts pitcher Lauren Gelmetti quieted the Bowdoin bats in her complete game shutout. Gelmetti did not allow a hit until the sixth inning.
Saturday proved to be much of the same for Tufts as they defeated the Polar Bears 9-1 and 6-3 in the doubleheader, topping off their perfect 12-0 NESCAC season.
Karen Reni '09 (4-5) tossed all seven innings for the Polar Bears, allowing 11 hits and five earned runs. The Bowdoin defense committed five errors behind Reni as Tufts took an early 4-0 lead. Coven supplied Bowdoin with their only run in the first game on an RBI single.
The second game on Saturday was scoreless until the third inning when the Jumbos plated their first run. Bowdoin made an attempt at a comeback down 6-0 in the sixth inning scoring three, but it wouldn't be enough. Junior shortstop Casey Sullivan went five for five for the Jumbos, scoring two runs and driving in two more.
Amy Hackett '12 and Coleman both went two-for-four at the plate for the Polar Bears. Jacobs took the loss for Bowdoin in four and a third innings of work allowing four earned runs on 10 hits.
Some good came out of the weekend against Tufts as the Polar Bear pitching proved to be one of the strongest in the NESCAC. "We held them to one of their lowest team batting averages all season," said Kaitee Daley '09.
In the final three games of the '09 season, the Polar Bears look to improve their 2-7 NESCAC record this weekend against Colby, but do not have a chance at making playoffs.
The first game will be in Brunswick and the Mules will host the Polar Bears for a doubleheader on Saturday.
"The remaining games give the freshman, sophomores, and juniors their last opportunity to beat a huge rival with some of their best friends on the field before they graduate," said Jacobs. "I don't know if Karen Reni pitching her last game will be harder for me or for her dad."