The final weekend series for the seven seniors on the softball team ended on a high note after losing to the Colby Mules on Senior Day last Friday.
"I can't imagine playing without them out on the field with us, but they have left us with the motivation to play hard," said first year Hillary Smyth.
In their first game of the weekend, the Polar Bears scored four runs in the third inning thanks to three errors committed by the Colby defense. The Mules bounced back, however, closing the gap to one run in the fourth inning before taking the lead 6-4 in the fifth. Bowdoin scored once more in the bottom of the inning but the Mules held off the Polar Bear attack for a 6-5 win.
Julia Jacobs '10 (7-8) took the loss for Bowdoin pitching four and two-thirds innings.
On Saturday the Polar Bears traveled to Waterville for their final two games of the 2009 seasona, earning 4-3 and 5-1 victories. Game one was a thriller. Thanks to three consecutive singles by Bowdoin and an error by Colby, the Bears took the one run lead after being down 3-1 with two outs in the top of the seventh inning. Karen Reni '09 shut down the Mules in the bottom half of the inning on their way to victory.
Reni (5-5), in her final start of her career, pitched all seven innings and earned the win.
Lord again went two for three from the dish and scored two runs. After returning from an ankle injury to play the final four games of her career, Kaitee Daley '09 added two hits of her own and one run scored.
Bowdoin carried the momentum from their last inning comeback into the second game of the doubleheader, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. The Mules scored just once in the fourth inning as Jacobs pitched all seven innings and earned the win.
Junior Lauren Coven had three hits, two RBIs and two runs scored as she helped the seniors end their careers with a win.
The Polar Bears end their season with a solid 22-16-1 (4-8 NESCAC) record.
"We entered the season with very high expectations," said Coleman. "We definitely thought that this year was going to be the year." The seven seniors end their four-year careers with 89 total wins, the best ever for a senior class. "The seniors have been an amazing group to coach and with whom to work," said Coach Ryan Sullivan.
The 2010 season looks very promising for the Polar Bears. After suffering some injuries to key players, all will be healed as a new class will join the team next fall.
"We certainly have high hopes for next season," said Sullivan.