Despite a 7 a.m. departure and the six-hour trek to Middlebury, the baseball team's bats were wide-awake throughout a three-game sweep of the Panthers. Bowdoin reinforced its position atop the NESCAC with commanding wins, beating Middlebury by scores of 7-3, 21-6 and 14-13.
The heart of the Bowdoin batting order powered the Polar Bears past Middlebury.
Brendan Garner '11 and Brett Gorman '11, who have occupied the vaunted third and fourth spots in the lineup throughout the season, were at their best during the weekend series. The duo did a little bit of everything offensively, combining for ten RBIs, 11 runs scored and six stolen bases over the three-game series. Gorman was particularly lethal, batting .800 with four walks.
"Brett was huge for us this weekend," said Coach Michael Connolly. "He was fun to watch." Gorman was named NESCAC offensive player of the week for his efforts.
In the first game, Bowdoin managed seven runs on nines hits, including a two-run single from co-captain Kevin Zikaras '10 that cushioned the Bowdoin lead late in the game. The Polar Bears got seven strong innings out of starter Tim Welch '12 before Ben Higgins '11 came in for a two inning save.
Game two was far less competitive, as Bowdoin scored 17 runs in the first four innings and cruised to a 21-6 win. Zikaras again starred with six RBIs and Oliver Van Zant '13 notched his fifth win of the season.
Bowdoin squeaked out a victory in game three, coming back from a six-run deficit in the seventh inning to win the final game of the series. The Polar Bears' seven-run seventh featured two-run doubles from Welch and Adam Marquit '11. Luke Flinn '12 knocked in what would end up being the deciding 14th run in the ninth, and Bowdoin hung on for a one-run victory.
The Colby Mules will roll into Brunswick this Saturday with a pitching staff that has struggled mightily this season. The Mules staff ranks last in the NESCAC with a 12.83 ERA. Despite their deficiencies, Connolly said he expects a competitive series.
"They'll give us their best punch," he said. "This is their biggest series of the year."
The first game will take place at Colby at 3:30 on Friday. The two teams will then come to Bowdoin for a Saturday doubleheader.
The matchup marks the first NESCAC home series for the Polar Bears this season.