You seem to be browsing on a screen size, browser, or device that this website cannot support. Some things might look and act a little weird.
Despite uncertainty going into the semester, the softball team made the most of the abbreviated 2021 spring season. Although the team played only 12 games—compared to a usual 40 game season—with a small roster of 11 players, a focus on teamwork and enjoyment made it a season for all to remember.
SHARPEN YOUR PENCILS At the third Bowdoin-Colby-Bates track and field meet this past weekend, two school records fell as the men’s and women’s teams closed out their non-scoring season. On the men’s side, Ajay Olson ’23 earned a new school record in the 100 meter dash (10.69 seconds), and he just barely missed the school’s 45-year-old 200 meter dash record (21.42 seconds) by 0.2 seconds.
SWEPT OFF After the Polar Bears split their games last weekend, they were swept by Trinity this past weekend, losing 9-8 in the first game and 9-6 in the second game. Despite the losses, they did see some standout performances.
SPLITTER Softball played a double header against Tufts on Saturday and another double header against Colby on Sunday. The Polar Bears went 2-2, splitting both double headers. After winning in eight innings against Tufts by a score of 11-8, the team dropped the second Saturday game, losing 12-2.
The softball team finally took the field for the first time in over a year this past weekend in a double-header against Amherst College after multiple game cancellations due to COVID-19 concerns. Despite some breakout performances, the Polar Bears lost both games with scores of 5-4 and 10-2, respectively.
Women’s softball was set to open their season this past weekend with a three-game series against Colby. However, this series was cancelled suddenly on Friday afternoon. There is currently no plan in place to make up these games, and the team’s upcoming match-up against Trinity has also been cancelled.
Catching many athletes off guard, yet pleasantly surprised, President Clayton Rose announced in a campus-wide email on March 9 that the NESCAC has decided to conduct limited competition for spring sports. While many athletes and athletics staff members are excited for this opportunity, they know that competition is not guaranteed and is dependent on the rate of COVID-19 cases on Bowdoin’s campus and at other colleges.
Approximately one year since their last time practicing as a full group, Bowdoin softball continues to face challenges. Prolonged distance from campus has largely eliminated opportunities for competitive play and made it hard to sustain and create new social connections.
Despite being one of the smallest varsity sports teams at Bowdoin, softball (23-10, 5-4 NESCAC) has continued to gain momentum over its spring season as players look forward to this Saturday’s home game at Pickard Field and the NESCAC championships, beginning the first weekend in May.
What makes prospective students who visit Bowdoin’s snow- and ice-covered campus in the middle of winter want to come here? Similarly, what makes a prospective softball player want to be a Polar Bear—faced with indoor practices in Farley or out on the turf lacrosse field throughout February and March, and even shoveling the softball field in April?
The softball team is sliding into the NESCAC Championship Tournament this weekend, facing off against Middlebury on Saturday. The Polar Bears (29-11, NESCAC 9-3) finished second in the NESCAC East Conference, while the Panthers (20-10, NESCAC 5-6) finished third in the West.
This past weekend the softball team climbed the NESCAC standings with an in-conference sweep against Colby. The Polar Bears then split both out of conference series against Husson University on Sunday and University of Southern Maine on Wednesday, leaving the team 19-7 (4-2 NESCAC).
The softball team is on a six-game winning streak after going 13-3 over Spring Break in Florida. The team is looking to continue this success going into its first NESCAC series against Tufts, who beat the Polar Bears in the series last year.
After a disappointing loss to Tufts (22-14, 8-4 NESCAC), the softball team (27-8, 9-3 NESCAC) rebounded by sweeping its series against Bates (10-18, 1-11 NESCAC) 3-0, 8-1, 5-1, to clinch the No. 1 spot in NESCAC East, which allows Bowdoin to host the NESCAC Playoffs this weekend.
After losing two of three games to Tufts (18-12, 6-4 NESCAC) last weekend, the Bowdoin softball team (24-8, 6-3 NESCAC) dropped to No. 2 in the NESCAC East. The Polar Bears must now win all three games against Bates (10-13, 1-6 NESCAC) this weekend in order to clinch a spot in the NESCAC playoffs.
The Bowdoin softball team (23-6, 5-1 NESCAC) is currently on a 12-game win streak after beating Colby (7-15, 0-6 NESCAC) this weekend 3-0 and sweeping a double-header against Saint Joseph’s (11-13) 9-5 and 11-0 on Tuesday.
Having won 13 of its last 14 games, the Bowdoin softball team (18-6, 2-1 NESCAC) heads to NESCAC rival Colby (7-12, 0-3 NESCAC) this weekend for a three-game series. The Polar Bears’ recent run of success has been fueled by the team’s offense—the team has scored at least seven runs in seven of its last 12 wins.
The Bowdoin softball team has started off the spring strong, boasting an 11-5 record returning from its trip to Florida last week. The team had outscored its opponents 45 to 12 over its last six games, all victories for the Polar Bears.
