BOX SCORE
MEDFORD, Mass. - The visiting Bowdoin College softball team
scored twice in the top of the seventh and took their first win
over Tufts since 2004 in a 5-4 victory on Friday afternoon. The
Polar Bears, who stranded Tufts' potential tying run at second base
in the bottom of the inning, had lost their last 13 meetings with
the Jumbos and improve to 14-5 (1-0 NESCAC) with the win.
The Polar Bears led 3-2, but Tufts scored two in the bottom of the
sixth to take a 4-3 advantage. With two outs, Tufts junior catcher
Julia Silberman lined a two-run single into the right-center gap
for the Jumbos. In the top of the seventh, Bowdoin put its first
two runners on base without a hit. After a ground out, first year
RF Gen Barlow brought a run in with a single to left to tie the
score at 4-4. Senior catcher Clare Ronan then scored the eventual
game-winning run on a passed ball.
Bowdoin reliever Michelle Wells, who came on in the seventh for
senior starter Julie Jacobs, retired the first two Jumbos before a
Polar Bear error kept the hosts alive. Tufts senior shortstop Casey
Sullivan followed with an infield single to put the potential tying
run at second. However, Wells got the third out on a tapper in
front of the plate to end the game.
Tufts hit two home runs in the game, including one from senior RF
Stefanie Tong hit a solo shot to left with one out in the second,
giving the Jumbos a 1-0 lead. Bowdoin tied the score with a single
run in the fourth, courtesy of an RBI single by senior 1B Lauren
Coven. Sullivan then knocked one off the top of the fence in center
and over for a 2-1 Tufts led in the bottom of the fourth. The Polar
Bears took their 3-2 advantage with two unearned runs in the fifth.
Barlow had a sacrifice fly in the inning.
Sophomore LF Caroline Dewar was 2 for 4 with a run scored for the
winners. Junior DP Kara Nilan was also 2 for 4 at the top of the
Bowdoin order. Jacobs pitched six innings, allowing seven hits and
the four runs with five strike outs and a walk to earn the win and
improve to 6-2. The save for Wells was her third.
Tong led the Jumbo offense with a 3 for 3 game including two runs
scored. Sullivan finished 2 for 4. Junior pitcher Izzie Santone
went the distance, allowing seven hits and two earned runs while
walking two and striking out one.
The teams continue their NESCAC East Division weekend series with
a double-header tomorrow beginning at noon.
