BRUNSWICK, Maine - The Bowdoin College softball team entered its first off-day of spring break on a three-game winning streak and standing at 4-4 overall in their annual trip to Florida. After starting 1-4, the Polar Bears defeated Wisconsin Lutheran Friday afternoon and swept a doubleheader against Elmhurst and Carroll on Saturday.
The Polar Bears had fallen to 1-4 with three close losses to Cortland State, 3-1, Westfield State, 3-2, and Plattsburgh State, 7-6. Bowdoin then rolled off victories against Wisconsin Lutheran 8-2, Elmhurst, 3-1 and Carroll, 7-2.
In action Saturday, Kara Nilan stifled Elmhurst by allowing just four hits and striking out 10 and Hillary Smyth collected a pair of hits in the 3-1 win. First-year Hannah Wurgaft had a two-run double to spark Bowdoin's winning rally. Against Carroll, Melissa DellaTorre whiffed eight and permitted four hits to garner the win while Smyth collected two more hits, including a triple. Toni DaCampo had two hits and three RBI while Nilan, Gen Barlow and Molly Nestor also all had two hits apiece.
Bowdoin's win streak started against Lutheran on Friday afternoon as Wurgaft went 3-4 with a triple and Amy Hackett rapped two triples in the convincing win. Courtney Colantuno and Caroline Dewar each had two hits while Kaity Sansone earned the victory with five innings of work. DellaTorre earned the save in relief.
In action earlier in the week, DaCampo and Dewar each had two hits and Tricia Thibodeau was tagged with a tough-luck loss in the loss Friday to Plattsburgh. Bowdoin made a late rally against Westfield State, but were stymied with 13 runners left on base in the 3-2 defeat. Molly Nestor collected a pair of hits for Bowdoin as DellaTorre took the loss in the circle. Bowdoin couldn't muster much offense in support of Nilan in a Thursday loss to Cortland State, but DaCampo did her part - collecting three hits while Nilan knocked in the lone run of the game for the Polar Bears.
Bowdoin will return to action Monday with a pair of regional games against Eastern Connecticut and Wellesley.
