BRUNSWICK, Maine - The Bowdoin College softball team returned north after a quartet of close losses to round out their spring break with an overall record of 5-11. The Polar Bears, who faced several regionally and nationally-ranked teams on the trip, suffered eight losses by two or fewer runs during the 16-game trip.

Kara Nilan enjoyed an excellent start to the campaign, posting a 1.02 ERA and tossing seven complete games including two shutouts. She struck out 58 batters in 48 innings and allowed just six walks. At the plate, she ranked second on the team with a .357 batting average with four RBI's. First-year pitcher Melissa DellaTorre also had a promising start despite her 1-3 overall record in the circle. DellaTorre posted a 1.45 ERA in seven appearances, whiffing 26 and walking just one batter.

At the plate, Caroline Dewar led the squad with a .367 average and a team-best .469 slugging percentage. Toni DaCampo hit .319 with three doubles, five stolen bases and five RBI's and rookie Hanna Wurgaft hit .281 with two triples and a team-high six RBI's.

The Polar Bears will travel to play at Trinity in their opening NESCAC series of the season this Friday and Saturday. The team is still hoping to play it's originally scheduled home opener next Tuesday, April 5 against Maine-Farmington at3:30 p.m.