BRUNSWICK, Maine - Needing one win to clinch a berth in the NESCAC Tournament, the Bowdoin College softball team left little doubt with a pair of mercy-rule wins over Bates on Sunday afternoon, 12-4 and 10-0.

The Polar Bears improve to 28-12 (8-4 NESCAC) and earn the second spot out of the NESCAC's East Division for the upcoming conference tournament. Bowdoin will face the West's top seed - Amherst - at Amherst on Friday, May 4 at 2:30 p.m. in the opening game of the double-elimination championship. More details on coverage will be available later this week. Bates ends its season with a record of 18-12 (5-7 NESCAC).

In the opener on Sunday, Bowdoin built a 6-0 lead and put the contest out of reach with a six-run sixth frame. Casey Correa had three hits, including a fourth-inning home run while Amy Hackett ripped a two-run home run in the fifth inning and reached base three times. Toni DaCampo, Hanna Wurgaft and Victoria Rusch also had two hits apiece. Tricia Thibodeau earned the win with six innings of work, scattering eight hits and allowing four earned runs.

After clinching the playoff bid in the opener, Bowdoin capped the day with a dominating 10-0 victory in the nightcap. Nancy Walker got the win by tossing five innings of shutout ball with two strikeouts. Bowdoin scored all ten of its runs in the first three innings as DaCampo went 4-4 with a home run and four RBI. Gen Barlow, Caroline Dewar and Amy Hackett had two hits each in the win.