HARTFORD, Conn. - Freshman Henry Van Zant escaped a sixth-inning jam and combined with Christian Martin and Ian Edwards on a three-hitter, as the Bowdoin College Polar Bears earned a crucial 2-1 win against the Williams College Ephs in NESCAC Championship Tournament action on Campus Field. 

Bowdoin, who had lost earlier in the day to Trinity, 14-3, bounced back for a win that put them in contention for their first league title.  The Polar Bears, 25-17 after the pair of games today, will need to beat the Bantams twice tomorrow to win the title, while Trinity needs just one victory.  The first game is at 10 a.m. and a second, if necessary, would be played immediately following.  Williams ends their season with a 17-21 overall record.

Bowdoin got on the board in the bottom of the second inning, when freshman Buddy Shea knocked in junior Oliver Van Zant for the first score of the game.  Williams tied things up in the fourth on an RBI double by senior Ben Olivia, before Bowdoin regained the lead on an RBI double by junior Dan Findley the following inning.

The Ephs gave the Polar Bears a scare in the sixth, loading the bases with just one out.  Henry Van Zant came in for relief, and induced a key 6-4-3 double play to preserve the Bowdoin lead, 2-1.  Williams would not succumb easily, fighting to the last pitch.  Oliva started the ninth by drawing a walk, before Bowdoin closer, senior Ian Edwards entered the game.  Olivia advanced to second on a groundout and to third on another groundout the following play.  With two outs, junior Taylor Mondshein battled the count full against Edwards, before lifting a fly ball to right field, where sophomore John Lefeber secured the catch to end the game, and keep the Polar Bears alive in the double elimination tournament.

Bowdoin sophomore starter Christian Martin improved to 5-1, going 5.1 innings, allowing three hits, five walks, and striking out three.  Williams sophomore starter Steve Marino was strong in the loss, going seven innings and allowing seven hits and two runs, while striking out four.  

Bowdoin was the runner-up in the 2010 and 2011 NESCAC Championship Tournament, and will need to win twice tomorrow against Trinity to earn the league title.  Action starts at 10 a.m. and a second game, if necessary, would immediately follow.