CLERMONT, Fla. - The Bowdoin softball team split a Sunday doubleheader against Western New England and Endicott, dropping a 4-1 decision to the Golden Bears before bouncing back with a 9-6 win over the Gulls.

Bowdoin is 5-3 since beginning its season less than a week ago, opening 2015 with back-to-back wins before splitting each subsequent day of play.

The Polar Bears opened Sunday with an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first against Western New England after stringing together consecutive singles from Katie Gately, Adriane Krul, and Nicole Nelson. Nelson's ball to center field allowed Gately to score putting Bowdoin ahead. The Golden Bears answered with a four run second, taking the permanent lead and wrapping up the scoring offense of the game for either team. Both sides were retired in order in the fourth and fifth inning as defense took over. Emily Griffin allowed four runs on the rubber for Bowdoin, with a pair of strikeouts and walks. On the opposite end, Heidi Grieger matched Griffin in allowing seven hits and struck out a pair.

Bowdoin responded to the opening loss with a nine run offensive showing against Endicott in the nightcap. After allowing a run in the top of the first, Bowdoin put up a pair in the bottom half to take the 2-1 lead. Gately's single in the four spot loaded the bases for Cielle Collins who singled to center field driving in Griffin from third with Julia Geaumont scoring on the ensuing play. Neither team would strike again until the Polar Bears drove three more across the plate in the fourth. Krul's double to right field put her in scoring positions for a Gately single to center. Collins again put the ball in play as Geaumont, who had walked earlier in the inning, came around to score followed by Gately. The Gulls put four on the board in the top of the sixth, evening the score at 5-5, as they strung together five hits and walk to knot the game. Bowdoin responded with a four in the bottom half to re-extend its lead. Krul came around first, scoring off a Geaumont single to center, quickly followed by Ali Miller who replaced Geaumont on the base path. Collins drove Miller home with a double to center. Marisa O'Toole followed with a double of her own, bringing Collins around from second, crossing home soon after to push the score to 9-5. The Gulls got one back in the top of the seventh, but were unable to cut any further into Bowdoin's lead. Geaumont went the distance in the circle with six strikeouts and three walks.

Bowdoin has a Monday morning doubleheader against Babson and Plymouth State.