LEWISTON, Maine – The Bowdoin softball team came from behind to mount a five run rally and defeat Bates 5-1 in their NESCAC opener on Friday afternoon.

Bowdoin improves to 12-5 on the season after picking up its first conference win as the Bobcats drop to 1-8 and 0-1 in NESCAC play.

Bates scored the first run in the bottom of the second when senior Kira Shaikh led off with a stand up triple. Tori Fitzgerald put a squeeze bunt down the third base line to bring home Shaikh.

The Polar Bears responded on offense in the top of the fifth on back to back doubles from Marisa O'Toole and Cielle Collins to even the score up at one. O'Toole moved up on a Victoria Rusch ground out to short, and scored the go-ahead and eventual winning run on a wild pitch.

Bowdoin added to the lead in the top of the sixth, as Adriane Krul led off with a solo home run down the left field line to put the Polar Bears up by two. Katie Gately and O'Toole each added RBI singles, scoring Emily Griffin and Lauren Nguyen, who pinch ran for Gately.

Julia Geaumont allowed only two hits while striking out seven and walking none to pick up her sixth win of the season. Offensively, Bowdoin was led by O'Toole who was 2-3 with a pair of RBI and a run scored.

The two teams are scheduled to return to action on Saturday April 4, for a NESCAC double-header. Game one is set to begin at noon, with game two to follow.