BRUNSWICK, Maine – The Bowdoin softball team picked up its fifth consecutive NESCAC victory after holding off a late Trinity charge for a 4-2 series opening win.

The Polar Bears climb to 20-7 (5-2 NESCAC), while handing the Bantams (12-7, 3-1 NESCAC) their first conference setback of the year. With the win, Bowdoin reached the 20-win plateau for the 12^th consecutive year under coach Ryan Sullivan. The streak is the second-longest of any NESCAC program, second only to Tufts.

Game Highlights

• Bowdoin got on the board in the bottom of the first. Lauren O'Shea waited on second after tagging a double to right center and quickly came around to score on a Caroline Rice single.
• The Polar Bears put up three more runs in the second inning. Capitalizing on several infield misplays, Maddie Rouhana came around to score after a leadoff walk. Jordan Gowdy added an RBI single and Lauren O'Shea sent a sacrifice fly to center.
• Gowdy made a sliding catch on a Michelle Treglia's falling fly to center, ending the fifth.
• Trinity mounted a rally with its final at bats as Samantha Witmer led off with a long double to right. Nicole Towner followed up with an RBI double to the same spot.
• Jenna Thomas came in to pinch it and drove in a final Bantams run with a single to left.
• The Polar Bears ended the game as a passed ball gave Thomas a window to steal home, only to see Claire McCarthy find Ruby Siltanen for the tag.

By the Numbers

• Kate Hoadley pitched 6.1 innings for the Polar Bears, allowing five hits with four strikeouts. Siltanen earned the game's final two outs with a strikeout and no hits allowed.
• Rachael Smith pitched a complete game for Trinity, surrendering six hits while fanning four.
• O'Shea went 2-for-2 at the plate and was the only batter for either team with multiple hits.

Up Next

• The two teams return to Pickard Field tomorrow afternoon for a 12:00 p.m. doubleheader.