BRUNSWICK, Maine – Williams used timely hitting and a strong pitching performance to defeat Bowdoin, 4-1, in game one of a NESCAC Baseball Quarterfinal series Saturday at Pickard Field. The Ephs (19-13) and Polar Bears (24-10) will play game two of their best-of-three series at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday with game three to follow, if needed.
Game Highlights
- A sacrifice fly by James O'Connor scored Ben Swank in the top of the first to give Williams an early 1-0 lead.
- The Ephs doubled their lead in the fourth as Will Scott singled to score O'Connor and make it 2-0 Williams.
- Bowdoin's offense was limited to two-out singles throughout the beginning of the contest until the sixth inning, when the Polar Bears put runners on first and third with one out. However, Williams reliever Grant Greiner forced Will Bordes to ground into an inning-ending double play to maintain the 2-0 lead.
- Williams added a two-run double from O'Connor to make it 4-0 in the top of the eighth and, despite a Kevin Murray RBI single that trimmed the lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the inning, the Ephs held off the Polar Bears in the ninth to clinch the win.
By The Numbers
- Williams starter Owen McHugh went 3.2 innings, allowing no earned runs before giving way to reliever Greiner (3-1), who went 4.1 frames, scattering four hits and allowing one earned run.
- Lucas Asanovic came in to earn the save (4) for the Ephs, pitching a scoreless ninth.
- Jason Bogdanos (5-4) went 8.0 strong innings for Bowdoin, scattering eight hits, allowing four earned runs, and striking out six.
- Liam Foley and Kevin Murray both had a pair of hits in the loss for the Polar Bears.
Up Next
- Game two will have an updated start time of 10:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.
