MIDDLETOWN, CT. – The Wesleyan softball team collected their first NESCAC win of the season Saturday afternoon, defeating the Bowdoin Polar Bears in game one of a home double-header. The Cardinals found themselves down 2-0 in the opening inning, before fighting their way back to eventually come away with their first conference win of the season, 6-4. The Cardinals offense couldn't get going in the second game, being held hitless for most of the contest, however a 7^th inning rally loaded the bases and brought the tying run to the plate. Unfortunately, the rally ended there, and the Polar Bears took game two 5-1. Bowdoin advances to 17-13 (8-6 NESCAC), while the Cardinals move to 11-15 (1-7 NESCAC).
 
GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS (6-4 WIN)

• The Polar Bears struck early in game one, scoring two in the opening frame off a single hit, a walk, and a Wesleyan error to go up 2-0. After two hits to open the inning, Wesleyan cut the lead in half in the bottom of the 2^nd on a Bowdoin error and moved into the 3^rd down 2-1
• In the 3^rd inning the Cardinals started to gain some traction starting with a 1-2-3 inning from Kelly Baker '26 in the circle in the top half. Wesleyan continued that momentum to the batter's box where they put together four runs on four hits, including a pair of doubles by Isabella Secaira-Cotto '25 and Hannah Docktor '24. Alexis Campbell '22 drove in the fourth and final run of the inning on a single up the middle, but was thrown out going for second
• Bowdoin threatened again in the 5^th, putting up two runs on three hits to cut their deficit to just one. The Polar Bears managed their first two runners on before a double play momentarily stopped their momentum. They then recorded back-to-back RBI-singles to push the score to 5-4 going into the bottom of the 5^th. There, Wesleyan added a much-needed insurance run on a Cat Palmer '26 infield single and pushed the score to 6-4 going into the 6^th. Baker was able to shut the door, putting the Polar Bears down in order in the both of the final two innings to give Wesleyan their first NESCAC win of the season

 
NOTES:

• Baker (7 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 4 K's) went the distance in her 3^rd win of the season
• Cardinals snaps their nine-game NESCAC regular season losing streak dating back to last year
• Molly Lennon '26 (2-for-2, 2 R, RBI) continues to mash the ball for the Cards, now holding a team-leading batting average of .370. Palmer (2-for-3, R, RBI) joined Lennon as the only Cardinals with multiple hits
• Campbell (1-for-3, 2 RBIs) drove in a season-high two runs
• Wesleyan outhit the Polar Bears 8-7

 
GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS (5-1 LOSS)

• Similar to game one, the Polar Bears jumped out to an early advantage in this one, scoring another first-inning run to take a 1-0 lead. Both pitchers started out hot in the circle, holding the opponents bats to a combined two hits through the next 2 ½  innings of action. Brooklin Williams '23 settled down nicely with a 1-2-3 inning in the 3^rd and the score remained 1-0 heading into the 4^th
• Bowdoin got the bats working in the middle innings, opening the 4^th with some extra-base hits. A walk, followed by a triple, double, then single led to three runs coming across for the Polar Bears in the 4^th to extend their lead out to 4-0. The Cardinals went down in order in the 4^th and 5^th, and entered the 6^th inning still without their first hit of the ball game
• Bowdoin added one in the 6^th and the game moved to the bottom of the 7^th  inning at 5-0 in favor of the Polar Bears. Krissy Gately '24 then opened the inning with Wesleyan's first hit of the game on a single through the right side. She would get to 2^nd, but the Cards were held without a run and moved into the final frame down 5-0. After Secaira-Cotto retired the Polar Bears in the top half, Wesleyan had one more chance in the bottom of the 7^th. A Lennon infield single was quickly followed by two fly-outs and Wesleyan was down to their final out. The Cardinals wouldn't go away, loading the bases thanks to a pair of walks and Darlene De La Cruz '25 pinch hit RBI-single, to bring the tying run to the plate with two down. Bowdoin forced a pop-up and was able to come away with a split of the double-header

 
NOTES:

• Lennon (1-for-3, R) has now hit safely in her last seven contests, and 18 of her last 20 games
• Gately (1-for-2, BB) and De La Cruz (1-for-1, RBI) were the only Cardinals with a hit
• Wesleyan was outhit by the Polar Bears 12-3

 
UP NEXT:
Wesleyan will enjoy a week off before traveling to Massachusetts for another NESCAC double-header, where they will take on the Tufts Jumbos on Saturday, April 22^nd starting at 1 and 3 pm.