Metzler, Nelson Lead Bowdoin to Softball Sweep
April 20, 2004

LEWISTON, Maine – Rebekah Metzler hit a two-run home run to lead Bowdoin to a 4-1 win in the first game, and Emily Nelson allowed just four hits and struck out 10 in a 4-0 win in the second game to sweep Bates in New England Small College Athletic Conference East Division action at Lafayette Street Field on Tuesday afternoon.

Bates took a 1-0 lead in the second inning of the first inning when Dayna Krakower '05 (Derwood, Md.) smacked an RBI double down the left field line.

The Polar Bears tied the game in the top of the third and the score remained 1-1 until Metzler lifted a line drive over the left field wall in the sixth inning to give Bowdoin a 3-1 lead. Polar Bear catcher Laura Perovich added an RBI single in the seventh to cap the scoring.

Bowdoin pitcher Erin Hanley got out of two jams to keep Bates off the scoreboard, striking out a pair with runners on second and third in the fourth inning and inducing two groundouts  with two runners on in the seventh. Hanley allowed seven hits and struck out six in a complete game victory.

Caitlin Polistena was 2-for-3 at the plate for Bowdoin, and Britney Carr was 2-for-4.

Krakower and Kyla Decato '06 (Paris, Maine) were both 2-for-3 with a double for the Bobcats.

Nelson was dominating on the mound in the second game for Bowdoin, allowing just two base runners to reach second base. She walked just one and only allowed more than one base runner once to improve to 10-1 on the season.

Nelson was also a factor at the plate, knocking home the first two runs of the game with an RBI single through the middle in the fourth inning. Metzler added a two-run double later in the inning to give Nelson all the breathing room she needed.

Metzler was 2-for-3 to finish the day 3-for-6 with four RBI, while Nelson was 2-for-4 for the Polar Bears, who improved to 19-6, 5-1 NESCAC East.

Kelley Kugel '04 (Concord, N.H.) was 2-for-3 with a pair of infield singles to lead the Bobcats, who fell to 5-12, 1-5.

Bates will wrap up the conference schedule on Thursday, facing Colby in a doubleheader in Waterville.