McManus	Saniuk
Finn	Citrin
Beckwith	Ullmann

BANGOR, Maine -- The Bates College softball team finished up the regular season by splitting a doubleheader at Husson University on Wednesday, falling 9-5 in Game 1 and winning Game 2 8-4.

Bates first-year Kelly McManus (Plymouth, N.H.) had a huge day at the plate, going 5-for-7 with six runs scored and four runs batted in, including her first career home run and two triples.

In the first game, Bates first-year Karen Ullmann (Ramsey, N.J.) walked in the top of the first inning and stole second base to get into scoring position.  Ullmann later scored on a fielder's choice to give the Bobcats a 1-0 lead.  In the bottom of the inning, the Eagles loaded the bases with two outs when Meghan Richard ripped a base-clearing double to the left-center gap as the Eagles took a 3-1 lead after one inning of play.

Ullmann and McManus led off the top of the third with back to back singles.  Senior Stacia Saniuk (Sharon, Mass.) then walked to load the bases with no outs.  Senior Leah Citrin (Rye Brook, N.Y.) connected with a two-run single to left field, tying the game 3-3.

The Eagles retook the lead in the bottom of the third when they scored five runs, highlighted by an RBI double by Richard and an RBI single by Brianna Webster.   They added another run in the bottom of the sixth to make it 9-3. 

Bates put two runs across in the seventh, highlighted by a solo homer by McManus.  

In the second game, Bates got on the board in the top of the first as Ullmann walked and McManus singled to put runners on first and second.  First-year Leah Maciejewski (Tewksbury, Mass.) singled with two outs to drive two runs, in giving Bates an early 2-0 lead.

Husson answered in the bottom of the fourth as Nicole Sargent led off the inning with a home run.  The Eagles keep the inning going as Richards singled and Kristen Sousa walked to put two on with two outs. They both moved up on a double steal, and Richards scored on a throwing error.  Rachel Voicechovski delivered Sousa from second with the go-ahead run as she doubled to right center making it 3-2.

Bates got four back in the top of the fifth to take the lead for good.  Senior Val Beckwith (Woburn, Mass.) singled and Ullmann walked to put two on.  McManus drove them home with a triple to center and Saniuk doubled to bring in McManus, making it 6-3.  Caitlyn Labourne replaced Richards for the Eagles and retired the next two batters.

LaBourne helped cut the lead to 6-4 in the bottom of the sixth, getting on base with a single to right.  She advanced to second on a fielder's choice, then moved to third on a passed ball.  Voicechovski drove in her second run with a single to right scoring LaBourne. 

Bates added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh with three consecutive hits.  Ullmann singled to left, McManus tripled to right center to drive in Ullmann, and then Saniuk singled in McManus, making it 8-4.  McManus finished 3-4 with 3 RBIs in the game, and Saniuk was also 3-4 with 2 RBIs.

The Bobcats (12-14) play in the NESCAC Championship for the first time in the touranment's nine-year history starting on Friday, when they face Wesleyan at 5 p.m. at Tufts university.

The Eagles (24-13) will host the NAC Championship beginning Friday.

Game 1 Box Score: Husson 9, Bates 5

Game 2 Box Score: Bates 8, Husson 4