"I'm kind of relieved," head coach Mike Leonard admitted. "I knew we were talented enough to do it, and we really are 34 guys playing as one. I think overall the biggest key to the success we've been having is guys buying into the team concept."

Bates can still claim first place in the division, and therefore host the NESCAC Baseball Championship on May 9-11, by defeating Tufts (27-3, 8-2) in both games of their doubleheader at Bates on Saturday (May 3). Otherwise the Jumbos will host the tournament. The NESCAC West Division will be represented in the tournament by first-place Wesleyan (23-7, 10-2 NESCAC West) and runner-up Amherst (23-7, 9-3).

Colby (15-11 overall) stayed alive for a playoff spot after winning the opening game, but Bates (18-12) bounced back for a 6-2 win in the nightcap to clinch the playoff spot and eliminate the Mules. Both Colby and Bowdoin finish league play with 5-7 records. Bates has a 6-4 division record, with two conference games with Tufts (8-2) still to be played.

"When I took the job four years ago, I walked into a culture of guys who had kind of had their first taste of success," said Leonard, referring to Bates' 25-11 campaign in 2010. "They wanted that next level, to take our team to places it hadn't been yet. The seven guys who are our current seniors were freshmen in that first year. Each year they've all gotten better, they've all tried to make the team better, and they've seen the whole process come full circle."

Riding a 13-4 record since the beginning of April, Bates still has eight games in the 12 days before NESCACs begin, including the Tufts doubleheader. The Bobcats next play at Fisher College on Tuesday at 7pm. 

"Since I've been here, I've tried to elevate every aspect of our team talent-wise, and meanwhile develop the kids we have into better athletes. I think that has shown in the way we've played," said Leonard. "The strength of our team is definitely pitching and defense, but we've also got a lot of guys who can really hit for power and average, and do the little things. We're built to do a little bit of everything and do it well."

Game 2 Recap

Fusco threw 5.2 innings for the Game 2 win for the Bobcats. Bonneau got the final out of the sixth and went the rest of the way in the nine-inning game for the save.

The Bobcats took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third. First-year Brendan Fox (West Hartford, Conn.) led off with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice by sophomore Conor Reenstierna (Lincoln, Mass.), and scored on a double by Warren.

The Mules tied the game in the bottom of the inning. Colin Cummings had a two-out single and came around to score on Kevin Galvin's double.

Bates went ahead for good with a lone run in the fourth inning. Senior Kevin Davis (North Andover, Mass.) led off with a walk, took second on a sacrifice by senior Steve Burke (Bedford, N.H.), moved to third on a groundout, and then scored on an infield hit by junior Nate Pajka (Douglas, Mass.).

The Bobcats stretched the lead to 4-1 with a pair of runs in the sixth. Burke had a one-out single and came around to score on a double by junior catcher Mekae Hyde (Lewiston, Maine). Pajka followed with another double to bring in Hyde.

The Mules got their final run in the bottom of the sixth on a lead-off homer by Jason Buco. Galvin had two hits to lead Colby.

Bates added two insurances runs in the top of the ninth. Reenstierna led off with a single and Warren smacked a two-run homer. Warren had three RBIs to go with his two hits. Davis, Hyde, and Pajka all had two hits.

Game 1 Recap

In the first game, Colby pitcher Soren Hanson worked 5.2 innings for the victory in the seven-inning game. Dakota Rabbitt got the final four outs without allowing a hit or a walk.

With one out in the first, Kevin Galvin and Hanson were both hit by pitches. Buco walked to load the bases with two outs and Dan Csaplar got an RBI when he was hit by a pitch to bring in Galvin.

Bates had an unearned run in the fifth inning after Fox got on by error to lead off the frame. He moved to third base on another error and then scored on a double steal with Warren.

Colby won the game in the bottom of the seventh, after Tim Corey led off with a walk and was removed for pinch-runner Conor Bruen. Peter McAuliffe put down a sacrifice to move the runner over and pinch-hitter Nils Carlson laced a single to bring in Bruen with the winning run.

Buco singled and walked in the opener for the Mules.

First-year righthander Anthony Telesca (Holtsville, N.Y.) worked six superb innings in the biggest start of his young career, limiting Colby to one run on two hits and a walk. Burke had a hit and a walk for the Bobcats.