B Brenna Callahan hit a two run home run against Husson on April 22, 2015. (File Photo by Kim Lloyd/Bates College)

LEWISTON, Maine - The Bates softball team earned a split against Husson University Wednesday afternoon in a non-conference doubleheader at Lafayette Street Field. The Bobcats dropped game one, 1-0 but rallied for a 4-0 victory in the nightcap.

Bates (6-18) had several scoring opportunities in game one, but couldn't punch a run through as Kayla Merrill went the distance for Husson (18-10) throwing a two-hit shut out while striking out seven. Merrill and Haley Spiers each had multi-hit games for the Eagles. Kelsey Freedman (Falmouth, Maine) struck out eight for Bates in the loss.

In game two, the Bobcats were led by Brenna Callahan (Milton, Mass.) who tossed five and a third shutout innings and launched a two-run home run to help her cause. Freedman pitched the final inning and two thirds to net the save, getting out of a bases loaded jam in the sixth. Lindsey Merrill recorded the lone multi-hit game for the Eagles in game two, while Alannah Healy and Deb Colpitts shared the pitching duties.

The Bobcats return to action on April 23 when they travel to the University of New England for a double header beginning at 3:00.

Game one, Husson 1, Bates 0

The Eagles threatened first in this pitcher's duel, loading the bases in the top of the third. Nicole Andrade drew a one out walk and Kayla Merrill doubled to right center field, putting runners on second and third with one out. Freedman struck out Allie Hill before walking Lyndsay Merrill to load the bases, but the senior right hander was able to get Casey Lopes to fly out to second to end the inning.

Both pitchers benefited from solid defense behind them, as Bates shortstop Maddie Inlow (Falmouth, Maine) turned an unassisted double play to empty the bases in the first, and Husson's Haley Spiers made a nice diving catch on a fly ball to end the Bobcat second inning.

Both teams had base runners throughout the next few innings, with Husson stranding a total of seven runners for the game while Bates stranded four. The Eagles finally broke through with the game's first run in the top of the fifth. Andrade and Kayla Merrill singled to start the frame, and moved over on a sacrifice bunt from Hill. Lyndsay Merrill then hit a long fly ball down the left field line that Bates outfielder Emma Schiller (Natick, Mass.) caught in foul territory, and Andrade tagged and scored from third for what would prove to be the game winning run.

Freedman and Callahan had the two hits for the Bobcats, while Kayla Merrill and Spiers both recorded two hits for the Eagles. Freedman allowed only one run on six hits while striking out eight, while Kayla Merrill struck out seven in the complete game shut out to improve to 9-4 on the season.

Game two, Bates 4, Husson 0

The Eagles started the game with a pair of singles by Kayla Merrill and Hill, and both moved up on a wild pitch to put runners on second and third with nobody out. Lyndsey Merrill flied out to shallow field forcing both runners to hold, and Bates starter Callahan was able to induce back to back ground balls to end the threat.

Bates got to Husson starter Alannah Healy for two runs in the second inning, as Callahan walked to start the frame and Jenney Abbott (Rangeley, Maine) followed with a single. Paige Ahlholm (North Andover, Mass.) doubled to right center field to score the Bobcats first run of the day. Two batters later, Abbott came home on an error to give Bates the 2-0 lead.

Husson again put runners in scoring position in the third. Hill reached on an error and Lyndsey Merrill singled. Both runners moved up on a sacrifice bunt from Casey Lopes, but a safety squeeze attempt from Gabrielle Bryant was fielded by catcher Victoria Fitzgerald (Holliston, Mass.) who tagged out Hill at the plate. Callahan induced a ground ball from Husson's leading home run hitter, Sami Schultz to again end the threat.

Callahan added to the Bobcat lead in the third when she launched her first home run of the season over the right field fence, scoring Kira Shaikh (Manchester, Conn.) who reached on a single.

The Eagles mounted a final threat in the top of the sixth. After back to back singles from Schultz and Spiers, Chelsea Brennan walked to load the bases with one out. Freedman came in to pitch for Bates and immediately got Kayla Merrill to hit the ground ball and Bates got the force at home. Hill then fouled out to end the frame and keep the combined shut out in tact.

Callahan and Shaikh led Bates on offense, as Shaikh was 2-3 with a run scored and Callahan was 2-2 with two RBIs. Ahlholm picked up the other RBI for the Bobcats.