LEWISTON, Maine -- Colby College scored two in the first and two in the sixth to defeat the Bates baseball team by a count of 4-1 Sunday afternoon at Leahey Field.
The Mules (3-11, 1-2 NESCAC) got a tremendous performance on the mound from Paul Ariola (1-1), who earned his first collegiate win by going seven innings, allowing just one run (which was unearned) on five hits. He worked around five walks while striking out six. Bates (7-10, 3-3 NESCAC) left 10 on base in the game and hit into two double plays.
Colby scored all of its runs on the afternoon with two outs. In the top of the first, Bates starter Justin Foley (Lynnfield, Mass.) retired the first two batters with ease. But then Matt Treveloni and William Wessman drew walks. That set up Will Phillips, who doubled to right-center, plating both runners and putting the Mules up 2-0.
Foley (2-3) settled down after that and shut down the Mules until the sixth inning. In the sixth, the Mules struck again with two outs and nobody on. Treveloni and Wessman singled. Phillips got hit by a pitch to load the bases for Jackson Ward. After an extended battle, Ward doubled down the left field line to score two, extending the Colby lead to 4-0.
The Bobcats got one back in the seventh. Sophomore Jack Arend (Newfields, N.H.) walked to start the frame and advanced to second on a wild pitch. One out later, sophomore Will Sylvia (Newton, Mass.) hit a grounder to first. Ariola was late covering the bag and Sylvia reached on an infield single. On top of that, the throw from Colby first baseman Tyler Mulberry was wide of the mark, getting away and allowing Arend to score. But Sylvia was thrown out attempting to advance to second on the play.
Ward moved from second base to pitcher to begin the eighth inning for Colby. The Bobcats loaded the bases with two outs via walks but Ward got out of the jam to keep the Mule lead at three.
Foley went five and two thirds innings for Bates, allowing four runs on six hits. He walked three and struck out three.
The Bates bullpen turned in a fine outing with junior Alex Simon (Windsor, Conn.), sophomore Miles Michaud (Madison, Conn.) and senior captain Jake Shapiro (Sandy, Utah) combining to toss three and a third innings of shutout ball.
Ward worked around a one-out walk in the ninth to earn his second save of the season.
The Mules outhit the Bobcats 9-5 on the day, with Treveloni and Wessman both going 2-3 at the plate with two runs scored and a walk. Phillips and Ward added a two-RBI double each.
Sophomore Kyle Carter (Plantation, Fla.) had the best day at the plate for the Bobcats, going 1-1 with a pair of walks and a sacrifice bunt.
The Bobcats host Williams next Saturday and Sunday for a pair of doubleheaders, both starting at noon.
