MEDFORD, Mass. -- A day after making history with its first-ever NESCAC postseason triumph, Bates College saw its softball season come to a sudden end Saturday as the #7 Bobcats dropped a 2-1 decision to #3 Williams in the semifinal round.

The Ephs (21-15) now advance to Sunday's championship game where they will take on top-seeded Tufts University. The host-Jumbos (37-3), ranked #6 in the nation, defeated #4 seed Colby College, 12-4, earlier in the day to move on.

Williams immediately opened the scoring in the top of the first vs. Bates as the Ephs took an initial 1-0 lead (unearned run), courtesy of an RBI double off the bat of C Sydney Fleming. The Bobcats bounced back in the home half of the frame with LF Sarah Cooke bringing in the equalizer with a bases-loaded walk.

After the first two batters of the second inning were put away via ground outs, Williams' Adyha Tandon unleashed a solo home run to left, putting the Ephs ahead by a slim 2-1 margin.

The lead would prove to be more than enough for first-year pitcher, Sadie Leonard, as the first-year phenom put up six scoreless innings the rest of the way to earn the triumph (15-4). Leonard struck out 12 batters in the complete-game performance (7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB), giving the ace 33 K's in 16.2 innings pitched vs. the Bobcats over the last week.

Madison Hollis (6-8), in what would be the final start of her season, permitted just the two runs (1 ER) on five hits and no free passes (1 K) for the garnet and white. Delaney Rankin pitched two scoreless stanzas (2 H, 2 K) in relief of her fellow first-year.

The Bobcats finish the year at 16-17-1, the program's highest win total since completing 2018 at 20-14.