CLERMONT, Fla . -- Bates College played not one, not two ... but THREE contests on Thursday in the PFX Spring Games, taking the diamond vs. Smith College, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and Worcester State University for a softball triple-header.

GAME ONE
Smith College (6-4), after plating an unearned run in both the first and third innings, held on to defeat the Bobcats, 2-1, in the first game of the afternoon for the garnet and white.

LF Lexi Balam reached on a one-out walk before advancing to second on fielding error by Bates. Balam then came around to score the Pioneers' first run of the contest, courtesy of a first-inning, two-out RBI single to right-center by SS Piper Corey.

In the third frame, it would be Balam in the mix again as the senior reached base on a fielder's choice and advanced on a Bobcat throwing error. It would be 1B Juno Shantz that would bring home Balam this time, doing so with a one-out single to left.

Bates would break up the shutout bid in the top of the sixth as Kennedy Jones' sacrifice fly to left plated DP Zariya Anderson after the first-year led off the inning with her first collegiate triple.

Emilie Doty personally improved to 4-1 in the circle for Smith, scattering four hits and striking out five (2 BB) in the complete-game performance. Despite the result, Delaney Rankin dazzled for the Bobcats, allowing only the two unearned runs on three hits and a walk (8 K) over her six innings of work.

GAME TWO
Leading 3-1 after three-full, Wisconsin-Whitewater unloaded for seven runs on six hits and a pair of Bobcat defensive miscues to lock down a 10-1, mercy-rule triumph to remain undefeated (8-0) on the young season.

Ava Kostecki (1-1), in relief of starting pitcher Josie Hammen (3.0 IP, 4 H, R, 2 K), earned the win (1.1 IP, 2 BB). Brooke Hock gathered her third save of the season (1.2 IP, H, 2 K). Isabella Albro (1-3) took the loss for the Bobcats.

LF Sarah Cooke enjoyed her first multi-hit of the year for the garnet and white. Four players contributed multi-hit efforts for the Warhawks, including LF Maggie Ward who went 3-for-4 (2 R, RBI) at the dish for the victors.

GAME THREE
A sacrifice fly off the bat of SS Emma Lanpher brought in RF Cali Brouillard from third base with the game-winner as Worcester State University provided the Bobcats their second 2-1 setback of the day, this time in extra frames (eight innings).

Bates scored the game's initial run in the top of the fifth when Jones again drove in Anderson from third with a sacrifice fly, her team-leading third of the season. The Lancers countered in the bottom of the frame as a Lanpher triple down the right-field line brought CF Bailey Tammaro around from first after the sophomore singled.

The Bobcats, playing their second extra-inning game of the week, squandered an opportunity to capture victory in the top of the eighth as Bates, with the bases loaded and no outs, were unable to push a single run across to take the lead.

Brouillard, who was placed at second as the automatic runner to open the bottom of the eighth, immediately advanced to third on a passed ball. Lanpher did the rest as the junior's line drive to right was plenty deep to bring in Brouillard.

Anderson (3-for-4) and Jones (2-for-3) accounted for five of the Bobcats' eight hits in the nightcap.

Emily Bartlett (2-3) earned the hard-fought victory (8.0 IP, 8 H, R, ER, 2 BB, 7 K) for the 5-6 Lancers. Rankin (1-4), flinging her second gem of the day (7.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, ER, 3 K) was again saddled with the loss.

Bates (2-7) concludes its Sunshine State tour Friday at 3:45 p.m. vs. Union College.