BRUNSWICK, Maine -- A Kennedy Jones two-run homer, along with a complete-game, six-strikeout performance in the circle by Delaney Rankin, led Bates College to a 6-3, game-two victory Sunday at Bowdoin College, salvaging a Sunday softball split for the Bobcats.

The host-Polar Bears put the garnet and white on ice in game one by collecting a 9-1, six-inning triumph in the opener.

GAME ONE

Thanks to a 17-hit, nine-run offensive onslaught, highlighted by a five-spot in the home half of the fourth inning, Bowdoin cruised to the 9-1, mercy-rule triumph.

The Bobcats were the first to light up the scoreboard in the opener as 1B Rachel Liazos (2-for-3) rapped a two-out RBI single to center, plating Jones (double) from second base. 

That would be it for Bates at the dish as the Polar Bears proceeded to pounce for nine unanswered over the next five frames to secure the NESCAC win.

Six members of the Bowdoin lineup recorded 2+ hits in the contest. LF Kyla Gary (2-for-3, 2 R), SS Elise Siciliano (2-for-4), and RF Penelope Fong-Picariello (1-for-3, 2B, R) each contributed a pair of ribbies in the rout.

Maddie Current improved to 8-2 on the year with the complete-game performance (6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K). First-year Isabella Albro (2-7) suffered the loss for the visitors.

GAME TWO

Two runs in the third inning, followed by three more in the fourth, provided the Bobcats a 5-0 lead that they would not relinquish as Bates held off the Polar Bears, 6-3, in the nightcap.

The Bobcats inflated its lead to 6-0, courtesy of a run-inducing ground out in the top of the sixth. Bowdoin (21-9, 5-5 NESCAC) did its best to overcome Bates by scoring three runs on five hits in the home half of the frame, but the comeback bid would go no further.

Jones launched her second dinger of the season, a two-run shot to left in the third. 2B Elizabeth Pellini added a RBI double in the fourth, followed by an Ella Maher two-run, two-bagger later in the inning.

Rankin (5-7) went the distance (7.0 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 6 K) to collect the victory. Bowdoin starting pitcher, Ava Biasotti (1-2), took the defeat (4.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, BB, 3 K).

Bates (7-16, 4-8 NESCAC) looks to (finally) play its first contest on home turf this Wednesday when the Bobcats host Husson University at 3:00 p.m. for a non-conference twin-bill.