CLINTON, N.Y. -- Bates softball came up short in both ends of a NESCAC doubleheader Sunday at Hamilton, falling 3–1 and 6–4 in the twin-bill.

GAME ONE
The Continentals struck first in the bottom of the third of the opener when SS Alison Zorn led off with a triple and came home on a Jordan Merklin sacrifice fly. Bates tied things up in the top of the fourth after RF Grace Householter singled and scored on an RBI base hit from DP Misora Hashiramoto. The Bobcats threatened for more in the frame, but had a runner thrown out at the plate to keep the score even.

Hamilton regained the lead in the fifth when C Ella Heftved walked and later scored on a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded. Zorn gave Hamilton insurance in the sixth with an RBI double that brought home pinch-hitter Lydia Mirabito.

Emma Tansky (6-1) went the distance in the circle for the win, scattering seven hits and five walks. while allowing just one run and striking out four., over seven full. At the plate, the senior added two hits of her own, including a key single during Hamilton's fifth-inning rally.

The Bobcats had opportunities, including a triple by LF Sienna Pietrasiewicz in the fifth and a runner on second in the seventh, but couldn't break through against Tansky, who worked out of potential jams in multiple innings.

Bates starter Delaney Rankin (9-3) took the loss despite another solid outing. The junior ace allowed three runs on six hit,s while walking three and striking out four, in her 12th complete game in as many starts.

GAME TWO
Bates mounted a spirited seventh-inning rally but couldn't overcome an early deficit, falling to Hamilton 6–4 in the nightcap.

After being held to one run through six innings, the Bobcats strung together three in the top of the seventh to cut what had been a five-run deficit to just two. Sophomore catcher Isabel Bettencourt delivered a two-run double to right center, capping a three-hit performance at the plate. Householter followed with an RBI single, driving in Bettencourt to make it 6–4, but Hamilton's Teagan Graham (4-2) escaped further damage to seal the win.

The Continentals built their lead with a five-run third inning that included RBI hits from 2B Miranda Mosqueda, CF Alexis Mayer, RF Gaby Guerra, and INF Nikki Dyche. Mayer finished the day with two hits, including a triple.

Isabella Albro (0-3) started in the circle for Bates and was charged with five runs over 2.2 innings pitched. Brigid Gaffny provided 3.1 innings of relief, allowing just two hits and one run while keeping Bates within striking distance.

CF Zariya Anderson (2-for-4) contributed a double and an RBI in the setback, while SS Ella Maher scored twice. 

The Bobcats (14-10, 6-6 NESCAC) return to action on Tuesday, Apr. 22 (3:00 p.m.) with a non-conference doubleheader at Husson.