WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Bates wasted no time setting the tone and never looked back Wednesday, rolling to a 14-4 win (8 inn.) over SUNY Fredonia in the opener of a four-game Florida trip. With the victory, the Bobcats improved to 7-1, marking the program's best start to a season since 1950.

Bates capitalized on early miscues and applied pressure immediately, scoring twice in the first inning without recording a hit, then erupting for five runs in the second to seize full control. The Bobcats led 7-0 after two innings and never allowed Fredonia (1-9) back within striking distance.

The offense was relentless throughout, piling up 14 runs on 14 hits while swiping 10 bags and taking advantage of four Fredonia errors. CF Keagan Ryan set the tone at the top of the lineup, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and wreaking havoc on the bases with five steals. 1B David Swift powered the middle of the order, finishing 2-for-4 with three runs scored, a triple, and two RBI, while SS John Federico and 3B Tyler Tucker each added two hits and a run driven in.

Bates showed its depth, receiving contributions up and down the lineup. Henry Prince delivered an RBI double in two at-bats off the bench, Liam Garrett drove in two runs, and Jackson McBride chipped in with a late RBI double as part of a four-run eighth inning that put the Bobcats up by 10 and ended the game.

On the mound, Nolan Hobbs earned the win (1-0) with a strong outing, allowing just one run (unearned) over 5.2 innings while striking out five. The junior hurler recorded five no-hit frames to start the contest. 

The Bobcats will look to keep their momentum rolling Thursday when they take on Framingham State at 1:30 p.m. in Auburndale, Fla.