KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Bates College was unable to break through Thursday in Florida softball action, falling 3-0 to Wisconsin–Platteville before a late rally by Endicott College dealt the Bobcats a 3-2 setback in the nightcap.
GAME ONE
Bates put runners on throughout but couldn't deliver the timely hit in a 3-0 loss to Wisconsin–Platteville to open the day.
The Bobcats scattered seven hits and drew six walks but stranded 13 runners, including multiple scoring opportunities in the middle innings . RF
Maya Lee and P
Delaney Rankin each tallied two hits, while Bates loaded the bases in the fifth and again threatened with three on in the sixth but came away empty.
Platteville capitalized early, scoring twice in the second inning—once on an RBI double by RF Peyton Murphy (3-3) and again on a Bates throwing error—before adding a third run in the third on an RBI single from DP Delaney Johnson.
Rankin (1-2) was charged with the loss, allowing three runs (two earned) over four innings, while
Isabella Albro kept the Bobcats within striking distance with two scoreless frames out of the bullpen.
Payton Gile (1-1) collected the win (4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 BB, 4 K) for the 8-6 Pioneers with Nora Buske (2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K) locking down her first save of the season.
GAME TWO
Endicott scored twice in the seventh inning to rally past Bates, 3-2, in a tightly played nightcap.
Bates struck first in the second when 1B
Sophie Garber delivered an RBI single, scoring Rankin after a lead-off double by the DP. Endicott (5-5) tied the game at 1-1 with a sacrifice fly in the third frame.
The Bobcats regained the lead in the fifth, as Garber (single), 2B
Maddy Miller (sac bunt), and 3B
Emma Yen (bunt single, stolen base) set the table before SS
Ella Maher drove in the go-ahead run with a single to center.
Brigid Gaffny (0-2) turned in a strong outing in the circle (6.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K) holding Endicott to one run through six innings.The Gulls broke through in the seventh, however, loading the bases on two singles and walk before a Bates two-out miscue brought in a pair of unearned runs to give Endicott the lead.
Garber paced the offense with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, while the Bobcats once again finished with seven hits but were unable to produce a late answer, leaving the tying run at third in the final inning.
Analise Grady (2-2) went the distance for Gulls (7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER).
Bates (3-4) concludes its annual trek to the Sunshine State Friday with contests vs. SUNY Brockport (10:00 a.m.) and Ursinus College (12:30 p.m.).
