HARTFORD, Conn. -- Bates baseball split its NESCAC doubleheader at Trinity on Saturday, dropping an 11–8 decision in the opener before responding with a 10–4 victory in Game 2. Trinity claimed the three-game series after earning an 11–2 win in Friday's contest.
GAME ONE
Bates jumped out quickly and showed offensive life throughout, but a six-run fifth inning from Trinity proved decisive in an 11–8 setback.
The Bobcats struck first with two runs in the opening frame and regained momentum in the fifth, capitalizing on Trinity miscues to plate three runs and take a 5–4 lead. Henry Prince delivered an RBI single in the rally, while Gibby Sullivan reached on an error that allowed two runs to score.
Trinity (11-4, 2-1 NESCAC) answered immediately and emphatically. The Bantams used just two hits and took advantage of defensive errors to erupt for six runs in the bottom of the fifth, turning a one-run deficit into a 10–5 advantage.
Bates didn't go quietly, adding three runs in the sixth to cut the deficit to two, highlighted by continued production from Jack Margiloff and Keagan Ryan at the top of the lineup. Margiloff finished 3-for-4 with three runs scored, while Ryan reached base three times and scored three runs.
Drew McGowan (3-2) earned the win for the Bantams while Charlie Bushley (3-2) suffered the loss in the start for Bates.
GAME TWO
Bates flipped the script in the nightcap, using a balanced offensive effort and timely power to secure a 10–4 victory.
After falling behind 1–0 early, the Bobcats took control in the middle innings. Prince's two-run double in the fourth gave Bates its first lead, and Sullivan added a two-run single in the fifth to extend the advantage to 4–2.
The game remained tight until the seventh, when Margiloff broke it open with a two-run home run to right, pushing the lead to 6–3. Margiloff led the way with a 4-for-5 performance, while Sullivan also had four hits and three RBI in a standout effort.
Bates added insurance in the ninth, scoring four times to put the game out of reach.
On the mound, Nolan Hobbs (2-0) earned the win with five innings of work, allowing just two runs (one earned). Charlie Cariello closed the door over the final 3.2 innings to secure the save.
The Bobcats (11-3, 1-2 NESCAC) journey home to host St. Joseph's College of Maine this Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. in a non-conference tilt.