LEWISTON, Maine — Bates softball used a pair of late offensive bursts and strong pitching performances to sweep Saint Joseph's College in a non-conference doubleheader Wednesday afternoon at Lafayette Street Field.

The Bobcats took game one, 8-2, before completing the sweep with an 8-0, six-inning shutout in the nightcap.

In the opener, Bates broke open a 1-1 game with a three-run fifth inning and added four more runs in the sixth to pull away. 

C Isabel Bettencourt sparked the offense early with a solo home run to center in the second inning (3rd of year), and 2B Maddy Miller later added a two-run homer (3rd) in the sixth as part of the decisive stretch. 

1B Sophie Garber (2-for-4), SS Ella Maher (2-for-4, RBI), LF Sienna Pietrasiewicz (2-for-4) each recorded multi-hit games for the victors.

Brigid Gaffny (1-6) earned the complete-game victory in the circle, allowing two runs on nine hits over seven innings.

Bates carried that momentum into game two, where Claire Ballard (2-2) delivered a dominant performance in a six-inning, 8-0 shutout. Ballard allowed just five hits without issuing a walk.

Offensively, the Bobcats struck first with two runs in the second inning before gradually building the lead. CF Zariya Anderson (2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI) delivered the biggest swing of the day, ripping a two-run triple in the sixth as part of a five-run inning that put the game well out of reach.

With the sweep, the Bobcats improve to 11-16 while the Monks dip to 14-18.

The garnet and white will now return to NESCAC action this Saturday with a home twin-bill scheduled vs. Hamilton. First pitch is set for noon.