Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Pinch runner Beth Smith (Delanson, N.Y.) scored on a wild pitch with two outs in the bottom of the sixth to give the University of New England a 5-4 win over Bowdoin College in the first game of a non-conference doubleheader Tuesday afternoon at Claude Dubois Field.

Behind a three-hitter by junior Kara Nilan (Pittsfield, Mass.), the Polar Bears recovered to earn a split with a 3-0 shutout in the nightcap.

With the score tied at 4-4 heading into the home half of the sixth in the opener, senior Jenn Waldecker (Hooksett, N.H.) started the frame with a single through the left side. Smith came on to pinch run and moved to second on a one-out grounder by first-year Erin Grover (Biddeford, Maine). First-year Casey Brigham (New London, Conn.) walked before both Smith and Brigham moved up on a wild pitch. Smith then scored the winning run on another wild pitch, sliding in to narrowly beat the tag.

Both teams got on the scoreboard in the first inning. The Polar Bears plated a pair with two outs on an outfield error by the Nor'easters. UNE responded with three in its half of the frame -- two coming on a double to left-center by sophomore Ashley Gott (Winterport, Maine).

Bowdoin took advantage of two more Big Blue errors in the third to tie the game, 3-3. 

The Nor'easters grabbed the lead right back in the home half of the third when Gott scored on a wild pitch.

Sophomore Amy Hackett (Bangor, Maine) drew the visitors even in the fifth, tripling to right field to score classmate Hillary Smyth (Hollis, N.H.).

Junior pitcher Amber Zablowsky (Rochester, Mass.) earned her 10th win of the season for UNE. She scattered six hits and did not issue a walk. All four of the runs she allowed were unearned as the Nor'easters committed six miscues for the game.

Senior Julia Jacobs (Ridgewood, N.J.) took the loss for the Polar Bears. Jacobs (6-4) struggled with her control, issuing four base on balls and five wild pitches. She fanned five.

Nilan's strong performance in the circle was the story of game two. She faced just three batters over the minimum while walking none and striking out 11 to raise her record to 4-2.

The Polar Bears scored single runs in the first, sixth and seventh innings. Senior Clare Ronan (Jenkintown, Pa.) pushed the first run across with a sacrifice fly. Junior Molly Nestor (Duxbury, Mass.) doubled Bowdoin's lead with an RBI single, then Ronan made the score 3-0 with a bloop double that dropped between three UNE fielders in short right field.

Sophomore Erin Lyons (Salem, N.H.) took the loss for UNE. She allowed 10 hits and two walks while whiffing seven.

Sophomore Caroline Dewar (Katonah, N.Y.) was a repeat hitter for Bowdoin (18-9), which hosts the University of Southern Maine for a non-conference doubleheader tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.

The Nor'easters (18-8) travel to Boston on Thursday for a TCCC twinbill with Wentworth Institute of Techonology (3:30 p.m.).