While most Tufts students were enjoying Spring Fling this Saturday, the women's softball team traveled to Maine to face the Bowdoin Polar Bears in the season's most important contest. When the doubleheader was completed, the Jumbos had accomplished one of two goals: Securing the top spot in the NESCAC East for home field advantage in next weekend's NESCAC Tournament.
Tufts won the first game 8-0 before dropping the nightcap 6-4, ending the prospects for goal number two: Finishing the season undefeated in conference play.
Both Bowdoin and Tufts entered the game 7-0 in the NESCAC, but because the Jumbos' overall record (23-9) was better than the Polar Bears' mark (16-5), Tufts only needed a split to finish atop the conference.
"The main drive for us was that we wanted to host the tournament," senior co-captain Randee McArdle said.
Last year's split with Bowdoin included a tough 10-0 loss for the Jumbos, who were determined to avenge the loss this weekend and clinch the number one seed in the East. Playing in Maine on Bowdoin's Senior Day, the Jumbos faced a highly emotional Polar Bear team.
"There was a lot of talk about going back in and showing them that we could beat them. All that hype drives us to beat them even more," junior Jodie Moreau said.
Bowdoin's hopes were quickly dashed in the opener, as the Jumbos jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on McArdle's two-run double in the first inning. Junior Tiffany Trahan added to the lead in a three-run second inning with a two-run single, putting the Jumbos ahead 5-0.
While the offense rocked Polar Bear pitcher Gina Laugelli, Moreau quieted the Bowdoin bats with another strong pitching performance. Carrying a perfect game into the bottom of the sixth inning, Moreau's bid was broken by a double.
"I threw her a changeup which I shouldn't have done. I knew better than to do that, but at the time it seemed like a good idea," Moreau said.
She ended the outing by shutting out Bowdoin's offense for the remainder of the game, allowing only one hit and improving her record to 11-3.
"When Jodie's pitching, the team has so much confidence. She's been really great this year and a lot of our success is due to her pitching," McArdle said.
But after beating Bowdoin to secure the home field advantage in next week's tournament, the Jumbos were unable to complete the sweep.
In the second game, Tufts once again jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on freshman Julie Fox's two-run double, as the Jumbos quickly chased Bowdoin's starter Julie Jassaume.
Tufts entered the third inning leading 4-2, but was unable to prevent Bowdoin from rallying. Tying the game with an RBI double of their own in the bottom of the inning, the Polar Bears scored four runs to go ahead 6-4. That was the way the game would end, as senior co-captain Rachel Brecher suffered the loss (8-6).
Despite falling to the Polar Bears, the Jumbos suffered no ill consequences, having already secured home field advantage with a victory in the first game.
"At that point, we were looking ahead to this weekend and the win just wasn't that important," McArdle said.
Wrapping up their regular season this weekend, the Jumbos now look forward to the NESCAC tournament which will hopefully be followed by an NCAA World Series berth, where the Jumbos would return as defending New England champions. After a strong season, the team is pleased to have home field advantage this weekend.
"We deserve to host the tournament," Moreau said.
