Bates College's softball team continues to thrive, with junior captain Isabel Bettencourt being named both the NESCAC and Maine State Player of the Week. Over the past week, Bettencourt showcased her power hitting, smashing four home runs and batting .438. In a doubleheader sweep against Wesleyan, she went 3-for-5 with two home runs and four RBIs, followed by a 2-for-3 performance against Hamilton, where she added another home run and three RBIs. Her six home runs this season are just three shy of the Bates record. The Bobcats have won five of their last six games and will host Colby in a doubleheader on April 29.
In baseball, junior designated hitter Henry Prince has been recognized as the Maine State Player of the Week after an impressive stretch where he hit safely in all five games, posting a .421 batting average with two home runs and 11 RBIs. Notably, he hit grand slams in back-to-back games against Southern Maine and Saint Joseph's, driving in seven runs in a 14-2 victory over the Monks. Prince's performance has propelled the Bobcats to a 17-10 record as they prepare for a doubleheader against Lesley on Saturday, which will also feature Senior Day festivities.
The Bates rowing teams demonstrated their strength at the Bates Invitational, going undefeated against Middlebury, Connecticut College, and Bowdoin. The men’s first varsity eight, led by junior coxswain Darien Chiang and senior captain Luke Desmaison, finished first in their race with a time of 5:53.0. The women’s first varsity eight, coxed by sophomore Leah Brody, also claimed victory, crossing the finish line in 6:34.6. Both the men’s and women’s second varsity eights secured wins as well, showcasing the depth of the Bobcats' rowing program.
In women’s golf, sophomore Isabelle Meltzer delivered a standout performance at the Trinity Bantams / Hartford Hawks Women's Spring Invitational, finishing third out of 40 golfers. Meltzer shot a 79 on Saturday and improved to a 77 on Sunday, with her two-day score placing her just seven strokes behind the medalist. Junior captain Mehar Nijjer also performed well, finishing fifth. The Bobcats will next compete at the NESCAC Women’s Golf Championship from May 1-3.
The Bates women’s tennis team concluded its season with a 6-1 loss to Connecticut College. The Camels swept the doubles matches, but senior Isabella Saul secured Bates' only point with a victory at No. 2 singles. Despite the loss, Saul’s win capped her collegiate career on a positive note. The Bobcats finish the season with a record of 2-14, including 1-9 in NESCAC play.
Lastly, Bates track and field recently hosted a successful meet, winning the Champions of Maine event. The Bobcats' performance was highlighted in the latest episode of the Bates Bobcast, which also featured discussions about the softball team's recent success. The track and field team will look to build on this momentum in upcoming competitions.