Bobcats Roll Past Fredonia, 14-4, for Best Start Since 1950

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Bates wasted no time setting the tone and never looked back Wednesday, rolling to a 14-4 win (8 inn.) over SUNY Fredonia in the opener of a four-game Florida trip. With the victory, the Bobcats improved to 7-1, marking the program's best start to a season since 1950.

Bates capitalized on early miscues and applied pressure immediately, scoring twice in the first inning without recording a hit, then erupting for five runs in the second to seize full control. The Bobcats led 7-0 after two innings and never allowed Fredonia (1-9) back within striking distance.

The offense was relentless throughout, piling up 14 runs on 14 hits while swiping 10 bags and taking advantage of four Fredonia errors. CF

** **Keagan Ryan set the tone at the top of the lineup, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and wreaking havoc on the bases with five steals. 1B

David Swift powered the middle of the order, finishing 2-for-4 with three runs scored, a triple, and two RBI, while SS

John Federico and 3B

Tyler Tucker each added two hits and a run driven in.

Bates showed its depth, receiving contributions up and down the lineup. Henry Prince delivered an RBI double in two at-bats off the bench,** Liam Garrett drove in two runs, and **Jackson McBride chipped in with a late RBI double as part of a four-run eighth inning that put the Bobcats up by 10 and ended the game.

On the mound, Nolan Hobbs earned the win (1-0) with a strong outing, allowing just one run (unearned) over 5.2 innings while striking out five. The junior hurler recorded five no-hit frames to start the contest.

The Bobcats will look to keep their momentum rolling Thursday when they take on Framingham State at 1:30 p.m. in Auburndale, Fla.