CLINTON, N. Y. — Head coach Tom McCabe became the winningest coach in Bowdoin lacrosse history on Saturday afternoon as the Polar Bears built a big first half lead and held off Hamilton for a 13-9 victory.

The 15th- ranked Polar Bears improved to 4-1 (2-1 NESCAC), while the Continentals fell to 1-4 and remained winless in league play (0-4 NESCAC).

The victory moves McCabe, in his 22nd and final season, past former head coach Mort LaPointe for first place on the school’s all- time wins list with 219. LaPointe won 218 contests over his 21 legendary seasons at the helm of the Polar Bears. McCabe’s career total stands 11th among active Division III coaches and 15th all-time in Division III history.

Mark Flibotte and Franklin Reis scored three goals apiece for Bowdoin, which got a goal and five assists from Patrick Lawlor and two goals with three assists from Billy Bergner. Luke Sisler and Jon Leanos had two goals each for Hamilton.

Chris Williamson made 12 saves for Bowdoin.

Softball

Bowdoin will return north from spring break with a 12-4 record, thanks to a split on its final day in Florida on Friday.

The Polar Bears defeated Union, 4- 2, before losing a nine-inning affair to Luther, 7-6. Bowdoin’s 12-4 start is the best for the program since it posted a 14-2 record in Florida to begin the 2008 season.

Bowdoin rallied past Union in the opener, scoring three times in the fifth and once in the seventh to seal the victory. Nancy Walker settled down after giving up a pair of early runs, finishing with six innings and three strikeouts.

Melissa DellaTorre struck out one batter in the seventh to collect the save. Hillary Smyth sparked the fifth inning rally with a leadoff double and was driven in by Gen Barlow.

In a nightcap, Bowdoin scored three times in the first on a Barlow three-run home run, only to see Luther scrape together three runs over the next seven innings to force extra frames.

Women’s lacrosse

Bowdoin snapped a twogame losing skid with a 13-11 overtime win over Hamilton on Thursday afternoon.

The ninth- ranked Polar Bears finished off their Florida trip with a 3-2 record (2-1 NESCAC). The 13th-ranked Continentals fell to 2-4 (1-3 NESCAC).

Elizabeth Clegg had two goals and two assists, including the game-winning goal in overtime to lead Bowdoin. Taylor Wilson had a breakout game with three goals and an assist, while Carolyn Gorajek continued her torrid pace with three more goals and a helper for Bowdoin. Betsy Sachs also scored twice, including an insurance marker in overtime that sealed the win. Rachel Friendman led all players with five goals for Hamilton.

Tara Connolly was credited with seven saves, while Dewi Caswell made six stops for Hamilton.

Bowdoin is scheduled to return to action at home on Wednesday against Bates at 7 p.m.

Baseball

Bowdoin split a doubleheader with Ramapo on Friday to close out its spring trip to Florida.

The Polar Bears won the opener 4-3 before falling in extra innings in the second game 5-4. Bowdoin returns to Maine with a 10-6 record.

In the opener, Christian Martin pitched a gem, allowing three hits with six strikeouts and two walks. Ian Edwards earned his third save of the trip with two strikeouts in the seventh. Dan Findley led the Bowdoin attack with two hits, a triple, single and RBI.

The Polar Bears lost a heartbreaker in extra frames in game two, 5-4. Tim McGarry went 3-for-4 with a single, double and triple, two runs, two RBIs and a stolen base. Findley went 2-for-4 with two singles and an RBI. Aaron Rosen also had two hits and a stolen base for the Polar Bears. Oliver Van Zant took a no-decision with 5.2 innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out 11.

Bowdoin is scheduled to return to the diamond Saturday when the Bears host Wesleyan at noon.

Women’s tennis

Bowdoin picked up two more wins to close out its California spring trip last week, ending its season-opening trek with a 4-3 mark.

The 15th-ranked Polar Bears defeated No. 18 Sewanee (6-3) and No. 28 Chapman ( 8-1), while losing to No. 8 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (7-2) and Division I Cal State Northridge (7-2). The scheduled match against Rochester was rained out. Bowdoin stands at 4-4, 4-2 against Division III opponents.

Emma Lewis and Chantalle Lavertu led the way for Bowdoin in the four matches, posting a 4-0 record in No. 3 doubles play.

Individually, Lewis had a trio of victories at No. 5 and lost only in the Northridge match in a three-set setback. Lavertu continued her hot play, earning a pair of victories at No. 4. Emily Lombardi also had two wins at No. 3 singles play and teamed with Emma Chow at No. 2 doubles for two additional victories.

The Polar Bears will return to action on Saturday with a pair of matches in Connecticut at Trinity and at Wesleyan.

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