Lewiston, ME - The Colby College Mules (14-8, 2-2 NESCAC) used a dominant mid-game surge to defeat the Bates College Bobcats (16-4, 4-3 NESCAC) by a score of 9-1 on Friday afternoon at Leahey Field. After falling behind early, Colby broke the game open with a five-run sixth inning and never looked back.

Mule Moments:

• Bates set the tone early, manufacturing a run in the first inning on a sacrifice bunt to take a quick 1-0 lead.
• Colby chipped away and found an equalizer in the fourth, as Myles Gythfeldt came around to score on a Bates throwing error to even things at 1-1.
• The game shifted dramatically in the sixth inning, when the Mules strung together quality at-bats and took advantage of a Bates miscue to plate five runs.
• Jeb Burkhart delivered the breakthrough moment with a two-RBI double down the line, giving Colby its first lead of the afternoon.
• Max Diamond followed immediately with an RBI double of his own, and Sam Nigro worked a bases-loaded walk before Patrick Shrake added another run on a fielder's choice to cap the rally.
• With momentum firmly on their side, Colby added on in the seventh when Marco Zirpolo lined an RBI single to extend the lead.
• The Mules continued to apply pressure late, adding two more runs in the ninth on a Diamond RBI single and a sacrifice fly from Henry Silva.
• On the mound, Thomas Rioux settled in after the first inning and was in complete control the rest of the way, finishing off a complete game while allowing just one run on five hits.
• Behind timely hitting and a steady presence on the mound, Colby turned an early deficit into a decisive conference win.

The Mules will look to carry the momentum forward as they continue NESCAC play this weekend.