BRUNSWICK — The Bowdoin College softball team opened its home schedule with a doubleheader sweep of the University of Maine at Farmington, 1-0 and 11-0, on Thursday afternoon at Pickard Field.

The Polar Bears improve to 8-13 this season. UMF falls to 0-6.

Bowdoin prevailed in a pitcher’s duel in the opener. Melissa DellaTorre permitted four hits and struck out nine to lead the Polar Bears.

Despite nine hits, Bowdoin was unable to get to Farmington pitcher Emma Vaillancourt until the final inning. Hillary Smyth got the rally started with a walk, and Bowdoin loaded the bases with no outs.

Amy Hackett, who went 3-for-3 in the opener, hit a looper to deep short that allowed Smyth to race home with the game’s lone run to clinch the victory.

The Polar Bears used a four-run third inning and a seven-run fourth to seal a mercy-rule victory in the nightcap. Bowdoin scored all four runs with two outs in the fourth frame. Doubles by Smyth, Toni DaCampo and Gen Barlow keyed the rally.

Bowdoin batted around without an out to start the fourth frame. The first nine Polar Bears reached base in the inning. Tricia Thibodeau did the rest in the circle for Bowdoin, allowing one hit over five innings for the win. Kaitlyn Bartlett was tagged with the loss for Farmington after allowing 13 hits and 10 earned runs.

Bartlett led the Beaver offense with two hits on the afternoon. Hackett finished the day with four hits, including a triple and two RBIs, and a pair of walks for the Polar Bears. Molly Nestor had four hits, while Casey Correa and Barlow had three hits apiece.