WORCESTER, Mass. — The Bates men’s rowing team claimed its first New England Small College Athletic Conference Championship on Sunday at the ECAC National Invitational Rowing Championships, as the first varsity eight from a NESCAC school to finish the men’s varsity eight grand final.

Bates’ MV8 claimed the bronze medal in the grand final. The race doubles as the NESCAC Men’s Rowing Championship, which has existed since 2004. The Bobcats covered the 2,000-meter Lake Quinsigamond course in 6:28.404, trailing only gold medalist Michigan (6:15.252) and Hobart (6:18.363). NESCAC rival Williams, which has won the past six NESCAC titles, was fourth in 6:32.877, followed by Boston College (6:34.716) and a third NESCAC team, Wesleyan (6:35.738).

The Bobcats become the first Bates men’s team to claim a NESCAC title since men’s track and field won the conference crown in 2012.

The Bates women’s rowing team won the grand final in the women’s varsity eight (WV8), second eight (W2V8) and third eight (W3V8) for the second straight year Sunday at the ECAC National Invitational Rowing Championships. The WV8 competition at the regatta doubles as the NESCAC Championship, giving the Bobcats their second consecutive NESCAC crown as well.

The Bates men’s rowing team also saw its M2V8 reach the petite final and finish second narrowly behind Boston College, 6:38.991 to 6:37.876, with Ithaca a close third (6:39.240). Hobart won the M2V8 grand final over Michigan.

Bates placed third in the M3V8 petite final in 6:56.691, behind Hobart (6:47.460) and Boston College (6:54.201).

Rock Cats sweep Dogs

PORTLAND — The New Britain Rock Cats (22-7) completed their sweep of the Sea Dogs (11-19) with a 7-3 win on Sunday afternoon at Hadlock Field. It marks the first time New Britain has swept a series in Portland since April 27-29, 2001.

The Rock Cats have now won nine straight games, while the Sea Dogs have dropped four in a row and seven straight at home.

The game was tied 3-3 after seven innings, but New Britain sent nine men to the plate in the eighth against Jonathan Aro.

Neither starting pitcher factored into the decision. Mike McCarthy allowed one earned run on five hits while walking one and striking out two in five innings. Matt Flemer went five-plus and allowed three earned runs on six hits, walking one and striking out one.

Gus Schlosser (6-2) picked up the win in relief, going the final three innings and allowing just one baserunner on a walk to Jantzen Witte (0-3, BB). Aro (3-2) was the losing pitcher, allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits in one inning, walking one and striking out three.

The Trenton Thunder come to Hadlock Field to begin three-game series Monday night, first pitch is at 6 p.m.

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