LEWISTON, Maine -- The nationally ranked Bates College Bobcats defeated the University of Southern Maine Huskies, 9-0, in a non-conference men's tennis match Friday night at Merrill Track.

            The Bobcats, who entered the match after a 9-0 win over Babson College earlier in the day, are rated 24th in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division III rankings.  The Bobcats improved to 3-2 with the two wins.  Playing their season-opening match, the Huskies fall to 0-1.

            Bates freshman Tim Berg (Bradenton, Fla.) and senior Sam Woods (Cambridge, N.Y./Cambridge Central) teamed at first doubles to put away the USM team of senior Zach Caron (North Conway, N.H.) and junior Matt Larson (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) 8-1.  The Bobcats cruised through the rest of their doubles matches, allowing just four points, to take a 3-0 lead into singles play. 

            Caron battled Bates' freshman Peter Yanofsky (Belmont, Mass.) at first singles before falling in straight sets 6-3, 6-1.  From there, Bates cruised through the next five points for the 9-0 win. 

            Southern Maine hosts Colby-Sawyer College in its first home match of the season on March 20 (6:00 p.m.).  Bates travels to M.I.T. on Saturday (12:00 p.m.).

-cac-