Softball Overpowered by Unbeaten Olivet, Bests Bethany Lutheran

FORT MYERS, Fla.- The Eastern Nazarene split a pair of contests Thursday at the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Fla., falling to Olivet 12-2 before bouncing back to earn a 5-1 win over Bethany Lutheran.

With the results, the Lions' record stands at 3-5 heading into the final day of action in the Sunshine State. Olivet remained undefeated on the spring, improving to 10-0 overall. Bethany Lutheran absorbed its 10th straight loss as it dropped to 0-10 on the year.

Sophomore Sterling Marino (North Kingstown, R.I.) recorded a team-high four base hits on the day while also scoring a run. Olivia Tovar (Coarsegold, Calif.) collected two hits and drove in three RBIs. Carissa Cicolini (Methuen, Mass.) notched a pair of base knocks and crossed the plate twice while rookie Shelby Bass (Visalia, Calif.) picked up a hit in both games.

In Eastern Nazarene's morning bout against Olivet, the Comets struck first with two runs in the top half of the first frame. Terri Hurosky doubled to the gap in right-center to drive in Ashlynn Grubb and Kelsey Scheenks with two outs.

Olivet pushed across three runs in the third to stretch its lead to 5-0. Hurosky registered her third and fourth RBIs of the contest with a two-run single up the middle as Alyssa Nielsen and Scheenks both crossed the plate. Hurosky came around to score the Comet's fifth run of the game as she stole home.

The Comets tallied three times in the sixth inning to grab an 8-0 advantage. Grubb belted a three-run homer over the centerfield fence to score Ashley Milheim and Scheenks with two away in the frame.

The Lions got on the board in the home half of the sixth to cut the deficit to 8-1. Kendra Brasil (Methuen, Mass.) led off the inning with a walk before swiping second base. After Brasil advanced to third on a groundout, Cayla Clinkscale (Winchendon, Mass.) dropped down a sacrifice bunt to allow the sophomore to scamper home.

Olivet chalked up four scores in the final frame, widening the margin to 12-1. The Comet's first three batters of the inning reached base to load the bags with no outs. Lauren Lenard touched the dish on a wild pitch and Devon Mayse followed with an RBI single to left field. Scheenks drove in Olivet's final two runs of the game with a base hit to center to plate Morgan Stratton and Mayse.

Eastern Nazarene plated a run in the bottom of the seventh, pulling the final score to 12-2. Cicolini scored as Tovar reached on a fielder's choice with one out.

Tovar worked six innings in the pitcher's circle in her fourth outing of the spring for the Lions. Cicolini relieved Tovar in the seventh and struck out three of the four batters she faced.

Eastern Nazarene rebounded in the second game of the day, wasting no time in claiming an early lead with two runs in the top of the first. Abigail Moore (Sheridan, Calif.) crossed the plate with the Lions' first run as Sam Losano (Elverta, Calif.) got aboard on a fielding error. Tovar drove in Eastern Nazarene's second tally of the frame, smacking a single to center to score Cicolini from second.

The Lions padded their lead with three scores in the seventh, extending their advantage to 5-0. With the bases full and one out, Tovar looped a gapper to left-center to plate Brianna Ferraro (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Marino. Losano raced home as Krystal Holl (Hagerstown, Md.) rolled a base knock through the infield and into left field.

Bethany Lutheran broke up the shutout bid in the bottom of the seventh. Adria Dahlke sprinted home from first with the Vikings' lone run of the game as Gena Chester landed a double in right-centerfield.

Cicolini was credited with her third victory of the season, tossing a complete game and retiring seven by way of the "K" to finish the day with 10 strikeouts.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene will close out play at the Gene Cusic Classic March 14 with clashes against Mount Saint Mary (N.Y.) and the University of Minnesota-Morris.