Softball Suffers Pair of Losses at University of New England

BIDDEFORD, Maine- The Eastern Nazarene softball team dropped a league doubleheader at the University of New England Thursday afternoon.

The Lions absorbed setbacks of 8-0 and 9-1 to slide to 7-19 on the year and 3-13 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference. The Nor'easters improve to 22-12 overall and 12-6 in conference play with the wins.

Sterling Marino (North Kingstown, R.I.) notched a base hit and an RBI on the day. Abigail Moore (Sheridan, Calif.) collected a hit and scored a run in the twinbill while Sam Losano (Elverta, Calif.) added a base knock.

In game one, the home side claimed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Amanda Vaudreuil blasted a one-out solo homer to left-center.

The University of New England posted six runs in the fifth frame to stretch its advantage to 7-0. Vaudreuil opened the scoring in the inning with a two-run home run to drive in Allie Frazier. Abby Lambert followed with a single down the line in left field to plate Adrienne Chase and Kelly Murphy. Ali Stanley capped off the frame with a single to right-center to score Jessica Potter and Lambert.

The Nor'easters tallied their eighth run of the contest in the sixth. After a leadoff triple by Frazier, Vaudreuil landed a single in right-center to drive in Frazier as the hosts secured an 8-0 victory.

Olivia Tovar (Coarsegold, Calif.) pitched a complete game in her 13th outing of the spring.

In the second contest, the University of New England erupted for six runs in the home half of the first inning. Chase, Meghan Bolano and Amanda Vallante each picked up one RBI while Stanley registered three RBIs.

The Nor'easters tacked on a pair of runs in the second to widen the gap to 8-0. Sydney Helmbrecht's base knock to right-center drove in Bolano and Stanley.

The Lions got on the board in the fourth, narrowing the margin to 8-1. Moore drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and a groundout. Marino plated the senior from third base with an RBI single through the right side of the infield.

The University of New England scored the win-clinching run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jess Lemos trotted home from third on a single by Corina Hickey.

Carissa Cicolini (Methuen, Mass.) tossed a complete game and fanned three for the visitors.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene wraps up conference play April 22 with a two-game set at Nichols.