Softball Splits Conference Series at University of New England

BIDDEFORD, Maine- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team split a league doubleheader at the University of New England Friday afternoon. After dropping the opening contest 3-0, the Lions rebounded to claim a 6-2 win in game two to halt the Nor'easters' nine-game winning streak.

Eastern Nazarene progresses to 8-12 on the season and 3-3 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference with the results. The Nor'easters move to 12-4 overall and 3-1 in league play with the outcomes.

Kaitlyn Jimenez (Meriden, Conn.) finished with two hits, two RBIs and one run scored. Emily Gomez (Floral Park, N.Y.) collected three base knocks on the day while also scoring once. Lauren Weidler (Lansdale, Pa.) registered three hits, one RBI and crossed the dish once in the series.

In game one, Eastern Nazarene mustered four hits as the University of New England posted a 3-0 win.

The home team got on the board in the bottom of the third inning to grab a 1-0 lead. Amanda Vallente laced a single to centerfield to drive in Avery Alberghini from second base.

The Nor'easters extended their advantage to 2-0 in the fourth. Sydney Helmbrecht poked an RBI single to right to plate Andrea Gosper from third with one out.

The University of New England added a run in the fifth to widen the gap to 3-0. Kaitlin Carson crossed the dish on a ground out by Kelly Murphy.

Heidi Gomez (Floral Park, N.Y.) pitched a six-inning complete game and notched three strikeouts in her 16th appearance of the year.

In the nightcap, the guests utilized a six-run outburst to claw past the Nor'easters 6-2.

Eastern Nazarene erupted for six runs in the top of the second inning to establish a 6-0 lead. Weidler belted a lead-off homer to open the scoring, her third home run of the spring. Payton Fry (Chandler, Ariz.) and Emily Gomez both scurried home as Becky Bahr (Brentwood, N.Y.) reached base on a fielder's choice. Jimenez followed with a two-run double to the gap in right-center to plate Heidi Gomez and Bahr. Viviana Coix (Warrenville, Ill.) picked up her fifth RBI of the season as she lifted a sacrifice fly to left to drive in Jimenez from third.

The University of New England knocked in a run in the fourth to cut the deficit to 6-1. Gosper scored as Schoenbucher rolled a grounder to the right side of the infield.

The Nor'easters narrowed the gap to 6-2 as Gosper homered over the fence in left field to lead off the home half of the sixth inning.

In her seventh start of the season, Weidler posted three strikeouts in seven innings of action to earn her third win.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene will host Wentworth April 9 in a key conference twinbill.