Softball Trades Non-Conference Wins with Regis

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team exchanged victories with former conference foe Regis in the final non-league tune-up of the season Wednesday afternoon at Mitchell/McCoy Field. The Lions posted an 8-6 win in game one before falling 11-3 in the second contest.

The Lions move to 13-21 on the season with the results while the Pride progresses to 15-9 overall.

Lauren Clements (Garrison, Texas) collected five base hits, four RBIs and three runs scored on the day. Payton Fry (Chandler, Ariz.) finished with three hits, three RBIs and one run scored. Lauren Weidler (Lansdale, Pa.) notched three base knocks, crossed the plate three times and drove in one RBI.

Eastern Nazarene edged Regis 8-6 in the opening game of the series.

The visitors opened up a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the top of the first. Allison Caloggero drove in Kirbie Garvey with a triple to right before scurrying home on a groundout by Alyssa McKinnon.

Eastern Nazarene answered with a five-run frame in the bottom of the inning to leap ahead 5-2. Clements roped a single to center to knock in Becky Bahr (Brentwood, N.Y.) from second base and Fry followed with a base hit to center to score Weidler. Clements motored home as Viviana Coix (Warrenville, Ill.) reached on an error before Fry scored as Heidi Gomez (Floral Park, N.Y.) reached base on an error. Meghan Stanley (Bedford, Mass.) drove in the home team's fifth run of the inning as she grounded out to the shortstop.

Regis reduced the gap to 5-3 with a run in the second. Garvey laced a triple to center to plate Brianna Napoleone from first base.

The Lions reclaimed a three-run advantage with a run in the third, 6-3. Fry delivered her second RBI of the game with a single to center to drive in Clements.

The Pride cut the deficit to one, 6-5, with two scores in the fourth inning. Kelsey Grimard and Napoleone both crossed the dish in the inning for the guests.

Eastern Nazarene pushed its lead to 7-5 in the home half of the fourth as Weidler crushed her team-leading sixth home run of the season.

Regis scored a run in the sixth to narrow the margin to 7-6. McKinnon dashed home as Amanda Navarro reached on an infield hit.

The Lions stretched their advantage to 8-6 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Clements scorched a single into left field to plate Kaitlyn Jimenez (Meriden, Conn.).

Weidler threw her ninth complete game of the season and racked up five strikeouts to improve to 7-6 in the pitcher's circle.

In game two, Regis powered its way to a 9-3 victory.

The Pride seized a 1-0 edge in the top of the first as Napoleone scored on a single to center by Caloggero.

The visitors added three runs in the third to increase its advantage to 4-0. Jenna Casello tagged up and scored from third on a sacrifice fly by McKinnon and Katie Cuozzo followed with a two-run double to center.

Regis sprang for four runs in the fourth inning to double its lead to 8-0. Michaela Nejaime, Casello, Napoleone and Garvey all crossed the dish in the frame.

The Lions got on the board with three runs in the bottom of the fourth to cut the deficit to 8-3. After the first two batters reached base, Clements stroked a triple down the line in right to drive in Bahr and Weidler. Fry knocked in Clements from third as she rolled a grounder to the right side of the infield.

The Pride added a run in the fifth and two in the sixth to close out the scoring.

Heidi Gomez pitched a complete game and recorded seven strikeouts in her 24th pitching appearance of the season.

Looking ahead, Eastern Nazarene hosts Gordon in a pivotal conference doubleheader April 22.