Softball Tops New Jersey City, Edged by Rivier in Florida

NAPLES, Fla.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team posted a 5-2 win over New Jersey City before falling to Rivier 7-6 Monday at North Collier Park.

The Lions move to 3-1 on the season with the two wins. The Gothic Knights slip to 2-1 overall and the Raiders progress to 1-3 on the year.

Lauren Clements (Garrison, Texas) notched three hits, two RBIs, one run scored and a stolen base on the day. Kayleen Garrick (Sparks, Nev.) registered three base knocks and scored twice. Elisabeth Schaffer (Benton, Pa.) posted two hits, two runs scored and one RBI. Viviana Coix (Warrenville, Ill.) finished with two hits, two stolen bases, and a run scored while Kori Bow (Shaftsbury, Vt.) chipped in with two base knocks and a pair of RBIs.

In Monday's matinee, Eastern Nazarene rattled off nine hits to post its third consecutive win with a 5-1 decision against New Jersey City.

The Lions sprung for five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Garrick crossed the dish on a single to centerfield by Lauren Weidler (Lansdale, Pa.). After Coix scampered home on a throwing error, Clements followed with an RBI base knock to drive in Weidler from second. Emily Gomez (Floral Park, N.Y.) laced an RBI single to left to plate Clements before Schaffer scored the team's fifth run of the frame as Bow reached on a fielder's choice.

The Gothic Knights got on the board in the top of the sixth to cut the deficit to 5-1. Juliana Squeo crossed the plate as Namoi Olacio reached on a fielding miscue.

New Jersey City trimmed the margin to 5-2 with run in the seventh. Hannah Gavin rounded third and scored from second base as Brittany Paulikas reached base due to an error.

Schaffer threw her second-straight complete game and struck out five to climb to 2-0 on the year.

Eastern Nazarene suffered its first loss of the season in game two, dropping a 7-6 decision to Rivier.

The Lions chalked up six runs in the third inning. Clements roped a single to right to knock in Garrick from third. Schaffer followed with an RBI single to left to drive in Weidler. Meghan Stanley (Bedford, Mass.) and Heidi Gomez (Floral Park, N.Y.) both scored on fielding errors. Bow slapped a double to right to drive in Emily Gomez all the way from first base.

The Raiders pushed across five runs in the top of the fifth to narrow the gap to 6-5. Tayla Legrand and Desirae Brawn both motored home as Evelyn Susko and Cali Swomstedt attempted sacrifice bunts. Jessica Silva and Swormstedt scored as Kasey Smith reached on an error. Shaylyn Freitas singled to center to drive in Smith from first base.

Rivier jumped ahead 7-6 in the top of the seventh inning. Taylor Rowsell plated Kerri Hegarty and Freitas with a two-out, pinch-hit single to left field.

Heidi Gomez tossed her 16th career complete game and finished with 11 strikeouts.

Looking ahead, Eastern Nazarene will battle Bay State foes Bridgewater State and Wheelock March 7 in Fort Myers, Florida.