Clements Powers Softball to 10-3 Win at Mount Ida
NEWTON, Mass.- Sophomore Lauren Clements (Garrison, Texas) racked up three base hits, six RBIs, and one run scored to lead the Eastern Nazarene College softball team to a 10-3 victory at Mount Ida Thursday afternoon in just the fourth-ever meeting between the two squads.
The Lions improve to 8-3 on the year with the win while the Mustangs fall to 3-6 overall.
Tylan Onorato (Wiscassett, Maine) chipped in with a pair of RBIs, one run scored, and one hit. Viviana Coix (Warrenville, Ill.) notched two base knocks, one RBI, and scored two runs while Lauren Weidler (Lansdale, Pa.) crossed the dish twice and landed one hit.
The visitors jumped out to an early 3-0 lead as Clements launched her first home run of the season in the top of the first inning, a three-run blast that drove in Kayleen Garrick (Sparks, Nev.) and Weidler.
The home team chalked up two runs in the bottom of the fourth to cut the deficit to 3-2. Hayley Microulis poked an RBI single to right to score Michele MacDonald and Kaitlyn Muhlenforth plated Lucianna Medici with a sacrifice bunt.
Eastern Nazarene reclaimed a three-run advantage with a pair of runs in the fifth inning. Onorato laced a two-out double up the middle to drive in Ellisa McCarthy (Quincy, Mass.) and Emily Gomez (Floral Park, N.Y.).
The Lions added two runs in the sixth to widen the gap to 7-2. Clements notched her fourth RBI of the game with a groundball to the shortstop to score Coix. Elisabeth Schaffer (Benton, Pa.) followed with a groundout to knock in Weidler from third base.
Mount Ida tallied a run in the home half of the sixth inning to trim the margin to 7-3. Medici crossed the dish as Microulis reached on an error.
Eastern Nazarene manufactured three scores in the seventh to stretch its lead to 10-3. Coix roped a double to left field to drive in Kori Bow (Shaftsbury, Vt.). Clements collected her team-leading 12th and 13th RBIs of the spring with a two-run double to centerfield to plate Onorato and Coix.
Heidi Gomez (Floral Park, N.Y.) started in the pitcher's circle and struck out three batters while allowing just one hit in three innings of work. Schaffer tossed four innings of relief and surrendered no hits while fanning five.
Looking ahead, Eastern Nazarene begins conference play March 25 at home against Nichols.