League-Leading Softball Grabs Two Victories over Gordon in Midweek Doubleheader

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team remained undefeated in conference play with two wins over Gordon Wednesday afternoon at Mitchell/McCoy Field, claiming a 6-4 victory before rolling to an 8-0 win.

The Lions climb to 17-5 on the season and 8-0 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference to remain atop the league standings. The Fighting Scots fall to 6-17 overall and 2-8 in league action with the outcomes.

Lauren Clements (Garrison, Texas) finished with three hits, three RBIs, and three runs scored on the day. Kori Bow (Shaftsbury, Vt.) and Lauren Weidler (Lansdale, Pa.) both posted two base hits, four RBIs, and two runs. Kayleen Garrick (Sparks, Nev.) landed two base knocks, drove in one RBI, and scored twice. Rebecca Hayner (Halfmoon, N.Y.) chipped in with two RBIs and one hit while Janessa Huerta (El Monte, Calif.) and Dominique Santos (Lancaster, Calif.) added one hit and two runs each.

The home side weathered a late rally by the visitors to hold on for a 6-4 win in game one.

Eastern Nazarene jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Bow blasted her second home run of the season over the towering fence in left field to plate Santos and Clements.

The Lions chalked up three runs in the fifth to widen the margin to 6-0. Weidler roped a double off the left field fence to drive in Huerta and Garrick. Clements followed with a solo shot to centerfield for her third homer of the spring.

Gordon got on the board with four runs in the seventh inning to pull to within two, 6-4. Megan Jenkerson picked up an RBI as she was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score Sarah Ryder. Emily Kline followed with a bases-clearing double to knock in Kali Denty, Karissa Hatchell, and Jenkerson.

Elisabeth Schaffer (Benton, Pa.) pitched her eighth complete game of the season and recorded five strikeouts to earn her ninth win of the season.

Eastern Nazarene rolled to its 10th consecutive victory with a five-inning 8-0 decision.

The Lions snagged a 1-0 edge with a run in the bottom of the first frame. Bow collected her fourth RBI of the day as she laced a single through the right side of the infield to drive in Weidler from second base.

The hosts utilized a seven-run outburst to stretch their advantage to 8-0. Garrick slapped a base hit up the middle to plate Huerta. Weidler followed with a two-run double down the left field line to score Santos and Garrick. Clements crushed the next pitch over the left field wall for her fourth homer of the season and second on the afternoon. With runners on the corners, Hayner raked a single to center to drive in Viviana Coix (Warrenville, Ill.) and Bow.

Weidler spun a complete-game shutout and notched seven strikeouts in her sixth start of the spring.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene travels to the Ocean State April 13 to square off against Salve Regina in a pair of crucial conference games.