Brandt, Schaffer Lead Softball to Shutout Wins Over St. Joseph’s, John Carroll

CLERMONT, Fla.- Senior Elisabeth Schaffer (Benton, Pa.) pitched two complete-game shutouts and rookie Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) racked up five RBIs to power the Eastern Nazarene College softball team past St. Joseph's (Maine) 10-0 in five innings before a 1-0 walk-off victory over John Carroll in extra innings Sunday afternoon at the PFX Spring Games.

The Lions climb to 3-3 on the season with the two wins. The Monks dip to 0-1 overall while the Blue Streaks slide to 0-2 on the year.

Brandt notched four hits, five RBIs, two runs scored, and one stolen base in the two games. Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) posted three hits, one RBI, and one run scored. Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) and Kiley Ozaki (Ewa Beach, Hawaii) each landed a pair of base knocks and scored two runs. Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) chipped in with two hits, one RBI, and one run scored.

In its first game of the day, Eastern Nazarene blanked St. Joseph's (Maine) 10-0 in the first meeting between the two teams since 2007 to snap a three-game skid.

The Lions started the contest with a five-run outburst in the top of the first inning. Dominique Santos (Lancaster, Calif.) crossed the dish as Brandt reached on an error in the outfield. Castro roped an RBI single to drive in Ozaki before Brandt scored on an RBI groundout by Kori Bow (Shaftsbury, Vt.). Castro and Olaveson both scurried home as Schaffer reached on an error.

Eastern Nazarene scored twice in the second to widen the gap to 7-0. Brandt lasered an RBI triple to plate Schwenger from second base. Olaveson followed with a base knock to drive in Brandt.

The Lions tacked on three runs in the fourth inning to push their advantage to 10-0. With the bases loaded, Brandt singled to knock in Santos and Schwenger.

In the pitcher's circle, Schaffer fanned eight batters while surrendering two hits in her third start.

In the nightcap, Eastern Nazarene edged John Carroll 1-0 in extra innings in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

After seven scoreless frames, the Lions plated the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning to earn their second victory of the afternoon. With two runners in scoring position, Brandt raked a two-out single to centerfield to drive in Rebecca Hayner (Halfmoon, N.Y.) from third.

Schaffer finished with 14 strikeouts and allowed two hits in her second start of the day.

Looking ahead, Eastern Nazarene will battle No. 4 Trine and Concordia-Moorhead March 3.