Softball Sweeps Season-Opening Doubleheader at Gordon

WENHAM, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball returned to the diamond with a pair of shutout-wins at Gordon Saturday afternoon in the first action of the 2021 campaign. The Lions prevailed 8-0 and 2-0 over the Fighting Scots.

The Lions improve to 2-0 on the year with the victories while the Fighting Scots fall to 0-2 overall.

Aurora Adams (Fullerton, Calif.) racked up four hits, four RBIs, and three runs scored in her first games in an ENC uniform. Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) posted four base knocks, two runs scored, and one RBI on the day. Rebecca Hayner (Halfmoon, N.Y.) finished with three hits and a pair of runs. Adriana Montuya (American Canyon, Calif.) registered three base hits and one RBI. Yaya Bowden (Danbury, Conn.) chipped in with two hits, two RBIs, and a run while Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) added two base knocks, one RBI, and one run scored.

In the first game of the series, Eastern Nazarene captured an 8-0 win in six innings of play.

The visitors chalked up a run in the top of the first inning to establish a 1-0 lead. Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) raked a single down the left field line to plate Adams from second base.

The Lions tacked on a run in the fourth to widen the gap to 2-0. Bowden landed a single in right-centerfield to plate Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.).

Eastern Nazarene added a pair of scores in the fifth to push the margin to 4-0. With two runners in scoring position, Adams scorched a base hit back up the middle to drive in Schwenger and Hayner.

The guests erupted for four runs in the sixth to stretch their lead to 8-0. Bowden launched a solo home run for her first career homer. After Hayner singled, Schwenger roped a double to right-center to score Hayner. Adams followed with her first home run of the season, a two-run blast to knock in Schwenger.

In the pitcher's circle, Munoz spun a complete-game shutout in her first collegiate start and registered one strikeout.

In the second tilt of the afternoon, the Lions edged the Fighting Scots 2-0.

Eastern Nazarene grabbed an early 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the first frame as Brandt doubled to drive in Adams.

The Lions doubled their advantage to 2-0 with a run in the sixth on an RBI single off the bat of Montuya that scored Brandt.

Montuya pitched a complete-game shutout in her first start of the spring and finished with three strikeouts.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene visits Bridgewater State March 18.