Softball Splits Midweek Doubleheader at Saint Joseph (Conn.)

WEST HARTFORD, Conn.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team split final non-conference twinbill of the regular-season Wednesday at the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.). The Lions earned a 12-4 win before dropping a 6-3 decision.

The Lions progress to 19-5 on the season with the outcomes while the Blue Jays move to 9-5 overall.

Aurora Adams (Fullerton, Calif.) notched four hits, four RBIs, and two runs scored on the day. Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) finished with four base knocks while adding two RBIs and one run scored. Rebecca Hayner (Halfmoon, N.Y.) posted two hits, three RBIs, a pair of runs scored, and one stolen base. Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) chipped in with two base hits, one RBI, and three runs in the series.

In the first game of the afternoon, Eastern Nazarene landed 15 hits en route to collecting its fifth-straight win.

The visitors plated a pair of runs in the top of the first inning to grab a 2-0 lead. Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) scurried home from third as Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) reached on an error. Hayner followed with an RBI single to drive in Brandt.

The Lions tacked on a run in the third to widen the gap to 3-0. Brandt roped a single to right-centerfield to score Adams.

The hosts evened the contest at 3-3 with three runs in the bottom of the third inning. Julie Annecchiarico singled to center to plate Amanda Thiel and Lindsey O'Bright before Frankie Ferrante singled up the middle to knock in Alessandra Milardo.

Eastern Nazarene reclaimed a two-run advantage with two runs in the fourth. Adriana Montuya (American Canyon, Calif.) crossed the dish as Schwenger reached on an error. Adams scorched a base hit to centerfield to drive in Schwenger.

The guests generated seven runs in the fifth to extend their lead to 12-3. Hayner picked up her third RBI of the game with a base knock to plate Olaveson. Montuya laced a single to left field to score Hayner. With the bases-loaded, Adams raked a bases-clearing double to knock in Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho), Schwenger, and Montuya before Castro slapped a single to drive in Adams.

Saint Joseph chalked up a run in the home half of the fifth frame to cut the deficit to 12-4.

Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) hurled four innings and fanned a pair of batters. Giddings tossed one inning and recorded two strikeouts.

In the nightcap, Eastern Nazarene suffered a 6-3 setback.

The home team snagged a 1-0 edge with a run in the bottom of the first inning.

The Lions responded with a run in the third to level the contest at 1-1. Castro motored home after advancing to third on a wild pitch.

The visitors seized a one-run advantage with one run in the fourth. Hayner crossed the dish as Danielle Maliszewski (Torrington, Conn.) reached on an error on a sacrifice bunt.

Saint Joseph produced four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to capture a 5-2 lead.

Eastern Nazarene trimmed the margin to 5-3 with one run in the top of the fifth. Brandt lasered a double to the gap in right center to drive in Castro.

The Blue Jays regained a three-run advantage in the home half of the fifth frame, scoring one run.

Keira Niestas (Oceanside, Calif.) pitched five innings and registered four strikeouts. Montuya worked one inning of relief and finished with one strikeout.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene will host Lesley May 1 in a pivotal New England Collegiate Conference doubleheader on Senior Day.