Softball Splits Doubleheader at Simmons

BRIGHTON, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team traded wins at Simmons Wednesday evening in non-conference action, falling 5-4 before prevailing 9-5.

The Lions move to 3-9 on the season with the results while the Sharks progress to 6-7-1 overall.

Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) posted five hits, five RBIs, and four runs scored on the night. Aurora Adams (Fullerton, Calif.) notched five hits, three RBIs, and one run scored. Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) finished with three hits and three runs scored. Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) and Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) both chipped in with three base knocks, one RBI, and two runs scored.

In game one, Simmons rallied to claim a 5-4 walk-off win.

Eastern Nazarene scored one run in the top of the second inning to seize a 1-0 edge. Adams roped a double to centerfield to plate Olaveson from second base.

The guests doubled their advantage to 2-0 with a run in the fourth. Adams laced a two-out double to the gap in left-centerfield to drive in Olaveson.

The Lions produced two runs in the sixth to widen the margin to 4-0. Olaveson launched her first home run of the spring, a two-run blast to score Castro.

Simmons plated a pair of runs in the home half of the sixth to cut the deficit to 4-2. Jordyn Rubin singled to left field to knock in Christie Bott and Shannon McMahon.

The Sharks chalked up three runs in the bottom of the seventh to earn a 5-4 win. Allie Mulhern raked a triple to right-centerfield to drive in Raya Anderson and Emma Thacher to level the game. McMahon followed with a walk-off double to score Mulhern.

Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) spun a complete game in the pitcher's circle and racked up five strikeouts.

In the nightcap, Eastern Nazarene snapped an eight-game skid with a 9-5 victory.

The Lions chalked up a pair of runs in the top of the first to establish a 2-0 lead. Kiley Ozaki (Ewa Beach, Hawaii) laced a double to right-centerfield to plate Giddings and Schwenger.

The Sharks responded with three runs in the second inning to snag a 3-2 edge.

Eastern Nazarene pulled even at 3-3 with a run in the fourth. Munoz roped a two-out double to left field to drive in Adams from first base.

The visitors generated five runs in the fifth construct an 8-3 advantage. Schwenger led off the frame with her first collegiate home run, a solo shot to right field. Castro doubled to center to knock in Giddings. Olaveson followed with a triple to right field to plate Castro and Ozaki before Adams smacked a double down the left field line to score Olaveson.

The Lions tallied a run in the sixth to extend their lead to 9-3. Olaveson picked up her third RBI of the contest with a base knock to drive in Giddings.

Simmons scored once in the home half of the sixth to trim the gap to 9-4 as Rubin belted a leadoff homer to centerfield.

The hosts managed one run in the seventh inning to narrow the margin to 9-5.

Munoz tossed her second complete game of the night in the pitcher's circle and fanned seven.

Looking ahead, Eastern Nazarene travels to Albertus Magnus March 31.