Softball Opens League Play with Split Against New England College

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team split the first conference doubleheader of 2022 campaign against New England College Friday afternoon at Mitchell/McCoy Field. The Lions triumphed 8-3 before falling 6-2.

The Lions move to 10-14 on the season and 1-1 in the New England Collegiate Conference with the results. The Pilgrims progress to 7-11 overall and 1-1 in league action with the decisions.

Kiley Ozaki (Ewa Beach, Hawaii) recorded three hits, three RBIs, and one run scored. Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) notched three hits, one RBI, and a pair of runs scored. Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) added three base hits and scored two runs. Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) chipped in with two base knocks, two RBIs, and a run scored.

In game one, Eastern Nazarene collected an 8-3 victory over New England College.

The visitors tallied two runs in the top of the second to grab a 2-0 edge. Monica Andrade singled to center field to knock in Olivia Olson before Taylor Maher crossed the dish on an error.

The home side chalked up one run in the third to cut the deficit to 2-1. Danielle Maliszewski (Torrington, Conn.) scorched a single back up the middle to drive in Munoz from third base.

Eastern Nazarene knotted the contest at 2-2 with a run in the bottom of the fourth. Munoz drew a bases-loaded walk to plate Aurora Adams (Fullerton, Calif.).

The Pilgrims produced one run in the fifth inning to reclaim a one-run lead, 3-2. Maher scored her second run of the game as Emily Gagne reached on an error.

The Lions manufactured four runs in the home half of the frame to jump ahead 6-3. Brandt tagged up and scampered home on a sacrifice fly by Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) to tie the game. Ozaki followed with her second home run of the season, a three-run blast to score Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) and Adams.

Eastern Nazarene tacked on a pair of runs in the sixth to widen the margin to 8-3. Brandt raked a base hit up the middle to drive in Schwenger from second base. Adams laced a double to left field to plate Brandt.

Munoz spun her 15th complete game of the spring and finished with three strikeouts.

In the nightcap, New England College posted a 6-2 win to earn the split.

The Lions seized a 1-0 lead with a run in the bottom of the second inning. Madison Murray (Lakeville, Mass.) picked up her first collegiate hit and RBI with a two-out single to drive in Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho).

The Pilgrims generated four runs in the third to capture a 4-1 advantage. Lindsey Bayes absorbed a hit-by-pitch with the bases full to knock in Kaitlyn Simpson. Destiny Helmedach followed with a single to plate Jailen Dickens and Gagne. Daelyn Ross roped a double down the left field line to score Bayes from second base.

Eastern Nazarene plated one run in the home half of the fourth inning to narrow the gap to 4-2. Munoz rolled a two-out base knock up the middle to plate Schwenger from second.

New England College registered one run in the top of the fifth to regain a three-run lead, 5-2. Dickens scurried home from third base on an infield single by Bayes.

The guests added a run in the seventh to extend their advantage to 6-2. Dickens crossed the dish as Gagne reached base on an error.

Giddings pitched three innings in her second start of the season and Munoz worked four innings of relief in her 21st appearance of the year.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene returns to the diamond April 16 to host Mitchell in a conference twinbill.