Softball Halves Doubleheader at Bridgewater State

BRIDGEWATER, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team split a non-conference series at Bridgewater State Tuesday, earning an 11-4 win before falling 8-6.

GAME ONE
THE BASICS:
Score: Eastern Nazarene 11, Bridgewater State 4
Records: Lions (17-18) | Bears (9-25-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Eastern Nazarene tallied a run in the top of the first inning to seize a 1-0 edge. Caoimhe Wernsing (Brockton, Mass.) crossed the dish on an RBI groundout by Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.).
• Bridgewater State responded with a run in the bottom of the frame to level the contest at 1-1.
• The Lions chalked up three runs in the third to claim a 4-1 lead. With the bases loaded, Yaya Bowden (Danbury, Conn.) laced a single to centerfield to knock in Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.). Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) followed with a base hit to drive in Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) and Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.).
• Eastern Nazarene generated four runs in the top of the fifth to widen the gap to 8-1. Danielle Maliszewski (Torrington, Conn.) roped a two-out single to left field to score Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) and Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.). Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) followed with a single up the middle to plate Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) and Danielle Maliszewski (Torrington, Conn.).
• The home side produced three runs in the bottom of the fifth to cut the deficit to 8-4.
• The visitors tacked on a run in the sixth to stretch their advantage to 9-4. Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) launched her team-leading eighth home run of the year to lead off the inning.
• Eastern Nazarene manufactured a pair of runs in the seventh to extend its lead to 11-4. Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) tagged up and motored home as Caoimhe Wernsing (Brockton, Mass.) lifted a sacrifice fly. Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) collected her team-leading 40th RBI of the spring with a base knock to drive in Danielle Maliszewski (Torrington, Conn.).

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) notched three hits, two RBIs, and one run scored.
• Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) posted two hits and two runs scored.
• Danielle Maliszewski (Torrington, Conn.) finished with two RBIs, two runs scored, one base hit, and a stolen base.
• Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) registered a pair of RBIs, two runs scored, and one hit while Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) added two RBIs and one hit.
• Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) pitched a complete game while striking out three batters.

GAME TWO
THE BASICS:
Score: Eastern Nazarene 6, Bridgewater State 8
Records: Lions (17-18) | Bears (10-25-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The hosts tallied three runs in the bottom of the second to establish a 3-0 lead.
• Eastern Nazarene bounced back to score five runs in the top of the third inning to capture a 5-3 edge. Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) belted her third home run of the season, a two-run blast to plate Danielle Maliszewski (Torrington, Conn.). Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) scorched a two-out single up the middle to drive in Caoimhe Wernsing (Brockton, Mass.). Daitriana Gongora (Bridgeport, Conn.) followed with a base hit to knock in Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.).
• The Lions added a run in the fourth to widen the margin to 6-3. Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) raked a two-out single to score Caoimhe Wernsing (Brockton, Mass.) from second base.
• Bridgewater State posted three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to knot the game at 6-6.
• The Bears notched a pair of runs in the home half of the sixth to jump ahead 8-6.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Danielle Maliszewski (Torrington, Conn.) collected a pair of hits, scored one run, and swiped a base.
• Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) posted two RBIs, one hit, and one run scored.
• Daitriana Gongora (Bridgeport, Conn.) chipped in with one base knock and a pair of RBIs.
• Caoimhe Wernsing (Brockton, Mass.) landed one hit and scored twice while Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) contributed with one hit, one RBI, and a run scored.
• In the pitcher's circle, Morgan Bruner (Litchfield, N.H.) spun her fourth complete game of the year and finished with two strikeouts.

UP NEXT:
Eastern Nazarene returns home to take on Mitchell April 29 in a pivotal NECC series on Senior Day.