Top-Seeded Softball Cruises Past Lesley in NECC Tournament Opener, 11-1

REVERE, Mass.- The top-seeded Eastern Nazarene College softball team rolled past No. 4 seed Lesley 11-1 in the first game of the New England Collegiate Conference Tournament Friday afternoon.

THE BASICS:
Score: Eastern Nazarene 11, Lesley 1
Records: Lions (20-19) | Lynx (3-36)


HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Lesley chalked up a run in the top of the first inning to snag a 1-0 edge.
• Eastern Nazarene responded with four runs in the bottom of the first to claim a 4-1 lead. Caoimhe Wernsing (Brockton, Mass.) clobbered a solo blast down the right field line for her fourth homer of the season. Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) laced a single to centerfield to knock in Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.). Yaya Bowden (Danbury, Conn.) slapped a base knock to right field to drive in Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) from second base. Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) crossed the dish on an infield hit by Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.).
• The Lions posted six runs in the third to widen the margin to 10-1. Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) belted a grand slam to drive in Yaya Bowden (Danbury, Conn.), Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho), and Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.). Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) scorched a double to left field to plate Danielle Maliszewski (Torrington, Conn.) and Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.).
• Eastern Nazarene added one run in the fourth inning to stretch its advantage to 11-1. Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) tagged up and scurried home from third base as Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) lifted a sacrifice fly.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) racked up three hits, three runs scored, and one RBI.
• Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) notched six RBIs, two hits, one run scored, and a stolen base.
• Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) finished with a pair of base knocks and two runs scored.
• Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) chipped in with two RBIs, one hit, and one run scored.
• Yaya Bowden (Danbury, Conn.) registered two hits, one RBI, one run scored, and one stolen base.
• In the pitcher's circle, Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) recorded five strikeouts in five innings while allowing just two hits.

NECC TOURNAMENT CONTINUES:
With the win in the opening round, top-seeded Eastern Nazarene advances to the winners' bracket May 6 and will play the winner of the matchup between Mitchell and New England College for a spot in the NECC Championship series.