Softball Falls to Centenary, Defeats Martin Luther Friday

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team endured a 13-4 loss to Centenary (N.J.) before claiming an 11-5 victory over Martin Luther Friday afternoon.

ENC VS. CENTENARY (N.J.)
THE BASICS:
Score: Eastern Nazarene 4, Centenary 13
Records: Lions (2-7) | Cyclones (6-2)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Centenary started the game with a four-run frame in the top of the first inning to capture a 4-0 advantage.
• Eastern Nazarene responded with a run in the bottom of the first to cut the deficit to 4-1.
• The Cyclones exploded for six runs in the second to widen the gap to 10-1.
• Centenary added two runs in the third inning to extend its lead to 12-1.
• The Lions tallied three runs in the home half of the third to trim the margin to 12-4.
• The Cyclones tacked on a run in the fifth to push their advantage to 13-4.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) racked up three RBIs, two hits, and one run scored.
• Leah Saunders (Smithfield, R.I.) posted two stolen bases, two runs scored, and one base knock.
• Faith Bonar (Omaha, Neb.) threw 1.1 innings in her second start of the spring. Abby Stansbury (Warren, Ore.) worked 3.2 innings in her third relief appearance.

ENC VS. MARTIN LUTHER
THE BASICS:
Score: Eastern Nazarene 11, Martin Luther 5
Records: Lions (3-7) | Knights (2-12)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Eastern Nazarene plated four runs in the top of the first inning to secure a 4-0 lead.
• Martin Luther answered with three runs in the bottom of the first to pull to within one, 4-3.
• The Lions scored twice in the third to push their advantage to 6-3.
• The Knights picked up one run in the home half of the third inning to narrow the margin to 6-4.
• Eastern Nazarene chalked up a run in the fourth to extend its lead to 7-4.
• The Lions added a pair of runs in the fifth inning to widen the gap to 9-4.
• Martin Luther recorded a run in the bottom of the fifth frame to cut the deficit to 9-5.
• Eastern Nazarene generated a pair of runs in the sixth to stretch its advantage to 11-5.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) registered three hits, two RBIs, and a pair of runs scored.
• Leah Saunders (Smithfield, R.I.) collected three hits, two RBIs, and two runs scored.
• Izabel Pozar (Flagstaff, Ariz.) posted three stolen bases, two runs scored, and one base knock.
• Danielle Maliszewski (Torrington, Conn.) recorded two RBIs, one hit, one run scored, and a stolen base.
• Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) chipped in with two base hits, one RBI, and a run scored.
• Cayley McCurdy (Smithfield, R.I.) started in the pitcher's circle and threw 5.1 innings while notching four strikeouts. Faith Bonar (Omaha, Neb.) tossed 1.2 innings of relief and finished with one strikeout while scattering zero hits and one walk.

LOOKING AHEAD:
Eastern Nazarene returns to action March 16 to face Gordon in a non-conference doubleheader.