Softball Earns Two Key Wins Over Lesley on Senior Day

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team posted a pair of crucial conference victories over Lesley Saturday afternoon at Mitchell/McCoy Field, prevailing 7-1 and 7-5 in the final regular-season home games.

SENIOR DAY CELEBRATION:
Prior to Saturday's twinbill, the Eastern Nazarene College softball program honored its three seniors: Ashley Caldwell (Quincy, Mass.), Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho), and Danielle Maliszewski (Torrington, Conn.).

GAME ONE
THE BASICS:
Score: Eastern Nazarene 7, Lesley 1
Records: Lions (10-23, 3-6 NAC) | Lynx (5-22, 2-7 NAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Eastern Nazarene chalked up a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning to claim a 2-0 lead.
• Lesley scored once in the second to cut the deficit to 2-1.
• The Lions tallied two runs in the third to widen the gap to 4-1.
• The home side added a run in the fourth to stretch its advantage to 5-1.
• Eastern Nazarene tacked on two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to extend the margin to 7-1.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Faith Bonar (Omaha, Neb.) racked up three hits, one RBI, and one run scored.
• Abby Stansbury (Warren, Ore.) posted two hits, two RBIs, and one run scored.
• Leah Saunders (Smithfield, R.I.) finished with two base knocks, one RBI, a run scored, and one stolen base.
• Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) added two hits, one run scored, and one stolen base.
• Abby Stansbury (Warren, Ore.) pitched four innings and registered two strikeouts. Cayley McCurdy (Smithfield, R.I.) worked three scoreless innings of relief and fanned four batters.

GAME TWO
THE BASICS:
Score: Eastern Nazarene 7, Lesley 5
Records: Lions (11-23, 4-6 NAC) | Lynx (5-23, 2-8 NAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Lesley produced two runs in the top of the first inning to establish an early 2-0 edge.
• Eastern Nazarene manufactured two runs in the bottom of the first to level the contest at 2-2.
• The Lynx picked up a run in the second to snag a 3-2 lead.
• The Lions generated three runs in the home half of the second to claim a 5-3 advantage.
• Lesley plated one run in the fourth to cut the deficit to 5-4.
• Eastern Nazarene answered with a run in the fourth to regain a two-run cushion, 6-4.
• The Lynx notched a run in the top of the sixth inning to pull to within a run, 6-5.
• The Lions chalked up a run in the sixth to widen the gap to 7-5.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Leah Saunders (Smithfield, R.I.) went 4-for-4 from the dish while adding three runs scored, one RBI, and one stolen base.
• Caoimhe Wernsing (Brockton, Mass.) finished with three hits, three RBIs, and two runs scored.
• Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) added with two hits, two RBIs, and one stolen base.
• Faith Bonar (Omaha, Neb.) hurled five innings and recorded a pair of strikeouts. Cayley McCurdy (Smithfield, R.I.) tossed two innings of relief to earn her second save of the day.

LOOKING AHEAD:
Eastern Nazarene heads to Vermont State Lyndon April 29 to wrap up the regular season.