Softball Claims Two Shutout Victories at Gordon

WENHAM, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene softball team snapped a 10-game skid Wednesday, downing Gordon 6-0 and 7-0 to capture its first two conference wins. The Lions rise to 4-10 on the spring and 2-2 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference. The Fighting Scots slipped to 4-8 overall and 2-2 in league play.

Sterling Marino (North Kingstown, R.I.) led the visitors offensively with five hits, five runs batted in and five runs scored. Jamie Block (Pembroke, Mass.) chipped in with three hits, a run and an RBI. Kori Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) posted a pair of hits and a pair of RBIs on the day while Olivia Tovar (Coarsegold, Calif.) contributed with two hits, two RBIs and one run scored.

After a scoreless opening four innings in game one, the Lions exploded for six runs in the top of the fifth. With the bases loaded and two outs, Block singled to center to drive in Tovar from third to break up the scoreless tie. Carissa Cicolini (Methuen, Mass.) raced home on a passed ball to double the visitors' advantage to 2-0.

Marino increased Eastern Nazarene's lead to four with a two-run single to right-center. Abigail Moore (Sherdian, Calif.) followed with a single through the right side of the infield to plate Cayla Clinkscale (Winchendon, Mass.). Sorensen rounded out the scoring with an RBI single up the middle to score Marino.

Sorensen logged a complete game in the pitcher's circle for the Lions while fanning nine and allowing just three hits.

In game two, Eastern Nazarene got on the board in the second as Sorensen drove in Marino from third with a single back up the middle.

The Lions tacked on a run in the fourth to widen the margin to 2-0. Marino once again crossed the plate as Tovar landed a single in left.

The visitors added a pair of runs in the top of the sixth to grab a 4-0 edge. Marino scored her third-straight run on a sacrifice bunt by Tovar. Sam Losano (Elverta, Calif.) followed with an RBI single to center to plate Moore with two away in the frame.

Eastern Nazarene tallied three scores in the seventh to increase its lead to 7-0. Marino launched a three-run homer with one out. Clinkscale and Krystal Holl (Hagerstown, Md.) trotted home on Marino's first collegiate home run.

Sorensen hurled her second complete game of the day, pitching a one-hit shutout in the nightcap. The sophomore struck out eight batters to finish the twinbill with 17 K's.

Up next, the Lions will host UMaine-Farmington at Mitchell/McCoy Field March 29 in their first home doubleheader of the spring.