Softball Trades Thrillers with U. of New England

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene softball team split a pair of nail-biters against the University of New England Wednesday in Commonwealth Coast Conference play at Mitchell/McCoy Field.

The Lions prevailed in game one 2-0 before falling 2-1 in the nightcap to move to 6-15 on the season and 3-5 in league action. The Nor'easters progress to 9-7 overall and 3-3 against conference opponents with the results.

Sterling Marino (North Kingstown, R.I.) landed two hits and drove in the home team's only RBI on the day while Cayla Clinkscale (Winchendon, Mass.) also collected a pair of hits. Carissa Cicolini (Methuen, Mass.) and Sam Losano (Elverta, Calif.) each registered a base knock and a run scored while Kendra Brasil (Haverhill, Mass.) crossed the plate once in the doubleheader.

 In the pitcher's circle, Kori Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) pitched two complete games and totaled 12 strikeouts.

In the opening tilt, Eastern Nazarene broke up the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third with a run to claim a 1-0 edge. Brasil scampered home from third as Olivia Tovar (Coarsegold, Calif.) was thrown out trying to advance to second after drawing a walk.

The Lions added a run in the sixth to double their lead to 2-0. Cicolini slid into home plate safely on a wild pitch with two outs.

Sorensen allowed just two hits and two walks as she earned her fifth victory of the season. The sophomore fanned seven batters in seven innings of work.

In game two, the hosts got on the board in the first to take a 1-0 advantage. Losano notched a lead-off single to center and advanced to third following a pair of groundouts. Marino drove in Losano with a two-out RBI single to right center.

The University of New England tied the score at 1-1 in the top of the sixth inning as Allie Frazier launched a solo shot over the fence in left center.

The visitors seized a one-run lead in the seventh to go up 2-1. Abby Lambert laced a two-out single through the right side of the infield to plate Jess Lemos from third for the go-ahead run.

Sorensen tossed her second complete game of the afternoon in the nightcap, striking out five while scattering five hits and one walk.

Eastern Nazarene will look to gain ground in the conference standings as it hosts Endicott April 6.