Softball Knocks Off Nichols in Senior Day Doubleheader

QUINCY, Mass. – The Eastern Nazarene softball team posted a pair of victories over Nichols in the final regular season home doubleheader at Mitchell/McCoy Field Wednesday afternoon, prevailing 2-1 and 3-0. The Lions head into the postseason sporting a 10-23 record and finished with a 7-11 mark in the Commonwealth Coast Conference. The Bison end the spring with a 5-27 overall record and a 3-15 record in league action.

Between contests, the Eastern Nazarene softball program honored its lone member of the Class of 2013, senior Jamie Block (Pembroke, Mass.).

Sam Losano (Elverta, Calif.) paced the home team with three base knocks on the day. Kendra Brasil (Haverhill, Mass.), Cayla Clinkscale (Winchendon, Mass.) and Britny Costa (New Bedford, Mass.) all collected two hits in the twin bill. Kori Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) crossed the plate twice and drove in one RBI. Lara-Jean Collier (Lacona, N.Y.), Block and Clinkscale also picked up RBIs in the games.

After four and a half scoreless innings in game one, Eastern Nazarene got on the board in the bottom of the fifth. Brasil singled to lead off the frame and moved up to second on a single by Costa. Brasil took third on a fielder's choice and scampered home as Sterling Marino (North Kingstown, R.I.) stole second base.

The hosts added an insurance run in the sixth inning to stretch the gap to 2-0.  After reaching on a throwing error, Sorensen advanced to third on a wild pitch with one out. Block plated Sorensen from third base with a sacrifice squeeze bunt.

Nichols cut the deficit in half in the top of the seventh as Rebecca Palmarozza scored on sacrifice bunt by Kaylee McNamara.

Block tossed a complete game to earn her first victory of the season in the pitcher's circle and recorded nine strikeouts.

In the second tilt, the Lions grabbed an early 1-0 advantage with a run in the first. Sorensen trotted home on an RBI single to left by Clinkscale.

Eastern Nazarene tacked on a run in the second inning to push the lead to 2-0. With two runners in scoring position, Sorensen laced a single to center to plate Collier.

The home side tallied its third run of the game in the third inning to capture a 3-0 edge. Collier drove in her first RBI of the spring with a two-out single to left field to score Block.

Sorensen pitched a complete game shutout and struck out nine batters while allowing just two hits to improve to 8-9 on the year.

Up next, the Lions will compete in the CCC Tournament play-in game for the second consecutive season. Eastern Nazarene claimed the No. 7 seed and will travel to face sixth-seeded Curry April 27.