Softball Downed by Dominican, Defeats Mount Mary in Florida

NAPLES, Fla.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team wrapped up its spring break trip to Florida with a 4-1 loss to Dominican (Ill.) and an 8-5 victory over Mount Mary Thursday.

The Lions return to Massachusetts touting a 7-3 overall record. The Stars improve to 8-3 on the year while the Blue Angels dip to 1-6 on the season.

Kayleen Garrick (Sparks, Nev.) racked up three hits, two RBIs, and two runs scored on the day. Lauren Clements (Garrison, Texas) finished with three base knocks and a pair of RBIs. Viviana Coix (Warrenville, Ill.) chipped in with two RBIs, one hit, one run scored, and a stolen base. Elisabeth Schaffer (Benton, Pa.) and Lauren Weidler (Lansdale, Pa.) each registered a pair of base hits, one RBI, and one run scored.

In the first game of the day, Eastern Nazarene mustered three hits and advanced just one runner beyond first base as it absorbed its third loss of the spring.

Dominican opened the scoring in the top of the first to snag a 1-0 lead as Gabby Curran scampered home on a wild pitch after leading off the contest with a triple.

The Stars doubled their advantage to 2-0 with a run in the third inning. Curran crossed the dish for the second time on the day on a passed ball.

Dominican chalked up a pair of runs in the fifth to widen the gap to 4-0. Gabi Alfaro doubled down the left field line to drive in Abby Maike and Alyssa Domico.

Eastern Nazarene erased the shutout with a run in the bottom of the seventh inning as Schaffer led off the frame with a solo homer to centerfield.

Schaffer started the game in the pitcher's circle and faced the first two hitters before Heidi Gomez (Floral Park, N.Y.) took over and tossed seven innings while striking out one batter.

In their final contest in the Sunshine State, the Lions emerged with an 8-5 win after the two teams combined for 23 base knocks.

Eastern Nazarene scored twice in the top of the first inning to storm out to a 2-0 lead. Clements roped a single to center to drive in Garrick and Weidler.

Mount Mary cut the deficit to 2-1 with a run in the home half of the opening frame. Jess Runge crossed the dish on a single to left by Audrey Beck.

The Lions sprung for four runs in the second inning to stretch the margin to 6-1. Garrick tripled to right field to score Emily Gomez (Floral Park, N.Y.) and Heidi Gomez. Coix tagged up and motored home from third after Weidler lifted a sacrifice fly to left.

The Blue Angels plated four runs in the bottom of the second to pull to within one, 6-5. Haley Jacquez scored on an illegal pitch before Amelia Flint and Beck landed RBI base knocks.

Eastern Nazarene extended its lead to 8-5 with a pair of scores in the fifth inning. Coix knocked in Meghan Stanley (Bedford, Mass.) and Tylan Onorato (Wiscassett, Maine) with a two-out single to right.

In her first collegiate start in the pitcher's circle, Rachel Caswell (Utica, N.Y.) hurled 1.2 innings and fanned one batter. Schaffer worked 5.1 frames of relief and notched 10 strikeouts.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene opens up play in New England March 18 with a non-conference doubleheader at Mount Ida.