Softball Collects First-Ever Doubleheader Sweep Against Curry

MILTON, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team began league play with a pair of victories over Curry Thursday, prevailing 4-0 and 4-1 to earn the program's first-ever series-sweep against the Colonels.

The Lions improve to 9-5 on the season and 2-0 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference with the wins. Curry sinks to 2-10 overall and 0-2 in conference action with the results.

Lauren Clements (Garrison, Texas) paced the offense with three hits and a pair of RBIs on the day. Emily Gomez (Floral Park, N.Y.) notched three base hits, drove in one RBI, and scored one run. Kayleen Garrick (Sparks, Nev.) finished with two hits, two runs, and one RBI. Viviana Coix (Warrenville, Ill.) chipped in with a pair of base knocks and one run scored.

In the opening contest, Eastern Nazarene blanked Curry 4-0 behind a 13-strikeout performance by Elisabeth Schaffer (Benton, Pa.) in the pitcher's circle.

The Lions manufactured three runs in the bottom of the first inning to grab an early 3-0 lead. Clements raked a single to left to drive in Dominique Santos (Lancaster, Calif.) from third base. Garrick scurried home as Emily Gomez reached on a fielder's choice before Lauren Weidler (Lansdale, Pa.) tagged up and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Schaffer.

Eastern Nazarene tacked on a run in the fifth to widen the gap to 4-0. Clements collected her team-leading 13th RBI of the spring with a base knock to right to plate Garrick.

Schaffer spun a complete-game shutout and scattered just three hits while fanning 13.

In the nightcap, the Lions earned a 4-1 win over the Colonels to complete the sweep.

Eastern Nazarene broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth with three runs to claim a 3-0 advantage. Coix tagged up and motored home on a foul-out by Santos. Garrick roped a double to center to drive in Schaffer. Haley Viscovich (Modesto, Calif.) crossed the dish as Weidler reached on a fielder's choice.

The Lions added a score in the sixth to stretch the margin to 4-0. Viscovich scorched her first collegiate hit, a single to left field to knock in Emily Gomez.

Curry got on the board in the top of the seventh frame as Kevi Oatway launched a leadoff home run.

Weidler tossed a complete game and recorded three strikeouts to pick up her first victory of the season.

Looking ahead, Eastern Nazarene continues conference play March 30 with a twinbill against Wentworth.