Softball Starts 2019 Campaign with Wins Over Rose-Hulman, Neumann

CLERMONT, Fla.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team opened the 2019 season with a pair of five-inning victories Friday afternoon at the PFX Spring Games, topping Rose-Hulman 8-0 before besting Neumann 9-1.

The Lions improve to 2-0 on the young season with the wins. The Fightin' Engineers slip to 2-6 overall while the Knight dip to 7-3 on the year.

Lauren Clements (Garrisson, Texas) racked up four hits, three RBIs, and one run scored on the day. Kiley Ozaki (Ewa Beach, Hawaii) notched four base hits, three runs, and one RBI in her collegiate debut. Rebecca Ashman (Havre de Grace, Md.) finished with three base knocks, three RBIs, and one run. Jenessa Huerta (El Monte, Calif.) posted three hits, three runs scored, and a pair of RBIs.

In the first contest of the afternoon, Eastern Nazarene blanked Rose-Hulman 8-0 in five innings.

The Lions plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the second to claim a 2-0 edge. Tylan Onorato (Wiscassett, Maine) scored from second base as Kori Bow (Shaftsbury, Vt.) roped a single. Ashman knocked in Huerta all the way from first with a two-out triple.

Eastern Nazarene tacked on a run in the third to widen the margin to 3-0. Viviana Coix (Warrenville, Ill.) raked a base hit to centerfield to drive in Ozaki.

The Lions tallied twice in the fourth to extend their advantage to 5-0. Clements and Coix laced back-to-back two-out singles as Ashman and Ozaki both crossed the dish in the frame.

Eastern Nazarene produced three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to clinch the victory. Rebecca Hayner (Halfmoon, N.Y.) scurried home from third on a wild pitch before an RBI double by Dominique Santos (Lancaster, Calif.) followed by an RBI base knock off the bat of Ozaki.

Elisabeth Schaffer (Benton, Pa.) hurled a complete game in the pitcher's circle and finished with 10 strikeouts while only allowing two base hits.

In the second tilt of the day, Eastern Nazarene cruised past Neumann 9-1 in five frames.

The Lions opened the scoring in the top of the first inning, scoring twice to snag a 2-0 lead. After Ozaki roped a two-out single, Clements launched her first home run of the season.

Eastern Nazarene widened the margin to 5-0 with three scores in the second. Huerta scorched a single up the middle to drive in Bow. Ashman rolled a base hit up the middle to plate Huerta and Hayner.

The Knights got on the board in the home half of the second to cut the deficit to 5-1. Rachel Albertson singled to score Jackie Schneider.

The Lions responded with three runs in the third inning to push their advantage to 8-1. Schaffer, Bow, and Hayner all crossed the dish while Huerta collected an RBI hit.

Eastern Nazarene plated one run in the top of the fifth to stretch the gap to 9-1 as Onorato scampered home from third on a wild pitch.

Santos tossed a complete game in her first collegiate pitching appearance.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene returns to the diamond March 2 to battle Saint Mary's (Minn.) and Muhlenberg.