Softball Battles Back to Split at Lesley

REVERE, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team halved a doubleheader at Lesley Friday evening, claiming an 11-2 victory in game two after dropping the opening contest 2-1.

The Lions progress to 12-10 on the seaon and 3-1 in the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) with the results. The Lynx move to 13-10 overall and 2-2 in league action with the outcomes.

Lauren Clements (Garrison, Texas) notched a team-high four hits and drove in three RBIs. Elisabeth Schaffer (Benton, Pa) posted two hits, one RBI, and one run scored. Dominique Santos (Lancaster, Calif.) finished with two base knocks, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Viviana Coix (Warrenville, Ill.) added three runs scored, a pair of hits, and one RBI.

In game one, Lesley edged Eastern Nazarene 2-1.

The visitors tallied one run in the top of the first to quickly claim a 1-0 lead. Santos tagged up and motored home from third base on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Clements.

The home side knotted the contest at 1-1 with one run in the fourth. Mahlia Medina crossed the dish as Riley Pickett reached on an error.

Lesley seized a 2-1 edge in the sixth inning as Pickett launched a solo home run.

Schaffer threw a complete game in the pitcher's circle and finished with six strikeouts.

In the second tilt of the twinbill, the Lions responded with an 11-2 win.

Lesley produced a pair of runs in the first inning to capture a 2-0 advantage. Jordan Day belted a two-run homer to left field to plate Medina.

Eastern Nazarene clawed back to grab a 7-2 lead with a seven-run outburst in the third. Rebecca Hayner (Halfmoon, N.Y.) scored as Coix reached on a fielder's choice. Santos followed with a double to the gap in right-center to drive in Coix for the equalizing run. Schaffer scorched a double to left-centerfield to plate Santos to give the guests a one-run edge. Schaffer scampered home from third as Kori Bow (Shaftsbury, Vt.) reached on an error. Rebecca Ashman (Havre de Grace, Md.) raked a single to centerfield to drive in Julia Seeley (Amsterdam, N.Y.). Hayner drew a bases-loaded walk to knock in Bow from third before Ashman darted home on a wild pitch.

The Lions tacked on a run in the sixth to widen the margin to 8-2. Santos roped a single to score Coix from second base.

The visitors capped off the scoring with a three-run frame in the seven inning. Coix drilled an RBI single to plate Hayner. Clements landed a two-run base knock to drive in Coix and Jenessa Huerta (El Monte, Calif.).

Schaffer spun her second complete game of the night and racked up nine strikeouts.

Looking ahead, Eastern Nazarene returns home to face New England College under the lights at Mitchell/McCoy Field in a pivotal league doubleheader April 6.