Softball Scores Two Walk-Off Wins Over Becker in Home-Opener

QUINCY, Mass.- Playing at home for the first time in 700 days, the Eastern Nazarene College softball team notched a pair of thrilling, walk-off victories over Becker Saturday afternoon at Mitchell/McCoy Field.

The Lions triumphed 11-10 in extra innings in game one before completing the sweep with a 4-3 win in the second tilt to improve to 7-1 on the season and 3-1 in the New England Collegiate Conference. The Hawks fall to 5-7 overall and 1-3 in league competition with the results.

Aurora Adams (Fullerton, Calif.) racked up four hits, four RBIs, and two runs scored on the day. Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) posted three hits, three runs scored, and a pair of RBIs. Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) and Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) each registered two base knocks, one RBI, and one run scored.

In the opening clash, Eastern Nazarene used extra-innings to clip Becker 11-10.

The home team got on the board in the bottom of the second to seize a 2-0 lead. Adriana Montuya (American Canyon, Calif.) blasted her first home run of the season to drive in Olaveson.

The Lions tacked on a run in the fourth to widen the gap to 3-0. Olaveson launched her first home run of the spring, a solo shot to centerfield.

Eastern Nazarene added a run in the bottom of the fifth inning to extend its advantage to 4-0. Rebecca Hayner (Halfmoon, N.Y.) scored from second base on a groundout by Castro.

Becker produced four runs in the top of the sixth to level the game at 4-4.

The Lions responded with three runs in the home half of the frame to reclaim the lead, 7-4. Keira Niestas (Oceanside, Calif.) and Danielle Maliszewski (Torrington, Conn.) lifted back-to-back sacrifice flies to knock in Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) and Yaya Bowden (Danbury, Conn.) before Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) scampered home on a wild pitch.

The visitors generated five runs in the seventh to jump ahead 9-7.

Eastern Nazarene knotted the score at 9-9 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh. Adams clobbered her team-leading third home run of the season to plate Castro and tie the game.

In the top of the eighth, the Hawks pushed across one run to snag a 10-9 edge.

The Lions tallied two runs in the bottom of the extra frame to walk off with a one-run victory, 11-10. Schwenger slapped a one-out double to drive in Maliszewski before Adams delivered the game-winning hit with a single off the left field fence to score Schwenger.

Montuya pitched 5.1 innings and recorded three strikeouts in her third start of the year. Niestas tossed 1.2 innings and fanned one batter in her second outing of the season. Chelsea De Martini (Budd Lake, N.J.) threw one inning to collect the win.

In the series finale, Eastern Nazarene rallied to down Becker 4-3 to cap off the sweep.

The visitors opened the scoring with a run in the top of the second inning to grab a 1-0 edge and extended their advantage to 3-0 with a pair of runs in the third.

The Lions scored twice in the bottom of the third inning to cut the deficit to 3-2. Hayner crossed the dish from third as Castro attempted to steal second base. Adams followed with her league-best fourth homer of the season and second of the day, a solo homer to left field.

Eastern Nazarene chalked up the equalizing run in the fourth, 3-3. Olaveson smashed a leadoff homer for her second of the year and second on the afternoon.

The hosts manufactured the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh. Castro roped a single off the left field fence to drive in Hayner from third base.

Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) tossed her third complete game of the spring and finished with one strikeout.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene will host Fisher April 7 in a non-conference twinbill.