Softball Drops Two to New England College

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team suffered a pair of setbacks to New England College Tuesday afternoon at Mitchell/McCoy Field, falling 5-1 and 5-3.

The Lions slip to 14-4 on the season and 8-4 in the New England Collegiate Conference with the outcomes. The Pilgrims improve to 10-2 overall and 6-2 in league play with the wins.

Yaya Bowden (Danbury, Conn.) notched four hits and drove in a pair of RBIs. Rebecca Hayner (Halfmoon, N.Y.) finished with three hits and one run scored while Adriana Montuya (American Canyon, Calif.) contributed with three base knocks.

In game one, the visitors rallied late to capture a 5-1 victory.

The home side snagged a 1-0 edge with a run in the bottom of the third. Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) hoisted a sacrifice fly to drive in Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) from third base.

New England College produced five runs in the top of the seventh inning to leap ahead 5-1. Destiny Helmedach collected a pair of RBIs while Destiny Cardona, Victoria Correia, and Chanel Welch each added one RBI.

Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) tossed a complete game and recorded three strikeouts in her eighth start in the pitcher's circle.

In the series finale, the Pilgrims posted a 5-3 victory to secure the doubleheader-sweep.

The guests got on the board with a run in the top of the first inning to grab an early 1-0 edge. Welch scampered home on an RBI groundout by Emily Nelson.

Eastern Nazarene responded with a run in the bottom of the second to level the game at 1-1. Bowden laced a single to left field to plate Hayner from second base.

New England College manufactured three runs in the third to claim a 4-1 advantage. Cameron LeClaire crossed the dish on a wild pitch before an RBI groundout by Nelson knocked in Welch. Helmedach darted home on a groundout by Kaitlyn Simpson.

The Lions scored once in the fourth to cut the deficit to 4-2. Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) rolled a groundball to first base to drive in Keira Niestas (Oceanside, Calif.) from third.

The hosts narrowed the gap to 4-3 with a run in the bottom of the fifth. Bowden absorbed a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded to plate Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.).

The Pilgrims regained a two-run lead with a run in the seventh as Emily Gagne scored on an RBI groundout by Welch.

Montuya pitched her fourth complete game of the spring and posted four strikeouts.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene will head to Elms April 24.