Softball Overpowers Elms to Sweep Monday Series

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team earned a pair of run-rule wins Monday afternoon at Mitchell/McCoy Field, topping Elms 8-0 and 16-2.

The Lions climb to 18-4 on the season and 12-4 in the New England Collegiate Conference with the victories. The Blazers dip to 0-12 overall and in league play with the losses.

Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) notched seven hits, five RBIs, and three runs scored on the day. Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) posted six hits, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Aurora Adams (Fullerton, Calif.) collected five hits, five runs scored, and a pair of RBIs. Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) chipped in with five hits four runs, and two RBIs.

In the first game of the afternoon, Eastern Nazarene blanked Elms 8-0 in six innings.

The home side plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning to construct a 2-0 lead. Brandt laced a double to left-center to drive in Castro before Olaveson scorched a single to knock in Brandt.

The Lions tacked on a run in the second to push their advantage to 3-0. Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) crossed the dish as Danielle Maliszewski (Torrington, Conn.) reached on a fielder's choice.

Eastern Nazarene manufactured two runs in the third to widen the gap to 5-0. Olaveson roped a double down the left field line to plate Brandt before scampering home on a wild pitch.

The hosts stretched their lead to 7-0 with two runs in the fourth inning. Castro rolled a single up the middle to drive in Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) from second base. Adams raked a two-out double and came around to score on an error on the play.

The Lions clinched their third-straight win with one run in the sixth to secure the 8-0 victory as Castro doubled to score Schwenger.

Keira Niestas (Oceanside, Calif.) tossed five innings and allowed one hit while striking out two batters in her fourth start of the spring. Giddings threw one perfect inning in her collegiate pitching debut.

Eastern Nazarene capped off the season-series versus the Blazers with a 16-2 five-inning victory.

The visitors jumped out to an early 2-0 edge with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Ashley Papapietro slapped a single to knock in Tyla Risucci and Josie Cammarata followed with a sacrifice fly to score Alli Alleano.

The home side responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame to level the contest at 2-2. Olaveson roped a two-run double to drive in Adams and Castro.

The Lions utilized a 12-run outburst on 11 hits in the third inning to vault ahead 14-2. Chelsea De Martini (Budd Lake, N.J.), Rebecca Hayner, Jennelle Munoz, Giddings, Schwenger, Castro, Adams, and Brandt all picked up RBIs in the frame.

Eastern Nazarene added a pair of runs in the fourth to stretch its advantage to 16-2. Adams and Olaveson landed doubles as Adriana Montuya (American Canyon, Calif.) and Adams crossed the dish.

Munoz twirled her ninth complete game of the year and racked up seven strikeouts in her 10th start in the pitcher's circle.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene heads to the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) for the final non-conference contests of the regular season April 28.