Top-Seeded Softball Earns 8-2 Victory Over No. 4 Becker in NECC Tournament Friday

REVERE, Mass.- The top-seeded Eastern Nazarene College softball team posted an 8-2 win over fourth-seeded Becker in the opening tilt of the 2021 New England Collegiate Conference Tournament Friday afternoon at Griswold Park.

The Lions climb to 22-5 on the year and advance to the winners' bracket. The Hawks dip to 12-15 overall with the setback.

Aurora Adams (Fullerton, Calif.) notched a pair of hits, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) collected two base knocks, two RBIs, and one run scored on the day. Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) finished with two hits and a pair of runs scored. Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) recorded a pair of base hits and drove in one RBI while Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) chipped in with one hit, two RBIs, and one run scored.         

Eastern Nazarene chalked up three runs in the bottom of the first inning to grab a 3-0 lead. Castro roped a double off the fence in left field to drive in Schwenger from second base. Adams followed with her team-leading eighth home run of the season to score Castro.

The Lions tacked on three runs in the third to double their advantage to 6-0. Brandt launched her second homer of the spring to knock in Adams. Munoz laced a single down the left field line to drive in Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.).

Becker got on the board in the top of the fourth inning, plating a pair of runs to cut the deficit to 6-2. Kayla Dell'Anno rolled a single up the middle to score Emily Iacovelli. Jillana Stevens crossed the dish on an infield single off the bat of Elizabeth Simonian.

Eastern Nazarene added a run in the fifth to widen the gap to 7-2. Olaveson scampered home from third as Rebecca Hayner (Halfmoon, N.Y.) reached first base on an error.

The Lions tallied one run in the bottom of the sixth to extend their lead to 8-2. Castro lifted a sacrifice fly to centerfield to drive in Schwenger from third.

In the pitcher's circle, Munoz twirled a complete game and struck out five batters while surrendering zero earned runs.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene will face No. 2 seed Lesley in the winners' bracket of the New England Collegiate Conference Tournament May 8 at Mitchell/McCoy Field.