BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPS: Softball Clinches Second-Straight NECC Crown with 7-1 Victory over Lesley

QUINCY, Mass.- The top-seeded Eastern Nazarene College softball team captured its second-consecutive New England Collegiate Conference title Sunday afternoon with a 7-1 win over No. 2 seed Lesley at Mitchell/McCoy Field. By virtue of claiming their second league championship in three years, the Lions punch their ticket to the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

The Lions improve to 24-5 on the season with their fifth victory in a row. The Lynx finish the spring with a 14-6 overall record with the loss.

Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) was named the NECC Tournament Most Valuable Player after pitching three complete games and recording 15 strikeouts while allowing zero earned runs in three postseason contests. Aurora Adams (Fullerton, Calif.) and Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) joined Munoz on the All-Tournament Team.

Brandt notched three hits and collected three RBIs on the day. Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) posted three base knocks, two runs scored, and one RBI. Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) chipped in with one hit, one RBI, and one run scored while Adams added a pair of runs scored.

Eastern Nazarene erupted for five runs in the bottom of the first inning to establish a 5-0 advantage. Olaveson roped a double to left field to drive in Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.). Brandt followed with a two-run base knock to plate Adams and Olaveson. Castro came around to score due to a series of errors before Rebecca Hayner (Halfmoon, N.Y.) laced a single to left field to knock in Munoz.

The Lions tallied two runs in the home half of the fourth to widen the gap to 7-0. Brandt scorched a single up the middle to drive in Adams from second base before Olaveson scurried home from third on an RBI groundout by Castro.

Lesley got on the board in the top of the sixth inning to trim the deficit to 7-1. Ilana Zack crossed the dish on an errant throw after sliding into third base as Kristen DiCicco flared a base knock to left field.

In the pitcher's circle for Eastern Nazarene, Munoz spun her third complete game of the tournament to improve to 15-1 on the year. The NECC Pitcher of the Year and Rookie of the Year allowed one walk and one unearned run while racking up six strikeouts.

Jordan Day started in the pitcher's circle for the Lynx and tossed two-thirds of an inning before Kara Haga worked 5.1 innings of relief.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene will learn its NCAA Tournament destination and opponent as the NCAA Tournament Selection Show airs Monday, May 17 on NCAA.com.