Softball Falls to Bridgewater State, Sage

CLERMONT, Fla.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team suffered a 3-2 extra-innings setback to Bridgewater State before dropping an 8-6 decision to Sage Wednesday at the PFX Spring Games.

The Lions slide to 2-5 on the year with the losses while the Bears improve to 3-3 overall and the Gators rise to 2-7 overall.

Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) racked up five hits and added one RBI on the day. Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) notched two hits, three RBIs, one stolen base, and one run scored. Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) and Kiley Ozaki (Ewa Beach, Hawaii) both chipped in with three base knocks and one run scored.

In Eastern Nazarene's opening tilt of the day, Bridgewater State eked out a 3-2 win in extra innings.

The Bears tallied a run in the fourth to claim a 1-0 edge. Kerrin McLaughlin slapped a two-out single to left field to drive in Alexandra Ruprecht.

The Lions equalized with a run in the bottom of the fifth inning, 1-1. Schwenger raked a two-out base knock to right field to score Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) from third base.

Bridgewater State plated a pair of runs in the top of the eighth to seize a 3-1 advantage. Ruprecht singled up the middle to knock in Emma Healy before McLaughlin flared a double to right field to drive in Ruprecht.

Eastern Nazarene responded with a run in home half of the frame to narrow the gap to 3-2. With runners on the corners, Giddings scampered home on a double steal.

Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) tossed her fourth complete game in the pitcher's circle and finished with three strikeouts.

In the nightcap, Eastern Nazarene absorbed an 8-6 loss to Sage.

The Lions snagged a 1-0 edge with a run in the top of the first inning. Schwenger crossed the dish on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Munoz.

The Gators generated six runs in the home half of the first to capture a 6-1 advantage.

Eastern Nazarene plated a pair of runs in the second to narrow the margin to 6-3. Schwenger raked a two-out triple to right field to drive in Danielle Maliszewski (Torrington, Conn.) and Olaveson.

The Lions cut the deficit to one run, 6-5, after scoring twice in the third inning. Aurora Adams (Fullerton, Calif.) lasered a double to left field to plate Ozaki. Adams scampered home from third as Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) reached on a fielder's choice.

Sage chalked up two scores in the fifth to push its lead to 8-5. Makayla Lindsey launched a two-run home run to knock in Isabella Vano.

Eastern Nazarene trimmed the gap to 8-6 with a run in the top of the sixth frame. Brandt roped a double to centerfield to score Maliszewski.

Chelsea De Martini (Budd Lake, N.J.) pitched one inning in her first start of the spring and Munoz worked five innings in her first relief appearance of the season.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene will face Muskingum and Northland March 10.