Softball Scores Two Shutout Wins at Salve Regina

NEWPORT, R.I.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team swept a non-conference doubleheader at Salve Regina Tuesday afternoon, posting a 5-0 victory followed by a 9-0 win.

The Lions climb to 8-12 on the season with the victories while the Seahawks flutter to 8-11 overall.

Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) collected four hits, three RBIs, and one run scored on the day. Kiley Ozaki (Ewa Beach, Hawaii) and Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) both notched four hits, one RBI, and one run scored. Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) registered three base knocks, four runs scored, and a pair of RBIs. Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) finished with three hits, one RBI, and one run scored. Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) chipped in with a pair of hits, three RBIs, and two runs scored.

In the opening clash of the doubleheader, Eastern Nazarene blanked Salve Regina 5-0.

The visitors chalked up a run in the top of the second inning to grab a 1-0 edge. Munoz laced a double to right-centerfield to drive in Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho).

The Lions added a run in the fifth to double their advantage to 2-0. Castro roped a one-out double to left-centerfield to plate Brandt from second base.

Eastern Nazarene tallied three runs in the seventh to widen the margin to 5-0. Olaveson launched her second home run of the season, knocking in Castro. Giddings crossed the dish as Danielle Maliszewski (Torrington, Conn.) reached on a fielder's choice.

Munoz spun a complete game in her 13th start of the spring and finished with four strikeouts.

In the series finale, Eastern Nazarene stymied Salve Regina to earn a 9-0 victory.

The Lions manufactured three runs in the top of the first frame to claim a 3-0 lead. Brandt scampered home from third base as Olaveson reached on a fielding error. Ozaki followed with a base knock up the middle to plate Aurora Adams (Fullerton, Calif.) before Olaveson scored on a wild pitch.

The guests tacked on a run in the second to extend their advantage to 4-0. Brandt slapped a double to right-centerfield to drive in Schwenger all the way from first base.

Eastern Nazarene produced a pair of runs in the fifth to stretch its lead to 6-0. Munoz drove in Olaveson from third base with an infield hit. With the bases loaded, Brandt drew a walk to plate Ozaki.

The Lions capped off the scoring with three runs in the sixth inning. Olaveson crossed the dish as Munoz reached on a fielder's choice. Schwenger bounced a single back up the middle to score Giddings before Brandt picked up her team-leading 18th RBI of the season with a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch to knock in Munoz.

In the pitcher's circle, Munoz tossed her second complete-game shutout of the day and fanned one batter.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene travels to Lasell April 13.