Softball Splits Midweek Doubleheader at Lasell

NEWTON, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team split a non-conference twinbill at Lasell Wednesday, prevailing 5-2 before falling 15-14.

The Lions progress to 9-13 on the year with the results while the Lasers move to 11-11 overall.

Aurora Adams (Fullerton, Calif.) racked up seven hits, four RBIs, and six runs scored. Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) posted seven base knocks, three RBis, and five runs scored. Kiley Ozaki (Ewa Beach, Hawaii) notched three hits, two RBIs, and a pair of runs scored. Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) contributed with three hits and three runs scored.

In the opening contest, Eastern Nazarene topped Lasell 5-2.

The Lions generated three runs in the top of the first inning to claim a 3-0 lead. Adams laced a single to centerfield to drive in Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.). Olaveson followed with a double down the left field line to plate Adams all the way from first base. Ozaki roped a base knock to centerfield to score Olaveson.

The visitors added one run in the third to widen the margin to 4-0 as Ozaki launched her first home run of the season.

Eastern Nazarene tacked on a run in the fifth to stretch its advantage to 5-0. Adams belted a leadoff homer over the left-field fence.

The home side scored twice in the bottom of the fifth inning to cut the deficit to 5-2. Emily Mestas and Brianna Gendreau picked up RBIs as Ally Kirck and Mestas crossed the dish.

Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) tossed a complete game in the pitcher's circle and posted four strikeouts.

Eastern Nazarene dropped a high-scoring affair in game two, 15-14.

The Lions produced three runs in the top of the second inning to establish a 3-0 advantage. Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) raked a single to right-centerfield to drive in Adams. Munoz scorched a double to left field to plate Castro. Schwenger rolled a base hit up the middle to knock in Ozaki from third base.

The Lasers got on the board in the home half of the second to narrow the gap to 3-1. Samara Turgeon crossed the dish as Angelena Piers reached on a fielder's choice.

Eastern Nazarene notched a pair of runs in the third to extend its lead to 5-1. Olaveson motored home from third on a wild pitch before Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) roped a two-out double to right field to score Adams.

Lasell manufactured two runs in the bottom of the frame to trim the deficit to 5-3. Katie Hopkins belted a two-run home run to drive in Mestas.

The visitors scored twice in the fourth to reclaim a four-run advantage, 7-3, as Brandt and Olaveson hammered back-to-back solo homers.

The hosts responded with five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to seize an 8-7 edge. Meghan Theall crossed the dish on an error after Mestas reached with a base knock. Hopkins launched her second home run of the game, a grand slam to plate Gendreau, Mestas, and Kirck.

Lasell generated four runs in the fifth to grab a 12-7 lead.

Eastern Nazarene answered with three runs in the top of the sixth to slice the deficit to 12-10 as Brandt, Adams, and Olaveson all scored in the inning.

The Lasers chalked up three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to hold a 15-10 advantage heading to the final frame. Theall landed a single in centerfield to knock in Turgeon and Hopkins before Kirck singled to drive in Theall.

The Lions' seventh-inning rally came up just short with four runs. Olaveson roped a double to left field to drive in Schwenger before Adams clobbered her second homer of the afternoon to score Brandt and Olaveson.

Munoz spun her second complete game of the day and fanned five batters.

Looking ahead, Eastern Nazarene opens conference play April 15 at home against New England College.