Adams Reaches 100 Career Hits as Softball Splits Road Doubleheader at New England College Sunday

HENNIKER, N.H.- Senior Aurora Adams (Fullerton, Calif.) became the third player this season to collect her 100th career hit as the Eastern Nazarene College softball team downed New England College 7-5 before suffering an 11-9 setback Sunday afternoon.

The Lions progress to 18-16 on the season and 6-2 in the New England Collgiate Conference with the results. The Pilgrims move to 12-14 overall and 4-4 in league competition with the outcomes.

Kiley Ozaki (Ewa Beach, Hawaii) racked up seven hits, four RBIs, and one run scored on the day. Adams notched five base knocks, three RBIs, and one run scored. Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) recorded four hits, two RBIs, three runs scored, and a stolen base. Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) chipped in with three hits, two RBIs, and four runs scored.

In the opening clash, Eastern Nazarene topped New England College 7-5.

The hosts snagged a 1-0 edge with a run in the bottom of the first inning. Daelyn Ross roped a double to right-centerfield to drive in Destiny Helmedach from second base.

The visitors responded with a run in the top of the second to knot the contest at 1-1. Yaya Bowden (Danbury, Conn.) laced a two-out single to knock in Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho).

Eastern Nazarene generated three runs in the third to capture a 4-1 lead. Adams hoisted a sacrifice fly to plate Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.). Ozaki followed with a double to left-centerfield to score Olaveson before Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) scorched a base knock to drive in Ozaki.

The Lions picked up a run in the fifth inning to widen the margin to 5-1 as Olaveson belted her fourth home run of the season.

New England College posted a pair of runs in the home half of the frame to cut the deficit to 5-3. Jailen Dickens singled down the left field line to knock in Olivia Olson. Monica Andrade crossed the dish as Helmedach reached on a fielder's choice.

The guests answered with two runs in the sixth to regain a four-run advantage, 7-3. Olaveson slapped a single to left-center to drive in Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.). Adams laced a base hit to centerfield to plate Olaveson from second.

The Pilgrims collected a run in the bottom of the inning to narrow the gap to 7-4. Olson scurried home on an infield hit by Emily Gagne.

New England College scored once in the seventh to pull to within two, 7-5. Emily Nelson lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to knock in Ross.

Munoz pitched a complete game and finished with five strikeouts in the circle.

In the final game of the series, New England College posted an 11-9 win.

The Lions chalked up a pair of runs in the top of the first inning to grab a 2-0 lead. Schwenger led off the game with a solo shot to left field for her second homer of the season. Olaveson tagged up and scampered home from third base on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Ozaki.

The visitors tacked on a run in the second to widen the gap to 3-0. Madison Murray (Lakeville, Mass.) crossed the dish on an infield hit by Schwenger.

In the home half of the second frame, the Pilgrims manufactured three runs to level the contest at 3-3. Ross launched a solo home run down the left field line. Nelson crossed the dish as Andrade reached on a fielding error before Olson stole home.

New England College exploded for six runs in the third inning to claim a 9-3 advantage. Olson and Nelson each drove in two RBIs while Nelson and Helmedach both chipped in with RBI hits.

The hosts added two runs in the fourth to widen the margin to 11-3. Ross landed a double to drive in Helmedach all the way from first base. Ross tagged up and motored home from third base on a sacrifice fly by Nelson.

Eastern Nazarene tallied two runs in the top of the fifth inning to trim the gap to 11-5. Ozaki lasered a single to knock in Adams before Castro crossed the dish later in the frame.

The Lions scored once in the sixth to cut the deficit to 11-6 as Adams landed a single to plate Schwenger.

The visitors plated three runs in the top of the seventh to narrow the margin to 11-9.

Giddings tossed two innings and recorded one strikeout. Munoz worked four innings of relief and fanned one batter.

Looking ahead, Eastern Nazarene hosts Gordon April 26 on Senior Day.