Softball Drops Narrow Decisions at Lesley Friday

REVERE, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team absorbed a pair of one-run losses at Lesley Friday afternoon.

The Lions slip to 18-20 on the season and 6-4 in the New England Collegiate Conference with the results. The Lynx improve to 13-15 overall and 4-6 in league play with the victories.

Kiley Ozaki (Ewa Beach, Hawaii) notched two hits and three RBIs on the day. Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) posted two base knocks, one RBI, and three runs scored. Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) chipped in with one hit and one run scored.

In the opening clash, Eastern Nazarene suffered a hard-fought 2-1 setback to Lesley.

The visitors snagged an early 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the first inning as Olaveson clobbered her fifth home run of the spring.

The hosts tallied two runs in the fourth to claim a 2-1 edge. Lindsey Jensen roped a single to left field to drive in Ilana Zack. Sam Jensen scored the go-ahead run as Samantha Mecklenburg reached on an error.

Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) struck out six batters in six innings of action in the pitcher's circle.

In the series finale, the Lynx rallied to edge the Lions 4-3.

Eastern Nazarene chalked up a pair of runs in the top of the first inning to capture a 2-0 advantage. Ozaki laced a single to centerfield to plate Olaveson and Schwenger.

Lesley got on the board in the bottom of the frame to cut the deficit to 2-1. Mahlia Medina crossed the dish as Antonia Kieran reached on an error.

The Lions reclaimed a two-run lead with a run in the third. Ozaki scorched a double to left-centerfield to knock in Olaveson.

The home side evened the contest at 3-3 with two runs in the sixth. Kieran launched a solo homer before Jess O'Neill scampered home on an RBI groundout by Lindsey Jensen.

Lesley clinched the sweep with the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning to prevail 4-3. Zack delivered a walk-off base hit to drive in Medina from third base.

Munoz finished with two strikeouts in her second start of the afternoon in the pitcher's circle.

Looking ahead, Eastern Nazarene concludes the regular season April 30 on the road at Mitchell.