Softball Splits Series at New England College Saturday

HENNIKER, N.H.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team halved a league doubleheader at New England College Saturday, triumphing 7-2 before falling 12-2.

GAME ONE
THE BASICS:
Score: Eastern Nazarene 7, New England College 2
Records: Lions (16-17, 7-2 NECC) | Pilgrims (12-19, 3-6 NECC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• New England College tallied two runs in the bottom of the first inning to establish a 2-0 lead.
• Eastern Nazarene manufactured three runs in the fifth to capture a 3-2 edge. Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) laced a doubled to left field to drive in Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) and Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.). Yaya Bowden (Danbury, Conn.) followed with a single to centerfield to knock in Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) from third base.
• The Lions chalked up three runs in the top of the sixth to widen the gap to 6-2. Caoimhe Wernsing (Brockton, Mass.) crossed the dish as Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) reached on a defensive error. Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) slapped a single to centerfield to plate Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.). Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) tagged up and scurried home from third on a sacrifice fly by Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.).
• The visitors tacked on a run in the seventh to extend their advantage to 7-2 as Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) launched her league-leading seventh home run of the spring.
  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Eastern Nazarene recorded a season-high 17 base hits in the series opener.
• Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) racked up four hits, three runs scored, and an RBI.
• Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) posted three RBIs, three hits, and one run scored.
• Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif) finished with two base knocks and a pair of runs scored.
• Yaya Bowden (Danbury, Conn.) and Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) both chipped in with two hits and one RBI.
• Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) spun a complete game and registered seven strikeouts while surrendering zero earned runs.

GAME TWO
THE BASICS:
Score: Eastern Nazarene 2, New England College 12
Records: Lions (16-18, 7-3 NECC) | Pilgrims (13-19, 4-6 NECC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Eastern Nazarene produced a pair of runs in the top of the first inning to claim a 2-0 advantage. Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) scorched a two-out single to drive in Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) and Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.).
• New England College answered with one run in the bottom of the frame to cut the deficit to 2-1.
• The Pilgrims erupted for nine runs in the second to control a 10-2 lead.
• The home side added two runs in the fourth to stretch the margin to 12-2.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) collected two hits, scored one run, and stole a base.
• Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) drove in a pair of RBIs and landed one base hit.
• In the pitcher's circle, Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) made her 17th start before Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) came on in relief.

POSTSEASON SEEDING SCENARIOS:
Eastern Nazarene has one pivotal conference series remaining on the schedule this spring, April 29 at home against league-leading Mitchell.

• If Eastern Nazarene sweeps Mitchell, then the Lions emerge as the top seed in the NECC Tournament while the Mariners grab the No. 2 seed.
• If Eastern Nazarene drops one game to Mitchell, then the Mariners claim the top seed in the NECC Tournament and the Lions earn the No. 2 seed.

UP NEXT:
Eastern Nazarene heads to Bridgewater State April 25 for a non-league twinbill.