Softball Sweeps Mitchell on Senior Day, Clinches Top Seed in NECC Tournament

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team collected a pair of thrilling wins over Mitchell Saturday at Mitchell/McCoy Field, triumphing 6-3 and 8-6. With the two victories, the Lions secure the No. 1 seed in the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Tournament.

GAME ONE
THE BASICS:
Score: Eastern Nazarene 6, Mitchell 3
Records: Lions (18-19, 8-3 NECC) | Mariners (23-16, 9-2 NECC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Mitchell plated one run in the top of the first inning to seize a 1-0 lead.
• Eastern Nazarene responded with a pair of runs in the home half of the first to claim a 2-1 edge. After Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) drew a lead-off walk, Caoimhe Wernsing (Brockton, Mass.) followed with her third home run of the season.
• The Mariners produced two runs in the second to regain a one-run advantage, 3-2.
• The Lions chalked up a run in the bottom of the fourth inning to level the game at 3-3. Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) belted her fifth homer of the year to lead off the frame, a solo shot to centerfield.
• Eastern Nazarene manufactured three runs in the fifth to capture a 6-3 lead. Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) slapped a triple off the right field fence to drive in Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.). Caoimhe Wernsing (Brockton, Mass.) laced a double to the gap in right-centerfield to score Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.). Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) raked a two-out single to centerfield to knock in Caoimhe Wernsing (Brockton, Mass.) from second base.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) racked up three hits, two RBIs, and one run scored.
• Caoimhe Wernsing (Brockton, Mass.) collected three RBIs, two hits, and two runs scored.
• Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) finished with one base knock, one RBI, and a pair of runs scored.
• Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) threw a complete game and recorded three strikeouts.

GAME TWO
THE BASICS:
Score: Eastern Nazarene 8, Mitchell 6
Records: Lions (19-19, 9-3 NECC) | Mariners (23-17, 9-3 NECC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The visitors snagged a 1-0 edge with one run in the top of the first inning.
• Mitchell tallied three runs in the third to widen the margin to 4-0.
• Eastern Nazarene got on the board in the bottom of the third inning, scoring one run to trim the deficit to 4-1. Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) launched her league-leading ninth home run of the spring, a solo blast to centerfield.
• The Mariners tacked on a run in the fourth to reestablish a four-run advantage, 5-1.
• The guests added a run in the fifth inning to stretch their lead to 6-1.
• Eastern Nazarene engineered a two-out, seven-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning to claim an 8-6 edge. Caoimhe Wernsing (Brockton, Mass.) crossed the dish as Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) reached on an outfield miscue. Yaya Bowden (Danbury, Conn.) followed with a single to centerfield to drive in Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) and Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho). After base knocks by Chelsea De Martini (Budd Lake, N.J.) and Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.) loaded the bases, Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) delivered a clutch grand slam for her fourth home run of the season.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) notched four RBIs, one hit, and one run scored.
• Yaya Bowden (Danbury, Conn.) posted two hits, two RBIs, and one run scored.
• Chelsea De Martini (Budd Lake, N.J.) landed two base hits and scored one run.
• In the pitcher's circle, Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) pitched three innings in her eighth start. Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) worked four innings in her second relief outing of the season and finished with one strikeout.

SENIOR DAY CELEBRATION:
Prior to the start of the opening tilt, the Eastern Nazarene softball program honored its six seniors: Yaya Bowden (Danbury, Conn.), Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.), Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.), Chelsea De Martini (Budd Lake N.J.), Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.), and Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.).

NECC TOURNAMENT ON DECK:
Eastern Nazarene and Mitchell both finished the regular season with a 9-3 mark in league action but the Lions grabbed to No. 1 seed in the NECC Tournament after taking the season-series against the Mariners 3-1. Eastern Nazarene will face fourth-seeded Lesley in the NECC Tournament May 5 while No. 2 seed Mitchell will battle New England College.