Top-Seeded Softball Reaches NECC Championship Series with Dramatic 6-5 Victory Over New England College

REVERE, Mass.- The top-seeded Eastern Nazarene College softball team rallied to claim a 6-5 come-from-behind win over No. 3 seed New England College 6-5 Saturday to advance to the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) championship series for the fourth year in a row. Senior Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) delivered a clutch single with the bases loaded to drive in the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning.

THE BASICS:
Score: Eastern Nazarene 6, New England College 5
Records: Lions (21-19) | Pilgrims (17-21)


HOW IT HAPPENED:

• New England College produced a pair of runs in the top of the second inning.
• Eastern Nazarene responded with two runs in the bottom of the second. Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) scurried home from third base on a fly out by Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.). Danielle Maliszewksi (Torrington, Conn.) roped a single to left field to plate Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho).
• The Pilgrims chalked up three runs in the fifth to reclaim the lead, 5-2.
• The Lions tallied two runs in the home half of the fifth inning to cut the deficit to 5-4. Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) scorched a single back up the middle to score Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.). Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) motored home from third on a wild pitch with two outs in the frame.
• Eastern Nazarene rallied to score two runs in the bottom of the seventh to clinch a 6-5 victory. With the bases loaded, Ashley Caldwell (Quincy, Mass.) landed an infield hit to knock in Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) from third base. Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) followed with a single to right field to drive in Yaya Bowden (Danbury, Conn.) with the winning run.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) collected three hits, one RBI, and one run scored.
• Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) notched two base hits and scored one run.
• Caoimhe Wernsing (Brockton, Mass.) finished with two hits while Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) added one base knock and two runs scored.
• In the pitcher's circle, Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) spun her 16th complete game of the spring and registered four strikeouts.

NECC CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES:
Eastern Nazarene secures a spot in the NECC Tournament championship series for the fourth consecutive season. The top-seeded Lions will battle No. 3 seed New England College May 7 for the NECC crown.