Softball Drops Opening NAC Series to Maine-Farmington

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team absorbed two setbacks to Maine-Farmington Sunday afternoon at Mitchell/McCoy Field in the first North Atlantic Conference doubleheader, falling 9-6 and 10-2.

GAME ONE
THE BASICS:
Score: Eastern Nazarene 6, Maine-Farmington 9
Records: Lions (7-16, 0-1 NAC) | Beavers (10-5, 3-0 NAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Maine-Farmington plated a pair of runs in the top of the second inning to claim a 2-0 lead.
• Eastern Nazarene responded with two runs in the bottom of the second to level the contest at 2-2. Cayley McCurdy (Smithfield, R.I.) crossed the dish on a groundout by Lizzie DeRusha (Nashua, N.H.). Caoimhe Wernsing (Brockton, Mass.) scorched a single up the middle to drive in Abby Stansbury (Warren, Ore.).
• The Beavers tallied a run in the fourth to snag a 3-2 edge.
• The visitors scored three runs in the fifth inning to stretch the margin to 6-2.
• Maine Farmington tacked on three runs in the top of the sixth to widen the gap to 9-2.
• The Lions manufactured four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 9-6. Faith Bonar (Omaha, Neb.) laced a double down the right field line to knock in Cayley McCurdy (Smithfield, R.I.). Lizzie DeRusha (Nashua, N.H.) raked a single to plate Faith Bonar (Omaha, Neb.) and Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho). Izabel Pozar (Flagstaff, Ariz.) landed a base hit in right field to drive in Lizzie DeRusha (Nashua, N.H.).

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Cayley McCurdy (Smithfield, R.I.) notched three hits and two runs scored.
• Lizzie DeRusha (Nashua, N.H.) recorded two hits, two RBIs, and one run scored.
• Faith Bonar (Omaha, Neb.) finished with two hits, one RBI, and a run scored.
• Izabel Pozar (Flagstaff, Ariz.) chipped in with a pair of base knocks and one RBI.
• Abby Stansbury (Warren, Ore.) pitched 3.2 innings and Faith Bonar (Omaha, Neb.) worked two-thirds of an inning in relief.

GAME TWO
THE BASICS:
Score: Eastern Nazarene 2, Maine-Farmington 10
Records: Lions (7-17, 0-2 NAC) | Beavers (11-5, 4-0 NAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Maine-Farmington exploded for seven runs in the top of the first to establish a 7-0 advantage.
• The Beavers tacked on a run in the second to extend their lead to 8-0.
• Eastern Nazarene got on the board in the bottom of the second inning, scoring once to trim the margin to 8-1. Faith Bonar (Omaha, Neb.) roped a two-out double to left field to drive in Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho).
• The Lions picked up a run in the home half of the fourth to cut the deficit to 8-2. Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) scampered home from third base as Faith Bonar (Omaha, Neb.) reached on a fielder's choice.
• Maine-Farmington generated a pair of runs in the fifth inning to reclaim an eight-run lead, 10-2.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Faith Bonar (Omaha, Neb.) notched one base hit, drove in two RBIs, and stole one base.
• Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) posted one hit and one run scored.
• Faith Bonar (Omaha, Neb.) tossed two-thirds of an inning and struck out one batter. Cayley McCurdy (Smithfield, R.I.) worked 4.1 innings of relief and fanned one batter.

LOOKING AHEAD:
Eastern Nazarene treks to Vermont State Lyndon April 18 for a pair of North Atlantic Conference games.