Softball Garners Four NFCA All-Region Nods

LOUISVILLE, Ky.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team claimed four National Fastpitch Coaches' Association (NFCA) All-New England Region honors as Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) earned a spot on the first team while Aurora Adams (Fullerton, Calif.), Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.), and Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) all collected third team accolades.

The Lions recently clinched their second-consecutive New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) crown after storming through the NECC Tournament with three victories.

Olaveson ranked second in the league this season with a .537 batting average to go with 44 base knocks, 32 RBIs, and 30 runs scored. The All-NECC first team selection ranked second on the team with six home runs and picked up a pair of NECC Player of the Week awards this spring.

Adams paced the squad with 47 base hits, 42 runs scored, 35 RBIs, and eight home runs. The junior shortstop posted a .480 batting average to go with a .514 on-base percentage and a .847 slugging percentage. A two-time NECC Player of the Week, she was selected to the All-NECC first team as well as the NECC All-Tournament team this spring.

An All-NECC first team honoree, Brandt notched 39 hits, 29 runs scored, 28 RBIs, and a team-best 11 stolen bases this season. The sophomore outfielder earned one NECC Player of the Week nod this season and batted .433 with a .485 on-base percentage and a slugging percentage of .678 on the year.

The 2021 NECC Pitcher of the Year and Rookie of the Year, Munoz has compiled a 15-1 record in the pitcher's circle and sports a 1.37 ERA with 62 strikeouts on the spring. She has pitched 102 innings spanning 16 starts and one relief appearance.

An All-NECC first team pick and a two-time NECC Pitcher of the Week, Munoz was named the NFCA National Pitcher of the Week May 12 after claiming NECC Tournament MVP laurels.

Eastern Nazarene boasts a 24-5 overall record and with the NECC title secured it has punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history. The Lions will learn their NCAA Tournament destination and opening game opponent May 17 as the NCAA Tournament Selection Show airs on NCAA.com.