Eastern Nazarene Returns to NCAA Softball Tournament, Draws No. 8 East Texas Baptist in Opening Round in Marshall, Texas
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.- The two-time defending New England Collegiate Conference champion Eastern Nazarene College softball team is headed to the Lone Star State to take on East Texas Baptist in the opening contest of the NCAA Tournament Marshall, Texas Regional May 21.
The Lions, ranked No. 11 in the latest NCAA New England regional rankings, sport a 24-5 overall record heading into the NCAA Tournament. Led by interim head coach Lauren Clements, Eastern Nazarene is making its second-straight trip to the NCAA Tournament after making its NCAA Tournament debut in 2019.
Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) headlined Eastern Nazarene's six All-NECC first team selections as she garnered NECC Pitcher of the Year and NECC Rookie of the Year accolades. Joining Munoz on the All-NECC first team were Aurora Adams (Fullerton, Calif.), Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.), Rebecca Hayner (Halfmoon, N.Y.), Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.), and Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.).
Olaveson claimed a spot on the NFCA All-New England first team while Adams, Brandt, and Munoz all collected third team honors.
East Texas Baptist University is ranked No. 8 in the NFCA National Poll and atop the NCAA West regional rankings with a 30-5 overall record. The champions of the American Southwest Conference, the Tigers are making their 14th all-time and eighth-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
Eastern Nazarene and East Texas Baptist University have never met on the diamond. Other teams in the Marshall, Texas pod are Salisbury, Birmingham Southern, Redlands, and Ohio Northern.