Softball Falls to No. 7 East Texas Baptist in NCAA Tournament Opening Tilt, Returns to the Diamond Saturday
MARSHALL, Texas- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team dropped a five-inning 10-2 decision to No. 7 East Texas Baptist in the first game of the NCAA Tournament Marshall, Texas Regional Friday.
The Lions move to 24-6 on the season with the setback while the Tigers improve to 31-5 overall and advance to play the loser of Friday afternoon's matchup between Birmingham Southern and Redlands. Eastern Nazarene advances to Saturday due to a no-contest in the loser's bracket.
Aurora Adams (Fullerton, Calif.) notched a pair of hits while adding one RBI and one run scored. Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) registered one base knock and one RBI on the day. Rebecca Hayner (Halfmoon, N.Y.) finished with one hit and one run scored.
East Texas Baptist plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning before widening its lead to 7-0 with five runs in the second.
Eastern Nazarene got on the board in the top of the third, scoring twice to cut the deficit to 7-2. Adams roped a two-out double to right-centerfield to drive in Hayner from second base. Olaveson followed with a double to right field to knock in Adams.
The host Tigers tallied three runs in the fourth to stretch their advantage to 10-2.
In the pitcher's circle, Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) recorded one strikeout in four innings of action for the Lions.
Up next, Eastern Nazarene will look to stay alive in the NCAA Tournament as the Marshall, Texas Regional continues May 22. The Lions will take the field at 5PM EST / 4PM CDT against an opponent to be determined.
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POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
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