Lions take two from AMCATS on Friday

Quincy, Mass.—The Eastern Nazarene softball team collected a pair of crucial wins in The Commonwealth Coast Conference Playoff race Friday afternoon as the Lady Lions defeated the AMCATS of Anna Maria 6-4 in the opener before taking game two, 10-6. The pair of wins moves Eastern Nazarene to 10-8 in conference and 12-16 overall. The AMCATS drop to 14-16 on the year and 7-11 in TCCC play.

Game Two

Anna Maria scored built an early lead in game two of the doubleheader as the AMCATS posted two runs in both the first and second innings. Run scoring singles by both Marchand and Cummings gave Anna Maria a 2-0 first inning lead.

The Lady Lions quickly responded with a single run in the bottom of the inning as Cayla Clinkscale singled home Greenfield to cut the AMCATS lead in half at 2-1.

In the top of the second, Anna Maria's Emily Nugent led off with a home run to push the advantage to two runs. Sarah Boyda followed up the longball with a single and then stole second to put another run in scoring position. Allyssa Boykin singled home Boyda to put the AMCATS up 4-1.

The Eastern Nazarene offense exploded once again in the bottom of the second inning, this time pounding out seven hits to score five runs. The five run inning was highlighted by Greenfield who launched the a 1-2 pitch over the right center field fence with the bases loaded for her second home run of the day and third in her last four games.

Eastern Nazarene reliever Hannah Moore came in and settled Anna Maria's offense as she allowed just one run in her first four innings of work.

In the top of the fourth, Anna Maria executed home a run as Boykin scored on a sacrifice fly by Hurley to make it 6-5 in favor of Eastern Nazarene.

Eastern Nazarene put the game out of reach in their half of the sixth scoring four runs to take a 10-5 lead. Greenfield added yet another hit, this one an RBI double and freshman Taylor Fleming followed with an RBI single to plate two Lion runs. Clinkscale drove in a run with a groundout to short before senior Amber Burns singled home Fleming to wrap up the scoring for the Lions.

Anna Maria added a single run in the top of the seventh the late run was not enough as Eastern Nazarene held on for the win.

After going hitless in the opener, Boykin went a perfect 4 for 4 in game two including a double. Boykin also scored twice and drove in a run for the AMCATS. Nugent finished 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored while Marchand had two hits and drove in a run.

Pacing the Lady Lions' offense was senior Bethany Greenfield who went 3 for 4 with three runs scored. Greenfield drove in a season high five runs in game two brining her RBI total for the day to eight. Greenfield finished the doubleheader 5 for 7 including two home runs and a double.

Eastern Nazarene Sophomore Jamie Block went a perfect 3 for 3 with two runs scored while Burns finished 2 for 4 with a run batted in. Freshman Taylor Fleming continued her stellar freshman season going 2 for 4 with two runs scored and an RBI.

Clinkscale drove in three runs going 2 for 4 for the Lady Lions.

Junior pitcher Hannah Moore pitched five innings in relief for the Lady Lions. Moore allowed just one earned run on two hits while striking out three.

Eastern Nazarene will try to secure a playoff berth tomorrow as they host TCCC opponent Salve Regina in a doubleheader while Anna Maria will host TCCC foe Western New England College. Both games are set to begin at 12:00 PM.

Release Courtesy of ENC Sports Information

Photo Courtesy of David Sheridan for AMC Sports Information