SB: Lasell splits home opener vs. Eastern Nazarene

NEWTON, Mass. – The Lasell College softball team came back from an 11-0 five-inning loss in the first game to defeat Eastern Nazarene College in the nightcap, 3-2, to earn a split of a non-conference doubleheader at Taylor Field.

Sophomore Hannah Doherty (Hampton, N.H.) led the Lasers in the victory, pitching a complete game for her first victory of the season (1-2). Lasell scored three runs in the fourth inning to overcome a 2-0 deficit and Doherty shut down the Lions the rest of the way.

Lasell moves its record to 3-9 on the season, while Eastern Nazarene is now 9-7.

The Lasers play at home again on Tuesday, April 2, hosting New England College in a 3 p.m. doubleheader. ENC returns home to host Bay Path College in a twin bill on Saturday, March 30, at 2 p.m.

Game 1 – Eastern Nazarene 11, Lasell 0 (5 innings)

Sophomore Elisabeth Schaffer (Benton, Pa.) was dazzling for the visitors, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out 11 to improve her record to 7-2. She had a perfect game going with two outs in the fifth inning before sophomore Bethany Hector (Jaffrey, N.H.) broke it up with a double to center field. Hector went to third on a wild pitch and sophomore Sarah Walton (Poland, Maine) walked, but Schaffer struck out the last batter to end the game.

The Lions offense pounded out 13 hits to score their 11 runs, including two home runs and five doubles, plating four runs in the second inning, one on the third, five in the fourth and one in the fifth.

Senior Rebecca Ashman (Havre de Grace, Md.) led the way with a second-inning grand slam and a fourth-inning RBI double for a five-RBI game. Freshman Kiley Ozaki (Ewa Beach, Hawaii) cracked a solo home run in the third inning among her two hits, and senior Lauren Clements (Garrison, Texas) had a pair of doubles and drove in a run. Sophomore Rebecca Hayner (Halfmoon, N.Y.) had two hits and scored three runs, and sophomore Jessica Huerta (El Monte, Calif.) had two hits and an RBI.

Game 2 –Lasell 3, Eastern Nazarene 2

Doherty scattered seven hits and two walks while striking out three to earn the complete-game victory for Lasell. She pitched shutout ball the last four innings after being touched for single runs in the first and third frames.

Ozaki drove in both runs for ENC, delivering an RBI single in the first inning to put the Lions on the scoreboard, and adding a sacrifice fly in the third inning to make it 2-0.

The Lasers scored all three of their runs in the fourth inning. Doherty walked to lead off, Hector followed with a double to center and freshman Brianna Gendreau (Warren, R.I.) reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases. Walton and freshman Lisa Pare (Ellington, Conn.) delivered RBI singles to center to tie the score, and sophomore Hailey Haskins (Franklin, N.H.) brought home the eventual game-winning run with an infield ground out.

Senior Meghan Stanley (Bedford, Mass.) took the loss for ENC, allowing three runs on eight hits, fanning two.

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