Softball: Lasers take Game 2, 15-14, in doubleheader split with Eastern Nazarene

NEWTON, Mass. - Freshman Samara Turgeon of the Lasell University softball team went a combined 5-of-7 batting, with two runs, one triple and one double, during a doubleheader split with Eastern Nazarene Wednesday, as the Lasers won Game 2, 15-14, and fell short, 5-2, in the first game on Taylor Field.

"The Lasers had a hard-fought second game," said Lasell University Softball Head Coach Sarah Woodside. "We learned from our mistakes during the first game and were able to bring home the win during the second game. Eastern Nazarene is a great hitting team and we knew we had to do work at the plate if we wanted to win. I am proud of the quick adjustments in Game 2."

Game 2 (Lasell 15, Eastern Nazarene 14):

Leading the way for the Lasers (11-11, 4-2 GNAC) were Katie Hopkins (3 of 4, 6 RBIs, 3 runs, 2 home runs), Turgeon (3 for 4, 2 runs, triple, double) and Emily Mestas (3 of 4, 3 runs, 2 RBIs, double). Seven different Lasers tallied at least one hit and the team finished wit a total of 13.

Aurora Adams (5 of 5, 4 runs, 3 RBIs, home run, double) and Bailey Olaveson (4 for 5, 4 runs, 3 doubles, 2 RBIs, home run) played well for the Lions (9-13). Eastern Nazarene finished with 19 hits.

Eastern Nazarene built a 3-0 lead in the top of the second behind RBI singles by Darcy Castro and Alex Schwenger and a one-run double from Jennelle Munoz. After Turgeon put the Lasers on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second, the visitors extended the lead to 5-1 in the third behind a two-run inning.

A two-run shot by Hopkins over the right-field fence brought hosts to within two at 5-3 in the bottom of the third. The Lions extended their lead to 7-3 during the fourth, and then Lasell responded with nine straight runs. During the fourth, the Lasers scored five times, including a grand slam by Hopkins, giving the hosts the lead at 8-7. 

The Lasers put a four spot on the scoreboard during the fifth, highlighted by a two-run double to left-center by Mestas, as the team developed a 12-7 advantage. Each team scored three runs in the sixth. The Lions were trailing by five heading into the seventh, but the unit scored four runs, including a three-run homer to left by Adams. The Lasers were able to hold off the late run and secure a 15-14 victory.

Game 1 (Eastern Nazarene 5, Lasell 2):

Turgeon went 2 of 3 for the Lasers, while Olaveson led the charge for the Lions, going 3 for 4, with two doubles, one run and one RBI. Munoz earned the complete-game win for Eastern Nazarene, giving up two runs and five hits in seven innings, while striking out four and walking two.

The visitors hit the scoreboard for three runs in the first, and then Kiley Ozaki and Adams tallied solo shots in the third and fifth, respectively, giving the squad a 5-0 advantage. The Lasers generated a two-run fifth inning, featuring a one-run single by Mestas and an RBI ground out by senior captain Brianna Gendreau.

Mestas and Ally Kirck each recorded two stolen bases for Lasell. Eastern Nazarene finished with 14 hits.

Up Next:

The Lasers will compete against Albertus Magnus in a GNAC doubleheader Friday, with game times set for 3 and 5 p.m. on Taylor Field.

Director of Athletic Communications Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lasell.edu.

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