ENC's Home Field:

Quincy's McCoy Field

Directions:

*From Campus take Elm Ave and turn left onto Hancock St.

*At the second Traffic Light turn left onto 3A.

*McCoy Field will be on your left.

 

 

 

ENC Sophomore Tierney returns to TCCC All-Conference 2nd Team

May 1, 2009.  Quincy, Mass. – Sophomore third baseman, second baseman and designated hitter Jacqueline Tierney (Taunton, Mass.) made it her second trip to the TCCC All-Conference Second Team as she followed up her inaugural 2008 trip with this 2009 season.

Tierney hit .436 this year, which was good for 5th in the TCCC, was 5th in hits (34), 3rd in runs batted in (27), 4th in doubles (8), tied for 5th in home runs (5), 5th in total bases (57) and 4th in slugging percentage .731.  She is amongst the very top TCCC leaders in most categories.

Coach Long says, "It is amazing having her on the team, coaching and watching her.  When she gets up to the plate with runners on base, i have no doubt she will hit them in!  Jackie works hard, is a good kid and fun to be around!  It is amazing that she followed her freshman year (hitting .351), with a better second year.  She has two more seasons to top this one!" 

 

Eastern Nazarene exits in first round of TCCC Playoffs

April 27, 2009.  NEWPORT, R.I. – A two-run home run and 11 strike out performance led the Salve Regina University softball team past Eastern Nazarene in the first round of The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) Playoff Tournament with a 4-0 win Monday afternoon at Toppa Field.

Following a two-out single off the bat of senior Sarah Ramsey (Muncy, Pa.), Parolise hit her first collegiate home run over the left field fence to stake Salve Regina to a 2-0 lead.

In the fifth, senior Caitlin Poplawski (New Britain, Conn.) led off with a single and scored on a single by Coute.  A Crusader throwing error allowed the inning to stay alive and see another run score that gave the Seahawks a 4-0 lead.

Jakiela allowed just one hit and walked two to earn her school-record 23^rd win of the season.

Crusader lead off hitter, Bethany Greenfield (Parsippany, NJ), gave Jakiela no chance at a no-hitter, as in her first appearance to the plate, the first batter of the game, Greenfield singled.  She then stole second getting into scoring position, but a flyout, pop-up and a strikeout got the Seahawks out of the jam.

Senior Rebekah Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) allowed six hits, no walks and four runs (three earned) while striking out three in five innings of work for Eastern Nazarene (16-19). Her sister, Rachel Sorensen, pitched the sixth and allowed two hits and walked none.

The Seahawks advance to face No. 4 seed Roger Williams Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at Endicott College in Beverly, Mass.

 

Eastern Nazarene Steals Victory from Western New England College

April 25, 2009.  Springfield, Mass.  The Crusaders softball team flexed their muscles beating the Golden Bears 4-2 in seven innings in Springfield, Mass. on the campus of Western New England College in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) doubleheader today. 

Rebekah Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) earned her ninth win of the season as she scattered 9 hits and stranded 10 runners on base.  The Crusaders reached out for 12 hits and left 11 runners on base.

Eastern Nazarene was trailing 1-0, when in the fifth they combined for 5 hits and took advantage of a passed ball and a catcher error to score 3 runs and lead 3-1. 

WNEC got one back in the sixth to trail by one, 3-2, but Amber Burns (Fall River, Mass.) homered to left field in the seventh to give Eastern Nazarene a two run cushion. 

That's all Sorensen need as she forced a ground out and two fly out's to end the game for the Crusaders 16th win of the season, their most in over a decade.

Before the upset, the Crusaders fell 14-4 in game one.

Eastern Nazarene (#8 seed) draws Salve Regina (#5 seed) in the first round of the TCCC playoffs on Monday, April 27 facing one of the best pitchers in the TCCC.  Earlier in the year the Crusaders split with the Seahawks, one of the several outstanding wins of this season.

 

ENC Take Pride in Doubleheader, Earn TCCC Playoff Birth

Weston, Mass.—Playing with a solid offense, Eastern Nazarene College (15-17, 11-11 TCCC) ran off with a 9-1 win in six innings over Regis College in the first game of a doubleheader Friday evening. The Crusaders would take game two 8-2 and with the sweep assure their first playoff birth into The Commonwealth Coast Conference post-season since 1995.
 
Sophomore Amber Burns (Fall River, Mass.) sent her first hit screaming to the outfield for an inside the park homerun. Offensively Burns went 4-of-7, with seven runs batted in for the night.
 
Teammates Laura Giberson (Hingham, Mass.) and Jacqueline Tierney (Taunton, Mass.) both went 1-for-3, scoring two runs, and batting in a run for the Crusaders. Rebekah Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) pitched three innings, allowing one hit, and had five strikeouts against the Pride.
 
Regis’ Molly Teixeira (Ringe, NH) scored the Prides only run, as she batted 2-for-3 in the first game.
 
The Crusaders held Regis College to just 46 total at bats, while Eastern Nazarene batted 64 times during the night.
 
Regis College fought in game two with Kristen Tavares (Acushnet, Mass.) going 2-for-3, with an RBI and run during the game. The Crusaders maintained a staunch defense, allowing only six hits.
 
Hope Benjamin (Rochester, Mass.) posted a double with a hard-hit ball to the outfield. Benjamin would score Caitlin Luquet (Walnut Creek, CA) on the hit.
 
With the wins Friday Eastern Nazarene has now won seven of their last ten games, clinching a playoff berth in The Commonwealth Coast Conference.

 

Eastern Nazarene Sweeps Gordon on Senior Day

 April 18, 2009.  Quincy, Mass.  The Eastern Nazarene Softball team swept Gordon College today in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) doubleheader today at Quincy’s Mitchell-McCoy Field giving seniors a parting gift while lifting their season record to 13-15, 9-9 in the TCCC.

In game one, the Crusaders came from behind in extra (8) innings.  Trailing by one, 5-4 in the bottom of the 8^th, Brittany Hardie-Jones (Joppatowne, MD) advanced to third from a Rebekah Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) bunt single.  A Scot wild pitch scored Hardie-Jones and advanced Sorensen to third base with no outs and the score now tied.  The next Crusader batter, senior Brittany Bedillion (Perkasie, PA), hit a game winning single to right center bringing Sorensen home for the 6-5 victory. 

The Scots jumped ahead early as they loaded the bases.  Leah Granat (Long Valley, NJ) crossed home on an error and a Sara Grimes (Terryville, Conn.) RBI single to left field scored Liz Cheeseman (Winslow, ME) for a 2-0 lead. 

The Crusaders loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning on two walks and an Amber Burns (Fall River, Mass.) single but stranded all three runners and still trailed 2-0.

In the bottom of the 2^nd inning the Crusaders scored their first run with a Brittany Bedillion bunt through the infield that brought Brittany Hardie-Jones home.  Bedillion made it 2-2 when she crossed home on a throwing error to first. 

Eastern Nazarene’s Rebekah Sorensen made fast work of the Scots in the top of 3^rd inning with two strikeouts and a lunging catch in foul territory by Jackie Tierney (Taunton, Mass.).

The Scots broke the tie in the top of the 4^th with a sac-fly by Sara Giberson (Hingham, MA) scoring Kristen Terry (Chalfont, PA) from third.  Kimberly Levinsky (West Caldwell, NJ) walked on, stole second, was bunted to third and scored on a wild pitch to suddenly give the visitors a two run edge, 4-2, going into the bottom of the inning.

Two innings later in the fifth, the Crusaders threatened with runners on second and third and no outs, but back to back Grimes strike outs and a ground out stranded both runners on base and the score stayed at 4-2 going into the 6^th inning.
But the Scots could not hold in the 6^th as the Crusaders Sorensen and Bethany Greenfield (Plainsfield, NJ) singled and a Laura Giberson (Hingham, MA) walk loaded the bases with two outs.  Jackie Tierney’s 2 RBI single knotted the game up at 4-4 where it stood after the seventh too. 

The Scots quickly took the lead in extra innings as Lindsay Knuckles (Charlotte, NC) was bunted to third.  Sara Grimes then singled Knuckles home for the go ahead run to lead, 5-4, after the top half of the eighth.

But the bottom half belonged to the home team as they scored the tying and winning run to finish game one.

Crusader Rebekah Sorensen went the distance and pitched a complete game, striking out eight, giving up seven hits and five runs and improving her record to 7-5 on the season.

Scots pitcher Sarah Grimes falls to 4-8 on the season, as she allowed eleven hits and six runs while striking out nine in seven innings of work.

 

On the backend of the doubleheader, the Crusaders struck first as Laura Giberson reached on an error and scored on a Jackie Tierney RBI ground out to take a 1-0 lead at the end of inning one.

The Crusaders tagged home three more times in the second.  Hannah Rauchfuss (Elmont, NY) singled through the left side and Jami Swedick reached on an error to put runners on first and second.  Brittany Hardie-Jones then doubled to right center clearing the bases and then came home herself on a RBI infield ground out to give the Crusaders a 4-0 lead. 

The home team carried the momentum into the bottom of the third as well, as Giberson singled, Tierney reached on a fielder’s choice and the two were cleared from the bases on Amber Burns (Fall River, Mass.) laser over dead center, her third home run of the season, giving the home team a 7-0 lead.

In the fourth the Scots got one back when Liz Cheezeman singled, stole second and then made it home on two passed balls to make it, 7-1.

The Crusaders bats stayed hot though and in the fifth struck again.  Swedick singled and reached third on a Hardie-Jones single to centerfield.  Sorensen continued the trend with a single to right center sending in Swedick.  The following batter, senior Brittany Bedillion followed with a well hit high fly ball to leftfield that was not fielded cleanly allowing Hardie-Jones to score from second, ending the game in the fifth, 9-1. 

Crusader pitcher Rachel Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) goes to 5-4 on the season as she pitched four innings, allowing two hits, walked two and struck out three.  Freshman Hannah Moore (Sheridan, CA) came in and pitched an effective inning of relief walking one, striking out one and giving up two hits and no runs.

 Leah Granat goes to 2-7 on the season as she gave up nine hits and six earned runs while striking out one.

Leading the way at the plate for the Crusaders was Laura Giberson who went 3 for 4 with a double, 2 runs scored, 2 walks and a hit-by-pitch.  Pitcher Rebekah Sorensen helped her own cause as she went 4 for 6 at the plate with 2 RBI’s and a 2 runs scored. Brittany Bedillion went 3 for 7 with 3 RBI’s and a run scored while playing a strong role in the decisive moments of each game.

The Scots were led at the plate today by Kristen Terry’s 3 for 6 effort with a run scored.  Also, Sara Grimes went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI’s and Liz Cheesman went 2 for 6 with 2 runs scored.

Eastern Nazarene (13-15, 9-9 TCCC) travels to Milton, Mass. Saturday, April 18 as they face Curry College at 1:00 pm.  Gordon (6-15, 0-12 TCCC) is at Regis College on the same date.

 

 

Eastern Nazarene sweeps Wentworth in TCCC action.

April 14, 2009. Quincy, Mass.  In game one, Eastern Nazarene’s Rebekah Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) scattered seven hits in seven innings to lead Crusaders to 2-1 victory.

Sorensen pitched a complete game while striking out five, walking one and allowing one earned run.  It did not come easy though, as Wentworth threatened to tie and/or win the game in the top of the seventh.  The Leopards bats came alive, as Jenn Giudice (Valley, NY) doubled, Cherie Dunn (Acton, Mass.) singled and Christina Morris (Eatontown, NJ) walked to load the bases with two outs.  But with a full count, Sorensen found the inside corner for a called strike-three to preserve the lead and earn the win, her fifth of the season on the mound. 

Wentworth opened the scoring in the second inning as Kim Cabral (San Antonio, FL) singled down the left field line before scoring off a Laura Cyr (Arlington, Mass.) RBI single to shallow right field to lead 1-0.

In the bottom of third Eastern Nazarene’s Bethany Greenfield (Parsippany, NJ) singled to left with two out.  Laura Giberson (Hingham, Mass.) then doubled to right center to score Greenfield and knot the game up at 1-1.

Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) got out of the fourth with the help of catcher Janna Fernandes (Taunton, Mass.) and Greenfield as both made diving catches in foul territory to squelch the Leopards at bat.

In the bottom of the fifth, Eastern Nazarene went up by one as Giberson reached on an error and advanced to second on a Jacqueline Tierney (Taunton, Mass.) single.  Amber Burns (Fall River, Mass.) then singled to center and Giberson came across home to take a 2-1 lead.

Wentworths Caylee Johanson (Windsor, Conn.) pitched a complete game allowing one earned run, five hits, one walk and struck out five.   

On the backend of the doubleheader, Eastern Nazarene’s Jami Swedick (Averill Park, NY) scores in extra innings to complete comeback for, 5-4, win.

Placed on second base in the bottom of the eighth, Crusader Jami Swedick rounded third and reached home safely on a throwing error to first to give Eastern Nazarene (11-15, 7-9) their first sweep of the season and bring the Crusaders a game ahead of Wentworth (8-15, 6-10) the Leopards in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC).

ENC jumped out in front in the first as Laura Giberson tagged home on an Amber Burns single up the middle for a 1-0 lead.

Wentworth got ahold of Crusaders pitcher Rachel Sorensen as the Leopards loaded the bases in the fourth and then scored on a Jen Giudice single threw the left side of the infield sending Liz Harvey (McConnellsburg, PA) from third to home.  A called ball four then sent Caylee Johanson home to give the visitors a 2-1 lead. 

The Leopards continued their fourth inning rally and took the games lead when Krista Kelly (Medford, Mass.) hit a 2RBI single sending runners on second and third home for a 4-1 lead.

Eastern Nazarene got one back in the bottom of the fourth as Hannah Rauchfuss (Elmont, NY) scored on a Rebekah Sorensen single to right field to pull within two at 4-2.

In the sixth, the Crusaders Jami Swedick (Averill Park, NY) and Brittany Hardie-Jones (Joppatowne, MD) reached on two fielder’s choices.  With two out, a high fly ball to right field nearly ended the inning, but an errant catch sent Swedick around to score and pull the Crusaders to within one, 4-3 and prolong the inning.  Brittany Bedillion (Perkasie, PA) then hit an RBI single sending Hardie-Jones across the plate to knot the game up at 4-4 and eventually send the game into extra innings.

Wentworth’s Johanson again went the distance for Wentworth as she gave up only 2 earned runs en route to her second loss of the day.  She also went 2 for 2 with a run scored and a walk.  Teammate Jen Guidice went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI.

Eastern Nazarene’s Rebekah Sorensen is credited with the win, coming in as relief.  Teammate Amber Burns and Hannah Rauchfuss each went 3 for 4 as Laura Giberson went 2 for 3 in game two.

Eastern Nazarene hosts Gordon College on Friday, April 17 at Quincy’s Mitchell-McCoy Field at 3:00 pm.  Wentworth hosts Western New England College Wednesday, April 15 in Boston, Mass. at 3:30 pm.

 

Jackie Tierney Works the Plate for the Player of the Week Honors

PLAYER OF THE WEEK –  Eastern Nazarene College sophomore infielder Jacqueline Tierney (Taunton, Mass.) batted .586 (17-for-29) with four home runs, five doubles, 16 RBI, and 10 runs scored in eight games played.

Tierney hit safely in seven of the eight contests, collecting three hits in five of the games. She went 3-for-4 with two home runs and five RBI in a 7-3 win at the Univ. of New England, and went 6-for-8 with two home runs, five RBI and five runs scored in a doubleheader split with New England College.

 

 

Eastern Nazarene picks one of two from Salve Regina.

April 13, 2009.  Quincy, Mass. Eastern Nazarene upsets The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) stalwart, Salve Regina, 3-1, on the front end of today's doubleheader at Mitchell-McCoy Field in Quincy, Mass.

Sorensen's one-hit, nine strikeout complete game lifts Crusaders to victory.

In game one of today’s early TCCC doubleheader, Crusader Rebekah Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) pitched a one-hit, nine-strikeout, three-walk complete-game for her fourth win of the season and Crusaders ninth.  

It was a pitchers duel from the beginning as each teams hurler kept opponents batters guessing with good control of their off speed pitches.  Sorensen pitched through three innings, retiring the side in the third in strikeouts, without allowing a hit before Sarah Jakiela (Meriden, Conn.) singled to left field driving in Kristen Parolise (Hamden, Conn.) from second. 

Sorensen pitched out of the fourth inning stranding two Seahawks runners on base and only one other time did the Seahawks have a runner on base through the game.  The lone run scored on the Crusaders was not credited to Sorensen.

Equally impressive was Salve Regina's Sarah Jakiela who threw a two-hit, ten strikeout, four-walk complete-game performance.  Jakiela struck out at least a single batter in every inning while making 10 of the 18 outs by strikeout.

Jakiela's two faults came in the second as Amber Burns (Fall River, Mass.) tagged a fast ball over the centerfield fence to give the Crusaders a 1-0 lead.  Then in the sixth with the score locked at 1-1, Jacqueline Tierney (Taunton, Mass.) put a pitch up against the tall left field monster at Mitchell-McCoy Field to drive in Laura Giberson (Hingham, Mass.) from first.  Tierney would later score on a throwing error as she stole third to make the score 3-1.

Seahawks come out swinging in game two.

In game two, the Seahawk bats came alive and collected 16 hits on way to a 10-2 win.  Jakiela threw game two as well and continued throwing hard but without as much control as in the first.  While striking out seven, she allowed five hits and gave up seven walks en route to an impressive 16th win of the season. 

Rachel Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) gave up 10 hits in 5 innings and allowed 4 earned runs on way to the loss.

The Seahawks threatened in the first as they loaded the bases before Sorensen ended the inning with a strikeout.  The Crusaders were not so fortunate in the second though as the Seahawks pushed three across the plate with four singles before the inning ended with the visitors out in front 3-0.

The Seahwaks would get two more in the fourth but put the game out of reach with four runs in the sixth to make it 9-1.  Kristen Danubio (Glen Rock, NJ) started the rally off as she singled and advanced to third on singles by Caitlyn Poplawski (New Britain, Conn.) and Christina Walsh (Putnam Valley, NY).  The following batter, Kristen Parolise, would reach first on an error and Danubio would be the first to cross. 

Pitcher Sarah Jakiela helped her own cause with a two RBI double scoring Poplawski and Walsh.  Then Kristen Parolise tagged up from third on Katie Vieira's (Dartmouth, Mass.) RBI sacrifice-fly to left field before the inning ended with the lead well in hand.

Caitlyn Poplawski and Christina Walsh led the Seahawks at the plate as Poplawski went 3 for 3 with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored.  Walsh went 3 for 3 with 3 RBI's and a run scored.

Bethany Greenfield (Parsippany, NJ) led the Crusaders on offense as she went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Eastern Nazarene (9-13, 5-9) heads back out on the diamond Tuesday, April 14 in another TCCC match up versus Wentworth at 3:00 pm on Quincy's Mitchell-McCoy Field.  Salve Regina (16-11-1, 10-3-1) hosts Gordon College in Newport, RI on the same date at 4:00 pm.

 

TCCC Leading Gulls Power Past Crusaders in Sweep.

April 10, 2009.  Quincy, Mass.

Bortolotti’s three-hit shutout sinks Crusaders

In the first game of today’s The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) doubleheader, Endicott hurler Jenna Bortolotti (Milton, MA) pitched her tenth complete-game on the season earning a shutout, while surrendering only three hits and striking out three as the visitors cruised to a 13-0 win in five innings at Quincy's Mitchell-McCoy Field. 

Endicott threatened in the first as they loaded the bases one out but Crusaders’ rookie pitcher Hannah Moore (Sheridan, CA) got out of the jam with two pop outs and only surrendering one run.  In the second, Endicott successfully rounded the bases this time grabbing seven runs, including a three run home run by Meghan Sargent (Salisbury, MA).  Crusader shortstop Bethany Greenfield (Plainsfield, NJ) made a diving catch in the second inning to halt the Gulls momentum.

Crusader clean-up hitter, Amber Burns (Fall River, Mass.) started the second with a leadoff single through the right side but the Crusaders were unable to plate her. 

Endicott loaded the bases again in the third with no outs and added four runs on three hits.  Eastern Nazarene’s Brittany Hardie-Jones (Joppatowne, MD) led off the third with a double to the right field fence but was stranded on base. 

The Gulls gained another run in the top of the fifth on an RBI single by Jenna Lazar (Milton, MA), before going on to win 13-0.

Hardie-Jones led the Crusaders at the plate by going 2 for 2 with two doubles.

The Gulls were led by Sargent who went 2 for 2 with a three run home run and MacDonald who compiled two hits, two RBIs and two runs on three at-bats.

Moore pitched two plus innings.  Rebekah Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) and Jacqueline Tierney (Taunton, MA) both came on in relief and pitched one and two innings, respectively.

 

Gulls Hustle Past Crusaders in Game 2

In the nightcap, the Crusaders got back-to-back singles in the first from Laura Giberson (Hingham, Mass.) and Tierney but were unable to score as Endicott’s defensive shut the door.

The Gulls responded in the top of the second with three straight singles to load the bases.  Crusader pitcher Rachel Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) struck out one and got two fly out’s to get out of the inning while only allowing one run. 

The Gulls pushed another two across the plate in the third to extend their lead to 3-0.  The Crusaders got a run back in the bottom half of the inning as Giberson scored from first on a line drive double off the left field fence by Tierney to make the score 3-1.

The Gulls produced a strong at bat in the fourth as they scored five runs on four hits and then collected another run in the fifth to lead 9-1.

Jamie Swedick (Averill Park, NY) led off the Crusaders half of the fifth with a single to right-centerfield.  Greenfield followed with a single through the left side of the infield.  Tierney delivered for the second time in the game with a one out double to right-center that plated two runs to trail by six, 9-3, and help the Crusaders avoid another five inning game.      

The Gulls plated another in the sixth and seventh to make it 11-3 before Greenfield led off the seventh for the Crusaders with a  double to right.  Greenfield advanced to third on a fly out and scored on an RBI single by Amber Burns (Fall River, Mass.) to make the score 11-4, the final.   

Sorensen pitched well for the home team, going the distance for her fifth complete game of the season, striking out one.

Endicott sophomore pitcher Jackie Collier (Swampscott, MA) also went the distance for her ninth complete game on the season.  Collier struck out eight while giving up four runs on ten hits.

Leading the way for the Crusaders was Tierney with three hits and three RBIs.  Greenfield contributed three hits with two runs scored.

The Gulls were led by Wright who went 4 for 4 with an RBI and a run.  MacDonald added four hits, driving in one and crossing home three times.

With the win, the Gulls improve to 11-1 in TCCC play and 20-4 overall.  The Crusaders fall to 4-8 in the conference and 8-14 overall.  The Crusaders resume play on Apr. 13 with a home game versus Salve Regina University at 12pm.

 

Nor'easters split doubleheader with Eastern Nazarene

April 9, 2009.  BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Eastern Nazarene College split its The Commonwealth Coast Conference softball doubleheader Thursday afternoon at Claude Dubois Field with The University of New England as each game was decided in the final inning. 

The Nor'easters pulled out a 5-4 game one win with a run in the bottom of the seventh inning, while ENC plated five runs in the top of the seventh inning to steal game two, 7-3.

With the score tied at 4-4 in the last of the seventh, UNE loaded the bases and slipped down a bunt bunt between third base and the pitcher's mound, allowing UNE to scamper home with the winning run.

The contest went back-and-forth in the early innings.  The Nor'easters led 2-0 after three innings, before the Crusaders answered back with three runs in the fourth inning behind three doubles and a single.

UNE regained the lead (4-3) with two runs in the fifth.  Senior Megan Gaedje (Tolland, Conn.) walked and stole second before a Webb single drove her in.  Webb was pushed to second on a sacrifice, and scored on a DePasquale double to center.

Senior Janna Fernandes (Taunton, Mass.) sent a home run over the left field fence to draw Eastern Nazarene even with the hosts in the sixth.

DePasquale's two hits led the Nor'easters, who snapped a four-game skid with the win.  First-year Julie Bigelow (Montpelier, Vt.) pitched the sixth and seventh innings to earn the win and improve to 3-0 on the season.

Game two saw the Crusaders (8-12, 4-6 TCCC) strike first, scoring a pair of runs in the third inning.  With two out and a runner on first, sophomore Jacqueline Tierney (Taunton, Mass.) blasted a home run to deep center field to give the visitors the early cushion.

UNE got one back in the fourth inning to cut the deficit in half (2-1).  Gaedje singled, picked up her third of four stolen bases on the day, advanced to third on a ground out, and scored on a error during a failed pick-off attempt.

The Nor'easters took the lead in the sixth.  With two on and two out, sophomore pinch hitter Stephanie Podolski (Coventry, Conn.) looped a single over the third baseman to score Engwer and Gaedje, and give UNE a 3-2 advantage.

Eastern Nazarene bats came to life in the top of the seventh.  After tying the game at 3-3 with a trio of singles to start the inning, Tierney homered for the second time to put the Crusaders on top for good (6-3).  Sophomore Alice Burns (Fall River, Mass.) followed with a home run of her own to complete the scoring.

Tierney went 3-for-4 at the plate, driving in five runs, and scoring a pair.  Burns and senior Brittany Hardie-Jones (Jopatowne, Mass.) each notched two hits for the Crusaders, who roughed up UNE pitching for 12 hits on the game.

Senior Rachel Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) pitched nearly the entire game for the win, holding the Nor'easters to just three hits in 6 2/3 innings of work.

UNE (13-8-1, 6-7-1 TCCC) returns to action Tuesday for a twinbill at Regis College.  First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.  Eastern Nazarene will host Endicott College on Friday.

 

 

 

Eastern Nazarene and Anna Maria each draw one in doubleheader.

April 8, 2009.  Quincy, Mass. The Eastern Nazarene College Softball team took the first game, by a score of 10-3, in Wednesday night’s doubleheader against the Anna Maria AMCats. 

The Crusader bats got hot early as sophomore Bethany Greenfield (Parsippany, NJ) got on base with a little help being hit with a pitch.  Laura Giberson (Hingham, MA) flared a single to right and Jacqueline Tierney (Taunton, MA) followed suit with an RBI single to center to score Greenfield.  Amber Burns (Fall River, MA) drove in two more runs with another Crusader single as the first inning ended with the Crusaders already having a 4-0 lead.

The AMCats grabbed a run in the top of the second inning on an RBI single by Dominique Marchand (Mendon, MA) to make it 4-1, and then threatened in the fourth with runners on first and second and no outs.  But Crusader pitcher Rebekah Sorenson (Quincy, MA) ended the inning with three straight outs, two strikeouts and a foul out, to get out of the jam. 

The AMCats clawed their way back into the game though in the fifth as they loaded the bases with just one out.  A two run single to deep left field by Mary Moroski Worcester, MA) brought the lead to 4-3.

However, leading by one in fifth, the Crusaders extended the lead to 6-3 on two RBI hits by Tierney and Burns and once again in the bottom of the sixth as RBI hits by Greenfield and Giberson sent runners across home plate for 10-3 lead in favor of the home team.

Both teams’ pitchers threw well as the Crusaders Sorenson went 6 1/3 innings fanning five and giving up three runs on six hits.  AMCat hurler Nicole Hackenson (Mendon, MA) struck out eight batters in six innings of work.

Crusader catcher Senior Janna Fernandes (Taunton, MA) was stellar defensively gunning down three base runners trying to steal.

Offensively, the Crusaders got outstanding performances from Tierney, Giberson and Burns.  Tierney went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and scored twice.  Giberson tallied two hits with two RBIs and three runs scored.  Burns went 2 for 4 from the plate with three ribbies.

The AMCats were lead by Mary Moroski who went 3 for 3 with two RBIs and a run.

In game two, Anna Maria used an eight run 3^rd inning to propel past Eastern Nazarene for the 10-5 win. 

The AMCats Alyssa Boykin (Worcester, MA) started the game with a two run homer jumping out to an early lead.  The Crusaders answered in the bottom half of the inning with a RBI single by Jackie Tierney with Laura Giberson scoring in Tierney's attempt to take another base and the 1^st inning ending at 2-2.

After a quiet second inning, the visitors blew the game open in the 3^rd with eight runs as the AMCats batted through the order. The AMCats had five hits, including a triple by Mary Moroski with two runners on base as the inning ended with an eight run margin, 10-2, over the Crusaders.

In the bottom of the 4^th the Crusaders battled back with a solo home run by Janna Fernandes bringing the score to 10-3.  The Crusaders continued to close the gap in the fifth as a RBI single by Bethany Greenfield sent Rebekah Sorensen home making the score 10-4.

But in the 6^th , the game would see its final run as the Crusaders Amber Burns crossed the plate on a Janna Fernandes sac-fly. 

AMCat pitcher Holly Renna (Charlton, MA) three the complete game striking out 4 and walking 1 and improves to 4-8 on the season.  They were led at the plate by Becky Merucrio (Worcester, MA) who went 3 for 4 with a run scored as teammate Alyssa Boykin went 2 for 5 with a home run, single, and 2 RBIs.

Eastern Nazarene’s Hannah Moore (Sheridan, CA) falls to 1-6 on the season. Teammate Janna Fernandes led the Crusaders on offense going 1 for 2 with a home run and 2 RBIs while Rebekah Sorensen went 2 for 2, with a double and a walk.

Eastern Nazarene (7-11, 3-5) plays again Thursday against University of New England away at 3:30 pm.  Anna Maria (5-18, 4-6) will continue action on April 13^th at Regis College.

 

Eastern Nazarene Strands Two in Seventh to Split with NEC.

April 7, 2009.  Henniker, N.H. – Eastern Nazarene College nearly completed a late game comeback in game 2 of The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) doubleheader with New England College, but fell short in the final inning to go on and split the home side Tuesday afternoon in Henniker, NH today, 6-1 and 9-10.  With the split the Crusaders move to 6-10 on the season and 2-4 in the TCCC, while the Pilgrims go to 7-9 overall and 1-5 in the TCCC.

In game one the two teams battled through the first two innings scoreless before Crusader Amber Burns (Fall River, Mass.) doubled in Jacqueline Tierney (Taunton, Mass.) in the top of the third giving Eastern Nazarene the 1-0 lead.  NEC’s Stephanie Freitag (Lakeville, Mass.) responded with a solo homerun in the bottom of the fourth knotting the game at 1-1. 

The Eastern Nazarene offense exploded though for four runs in the top half of the fifth and added an additional run in the seventh as Tierney homered for additional security.  The Crusader pitching held NEC to just one base runner in the final three innings cruising to the 6-1 victory.

Leading the way for Eastern Nazarene was Tierney who pounded out three hits (1 HR) and had three runs scored and two runs batted in.  Amber Burns finished with two hits and two runs batted in for the Crusaders.  Picking up the win on the mound for Eastern Nazarene was Rachel Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) who allowed just one earned run on seven hits.

In game two the two teams combined for 25 hits and 19 runs in an offense battle.  The Crusaders led through much of the game.  Up 6-3 and heading into the fifth inning the Pilgrims plated four runs in the fourth and three in the fifth to go up 10-8 heading into the seventh.  Eastern Nazarene plated a run in the seventh and threaten with the game-tying run in scoring position but Pilgrims pitcher Kristen Purdy (Candia, N.H.) got the final out while stranding two on base, holding on for the 10-9 win.

Leading the way for NEC was Rachel White (Arlington, Mass.) who finished with three hits and three runs scored. Alexandria Sacco (Tewksbury, Mass.) had two hits and three runs scored, while Sierra Thibeault (Brunswick, Maine) had two hits and two runs batted in for the Pilgrims.

Leading the way for Eastern Nazarene was Jacqueline Tierney who finished with three hits, three runs batted in and two runs scored.  Bethany Greenfield (Parsippany, NJ) and Laura Giberson (Hingham, Mass.) each had two hits and two runs scored for the Crusaders.

 

Eastern Nazarene Fire Four Shots over in Game 2.

March 28, 2009.  DUDLEY, Mass. – The Nichols College softball team split an afternoon doubleheader with visiting Eastern Nazarene College in The Commonwealth Coast Conference action Saturday, pounding out 13 hits in a 10-2 victory before allowing an equal amount to the Crusaders in a 14-3 nightcap loss.

Junior pitcher Lindsay Hassett (Oxford, Mass.) earned the complete-game win for Nichols in the first game, striking out eight while allowing two runs (one earned) on just three hits.

In game one, Nichols took advantage of a pair of first inning errors to plate two, but Eastern Nazarene got one back in the top of the third on an RBI single from Jacqueline Tierney (Taunton, Mass.).

The Bison exploded for seven runs on eight hits in the bottom of the frame, including four-straight singles and a walk before Thibault’s grand slam. 

Hassett led off the fourth with a double and came across on Thibault’s second run-scoring hit of the game for an 11-1 lead, but the Crusader’s Laura Giberson (Hingham, Mass.) hit her second home run of the season, a solo shot in the top of the fifth for the 10-2 score.

Hannah Moore (Sheridan, Conn.) took the loss, allowing seven runs (five earned) on seven hits while striking out one in two and a third innings. Rachel Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) came on in relief in the third and struck out one while allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits over the final one and two-thirds innings.

Game two saw the Crusaders hit through three Bison pitchers, scoring at least one run in every inning and clocking four home runs in the game. Senior pitcher Rebekah Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) held Nichols to one hit while striking out two through three innings before allowing three hits over her final two innings of work. Rachel Sorensen struck out one in the fifth to close out the game.

Three hits, including a pair of doubles, saw two Crusader runs come across in the first and Rebekah Sorenson hit the first home run of the game in the second to take a 3-0 lead. Eastern Nazarene got two aboard in the fourth on a pair of errors before an RBI single from Hanna Rauchfuss (Elmont, N.Y.) scored one and two came across on a double by Fernandes.

Rauchfuss tagged a two-run homer in the top of the fifth to cap another five-run inning before the Bison got two on the scoreboard in the bottom of the frame on singles by Kylie Langton (Medford, Mass.) and Thibault, making the score 11-2 in favor of the visitors.

Bethany Greenfield (Parsippany, N.J.) clocked a solo home run in the top of the fifth and Giberson followed with a double before Tierney nailed a two-run homer for a 14-2 advantage.

Nichols got one more across in the bottom of the frame as Rebekah Sorensen walked in a run.

Ashley Wyland (Schenectady, N.Y.) took the loss, allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits in the opening two innings. Molly Ferraro (Millis, Mass.) struck out two in two and a third innings of relief, giving up eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits. Kara Buckley (Nashua, N.H.) came in for the final two outs of the game, striking out one.

Greenfield led four Eastern Nazarene batters with multiple-hit days, batting 5-for-7 with an RBI and three runs scored. Tierney finished 4-for-7 with five RBI and three runs scored.

Eastern Nazarene (5-9, 1-3) is back in action as they host Salve Regina Friday, April 3 for a TCCC doubleheader at 4 p.m.

 

Hawks Sweep Crusaders in home-opener, 6-0 and 10-1.

 

In the home-opener for the Crusader softball team, the visiting Hawks of Roger Williams took both games at ENC’s home field, McCoy-Mitchell Field in Quincy, Mass.  The Hawks took game one with a score of 6-0.  Senior Rebekah Sorenson(Quincy, MA) pitched five plus innings giving up only three runs and striking out four batters. 

The game was locked at zeros until the Hawks scored their first run in the third inning on a base hit to left.  The Crusaders threatened to score in the fourth when sophomore Laura Giberson(Hingham, MA) got a one out base hit.  Giberson advanced to second base on a passed ball and to third on a ground out.  However, the Crusaders could not drive her home.

In the sixth inning, freshman Hannah Moore(Sheridan, CA) entered the game to pitch, inheriting the bases loaded with no outs.   Senior Hannah Rauchfuss(Elmont, NY) made an outstanding over-the-shoulder catch at first base to keep the home team in the game.  Moore would then record a strikeout and get a Hawk batter to ground out.  Moore got out of the bases loaded no-out jam only surrendering two runs.

The Hawks then added three more runs in the seventh and went on to win game one by a score of 6-0.

Hannah Pirez (Bolton, Mass.) led the Hawks with 2 singles and 2 runs scored.

Sophomore Bethany Greenfield(Parsippany, NJ), Giberson, Rauchfuss and senior Brittany Hardie-Jones(Joppatowne,MD) all had a hit for the Crusaders.  Moore finished the game with three strikeouts.

In game 2, the Crusaders could not prevent the Hawks from scoring.  RWU scored in the first inning on an Erica Castro(Brookhaven, NY) single to left.  The Hawks also scored in the third inning on a Samantha Teves(Somerset, MA) double. 

In the fourth inning, Laura Giberson hit a one out single.  Sophomore Jackie Tierney(Taunton, MA)  followed Giberson with a single of her own, advancing Giberson to second.  Giberson and Tierney would each advance to third and second respectively on a ground out.  Giberson then got the home team on the scoreboard with a heads-up running play and Tierney also advanced to third.  However, the Crusaders could not drive in another run.

The Hawks pressured hard in the fifth inning, piling on seven runs.  The Hawks went on to win the contest 10-1.  Castro went 3 for 4 with two RBIs while Michelle Caprice (Oak Ridge, NJ) collected 2 singles, a sacrifice bunt and crossed the plate twice for the Hawks

Giberson, Tierney, seniors Janna Fernandes(Taunton, MA) and Brittany Hardie-Jones all went 1 for 2 from the dish for Eastern Nazarene.  Senior Rachel Sorenson(Quincy, MA) pitched five innings for the Crusaders.

With the sweep, Roger Williams improves to 8-4 overall and 2-0 in TCCC play.  Eastern Nazarene moves to 4-8 overall and 0-2 in the TCCC.  The Hawks return to action on Mar. 26 against Fitchburg State.  The Crusaders resume play on Mar. 28 versus conference foe Nichols College at 12pm.

 

Contributing Writer, Rob Rossi Jr.

 

ENC Softball Returns Fourteen for 2009 Campaign

 

March 9, 2009.  Quincy, Mass.  The 2009 Crusader Softball squad is dominated by experience as they return twelve players from 2008 and two from 2007.   One of these is former 2007 player but now current Head Coach Rebecca (Welch) Long.  Long played for the Crusaders from 2004-2007 where she captained the 2007 squad and was a TCCC All-Conference player her junior and senior seasons.  Long takes over the helm at Head Coach after serving as an assistant in 2008 to now Assistant Coach Doug Sorensen.

In her rookie season, sophomore Jacqueline Tierney (Taunton, MA) batted .352, swiped nine bases, scored 19 times and committed only 13 errors at the hot corner earning her second team All-TCCC honors.  Fellow sophomore Amber Burns (Fall River, MA) was selected to the All-TCCC Honorable Mention team for her outstanding all-around performance.  In 2008, Burns was lethal with the bat, where she batted .404, smacked four home runs, drove in 15 runs and scored ten runs.  While playing centerfield, Burns committed only six errors all season which amounted to a .910 fielding percentage.  Her speed and arm will be a key component for the Crusaders. 

Sisters and Seniors Rachel Sorenson (Quincy, Mass.) and Captain Rebekah Sorenson (Quincy, Mass.) will make up most of the Crusaders pitching staff.  In 2008, Rachel posted an ERA of 4.78 while Rebekah posted a 4.89 ERA.  Rachel compiled 76 strikeouts and Rebekah had 62 of her own last season.  Rebekah will also be an offensive threat for the Crusaders, driving in eight runs and also scoring 12 times in 2008.

The other half of the Crusader battery consists of three seniors, Janna Fernandes (Taunton, MA), Jami Swedick (Averill Park, NY) and Brittany Hardie-Jones (Joppatowne, MD).  All three will see plenty of playing time and will all need to work hard in order for the Crusaders to succeed.  Hardie-Jones rejoins the Crusaders after a one-year hiatus.

Senior Captain Hannah Rauchfuss (Elmont, NY) will be looked upon once again as one of the team’s leaders.  Rauchfuss batted in eleven RBIs, belted two homers, one triple, scored 14 runs and stole six bases.  Rauchfuss was solid defensively, having a fielding percentage of .961 and only eight errors. 

Sophomore Bethany Greenfield (Parsippany, NJ) will look to continue putting up big numbers once again.  In her freshman season, Greenfield batted a whopping .345 with three triples, one home run, seven RBIs, seven runs and six stolen bases. 

Junior Stephanie Pestilli (Norwell, Mass.) and sophomore Laura Giberson (Hingham, Mass.) will add defensive security and run production for the Crusaders.  In 2008, Pestilli committed only two errors, stole three bags and crossed the plate ten times while Giberson committed a single error, drove in nine runs and plated ten times.   

Senior Brittany Bedillion (Perkasie, PA) and Junior Kayla Overly (Sturbridge, Mass.) will add speed to the Crusader lineup.  In 2008, Bedillion had a fielding percentage of .946 while only committing two errors.  Last season, Overly hit two doubles and a triple.

The Crusaders added two players to the roster this year, senior Joni Ranstrom (Quincy, Mass.) who picks up the mitt again after a three year lay off and freshman Hannah Moore (Sheridan, CA).  Ranstrom will get playing time in the infield and outfield as Moore will see time in the pitching circle and perhaps bat in the designated hitter spot when not throwing.

In 2008, the Crusaders posted an 8-16 record in TCCC play having key wins over Curry College, Anna Maria College, Regis College and New England College.  The Crusaders  dropped close games to Western New England College, Gordon College and Roger Williams University and will be out for redemption to live a few more times in the win column.

The Crusaders open up the 2009 season in Fort Myers, Florida where they will participate in the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic.  The Crusaders will play ten games between March 9 and March 14.  They begin New England and TCCC play with a home doubleheader against Roger Williams University on March 25.  The 2009 schedule is highlighted with 12 home contests on six dates.

-Contributing writer Rob Rossi Jr.

 

ENC Freshman Burns / Tierney Join TCCC All-Conference Teams

 

May 1, 2008.  Quincy, Mass.  It was announced today that Eastern Nazarene student-athlete's Jacqueline Tierney (Taunton, Mass./Taunton HS) and Amber Burns (Fall River, Mass./Durfee HS) were selected to represent The Commonwealth Coast Conference on the 2008 All-TCCC Second and Honorable Mention Teams respectively.

Tierney, a freshman coming from a powerful Taunton HS Softball program, earned Second Team All-TCCC Honors as she led the Crusaders at the plate batting a strong .352 placing her 15th among all TCCC batters over the entire course of the regular season.  Tierney drove in 16 runs while at the plate, doubled 12 times, led the Crusaders in steals with 9 and crossed the plate 19 times herself.  The freshman played what is perhaps the most difficult infield position in softball, third base, facing hits at close range and managed a fielding percentage of .865, committing only 13 errors on the season.  

Burns, a freshman and three sport athlete (volleyball, basketball and softball), was selected to the All-TCCC Honorable Mention Team as she hit .321 over the course of the season, but in TCCC games only, she hit a whopping .404 with 4 home runs while scoring 10 runs and driving in 15 RBI's.   She lined up mostly in centerfield for the Crusaders, and earned a fielding percentage of .910 as she committed only 6 errors on the year.  Her speed in the outfield and potent arm caught several runners trying to take extra bases on the Crusaders as she threw them out.