Softball Swept by Nazareth in Empire 8 Doubleheader

ELMIRA, NY - In their first conference doubleheader of the season the Soaring Eagles (4-2, 0-2 E8) were shutout by the visiting Golden Flyers of Nazareth College (5-6, 2-0 E8) by the scores of 1-0 and 4-0 Saturday evening at Eldridge Park Stadium.

In the first game, EC and Nazareth battled back and forth throughout the entire course of the game, which went all 7 complete innings. A single run in the top of the second inning would prove to be the deciding factor for Nazareth. Earning the RBI single was Laura Finan which scored teammate Jackie DeJoseph.

Elmira was held hitless in the first game due to solid pitching from Lisa Nazarenko. Overall Nazarenko faced a total of 26 Soaring Eagle’s batters striking out 9 and walking only 6.

On the rubber for EC was Casandra Fontinell ’11 (Shoreham, NY -- Islip) who fought her way out of a couple tight jams, keeping the Nazareth lead at one. On the day she faced a total of 33 batters while allowing 7 hits and was able to strike out 3.

The nightcap would see another tight battle between EC and Naz, as both team’s were held scoreless in the first two and half innings. However it was not until the bottom of the third, that the Golden Flyers put the first dent on the scoreboard of the evening.  Pitching for EC in the second game was Kellie Hadley '11 (Colmar, PA -- North Penn).  Hadley went 6 innings facing a total of 30 batters, and gave up 8 hits, 4 runs, 3 walks, and struck out 2. 

Following a pair of Nazareth’s hits and walks, Nazarenko would earn her only RBI of the night putting her team up 1-0. Elmira would then post their best offensive chance of the game in the top of fourth, but was unable to capitalize on their opportunity.

With a 1-0 lead hanging over their heads and only three innings left, Elmira was going to have to find some way to get their bats going. Nazareth continued to neutralize EC’s chances in both the fifth and sixth inning as the Golden Flyers managed to turn an inning ending double play in each.

Nazareth sealed their victory in the bottom of the sixth on a three run shot from Jennifer Linnan which put her team up 4-0. Despite giving up the home run with no outs, EC battled back and kept the Golden Flyers off the scoreboard for the remainder of the inning. In the final inning, Naz made quick work of EC which secured their second conference win of the night.

The Soaring Eagles return to action tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. when they face the Tigers of RIT in a conference doubleheader in Rochester, NY.

Game 1
Nazareth College 1, Elmira College 0
Box Score

Nazareth College (5-6, 1-0 E8)  010  000  0  -  1  7  0
Elmira College (4-1, 0-1 E8)      000  000  0  -  0  0  2

Game 2
Elmira College 0, Nazareth College 4
Box Score

Elmira College (4-2, 0-2 E8)     000  000  0  -  0  3  1
Nazareth College (6-6, 2-0 E8) 001  003  x  -  4  8  0