BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott softball team split its conference doubleheader with Eastern Nazarene on Saturday afternoon as the Gulls dropped game one, 5-2, and earned a 6-2 victory in game two. Prior to the contest, the Gulls recognized seniors, Kayla Sheldon (Burlington, Mass.), Danielle Statton (Agawam, Mass.), Emily Sharpe (South Glens Falls, N.Y.), and Mikaela Mallozzi (Shelton, Conn.), and graduate student Lindsee Allienello (East Providence, R.I.) for their dedication to Endicott and the team. 

GAME ONE: Endicott 2, Eastern Nazarene 5

The Lions jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the third inning on a two-run homer from Kayleen Garrick (Sparks, Nev.). Eastern Nazarene then added three more runs in the fourth to extend the lead to 5-0. 

Endicott attempted a late rally in the seventh and was able to get two runs across the plate, but the effort fell just short. Leading the Gulls offensively throughout the contest was Hayley Arduini (Southington, Conn.), who went 2-for-3 from the plate. 

Laura Somerville (Suffield, Conn.) shifted to 4-1 on the season and struck out three batters in just over two innings pitched. Mallozzi came in for the remainder of the game and allowed three runs on five hits.

GAME TWO: Endicott 6, Eastern Nazarene 2

The Gulls scored five runs in the sixth inning to come back from a 4-1 deficit and secure the doubleheader split. 

With the game tied 1-1 after three innings, the Lions took a 4-1 lead after Lauren Clements (Garrison, Texas) ripped a three-run homer to left field. 

Endicott responded in the sixth with a five-run effort, spearheaded by Arduini with a three-run homer down the left field line to secure the victory. 

Maggie Oram (Lexington, Mass.) pitched all seven innings to earn the win (7-1). She recorded four strikeouts and allowed five hits.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORES

• The Gulls are now 33-2 all-time against Eastern Nazarene.
• Leading the Gulls offensively throughout both games was Arduini, who went 5-for-6 from the plate with a homer, a double, and three RBI. 
• In the second game, Adrianna Favreau (Tewksbury, Mass.) went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and an RBI. 

WHAT'S NEXT

Endicott (18-4, 6-2 CCC) travels to the University of New England on Tuesday, April 17 for a conference doubleheader with game one scheduled for 3 p.m. Eastern Nazarene (18-8, 9-3 CCC) travels to Brandeis for a 3 p.m. doubleheader on Tuesday, April 17. 

For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

(Photo Credit - David Le '10)