Gulls and Eastern Nazarene Play for a Cure for Muscular Dystrophy

BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott softball team hosted Eastern Nazarene this afternoon for a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) contest. The Gulls swept the Lions in the doubleheader taking game one, 11-0 in five innings and earning an 8-0 decision in game two. Sophomore Emily Hoffman (Malden, Mass.) led the day with five RBIs as she cranked a grand slam in game one.

Today both sides made a collaborative effort to play for a cure for Muscular Dystrophy as the disease has touched both teams. The Eastern Nazarene team named a new player to their roster, #27 Karelle.  Though her body is impacted by Muscular Dystrophy, her heart and attitude shines bright to all those she meets. She is a ray of light and brings enthusiasm to the Eastern Nazarene team. The Gulls and the Lions were proud to honor her today as well as Head Coach Mark Veilleux's son, Mark Jr. by wearing Lime Green.

Game 1: Endicott 11, Eastern Nazarene 0

In game one, the Gulls took an early lead scoring three runs in the bottom of the first and eight in the second. With sophomore Sam DiBella (Danvers, Mass.) in scoring position, senior Kelley Michael (Ipswich, Mass.) doubled to left field to bring her around the bases. With Michael on second, freshman Rachel Couto (Chelmsford, Mass.) singled up the middle to bring Michael home. To wrap up the inning Hoffman singled to centerfield to bring Couto home to take the early 3-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second freshman Chrissy Gikas (Danvers, Mass.) started off the inning as she ripped a triple to right center. Junior Jess Linden (Stratford, Conn.) stepped up to the plate and reached on an error allowing Gikas to take for home. At the top of the order senior Jesse Bilafer (Concord, Mass.) then singled up the middle as Linden scored the second run of the inning. Moise followed with a single to bring Bilafer home. With bases loaded Hoffman stepped up to the plate and cranked a grand slam to centerfield. To wrap up the inning, sophomore Jamie Corda (Higganum, Conn.) crossed home plate as the Blue and Green took the 11-0 lead.

The final 2.5 innings for both sides would be scoreless leaving Endicott with the victory. Senior Nell O'Connor (7-1) (Harwich, Mass.) earned the triumph for the Gulls as she started in the circle and split time with freshman Leigh Wyman (South Freeport, Maine). Both combined for five strikeouts and only allowed two hits in the five innings pitched.

Game Two: Endicott 8, Eastern Nazarene 0

In game two five different Gulls tallied RBIs while Couto and senior Alli Noyes (Tewksbury, Mass.) led the game with a pair of ribbies each. Controlling the circle was the duty of sophomore pitcher Katherine Clark (Taunton, Mass.) who hurled all five innings for the Gulls while earning three strikeouts and only allowing three hits.

The Blue and Green started the scoring in the bottom of the first as Couto singled to left center with Moise on second to bring her home to take the 1-0 lead. After three strikeouts in the top of the second by Clark, Endicott tallied their second run in the bottom of the second after Gikas singled to bring junior Sam Cila (Wakefield, Mass.) home.

The Gulls went on to score four more runs in the bottom of the third after a double from Moise and Couto plus a single from Noyes. In the bottom of the fifth Endicott wrapped up the game with two more runs after a single from Noyes and freshman Chanler Hospot (Pittsfield, Mass.) to secure the 8-0 victory.

Endicott will see action next, tomorrow, April 12^th when they travel to the University of New England for a doubleheader at 12/2PM.