Worcester, Mass. – Clark University erupted for 18 runs and 21 hits and the visiting Cougars collected a much-needed doubleheader sweep of crosstown rival Worcester State in non-league softball action on Sunday afternoon by scores of 9-1 and 9-4 at Rockwell Park.

Mel Melkonian (Worcester, Mass.) was the catalyst for Clark in both games, going a combined 6-for-9 at the plate while driving in four runs and blasting her tenth career homerun.

With the two wins the Cougars complete a whirlwind weekend that saw them play six games in three days to improve to 11-7 overall, while the Lancers slip below .500 at 8-9.

Game One: Clark 9, Worcester State 1

Nicole Meuse (Hudson, Mass.) tossed five innings, allowing just two hits while striking out six to improve to 6-3 on the season in the first game victory.

Clark broke the game open in the top of the third, pushing across four runs highlighted by RBI singles by Melkonian and Alyssa Wright (Manchester, N.H.).

The Cougars tacked on five runs in the fifth when they worked the bases loaded and Molly Clark (North Kingstown, R.I.) drew a walk to force a run home. Maya Allen (Concord, Mass.) brought in two more runs with a single through the left side and Melkonian later scored on the Lancers' fifth error of the game.

In addition to Melkonian going 2-for-4, Rachel Kraytenberg (Londonderry, N.H.) went 1-for-2 with two runs scored and a walk, while Corrie Derosier (Shrewsbury, Mass.) was 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Game Two: Clark 9, Worcester State 4

Melkonian and Kraytenberg each drove in three runs as the Cougars racked up 14 hits in their nine run attack.

The Cougars wasted little time getting started, scoring four runs in the first as Tatiana Chunis (Sutton, Mass.) doubled home Melkonian and then Kraytenberg connected for a two-run double which was followed by a Clark single that made the score 4-0.

Hannah Everson helped Worcester State stay close initially as she smacked a two-run double of her own in the bottom of the first off of Clark starter Hayley Buckheit (Camden, Maine) and then came around to score later on a wild pitch.

With the score 4-3, Clark plated four runs in the third on an Allen RBI double and a three-run blast to left by Melkonian that made the score 8-3.

Kraytenberg wrapped up the explosive afternoon for the Cougars when she launched her first collegiate homerun with one out in the fourth.

Melkonian was 4-for-5 with two runs scored in the nightcap, while Kraytenberg had her best day of the season, going 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.

Buckheit (5-2) picked up the win for Clark, scattering eight hits and allowing three earned runs.

The Cougars will return to the diamond on Tuesday with another non-league twinbill this time at Roger Williams. First pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m.