FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Clark University softball team split a doubleheader Monday with Albion and Grove City, falling in a 5-0 final in the opener before taking it to Grove City in a 6-0 final at the CenturyLink Sports Complex.

The Basics

Score: Britons 5, Cougars 0 (Game One) | Cougars 6, Wolverines 0 (Game Two)

Records: Clark University (2-2) | Albion (3-1) | Grove City (0-2)

How it Happened

Game One: Britons 5, Cougars 0

The Cougars managed just two hits in the doubleheader opener as first-year Ashley Pion was in full-control for the Britons, going the distance in the circle for a complete game shutout while striking out nine. Senior Christina Kopacz (North Grosvenordale, Conn.) and first-year Samantha Restrepo-Stier (Davie, Fla.) were responsible for the hits for the Cougars, each reaching base on singles as part of 1-for-3 days at the plate.

Albion grabbed a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second with Lilly Patillo coming in the clutch in a pinch-hit spot, driving a two-run to the outfield with two down in the frame. The Britons tacked on another in the bottom of the third with a one-out RBI single from Estacia Martinez providing a 3-0 lead to the host.

In the top of the fourth, Jessica Martin (Winthrop, Mass.) broke a streak of ten straight outs from Pion, reaching base on an error at first base. One batter later, Kopacz contributed the first hit of the game for the Cougars with a base knock single. But Pion remained in control, not surrendering another hit until the top of the seventh when Restrepo-Stier came through with the team's second single of the game.

Albion added runs in the fifth and sixth innings, both coming in unearned fashion with a pair of defensive miscues from Clark allowing the Britons to up the ante, 5-0. Pion closed out the game strong for the host, working around the single from Restrepo-Stier while striking out a pair to secure the 5-0 victory.

Game Two: Cougars 6, Wolverines 0

The Cougars bounced back nicely in the second game of the doubleheader as junior Isabella DiOrio (Lincoln, R.I.) piloted the team to victory, recording her second consecutive complete game to improve to 2-0 on the season. The righty scattered four hits in the shutout while walking two and striking out three batters.

Offensively, the Cougars recorded six hits with Sydney Nilsen (Wallingford, Conn.) continuing her production atop the lineup with a 2-for-3 game including three RBI. Diorio also helped her own case, driving in a run and scoring two herself as part of a 1-for-3 contest at the dish.

First-year Olivia Capobianco (North Attleboro, Mass.) made her collegiate debut for the Cougars, swatting a double while scoring a run and swiping a base. Kaylee Armida (Pine Bush, N.Y.), Restrepo-Stier and Kopacz all contributed runs for the Cougars in the win.

Diorio began the game in charge as the junior set down nine of the first ten batters she faced, allowing just one hit and striking out a pair through three innings. The Cougars offense gave their starter a lead in the second as Nilsen barreled up a two-run double to bring around Capobianco and Diorio.

In the third, Clark took advantage of three errors from the Wolverines, striking for three runs to increase the lead to 6-0. Nilsen again delivered for her club, picking up the only hit of the frame with an RBI single to bring in Armida. The Cougars sent 11 batters to the plate in all during the frame to take command of the contest.

Grove City responded with back-to-back hits to lead off the top of the fourth, but Diorio remained in control, stranding both runners with three straight groundouts. The Wolverins had their best chance of the game in the sixth as a lead-off double from Lexi Buck and a stolen base from the shortstop put a runner at third base. However, Diorio escaped without any damage, keeping the shutout intact with a 6-3-2 double play to end the inning.

Diorio had no trouble in the top of the seventh, forcing three quick flyouts to pick up her second win of the young season with the 6-0 final.

Up Next

Clark returns to the field tomorrow as it clashes with a pair of opponents it has already seen this spring break with a 9:00 A.M. contest against Drew and an 11:00 A.M. matchup with Albion.