CLERMONT, Fla. – Clark University Softball (1-1) opened their season down south with games against Simmons University (1-1) and Johnson & Wales (N.C.) (3-7). The Cougars rebounded from an opening 2-0 loss to the Sharks with a strong 19-1 win in their second game of the day over the Wildcats. 

(Game One) How it Happened

• Sophomore Avery Della Piana recorded the first hit of the 2026 season with a single in the top of the first inning. Junior Megan Dube followed with a single of her own one batter later, but both runners were left stranded at first and second to end the frame.

• After a scoreless opening inning, Simmons picked up its first hit in the bottom of the second. Dube responded by inducing a groundout and striking out the final batter of the inning to keep the game scoreless.

• Following two more scoreless innings, the Sharks broke through in the bottom of the fifth. A single and a walk to open the inning set the stage for an RBI double from Abigail Carvalho to plate the first run. A sacrifice fly from Teagan Buckley added another, giving Simmons a 2-0 lead after five innings.

• Clark put a runner on second base in each of the final two innings but was unable to bring a run home, as the game ended in a 2-0 victory for Simmons.

(Game One) Inside the Box Score

• The Cougars recorded seven hits in the game from seven different batters. 

• Dube pitched all six innings, recording nine strikeouts and allowing only five hits. 

• Senior Emelie Spence recorded the first extra-base hit of the season for the Cougars with a double in the fifth inning.

• Sophomore Avery Dillon reached base twice with a single in the third and a walk in the fifth. 

(Game Two) How it Happened

• The Wildcats struck first in the top of the opening inning, as a double from Kaydence Hassell made it 1-0 early.

• Clark answered quickly in the bottom half, with a single from sophomore Avery Della Piana scoring junior Charlise Quigley to tie the game. The Cougars then took their first lead when Della Piana came home on an error, making it 2-1 after one inning.

• After a scoreless top of the second, the floodgates opened as Clark erupted for 11 runs in the frame. Sophomore Gricelda Castro started the rally with a triple and later scored on a single by senior Emelie Spence. A double from Quigley brought home Spence, and Quigley scored moments later on an error. 

• Another error allowed sophomore Avery Dillon to cross the plate before a bases-loaded walk by senior Felicia Salvati forced in Della Piana to make it 7-1.

• Castro recorded her second hit of the inning to drive in sophomores Gwen Castro and Merry Griffin. A single from junior Alexis Taudel plated Salvati, and Spence followed with her second hit of the inning to score Gricelda Castro. Dillon capped the outburst with a single that brought home Taudel and Spence, giving Clark a commanding 13-1 lead after two innings.

• In the third, Castro tripled again, scoring Griffin to extend the advantage to 14-1.

• Clark continued to pour it on in the fourth. Della Piana singled home Spence to begin the scoring, and a double from Gwen Castro plated both Della Piana and senior Caitriona Andre. Castro later scored on a double by Griffin, who eventually came home on a single from senior Erin Slavin to round out the scoring.

• Senior Brooke Buzzeo completed the win in the circle, allowing just one hit in the fifth inning as Clark secured a dominant 19-1 victory.

(Game Two) Inside the Box Score

• Clark recorded 13 hits in the game, including five for extra bases while also drawing six walks in the effort. 

• Gricelda Castro led the charge with three hits, three RBI, and two runs. She also recorded her first two career triples in the effort. 

• Della Piana added two hits, three RBI, a run, and a walk. 

• Spence had two hits, two RBI, three runs, and two stolen bases. 

• Griffin drew two walks, coming around to score three times. 

• Buzzeo pitched the full five innings, recording five strikeouts in the win. 

What's Next 

The Scarlet and White continue tomorrow with games against Norwich University at 10:00 AM and Bluffton University at 12:15 PM, both at Hancock Field 5 in Clermont.