CLERMONT, Fla. – Clark University Softball (3-1) continued their Florida trip with a pair of games against Norwich (0-1) and Bluffton (2-2). The Cougars offense shined in each game with an 8-3 win in game one over the Cadets and a 7-3 win over the Beavers.

(Game One) How it Happened

• The Cadets struck first in the top of the opening inning, as Madison DeCota launched a two-run home run to give her team an early 2-0 lead.

• Clark responded in the second. Senior Madison Dillon led off with a single and later scored on an RBI groundout from junior Charlise Quigley. Sophomore Avery Dillon followed with a single to plate senior Emelie Spence, who had singled and stolen a base earlier in the inning, to tie the game.

• The Cougars took their first lead in the next inning. Junior Megan Dube opened the third with a double and came around to score on a grounder by senior Felicia Salvati, putting Clark ahead 3-2.

• Clark added to its advantage in the fifth. Sophomore Gwen Castro delivered a ground-rule double to score junior Jennifer Albano. Castro then crossed the plate along with Salvati on a three-run home run by senior Madison Dillon, extending the lead.

• DeCota homered again in the sixth, this time a solo shot to cut the deficit to 7-3. Clark answered in the bottom half, as Avery Dillon scored on a wild pitch to make it 8-3 heading into the final inning.

• Senior Brooke Buzzeo closed out the complete-game effort in the circle with a one-two-three seventh inning, finishing the game with a strikeout to secure the 8-3 victory for Clark.

(Game One) Inside the Box Score

• The Cougars recorded 12 hits, including four for extra bases, and also drew two walks. 

• Dube recorded a team-high three hits in the game, including a double. 

• Madison Dillon recorded the first home run of the season for the Cougars, it was also the first of her career. 

• Buzzeo recorded her second win of the season, pitching all seven innings with a career-high 13 strikeouts in the circle. 

(Game Two) How it Happened

• The Beavers struck first in the bottom of the first inning, as Madison Brentlinger and Kaylee Grant each delivered RBI singles to give Bluffton a 2-0 lead.

• After a scoreless second, Clark responded in the third. Senior Emelie Spence led off with a single, moved to third, and came around to score on a base hit from sophomore Avery Dillon to cut the deficit to 2-1.

• The Cougars broke through in the fifth. Junior Jennifer Albano led off with a single and later scored on an error to tie the game. Dillon delivered again with an RBI single to plate Spence for the go-ahead run. Another Bluffton error allowed junior Charlise Quigley to score, and a single from sophomore Merry Griffin extended the lead to 5-2 by the end of the inning.

• Clark added an insurance run in the sixth when sophomore Avery Della Piana singled home Quigley to make it a four-run game. Bluffton answered in the bottom half with an RBI single from Halee McDade, trimming the margin to 6-3 heading into the seventh.

• The Cougars tacked on one more in the top of the final inning, as Quigley lifted a sacrifice fly to score sophomore Gricelda Castro, who had doubled earlier.

• Junior Megan Dube sealed the complete-game victory by inducing three straight flyouts in the bottom of the seventh, securing a 7-3 win for Clark.

(Game Two) Inside the Box Score

• Clark recorded 10 hits and drew four walks in the effort. 

• Dillon led the way with three hits, two RBI, and a walk. 

• Spence recorded two hits and came around to score two runs on those opportunities. 

• Castro recorded the lone extra base hit of the game with her double in the seventh. 

What's Next 

The Scarlet and White continue tomorrow with games against Saint Vincent College at 10:00 AM and Susquehanna University at 12:15 PM, both at Hancock Field 1 in Clermont.