BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. – Clark University softball (7-4) traveled to Massachusetts Maritime (6-5) for the Cougars first game north of Florida this season. Clark started hot with five runs in the first inning and never looked back on their way to an 11-5 win. The second game of the doubleheader was halted due to weather in the second inning.
How it Happened
-
The Cougars started strong with a walk by junior Charlise Quigley and a single by sophomore Avery Dillon to open the game. Junior Megan Dube would send Quigley home, and a following single from sophomore Merry Griffin would score Dillon.
-
A perfectly executed double steal saw Griffin safely slide into second, drawing a throw that allowed Dube to score from third. Later in the inning, sophomore Gricelda Castro drew a bases-loaded walk to score Griffin, and a wild pitch to the next hitter brought home senior Felicia Salvati to make it 5-0.
-
The Buccaneers got two runs back in the bottom of the first, using a leadoff single and double to put runners in scoring position before bringing them both home on a two-RBI single by Kelsey Booker.
-
Clark regained two runs in the exact same way to start the second, with a Dillon single and Dube double, followed by a two-RBI single by Griffin to make it 7-2.
-
Following a scoreless third, the Cougars added an insurance run in the fourth, with Dube scoring again, this time on an RBI grounder from Salvati to make it a six-run game.
-
Massachusetts Maritime added a run of its own in the fifth, with another RBI single by Booker, this time plating one to make it 8-3 after five.
-
The Cougars blew it open in the top of the seventh, starting with a single by junior Jennifer Albano, who took advantage of an error to score after a single by Quigley. Dillon joined Quigley on base, with both scoring on a double from Dube to make it 11-3.
-
The Buccaneers went down swinging, getting two runners on via an error and a single before bringing them both home on a double by Carlee Hiddeman. From there, senior Brooke Buzzeo closed out the game with a strikeout to secure the 11-5 win.
Inside the Box Score
-
The Cougars recorded 18 hits in the effort, shattering their previous high of 13 earlier this season. It marks the most hits in a game for Clark since the 2014 team recorded 19 in March of 2014.
-
Dube was unstoppable at the plate, tallying four hits, including two doubles, leading to three RBI and three runs.
-
Griffin also had four hits and a walk, reaching base in all five plate appearances, with her four hits leading to three RBI.
-
Dillon added three hits and scored three runs.
-
Buzzeo picked up the win in the circle, her fourth of the season. She pitched all seven innings, recording a career-best 15 strikeouts, her second game this season with double-digit punchouts.
What's Next
The Scarlet and White travel across town to Worcester State for a doubleheader on Tuesday, with first pitches scheduled for 3:00 & 5:00 PM.