CLERMONT, Fla. – Clark University Softball (4-2) continued their Florida trip with a pair of games against Saint Vincent (1-4) and Susquehanna (1-3).The Cougars split on the day, with a walkoff 5-4 victory over the Bearcats, before closing the day with a tight 6-5 loss vs the River Hawks.
(Game One) How it Happened
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The Cougars struck first, taking advantage of a pair of errors to move sophomore Charlise Quigley to third base. She scored the game's opening run later in the inning on a single from sophomore Avery Dillon.
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Senior Brooke Buzzeo recorded four strikeouts over her first two innings of work, keeping Clark in front 1-0 heading into the third.
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Saint Vincent tied the game in the third with a bases-loaded double, but a strong relay from left field cut down the go-ahead runner at the plate to keep it even at 1-1.
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Clark regained the lead in the fourth. Sophomore Merry Griffin singled to start the inning and later scored on a double by sophomore Gricelda Castro to make it 2-1.
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After a scoreless fifth, the Bearcats took their first lead in the sixth, using a pair of doubles to bring home three runs and move ahead 4-2.
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The Cougars responded in the bottom half. Back-to-back singles from Griffin and sophomore Abigail Venis put a runner in scoring position, and Griffin came around to score on a third straight single from senior Madison Dillon to trim the deficit to 4-3.
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Clark completed the comeback in the seventh. Griffin delivered again, doubling home senior Caitriona Andre to tie the game at four. A single from Venis moved Griffin to third, and she scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly by Dillon to secure a 5-4 victory for the Cougars.
(Game One) Inside the Box Score
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The Cougars recorded 10 hits, including three for extra bases, and also stole two bases.
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Griffin paved the way, with three hits, three runs, and an RBI in the effort.
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Madison Dillon added two hits and two RBI in the walkoff win.
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Buzzeo picked up the win in the circle, pitching all seven innings with seven strikeouts.
(Game Two) How it Happened
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Susquehanna struck first in the bottom of the opening inning, using a sacrifice fly and an RBI single to take a 2-0 lead.
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After a scoreless second, Clark answered in the third. Senior Emelie Spence doubled to lead off the inning and later scored on a sacrifice fly from sophomore Avery Dillon to cut the deficit to one.
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The River Hawks responded in the bottom half with a solo home run by Katelyn Dugery to push the lead to 3-1. Susquehanna added two more in the fourth, stringing together a triple and a double to extend the advantage to 5-1.
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Clark chipped away in the fifth. Sophomore Gricelda Castro scored from second on an RBI groundout by sophomore Charlise Quigley, and Spence later crossed the plate on a wild pitch to make it 5-3.
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The River Hawks added an insurance run on an RBI single from Mary Wilkinson, taking a 6-3 lead into the sixth inning.
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The Cougars continued to battle back. Junior Jennifer Albano scored from third on an errant throw, and senior Caitriona Andre came home on a single from Merry Griffin to trim the deficit to 6-5.
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After holding Susquehanna scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, Clark put a runner aboard via hit-by-pitch in the seventh but could not complete the comeback, falling 6-5.
(Game Two) Inside the Box Score
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Clark had ten hits, two for extra bases, and stole three bases in the effort.
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Junior Megan Dube went three for four from the plate and pitched all seven innings for the Cougars, recording six strikeouts.
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Sophomore Avery Della Piana recorded two hits, with Gricelda Castro also recording two hits and a run in the game.
What's Next
The Scarlet and White enjoy a day off tomorrow before returning on Thursday to take on Chatham at 10:00 am and Johnson & Wales at 12:15 PM.