WORCESTER, Mass. – Clark University softball (15-16, 4-10 NEWMAC) welcomed Emerson (4-18, 2-9 NEWMAC) for a NEWMAC battle and the annual Pride Game for the Cougars. The Lions used strong offense to pull away in an 8-5 game one win, but it would be Clark who reversed the score in game two, winning 11-6 to split the day.
How it Happened (Game One)
-
The Lions got the bats hot quickly, with three straight doubles to plate two runs in the first inning.
-
The Cougars got on the board in the second, with junior Megan Dube leading off the inning with a hit-by-pitch and advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior Felicia Salvati. Dube would then score on an RBI single from sophomore Avery Della Piana.
-
A solo home run extended the Emerson lead, and they added two more runs in the fourth with four singles in their first five hitters, followed by a sacrifice fly to make it 5-1 after four.
-
The Lions broke it open in the fifth, loading the bases with no outs and plating three runs off two singles and an error to push the lead to 8-1.
-
Clark responded with two runs in the sixth, as Salvati and Della Piana each reached to start the inning before advancing into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from senior Madison Dillon. An RBI single from sophomore Avery Dillon scored one, and an error brought home another to cut the deficit to five.
-
A. Dillon came through again in the seventh with a two-RBI single, scoring M. Dillon and senior Erin Slavin. However, the rally would fall short as Emerson closed the door for an 8-5 win.
How it Happened (Game Two)
-
Emerson again struck first, using four singles to plate two runs in the opening inning. They added another in the second on a double and RBI single to make it 3-0.
-
Clark stormed back in the bottom of the inning, starting with a double by M. Dillon and a single from A. Dillon. Senior Emelie Spence cleared the bases with a triple, then came around to score on a double from Slavin to tie the game. Slavin would later score the go-ahead run on a single from sophomore Merry Griffin to make it 4-3.
-
After a two-RBI single gave the Lions the lead back, the Cougars answered immediately, with Della Piana scoring on a double from A. Dillon to tie the game once again.
-
From there, Clark blew it open. A sacrifice fly from sophomore Gricelda Castro, a two-RBI double from Slavin, an RBI single from Griffin, and an RBI double from Dube capped a big inning, giving the Cougars a 10-5 lead.
-
The lead grew to six in the fifth, with Castro leading off with a single and later scoring on a fielder's choice.
-
Emerson added a run in the sixth on an RBI single, but couldn't mount a comeback in the seventh as Clark secured the 11-6 win.
Inside the Box Score (Game Two)
-
Spence had a strong day at the plate with two hits, including a triple, along with two RBI and two runs.
-
Slavin ripped two doubles, finishing with three RBI and two runs.
-
Griffin recorded three hits, driving in three runs and scoring once.
-
Dube pitched a complete game, going all seven innings with three strikeouts, while also contributing an RBI double at the plate.
What's Next
The Scarlet and White return home on Tuesday for a single game against Gordon at 4:00 PM.