Cougars Sweep Lancers In Non-Conference Doubleheader

Clark 9, Worcester State 4

Clark 1, Worcester State 0

Game 1 --- Box Score

Game 2 --- Box Score

Worcester, MA --- Clark freshman Erin Murphy (Boxboro, MA-C) and sophomore Katherine Tutela (Dalton, MA-DH) combined for six hits and two RBIs in a 9-4 victory in game one and then Murphy drove in the game-winning run in a 1-0 triumph as the Cougars swept Worcester State at Rockwood Park in non-conference softball action this evening.

With the pair of victories Clark improves to 14-16 overall while the Lancers fall to 7-15-1.

The Cougars jumped to a 4-0 lead in the opening game after the first three innings of play. They were highlighted by a sacrifice fly by junior Melissa Traft (Milton, MA-P/1B) in the opening frame and a two-run double by sophomore Darcy Kurashige-Elliot (Berkley, CA-LF) in the third.

Worcester State threatened the lead as they made the score 4-3 in the bottom of the fourth. After sophomore Karen Feeley (W. Springfield, MA-LF) led off the inning with a single classmate Michaella Mahoney (Shrewsbury, MA-1B/P) belted a RBI double to drive her in. WSC later added a pair of runs on a bases loaded single by freshman Lauren Besozzi (Milford, MA-RF) and when sophomore Kaitlyn Laflash (Northbridge, MA-SS) crossed the plate on a wild pitch.

Clark, however, would pull away as they tacked on four runs over the next two innings. Junior Joanna Clark (Windham, ME-3B) started the rally in the fifth when she plated Tutela and the scoring in the sixth was capped off by a two-run triple by Elliot.

The Lancers looked to try to close the deficit in the bottom of the seventh with one out and runners on second and third following a Feeley double, but all they could get out of the inning was a Mahoney sac fly for the final score.

Traft tossed 3 1/3 innings allowing three runs (one earned) on seven hits before she swapped positions with freshman Meghan Lannon (Charlton, MA-P/1B) in the fourth. Lannon yielded just one run the rest of the way as she notched her first save of the season in 3 2/3 innings. The duo combined for four strikeouts and two walks.

Junior Cathy Costopoulos (Tyngsboro, MA) dropped to 0-4 as she hurled the full seven innings allowing nine runs (eight earned) to go along with three walks and three punchouts.

Elliot and junior Lauren Blake (Oakland, ME) each tallied two hits to help pace Clarks 14 hit attack. Feeley went 3-for-4 for the Blue and Gold as junior Maura Crossman (Colrain, MA-3B) and first-year Ashley Howe (Wichendon, MA) each contributed two hits apice.

In the second game, Mahoney and junior Sarah Carter (Worcester, MA) engaged in a pitcher's duel through the first three innings of play before Clark scored a run in the bottom of the fourth.  Elliot led off the inning with a single to left and she scored on an RBI double by Tutela.

Mahoney then settled down eight of the nine before she got out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the seventh.

The Lancers had their chances to knot the game up in fourth, fifth and sixth innings, but WSC left a runner in scoring position in every inning as they could not capitalize on the opportunity.

Carter (9-6) gave up three hits as she hurled seven strong innings allowing three walks while she fanned four batters. The shutout was her fourth and also her 12th complete game.

Mahoney (7-6) also went the distance as finished with four strikeouts while allowing just one batter to reach via base on balls. Mahoney also went 2-for-2 for the Lancers in the second game.

Both squads will play conference opponents tomorrow at noon. Worcester State will entertain MCLA in a MASCAC double-header on Alumni Day while Clark heads out to Wheaton for their season finale in a NEWMAC twinbill.