Clark Takes Two From Softball In Non-Conference Twinbill

Worcester, MA --- Clark senior Mel Melkonian (Worcester, MA/St. Peter-Marian) was 6-for-9 with a three-run homer in the nightcap as she helped lead the Cougars to a sweep of the Worcester State softball team this afternoon in non-conference softball action at Rockwood Park.

The Cougars took the first game 9-1 in six innings and the second game, 9-4. With the wins, the visitors upped their record to 11-7 while the Lancers dropped to 8-9 with the setbacks.

In the opener, Melkonian was the lone multi-hitter for her team as she was 2-for-4 while junior Maya Allen (N. Kingston, RI) had two RBIs. Freshman Rachel Kraytenberg (Londonderry, NH) and sophomore Molly Clark (N. Kingston, RI) both crossed the plate twice.

For Worcester State, senior Kylene Pease (Ashland, MA) was 3-for-3 at the plate.

Clark took advantage of several Lancer miscues throughout the course of the first contest.

In the top of the third, Melkonian and Allen knocked in runs before they both came around to score on a misplayed fly ball by the right fielder.

In the top of the sixth, the Cougars scored five runs and almost batted around. The scoring in the frame was highlighted by a two-run single by Allen and an RBI bases-loaded walk by Molly Clark.

With the eight-run rule in effect and as Clark took the commanding 9-0 margin, the Lancers tried to mount a comeback off of reliever Melanie Dusseault (Auburn, NH).

Freshman Courtney Fluet (Worcester, MA/Doherty) reached on a walk and after singles by sophomore Katie Storro (Leominster, MA), she was driven in by Pease to put runners on first and second with one out.

But Dusseault buckled down and set-down the final two batters on ground outs to end the game.

Clark senior Nicole Meuse (Hudson, MA) was outstanding over her five scoreless frames of work as she only yielded two hits, walked one and struck out six to improve her mark to 6-3 on the campaign.

Pease, who started in the circle for the Blue and Gold, was tagged with the loss. Pease (0-1) went the first three innings allowing four earned runs on four hits as she recorded one punch out.

Senior Hannah Everson (Methuen, MA) pitched the final three innings and gave up five unearned runs on three hits. Everson issued a trio of free passes and struck out three.

Melkonian led the charge in the second contest with a 4-for-5 effort at the plate while Kraytenberg was 3-for-4. Both batters scored twice and plated three runners.

For the Lancers, Everson, senior Aimee Lamoureux (E. Brookfield, MA), junior Carolyn Hassett (Charlton, MA) and freshman Hayley Terry (N. Dighton, MA) all contributed two base-knocks each.

The Cougars opened the contest with four runs in the top of the first as the visitors were underscored by a two-run double by Kraytenberg and run producing at-bats by Molly Clark and Tatiana Chunis (Sutton, MA).

But Worcester State came right back and made the score 4-3 in the bottom of the frame when Everson belted a two-run double to left, and then she later crossed home plate on a wild pitch.

Melkonian helped give the visitors some breathing room, however, in the top of the third by jacking three-run homer to left field for her second of the campaign. Allen also added an RBI double to help the Cougars lead 8-3.

In the top of the fourth, Kraytenberg blasted her first career homer for a solo shot for the 9-4 advantage.

After scoring their runs in the first, the Lancers had a frustrating game at the plate as they left the bases loaded in the fourth and runners on second and third in the fifth.

WSU finally broke through in the seventh off of Dusseault, who came in in relief to start off the seventh.

Lamoureux tripled down the right field line and scored on an RBI single by Pease. Everson drew a walk and then sophomore pinch hitter Taylor Hanley (Wilmington, MA) reached on an infield miscue to juice the bases.

But sophomore Hayley Buckheit (Camden, ME) came back into the game – out of the flex spot in the line-up – to induce a play at home plate and consecutive infield pop-ups to end the contest.

Buckheit (5-2) tossed seven full innings allowing three earned runs to go with eight hits, one walk and one strikeout in the win.

Freshman Meghan Rich (Chelmsford, MA) gave up nine earned runs on 14 hits. Rich (4-3) fanned three and issued a pair of free passes in her seven frames of work.

Clark finished with the 14-10 edge in base-knocks in the nightcap.

Both squads will play non-conference opponents with twinbills on Tuesday. Worcester State hosts WPI at 4 PM while Clark travels to Roger Williams for a 3 o'clock first-pitch.