03/06/2008
Softball Splits on Final Day of Spring Week; Concludes Trip at 7-3

FORT MYERS, FLA. 03/06/08 - The Clark University softball team concluded its spring week trip with a split on Thursday in Fort Myers, Fla. The Cougars started their day with a tough 7-6 loss to DeSales University (Pa.) and then shutout Wisconsin Lutheran (11-0) in five innings in game two.

Clark (7-3) led 6-4 in the bottom of the sixth before relinquishing the lead. With two down in the top of the seventh, first-year Kate Steiner hit a three-run homerun to give DeSales the lead (7-6) for good.

In the second inning, Joanna Clark belted a two-run homer and Chelsea Proulx scored on an error to put Clark on the board (3-4).

Heather Warren's RBI single in the bottom of the fifth knotted the score at four-all and Proulxs' homer to right center in the sixth gave the Cougars a 6-4 edge.

However, DeSales used a three-run sixth inning to secure the victory.

Proulx went two-for-three with two RBI to lead Clark. Lauren Blake, Melissa Traft and Warren each collected a pair of hits in the loss.

Traft (1-1) took the complete game loss on the mound. She allowed seven runs (six earned) on 15 hits and fanned six batters in seven innings of work.

First-year Sarah Carter pitched a five inning two-hitter in the nightcap. She struck out five and did not issue a walk to record her second victory of the season.

The Cougars scored nine runs in the first two innings of the game. Traft had a three-run triple in the first inning and delivered a two-run single in the second frame to lead the charge. Warren, Darcy Kurashige-Elliot, and Katherine Tutela each had run-producing hits in the second inning.

Traft led Clark with three hits and six RBI.

Clark hopes to return north with playable field conditions for its home season opener against Bridgewater State College on Tuesday, March 25th (3 p.m.).