03/04/2009
Softball Splits a Pair in Florida; Tutela Cracks a Grand-Slam

CLERMONT, FLA. 03/04/09 - Junior Darcy Kurashige-Elliott (Berkeley, Calif.) went 3-for-3 with an RBI and sophomore Kate Tutela (Dalton, Mass.) cracked her first career grand-slam as Clark University defeated Johnson and Wales University, 10-2, in a single game played Wednesday afternoon.

Clark (1-7) earned its first victory of the spring, while Johnson and Wales dropped to 0-1 on the season.

The Cougars were behind 2-1 heading into the sixth inning until Melissa Traft (Milton, Mass.) and Elliot poked singles to lead off and Tutela reached on an error by the Wildcat centerfielder, which also resulted in two runs scored. First-year Maureen Coakley (Worcester, Mass.) followed with a sacrifice RBI to give Clark a 5-2 lead.

The top of the seventh featured leadoff doubles from Blake and Chelsea Proulx (Franklin, N.H.), whose hit produced a run, for a 7-2 advantage. An error, a wild pitch and a walk set the stage for Tutela's bases-loaded homer and the 10-2 final.

Blake and Traft each tallied two hits in the victory.

Sophomore Sarah Carter (Worcester, Mass.) went the distance to earn her first win (1-3) of the season. She allowed just two runs on seven hits and struck out four.

The Cougars were shutout, 9-0, in the opener to John Carroll (Oh.) University (4-1).

The Blue Streaks scored multiple runs in the third (4), fifth (3) and sixth (2) innings to secure the victory. Clark, which combined for five hits in the game, had its chances but left runners on base in every inning except one.

Traft played double-duty going 3-for-3 at the plate, and giving up nine hits and seven runs with two walks in five innings on the mound.

Clark plays Moravian College and Elizabeth Town College (Pa.) on its final day of competition (Thursday) in Florida.