03/25/2009
Softball Splits Against Brandeis University

WORCESTER, MASS. 03/25/09 - Sophomore Sarah Carter (Worcester, Mass.) tossed a complete game five-hitter and junior Lauren Blake (Oakland, Maine) scored on a wild pitch to lift the Clark University softball team to a 1-0 non-conference victory over Brandeis University en route to a doubleheader split on Wednesday at O'Brien Field.

The Judges (8-8) edged Clark, 3-2, in extra innings in the opener.

The Cougars only run came in the first inning of the nightcap. Blake singled to left field to lead off, moved to second on a wild pitch and third on a throwing error by the Brandeis catcher. Following a groundout, Blake scored the game's only run on another wild pitch to give Clark the 1-0 advantage.

Brandeis threatened in the top of the second with one out and the bases loaded. However, consecutive hits back to Carter, who threw out runners at home and at second base, respectively, ended the inning.

Carter fanned two and walked a pair to earn her fourth victory of the season.

Blake led Clark with three hits in the win. Junior Chelsea Korp (Worcester, Mass.) collected two hits for Brandeis.

Freshman Caroline Miller (Bala Cynwyd, Pa.), who struck out four and didn't walk a batter, took the loss for Brandeis. She drops to 4-3.

In the opener, the Cougars broke a scoreless duel when freshman Stefanie Kettenacker (Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.) tripled to right center to score junior Chelsea Proulx (Franklin, N.H.), who walked to get on, in the fourth inning.

Brandeis tied the game (1-1) in the top of the sixth on back-to-back errors from Clark. Freshman Samantha Gajewski (Elkridge, Md.) reached on an infield error and moved to second on the errant throw to open the inning. Brittany Grim (Perkiomenville, Pa.) followed with a hit that was misplayed by Clark's centerfielder, and Gajewski scored the game-tying run on the play.

The Judges plated the eventual go-ahead run in the top of the eighth. With one out and runners on second and third, Grimm smacked a two-run double to left field to give Brandeis the 3-1 lead.

Clark got a run back in the bottom of the frame on Blake's RBI single, but after Maureen Coakley's (Worcester, Mass.) sacrifice bunt, Brandeis pitcher Emily Vaillette (Milford, N.H.) retired the next two batters on a groundout and flyout to end the game and pick up her fourth win of the spring.

Melissa Traft (Milford, Mass.) took the loss, allowing three runs (one earned) on seven hits.

Clark (4-12) will travel to Smith College for a doubleheader on Friday (3 pm). Brandeis will host Bates College in a twinbill on Sunday (11 a.m.)