04/14/2009
Softball Completes Suspended Game with a Win over Springfield

Springfield, Mass. -- April 14, 2009 -- The Clark University softball team completed the previously suspended game at Springfield College with a 3-2 victory in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action at Potter Field on Tuesday. Clark led 3-1 entering the top of the 5th inning when the game was called due to darkness six days ago. The completion of today's game took just 36 minutes.

Clark had beaten Springfield in a lengthy first game of a doubleheader, 16-11, in eight innings on April 8. The Cougars managed to build a 3-1 lead after four complete innings of the nightcap when the umpires called it due to darkness.

Springfield jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Junior catcher Michelle Wlosek (Nutley, N.J.) had singled home senior CF Angie Atkins (East Haddam, Conn.), who led off with a single, and was then sacrificed to second.

Clark tallied three times in the top of the second. The first run was knocked in by freshman catcher Erin Murphy (Boxboro, Mass.). Later on, with two outs, junior SS Chelsea Proulx (Franklin, N.H.) hit a 2-run single to give Clark their 3-1 cushion.

In today's game in the top of the fifth, Clark managed one base runner. But Springfield senior lefthander Samantha Rhodes (Mendon, Mass.) struck out the last two batters she faced in that inning.

It was in the bottom of the fifth where Springfield closed the gap. Senior 3B Shanda Kogut ((Preston, Conn.) led off by taking advantage of an error. Then after two outs were made, SC was the recipient of three straight walks, the last to sophomore DP Amanda Novak (Cos Cob, Conn.) to force in a run. Then in a pivotal moment and with the bases still loaded, junior pinch-hitter Bryn Worrilow (North Babylon, N.Y.) lined to the first baseman for out number three.

Clark would go quietly -- 1-2-3 -- in both the sixth and seventh innings.

But Springfield made it interesting in both innings. In the sixth, the Pride advanced a runner to third with two outs, but Atkins hit a fly ball to deep center for the third out.

In the seventh, senior LF Amanda Lyons (Eastchester, N.Y.) led off with a line single to right. After a pop-out and a ground ball fielder's choice, Novak also singled to right, placing the tying run on second. Senior pinchitter Danielle Spiro (South Windsor, Conn.) then stepped to the plate. Spiro hit a ground ball to the right of the shortstop, Proulx, who picked up the ball and got the easy force at third base to end the game.

For Clark, the winning pitcher was sophomore Sarah Carter (Worcester, Mass.) who pitched a complete game, giving up just six hits. The loser for Springfield was starter Katie Anderson, a sophomore righthander from Andover, Mass., who went just 1 2/3 innings.

With the win, Clark improves to 12-16 overall, 8-6 in the NEWMAC. Springfield falls to 11-17 overall, 6-6 in league play.

Clark will travel to Worcester State College on Friday (3:30 p.m.)

Courtesy of Springfield College Sports Information