05/08/2009
2009 Softball Season Recap

Winners of its last eight regular season games, including six straight conference victories, the Clark University softball team (17-18, 10-6 NEWMAC) pulled off an incredible mid-season comeback.

After facing a strong spring week schedule that included four eventual NCAA Tournament teams  three that ended the year nationally ranked  the Cougars returned north with just two wins. Back in New England, however, Clark captured impressive wins over NCAA Tournament participant Bridgewater State College (4-3) and ECAC Tournament contender Brandeis University (1-0) before heading into the conference line-up. The Cougars then vaulted to third in the NEWMAC with sweeps over eventual conference champions Springfield College, WPI and Wheaton College.

After a NEWMAC Tournament opening round win over sixth-seeded WPI (5-3), the third-seed Cougars were eliminated with losses to second-seed Wellesley College (8-0) and fifth-seed Babson College (5-2).

Individual highlights included junior Lauren Blakes (.393 BA) third straight All-Conference nod. The star second baseman earned first-team recognition and was also an NFCA Division III All-New England first-team at-large pick.