The Clark University softball team had its most successful spring in five years. Led by head coach Linda Wage, who notched her 300th career-victory this season, the Cougars set six new school records and recorded its most overall wins (19-16) and highest NEWMAC finish (4th/9-6) since the 2001-02 campaign.
Despite a squad of 10-newcomers, the Cougars had beaten every NEWMAC team going into the double-elimination conference tournament. Seeded fourth, Clark took that momentum into the play-offs and beat fifth-seed Smith College (11-8) in the opening round, only to fall to top-seed Springfield College (1-9) and Babson College (0-3) to conclude its season.
Junior Heather Warren – named the program’s first-ever National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Player of the Week – set new season marks in homeruns (12), total bases (113), slugging percentage (.934) and tied the record for RBI (59). In addition, Clark broke the record for homeruns (21) and assists (398) in a season. Senior Lauren Ackein and Warren also joined the Century Hits Club with 117 and 119 career-hits, respectively.
Two members of the team earned All-NEWMAC honors. Warren received first-team recognition, while first-year Lauren Blake was a second-team selection
Returning just four starters from last year’s 10-20 (5-11 NEWMAC) squad, the Clark University softball team will enter the 2007 campaign with a vastly different look. The Cougars welcome 10 newcomers, including a new-look infield and a trio of first-year hurlers to the staff. Although their appearance has changed, the pitch remains the same – make a run at the conference championship.
“We knew that we would have a number of new players coming into the season,” said head coach Linda Wage. “But that’s not always a negative. With such a versatile group, it will give us the opportunity to shake-up the line-up.”
One of the Cougars’ biggest concerns was pitching. Although last season’s ace Heather Warren (9-11, 3.67) returns for another year on the mound, Coach Wage supplemented the staff with three first-year pitchers. Leading the list of recruits is Melissa Traft, a three-time first-team All-Star from Milton High School. The first-year hurler, who has an assortment of pitches, is expected to be the mainstay on the staff and see playing time at first-base and designated player. A four-time All-State player from Bishop Brady High School Chelsea Proulx and Karrie Hanson will also see time on the mound as well as the infield.
“Heather will be more effective with quality pitchers around her this year,” said the 19th year head coach. “Our depth in the rotation will allow us to change it up more and keep batters off-balance.”
The pitching staff will be in good hands with senior co-captain Lauren Ackein (.307 BA, 12 RBI), a four-year starter, behind the plate.
There will be new faces all around Clark’s infield. When Warren’s not on the mound, the steady fielder will be at shortstop. Proulx, a versatile performer, will back her up and could also take a spot on the hot corner. First-year Lauren Blake, a defensive standout, will take over at second base, while newcomer Darcy Kurashige-Elliott will be in contention for time at first and third. Along with pitching, Traft will share first baseman and designated player duties, and strong-armed infielder Joanna Clark will also handle first. Both Allison Ventrice, who missed last season due to injury, and freshman Alex Gauthier, an excellent contact hitter, will serve as third base/designated player options.
“We wanted to make sure we were solid defensively this year,” said Wage. “There’s a lot of youth, but we are expecting them to step right in and get the job done.”
Senior co-captain Kaitlin Kelley (.306 BA, 13 RBI) will anchor a Cougar outfield that includes junior Julie Parnell and first-year Jenn Timmreck. Capable of power at the plate, Kelley will move from right to left this spring, while Parnell, who provides a quality arm in the outfield and Timmreck, whose speed will help around the bases, will patrol center and right, respectively. Junior Kerriann Powers, a cross-country runner, and sophomore transfer Rebecca Eldridge will also be in the mix.
“We have high expectations for this group,” Wage said. “Their attitude and work ethic has been great, and the added pitching depth is going to be a tremendous boost. We’re really excited about being a competitive team.”
2001 ECAC TOURNAMENT • 2002 ECAC TOURNAMENT SEMIFINALIST
The Cougar softball program has gained regional and national recognition with a record of 186-77 in the past eight years and seven postseason appearances, including a trip to the NCAA Tournament in 1999. Coach Linda Wage, who was the 1999 NEWMAC Conference Coach of the Year, has built the program into a national contender. She directed the 1999 squad to a school-record 31 wins, selection to the NCAA Tournament, and a national ranking of 22nd. She also directed the Cougars to a 31-11 record in 2000.
The 2005 season came to a historic conclusion when senior centerfielder Jen Scavone was honored as a NFCA First Team All-American for the second time in her career and then became Clark’s first professional softball player as she was selected to play for the New England Riptide in the National Pro Fastpitch League. The accomplishment is even more impressive considering that Scavone was the only Division III player to compete in the professional league.
The Cougars opened the 2005 season with a spring training trip to Ft. Myers, Florida. Clark brought home a 16-0 five-inning win against Eastern Nazarene College, a 9-1 six-inning win against Simmons College and a 15-7 six-inning win over Beloit College. Returning north to a very competitive schedule, Clark lost nine games by a single run and two games in extra innings.
In the NEWMAC conference, the Cougars split with both WPI and the United States Coast Guard Academy. In nonconference action, Clark swept a double header with Brandeis University (10-5, 3-1), shut out Trinity College (4-0), and won the tail end of a doubleheader with Bridgewater State College in extra innings (5-3). The Cougars finished the season 9-19 overall.