Springfield, Mass. – April 6, 2013 – The Springfield College softball team blanked visiting Clark University to sweep a doubleheader on Potter Field Saturday afternoon in New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play. Springfield took the opener, 6-0, before completing the sweep with a 5-0 win.

Springfield is now 10-12 on the year, and is now along in first place in the conference standings with a 5-1 mark. The Cougars fall to 9-7, 4-4 in league play.

In the first game, Springfield jumped out to a quick lead thanks to a first-inning home run by Jenna Webb. The two-out blast also plated shortstop Kelly Blake, who led off the game with a walk.

The Pride added to its lead in the second inning when catcher Elizabeth Joseph followed up a Melissa Nelson single with an RBI double to right center. The two-bagger resulted in a 3-0 Springfield lead.

Springfield continued its hot hitting in the fourth with a lead-off single by center fielder Chelsea Bender, who promptly stole second base. With a runner in scoring position, Blake collected an RBI with a single to right field. Facing newly entered pitcher Melanie Dusseult, Christina Leader drove home Blake, who had advanced to third on a steal.

The sixth and final Springfield run came in the fifth inning. After a double by Blake, Ally Rivelli was sent to pinch hit for Leader. The decision paid dividends, as Rivelli ripped a single to right field, scoring Blake.

Blake was on base four times, scoring three runs, collecting two hits and one RBI. Webb also had a big day at the plate, going 3-4 with two doubles, two RBI, and a home run.

Springfield pitcher Jen Joseph twice struck out the side in the second and fifth innings, allowing one hit and no runs, and racking up 11 strikeouts in five innings of work. Caisie Cadorette pitched the final two frames for Springfield, allowing one hit and no runs.

In the second game of the doubleheader, Springfield jumped out to a fast start scoring five runs in three innings. Blake lead off the first inning with a double down the left line and later score on a hard hit ball by Taylor Page. Later that inning, Samantha Rentz knocked in Christina Leader on a RBI ground out.

Springfield tacked on three more insurance runs in the second and third, producing five hits that scored Bender, Blake, and Marino. Webb and Joyce ended the game going 2-3 with a walk each.

Starting pitcher Ashley Marino was dominant, going the distance giving up six hits and striking out nine batters.

Maya Allen, Alyssa Wright, Corrie Derosier for Clark all had two hits apiece. Starting pitcher Hayley Buckheit surrendered five runs on six hits which gave her second loss on the season. Reliever Melanie Dusseault pitched the final 3.2 innings allowing no one to cross the plate and posting two K’s.