Softball Registers Split With Cougars In Non-Conference Twin Bill

Sousa and Gauvin drive two each for Green and Gold

Fitchburg, MA: The Fitchburg Softball team collected a split with the Cougars of Clark University this afternoon in non-conference action from the Donna Lee Withington Field as the Falcons dropped a 4-3, nine inning decision in the opener before rallying for a 6-2 triumph in the nightcap.

THE BASICS:

- Date: 4/2/24

- Score: Fitchburg State 3, Clark 4, 9inn (GM1)

- Score: Fitchburg State 6, Clark 2 (GM2)

- Records: Fitchburg State (5-13, 0-2 MASCAC), Clark (5-11, 0-2 NEWMAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED: Game One

-  Clark broke a 0-0 deadlock in the top of the eight as graduate student Reilly Bronson (Seymour, CT) stole home on a double steal before senior Samantha Crowley (Middleboro, MA) doubled to left, plating freshman Charlise Quigley (Long Beach, NY), while senior Rebecca Mauro (Easton, CT) followed with run scoring single down the right field line for the 3-0 edge.

- Fitchburg State knotted the score at 3-3 in their half of the eighth with junior Mackenzie Leveille (Brooklyn, CT) driving in sophomore Adria McKenzie (Lowell, MA) with a groundout to short before sophomore Isabella Sousa (Charlton, MA) ripped a two-run double to right center, scoring junior Julia Gauvin (Granby, MA) and senior Molly Grass (Rockland, MA).

- The Cougars secured the victory in the top of the ninth as Bronson doubled to left field to bring in sophomore Felicia Salvati (Naugatuck, CT), resulting in the 4-3 final

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

-  Sousa led the way for the Falcons, hitting 1-for-2 with a double and two RBI

-  Leveille added one hit and an RBI for the Green and Gold

-  Senior Mary Kate Moreau (Berkley, MA) allowed three runs (2 earned) on four hits with two K's and two walks in no decision for Fitchburg State

-  For the Cougars, Bronson went 1-for-4 with a double, one run scored and an RBI

-  Crowley chipped in with one hit, including a double, one run score and an RBI

-  Freshman Megan Dube (Leominster, MA) picked up the victory for Clark, allowing three runs (2 earned) on five hits as well as seven strikeouts and four walks in the complete game effort

HOW IT HAPPENED: Game Two

-  Clark took a 1-0 advantage in the top of the sixth with sophomore Kiera Langus (Dover, NH) reaching a fielding error that allowed senior Rebecca Mauro (Easton, CT) to cross the plate. Fitchburg State answered in their half of the sixth when McKenzie singled up the middle, scoring senior Dana Cisowski (Torrington, CT), while freshman Danielle Forth (Templeton, MA) and junior Ella Marshall (Gloucester, MA) followed with RBI base knocks. Gauvin would deliver a clutch two-run double to right center, which drove home Grass and Marshall to make the score 6-1.

- The Cougars cut the deficit to 6-2 in the top of the seventh when Langus singled to left field, allowing sophomore Emelie Spence (Margate, FL) to cross the plate, but the Falcons secured the victory with a stellar defensive play at third base by Marshall to earned the split.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

-  This afternoon's contest marked the seventh meeting between the two teams on softball field with the Falcons 4-3 all-time when taking on the Cougars

-  Gauvin led the way for the Green and Gold, finishing with a double and two RBI

-  Freshman Jessica Mueller (Fitchburg, MA) added a pair of the hits, including a double for the Falcons

-  Sophomore Madison Solt (Salem, NH) improved to 4-2 on the year for Fitchburg State, giving up two runs (1 earned) on four hits with three strikeouts and five walks in the complete game effort

-  For the Cougars, Langus hit 2-for-4 with an RBI

-  Mauro chipped in with one hit and a run scored

-  Langus took the loss for Clark, yielding six runs (5 earned) on ten hits as well as five K's and one walk over six innings pitched

UP NEXT:

- Fitchburg State returns to action on Saturday as they host the Buccaneers of Mass. Maritime Academy for a conference twin bill, starting at 10:00 AM.

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