Worcester, MA --- Clark junior Mel Melkonian (Worcester, MA/St. Peter-Marian) hit three homeruns – including two in the second game but visiting Worcester State was able to collect a split of the crosstown rivals' twinbill on Tuesday afternoon on O'Brien Field.
The Cougars (10-10) won the opener 3-0 behind a standout pitching performance from junior Nicole Meuse (Hudson, MA) but the Lancers (6-10) scored seven straight runs at one point to take the nightcap, 7-5.
Game one was scoreless through the first three innings, as Meuse retired the first 11 batters she faced – four of which came via the strikeout. The Clark offense, meanwhile, picked up three hits over that span, but could not get the first run across the plate even after putting runners on first and second in the bottom of the first.
Stefanie Kettenacker (Hastings-On-The-Hudson, NY) finally put the first run on the board for the Cougars when she blasted a double to right that scored Tatiana Chunis (Sutton, MA) from first in the bottom of the fourth. She then came around to score when senior Maureen Coakley (Worcester, MA/Holy Name) doubled to left center, making the score 2-0.
Melkonian then gave Clark a 3-0 edge when she sent her second homer of the season over the right field fence.
Worcester State sophomore Carolyn Hassett (Charlton, MA) and senior Erica Cordio (Leominster, MA) reached on consecutive base-knocks and moved to second and third on a wild pitch to make a threat in the top of the sixth, but Meuse ended the threat with a groundout and a double play.
Meuse (6-5) went the distance, striking out nine while allowing just five hits and no walks.
First-year Katie Roy (Worcester, MA) went the first four innings for the Lancers, yielding two earned runs on six hits before junior Melissa Beaudry (Worcester, MA/St. Peter-Marian) tossed the final two frames allowing an earned run on four base-knocks.
Clark banged out ten hits in the contest, with everyone in the lineup getting at least one while the visitors ended with five.
Game two started off well for the Cougars as they took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a towering blast down the left field line by Melkonian that sailed high over the fence for her second of the day.
Worcester State responded with three unearned runs in the third as Clark committed two errors. Junior Aimee Lamoureux (East Brookfield, MA) who had three doubles in the second game, banged a ball off the right field fence for a run scoring two-bagger that highlighted the frame.
Ahead 3-2, the Lancers got an another unearned run in the fourth and then pushed three more across on a bases clearing double from senior Ashley Howe (Winchendon, MA) in the fifth to make the score 7-2.
The Cougars mounted one final rally in the seventh, as freshman Molly Clark (North Kingstown, RI) led off the seventh with her first career hit. Sophomore Maya Allen (Concord, MA) followed that up with a single through the left side, setting the stage for Melkonian who brought Clark to within 7-5 with a powerful blast that sailed deep and high over the right centerfield fence.
Junior Hannah Everson (Methuen, MA), who went the distance for Worcester State, then recorded two outs on a popup and a groundout to end the game.
Everson (4-4) scattered eight hits with five earned runs and four strikeouts. First-year Hayley Buckheit (Camden Hills, ME) went the first four innings, giving up six hits and seven runs – only three of which were earned.
Sophomore Heather Figula (Brick, NJ) was solid in relief, going three innings, allowing just three hits and no runs.
In addition to Lamoureux's 3-for-3 performance at the plate, Roy went 2-for-2, while senior Jaime Jacobs (Billerica, MA) and Everson each had RBI.
Melkonian accounted for all five Clark runs with a career-high tying five RBI in game two.
Both squads will be back in action on Friday at 3:00 PM. Clark plays host to Coast Guard, while the Lancers venture to Salem State.
Major Portions of Release Courtesy of Clark University Sports Information