WESTFIELD, Mass. – Abby Clark (Uxbridge, Mass./Blackstone) hit a pair of home runs to power Westfield State in a split doubleheader at North Collier Park in Naples, Fla. on Tuesday.
The Owls topped the University of St. Joseph (Conn.) by a 9-1 score in the nightcap, but fell to Emerson by a 9-2 count in the first game of the day.
Clark rapped a three-run, inside-the-park homer in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Owls a 9-1 win over USJ, the game ending an inning early due to the 8-run rule.
Westfield had jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the third inning. Jordyn Lummus (Pittsfield, Mass.) drove in one run with a base hit before coming around to score in a wild pitch, and Mia Alfonso (Dalton, Mass./Pittsfield HS) delivered a 2-run triple to left field. Clark plated Alfonso with an RBI single.
Owls starter Gianna Conte (W, 1-1) (Greenfield, Mass.) worked four innings and did not allow an earned run in gaining her first win of the season. Clark finished 2-4 with four rbi. Lummus was 3-4 at the plate and Hannah Wodecki (Southampton, Mass./Hampshire Reg.) added two hits and two runs for the Owls. Stephanie Scoville (Northfield, Mass./Pioneer Valley) worked two innings of scoreless relief to help seal the win.
Analise Escarrman took the loss for the Blue Jays, allowing seven hits and six runs in 3.1 innings.
Westfield improved to 4-2 on the season with the win, while USJ is 3-5.
In the opener, the Lions got to Owls' starter Stephanie Scoville (L, 2-1) for six runs (four earned) through three innings.
Emerson pitcher Jessica Gomez (W, 2-2) had a strong outing, allowing just three hits and two runs, tossing a complete game and striking out seven.
Westfield got a solo home run from RF Abby Clark and sister Alyssa Clark (Uxbridge, Mass./Blackstone) doubled and scored to account for both of Westfield's runs.
Abby, a transfer from Framingham State, wound up the day 3-6 at the plate with two runs scored, two home runs, and five runs batted in. Through six games with the Owls she is batting .333.
Emerson DP Makenzie Killough finished 2-3 with a pair of doubles and five rbi, while SS Sam Zanotti was 3-4 with three runs scored and two RBI.
Westfield dipped to 3-2 on the trip, while Emerson improved to 3-2.
The Owls are back in action on the spring trip tomorrow, facing Lesley University at 11 am followed by Alfred (NY) State at 1:00 pm at North Collier Park.