Mueller nets two hits for the Green and Gold 

Fitchburg, MA. – The Fitchburg State University softball team was swept by the Cougars of Clark University this afternoon in a non-conference double header from the O'Brien Softball Field as the falcons fell 12-1 in the opener before dropping the nightcap by a score of 8-0.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 1, Clark 12 (GM1)

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Clark 8 (GM 2)

Game One

Clark grabbed a 3-0 advantage in the bottom of the first as freshman Avery Della Piana  (Tewksbury, MA) singled, moved to second and third on walks by sophomore Megan Dube (Leominster, MA) and junior Felicia Salvati (Naugatuck, CT) before junior Madison Dillon (Rocky Hill, CT) laced a bases clearing double to center field, scoring Piana, Dube and Salvati.

The Cougars upped the lead to 7-0 in the following frame when Dillon, Piana, Salvati and freshman Avery Dillon (Bethany, CT) notched RBI. Fitchburg State cut the deficit to 7-1 in the top of third with senior Ella Marshall (Gloucester, MA) and freshman Emily Bennett (Gorham, ME) connecting on back-to-back singles, while sophomore Jessica Mueller (Fitchburg, MA) followed with a run scoring single through the left side that plated Marshall.

Clark secured the victory in the bottom half of the third as A. Dillon registered an RBI double to left field before graduate student Rebecca Mauro (Easton, CT) added a sacrifice fly, resulting in the 12-1 final.

Inside the Number

• Mueller led the way for the Falcons in game one, going 1-for-2 with an RBI
• Marshall finished 1-for-2 a one run scored
• Junior Madison Solt (Salem, NH) suffered the setback for Fitchburg State, allowing 12 runs (9 earned) on 12 hits and two K's over 3.2 innings of work
• For the Cougars, Piana hit 3-for-4 with a double, one run scored and three RBI
• Junior Brooke Buzzeo (Trumbull, CT) earned the victory for Clark, giving up one run one four hits and nine strikeouts in the complete game effort 

Game Two

Clark raced out to an early 5-0 margin in the bottom of the first as Dube laced a two-run double to left field that scored Mauro and Piana, while sophomore Alexis Taudel (Fiskdale, MA) followed with a two-run blast to left field.

Fitchburg State threatened in the top of the second with senior Isabella Sousa (Charlton, MA) notching a single through the left side before junior Adria McKenzie (Lowell, MA) drew a walk to put runners on first and second, but Dube worked out of the jam unscathed to preserve the 5-0 edge.

The Cougars upped the advantage to 8-0 in the bottom of the second when Piana and A. Dillon registered back-to-back singles, while Dube launched a three-run home run to right field.

Inside the Number

• Ninth meeting between Fitchburg State and Clark on the softball field with the Falcons 4-5  all-time when taking on the Cougars
• Mueller paced the Falcons in game two, hitting 1-of-2
• Sousa went 1-for-2 for the Green and Gold
• Senior Mackenzie Leveille (Brooklyn, CT) surrendered three runs on five and three strikeouts over three innings of relief in a no decision for Fitchburg State
• For the Cougars, Dube finished a perfect 3-for-3 with a home run, double, two runs scored and five RBI
• Dube collected the win for Clark, yielding no runs on four hits and seven K's in the complete game shutout

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Saturday as they travel to Mass. Maritime to take on the Buccaneers for a MASCAC twin bill, starting at 12:00PM.

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