WESTON, Mass. - Regis College collected the most hits as a team in over seven years on its way to winning its first game of the 2023 season, and then the Pride used timely hitting and pitching to complete the doubleheader sweep over Clark University, 10-8 and 4-1, Friday in a non-conference collegiate softball twinbill at the Regis Softball Field.
Game One: Regis 10, Clark 8
The top six hitters in the Regis lineup accounted for 18 of the team's 19 hits, the most in a single game since a 24-hit performance against Clarks Summit University March 7, 2016. Chloe Beland (Southborough, Mass.) went 4-for-5 with a double and two RBI, while Bianca Burke (Cambridge, Mass.), Diana Petrarca (Coventry, R.I.), Kayla Morrill (Lynn, Mass.), and Ciara Collins (Lynn, Mass.) finished with three hits apiece. Andria Braga (Rehoboth, Mass.) contributed two doubles, a walk, and two runs scored.
In the first inning, Braga scored the first run of the game as she doubled, advanced to third on a Petrarca single, and scored when Petrarca induced a rundown on a double-steal attempt. Clark, the designated home team batting at the bottom of each inning, struck back with two runs to pull ahead, 2-1.
Regis took the lead for good in the third inning as Burke led off with a single and eventually scored on a single by Petrarca. After a Morrill double, Collins singled to left field to drive in Petrarca, and Morrill came around to score on a Clark error. Collins advanced to third on a single by Beland and scored when the Cougar shortstop mishandled the throw from the catcher on Beland's steal attempt.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Keira Langus drew a leadoff walk and came around to score on a triple by Emilie Spence. Spence would score on a safety squeeze bunt by Samantha Crowley, bringing the Cougars within two runs at 6-4.
Braga drew a bases loaded walk in the fifth inning, and then Regis scored three more runs in the sixth inning as Beland drove in pinch runner Jaylene Deslauriers (Taunton, Mass.) and Collins on a double to left-center field. Beland advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch to give the Pride a 10-4 lead.
Clark worked its way back into the game, starting in the bottom of the sixth when Spence drove in Ella Traynor with her second triple of the day. In the bottom of the seventh, Jessica Martin drew a leadoff walk, and then Felicia Salvati and Reilly Bronson hit consecutive RBI doubles to close the Cougar deficit to 10-7. Bronson advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a sacrifice fly by Traynor, but Langus popped out to end the game in favor of the Pride.
Petrarca pitched the entire game for her first victory of the season, finishing with 128 pitches. Jessica Sardilli took the loss after working the first three innings before Langus came on in relief for the final four innings.
Game Two: Regis 4, Clark 1
The pitchers took control at the start of the second game as Colby Butterfield (Gilford, N.H.) and Brooke Buzzeo each held their opponents scoreless through the first three innings. Regis struck first in the top of the fourth inning as Braga led off with a double and scored on a single by Petrarca. The Pride threatened to score more as Morrill followed with a walk, but Buzzeo was able to retire the next three batters without any further damage.
With two outs in the top of the sixth inning, Collins hit a towering drive over the fence in left field for her first career home run. Beland followed with a single and then hustled around the bases to score on a single by pinch hitter Marissa Allen (Coventry, R.I.) to increase the Regis lead to 3-0.
Clark threatened to score in the bottom of the sixth as the Cougars loaded the bases with just one out after Spence reached on an error and Martin drew a walk. However, Butterfield struck out the next two batters to leave the bases loaded and keep the Cougars off the scoreboard.
Burke led off the top of the seventh inning with a bunt single, advanced to second on a Clark error on the same play, stole third base, and scored on another Cougar miscue. The Cougars would score once in the bottom of the seventh, but Butterfield induced a groundout and a lineout to clinch the victory for the Pride.
Butterfield scattered eight hits and four walks while striking out six batters to earn her first win of the season, throwing 133 pitches, including 83 strikes. Buzzeo took the loss as she also pitched all seven innings, allowing 10 hits and one walk while striking out three batters.
The victories are the first in the collegiate career of Regis head coach Ellie Adams. As a team, Regis batted .403 (29-for-72) during the day, with Burke, Petrarca, and Beland leading the way with five hits apiece in the doubleheader.
Regis College (2-6) heads to Buzzards Bay, Mass., for a doubleheader against Massachusetts Maritime Academy Monday, March 27, starting at 4 p.m. Clark University (3-10) takes on crosstown rival Worcester State in a doubleheader Tuesday, March 28, beginning at 4 p.m.