United States Coast Guard Academy - Department of Athletics

NEW LONDON, CONN.--Junior Erin Murphy had three hits and two RBI’s and sophomore Mel Melkonian also had three hits and an RBI leading sixth-seeded Clark to a 5-4 win over fifth-seeded Wheaton in an elimination game, Game #6, of the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) softball tournament.

Senior Sarah Carter (9-9) allowed ten hits, a pair of earned runs, walked just one and struck out six as the Cougars, who lost to Wheaton twice during the regular season stayed alive in the tournament.

Wheaton trailed 5-3 entering the bottom of the seventh, but three straight singles with two outs by freshman Jenna Rocha, junior Amanda Poplaski and an RBI single by senior Katy Salka pulled the Lyons to within 5-4 with runners on second and third. Carter struck out senior Kristen Hunt to secure the victory.

Clark took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on freshman Shawna Amatucci’s RBI single which scored sophomore Mel Melkonian, who singled and scored from first on the two-out single in the right field gap.

Wheaton senior Kristen Hunt gave the Lyons the lead in the home half with a two-run homer to right after Salka reached on a two-out error to extend the inning.

Freshman Maya Allen, Melkonian and junior Erin Murphy had three straight two-out RBI singles in the second as Clark batted around and took a 4-2 lead.

Rocha’s RBI double in the fifth scored senior Rachel Merrick, who led off the inning with a walk as the Lyons pulled to within 4-3.

Clark got that run back in the sixth on an RBI single by junior Erin Murphy which scored Allen who drew a one-out walk and moved to third on a single by Melkonian.
Rocha had three hits including a pair of doubles, Poplaski had three singles while Salka added a pair of hits for Wheaton (19-18).

Freshman Allison Baker (14-11) took the loss for the Lyons. She went the distance and allowed 11 hits and five earned runs while walking four and striking out ten.