WORCESTER, Mass. - Emerson softball was walked off by hosts Clark University in game one of a Friday afternoon doubleheader but bounced back for an extra innings win in game two.

The split puts the Lions at 12-14 (3-9 NEWMAC) this season, while Clark moves to 6-20 (1-9 NEWMAC).

GAME ONE: Clark 5, Emerson 4
The first game of the afternoon started with both teams being shut out through the first three innings. Claire Overton (Wayne, Penn.) broke the stalemate with a solo home to left center in the fourth inning which was later followed up by an RBI double by starting pitcher Jessica Gomez (West Chester, Penn.).

Clark tied the game in the bottom of the fifth, but the Lions reclaimed the lead after Sam Zannotti (Dudley, Mass.) drove in two with a double to right field. However, the Cougars tied it up in the bottom half before walking off on a single to right field by Erin Slavin (Rocky Hill, Conn.).

Gomez pitched the whole game for Emerson, striking out nine while allowing 11 hits; the loss puts her at 3-9 this season. Megan Dube (Leominster, Mass.) and Keira Langus (Dover, N.H.) split time in the circle for Clark, combining for 11 hits allowed and four strikeouts. Dube started and went five innings while Langus pitched the last two.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Jessica Gomez - 6.2 IP, 5 R (4 ER), 11 H, 9 SO, 1 BB; 1-3 (2B), RBI
Sam Zannotti - 3-4 (2B), 2 RBI, SB
Claire Overton - 1-3 (HR, SO, BB), RBI, SB
Mackenzie Rice (Severna Park, Md.) - 2-4 (SO), SB
Makenzie Killough (Attleboro, Mass.) - 2-4

GAME TWO: Emerson 6, Clark 3
The second game started similarly to the first, as both teams were held scoreless over the first four innings before Clark took a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning on a single by Emilie Spence (Margate, Fla.)

Gomez gave Emerson the lead in the top of the sixth with a two-run double to left field, but the Cougars would the game in the bottom of the seventh, down to their last out, to send it to extras.

The Lions wasted almost no time taking their lead back in the top of the eighth as Overton drove in the go-ahead run with a double to right center. Gomez later drove in three with her third home run of the season to make it a 6-2 ballgame and give Emerson some insurance.

Clark brought one around in the bottom of the eighth, but that was all they got as starting pitcher Caleigh Sheehan (Bolton, Conn.) locked in to get the last two outs after the run scored.

Sheehan picked up her seventh complete game of the season, allowing 10 hits and striking out seven as the win puts her record at 7-5. Brooke Buzzeo (Trumbull, Conn.) was the starter for the Cougars, allowing 10 hits and striking out seven while pitching into the eighth.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Caleigh Sheehan - 8.0 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 10 H, 7 SO, 5 BB; 0-3 (BB)
Jessica Gomez - 3-4 (2B, HR), 5 RBI, R
Claire Overton - 4-4 (2 2B), RBI, 2 R
Mackenzie Rice - 1-4, R
Sam Zannotti - 1-4 (SO), R

NEXT UP
Softball hosts Babson in another doubleheader on Saturday, with the first game scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. The Beavers are 6-6 against NEWMAC opponents and will be coming from a doubleheader sweep of Wellesley on Friday.