Game #1 - WPI 13, Clark 7
Game #2 - WPI 20, Clark 11

Game #1 Box Score
Game #2 Box Score

Worcester, MA --- The Clark University baseball team was swept by WPI in its New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) season opener on Saturday at Granger Field. After losing the first game 13-7, Clark (6-12, 0-2 NEWMAC) dropped the nightcap, 20-11. WPI improved to 10-7 overall and 2-0 in league play.

In the opener, WPI got runners across in every inning except the fifth and seventh. The Engineers jumped on top early when the second batter of the game, Mark Dignum (Albany, N.Y.) got around on a delivery from Clark pitcher Matt Tillo (Osterville, Mass.) and lined it over the left field wall for his second homerun of the season. From that point on, WPI never let off the gas, driving Tillo from the game after four innings.

Clark was able to score in the third inning when centerfielder Eric Dufour (Exeter, N.H.) launched a solo homer off WPI's Conor Fahey (Cumberland, R.I.) over the left field fence for a 4-1 deficit. The Cougars scored twice in the fourth to trail 7-3, but the visitors delivered a six-run assault in the sixth on the way to winning the opener. Clark tried to mount a rally in the seventh with four more runs, but it was not enough to secure the win.

WPI's 16-hit attack was led by Dignum, who went three-for-three with four RBI. Third baseman Bryan Watkins (Belmont, Mass.) collected three hits and centerfielder Cody McGregor (Westfield, Mass.) drove in three runs in the game.

Dufour had three hits and a pair of RBI, while Tillo, who suffered the loss, drove in two runs to lead Clark.

Fahey earned the complete game victory after allowing nine hits and striking out four. He improved to 5-0 on the year.

In the second game, Clark struck first after Tillo and Stephen DeMartino (East Haven, Conn.) drew bases loaded walks off of righty Brian Duncan for a 2-0 advantage. That was the first and only lead Clark would take against WPI's potent offense.

The Engineers plated six runs on five hits in the second inning and never looked back, outscoring Clark, 11-6, over the final five innings.

Cougar starter Greg Long (Milford, Mass.) took the loss after just three innings of work. His fellow Clark hurlers also had little success against the WPI bats. Senior righty Dan Simokonis (Worcester, Mass.) was touched for four runs; freshman Dan Vlademir (Lexington, Mass.) gave up two runs in one inning of work, and junior David Gagnon (Harwich, Mass.) gave up five runs, only two of which were earned, in three innings on the mound.

Dufour and Tillo again powered the Clark bats. Dufor was four-for-six, while Tillo went two-for-four with one RBI. Rookie Kevin Kopec (Katonah, N.Y.) also had a solid showing at the plate with three hits and three RBI.

Watkins led WPI with three hits, five RBI, and two runs scored. Dignum collected two hits and knocked in four runs.

Clark will travel to Elms College for a non-conference game on Tuesday (4:30 pm). WPI will play a NEWMAC doubleheader at Springfield College tomorrow (Noon).

By Chris Wiklund, Clark Sports Information Office