Game #1: Clark 8, WPI 7 (8 Innings)
Game #2: WPI 5, Clark 0

Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

Worcester, MA --- WPI, playing a home doubleheader at Clark's Granger Field due to poor field conditions at home, split a doubleheader with the Cougars in the first conference games for both teams. WPI dropped the opener 8-7 in eight innings, but won the second game 5-0 behind a complete game shutout by Conor Fahey (Cumberland, RI). WPI is now 8-6 on the season, 1-1 in the NEWMAC, while Clark is 6-10 and 1-1 in the conference.

Fahey was impressive, allowing only three hits and a walk while striking out 10 on the afternoon en route to his 20th career victory. It marked the second time this season and seventh time in his career that he reached double figures in strikeouts  The senior, who now has won four career starts at Clark, evened his record at 1-1 on the season.

The Engineers gave Fahey all the support he needed in the second inning, as they plated three runs to take a 3-0 lead. Matt Moreau (Manchester, NH) and Ryan Brown (Worcester, MA) led off the frame with hits before Cody McGregor (Westfield, MA) drove Moreau home with a single to give WPI a 1-0 lead. Brown later scored on an error and shortstop Paul Galligan (Weymouth, MA) drove McGregor in for the 3-0 edge.

The Crimson and Gray tacked on two more in the sixth to support Fahey's effort, as Joe Walsh (Weymouth, MA) and Mark Dignum (Albany, NY) produced RBI singles to stake the right-hander to a 5-0 lead.

Eight different Engineers had hits in game two, led by Ryan Brown's 3-for-3 effort. The sophomore had two doubles and two runs in the game to pace the WPI attack.

In the opener, Clark starter Matthew Tillo (Osterville, MA) dealt five shutout innings at the Engineers and held a 5-0 advantage before WPI was able to break through in the sixth. Galligan led off the sixth with a home run, while Bryan Watkins worked a bases-loaded walk to pull the Engineers to within 5-2.

The Cougars re-established their five-run edge in the seventh, taking a 7-2 lead by scoring on an infield RBI single by Scott Hollingsworth (Tilton, NH) and a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded from Kevin Kopek (Katonah, NY). The Crimson-and-Gray would pull even in their final at-bat however, scoring five runs on just two hits to tie the game at seven. Ethan Brown (Lunenburg, MA) and Galligan led off the frame with back-to-back doubles, but Brown was forced to hold up at third base. Dignum followed with a walk, then John Flynn (Albion, ME) hit into a fielder's choice that resulted in a throwing error that scored both Brown and Galligan to pull WPI to within 7-4. After Scott McNee (Falmouth, MA) was hit by a pitch, Nick Bean (Middleboro, MA) hit into another fielder's choice, scoring Dignum. Moreau responded with an RBI groundout and WPI added another run on a throwing error, tying the contest up at 7-7.

The game would not stay tied for long, as first baseman Nicholas Kellogg (Florence, MA) led off the eighth with a home run off Kyle Boucher (Manchester, NH) that ended up being the game-winner. Boucher fell to 0-1 on the season. David Gagnon (Harwich, MA) picked up his first win of the year for Clark, tossing two innings without giving up an earned run despite coming on in relief during the Engineers' game-tying rally.

Hollingsworth was 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs for Clark, while Phillip DiMarco (Bellingham, MA) belted a homer for the Cougars.  Galligan was 2-for-5 for WPI.

Story by Ray Cotrufo '98 - WPI Athletics Department