NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — Smith College swept Clark University in NEWMAC conference play Saturday afternoon at Smith Softball Field, winning Game 1 by a score of 4-3 before closing out the day with a dominant 3-0 shutout in the nightcap. The sweep pushes the Bears to 15-13 overall and 7-5 in conference play.

Game 1: Smith 4, Clark 3

Violet Peverly (Granby, CT/Loomis Chaffee) earned the win in the opener, working 5.2 innings and punching out seven batters while allowing three runs on five hits. Peverly worked in and out of trouble through the first five innings before Clark's Gricelda Castro cleared the bases with a three-run double in the sixth to cut Smith's lead to one. Lindsay Bennett (Sanford, ME/Berwick Academy) entered in relief and slammed the door, stranding three Clark runners in a tense seventh inning — two via strikeout — to preserve the victory.

Smith staked its claim in the third inning, sending eight batters to the plate and plating all four of its runs on four hits, including two doubles. Gabbie Chinnis (Charleston, SC/Charleston County School of Arts) provided the spark at the top of the order, going 3-for-4 with a run scored and two stolen bases to set the table throughout the afternoon. Ally Knutson (Green Bay, WI/Bay Port) delivered the most impactful blow with a two-RBI double, while Peverly added a hit and an RBI in support of her own cause.

Game 2: Smith 3, Clark 0

Bailey Gray (Missouri City, TX/Ridge Point) delivered one of the finest outings of the season in the nightcap, retiring 27 batters across a complete game shutout. Gray scattered six hits, walked one, and struck out one over 99 pitches (69 strikes) to improve her season record to 7-3. Clark's lineup made consistent contact but was unable to string hits together against Gray, who induced 15 fly ball outs and left seven Cougar runners stranded.

Sophie Hasegawa (Palos Verdes Estates, CA/Palos Verdes) provided all the offense Smith would need, going 2-for-3 with 3 RBI — including a two-run single with the bases loaded in the third inning and another RBI hit in the fifth. Knutson was relentless at the plate for the second time in the day, going 3-for-4 with a double to give her a combined 4-for-8 showing across the doubleheader. Elinor Washington (Sacramento, CA/Pleasant Grove) added two hits, including a double, to keep the pressure on Clark's pitching staff.

Up Next

Smith returns to action Wednesday, April 22, when the Bears travel to Williamstown, Mass. to face Williams College at 4:30 p.m.