Box Score MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Clarion softball team tried to rally late against the Malone Pioneers on Wednesday, but the Golden Eagles could not complete the comeback in falling 3-1.  With the loss, Clarion falls to 2-5 overall on the season.
 
Marissa Peterson was strong in the leadoff spot, going 3-of-4, while further down the lineup Rachel Hoffman went 3-of-3 with the Golden Eagles' lone RBI on the day.  The run came from Christina Tressler, who went 1-of-3 on the evening.  Paige Baker took the loss, allowing three runs in six innings while striking out seven.
 
The Golden Eagles had their chances in the game, outhitting the Pioneers 9-6, but were unable to put up the big inning needed to complete the rally.  Clarion's run came in the bottom of the sixth inning, with Tressler reaching on a one-out double to center field.  A wild pitch brought her down to third base and Hoffman did the rest, bashing a double to right field for the RBI.  They were unable to bring her in from scoring position, however, with the Pioneers retiring Cassidy Runyan and Autumn Babcock to end the threat.
 
Malone took a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Allison Mercado and Ashley Beck each drove in runs, and they tacked on an insurance marker in the fifth inning. Clarion tried to answer in the bottom of the first but Peterson got gunned down at the plate from center field to end the threat.  They had runners on second and third with just one out in the bottom of the second but were again denied by the Pioneers, who settled down the rest of the way en route to the win.