INDIANA, Pa. – The Clarion softball team fell in a divisional game with a PSAC Central rival on Friday, with the Golden Eagles dropping both halves of a doubleheader to the IUP Crimson Hawks at Podbielski Field.  The Crimson Hawks claimed a 7-0 decision in Game 1 and a 9-1 decision in a five-inning second game.  With the losses Clarion falls to 3-26 overall and 1-13 in PSAC Central play.
 
Cassie Daniels was the only player to get a hit in both games, going 1-of-3 with a run scored in the early game and 1-of-2 in the nightcap.  Taylor Nonnenberg drove in the lone run for the Golden Eagles, briefly tying the score of Game 1 at 1-1 in the top of the third inning.
 
Kira Smith (0-3) got the start in Game 1 and took the hard-luck loss; of the seven runs she allowed just two were earned.   Rachel Hoffman (2-11) gave up nine runs – seven earned – in 4.1 innings pitched in the late game.
 
In Game 1, IUP took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning after Mackenna Miller scored Amanda Parrish on an error.  The Golden Eagles struck back in the visitor's half of the third, though, starting with Cassie Daniels' bunt single to lead off.  Marissa Peterson reached first on a throwing error by the third baseman, placing Daniels on third, and Nonnenberg smacked a single to right field to score Daniels and advance Peterson.
 
Clarion had the opportunity to add on from there when Nonnenberg stole second and Cassidy Runyan walked, loading the bases full of Golden Eagles with no outs.  The Crimson Hawks escaped the jam, though, with Autumn Babcock popping out and the pair of Christina Tressler and Kira Smith both striking out to end the inning.  The Crimson Hawks scored four runs in the bottom of the inning to retake the advantage and held on for the 7-1 win.
 
IUP jumped out to a 3-0 lead in Game 2 and held it for the duration, limiting the Golden Eagles to just one hit in the late game.  Daniels lined a two-out single to right field but was stranded on the basepaths, as Tierra Shope struck out to end the inning.  Clarion had an opportunity early on with two on and one out in the top of the first inning, but Tressler and Paige Baker both struck out to end the inning.