Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Clarion softball team opened the 2018 season on Friday, falling 11-5 to Georgian Court and 12-4 to Mercy College at the Snowbird Invitational.  The Golden Eagles will be back in action on Saturday when they face Merrimack and Southern New Hampshire.
 
Cassidy Runyan had four total hits on the day, including two home runs, six RBIs and two runs scored.  She was the primary offensive catalyst for Clarion alongside Jessica Cartia, who drew three walks in the late game against Mercy and scored two runs in the process.
 
Sarah Gossard (0-1) took the loss in the early game against Georgian Court, giving up six runs in 2.0 innings pitched.  Laura Sadowski entered in relief, allowing five runs in five innings.  Rebecca Kelley (0-1) dropped the late game to Mercy.
 
Runyan started her day by stealing home in the bottom of the first inning against Georgian Court, cutting the deficit to 2-1.  The Lions made it 6-1 in the top of the second but Clarion continued to battle throughout the game.  Runyan's first home run of the day came in the bottom of the fifth inning, when she launched a two-run bomb to left center to plate Cartia and make it 8-5.  Georgian Court added insurance runs, though, to finish the game with a 12-5 win.
 
In the nightcap against Mercy, Cartia reached base to lead off the game and came home after the Mavericks walked the bases loaded.  Mercy responded with two runs in the first and three more in the third to take a 5-1 lead.  Facing a 7-1 deficit in the fifth inning, Runyan deposited another ball beyond the outfield wall to cut into the Mavericks' lead.  Mercy added five runs in the bottom of the sixth, though, to stave off the comeback attempt.