CLARION, Pa. – The Clarion softball team limited their opponents' offensive output for much of the day, but the Golden Eagles were unable to get anything going themselves in falling 5-0 and 4-0 to Lock Haven in both ends of a doubleheader.  Clarion (6-29, 3-15 PSAC Central) will close its season on Saturday with a home twinbill against Bloomsburg.
 
Game 1
The Bald Eagles leaped out to a lead early in the first game between the teams, scoring two runs apiece in the first and second innings and one in the third to go ahead 5-0.  Rebecca Kelley shut the door on them the rest of the way, silencing the Lock Haven bats for the remainder of the game.
 
Clarion was not without scoring chances, including a big sequence in the bottom of the fifth inning.  Cassie Daniels lined a ball sharply through the right side of the infield for a one-out single that advanced Taylor Nonnenberg to second base.  Cassidy Runyan bumped the duo ahead to second and third with a groundout, giving slugger Jessica Cartia the opportunity to drive the pair home.  Lock Haven's Bekah Slattery knuckled down, however, striking out Cartia to end the threat.
 
Kelley responded by getting out of a jam in the top of the seventh, giving her team another chance to come back.  With runners and first and second and two outs, Kelley induced a groundout to third to end the inning.  Slattery was warm to the task in the bottom of the inning, though, retiring the side in order for the win.
 
Game 2
Pitcher Sarah Gossard effectively limited Lock Haven early in the second game of the day, retiring the first six batters and keeping the Bald Eagles off the basepaths.  Faith Ceely hit a two-out RBI single in the top of the third inning to put Lock Haven ahead 1-0, and they remained there the rest of the way.
 
Clarion had opportunities to get back into the game, most notably in the sixth and seventh innings.  In the former, Haley Pszyk led off with a single to right field and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Daniels.  With a runner in scoring position and just one out, the Golden Eagles were unable to bring Pszyk across, with Nonnenberg and Cartia striking out to end in the inning. 
 
Lock Haven scored twice in the top of the seventh to increase their lead to four runs, but again the Golden Eagles got runners in scoring position early.  Kelley hit a one-out double to deep center field in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Kayla Gee retired the remaining Golden Eagles to preserve the win.