The St. Lawrence University softball team used a six-run first inning to down Clarkson 8-6 on a windy Friday afternoon in Potsdam, N.Y.

Cora Ferguson and Lauryn Best each went three for four, and Best had two doubles, two RBIs, and scored twice to lead the Saints over their route 11 rivals.

St. Lawrence 8, Clarkson 6
In the top of the first inning, lead-off hitter Vivian Johnson took a pitch off the arm to reach first. Stella VanGee was next up and hit a single past the shortstop. Margo Hopper, batting in the three-spot, singled to left field to score Johnson and move VanGee to third. Hopper stole second to get into scoring position, and designated player Best doubled to deep right center to bring home Hopper and VanGee, making it a 3-0 game after four batters with no outs.

The Golden Knights moved to their bullpen, but Cora Ferguson was next up and reached on an error, which also brought home Best. Kayla Minst singled to left to put Ferguson on third, and then stole second to again have two runners in scoring positions, still with no outs.

After a strikeout, Zora Braswell grounded out to second to score Ferguson. Tori Rotundo, batting in the nine-spot, beat out an infield single to score Minst and make it 6-0 with the Saints' batting through the order.

In the bottom of the second Best hit her second double in as many at bats, and Ferguson singled through the right side to move her to third. Minst grounded out to second, but Best scored on the play to make it 7-0.

In each of the first three innings the lead-off hitter for Clarkson reached, but was left stranded. They got two back in the fifth, but the Saints quickly got one back in the top of the sixth to make it 8-2.

In the bottom of the six Clarkson scored three unearned run, and Sofia Berryhill was brought in to relieve starter Jacee Casebolt with two outs and the bases loaded. Berryhill got out of the jam by getting the batter to ground-out to Braswell in the hot corner.

In the bottom of the seventh the Golden Knights looked to make a two-out rally. After a walk and a single, Clarkson had runners on the corner. Sarah Vaccaro singled up the middle to score one, but Sam Short found herself in a run-down between Braswell and VanGee, and Braswell made the tag to end the game 8-6.

Casebolt let up just a pair of earned runs in five and two thirds innings pitched to improve to 5-2 on the season. Berryhill recorded her second save of the year and gave up two hits and one earned run in one and a third innings.

In addition to Best and Ferguson, Rotundo and VanGee also had multi-hit games.

The second game of the doubleheader is postponed due to weather. The make-up date is yet to be announced.

Head coach Rosie Phillips
"We jumped on them early today which helped us, but we have to keep our bats consistent throughout the game to prevent a late comeback like we saw today. Battling serious wind was tough on both sides and we know the defensive hiccups we had are unlike us and preventable. Today we saw several learning opportunities that will help us heading into our games against Skidmore tomorrow."

Records: St. Lawrence University (13-7, 3-2), Clarkson (11-10, 2-3)
Up Next: Senior Day doubleheader against Skidmore on April 16 on Saints' Softball Field, with game one set to start at 2 p.m.*

*The games were originally scheduled for 1 and 3 p.m. but have adjusted to 2 and 4 p.m.