Hampton, Ga.—Four hits by in the fifth inning proved to be the difference maker in the outcome of game five of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) women's softball championship tournament as the top-seeded Lady Panthers of Claflin University topped No. 3 Clark Atlanta University 6-4 Friday.

Clark Atlanta (20-22) got an early score in the first inning, but Markea Sheppard's two-run blast gave Claflin (43-6) a slim 2-1 advantage. Senior Alia Williams' RBI double knotted the game at two in the top of the third inning. The scored remained tied through four before CAU freshman Breanna Bailey slapped an RBI double in the top of the fifth inning that put Clark Atlanta back on top. Claflin would answer with two two-run RBI doubles by Aaron Lipps and Alice Boone, respectively that pushed Claflin ahead 6-3 to the end of the fifth.

With one last opportunity at the plate, CAU sophomore Asia Nelson hit a solo shot over the left field fence to close the gap, but that would be as close as the Lady Panthers of Clark Atlanta would come within the lead.

With the loss, Clark Atlanta dropped to the loser's bracket and will take on Albany State University at 4 p.m., today. 
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