Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 | Box Score 4 Orangeburg, S.C. --- The Clark Atlanta University Lady Panthers softball team got off to a rocky start in their season opening tournament hosted by Claflin University, losing all five games over the weekend. Jessica Vason had a strong performance going 4-for-10 with two home runs, including a grand slam, and seven RBIs. Freshman Vernae Woods also chipped in with two doubles, one home run and two RBIs while going 4-for-8 in the process.

The Lady Panthers had a tough schedule as they took on two NCAA Division I teams (Alabama A&M University, South Carolina State University), two NCAA Division II teams (Virginia State University, Virginia Union University), and one National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) team (Edward Waters College). Despite falling to all of these teams, CAU was within striking distance of the win in all of the games. 

The first game saw the Lady Panthers (0-5) take on Division I foe Alabama A&M University, falling 10-3. Despite the final score, CAU trailed 4-3 after the top of the third inning before their opponents were able to pull away for the victory. 

The second game of the weekend saw CAU take on Virginia Union University, a game they would eventually drop 13-10. Clark Atlanta would take on the role of visitors for the contest which allowed them to bat first and jump out to a 5-0 lead after the top of the first frame. Virginia Union would answer back with four runs in the bottom of the first inning and would score in every inning of the game while holding off the Lady Panthers late rally.

South Carolina State University came calling for the third game, and the host team showed why they compete at the Division I level, winning 12-2. Once again, CAU would trail by only one (3-2) after the first inning, but SCSU would go on to score in every inning en route to the victory in just five innings. 

The Lady Panthers hoped that a new day would change their fortunes as they went into battle with NAIA foes Edward Waters College on Saturday. Once again, Clark Atlanta was in the race for most of the game, trailing just 6-3 after two innings. However, a huge 11-run inning for the opponents in the fifth frame would give them the victory via the mercy rule. 

The final game gave CAU a chance to redeem themselves and they looked as though they might do that, before eventually dropping the contest to Virginia State University, 7-5. The Lady Panthers led VSU 5-2 after the top of the fifth inning, aided by Vason's grand slam. Much the same as in their first four games, Clark Atlanta was unable to hold off their opponents in the final frames, as Virginia State would go on to score five runs over the final two innings to get the victory. 

The Lady Panthers will look to get back on the right track as they travel to Columbus, Ga. on Tuesday to take on Columbus State University in doubleheader action. First pitch is slated for 2 PM.