ELIZABETH CITY, NC (March 27, 2023) – The Claflin Lady Panthers (16-8, 1-0 CIAA) opened Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play with their fifth straight win. The team took a 16-8 win over the Shaw Lady Bears (1-10, 0-1 CIAA), Friday afternoon. The Lady Panthers took advantage of several Shaw miscues to claim the win.
It was a solid day at the plate that led the Lady Panthers to the win. As a team, the Lady Panthers totaled 10 hits in the game. Claflin senior right fielder Brenay Howard led the way with a two-for-three batting performance with three runs scored and two runs batted in (RBI) and a walk. Freshman catcher Zecariya Fenwick added a two-for-three batting effort with two runs scored and two RBI.
The Lady Panthers started off slow, but the team steadily kept adding runs throughout the game to claim the win. After falling behind, 5-3 in the second inning, the Lady Panthers scored 13 runs, including a fifth inning run that claimed the win.
Claflin senior pitcher Jaelyn Jackson (7-4) claimed the pitching win. She came in during the second inning and she threw 3.1 innings and she finished the game with just two earned runs allowed on just two hits. She also recorded five strikeouts in the game as well. Senior Bryanna Collins started the game and she finished the game with a pair of strikeouts.
With the win, the Lady Panthers improve to 16-8 overall and 1-0 in CIAA play. The team will close out day one of the 2023 CIAA Softball Round Up against the Virginia Union Panthers. For more information on Lady Panthers softball, contact the Claflin University Office of Athletics Media Relations at (803) 535-5548 or log on to www.athletics.claflin.edu.
