HENRICO, VA (May 7, 2023) – The Claflin Lady Panthers (32-12) gave everything they had when the team took a hard-fought 8-2 loss to the Bowie State Bulldogs (35-14), Saturday evening. The Lady Panthers had some great play throughout the game, but some late miscues proved costly in the hard-fought loss.
The Lady Panthers were efficient on offense despite some struggles at the plate. The Lady Panthers were able to get two runs scored despite having just four hits in the game. Claflin freshman catcher Zecariya Fenwick and freshman outfielder Me’Auhre Lewis both recorded doubles in the game while senior pitcher Jaelyn Jackson went one-for-three with a run batted in (RBI).
Things got tough early for the Lady Panthers. The team allowed one run each in the first, second, and fourth innings to fall behind, 3-0. The team came back in the fourth inning with an RBI ground out from senior second base Jasmin Dukes that scored senior first base Alexandria Beavers. The Lady Panthers added another run when Jackson hit an RBI single to score Lewis in the fifth inning. The effort cut the Claflin deficit down to just one run, 3-2 after the fifth inning. The Lady Panthers stayed within a run of the Bulldogs until the seventh inning when the team allowed five runs to the Bulldogs. The Lady Panthers were unable to score in the bottom of the seventh inning to take the tough loss.
Claflin senior Jaelyn Jackson (19-7) took the pitching loss. She started the game and threw all seven innings and she finished with only two earned runs allowed. She also recorded 10 strikeouts.
With the loss, the Lady Panthers finish the 2023 season with a 32-12 record and as 2023 CIAA Softball Runners-Up. The team also claimed the 2023 CIAA Southern Division Championship.
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.