ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The Winston-Salem State University softball team avoided double elimination in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) semifinals Friday night after falling to Claflin University, 9-3, before upsetting the number one seed, Bowie State University, 7-5, for a second time in the tournament.
The Rams improved to 12-20 on the season.
How It Happened vs. Claflin
The Rams scored three runs in the top of the first inning to take an early 3-0 lead over Claflin. The Panthers responded with four runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a 4-3 lead over the Rams. Claflin increased its lead to 9-3 after scoring four runs on four hits in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Koralie Morin pitched 6.0 innings and recorded five strikeouts.
Facing elimination, the Rams then had to compete against Bowie State in Friday night's showdown.
WSSU jumped out to an early 4-0 lead after drawing four walks against Bowie State. Taylor Dawkins of BSU hit a home run in the bottom of the first inning to cut into the Rams' lead.
Riley Demers hit an RBI double to score
Layla Smith and give the Rams a 5-1 lead over Bowie State in the top of the fourth inning.
BSU added a run in the bottom of the fifth inning to cut the deficit to 5-2.
Jyla Thomas hit a two-RBI double in the top of the seventh inning to extend the Rams' lead to 7-2. BSU's Taylor Dawkins hit a two-run homer to cut the Rams' lead to 7-4. Bowie State added one more run to make the score 7-5, but
Jyla Thomas secured the final out on a flyout to the shortstop.
Jyla Thomas pitched a complete game and recorded three strikeouts.
WSSU will face Claflin University in an elimination game for the CIAA championship on Saturday, May 9, at the Orangeburg Recreation Center. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m. If the Rams win, they will face Claflin again in a winner-take-all game at 4:00 p.m.
