Softball 2/14/2019 9:44:00 PM Romanda Noble-Watson, SID

Claflin Softball Return to Action in Bearcat/Fleet Invitational

Orangeburg, S.C. – After a successful outing last weekend, the Claflin University softball team will return to action this Friday-Saturday, Feb. 14-15, in the Bearcat/Fleet Invitational hosted by Erskine and Lander Universities.

Claflin (5-3) will open the tournament in Due West, SC at Erskine on Friday at 10 a.m. The Lady Panthers will then play their remaining four games of the tournament in Greenwood, SC on the campus of Lander University.

Claflin will face Carson-Newman and Concord at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively on Friday. The Lady Panthers will close out the tournament on Saturday against Carson-Newman and host Lander at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.

Claflin is coming off a weekend (Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 9-10), where they scored 40 points while allowing just 10 in finishing 3-1 in the HBCU Division II Invite in Acworth, Ga.

The Lady Panthers defeated Fort Valley State University 8-0 and Clark Atlanta University 16-2 on Saturday (Feb. 9). Kayla Cato, this week Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week, finished the day with six runs, four hits (3 homeruns), and six RBIs to lead Claflin.

LaKaylin Lee was also solid at the plate, finishing the day with four runs, three hits (1 homerun), and four RBIs.

On the mound, Yemaya Rich and Lee picked up the wins on the day. Rich went all five innings of the run-rule game against Fort Valley State allowing just three hits and one walk, while Lee went 3.2 innings of the five innings against Clark Atlanta, allowing three hits, with two runs and two walks.

On Sunday (Feb. 10), Claflin went 1-1, defeating Kentucky State 8-1 and falling to Tuskegee, 7-6.

In the win over Kentucky State, Cato was once again solid for the Lady Panthers with two runs, two hits, including a double, with a RBI. Chelise Morman came off the bench to score two runs with one hit.

Jada Ames finished the game with one run, two hits, including a grand slam homerun, with four RBIs.

Bre'Zhay Chambers went a complete game, allowing just one run with one walk and eight strikeouts in picking up the win.

In the final game of the weekend, Claflin led 5-3 heading into the final inning. After scoring one run in the top of the seventh to go up 6-3, the Lady Panthers appeared to have the game in hand, but Tuskegee bats came to life in the bottom of the inning.

The Golden Tigers put up four runs in the bottom of the seventh to capture the 7-6 win.

Kadasia Damon scored two runs with one hit and one RBI while Jada Ames, Kaela Robinson, Ashley Thomas and Angel Johnson all scored one run for the Lady Panthers.

Chambers, who came in to pitch 1/3 of an inning giving up two runs, was credited with the loss.

After this weekend's tournament, Claflin will travel to Hartsville, SC on Thursday, Feb. 21 to face Coker College In a non-conference double header.

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Players Mentioned

#24 Kayla Cato: IF; 5' 10"; Junior; R/R

#99 LaKaylin Lee: P/OF; 5' 2"; Junior; L/R

#3 Chelise Morman: OF; 5' 9"; Junior; R/R

#21 Yemaya Rich: P/IF; 5' 6"; Junior; R/R

#13 Kaela Robinson: IF; 5' 4"; Junior; R/R

#20 Jada Ames: IF; 5' 3"; Freshman; R/R

#5 Kadasia Damon: OF; 5' 3"; Freshman; L/R

#7 Angel Johnson: IF; 5' 7"; Freshman; L/R

#1 Ashley Thomas: OF; 5' 6"; Freshman; L/R

#42 Bre'Zhay Chambers: P; 5' 3"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#24 Kayla Cato
: 5' 10"; Junior; R/R
: IF

#99 LaKaylin Lee
: 5' 2"; Junior; L/R
: P/OF

#3 Chelise Morman
: 5' 9"; Junior; R/R
: OF

#21 Yemaya Rich
: 5' 6"; Junior; R/R
: P/IF

#13 Kaela Robinson
: 5' 4"; Junior; R/R
: IF

#20 Jada Ames
: 5' 3"; Freshman; R/R
: IF

#5 Kadasia Damon
: 5' 3"; Freshman; L/R
: OF

#7 Angel Johnson
: 5' 7"; Freshman; L/R
: IF

#1 Ashley Thomas
: 5' 6"; Freshman; L/R
: OF

#42 Bre'Zhay Chambers
: 5' 3"; Freshman; R/R
: P