Elizabeth City, N.C. – The Claflin University softball team defeated Chowan University 17-8 and host Elizabeth City State University 10-0, to close out the 2019 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Round-up which was hosted by Elizabeth City State University at the South Park Athletic Complex in Elizabeth City, N.C.
 
With the two wins, the Lady Panthers goes undefeated in the Round-up winning all six games against the northern division teams.  Claflin is also undefeated in the conference at 8-0 having defeated Johnson C. Smith University in a double header last Monday (Mar. 4).  The Lady Panthers are 19-12 overall, the best start under head coach James "Marty" Kinard.
 
In game one on the day, Claflin defeated a Chowan team who was riding a 29-game CIAA win streak.  
 
After allowing four runs in the bottom of the first to go down 4-1, the Lady Panthers defensive held the Hawks in check, allowing no runs and only two hits over the next three innings while its offense was explosive over three innings.
 
In the second inning, the Lady Panthers put up 10 runs off seven hits with two Chowan errors to take an 11-4 lead after two complete.
 
The Lady Panthers put up four additional runs in the top of the third and two in the fourth to take a commanding 17-4 lead heading into the fifth.
 
After Chowan defense held Claflin scoreless in the top of the fifth, Lindsey Stigler led off the bottom of the fifth with a homerun for the Hawks fifth run of the game.  Chowan's offense continued to pick up after that.  Miranda Glover hit a double to right center and Carleigh Wildeboer followed with a double to bring in Glover to cut the deficit to 17-6.  Leah Spiggle hit the Hawks third straight double through the right side to put runners on second and third with no outs.
 
Claflin defense appeared to get back on track retiring the next two batters as Hannah Neifah flied out to center field and Donya Salman lined-out to short stop giving Chowan two outs.
 
The Hawks lead-off batter, Haley Cooper walked and Beth Walker followed with a two run single to center field to cut the deficit to 17-8.
 
The Hawks rally ended with a ground out to the pitcher, giving Claflin the nine-run five inning win.
 
Shaniya Thomas came in on relief in the bottom of the first, pitching 4 and 2/3 innings to pick up her sixth win of the season. 
 
Jada Ames, who started the Lady Panthers second-inning rally with a single through the left side, finished the game 2-for-3 with two runs and two hits.  LaKaylin Lee went 3-for-4 with a double, three runs and Chelise Morman went 2-for-3 with a double, three runs and a walk for the Lady Panthers in game one.
 
Claflin final game of the Round-up was not nearly as exciting as they scored in three-of-four innings including putting up seven runs in the bottom of the fourth.
 
The Lady Panthers had 26 at-bats in four innings compared to just 15 for Elizabeth City State.  Freshman pitcher Bre'zhay Chambers kept the Vikings at bay allowing just one hit and no walks in the five-inning shut-out.  Chambers faced only one batter over the minimum (16) en route to picking up her eighth win of the season.
 
The Lady Panthers freshmen were productive on both ends in game two.  Freshmen Kadasia Damon, Chaston Huntly, Angel Johnson and Marion Goins each had two hits in the contest.  Huntly was the only player in the game to score multiple runs with two.
 
Claflin will return to action this Wednesday, Mar. 20, when they host North Greenville University in a non-conference double header at Adden Street Field in Orangeburg.  First pitch for game one is set for 1 p.m. with the second game following approximately 20 minutes later.