Lady Panthers Picked First in 2024 CIAA Pre-Season Predicted Order of Finish
CHARLOTTE, NC - the Claflin Lady Panthers softball team has been picked first in the 2024 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Softball Pre-Season Predicted Order of Finish. For the third straight season, the Lady Panthers were picked as the top team in the conference preseason ranking.
The ranking came on the strength of a terrific 2023 season for the Lady Panthers. The team finished the season with a 32-12 overall record and a 14-2 record in CIAA play. The team finished the season ranked second overall in the conference and claimed their third CIAA Southern Division championship in the last five years. The 2020 season was cancelled and the 2021 season was cut short both due to concerns regarding COVID-19.
As the team looks to live up to their pre-season predicted ranking, the team will feature a young roster. The 2024 Lady Panthers will head into the season with eight returners, including three regular starters. The team will also feature 11 newcomers. Leading the way for the Lady Panthers will be senior pitcher
Jaelyn Jackson and sophomore catcher
Zecariya Fenwick. Jackson was named the CIAA Pitcher of the Year and she was a first team All-CIAA selection at the utility position. She finished the 2023 season as the CIAA leader in strikeouts. Fenwick was a second-team All-CIAA selection and she earned a spot on the CIAA All-Rookie team last season. Jackson was a selection to the 2024 CIAA Pre-Season All-CIAA selection along with junior outfielder
Aniya Jones.
The Lady Panthers will return to action this weekend when the team heads to Greenwood, South Carolina to take part in the Briana Surrento Kickoff Classic, hosted by Lander University. 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.
