HENRICO, VA - The Claflin Lady Panthers (17-21) broke out their bats to take a 9-3 win over the Lincoln (Pa.) Lady Lions (17-24) in the quarterfinal round of the 2024 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Softball Championship Tournament. After falling into an early deficit, the Lady Panthers scored nine unanswered runs to claim the upset victory.  
 
Things looked rough early, but the Lady Panthers stormed back to claim the win in a big way. After taking an early lead on an RBI single from senior pitcher Jaelyn Jackson that scored freshman Jeniah Williams. From there, the Lady Panthers allowed three unanswered runs by the Lady Lions until the third inning when the team notched three runs. Sophomore catcher Zecariya Fenwick hit an RBI single that scored Jackson and freshman outfielder Lauryn Foster followed the score on a Lincoln (Pa.) fielding error. The effort left the Lady Panthers with a 4-3 lead. The Lady Panthers would add five seventh-inning runs to close out the 9-3 win.
 
The Lady Panthers finished the game with nine runs on nine hits in the game. Claflin junior outfielder Kennedy Baskerville led the way when she went two-for-four with two runs batted in (RBI) along with a run scored. Freshman Morgan Tate had a double, the sole extra-base hit of the game for the Lady Panthers.
 
Claflin senior pitcher Jaelyn Jackson (6-7) got the pitching win. She threw the entire game and she finished with three runs allowed (three earned) with six strikeouts.
 
With the win, the Lady Panthers improve to 18-21 and advanced in the winner's bracket of the 2024 CIAA Softball Championship Tournament. The team would go on to face the Winston-Salem State Rams later in the day.
 
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.