HENRICO, VA - The Claflin Lady Panthers (18-21) had to dig down deep to pull out a 12-9 win over the Winston-Salem State Rams (18-19) in the quarterfinal round of the 2024 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Softball Championship Tournament. After falling into a 9-4 deficit, the Lady Panthers scored eight unanswered runs to claim the win and advanced to the semifinal round of the tournament.
 
The Lady Panthers started the game on a down note when the team found themselves trailing, 9-4 after the second inning. The team soon broke out in the fifth inning with three runs. In the sixth inning, sophomore outfielder MeAuhre Lewis added a solo home run to cut the Lady Panthers' deficit down to just one run, 8-9. THe team went on to score three more seventh inning runs as the team sealed the 12-9 win.
 
The Lady Panthers finished the game with seven total hits. It was Lewis who led the way for the Lady Panthers as she went three-for-four at the plate with four runs batted in (RBI) and three runs scored.
 
Claflin freshman Ava Brown (4-3) took the pitching win. She threw 5.2 innings and she finished the game with one run allowed (one earned) with three strikeouts. Fellow freshman Sydra Pendleton got the start and she threw 1.1 innings with eight runs allowed (seven earned).
 
With the win, the Lady Panthers improve to 18-21. The team will return to action, tomorrow afternoon when the team faces the Bowie State Bulldogs at noon.
 
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.