GLENN ALLEN, VA - The Claflin Lady Panthers (19-23) gave it their all, but the team took an 11-8 loss to the Bowie State Bulldogs (20-21) in the 2024 CIAA Softball Championship game. While there was no shortage of effort by the two teams, the Lady Panthers could not overcome some rainy conditions, costly fielding errors, and a determined Bowie State proved to be too much for the Lady Panthers to overcome.
 
The Lady Panthers controlled much of the game, but in the final innings, the Lady Panthers ran into some unfortunate circumstances. The Lady Panthers went ahead by as many as three runs, 6-3 after an RBI ground out from junior third base Morgan Tate, the Lady Panthers allowed Bowie State to tie the game once again, 6-6, after allowing three fourth inning runs to the Bulldogs. Claflin would take a two run lead after sophomore short stop Cydney Cooper hit an RBI double that scored junior left fielder Kennedy Baskerville in the fifth inning and an RBI fielder's choice from senior utility Jaelyn Jackson that scored freshman second base Jeniah Williams that gave the team an 8-6 lead in the sixth inning.
 
From there, things took a turn for the Lady Panthers. A dropped fly ball in centerfield allowed a pair of Bowie State runs that tied the game. The teal allowed Bowie State to score once again on a fielding error on a stolen base attempt that allowed another score. Finally, a Bowie State run was walked in to leave the Lady Panthers trailing, 11-8 heading into the final seventh inning.
 
From there, the game went into a rain delay as conditions were not suitable to continue play. Unfortunately, the Lady Panthers would not be able to answer in the seventh inning and ended the day with the loss.
 
As a team, the Lady Panthers totaled 16 hits in the game with two fielding errors. Jackson led the way for the team, going three-for-four with a home run, two runs scored, and two runs batted in (RBI). Sophomore catcher Zecariya Fenwick went two-for-three at the plate with a run scored.
 
Claflin freshman Sydra Pendleton (3-1) took the pitching loss. She threw 2.2 innings and she ended the day with five runs allowed (none earned) and a strikeout. Fellow freshman Ava Brown started the game, and she went three innings with four runs allowed (four earned) and a strikeout.   Junior Breyanna Collins came in for 0.1 innings with two runs allowed (two earned).
 
With the loss, the Lady Panthers complete the 2024 season with a 19-23 record. 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.