ORANGEBURG, SC - The Claflin Lady Panthers (23-23) punched their ticket to the 2025 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Softball Championship game with a dramatic 8-6 win over the Winston-Salem State Rams, Friday afternoon. In a game that featured some great play and inclement weather, the Lady Panthers persevered to reach the CIAA Softball Championship game for the fifth straight time.
 
The Lady Panthers had to play some great defense to overcome an aggressive WSSU offensive attack. Claflin took the win despite allowing 12 hits to the Rams. Claflin finished the game with eight runs despite recording just six hits. Claflin sophomore catcher Jeniah Williams hit a three-run inside the park home run for the sole Lady Panther extra-base hit in the game.
 
All eight of the Lady Panthers' runs came in the second inning and from there, the team turned to their defense to claim the win. After allowing a late comeback by the Rams, the Lady Panthers held an 8-5 lead in the seventh inning. The Lady Panthers allowed one more WSSU score before closing the game with a groundout to first base that stood after a review challenge.
 
Claflin sophomore Ava Brown (7-5) got the start and took the pitching win. She threw all seven innings of the game and she finished with six runs allowed (six earned) on 12 hits. She also recorded one strikeout.
 
With the win, the Lady Panthers improve to 23-23 overall. The team will advance to the championship round of the 2025 CIAA Softball Championship Tournament. The Lady Panthers will take on the Bowie State Bulldogs in a 1:00 p.m. game.
 
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.