ORANGEBURG, SC - The Claflin Lady Panthers (15-11) rolled to their fifth straight win when the team took a 5-3 win over the Benedict Tigers (8-25), Wednesday afternoon. The Lady Panthers took the win behind a dominating pitching effort from junior pitcher Katelynn Grissom who recorded 10 strikeouts in no-hitter win.
 
The Lady Panthers took control of the game early and then turned to a strong defensive effort to claim the win. The team jumped ahead early with a four-run first inning. A Jackson RBI triple was followed by an RBI single from junior second base Michaela Cromarty. Cromarty then scored on a Benedict passed ball that left the team with a 4-1 lead after the first inning. From there, the Lady Panthers held the Tigers in check and took a 4-3 lead into the sixth inning. A Benedict error in the inning allowed junior outfielder Tania Shoulders to give the team an insurance run and sealed the 5-3 win.
 
The highlight of the game was a terrific pitching performance from Grissom. She finished the game with no hits allowed and 10 strikeouts. She finished the game with just three runs allowed (one earned).
 
With the terrific pitching effort holding the Tigers in check, the Lady Panthers put on a great hitting effort to secure the win. As a team, the Lady Panthers totaled eight hits. Claflin senior infielder Aniyah Jackson led the way when she went two-for-four with a triple and a run scored in the win. Junior outfielder Tania Shoulders went two-for-two with two runs scored and two stolen bases.
 
With the win, the Lady Panthers improve to 15-11. The two teams will return to action later in the day to close out the doubleheader.
 
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.