ORANGEBURG, SC - The top-seeded Claflin Lady Panthers (30-12) lived up to their billing when the team advanced to the final round of the 2026 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Softball Championship Tournament. The team reached the finals in dominating fashion when they pulled away late in a 9-3 win over the fourth-seeded Winston-Salem State Rams (10-20). With the effort, the Lady Panthers will make their sixth straight appearance in the final round of the conference championship tournament.
The Lady Panthers took the win behind a terrific offensive performance. After allowing three first inning runs to the Rams, the Lady Panthers scored nine unanswered runs to claim the win. The team got their offensive effort going in the third inning with four runs. Junior catcher
Jeniah Williams got things started with a two-RBI triple. Junior designated player
Michaela Cromarty added an RBI groundout and fellow junior first base
McKenzie Whitener added an RBI sacrifice bunt to round out the inning's scoring efforts. With the effort, the team tied the game, 3-3. Junior outfielder
Lauryn Foster gave the Lady Panthers took the lead in the fourth inning with an RBI sacrifice bunt. The Lady Panthers rounded out the scoring in the sixth inning when Cromarty added another two-RBI single that was followed by a pair of Claflin runs that were scored on a Winston-Salem State fielding error.
As a team, the Lady Panthers finished the game with eight total hits. Williams led the way for the Lady Panthers with a three-for-four batting effort that included a triple, two runs scored, and two RBI. Freshman
Aryana Meadows added a two-for-three batting effort with two runs scored. Cromarty added three RBI of her own.
Claflin junior pitcher
Sydra Pendleton (10-4) got the pitching win when she started the game and threw five innings She recorded three strikeouts with just three earned runs allowed. Junior pitcher
Katelynn Grissom came in for two innings and she recorded a strikeout out with no runs allowed on just two hits
With the win, the Lady Panthers advance to the final round of the 2026 CIAA Softball Championship Tournament. The team will face the winner of the Bowie State/Winston-Salem State 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.
