ORANGEBURG, SC - The Claflin Lady Panthers (31-12) claimed the 2026 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Softball Championship in dramatic fashion when the team took a 7-6 walk-off win over the Winston-Salem State Rams (12-21), Saturday afternoon. After taking a 6-6 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning, Claflin senior second base
Aniyah Jackson hit a walk off RBI single that scored junior first base
McKenzie Whitener and gave the team the championship.
The win was not an easy one as both teams gave their best efforts on the field. The Lady Panthers and the Rams combined for 21 total hits in the game with just three total errors. Jackson led the way for the team with a three-for-four batting effort with a home run, two runs scored and three runs batted in (RBI). Junior catcher
Jeniah Williams added a two-for-four batting effort with a run scored.
Claflin junior pitcher
Sydra Pendleton (11-4) got the pitching win. She threw one full inning with no hits or runs allowed. Junior
Katelynn Grissom got the start and she threw four innings. She finished the game with four strikeouts and just one walk allowed. Freshman
Shantia Haymer came in for two innings a strikeout and just four hits allowed.
With the win, the Lady Panthers claim the 2026 CIAA Softball Championship Tournament Championship. The team will await selection to the 2026 NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament on Monday.
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.
