March 24, 2009
Final Stats
FAYETTEVILLE, NC - Fayetteville State split a twin bill with Bowie State in Seabrook Park. The Lady Broncos fell in the first game 5-10 and made adjustments in the second game of the double-header to defend a 1-0 victory. In the first game, FSU trailed 6-5 in the bottom of the fifth inning before the Lady Bulldogs managed three big hits to bring in four runners for the victory. The Lady Broncos improved to 3-1 in conference play and 9-22 overall. Bowie State is now 5-1 in the CIAA and 6-4 overall.
Bowie State was the first to run the bases with two hits and one score in the first game. The Lady Broncos quickly answered the call in the bottom of the first with a run of its own. In the next three innings, BSU collected five hits and five runs to increase its lead to 6-1.
Fayetteville State rallied in the bottom of the fifth inning. LaTonia Gatling (junior - Suffolk, VA) was the first to put the bat on the ball when she singled through the right side to reach first base. April Branch (freshman - Pender, NC) reached base on balls, while the catcher Alicia Frank (sophomore - Sophia, NC) doubled to the left field to bring in Gatling. Ashae Covington (freshman - Whiteville, NC) stepped in as a designated hitter and nailed a doubled to left center for two runners batted in. Demarius Pankey (sophomore - Laurinburg, NC) singled to left field to score the fourth runner while advancing to second base on a fielding error by the left fielder.
After the lead diminished down to one, Bowie State switched in the infield around in-order to move Faline Brown to the mound and attempt to save the lead. Facing the next three batters, BSU stalled out the rally by allowing one batter to reach first while throwing out the lead runner for two outs. The final batter of the inning grounded out to the Brown.
Bowie State continued to dismantle the Lady Broncos in the sixth inning. Three Lady Bulldogs were hit by pitches while one reached on an error. BSU also racked up three hits for an additional four runs for the 10-5 win.
Alicia Frank was the biggest hitter in the first game for Fayetteville State. She collected three hits on four at bats for two RBIs. Frank nailed a triple and a double. In the field, she had eight putouts, one assist and one error. Freshman Tracy Brighter (Spring Lake, NC) is currently 2-4 on the pitching mound. The team allowed 12 hits, 10 runs, and committed five errors.
