Box Score

Fayetteville, NC ââ'¬" The Fayetteville State University women's softball team split games in their non-conference doubleheader against Benedict College on Tuesday, February 9th at Lamon Street Park. FSU dropped the first contest 10-5, but rebounded with a 15-11 victory in game two.

FSU started the scoring with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Junior designated hitter HaLee Knowles (Teachey, NC) hit a 2-RBI single to bring home junior Zoe Howard (Hampstead, NC) and senior Alex Wickham (Fayetteville, NC). Sophomore catcher Vanessa Kokoszka (Sanford, NC) reached first base off an error and earned a RBI in the process.

Benedict faced a 3-0 deficit heading into the bottom of the second inning. The Lady Broncos tacked on two more hits and a run in the second. Fayetteville State led 4-0 going into the third.

In the top of the third, Asia Moore and Kelsey James both singled and picked up RBIs. Senior outfielder Shae Barnes (Gibson, NC) answered in the bottom of the inning with a RBI single to score Kokoszka. The Lady Broncos maintained a 5-2 until the fifth inning.

The Lady Tigers exploded with seven runs in the fifth, including a 2-RBI homerun from Starkeira Daniel. Fayetteville State trailed for the remainder of the contest. Benedict held FSU scoreless in the last four innings.

Game two was a back and forth slugfest that featured all three Lady Bronco pitchers. Junior Kyrin Walker (Carthage, NC) pitched the first two innings. Fayetteville State led 4-2 entering the third inning. FSU added four runs to the scoreboard in the second, including a 3-RBI homer to centerfield from Wickham.

There were 13 runs scored between the two teams in the third. Benedict produced eight runs and five hits, while FSU had three hits and five runs. Kokoszka belted a 3-RBI homerun to left field just before the close of the inning. The Lady Tigers held an 11-9 advantage entering the fifth.

Fayetteville State grabbed command of the game with six runs in the bottom of the fifth. Barnes smacked a 2-RBI homerun to move the Lady Broncos ahead 15-11.

Howard checked in on the mound to earn the save. She only allowed three hits and held the Lady Tigers scoreless in the last three innings.

Fayetteville State will return to the diamond on Sunday, February 14th against Barton College. First pitch in this non-conference doubleheader is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Lamon Street Park.