Box Score

Fayetteville, NC ââ'¬" The Fayetteville State University women's softball team defeated Johnson C. Smith University In both games (8-5|10-2) of a CIAA Southern Divisional doubleheader on Sunday, April 17th at Seabrook Park. FSU improves to 15-17 overall and 5-5 in the CIAA, while the Golden Bulls drop to 10-14 overall and 9-7 in the conference.

Both teams produced one run in the first inning of game one. Fayetteville State outscored JCSU 3-1 in the second inning to grab a 4-2 lead. Senior outfielder Shae Barnes (Gibson, NC) smacked a RBI double to score senior shortstop Haley Wood (Spring Hope, NC) from second base. Junior utility Zoe Howard (Hampstead, NC) followed with a RBI double to bring home Barnes.

Senior outfielder Alex Wickham (Fayetteville, NC) brought in the third run of the second inning. Wickham singled through the right side to score Howard. Neither team scored in the third and fourth innings.

Each team tacked on one additional run in the fifth. In the bottom of the sixth, sophomore infielder Brittany Lee (Newton, NJ) began by belting a homerun over the left field wall. Barnes and Wickham scored later in the inning to extend their advantage to 8-3 entering the seventh.

JCSU had two hits and two runs in the top of the seventh. However, that would not be enough to overcome defeat. Sophomore pitcher Carley Green (Fayetteville, NC) earned the victory on the mound. Green had five strikeouts and pitched all seven innings.

Fayetteville State jumped out to a 4-1 lead after the first inning of game two. Both teams were scoreless in the second and third innings.

The Lady Broncos had four hits and three runs in the fourth; including a RBI double to centerfield from third baseman HaLee Knowles (Wallace, NC). Knowles batted in senior second baseman Brittany Freeman (Fayetteville, NC). Sophomore infielder Vanessa Kokoszka (Sanford, NC) followed in the lineup with a RBI double. Knowles and Kokoszka both scored.

JCSU had one hit and one run in the top of the fifth to trim their deficit to 7-2. In the bottom of the fifth, Wickham hammered a clutch RBI double to right field to bring home Barnes and Wood. Knowles singled through the second base gap to score Freeman and end the game.

The game concluded in the fifth inning due to the NCAA eight-run rule. Howard gained the victory on the mound in game two. She pitched four innings with six strikeouts and only five hits allowed.

FSU athletics recognized the four Lady Broncos seniors (Barnes, Freeman, Wickham, and Wood) in-between games. JCSU seniors Imani Scott and Melissa Vierra were also acknowledged, as well as FSU head athletic trainer Carlitta Moore for her hard work and special contributions to the softball program.

Fayetteville State will return to action on Monday, April 18th against Livingstone College. FSU squares off against the Lady Blue Bears at the Lamon Street Park for the last home divisional doubleheader. First pitched is slated for 2:00 p.m.