ORANGEBURG, SC -- Fayetteville State's late comeback falls short in 7-6 loss to Kentucky State (4-5 overall) in the CIAA/SIAC Softball Challenge in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Sophomore Morgan Jackson (0-1) started and took the loss in the circle for Fayetteville State (0-5 overall).
Freshman Angelica Locklear led the way offensively for the Broncos, going 4-for-4 in the ballgame with three RBI. Jackson furnished a standout performance at the plate as well, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Senior Angel Johnson also helped out, going 1-for-3 for Fayetteville State with a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Broncos got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Fayetteville State got an RBI single from Locklear, scoring senior Tanika Powell from first base.
The Broncos lost the lead they built in the first, but got back on the board in the second trailing 4-1. Fayetteville State scored a run when senior Braynka Brown drew a walk from freshman Theressa Pelland that scored freshman Dakota Smith, which tightened the Thorobreds lead to 4-2.
Fayetteville State held the Thorobreds off the scoreboard before narrowing the gap to 4-3 in the fifth. The Broncos scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Johnson.
Fayetteville State kept the Thorobreds off the board before taking the lead in the sixth. The Broncos scored two runs when a single from Locklear brought home Jackson and Powell, bringing the score to 5-4 in favor of Fayetteville State.
Kentucky State fired back to tie the ballgame at five before the Broncos reclaimed a 6-5 advantage in the seventh inning. Johnson came across to score the lone run of the inning for Fayetteville State and get them on the board. The Broncos were unable to hold the lead, as Kentucky State scored two times in the bottom half of the seventh to grab the 7-6 win.
GAME NOTES
» Locklear put together a four-hit day for the Broncos.
» Fayetteville State's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed two runs across.
» Fayetteville State left 10 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» Fayetteville State pitchers faced 35 Kentucky State hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out three.
» The Broncos drew six walks from Kentucky State pitching.
» Locklear led the Broncos at the plate, going 4-for-4 with three RBI.
» Kentucky State was led offensively by freshman Kendall Collier, who went 2-for-4 with a triple and four RBI.
» Pelland led the Thorobreds pitching staff, throwing seven innings of six-run ball.
