GAME 1 | Fayetteville State 9, Johnson C. Smith 8

FAYETTEVILLE, NC --Senior Braynka Brown and freshman DeMya Brown each collected three hits to help propel the Fayetteville State Broncos past the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls 9-8 on Wednesday.

Freshman Hannah Mills (3-2) started in the circle and picked up the win for Fayetteville State (10-15, 5-3 CIAA). The right-hander went 5.2 innings, giving up five runs, four earned, on eight hits, allowing two walks and striking out one.

In addition to her three hits, Braynka Brown had two doubles and three RBI to lead the Broncos. DeMya Brown added a walk and an RBI to her three-hit performance as well. Freshman Angelica Locklear also contributed for Fayetteville State, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding a double and two RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Trailing 1-0, the Broncos first put runs on the board in the first inning. Fayetteville State's offense started clicking and put up four runs, including a two-run double off the bat of senior Braynka Brown.

The Golden Bulls failed to push any runs across before the Broncos offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. Fayetteville State pushed across a run on Locklear's two-out RBI double, which brought the score to 5-1 in favor of the Broncos.

Johnson C. Smith narrowed Fayetteville State's lead to 5-3 before the Broncos stretched the advantage to 6-3 in the fourth inning.

The Golden Bulls fought back, closing the gap to 6-5 until Fayetteville State added some insurance in the fifth. bringing the Fayetteville State advantage to 9-5. Johnson C. Smith put three runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Broncos still held on for the 9-8 win.

GAME NOTES

» Fayetteville State got three-hit games from both Braynka Brown and  DeMya Brown.
» The Broncos power output was led by  Braynka Brown, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Fayetteville State's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed four runs across.
» Fayetteville State grabbed a 4-1 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Four Broncos had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Broncos out-hit the Golden Bulls at a 13-11 clip.
» Fayetteville State went 7-for-18 (.389) with runners in scoring position.
» Fayetteville State pitchers faced 37 Johnson C. Smith hitters in the game, allowing 15 ground balls and three fly balls while striking out one.
» Braynka Brown led the Broncos at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI.
» Johnson C. Smith was led offensively by Moya Jones, who went 4-for-4 with four RBI.
» Jasmin Hogan led the Golden Bulls pitching staff, throwing 5.2 innings of six-run ball.
»  Johnson C. Smith's record drops to 4-12 overall and 3-4 in conference play.