ORANGEBURG, SC -- In the opening round of the CIAA Quarterfinals, the Broncos fell short in their seventh inning rally 8-7 to Virginia State (14-12 overall) in Orangeburg, SC. Kevana Deberry (5-5) took the loss in the circle for Fayetteville State (11-19 overall). Offensively, the Broncos were led by Morgan Jackson, who went 3-for-4 on the day with a double and two RBI. Xztashya Porter also had a noteworthy performance at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a triple, a walk, and an RBI. Treja Patterson contributed as well, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding an RBI. The Broncos will face Elizabeth City State in the loser's bracket of the double-elimination tournament.
The Broncos got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Fayetteville State scored three runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Jackson. Despite losing the lead they built in the first, the Broncos got back on the board in the seventh inning, trailing 8-3. The Fayetteville State offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a one-run single off the bat of Angelica Locklear, which tightened the Trojans' lead to 8-7. The ballgame ended with that seventh-inning rally falling short.
Jackson led the Broncos, compiling three base knocks in the ballgame. Fayetteville State's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed four runs across. The Broncos out-hit the Trojans at a 9-8 clip and went 4-for-13 (.308) with runners in scoring position. Fayetteville State pitchers faced 34 Virginia State hitters in the game, allowing one ground ball and nine fly balls while striking out seven. The Broncos drew four walks from Virginia State pitching. Virginia State was led offensively by Shamya Hankins, who went 1-for-2 with a triple and three RBI. Hailey Darrington led the Trojans' pitching staff, throwing six innings of four-run ball.
