RALEIGH, N.C. – Fayetteville State (9-13) battled back from an early setback and forced extra innings, but Lincoln (Pa.) (8-15) edged the Broncos 4–3 in eight innings Friday at the CIAA Softball Round-Up.
Fayetteville State struck first in the top of the opening inning, taking advantage of early opportunities. Islabella Rumbold jump-started the offense with a double down the right-field line and scored when Cheyenne Payne reached on a bunt that resulted in an error. Payne later stole second and came home on another defensive miscue, giving the Broncos a 2–0 lead before Lincoln recorded the final out of the inning.
Lincoln answered in the third inning when Ashley Stringer cut the deficit in half with a solo home run to center field, her first of the game. The Lions continued to apply pressure, but Fayetteville State held onto the lead behind defensive stops and timely outs through the middle innings.
The game swung in the bottom of the fifth as Lincoln pushed two runs across. After a walk and aggressive base-running, Amari Fredererick drove in the tying and go-ahead runs, giving the Lions a 3–2 advantage.
Fayetteville State responded in the sixth to keep the game alive. Claira Stone delivered a key double to left-center, and A'leah Wilson followed with an RBI single up the middle to even the score at 3–3, forcing extra innings.
Both teams were held scoreless in the seventh, setting the stage for a dramatic eighth inning. Lincoln manufactured the winning run with discipline and execution. After a runner was placed on second, Jordin Cathey lined a single down the left-field line to drive in the game-winning run and seal the walk-off victory.
Rumbold led the Broncos offensively with a double and a run scored, while Payne finished with an RBI, a stolen base, and scored twice. Wilson added an RBI single, and Stone contributed a clutch double in the tying rally. For Lincoln, Stringer paced the offense with a home run and a walk, Cathey delivered the decisive RBI single, and Ashlynn Sherman recorded multiple hits at the top of the lineup.
Fayetteville State will look to bounce back as CIAA Round-Up play continues today, Saturday, with an 11:00 a.m. match-up against Elizabeth City State, followed by a 1:30 p.m. contest against Bluefield State.
