RALEIGH, N.C. – Fayetteville State (10-13) jumped out early and never relinquished control, using a five-run first inning to secure an 8–4 victory over Elizabeth City State (4-11) in CIAA Softball Round-Up action Saturday morning.
The Broncos wasted little time setting the tone offensively. A'leah Wilson opened the game with a walk, followed by an Isabella Rumbold single. Xztashya Porter put Fayetteville State on the board with an RBI single, and Tiara Stueck followed with a two-run single to stretch the lead. Madison Heath added an RBI double and Jazzmyn Ohlson drove in a run with a groundout, giving the Broncos a 5–0 advantage before Elizabeth City State came to the plate.
Elizabeth City State responded with a run in the bottom of the first, capitalizing on a bunt single from Sophia Simmons and an RBI single from Bryn Ernest, but Fayetteville State continued to apply pressure throughout the early innings.
The Broncos added two more runs in the third inning, as Treja Patterson scored on a groundout and Cheyenne Payne followed with an RBI single, pushing the lead to 7–2. Fayetteville State tacked on another run in the fourth when Stueck delivered her second RBI hit of the game, scoring Rumbold to make it 8–2.
Elizabeth City State kept fighting, scoring two runs in the fourth behind an RBI double from Shaina Lugo and aggressive base-running that applied pressure on the Broncos' defense. However, Fayetteville State's pitching and timely outs prevented the Vikings from getting closer.
Offensively, Stueck led the Broncos with three RBIs on a pair of hits, while Payne reached base multiple times, drove in a run, and stole a base. Heath contributed an RBI double, Porter drove in a run and scored, and Rumbold reached base twice and crossed the plate twice.
Elizabeth City State was paced by Simmons, who recorded multiple hits and consistently pressured the defense at the top of the lineup. Lugo added an RBI double, and Ernest finished with two hits and an RBI.
With the win, Fayetteville State carried momentum into its second game of the day. The Broncos return to action this afternoon with a 1:30 p.m. matchup against Bluefield State as CIAA Round-Up play continues in Raleigh.
