RALEIGH, N.C. – Fayetteville State (11-13, 3-3 CIAA) delivered a resilient performance Saturday afternoon, using a four-run eighth inning to pull away from Bluefield State (7-19, 2-3 CIAA) and secure a 6–3 extra-inning victory at the CIAA Softball Round-Up.
The Broncos struck first in the opening inning as Cheyenne Payne worked a leadoff walk and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Sydney Jackson drove her in with an RBI single to left field, giving Fayetteville State an early 1–0 lead.
Bluefield State answered in the bottom of the first, stringing together four hits to even the score. Janessah Nappi delivered the RBI single that brought home the tying run, but Fayetteville State limited further damage by stranding three runners.
Both teams settled into a defensive rhythm through the middle innings, with each side trading scoreless frames. Fayetteville State reclaimed the lead in the fourth when Treja Patterson singled, advanced into scoring position, and scored on a heads-up play following an Xztashya Porter single and a throwing error, making it 2–1.
Bluefield State responded again in the sixth inning, taking advantage of a fielding error to push across an unearned run and tie the game at 2–2. The score remained deadlocked through seven innings, forcing extra play.
In the top of the eighth, Fayetteville State seized control. With the international runner placed on second, A'leah Wilson laid down a bunt and reached on an error, allowing the go-ahead run to score. Moments later, Tiara Stueck delivered the decisive blow, ripping a two-run double to right field to extend the lead. Madison Heath followed with an RBI single, capping a four-run inning that pushed the Broncos ahead 6–2.
Bluefield State managed to score once in the bottom of the eighth on a groundout, but Fayetteville State closed the door to seal the win.
Stueck paced the Broncos offensively with a double and two RBIs, while Heath finished with two hits and an RBI. Jackson collected two hits and drove in a run, and Payne reached base multiple times and played a key role at the top of the lineup. In the circle, Fayetteville State's pitching staff limited Bluefield State to three runs while working out of several pressure situations.
Bluefield State was led by Jacky Sandy, who recorded multiple hits, and Nappi, who drove in two runs for the Rams.
The victory capped a competitive stretch of play for the Broncos at the CIAA Round-Up. They will head to Winston-Salem on Friday, April 10th for a 1 & 3 PM doubleheader against Winston-Salem State.
