GAME 1 | Chestnut Hill 4, Fayetteville State 2
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Fayetteville State (4-9) opened the game against Chestnut Hill (3-2) with early momentum, but the Griffins steadily took control on their way to a 4–2 win Thursday afternoon. The loss drops the Broncos to 4–9 on the season, while Chestnut Hill improves behind a balanced offensive effort and a complete-game performance in the circle.
Fayetteville State struck first, getting on the board in the opening frame thanks to Treja Patterson. After A'leah Wilson walked and stole second, Patterson delivered with a sharp two‑out double to center, driving in Wilson and giving the Broncos a 1–0 lead. Patterson finished the afternoon 1-for‑3 with the RBI double and two runs driven in, while Cheyenne Payne continued her strong start to the season, going 2‑for‑3 with two stolen bases and a run scored.
Freshman Kendall Jackson made the start for FSU and held Chestnut Hill scoreless through the first two innings, but the Griffins capitalized on miscues in the third. After a walk and stolen base put pressure on the Broncos' defense, back-to-back runners reached before an error at first base allowed two unearned runs to score, giving Chestnut Hill a 2–1 advantage. Jackson worked four full innings, allowing two hits and two unearned runs while striking out two.
Chestnut Hill added to its lead in the fifth when the Griffins strung together three hits, including an RBI single from Jenn Pokropinski and another run-scoring hit from Izabella Rodriguez to push ahead 4–1. Pokropinski led the Griffins offensively, finishing a perfect 2‑for‑2 with an RBI, while Rodriguez added a hit and drove in a run. The Griffins were anchored in the circle by sophomore Belle Tetreault, who threw all seven innings and allowed just two runs on five hits.
Fayetteville State attempted to rally in the sixth as Payne sparked the inning with a leadoff single, later stealing second and advancing to third on the throw. Patterson followed with a deep fly ball to right field, scoring Payne and trimming the deficit to 4–2. Despite the late push, Tetreault worked efficiently through the seventh to close out the game.
The Broncos showed grit defensively, limiting Chestnut Hill to just 2-for‑10 hitting with runners in scoring position and striking out seven Griffins between Jackson and reliever Tamarah Lowery. However, four stolen bases allowed and a pair of costly defensive errors proved too much to overcome.
