GAME 1 | Claflin 5, Fayetteville State 1
FAYETTEVILLE, NC -- Claflin University (24–12) broke open a tight contest in the middle innings and held Fayetteville State (17–18) to limited offense in a seven-inning, 5–1 nonconference softball victory.
The Panthers wasted no time getting on the board in the top of the first inning. Aniyah Jackson drew a leadoff walk and came around to score when Lauryn Foster delivered an RBI single to center field, giving Claflin an early 1–0 edge. Fayetteville State was retired in order in the bottom half as the Panthers set the tone defensively.
Claflin continued to apply pressure in the second and third innings, picking up singles from Morgan Tate and Michaela Cromarty, but the Broncos worked out of trouble and kept the deficit at one run.
Fayetteville State answered in the bottom of the third to even the score. Isabella Rumbold reached base and advanced into scoring position before A'Leah Wilson lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Rumbold to tag and score to make it 1–1.
The game's momentum shifted back to Claflin in the fourth inning. Tania Shoulders led off with a single and eventually crossed the plate on a passed ball, giving the Panthers a 2–1 advantage.
Claflin added another run in the fifth as Cromarty singled and later scored on an RBI single to left field from Aryana Meadows. Fayetteville State threatened in the bottom of the inning behind a double from Xztashya Porter, but the Panthers' defense again held firm.
The decisive moment came in the sixth inning. With Cydney Cooper reaching base, Jackson stepped to the plate and launched a two-run home run to left field, her clutch swing extending Claflin's lead to 5–1 and providing breathing room heading into the final frames.
Fayetteville State continued to battle, recording singles from Tiara Stueck and Claira Stone, but the Broncos were unable to string together hits. Claflin closed out the seventh inning cleanly to secure the win.
Jackson finished with a walk and a two-run homer to spearhead the Panthers' offense, while Foster, Cromarty, Meadows, Tate, and Shoulders each chipped in with hits. Fayetteville State was paced by Porter's double and strong defensive efforts throughout, but the Broncos were limited to one run on the afternoon.
