FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Claflin University (25–12) capitalized on timely hitting and took advantage of miscues to edge Fayetteville State University (17–19), 5–4, in a tightly contested non-conference softball match-up.
Claflin opened the scoring in the top of the first inning when Lauryn Foster singled and later crossed the plate on an RBI single by Michaela Cromarty, giving the Panthers a 1–0 lead. Fayetteville State answered in the bottom half as A'Leah Wilson reached on a single and was driven home by Sydney Jackson's RBI single to left, evening the score at 1–1.
The Panthers manufactured scoring chances in the third inning and broke the game open. After Aniyah Jackson reached on an error and advanced into scoring position, Jeniah Williams reached base and knocked in a run. Moments later, Cromarty delivered the decisive swing, hammering a two-run home run to center field to score Williams and push Claflin ahead 4–1.
Fayetteville State responded immediately in its half of the third. Jazzmyn Ohlson reached base and Sydney Jackson followed, setting the stage for Treja Patterson, who ripped a two-run double to center field to trim the deficit to 4–3.
Claflin added a crucial insurance run in the fifth inning. Foster doubled to left field, moved around the bases, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Tania Shoulders, extending the Panthers' lead to 5–3. The Broncos again cut into the lead later in the frame as Patterson came through with her second RBI double of the game, scoring Ohlson to make it 5–4.
From there, Claflin leaned on its pitching. Sydra Pendleton and Katelynn Grissom combined to keep Fayetteville State off the scoreboard over the final two innings, with Grissom retiring the Broncos in order in the seventh to seal the victory.
Cromarty paced Claflin's offense with three RBIs, including the go-ahead home run, while Foster recorded multiple hits and scored twice. Shoulders and McKenzie Whitener also contributed key defensive outs for the Panthers.
For Fayetteville State, Patterson finished with three RBIs and two doubles, while Wilson and Ohlson each collected multiple hits at the top of the order. Despite putting pressure on Claflin late, the Broncos were unable to produce the tying run in the final inning.
Fayetteville State will host Shaw on Sunday, May 3rd, for Senior Day. Senior recognition will begin at 12:30 PM and the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 PM and 3PM.
