Orangeburg, SC – Bluefield State University softball opened CIAA Softball Championships in dominate fashion, taking down Shaw 14-5 before falling to Claflin 12-6.
Bluefield State 14, Shaw 5
The Big Blue wasted no time getting on the board, scoring four in the first. After a bases-loading walk, Hailey Trujillo delivered a base-clearing double to left-center to extend the Big Blue lead. The Big Blue continued to apply pressure in the third after a two-run home run to left field pushed the Big Blue lead 7-2. In the fourth, Skyy Hicks and Sydney Leadbetter delivered back-to-back RBIs to add two, 9-2.
Shaw added two in the fifth, but the Big Blue slammed the door in the sixth after Amaya Corona ignited a three-run rally with an RBI single, followed by a two-RBI single from Paige Whittington to seal the 14-5 victory.
Yonah Rogers earned the win allowing eight hits, five runs, one walk while striking out three.
Bluefield State 6, Claflin 12
The Big Blue took the 1-0 lead in the first after Whittington drew the leadoff walk and later stole second and scored on a passed ball. The Panthers took the lead after scoring one in the first and second, but a Skyy Hicks two-run homerun put the Big Blue back on top 3-2. Later in the inning, Hailey Trujillo collected the RBI to push the lead 4-2.
After the Panthers evened the score in the third, the Big Blue added two in the fourth when Whittington singled to the catcher and utilized a throwing error to score herself and Corona; however, the Panthers offense took control, scoring eight consecutive runs to take down the Big Blue 12-6.
Taylor Fells took the loss in the circle, allowing 14 hits, 10 runs, three walks while striking out one.
Up Next: Bluefield State vs. Lincoln (PA), Friday, May 8th at 1 p.m.
