Mauranda Elliott had a big day at the plate, including a 4-run grand slam homer to win game one
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University women's softball opened their season with a doubleheader against Claflin University Thursday afternoon at Biddleville Park. JCSU won the first game 10-6 and dropped the second 10-7; both teams are 1-1 in the standings.
Game one came down to one heroic hit from senior outfielder
Mauranda Elliott (Tabor City, NC). It was the bottom of the seven inning, score tied at 6-6, bases loaded, and Elliott up to bat. With a full count (three balls, two strikes, and two outs), Elliott connected on a pitch that sent the ball flying over the left center fence. The grand slam homerun won the game and brought home senior second baseman
Rashondae Henderson (Caruthersville, MO), sophomore catcher
Ryan Quirol (Los Angeles, CA), and freshman third baseman Alexandria Buckley (Charlotte, NC).
JCSU had nine hits and seven RBIs, including three from junior shortstop/pitcher Allycia Wantanabe (Waipahu, HI). Junior pitcher
Kawehionapua Chan (Honolulu, HI) is credited with the win, allowing 11 hits off 29 at-bats and three strikeouts.
In the second contest, Johnson C. Smith got behind early, giving five runs in the first inning. The Lady Golden Bulls faced an 8-1 deficit going into the bottom of the third. Elliott hit a triple to right field to get things started. Chan hit a sacrifice fly to center field, which brought Elliot home from third. Henderson knocked a big shot up the right side and senior outfielder
Nijah Braddox (Brooklyn, NY) and Watanabe crossed homeplate. Quirol grounded out to close out the inning with JCSU down 8-4.
J.C. Smith had their last offensive burst, scoring three runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Panthers were too strong and maintained a lead throughout game two. Claflin held JCSU scoreless in the last three innings and only gave up two hits.
Elliott had the big bat again with three hits off four at-bats. Watanabe was at the mound for the loss. She allowed 17 hits off 35 at-bats with one walk and one strikeout. Watanabe pitched with a swollen throwing hand, mainly because the Lady Golden Bulls were short handed in the bull pen.
Johnson C. Smith returns to the diamond on Monday, February 15th against Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, NC. The first pitch in this doubleheader is scheduled for 2:00 pm.
