Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls

JCSU SOFTBALL ELIMINATED AFTER LOSSES TO CHOWAN & FAYETTEVILLE STATE IN CIAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

4/21/2011 9:46:01 PM

Scores in spurts not enough for J.C. Smith

Box Score vs. Chowan
Box Score vs. Fayetteville State

Petersburg, VA – The Johnson C. Smith University women's softball team lost their chance for a conference title with losses to Chowan University (6-1) and Fayetteville State University (12-7) in the 2011 CIAA Softball Championship Tournament on Thursday afternoon at the Petersburg Softball Complex. JCSU ends their season with an 8-31 overall record.

Junior pitcher Tenesha Simmons (Melbourne, FL) only allowed two hits and two runs in the first three innings. Unfortunately, the Lady Golden Bulls were held scoreless throughout six innings. The Hawks found more offense in the fourth with three runs and two hits. Chowan scored their last run at the bottom of sixth for a 6-0 lead heading into the final inning.

Junior catcher Samantha Smith (Whiteville, NC) got loose with a double to center field to begin the seventh. Freshman center field Britney Warren (Atlanta, GA) earned a RBI with a single to left, which brought home Smith for the only JCSU run scored.

Simmons walked seven and gave up six runs, but only allowed six hits with one strikeout. Christie Wright stroke out 10 with one run scored and nine hits for the Chowan.

Johnson C. Smith moved into the secondary bracket to face the FSU Lady Broncos in game two. JCSU received a jolt from a solo homerun from Samantha Smith. It would be the only lead for the Lady Golden Bulls for the afternoon.

Fayetteville State responded in the bottom of the first with six runs and five hits. J.C. Smith trailed 11-1 going into the fifth inning. With the opportunity for victory slipping away, JCSU erupted in the fifth inning to score six runs. The Lady Golden Bulls collected six hits off FSU pitcher Misty Huber and took advantage of numerous fielding errors trying to close the gap.

Despite the scoring burst by JCSU in the fifth, Fayetteville State still held an 11-7 lead. FSU scored one last run in the bottom of the fifth to account for the 12-7 final.

Simmons started out on the mound and freshman pitcher Ashton Byrd (Atlanta, GA) checked in to provide relief on the last nine batters.

Both Byrd and Simmons will return to the bullpen for JCSU next season. Although, the Lady Golden Bulls will bid ado to senior leaders Kawehi Chan (Honolulu, HI) and Allycia Watanabe (Waipahu, HI).