Ashton Byrd had a big game two performance with three hits off three at-bats, five RBIs, and two runs scored
Game One Box
Game Two Box
Salisbury, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University women's softball team topped Livingstone College in both games (7-5; 13-5) of a CIAA Southern Division doubleheader on Monday evening (March 26) on the Blue Bears Softball Field. JCSU improves to 12-19 overall, 4-6 in the conference, and 2-2 in the division.
After a scoreless first inning, JCSU jumped out to a 4-0 lead with three hits and four runs in the second. With bases loaded, senior
Tenesha Simmons (Melbourne, FL) was walked and sophomore
Jasmine Jackson (Chester, SC) came home. Senior
Elizabeth McElveen (Florence, SC) knocked in two more runs with a double to left field on the next at bat. A sacrifice fly by junior
Alexandra Buckley (Charlotte, NC) scored the last run of the inning.
Livingstone finally got on the board in the third off a steal at home. Despite the run, Simmons only allowed one hit in the inning at the mound. Both teams went scoreless again in the fourth and sixth innings. The Blue Bears managed to produce three hits and two runs in the fifth, but faced a 4-3 deficit.
McElveen and sophomores
Jena Rae Serranzana (Panorama City, CA) and
Britney Warren (Atlanta, GA) all scored in the seventh and final inning. JCSU held a 7-3 advantage heading into the bottom of the last inning. Livingstone put up four hits and two runs, but it would not be enough for the win.
Simmons is credited with the victory with a season-high eight strikeouts. Freshman
Stacy Peralta (Brooklyn, NY) provided some relief down the stretch. Peralta faced 10 batters with two strikeouts and one walk.
The Golden Bulls dominated game two from beginning to end. Livingstone trailed 11-0 going into the bottom of the fifth inning. With the exception of the fifth, JCSU scored multiple runs in every inning played. The game was called in the sixth due to the NCAA eight-run rule with a 13-5 win for Johnson C. Smith.
Sophomore
Ashton Byrd (Atlanta, GA) had a heroic performance in the second contest. Byrd racked up three hits off three at-bats with five RBIs and two runs scored. Peralta pitched the game two victory with three strikeouts; only allowing one hit and no runs.
JCSU moves up to the fourth and final tournament spot in the division with the pair of wins.
The Golden Bulls return home for their next doubleheader against Barton College on Friday, March 30th. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Biddleville Park.
