RALEIGH, NC — The Shaw University softball team came back to defeat Edward Waters College in both games of a double header played on Saturday afternoon at Walnut Creek Softball Complex.

In their first game of the afternoon, the Lady Bears won by a score of 13-10.  In the second game, they defeated Edward Waters 12-4 in a five-inning contest that was shortened by the mercy rule. 

With the two wins, the Lady Bears are now 5-7 overall this season.

In the first game, the Lady Bears scored 13 runs off 17 hits. Shaw was led by Sheniqua Fahie, Shanice Anderson and Renee Holmes who each scored three runs. Those three - along with Erica Lafrades - led the team with three hits apiece as well.

Shaw used a five-run fifth inning to eventually pull away and take the victory.

In the first inning, the Tigers of Edward Waters were able to score one run, while the Lady Bears had a hard time getting into the game with no runs and no hits.

The Tigers picked up the action in the second inning scoring seven runs off seven hits.

The Lady Bears started the bottom of the second inning down 0-8 until Shanice Anderson singled and stole second, third and home to give Shaw its first run.  .

After a slow start, in the first two innings, Lafrades singled to get on base in the third. Sheniqua Fahie Homered, brining Lafrades home and scoring two runs.  

At the bottom of the fourth Shaw scored two more runs. Renee Holmes singled through the left side and advanced to third. Gina Yozzo reached base on an error by the third baseman and Holmes scored an unearned run. Jamel Manley doubled through the left side giving Shaw its fifth run of the contest when Yozzo made it home.

The Tigers answered with a run of their own when Kelly Bateman doubled bringing home Dozier who was on second.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Lady Bears scored five runs off seven hits. Courtnee Kelly led off with a single to left center. Fahie followed and singled through the right side advancing Kelly to second. Anderson singled up the middle for one RBI, bringing Kelly home and advancing Fahie to third.

Anderson managed to steal second before Homes singled up the middle for two RBI. This hit brought home both Anderson and Fahie.

Manley doubled up the middle for another RBI bringing home Renee Holmes. A single RBI through the left side by Lafrades brought Manley home giving Shaw a 10-9 lead.

At the top of the sixth, the Tigers were unable to answer the Lady Bears. With the score still 10-9 the Lady Bears brought the heat in the bottom of the sixth, scoring their last three runs in game one.

Fahie and Anderson both singled to get on base. Holmes walked to load the bases. A two-RBI single up the middle by Taylor Moore brought home Anderson and Fahie, while advancing Holmes to second.

An RBI single from LaFrades sent Holmes home from third to give the Lady Bears a 13-9 lead.

Edward Water scored its final run in the top of the seventh to make the score 13-10. 

In the second game, the Lady Bears scored their 12 runs off 12 hits.

Kelly led the Lady Bears with four RBI from two hits and scored two runs. Daniela Archibold had two RBI from two hits and scored runs.

The Lady Bears took an early lead scoring seven of its 12 runs in the first inning.

Lafrades started the bottom of the first by walking. Kelly followed with a homer to give Shaw a 2-0 lead.  Fahie and Anderson then walked.  They came home on singles by Archibold and Yozzo, respectively.  Manley doubled home Yozzo.  Manley would eventually score, giving the Lady Bears a 7-0 lead. 

With the score 10-3 the Lady Bears added another run to its collection in the bottom of the fourth. Yozzo doubled up the middle scoring Archibold who had already singled and stole second.

Edward Waters added another run in the top of the fifth.

The Lady Bears sealed the deal with is last run in the bottom of the fifth. Anderson's RBI single plated Braithewaite and gave  Shaw the eight-run lead that triggered the mercy rule.   

The Lady Bears will play again on Monday afternoon when they host Salem International University at the Walnut Creek Softball Complex. Opening pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.   

article by Lindsee Ratliff-Bowens