AHOSKIE, N.C. - 

The Shaw softball team split a pair of games today at the CIAA cluster two roundup held at Ridgecroft High School in Ahoskie, NC Saturday afternoon.  The Lady Bears dropped the first game to Virginia State 11-3 and rebounded against Elizabeth City State for an 11-4 victory.

In the first game, the Lady Bears saw very little action, with the exception of the top of the third. Renee Holmes started the Lady Bears off by walking to first and stealing second.

Erica Lafrades singled and advanced to second on the throw; advancing Holmes as well.

A two-RBI double down the left line by Kemesha Braithewaite, scored both Holmes and Lafrades.

The Lady Bears defense and pitching gave up 11 runs and 5 hits to the Trojans.

Shaw rebounded for another run in the top of the sixth. Braithewaite started the inning off with a single through the left side. Shanice Anderson doubled through left center for one RBI, with Braithewaite scoring the Lady Bear's last run of the contest.

The Trojans scored another four runs to end the contest with an 11-3 win.

In game one, Braithewaite was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI.  Lafrades and Anderson collected the other two of Shaw's four hits in the contest.

In the second game, it was all Shaw as the Lady Bears took advantage of two Lady Vikings errors and combined them with 5 hits to grab a 11-4 win over Elizabeth City State University.

Shaw broke on top early, taking a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first, with five runs scored on one hit and two errors.

Lafrades was able to walk to first after being hit by the pitch and went on to steal second.

Braithewaite reached first on an error of by the first baseman and advanced to second. Lafrades was able to score the unearned run on the same play.

Anderson walked to first and was able to advance to third on a pitch to Courtnee Kelly. An RBI single from Kelly scored Braithewaite. Kelly was then able to steal second.

On an error of the second baseman, Fahie was able to reach base, advancing Kelly to third and scoring Anderson an unearned run.

Fahie was able to steal second base and Kelly scored on a passed ball.

Fahie advanced to third when Gina Yozzo ground out to the pitcher. She then scored an unearned run on a passed ball.

The Lady Bears were able to score another three runs on one hit in the second inning. Jamel Manley scored after being hit by pitch to get first based and went on to steal second and third.

Braithewaite reached first on a passed ball and was able to advance to second when Anderson singled to center field. Braithewaite and Anderson both advanced bases putting them at third and second respectively on a passed ball.

Braithewaite scored an unearned run from a pass by, also advancing Anderson to third; while Fahie walked to first.

On a wild pitch, Fahie advanced to second and Anderson scored the teams third run for the inning.

The Vikings finally answered in the fourth with a three-run inning as well.

The Lady Bears scored the last three runs of the contest to win the second game 11-4.

Anderson led Shaw with a 2 for 3 performance, scoring three runs.  Kelly went two for four, collected two RBI and scored another two runs.  Fahie had the only other Lady Bear hit in the game. 

Daniela Archibold got the win for Shaw, pitching five innings, giving up three hits and four runs, only  one of which was earned.  She walked only two and struck out seven.  Sheniqua Fahie came in in relief, blanking the Lady Vikings in two innings of work, striking out two.

The Lady Bears finish up the CIAA roundup cluster with a game tomorrow against Chowan at 11am.

article by Lindsee Ratliff-Bowens