RALEIGH, NC – The Shaw University women's softball team fell in two non-conference contests at home to Claflin University on Wednesday at Walnut Creek Softball Complex. The Lady Bears dropped the first game 10-8 on a three-run fifth inning after posting a scoreless frame in the fifth and seventh before falling 10-1 in game two a one-run third inning that proved not to be enough for an Shaw comeback.

The Lady Panthers (21-18) mounted five runs in the top of the first inning before the Lady Bears posted three runs in the bottom, trailing 5-3 heading into the second inning. Shaw (6-21) kept close with CU in the third inning as they trailed 6-5 prior to adding two more runs in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead 7-6.

After Claflin's Courtney Burns reached base on an error, she stole second and would eventually score on a Tiaria Norman single that would tie the contest at seven in the fifth. The Lady Panthers plated two more runs in the inning to take a 9-7 lead.

Shaw was able to score one more run in the sixth on a miscue from the Lady Panthers but Claflin also scored one run in the seventh for the 10-8 victory.

Frances Perry (Hamilton, NJ) took the loss for Shaw and slips to 2-12 on the season. Perry walked six, while allowing seven earned runs. At the plate, Perry was 3-of-4 and one RBI, while Zahrea Lewis (Savannah, GA) was 2-of-3 with two RBI and two runs scored.

In the nightcap, Claflin broke the game open with two runs in the first inning. One of the three runs in the inning were unearned and came with two outs. Shaw had scoring opportunities in the game, but finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning when Marie Goodman (Willingboro, NJ) singled to centerfield to score teammate Tiffany Brooks (Efland, NC) for the Lady Bears lone run.

From there, the Lady Panthers would go on to score four runs in the third, one in the fifth and two in the sixth inning.

Chynna Gross (Orange Park, FL) took the loss in the circle for the Lady Bears as she fell to 4-7. In 6.0 innings, she allowed 10 runs, nine were earned, on 13 hits with four walks and striking out one.

The Lady Bears will return to the field on Tuesday, April 5 when they travel to face Saint Andrews for its final non-conference matchup on the season. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

For the most up-to-date information Shaw women's softball and its 11 varsity sport teams, visit shawbears.com.