CHARLOTTE, NC – The Shaw University softball team split Sunday afternoon's doubleheader at Johnson C. Smith University, dropping the opener by an 4-2 margin before winning a 8-3 decision in the nightcap, which improved the Lady Bears divisional record to 3-1, while JCSU fall to 5-1 in the standings.

In the opener, the Lady Golden Bulls took a 2-0 lead after two complete innings. Offensively, the Lady Bears struggled to find their groove as they went scoreless over five innings but in the sixth inning Shaw plated two runs on a double from freshman Zahrea Lewis (Savannah, GA) that scored sophomore's Chakiryn Jackson (Goochland, VA) and Brittany Kline (Choctaw Beach, FL).

The Lady Bears held JCSU scoreless in the bottom frame but was unable to score in the top of the seventh inning, falling 4-2 in game one.

Lewis was 2-for-3 at bat with two RBI, while Kline was 1-for-2 at the plate and one run scored. Freshman Chynna Gross (Orangepark, FL) took the loss at the mound as she allowed seven hits, walked three and struck out one.

Shaw turned things around in the nightcap, after taking a 1-0 lead in the opening. In the third inning, Shaw added four runs to take a 5-0 lead after a single through the left side from Lewis allowed Kline to score. Lewis would eventually score on a single from freshman Christine-Evette Ngeve (Greensboro, NC) before the Lady Bears finished the inning with five hits.

JCSU followed up with three runs to cut the Lady Bears deficit to 5-3 in the bottom of the fourth inning before Shaw held the Lady Golden Bulls scoreless for the remainder of the contest. The Lady Bears put the game out of reach after scoring one run in the fifth and two in the seventh inning.

Sophomore Frances Perry (Hamilton, NJ) was 3-for-4 at plate with an RBI, while Kline, Ngeve and sophomore Tiffany Brooks (Efland, NC) were all 2-for-4. Both Kline and Ngeve had two RBI and two runs.

Shaw will return home to host cross-town rival Saint Augustine's University for a divisional doubleheader at Worthdale Park. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.

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