COLUMBIA, SC – The Shaw University women's softball team opened up the 2017 season against Benedict College on Monday afternoon. The Lady Bears suffered a 12-1 loss in the first game and a 6-2 decision in the nightcap. With the losses, Shaw falls to 0-2 on the young season while the Lady Tigers stand 2-2 on the year.

In the first game, Shaw's only score came off Brittany Kline's (Choctaw Beach, FL) sacrifice to bring home teammate Christine Ngeve (Greensboro, NC) in the top of the second but the Lady Tigers scored in the first inning on a double from Kelsey James and a game-high five runs in the second before closing out the third and fourth inning with two and four runs, respectively in five innings of action. The Lady Bears accounted for just two hits and six errors compared to BC's 11 and no errors.

On the mound, Amanda Ortiz (Tucson, AZ) took the loss after allowing seven hits, six runs and six errors in two innings.

In game two, both teams went scoreless until BC's Kelsey James singled through left field for an RBI, bringing home Tandreanna Conyers whom previously reached base on a dropped fly ball in right field that gave the Lady Tigers a 1-0 advantage heading into the fourth inning.

Bailey Nixon (Denison, TX) homered to left field for Shaw in the top of the fourth to even the score but the Lady Tigers responded with doubles from Cherica Pye and Conyers for three runs. The Lady Bears scored one more run in the top of the fifth before BC produced two runs in the bottom of the sixth to secure the 6-2 win. The Lady Bears held a 9-8 advantage in hits but accounted for two errors in the contest while the Lady Tigers had no mistakes.

Ngeve accounted for three hits in the day's second game, while Bailey and Tori Hale (Moreno Valley, CA) both tallied an RBI. Frances Perry (Hamilton, NJ) took the loss on the mound, allowing six runs, five errors and two strikeouts in six innings of work.

Shaw will look to bounce back with an away doubleheader at Meredith College for a non-conference tilt slated for 1 p.m and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12.

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