ELIZABETH CITY, NC --  Shaw came back from a 5-3 deficit in the seventh inning to win 9-8 in exciting fashion over Johnson C. Smith on the first day of the CIAA Roundup at South Park Complex on Thursday. The Lady Bears scored six runs in the seventh to earn their first victory of the season.

Later in the day, the Lady Bears fell to Claflin 16-8. Their record is 1-1 in the CIAA and 1-10 overall heading into day two of the CIAA Roundup on Friday.

Against Johnson C. Smith, Syhia Marks (1-5) started in the circle and picked up the win for Shaw. The right-hander went seven innings, giving up eight runs, six earned, on eight hits, allowing three walks and striking out six.

At the plate, the Lady Bears were led by Krystal Walker, who went 2-for-4 on the day with a double and an RBI. D'Amani Gadson put together a standout performance as well, going 1-for-4 with three RBIs. Nataya Truitt also helped out for Shaw, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding a double.

HOW IT HAPPENED VS. JCSU

Trailing 4-0, the Lady Bears scored a run in the second inning. Ayania Williams came across to score the lone run of the inning for Shaw and get the Lady Bears on the board.

The deficit grew to 5-1 before Shaw's offense got back on the scoreboard, cutting into that deficit in the third inning. Marks came across to score the lone run of the inning for Shaw, which tightened the Golden Bulls lead to 5-2.

Shaw held the Golden Bulls off the scoreboard before narrowing the gap to 5-3 in the fifth.

Shaw kept the Golden Bulls off the board before taking the lead in the seventh. The Lady Bears scored six runs in the inning, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Gadson, bringing the score to 9-5 in favor of Shaw. Johnson C. Smith put three runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Lady Bears still held on for the 9-8 win.

GAME NOTES VS. JCSU

» Marks struck out six Golden Bulls hitters.
» Shaw's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed six runs across.
» The Lady Bears out-hit the Golden Bulls 9-8.
» Truitt stole two bases against Johnson C. Smith.
» Shaw pitchers faced 34 Johnson C. Smith hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out six.
» Walker led the Lady Bears at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
» Johnson C. Smith was led offensively by Jasmin Hogan, who went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and two RBI.
» Alis Alvardo picked up the loss for the Golden Bulls, throwing five innings of three-run ball.

HOW IT HAPPENED VS. CLAFLIN

The Lady Bears got on the board immediately, scoring three times in the top of the first inning. The Lady Bears picked up one run on an RBI hit knocked off the bat of Sas'Kia Stephens.

After the Panthers rallied to tie the ballgame at three, the Lady Bears retook the lead in the second inning. Shaw pushed two runs across on a two-run double off the bat of Ayania Williams that scored Regina DeDecker and Nataya Truitt, which brought the score to 5-3 in favor of the Lady Bears.

Shaw's lead had disappeared by the time the fifth inning arrived and turned into a 15-5 Claflin advantage. The Lady Bears cut that deficit to 15-8, highlighted by a run-scoring double off the bat of Williams. 

D'Amani Gadson (0-5) got the ball to start for Shaw and took the loss. Syhia Marks was a bright spot for the Lady Bears, throwing two innings, giving up two runs, zero earned, on three hits, with two walks and two strikeouts.

Williams led the way offensively for the Lady Bears, going 2-for-3 in the ballgame with two doubles and three RBI. DeDecker put together a noteworthy performance as well, going 2-for-3 with a double. Bri'Anna Chavis also contributed, going 1-for-3 for Shaw with an RBI.

GAME NOTES VS. CLAFLIN

» Shaw's power output was led by Williams, who compiled two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Every Lady Bears starter reached base safely in the loss.
» Shaw's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Shaw went 6-for-12 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
» Williams led the Lady Bears at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and three RBI.

UP NEXT
The CIAA Roundup continues Friday (March 24) with the Lady Bears taking on Winston-Salem State (11 a.m.) and Livingstone (4 p.m.).