CARY, N.C. – Bowie State softball opened its 2018 season on the road over the weekend and recorded a 1-4 record at the Shaw Lady Bears Challenge.
 
The Bulldogs got the season started on a high note, winning an 18-15 slugfest versus Bluefield State on Friday morning before being shutout against Queens (Charlotte) by a score of 21-0. Bowie State dropped a tough 10-7 decision in Friday's nightcap versus Millersville.
 
Mount Olive blanked Bowie State 19-0 on Saturday morning and Barton doubled up the Bulldogs 14-7 to close out the weekend.
 
Senior Ja'seph Smith (Bowie, Md.) paced the Bulldogs over the five games with a .500 batting average, recording eight hits in 16 plate appearances, scored five runs, walked twice, recorded one RBI and went 4-of-4 in stolen bases. Senior Nicoleen Ochoa (Madison, Ohio) was responsible for a team-high six runs and added six hits, accounted for two doubles and walked three times.
 
Senior Tiffany Bearns (Lusby, Md.) ranked third on the team in weekend batting average (.357.), crossing the plate four times, had five hits with one being a double and stole one base. Senior Jacqueline Pickering (Bowie, Md.) played in all five games, making 15 plate appearances and was responsible for five runs, five hits which included two doubles and four RBI.
 
Senior Inaya Jones (Baltimore, Md.) racked up seven RBI over the five games even pitched one game.
 
The Bulldogs open conference play on March 16th at the CIAA Round-Up hosted by Elizabeth City State. Bowie State will open the weekend versus Fayetteville State at 2 p.m. (Friday) followed by a 4:30 contest against Johnson C. Smith.