BOWIE, Md. – Bowie State University softball split a crucial CIAA northern division matchup against Elizabeth City State University on Saturday afternoon, winning game one 5-4 but suffered a tough 6-5 loss in extra innings in game two.
 
Freshman Amaya Ferguson (Orange, Va.) paced Bowie State (7-17, 8-7 CIAA, 4-4 North) with five hits, which included a pair of triples. Senior Morgan Powell (Upper Marlboro, Md.), sophomore Aseyah Alexander (Silver Spring, Md.) and freshman Shanya Gordon (Elkridge, Md.) contributed two hits apiece. Sophomore Morgana Johnson (Baltimore, Md.) recorded one hit over the two-game set.
 
Freshman Kristina Hawke (New Castle, Del.) came in relief in game one to earn the win in the circle while Powell took the loss in the circle in game two.
 
After two scoreless innings in game one, Elizabeth City State (10-16, 7-8 CIAA, 4-4 North) plated two in the top of the 3rd inning and held a 2-0 advantage until the bottom of the 4th inning when Gordan scored on a passed ball.
 
ECSU's Vikings got that run back in the top of the 5th only to have the Bulldogs tie the game at 3-all in the bottom of the frame.
 
Bowie State gained its first lead of the opener in the bottom of the 6th inning. Bearns began the inning with a double to right center and freshman Sierra Sims (Ormond Beach, Fla.) reached on an error that moved Bearns to third. Senior Madison Margas (Grasonville, Md.) reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Bearns on the play, giving the Bulldogs a 4-3 lead.
 
ECSU's Stephanie Komives (Virginia Beach, Va.) stroked a double to start the 7th inning and Alyssa Griffin (Edenton, N.C.) laced a double another double, pushing Komives across the dish and tying the score at 4-all.
 
The Bulldogs had one more chance to capture the win in the 7th inning and did just that. After a leadoff strike out, Alexander singled through the left side of the Vikings defense and moved to second when Hawke reached on a throwing error. Gordon recorded the winning RBI on a single up the middle, scoring Alexander and gave Bowie State the 5-4 victory.
 
Game two began with three scoreless innings before Bowie State's Alexander put the first run up for the Bulldogs in the bottom on the 4th inning after Alexander reached on a triple.
 
The Vikings plated two in the top of the 5th inning but the Bulldogs tied the contest at 2-2 in the bottom of the 6th inning.
 
Elizabeth City State used a four hit, three-run 7th inning to take a 5-2 advantage but Bowie State battled back to knot the score at 5-all with a trio of runs on three hits in their share of the inning. The BSU Bulldogs were in prime position to closeout game two with the bases loaded and two outs. However, Margas lined out to short ending the Bulldogs threat and sent the game to extra innings using international rules.
 
With ECSU pitcher Shea Vacarro on second, Sydney Smith grounded out but advanced Vacarro to third. Vacarro scored the eventual game winner via wild pitch.
 
Bowie State's Margas was placed on second to begin the Bulldogs share of the 8th inning but was replaced by Johnson as a pinch runner. Sims stepped to the plate and fouled out followed by a strike out by senior Jaelyn Belt (Glen Burnie, Md.), giving the Bulldogs two outs. Powell hit a shot to shortstop which advanced Johnson to third. Unfortunately, Alexander flew out to deep center field for third out and provided the Vikings with the 6-5 win.
 
The Bulldogs will have little time to rest as they return to action on Sunday (April 14), hosting the northern division leading Chowan Hawks in a doubleheader at Jericho Park. First pitch is set for 12 p.m., weather permitting.