GAME 1 | Bowie State 10, Shaw 5

RALEIGH, NC --The Bowie State Bulldogs rallied from down 2-1 in the sixth inning to win in thrilling fashion, scoring nine runs in the seventh to secure a 10-5 victory over the Shaw Lady Bears Friday afternoon at Worthdale Park.

Sophomore Karen Fritzges (9-1) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for BSU (29-11, 12-0 CIAA). The right-hander went three innings, giving up two runs, zero earned, on four hits, allowing one walk and striking out one. Senior Akirra Pullen also made an impact in the circle for the Bulldogs, starting the ballgame and throwing four innings, giving up three runs, zero earned, on four hits, with one walk and four strikeouts.

At the plate, the Bulldogs were paced by sophomore Kayla Evans, who went 1-for-4 on the day with a triple and an RBI. Sophomore Lindsey George put together a standout day at the plate as well, going 1-for-4 with a triple and an RBI. Sophomore Jayla Hill also contributed for Bowie State, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding a triple and an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bulldogs got on the scoreboard first, starting in the fifth inning. Bowie State scratched across a run off Shaw when Evans tripled in senior Shanya Gordon.

BSU lost the lead they built in the fifth, but got back on the board in the seventh trailing 2-1. The Bowie State offense exploded for nine runs, highlighted by a one-run single off the bat of sophomore Morgan Joseph, which brought the score to 10-2 in favor of the Bulldogs. Shaw put three runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Bowie State still coasted to the 10-5 win.

GAME NOTES
» Bowie State's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed nine runs across.
» Both Evans and Joseph stole two bases in Friday's game.
» Bowie State went 6-for-19 (.316) with runners in scoring position.
» Bowie State pitchers faced 31 Shaw hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out five.
» Evans led the Bulldogs at the plate, going 1-for-4 with a triple and an RBI.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE
BSU will return home to resume action with Virginia Union on Apr. 28 at 3 p.m. from the BSU softball field. The game was halted due to darkness back on Apr. 15, both teams were tied at 8-all heading into the bottom fifth inning. After the completion of the contest against VUU, Bowie State will await the official seeding of the CIAA Tournament with the Bulldogs more than likely hosting a quarterfinal matchup on campus.

For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 13 varsity sport teams, visit bsubulldogs.com.