GLEN ALLEN, VA - The Bowie State University Bulldogs softball team is heading to the NCAA Division II postseason for the fourth time in school history after capturing the 2023 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Championship at the RF&P Park, beating the defending CIAA Champions of Claflin University by a score of 8-2.

Sophomore Lindsey George (14-6) started in the circle and picked up the win for Bowie State (35-14). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on four hits, allowing five walks and striking out six.

Sophomore Sydney Edmond's four-hit day led the Bulldogs offensively. Senior Shanya Gordon furnished a standout day at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with a walk and three RBI. Sophomore Jayla Hill also chipped in for Bowie State, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding two doubles.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bulldogs got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Edmond came across to score the lone run of the inning for Bowie State and get them on the board.

The Lady Panthers failed to push any runs across before the Bulldogs offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. Bowie State scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Gordon, which brought the score to 2-0 in favor of the Bulldogs.

BSU held Claflin without a run before building their lead to 3-0 in the fourth inning.

The Lady Panthers gained ground, closing the gap to 3-2 until Bowie State added some insurance in the sixth. Graduate senior Aseyah Alexander and Gordon came in to score the two Bulldogs runs in the frame, bringing the score to 5-2 in favor of Bowie State.

The Bulldogs held Claflin off the scoreboard before building on their lead to 8-2 the following inning. The score remained 8-2 for the rest of the game, as the Bulldogs coasted to the win.

GAME NOTES
» Edmond compiled four hits on the day for Bowie State.
» George struck out six Lady Panthers hitters.
» The Bulldogs power output was led by Hill, who compiled two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Bowie State's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed three runs across.
» Bowie State took a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Bulldogs out-hit the Panthers at a 9-4 clip.
» Bowie State pitchers limited Claflin to just 1-for-9 (.111) with runners in scoring position.
» Bowie State pitchers faced 31 Claflin hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out six.
» The Bulldogs drew four walks from Claflin pitching.
» Gordon led the Bulldogs at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three RBI.
» Claflin was led offensively by Zecariya Fenwick, who went 1-for-1 with a double.
» Jaelyn Jackson led the Panthers pitching staff, throwing seven innings of eight-run ball.
 

2023 CIAA SOFTBALL ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Sierra Crocker, Winston-Salem State
Kara Green, Virginia State
Brenay Howard, Claflin
Lindsey George, Bowie State*
Aniyah Jackson, Winston-Salem State
Jaelyn Jackson, Claflin
Trinity Mizelle, Bowie State
Hailey Darrington, Virginia State  
Kayla Evans, Bowie State
*MVP

WHAT'S NEXT
The Bulldogs will await the official seeding for the NCAA Division II softball playoffs within the coming days.

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