DUNCAN, SC -- The Bowie State softball team (1-2) put up a strong fight in a competitive series, rallying late in multiple games and sealing a dramatic walk-off victory against Elizabeth City State in day one at the HBCU Softball Classic.

Game One (Florida Memorial 12, Bowie State 11)
The Bulldogs got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the bottom the first inning with the game still scoreless. Junior Coreena Dunham came across to score the lone run of the inning for Bowie State and get them on the board.

The Lions (6-1) then rallied to score seven runs and take a 7-1 lead before the Bulldogs got back on the board in the fifth. BSU's offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a three-run single off the bat of freshman Rylee Reid, which tightened the Lions lead to 7-5.

Florida Memorial expanded their lead to 12-5 before the Bulldogs offense got back in action, reducing that lead to 12-11 in the seventh. BSU bats heated up in the inning, scoring six runs, including a two-run single off the bat of Dunham and a two-run single from freshman Lisa Frias. The Bulldogs were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.

Game Two (Florida Memorial 7, Bowie State 6)
Freshman Sydney Seals (0-1) started and took the loss in the circle for Bowie State. Freshman Makayla Drakeford was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going two innings, surrendering one run on one hit, walking none and striking out two.

In the batter's box, the Bulldogs were led by Dunham, who went 2-for-4, with a home run and three RBI. Sophomore Ariana Ellerson put together a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Frias also chipped in for Bowie State, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding an RBI.

Trailing 5-0, the Bulldogs first put runs on the board in the fourth inning. Bowie State got on the board thanks to Ellerson's RBI double with one out.

The Lions expanded their lead to 7-1 before the Bulldogs offense got back to work, cutting into that lead in the sixth. The Bowie State offense exploded for five runs, highlighted by a three-run home run off the bat of Dunham, which tightened the Lions lead to 7-6. The Bulldogs were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.

Game Three (Bowie State 4, Elizabeth City State 3) 
Freshman Alycia Searwar (1-0) got the win out of the bullpen for Bowie State. The right-hander went two innings, giving up one run on two hits, allowing one walk and striking out two.

At the plate, the Bulldogs were led by Dunham, who went 2-for-3 on the day with two doubles. Puller put together a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 1-for-2 with two RBI. Sophomore Taylor Dawkins also contributed for Bowie State, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a double.

The Bulldogs got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the bottom the first inning with the game still scoreless. Dunham came across to score the lone run of the inning for Bowie State and get them on the board.

ECSU (3-6) 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 sophomore Nanye Cain-Dixon, which brought the score to 2-0 in favor of the Bulldogs.

The Lady Vikings came back to tie the ballgame at two before BSU reclaimed a 3-2 advantage in the fifth inning. The Bulldogs scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Puller.

ECSU then rallied to tie the ballgame at 3-3 before Bowie State walked it off in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI groundout from Puller that scored Dunham.

Up Next
The Bulldogs are set to compete in three games tomorrow against Tuskegee, Edward Waters, and Albany State, beginning at 10 a.m. at Tyger River Park.

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