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Bowie State University Athletics

Bowie State Bulldogs
CIAA Softball Champions
6
Claflin CLAFSB 25-23
7
Winner Bowie State BSU1 27-18
Claflin CLAFSB
25-23
6
Final
7
Bowie State BSU1
27-18
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Claflin CLAFSB 1 0 3 0 2 0 0 6 9 1
Bowie State BSU1 1 2 1 0 0 3 X 7 9 1

W: Drakeford, Makayla (2-1) L: BROWN,Ava (7-6)

Game Recap: Softball |

Bulldogs Battle Back to Top Claflin, Clinch Third Straight CIAA Championship

ORANGENBURG, SC --The Bowie State softball team (27-18) rallied from a 6-4 deficit in the fifth inning to defeat Claflin 7-6 on Saturday afternoon, claiming the 2025 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) softball championship at the Orangeburg Recreation Park. The victory completes a championship three-peat, as the Bulldogs have now won three consecutive CIAA titles under head coach Ed Powell.

Makayla Drakeford earned the win in relief, tossing three scoreless innings and allowing just one hit.

In the batter's box, the Bulldogs were paced by Presleigh Braxton, who went 2-for-4 on the day with a home run and an RBI. Mikayla Amos put together a noteworthy performance as well, going 1-for-1 with a double, two walks and two RBI. Aralynn Robinson also chipped in for BSU, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding an RBI.

The Matchup
The Bulldogs found themselves down 1-0 in the first inning before finally getting on the board. Tournament MVP Coreena Dunham crossed home plate to score Bowie State's first run, tying the game.

The offense continued in the next inning, as BSU tacked on two more runs. A single from Robinson drove in Sydney Edmond and Amos, giving the Bulldogs a 3-1 lead.

However, that lead didn't last long. By the third inning, Claflin had rallied to take a 4-3 advantage. Bowie State responded quickly, tying the game at 4-4 on an inside-the-park home run by Braxton off the Lady Panthers pitcher Sydra Pendleton.

Claflin reclaimed the lead heading into the sixth inning, but the Bulldogs weren't done. Bowie State struck for three runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Amos, pushing the score to 7-6 in their favor. The Bulldogs held onto that lead for the rest of the game to secure the win.

GAME NOTES
» BSU's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Dunham stole two bases in Saturday's game.
» Bowie State went 4-for-8 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
» Braxton led the Bulldogs at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
» Dunham earned tournament MVP & All Tournament team, alongside Lindsey George with the All-Tournament team selection.

Up Next
The Bulldogs will await the official seeding for the NCAA Division II softball playoffs which will be announced on May 5 at 10 a.m. 

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

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