ORANGEBURG, S.C. — The Bowie State softball team (24-21) quest for a fourth consecutive Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Softball Championship came to an end Friday evening as the Bulldogs fell 7-5 to Winston-Salem State in the semifinal round of the elimination bracket, concluding the 2026 season.
BSU battled through three games on Friday at the CIAA Softball Championship, earning consecutive victories over Virginia Union and Lincoln (PA) before a hard-fought loss to Winston-Salem State ended the Bulldogs' postseason run.
Game One: Bowie State 7, Virginia Union 5
The Bulldogs opened the day with a resilient comeback victory over VUU, powered by three home runs and a decisive four-run fifth inning.
Virginia Union struck first in the top of the third inning with a two-run home run, but Bowie State quickly responded.
Taylor Dawkins sparked the offense with a double before
Sydney Seals tied the game with a two-run homer to center field. Later in the inning,
Ja'chelle Mosley drove in the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice to give BSU a 3-2 advantage.
The Lady Panthers reclaimed the lead in the fifth with a three-run rally, but the Bulldogs answered immediately.
Presleigh Braxton doubled and scored on a wild pitch before Seals launched her second home run of the contest to even the score. Moments later,
Angelina Nguyen-Nhu delivered a two-run blast to put Bowie State ahead 7-5.
Seals delivered a dominant performance in the circle, pitching a complete game while striking out 10 and allowing just four hits.
Bowie State Top Performers vs. Virginia Union
Sydney Seals
- 2 home runs
- 3 RBIs
- 10 strikeouts
Presleigh Braxton
- 1 double
- 3 stolen bases
- 1 walk
Angelina Nguyen-Nhu
Game Two: Bowie State 8, Lincoln (PA) 0
BSU continued its momentum with an impressive shutout victory over Lincoln (PA), advancing in the elimination bracket with an 8-0 win.
The Bulldogs wasted little time getting on the board, as
India Stokes reached after being hit by a pitch and later scored on a Dawkins RBI double in the opening inning. BSU extended its lead in the second when
Ryan Fraser stole home, setting the tone for the remainder of the contest.
The Bulldogs put the game away in the sixth inning when Nguyen-Nhu crushed a three-run home run, sealing the run-rule victory.
Aaliyah Amos was stellar in the circle, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing just two hits to earn her ninth win of the season.
Bowie State Top Performers vs. Lincoln (PA)
Taylor Dawkins
Angelina Nguyen-Nhu
Aaliyah Amos
- Complete-game shutout
- 2 hits allowed
Samiyah Abdul-Khabir
Winston-Salem State 7, Bowie State 5
The Bulldogs facing Winston-Salem State for the second time in the tournament, BSU mounted a late rally but ultimately came up short as its season came to a close.
The Lady Rams capitalized on walks and defensive miscues to score four runs in the first inning and added another run to build a 5-1 advantage through four innings.
Dawkins provided an early spark with a solo home run and delivered again in the seventh inning with her second homer of the game, cutting the deficit to two. The Bulldogs added another run and threatened late, but WSSU held on to secure the victory.
Amos pitched another complete game for Bowie State, recording eight strikeouts while also contributing offensively with two hits and an RBI.
Bowie State Top Performers vs. Winston-Salem State
Taylor Dawkins
- 2 home runs
- 3 RBIs
- 2 runs scored
Aaliyah Amos
- 2 hits
- 1 RBI
- 8 strikeouts
Ja'chelle Mosley
Mikayla Amos
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 14 varsity sport teams, visit bsubulldogs.com.
