Box Score PETERSBURG, VA- The Chowan University softball team defeated Fayetteville State 9-4 in the opening round of the CIAA Tournament on Thursday afternoon.  The Hawks advance to the quarterfinals with the win and will take on Winston-Salem State on Thursday at the Petersburg Sports Complex at 5:00pm. 
 
The Lady Broncos scored two runs to open up the top of the first inning using Sierra Holmes' single up the middle, but the Hawks were quick to answer back in their half of the frame, scoring two runs using a Lady Bronco error and Kayla Brady's single to right. 
 
Alex Wickham knocked in two runs for Fayetteville State in the top of the second, but RBI's from Tori Cragan and Courtney Baker knotted the score 4-4 in the bottom of the frame.  The Hawks plated three runs in the bottom of the fourth using an RBI single by Jack Byrd and Leighanne Huggins' two-run single to right to take a 7-4 lead. 
 
Liz Hipple scored on a passed ball and Kayla Brady hit an RBI single to extend the Hawks' lead 9-4 in the bottom of the fifth. 
 
The Hawks held the Lady Broncos through the remainder of the contest to secure the 9-4 win.  Alora Lincoln threw three innings in the contest while Courtney Groce tossed four innings in-relief to earn the win.  Groce held Fayetteville State scoreless in four innings of work.  Courtney Baker, Jack Byrd, Kayla Brady, Brook Bowen and Leighanne Huggins each had two hits for the Hawks in the win.  Brady and Huggins each had two RBI for the Blue and White.