Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 RALEIGH, NC- The quest for the 2015 CIAA Softball Championship came down to the wire on Sunday afternoon but it was the Lady Falcons who had the final say as Saint Augustine's University topped Chowan University in the if-necessary game 8-2 at the Walnut Creek Softball Complex.  With the win, the Lady Falcons earned the CIAA Softball Championship crown and advance to the NCAA Atlantic Region tournament with an automatic bid.  The Hawks' season comes to an end with a 26-14 overall record. 

Chowan entered play on Sunday needing to top the Lady Falcons twice to earn the title.  The Hawks defeated Saint Augustine's University 3-2 in the first game, forcing the if-necessary contest.  Down but not out, the Lady Falcons topped Chowan 8-2 to win their first CIAA Championship title since the 1991 season and earn their first-ever NCAA Atlantic Region tournament berth. 

In the first game, after two scoreless innings, Tina White stepped to the plate with two outs in the top of the third and laced a two-run double to right field to give the Hawks an early 1-0 advantage.  In the bottom of the fourth, a solo homerun to left center by Marley Parker knotted the score.  Jo'Landa White's RBI single to left field extended Saint Augustine's lead to 2-1. 

In the top of the sixth, with runners on first and third, Chandler Bridges hit an RBI single up the middle to tied the score 2-2.  In the same frame, White stole third and scored on a Saint Augustine's error to give Chowan the go-ahead run.  The Lady Falcons were unable to answer back offensively, forcing the if-necessary game. 

Tina White had two hits for the loss in the win with Bridges and Rachel Clark each tallying base hit knocks in the win.  Courtney Groce threw 3.2 innings in the contest, surrendering two runs (one earned) off of five hits.  Alora Lincoln entered the game in-relief and earned the victory on the mound.  She surrendered one hit in 3.1 innings of work. 

For the Lady Falcons, Deja White led the effort with three hits while Danyelle Noland, Marley Parker and Jo'Landa each all had one hit apiece. Meranda Zanni took the loss on the mound.  She gave up three runs (two earned runs) on four hits while striking out four batters.  Hannah Stutts threw one inning in-relief. 

Both teams failed to score in the first two innings of play.  The top of the third saw the momentum shift in favor the Lady Falcons when two Hawk errors and an RBI single by Zanni gave Saint Augustine's a 4-0 advantage.  Zanni's RBI single, Parker's sacrifice fly and Deja White's RBI double pushed the Lady Falcons ahead 7-0.  Saint Augustine's plated an additional run in the sixth using Noland's RBI single before Danielle Baccus' two-run double put the Hawks on the board in the bottom of the sixth.  Chowan managed to place two runners on base in their final at-bat but Stutts forced Courtney Diamond to hit a fly ball into center field to secure the victory for the Lady Falcons. 

The Lady Falcons notched 11 hits in the win and took advantage of five errors to earn the win.  Noland led the effort with three hits.  Parker, White and Zanni each tallied two hits with Parker notching three RBIs. 

 Chowan had eight hits in the setback.  Jordan Burland-Card had two hits in her final game for the Hawks with six different players tallying base hit knocks. 
Stutts earned the win on the mound for the Lady Falcons.  She threw six innings in the contest, surrendering two runs (two earned) off of seven hits.  Meranda Zanni entered the game in-relief.  She tossed one inning and held the Hawks to one hit. 

Lincoln was charged with the loss on the mound.  She threw 4.1 innings in the contest and surrendered seven runs (one earned) off of eight hits.  Groce pitched 2.2 innings in-relief, scattering three hits and surrendering one unearned run.  The Hawks' defense allowed seven unearned runs in the contest. 

The NCAA Division II Softball Selection Show will be aired on Monday.  The time will be released as it becomes available.  Please visit www.ncaa.com for more information. 

Chowan's Burland-Card, Bridges and Lincoln were all named to the CIAA All-Tournament Team.  Burland-Card made 22 putouts behind the plate for the Blue and White and tallied two hits in the if-necessary game.  Bridges posted a tournament average of .389 with four RBI while Lincoln threw 16.1 innings over the course of six games with a 2.57 earned run average.  

The CIAA All-Tournament Team is listed below:
 
Chandler Bridges (Chowan University)
Jordan Burland-Card (Chowan University)
Cassandra Clayborne (Bowie State University)
Taylor Hamilton (Virginia Union University)
Mercedes Hargett (Winston-Salem State University)
Tatyana Jordan (Virginia State University)
Alora Lincoln (Chowan University)
Marley Parker (Saint Augustine's University)
Jasmine Rios (Saint Augustine's University)
Kiah Ruffin (Winston-Salem State University)
Hannah Stutts (Saint Augustine's University)
Miranda Zanni (Saint Augustine's University)- Most Valuable Player