Raleigh, N.C. – After rain postponed the start of the Raleigh Triangle D2 Classic, the Chowan University softball team opened their tournament action with a thrilling win over Clarion, followed by a decisive victory against Staten Island to go 2-1 on Saturday.
THE BASICS
FINAL GAME ONE | Chowan 5, Clarion 4
FINAL GAME TWO | Chowan 9 , Staten Island 1
FINAL GAME THREE | Chowan 1, West Virginia State 5
RECORDS | Chowan 7-4, Clarion 1-1, Staten Island 0-2, West Virginia State 5-4
LOCATION | Raleigh, N.C. (Walnut Creek Softball Complex)
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
In game one against Clarion, Chowan wasted no time setting the tone. Kaitlyn Springle doubled down the left field line to score Kyra Helton and Ava Mizell before Lenita Bryson added an RBI single to give the Hawks an early 3-0 lead. Clarion bounced back adding four runs in the top of the 2nd to take the lead back from the Hawks at 4-3.
After a scoreless 3rd inning, Helton delivered a single to left field plating Julianna Kellogg and evening the score at 4-4. With the game knotted up in the bottom of the 6th inning, Mizell launched a solo home run to left center that would eventually secure the 5-4 victory for the Hawks. Mizell finished with two runs scored, an RBI, and three stolen bases. Springle tallied two RBIs, while Helton recorded two hits and an RBI. In the circle, Abby Rutledge earned the win, tossing 5.1 scoreless innings in relief without allowing a hit and striking out five.
In game two Chowan carried the same momentum against Staten Island, plating eight runs in the second inning en route to a 9-1 victory. Hope Soria and Calliope James each had a hit, a run, and brought in two RBI, while Alexis Denham tallied two hits, two runs, and an RBI. Emily Fowler took the win on the mound, allowing just one hit and one run while striking out four over five innings.
In the final game of the day, Chowan dropped a 5- decision to West Virginia State. The Yellow Jackets put up five runs in their first two at-bats. The Hawks broke through in the third inning when Mizell scored on an error after reaching base earlier in the inning. Mizell led the offense with two hits, including a double, while Helton, James, Kellogg, Kugler, Kyndal Hopkins, and Morgan Baccus each recorded a hit. Rutledge, James, and Makenzi Curry combined efforts in the circle, as Curry struck out three over the final three innings. Rutledge was credited with the loss in the game.
UP NEXT
The Hawks continue play in Raleigh, N.C. at the D2 Triangle Classic on Sunday, March 1st with the first game of the day at 9:30 AM against Emory & Henry and the second game of the day at 12:00 PM against Shaw University.
