PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Bowie State softball split a pair of dramatic games at Chestnut Hill Friday afternoon, falling 10-11 in game one before taking game two 5-4 in seven innings. The Bulldogs improve to 6-8-1 overall while the Griffins stand 3-11 overall.
Game 1: Bowie State, 10 – Chestnut Hill, 11
The Bulldogs got off to a great start in the opener, taking a 5-3 lead over CHU with four hits, including a triple from freshman Saniya Jones (Louisa, VA). The Griffins scored four runs in the second to take a 7-5 lead over the Bulldogs.
Jones decorated the Bulldogs two runs in the third after plating her third homer of the season but the Griffins also added three more, extending their lead 10-7 heading into the fourth inning.
A double from junior Akira Pullen (Baltimore, MD) allowed freshman Alyssa Cloutier (Derwood, MD) to score before Jones sent one over the fence again which led to a 10-all tie. Chestnut Hill secured one run on a single that would eventually give them the win as neither team scored for the remainder of the contest.
Graduate senior Evelyn Buehlman (Ellicott City, MD) took the loss, allowing seven earned runs on 12 hits with one strikeout and three balls tossed in four innings.
Game 2: Bowie State, 5 – Chestnut Hill, 4
The Bulldogs scored first off a Griffin error. Cloutier had reached on a walk and then stole second before advancing to third on a sacrifice fly from freshman Kayla Evans (Bridgeville, DE). A fielder’s choice provided the score as Cloutier came home on a throwing miscue.
With a 1-0 lead, the second inning would be scoreless for both teams. Bowie State managed to score one in the third before CHU cracked the scoreboard with two runs of their own on a pair of hits, including a home run as the game tied at 2-apiece at the end of the third.
The Griffins tacked on one in the fourth as both teams went scoreless again in the fifth. The Bulldogs reeled off three hits highlighted by a home run for freshman Brenna Harvey (York, PA) – her second of the year that led to three runs for BSU and a 5-3 advantage. Chestnut Hill scored an unearned run in the bottom sixth but the Bulldogs were able to halt any more runs down the stretch.
Pullen and freshman Lindsey George (Fayetteville, GA) split the pitching duties with Pullen acquiring the win. Both pitchers allowed four hits and two runs, walking one and George striking out two in four innings of work.
Bowie State will return to action Saturday, Mar. 19 at home versus Pitt-Johnstown for a 1 p.m. doubleheader at the BSU softball field.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State University Athletics and its 13 varsity sports teams, please visit www.bsubulldogs.com.