Box Score RALEIGH, N.C. – Southern Division Co-Champion Saint Augustine's University earned its second straight trip to the CIAA Softball Championship finals after defeating Chowan University 4-1 in the winner's bracket at Walnut Creek Softball Complex on Saturday, May 2, 2015.
The Lady Falcons (21-12 overall) will attempt to win their first CIAA title since 1991 on Sunday, May 3, at Walnut Creek Softball Complex at 10 a.m. They will face Chowan in a rematch after the Hawks defeated defending champion Winston-Salem State University 12-9 Saturday night in the elimination bracket.
The Lady Falcons, who are unbeaten in the double elimination tournament, need only one win to claim the league crown and advance to their first NCAA Division II Tournament in school history. Chowan will have to win twice to claim the title.
Jasmine Rios (Fr./Greensboro, NC) sparked the Lady Falcons against Chowan, the Northern Division champions. The first-year outfielder went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, one RBI and two runs scored. Her solo homer over the right field fence in the fourth inning padded the Lady Falcons' lead to 4-1 after Tina White put the Hawks (24-13 overall) on the scoreboard in the third inning with an RBI double to score Jordan Burland-Card. Meranda Zanni (So./Virginia Beach, VA) went 2-for-3 with an RBI double to left field which scored Rios for a 1-0 Lady Falcons' lead in the first inning. She also gained the pitching win to improve to 8-2 after hurling a four-hitter and allowing one run in four innings. Hannah Stutts (Sr./Statesville, NC) of the Lady Falcons picked up her second save this season after giving up two hits and striking out two batters in three innings. Zanni and Stutts combined to limit the Hawks to six hits. The Lady Falcons pounded out 12 hits but left eight runners on base. They scored enough runs to build an early lead then relied on good pitching and defense.
The Lady Falcons added two runs in the second inning for a 3-0 lead. Jo'Landa White (Sr./Leland, NC) scored on a wild pitch and Danyelle Noland (Fr./Nashville, NC) singled to score Porscha Walton (Fr./Chesterfield, VA). The Hawks added a run in the third on White's double, but the Lady Falcons didn't allow their opponent to get closer. Chandler Bridges went 2-for-3 to lead the Hawks. Alora Lincoln was tagged with the loss after allowing seven hits in 1.2 innings. Courtney Groce finished for the Hawks, allowing five hits while striking out three batters and allowing one run in 5.1 innings.
