Box Score The Clark Atlanta University Lady Panthers softball team ended the regular season Saturday with a come-from-behind, 8-6 win over Benedict at Lady Panthers Field.
The Lady Panthers (10-24, 7-11 SIAC) have been on a roll, winning six of their last eight games They had already qualified for this week's Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship tournament when Fort Valley State's loss to Benedict Friday ensuring CAU a fourth-place finish in the SIAC East Division. The top four teams in the East and West divisions make the SIAC tournament, which will be held in Albany, Ga. May 3-5.
Saturday, the Lady Panthers fell behind early when Benedict scored two runs in the first inning. But in the third, CAU got singles from
Shalonda Woods and
Tatianna Kelly, followed by
Sharnitra Woods being hit by a pitch, which loaded the bases.
The Lady Panthers scored when
Chase Gray-Still hit a grounder that was misplayed by Benedict's third baseman and
Lakimia Terrell hit into a fielder's choice, giving CAU a 3-2 lead. In the fourth inning,
Sharnitra Woods singled in
Caitlyn Williams in the fourth to extend the lead to 4-2 and go in front to stay.
Caitlyn Williams went 2-for-3 and scored three times;
Sharnitra Woods had two hits and drove in two runs, while Gray-Still had two RBIs. Kelly went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI, while
Shalonda Woods was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
Ajada Cofield struck out three and scattered ten hits in earning the win on the mound for CAU.
The Lady Panthers will now get ready for Thursday's SIAC tournament opener at 2 p.m. in Albany, Ga.