The Clark Atlanta University Lady Panthers softball team opened the 2021 season – and playing for the first time since March 2020 - by splitting a doubleheader with Talladega College at Lady Panther Field Wednesday afternoon.
The Lady Panthers last played in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Crossover in March 13, 2020 – 362 days ago – on a day when the end of their game with Spring Hill also was the end of the season CAU due to growing concerns about Covid-19.
But with CAU President Dr. George T. French Jr., throwing out the first pitch before Wednesday's game, the Lady Panthers became the first CAU athletic program to return to competition this season.
In Game 1, the Lady Panthers (1-0) won a come-from behind battle 4-3 over the Tornadoes (0-5).
The Lady Panthers fell behind early as Talladega's K'yanna Wimbush and Elisa Clay each drove in a run in the top of the first inning. CAU's
Judasia Blalock walked and eventually scored on a wild pitch in the second inning to cut the lead to 2-1.
Clay drove in another run for Talladega on a base hit to right field in the third inning to extend the Tornadoes lead to 3-1.
But in the bottom of the fifth, CAU's
Rime Clark singled,
Elana Edusei reached on an error and
Tatianna Kelly walked.
Johannas Bentley then singled in a run and Judasia Blaylock drove in two more on base hit to put the Lady Panthers ahead for good at 4-3.
In Game 2, Talladega erupted for eight runs over the first four innings, getting out to an 8-2 lead. But the Lady Panthers fought back, getting three runs in the bottom of the fourth to cut the lead to 8-5. Talladega continued their offensive explosion, getting six more runs in the fifth inning to seemingly put the game out of reach at 14-5.
But led by Bentley, who had two hits and drove in the three runs in the fifth inning alone, had seven runs of their own to pull to within two at 14-12. However, that was all they could muster as Talladega added an insurance run in the seventh to take a wild 15-12 victory.
In her first day in a Lady Panther uniform, Bentley had three singles, a double, four RBIs and scored once. Kelly also had a big day with a single, a triple, two doubles and scoring three times.
Paityn White walked three times, scoring three times.
The Lady Panthers are back on the field Friday and Saturday when they host Fort Valley State University in doubleheaders both days. Games both days are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Lady Panther Field.
