Bowie State Softball Claims Consecutive Conference Titles, Preps for Regional Tourney

Bulldogs Aim for National Title, History by Winning Regional

MEDIA CONTACT: Jonathan Saxon, [email protected], 301-860-3607

(BOWIE, Md.) - When the last out was recorded against Claflin University, Bowie State junior centerfielder Jayla Hill recalled the moment the BSU softball team realized they had accomplished the main goal they had talked about all season: repeating as CIAA conference tournament champions.

By defeating the Panthers (19-23), the Bulldogs advanced to the NCAA Division II regional tournament for the fifth time in program history. But beyond just making it, Bulldogs coach Ed Powell said the team has every intention of extending their season and becoming the first HBCU softball team to win a regional title when they open tournament play against East Stroudsburg University on May 9 at 11 a.m. at Creekview Park drawing on the energy of the conference win.

"Everyone running onto the field to celebrate after the last out, it was amazing," said Hill, who was named tournament MVP after finishing with seven hits, three runs and eight RBI during the Bulldogs' (20-21) 4-0 run to their second consecutive conference title.

Bowie State started the second game against Claflin playing catch up, as they trailed the Panthers 1-0 in the first inning before scoring two runs, one of which was powered by freshman centerfielder Presleigh Braxton's RBI double, to take the lead.

The Panthers wouldn't quit easy, as Claflin came up with three more runs in the second inning to take a 4-2 lead. Claflin would increase their lead to 6-3 before the Bulldog bats came alive and tied the game at six-all in the fourth inning.

The Panthers broke the tie and took the lead heading into the sixth inning, but the Bulldogs rallied for six runs in the bottom of the sixth to claim an 11-8 lead they would not relinquish.

"As soon as you get that last out, you feel so happy," said junior catcher Ellie Henneberg. "We were jumping up onto each other."

Heading into the regional competition, Coach Powel said, "We have to keep doing the same things we've been doing. Getting people on base, creating havoc on the base paths and playing solid softball. We have an opportunity to do something that hasn't been done before."

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