FSU SOFTBALL SPLITS WITH BLUEFIELD STATE, 7-5, IN THE POURING RAIN

Courtesy of fsubroncos.com

FAYETTEVILLE, NC – Despite the forecast of incoming precipitation, Fayetteville State squared off against Bluefield State in Seabrook Park Friday afternoon in a non-conference match-up. The scheduled matchup has been moved around the schedule due to inclement weather.

After what turned out to be a soggy contest, the Lady Broncos split the double-header against Bluefield State by the same score of 7-5. The Lady Blues (5-11 overall) claimed the first victory of the day, but FSU (4-15 overall) seized the subsequent game with the same score.

Before the rain clouds overwhelmed the area, Fayetteville State scored first and held a 3-2 lead after closing out the third inning. As it began to drizzle in the fourth, Bluefield State grasped a 2-run outing from one hit and two errors for a one point lead. Things continued to get sticky for the Lady Broncos, as the Lady Blues secured three unearned runs in the top of the seventh from three miscues.

Trailing 7-3, Fayetteville State loaded the bases on walks and was gifted a run from another base on balls. The Lady Blues threw an errant pitch which hit a batter for another round of bases and a score. Down by two, with bases loaded and two outs, FSU saw an opening for another score on a wild pitch situation. As the runner slide for home plate, the umpire gave a brazen jab to signify the out and the end of the first game.

Adjusting to the wet conditions and altered game scheme for the second game, everything materialized for the Lady Broncos in bottom of the fourth.

Sierra Henderson-Holmes (Olivia, NC) led off with a single, as FSU trailed by one. She scored from first when Zoe Howard (Hampstead, NC) reached on a muffed throw that allowed her to advance to third. Erica Rodriguez (Charlotte, NC) singled for a RBI and a 2-1 lead.

The Fayetteville State University Softball Team takes on Bluefield State on March 28, 2014. Photos courtesy
of Tashira Patterson

Facing two outs and bases loaded, Jessica Randolph (Pinetops, NC) singled to left field for a RBI which motivated Alex Wickham (Fayetteville, NC) to single to right field for two runners batted in.

With her second plate apperence of the inning, Holmes singled up the middle to centerfield for two more runs and a 7-1 lead. In Bluefield State’s failed attempt to stop a score, the catcher threw out Holmes prior to her arrival at second base.

Bluefeild State attempted a rally in the fifth inning with four runs off of two hits and three committed errors. After a non-productive bottom of the inning, the Lady Broncos made a few defensive realignments in the sixth and preserved the fourth victory of the season.

Fayetteville State will play host to Livingstone College in a conference double-header on April 1. Five seniors will be recognized during opening ceremonies of the 2:00 pm slate. FSU will host Shaw on April 2nd and Winston-Salem State on Saturday, April 5th.