Tuskegee downs Clark-Atlanta in SIAC Softball Championship opener
HAMPTON, Ga. (goldentigersports.com) The Tuskegee University softball team wasted little time in defense of their back-to-back Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) championship, using a pair of homeruns to pull away from Clark Atlanta 9-3 in the opener of the 2016 SIAC Softball Championships.
Tuskegee (21-29) scored three runs in the first inning when Kaylin Finch hit a three-run homerun to left centerfield, and added three more in the sixth on a three-run homerun by Jamaica Williams.
Tuskegee added a pair of runs in the fifth on an RBI groundout by Kenyah Smith, and a Cari Driver RBI single.
Williams finished the day 3-for-4 with three runs scored and three runs batted in, while Chante Warner went 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored. Finch finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Driver added a pair of hits.
Finch (11-11) picked up the victory, going into the fourth inning with another perfect game against Clark Atlanta until she gave up first hit against the Panthers after 8 1/3 innings. She finished with a complete game effort, allowing three runs off of seven hits. She added seven strikeouts.
Ajada Cofield (6-16) was the hard luck loser after being knocked out of the game after two batters on a comebacker by Warner in the bottom of the first inning. Shalonda Woods finished the game for Clark Atlanta, going 5.2 innings and allowing eight runs (six earned) off of 11 hits.
Ashley Nelson and Sharnitra Woods each added a pair of hits for Clark Atlanta in the loss.
Tuskegee advances to play in the winners bracket at 12 noon (est) Friday against West Division rival Stillman College. Clark Atlanta will play at 10 am (est) Friday against Albany State.
