Raleigh, N.C. — Livingstone College softball earned a meaningful split on Friday, highlighted by a 4–3 victory over Virginia State — the program's first victory against the Trojans in well over a decade based on recent results.
GAME 1: Livingstone 4, Virginia State 3
Livingstone opened the day with a resilient performance, rallying from an early deficit and delivering clutch hits to secure a 4–3 victory over Virginia State.
The Trojans took a 2–0 lead with runs in the first and third innings, but the Blue Bears answered back in the bottom of the third when
Khala Porter drove in
Rylee Watson.
In the fourth,
Valeria Rolon tied the game with an RBI double. The momentum continued into the fifth:
Lanise Pates delivered the go‑ahead two‑RBI single that scored
Alyse Stokes and Watson, putting Livingstone ahead 4–2.
Pates, who controlled the circle all afternoon, threw a complete game allowing just four hits, zero walks, and no earned runs.
GAME 2: Elizabeth City State 5, Livingstone 2
Livingstone fell 5–2 in the evening matchup against Elizabeth City State despite a late push and a strong three‑hit performance from
Alyse Stokes.
The Vikings built an early 4–0 lead behind a sacrifice fly, an RBI triple, and two runs coming off errors. Livingstone cracked the scoreboard in the fourth when Stokes singled in
Makaylah Sutton.
In the sixth,
Aniyah Jones drove in
Tykera Lundy on a single that turned into extra bases after an outfield error, trimming the deficit to 5–2. The Blue Bears continued to apply pressure but were unable to complete the comeback.
Jones pitched all six innings, allowing only five hits, though defensive miscues resulted in unearned runs that proved costly.
UP NEXT: FINAL DAY OF CIAA ROUND-UP
The Blue Bears will close out the CIAA Round-Up on Saturday, March 28, with two matchups:
- Game 1: vs. Virginia Union — 1:30 PM
- Game 2: vs. Lincoln (PA) — 4:00 PM
