Orangeburg, S.C.- The lady Blue Bears came up just short in both games of a CIAA doubleheader against Claflin University on Friday afternoon in Orangeburg, S.C., falling 6–4 in Game 1 and 8–5 in Game 2.
Game 1: Claflin 6, Livingstone 4
Claflin used early offense to build a lead and held off a late push from Livingstone in the opener. The Panthers scored five runs across the first two innings before adding another in the fourth to take a 6–0 advantage.
Livingstone responded in the fifth inning when Natayah Abdul‑Hakim launched a two‑run home run to left field, scoring
Makaylah Sutton.
Rylee Watson followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 6–3. The Blue Bears added one more run in the seventh, but the rally came up short.
Abdul‑Hakim led the offense with three RBIs, while Sutton finished 2‑for‑3.
Lanise Pates went the distance in the circle for Livingstone, allowing six runs while striking out one.
Game 2: Claflin 8, Livingstone 5
Livingstone jumped out early in Game 2, scoring four runs in the second inning highlighted by RBI hits from
Emma Cardenas,
Makaylah Sutton, and
Gerielle Dumervil. The Blue Bears added another run in the third to extend the lead to 5–0.
Claflin battled back, scoring three runs in the third inning and taking control with a three‑run fifth before adding two more in the sixth to secure the win. Livingstone tallied eight hits in the game, led by Sutton, who went 2‑for‑3 with an RBI, while Cardenas and
Lanise Pates added extra‑base hits.
Emma Cardenas was charged with the loss despite a strong relief effort after a scoreless opening frame from
Aniyah Jones.
Up Next
Livingstone will be back on the road as the Blue Bears travel to face Shaw University on Saturday, April 11, for a doubleheader with first pitch set for 1 p.m. and the second game scheduled for 3 p.m.
