CLINTON, SC — The South Carolina State softball team snapped a 51-game losing streak on Tuesday, March 9 at Presbyterian College, winning the first game of the doubleheader 8-0 in five innings. SC State tallied 10 hits in the game and every Bulldog in the lineup had at least one hit. Presbyterian (5-1) took the second game 3-1.
The win was the first for the SCSU (1-6) since a 9-8 win over Savannah State on April 28, 2018.
"A Bulldog win for the first time in three years is a huge accomplishment and something I am extremely proud to be a part of," said head coach Tatjana Matthews. Though just in my first official season at State, in 12 years as a coach this win is in the top 10 of my best moments."
Matthews noted, "We are at the beginning of a new era at SC State Softball. Fostering an attitude of tenacity and pride for the program for has been the focal point this season. These ladies have overcome so many obstacles this past year, including COVID-19 and changes that comes with it."
Game one was scoreless heading into the top of the fourth when SC State picked up seven runs. Kat Coe blasted a three-run home run to get the scoring going.
Tajah Clark and Ja'Nautica Cohen both had RBI singles in the inning, while Kyla Reeves hit a two-run double in the frame.
In the fifth inning, Clark singled to left center field to drive in the final run of the game. Clark went 2-for-3 with two RBI and one run in the first game.
DeAsia Lowther improved to 1-3 on the season after pitching a three-hit complete game while striking out three.
In game two, Presbyterian scored runs in the second, third and sixth innings to take the win. The Bulldogs' only run came in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly
by Clark. Jade Hendricks fell to 0-2 after pitching six innings and allowing five hits and three runs (two earned). Coe tallied two hits in the night cap, while
Alston Jenkins had the Lady Bulldogs' other hit.
"We worked hard to not let those issues affect our focus. We made some adjustments at practice this last week to encourage an atmosphere of competitiveness that made a huge impact," continued Matthews. "These small changes, in addition to the hard work the girls have put in at practice showed yesterday. Their newfound tenacity finally resulted in a long-deserved win, and we couldn't be more excited for the future of the program."
The Bulldogs return to action this weekend when they host North Carolina A&T in a pair of Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheaders. Saturday's
doubleheader is slated to start at 1 p.m. and Sunday's first pitch is set for 12 p.m.
