CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 14, 2026) – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association announces its Week Nine Softball Honors for games played April 5 through April 11. The weekly awards recognize top performances in the circle, at the plate, in the field, and from a standout rookie across the conference.
Pitcher of the Week - Sydney Seals, Bowie State University
Sophomore pitcher Sydney Seals delivered an elite performance in the circle for Bowie State, going 3 and 0 across three appearances during the week. Seals totaled 14.0 innings pitched, allowing just one earned run on eight hits while striking out 12 batters.
She recorded two complete game shutouts, including a dominant one hit performance with nine strikeouts against Virginia Union. Seals’ consistency, command, and ability to control opposing lineups played a key role in the Bulldogs’ success.
Offensive Player of the Week - Tania Shoulders, Claflin University
Junior infielder Tania Shoulders delivered a standout offensive performance to help lead Claflin to a perfect 6 and 0 week. Shoulders totaled 10 hits, 10 RBI, and scored 10 runs while consistently producing in key moments for the Panthers.
Her week included one triple, one home run, and eight stolen bases, showcasing her ability to impact the game with both power and speed. Shoulders’ production played a major role in Claflin’s offensive success.
Defensive Player of the Week - Aniyah Jackson, Claflin University
Senior utility player Aniyah Jackson anchored the Panthers defensively while contributing at the plate during a perfect 6 and 0 week. Jackson posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage while playing both first base and second base, making key plays in critical moments.
Offensively, she added seven hits, including one triple and two doubles, along with one RBI and two stolen bases. Her versatility and consistency were instrumental in Claflin’s success.
Rookie of the Week - Jazzmyn Ohlson, Fayetteville State University
Freshman second baseman Jazzmyn Ohlson made an immediate impact for Fayetteville State during a two game sweep of Winston Salem State. In game one, Ohlson went 2 for 3 with two runs scored and a game high four RBI, highlighted by a triple and a home run that accounted for four of the Broncos’ runs.
She also drew a walk and added a stolen base, and continued to contribute in game two as a pinch runner, helping the Broncos complete the sweep.
Media Contact:
Anna M. Butzlaff
Associate Commissioner, Strategic Communications
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
abutzlaff@theciaa.com
About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.