Orangeburg Recreational Park | Orangeburg, S.C.
Lincoln (Pa.) used a relentless offensive attack to stay alive in the CIAA Softball Championship Tournament, rolling past Shaw 16–8 on Thursday night in elimination-round action at Orangeburg Recreational Park.
The Lions struck early and never let up, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning to seize control. After singles from Aliya Rose and Ashley Stringer, Jordin Cathe delivered an RBI single to open the scoring. Lincoln then broke the inning open as Samiah Smith smashed a bases-clearing triple to right field, giving the Lions an immediate 4–0 cushion.
Shaw answered with two unearned runs in the bottom of the first to trim the gap to 4–2, but Lincoln quickly reasserted momentum. The Lions erupted for five runs in the third inning, highlighted by RBI hits from Hayley Lawson, Aliya Rose, and a two-run double by Stringer, pushing the lead to 9–2.
Shaw showed resilience with a two-run third inning and added two more in the fourth behind an RBI single from Sierra Scott and a sacrifice fly by Imari Jordan, cutting the deficit to 9–6. Lincoln, however, delivered the decisive blow in the sixth.
The Lions exploded for six runs in the sixth inning, turning the game firmly in their favor. Lawson drove in a run with a double before stealing home, Ajah McDowell added an RBI groundout, and Cathe, Rose, and Stringer each contributed RBI hits as Lincoln stretched the lead to 15–6.
After Shaw plated two runs in the bottom of the sixth, Lincoln added insurance in the seventh when Lawson launched a solo home run to center field, capping a dominant offensive display.
Lincoln finished with 20 hits, placing consistent pressure on Shaw pitching throughout the game. Lawson powered the lineup by going 3-for-3 with a double, home run, three RBIs, and two stolen bases. Stringer went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, while Cathe contributed three hits, two RBIs, and swiped three bases in addition to earning the win in the circle.
In the pitching circle, Jordin Cathe went the distance, allowing eight runs (six earned) on 12 hits while striking out three to improve to 4–5 on the season. SeTara McGee took the loss for Shaw.
Despite the loss, Shaw collected 12 hits, led by Scott’s 4-for-4 performance with an RBI and two runs scored, while Tyler Lewis and Jordan Booker also contributed multi-hit efforts.
With the win, Lincoln advanced in the elimination bracket, keeping its tournament run alive as the CIAA Softball Championship continued in Orangeburg. Shaw’s season came to an end with the loss.