ORANGEBURG, SC – May 7, 2026 – The Lincoln University (PA) softball team dropped its opening-round matchup of the CIAA Softball Championship, falling 10-2 to Claflin on Thursday evening.
Claflin struck early with a three-run first inning and added two more in the second to take control of the game. Lincoln responded with a run in the second and another in the fourth but was unable to close the gap.
Aliya Rose (Lutherville, Md./Maryvale Preperatory) led the Lions offensively, going a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with two runs scored and a walk. Hayley Lawson (Laurel, DE) added Lincoln's lone RBI with a double, while the Lions finished with four hits in the contest.
In the circle, Lincoln used multiple pitchers throughout the game and combined for eight strikeouts, but Claflin capitalized on key opportunities, including a four-run fifth inning to extend its lead.
Despite the result, Lincoln continued to compete throughout and will look to respond in the next round of the CIAA Softball Championship.
