Winston-Salem State’s softball team scored its first doubleheader sweep of the season, blanking Savannah State 8-0.
Seniors Leslie Hollis, Kendall Sutton and Elyon Taylor contributed to the team’s win, as they have done for the past four seasons.
Taylor had her best outing of the season with seven strike outs, while Hollis showed team effort going 3 for 3 from the plate scoring a run.
Sutton hit a groundout to third base bringing in sophomore Bonika Terry to home plate leading Winston-Salem State 1-0.
“As a team we performed well,” said head coach LaTaya Hilliard-Gray.
“Elyon had a stellar game. The second half she really pitched that game. It was her second win of the season,” Gray said.
Sutton, a second baseman, Hollis, a first baseman and Taylor, a pitcher along with a group of other freshmen were recruited to WSSU in 2005.
“They were my last CIAA recruiting class and was one of my largest recruiting class at the time,” Gray said.
As the first recruits were brought into the University under the CIAA conference, they transitioned to a tougher division the following year. This forced them to step up and perform out of their comfort zone.
“It’s easier to relax now after we got a glimpse of what the MEAC has to offer,” Hollis said.
“As a team we pulled through,” Taylor said.
“We did better than most. I’m just glad to be a part of history.”
The 2005-2006 school year was the last year the University was in the CIAA conference. The MEAC transition made athletics ineligible to win a championship title.
The shift affected all sports at the University and had a big impact on the women’s softball team.
“As a senior, I can’t compete for a championship,” Sutton said.
“I was brought in to play for the CIAA, and the transition into the MEAC took away money from the program.”
Women’s softball has competed in more than 30 games this semester, including top contenders such as Florida A&M, NC A&T and Hampton.
The seniors have different goals after graduation.
“I was accepted into Howard University in the fall and hopefully land a career as an anchor for ESPN,” Hollis said.
Sutton received an award for her outstanding performance as a freshman. She said that the award has given her the inspiration to become a softball coach.
Taylor is set to become an educator through working with “Teach For America.”
May 3, will be the last game for Hollis, Taylor and Sutton closing out a strong softball career at WSSU.
Other seniors Amber Shore, Georgette Twitty and Whitney Wright are also graduating this year.
Although the team hasn’t won as many games as they would like, Hollis said that what she’ll take from her career at WSSU can’t be measured in wins or losses.
“Sometimes it’s more than just about a win,” Hollis said.
“I have a lot heart for the game and more focused on having love for the sport.”