Claflin Triumphs Over Dillard with a Strong Sixth Inning Surge

NEW ORLEANS–In an exciting baseball match hosted at Wesley Barrow Stadium on Jan. 31, Claflin University clinched a compelling 8-5 victory over Dillard University, marking their first win of the season. A decisive sixth inning rally by Claflin proved to be the game-changer, setting the tone for their triumph.

The game kicked off with Claflin's Thomas Williams launching a powerful two-run homer in the first inning, giving the visitors an early 2-0 lead. The scoring stalled until the sixth inning, when Claflin's bats came alive. They capitalized on a critical error by Dillard's second baseman, allowing D.J. Mungenast to score and expand their lead to 3-0.

Claflin's offensive momentum continued as Nehemiah Drew's double brought in two more runs, followed by Christian Hill's two-RBI single. Rashid Muhammad also contributed with an RBI single, culminating in a six-run inning that stretched Claflin's lead to 8-0.

Dillard struggled initially against Claflin's starting pitcher Elijah Bonner, who completed six innings and allowed three earned runs with six strikeouts. However, in the bottom of the sixth inning, Dillard mounted a spirited comeback attempt. Angel Polanco's two-run homer put Dillard on the board, followed by Ian Carr's RBI double and a sacrifice fly by Donovan Shead, bringing the score to 8-4. A late RBI single by K'Wality Williams added another, closing the gap to 8-5.

Despite Dillard's efforts, Claflin's Daniel Brown managed to hold off further scoring in the final inning, securing the win for Claflin. This game highlighted Claflin's ability to capitalize on key moments and Dillard's potential to rally under pressure, though their efforts ultimately fell short.

The match was played under clear, warm conditions, although it drew no attendance, which may have impacted the home team's morale. The game lasted two hours and 45 minutes, with both teams facing challenges on the mound and in the field. Dillard committed three errors, which proved costly in the end.

This victory gives Claflin a solid start to their season, while Dillard will look to bounce back and address the defensive lapses that hindered their performance.

-Bleu Devils–