RALEIGH, NC - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association began play today for the 2001 CIAA Softball Championship at the Walnut Creek Softball Complex.
Eastern Division Champ, Shaw University, opened the weekend, which will end with the championship game on Saturday, April 28th,with a win over St. Augustine's College. The local rivalry ended with a score of 9-1. Following that Raleigh match-up, Fayetteville State and Bowie State finished 3-1, with the Broncos on top. Western Division Champ, Winston-Salem State, sent the Virginia Sate Trojans to the losers bracket with a 21-0 victory. Finally, Virginia Union closed their game with North Carolina Central, 9-4.
The Double Elimination Round began with competition from Saint Augustine's College and Bowie State. The Bulldogs were sent home after a punishing 6-10 loss the Falcons. Virginia State will also say goodbye, after the NCCU Eagles pulled a redeeming 8-0 win.
Friday's play begins with two 10:00am games; Shaw vs Fayetteville State on Field # 2 and Winston-Salem State vs VUU on Field # 5. Games resume at 12:30pm, where the loser of game #1 faces Saint Augustine's and the defeated of game # 2 battles North Carolina Central on fields 2 and 5 respectively.