April 16, 2000
Fayetteville, NC - Winston-Salem State University has claimed the 2000 CIAA Softball Championship which was hosted by Fayetteville State University. This marks the first time since 1986 that the Lady Rams held this title.
Inclement weather and poor playing field conditions forced the CIAA to move the Softball Championship to Seabrook Park. Originally scheduled for 10:00 AM on Saturday, the final game in the loser’s bracket began at 3:30 PM. Elizabeth City State came up short to Winston-Salem State University, 17-9.
Coming out of the loser’s bracket, Winston-Salem State faced Bowie State University in the 7:00 pm championship game. Key hits by the Lady Rams and five crucial errors by Bowie State forced a second game in the double elimination tournament.
The final game of the event was postponed to Sunday due to lightening. Winston’s momentum and great play continued and as they defeated Bowie, 9-0, in five innings. Natasha Garrett, pitcher, faced 17 batters giving up only 2 hits and striking out 5 to aid in the Lady Rams defeat. Garrett was named tournament MVP.
2000 CIAA ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM Mya Boling P/1B Virginia State University LaKelli Butler 3B/C Fayetteville State University LaTasha Ham P/3B Fayetteville State University Raquitta Washington SS Elizabeth City State University Monica Johnson LF Elizabeth City State University Nicole Higgins P Elizabeth City State University Casey Wheatley 2B Bowie State University Erica McDermont C Bowie State University Candice Ginsberg P Bowie State University Natasha Garrett P Winston-Salem State University Kenisha Williams C Winston-Salem State University Danby Hassan RF Winston-Salem State University Tournament MVP Natasha Garrett, Winston-Salem State University