MURFREESBORO, N.C. -- Ferrum College softball came up short in both games of a Conference Carolinas doubleheader at Chowan University on Friday, suffering a 6-5 walk-off loss in the opener before dropping the nightcap, 5-1, at Hawks Field.

RECORDS
Chowan 20-15, 14-6 CC
Ferrum 8-24, 1-15 CC

GAME ONE
Ferrum came out strong, scoring three runs in the first inning behind RBI doubles from Riley Young and Mirenda Shields to take an early lead. The Panthers added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings, including an RBI single from Young and a bases-loaded walk by Laci Garrett, to build a 5-2 advantage.

Chowan slowly chipped away, scoring runs in the third, fifth, and sixth innings to cut the deficit to 5-3 entering the seventh. In the bottom of the final frame, the Hawks rallied with two outs, loading the bases before Lenita Bryson delivered a two-run single to right field to walk off the Panthers, 6-5.

KEY STATS
Chowan: Lenita Bryson 2-3, 3 RBI; Ava Mizell 2-4, 2 R; Abby Rutledge (W, 8-2) 2.2 inn, 1 ER
Ferrum: Riley Young 2-4, 3 RBI, 2B; Abby Bradberry 2-3, 2 R; Laci Garrett 2-3, RBI; Emily Wood 5.0 inn, 3 ER

GAME TWO
Chowan carried momentum into the second game, scoring in the second and third innings to take a 2-0 lead. Ferrum answered in the fourth inning when Riley Young hit a solo home run to cut the deficit to one.

The Hawks responded with a two-run fourth inning and added another run in the fifth to extend their lead to 5-1. Ferrum was limited to four hits and could not generate a late rally against Chowan's pitching staff.

KEY STATS
Chowan: Ava Mizell 2-4, 2 RBI; Kaitlyn Springle 3-3, 2B, R; Emily Fowler (W, 5-6) 3.1 inn, 1 ER; Abby Rutledge (S, 4) 3.2 inn, 6 K
Ferrum: Carly Constantino 2-3; Riley Young 1-3, HR, RBI; Chloe Constantino (L, 3-11) 6.0 inn, 5 ER

UP NEXT
Ferrum will look to bounce back at Barton College on Saturday, March 28th. The first game of the doubleheader starts at 1 pm.