DUNCAN, S.C.-  Ziahya Griffin went 3-for-3 at the plate and drove in five runs to lead Savannah State University to a 9-4 victory over Elizabeth City State University in the opening round of the HBCU CIAA/SIAC Classic in a game played at Tyger River Park on February 16, 2024.
 
It was SSU's first win of the season, after starting the year with double-header setbacks to Paine College and University of South Carolina Beaufort.
 
With the bases loaded, Griffin hit a two-run single in the bottom of the first inning that scored Milani Dunning and LaTaviona Parke for a 2-0 lead.
 
ECSU, who was playing their season opener, scored a run in the second inning and another one in the top of the third to tie the game but Savannah State sent five runners across home plate in the bottom of the third inning.
 
Griffin hit a two-run double, Neveah Ford hit a RBI single and Dunning blasted a two-run triple to put the Lady Tigers ahead 7-2.
 
Parke led off the bottom of the fourth with a double to right field and Haley Carol drew a walk. After both runners advanced a base because of a ECSU throwing error, Madison Starling-Martin hit a sacrifice fly to left field which allowed Parke to score. Griffin followed with a RBI single to right field that brought home Carol to give SSU a 9-2 advantage.
 
The Vikings (0-1) scored twice in the fifth inning for the last runs of the contest.
 
Zarria Smith was the winning pitcher. The Spartanburg, South Carolina native pitched five innings in relief and struck out seven batters while scattering four hits.
 
Dunning had two hits and drove in two runs for Savannah State (1-4) while Parke and Carol both scored twice.
 
Karrigan Bellllangia had two hits for the Vikings and Camdyn Peck was tagged with the loss on the mound, giving up nine runs, seven hits and five walks.
 
Savannah State will take on Shaw University (10 a.m.) and Bluefield State University (5:30 p.m.) on February 17 in the second day of the classic.