FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Benedict College softball team opened the 2018 season with a doubleheader sweep over Fayetteville State University on Thursday afternoon.

Benedict scored six runs in the seventh inning to rally for a 13-8 victory in the first game. The Lady Tigers had a pair of seven-run innings in the second game to take a 14-11 victory.

Erika Dargan went 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs in the first game, then went 3-for-3 with 4 RBIs in the second game to drive in seven runs on the day.

Khayreyah Parrish had a pair of home runs in the first game and drove in three runs. Dargan added a solo homer in the first game. The Lady Tigers trailed 8-7 heading into the seventh inning before scoring six runs on just four hits and two Fayetteville State errors. Taylor Roberts came in relief in the fifth inning to pick up the win.

In the second game, Fayetteville State jumped out to a 4-0 lead before the Lady Tigers erupted for seven innings in the top of the fourth inning. Torcealon Kelly and Dargan each drove in two runs with singles. Roberts also drove in a run with a single.

The Lady Tigers added seven more runs in the fifth inning to take a 14-6 lead. Dargan had a two-run single, Starkeira Daniel blasted a two-run homer and Sharik Woods drove in a run on a double. Fayetteville State cut the lead to 14-11 and had the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, but Cherica Pye came on in relief of Roberts to get the final out.

Benedict is back in action on Friday, playing its home opener against Shaw. The doubleheader starts at noon.