South Carolina State University announced on April 25 that its women’s softball team will face North Carolina Central University in a three-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) series at Thomas Brooks Park this weekend.
The outcome of the series is important for both teams as it marks the end of their MEAC regular season schedule and could impact qualification for the upcoming conference tournament. The doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. and approximately 3 p.m., with a single game set for Sunday at noon, which will also serve as Senior Day.
North Carolina Central, holding a record of 5-13 in conference play and 7-38 overall, needs victories against South Carolina State and favorable results from other games to secure a spot in the MEAC Tournament. South Carolina State enters the weekend tied for third place in the standings with a record of 10-8 in MEAC play and an overall record of 18-18. The top six teams qualify for the tournament, which will be held May 6-9 in Norfolk, Virginia.
The Eagles are expected to rely on their outfielders, including Suttles—who leads NCCU with a .357 batting average and has recorded 20 runs batted in—and Bailey, who leads the team in hits (48), runs scored (26), and stolen bases (12). For South Carolina State, key players include one batter hitting .392 with 44 RBIs and ten home runs, along with another player who has contributed thirty runs scored and seventeen RBIs.
Following this series, South Carolina State will complete its regular season against Southeastern Conference opponent South Carolina on Tuesday evening in Columbia.
South Carolina State fields NCAA Division I teams across fourteen sports—including softball—with most competing within the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
