DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University softball program will be attempting to close out a hot spring break with four games over the weekend including a visit to Elon University on Friday before hosting Coppin State University on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free for the three home games.

Friday, March 13 at 2:30 PM
North Carolina Central University at Elon University
Elon, N.C. (Hunt Softball Park)
LIVE STATS: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=75696

Saturday, March 14 at 1:00 PM (DH)
Coppin State University at North Carolina Central University
Durham, N.C. (Parkwood Athletic Field)
LIVE AUDIO: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/nccu/

Sunday, March 15 at 12:00 PM
Coppin State University at North Carolina Central University
Durham, N.C. (Parkwood Athletic Field)
LIVE AUDIO: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/nccu/

NCCU fans can listen to the broadcasts and get softball updates including possible weather changes by visiting NCCUEaglePride.com, using the NCCU Sports Network mobile app or by following @NCCUAthletics on Twitter.

North Carolina Central University Softball

The Lady Eagles are 5-2 since classes ended last Friday for spring break but they are coming off their first shutout loss of the season, 9-0, on Wednesday to a University of Notre Dame squad that is receiving votes in both national top-25 polls.

NCCU did sweep Norfolk State University by scores of 10-2 (6) and 1-0 on Tuesday to start 2-0 on its home diamond – Parkwood Athletic Field – where the Lady Eagles will host Coppin State University this weekend.

The Maroon and Gray ranks second in the MEAC in both batting average (.287) and pitching earned run average (4.34).

Senior catcher Emerie Germ (.421) and junior outfielder Casey Hargett (.409) are amongst the league's top hitters ranking fourth and fifth, respectively, in batting average. They are both ranked in the top-10 in slugging percentage and on-base percentage while Germ tied for seventh with 12 RBI and Hargett tied for fifth with 12 runs scored.

NCCU is averaging 4.4 runs per game and the Lady Eagles have blasted 10 home runs in 13 games including three off of Germ's bat and two apiece by Hargett and junior Demiree Briones.

Other top hitters include senior Martha Batie (.429), sophomore Jenny Tracy (.308), sophomore Dominique Wilson (.306), sophomore Brianna Hampton (.280), Briones (.273), junior Kayleigh Brueck (.267) and junior Markell Wylie (.240).

Wilson (2-3, 2.97 ERA, 3 CG, 33 SO) and junior London Booker (5-3, 4.96 ERA, 4 CG, 32 SO) are developing into a formidable pitching tandem for the Lady Eagles.

NCCU fourth year head coach Theresa Stephens is 0-4 against Elon including a 7-2 road setback in 2014.

Coach Stephens will be leading the Lady Eagles against Coppin State for the first time after inclement weather has cancelled showdowns between the two MEAC institutions in recent years.

Elon University Softball

The Phoenix (12-6) will try and bounce back from a 3-0 loss at Charlotte on Thursday by returning home to Hunt Park where they are 8-1 on the season.
Elon – 7-0 all-time against NCCU – is 5-2 in the month of March and has held each of its opponents to three or fewer runs over that seven-game span. A strong Phoenix pitching staff includes four arms that have ERA's at 3.00 or lower.

Offensively, Elon is batting just .243 having won five one-run games and three two-run games. Rookie Hannah Olson leads the Phoenix with a .388 average and 13 runs scored from the leadoff position. Junior corner infielder Emily Cameron (.294) and sophomore catcher Emily Roper (.250) are tied for the team lead in RBI with 10 apiece.

Coppin State University Softball

The Eagles of Coppin State will be playing in the month of March for the first time after several games have been cancelled due to weather of the past two weeks. CSU (0-12) is still searching for its first win after going winless in February.

Coppin State finished 7-10 in the Northern Division of the conference last season and returns All-MEAC senior shortstop Candice Van Horn, who leads the Eagles in most offensive categories this year with a .308 batting average and two home runs, five RBI and six runs scored.

CSU is batting .153 with only two other players batting at or above .200 in senior pitcher Oashaja Dobie (.211) and senior first baseman/pitcher Samantha Denlinger (.200).

Dobie has tossed 72% of the Eagles innings so far and is 0-8 with a 17.93 ERA while Denlinger has toed the rubber for the other 28% and is 0-4 with a 24.19 ERA.