DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University softball team will begin a busy spring break week by hosting Norfolk State University and nationally ranked University of Notre Dame on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 10-11. Admission is free both days.

Tuesday, March 10 at 2:00/4:00 PM (DH)
Norfolk State University at North Carolina Central University
Durham, N.C. (Parkwood Athletic Field)

Wednesday, March 11 at 4:00 PM
University of Notre Dame at North Carolina Central University
Cary, N.C. (Thomas Brooks Park)
LIVE AUDIO: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/nccu/

Preview information on all three softball programs available below. Fans can find additional information on NCCUEaglePride.com and get game updates by following @NCCUAthletics on Twitter.

North Carolina Central University Softball

NCCU (5-5) carries a three-game win streak into the week after defeating Jackson State University (3-1), Grambling State University (2-0) and Mississippi Valley State University (8-7) to conclude play in the Tiny Laster Invitation this past weekend in Irondale, Ala.

The Lady Eagles have the third best batting average (.268) and second best ERA (4.46) in the MEAC.

Senior catcher Emerie Germ leads the Maroon and Gray with a .448 batting average, three home runs and 10 RBI. Junior outfielder Casey Hargett follows closely behind with a .429 average while leading NCCU with four doubles and 10 runs. Germ and Hargett are currently riding 10 and eight game hit streaks, respectively.

Sophomore Jenny Tracy (.290), junior Demiree Briones (.267), sophomore Brianna Hampton (.261) and sophomore Dominique Wilson (.259) are other regulars in the Lady Eagles lineup batting over .250.

From the pitcher's circle, junior London Booker (4-2) has picked up wins in her last three appearances and is the MEAC leader in ERA (4.41), opposing batting average (.281) and wins (4). Wilson (1-3, 3.66 ERA, .281 B/AVG) has similar numbers but is just shy of the league minimums. Wilson (28 K) and Booker (26 K) are both in the top five of the league in total strikeouts.

NCCU softball is 2-6 against Norfolk State under fourth year head coach Theresa Stephens including splitting last year's doubleheader in Norfolk, Va., in which the Lady Eagles won the first game 5-2 and lost the second game 4-3 in eight innings. Coach Stephens will be coaching NCCU against Notre Dame for the first time.

The Lady Eagles did have success in their first game against an ACC opponent in 2015 defeating University of Virginia, 5-4, on Feb. 14.

Norfolk State University Softball

Norfolk State (0-4) opened up its season this past weekend in the University Area Hampton Inn Showcase and lost a pair of games to both Youngstown State and UNC Wilmington.

The Spartans return five of seven All-MEAC honorees from a NSU squad that was 20-26 overall and 12-6 in the MEAC last season. Third baseman Whitley Williams was a first team selection but has not play yet this year while second baseman Alina Moriarty (.400 batting average in 2015), outfielder Heather Dunning (.364), first baseman Kayla McNair (.167) and utility Robyn Mitchell (.000) all garnered second team laurels a year ago.

Senior Liz Riley (0-2, 4.80 ERA, 11.2 IP, 8 SO) leads the Spartans in most pitching categories.

University of Notre Dame Softball

Notre Dame (12-9) is currently ranked in both national polls released March 3, 2015 including No. 22 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Poll and No. 23 in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll. However, the Fighting Irish were swept in a three-game series at North Carolina State University to begin Atlantic Coast Conference play this past weekend and may fall out of the top-25 before playing NCCU with in the new rankings scheduled to be released Tuesday.

ND is slated to play at Campbell University on Tuesday before battling the Lady Eagles in Cary on Wednesday.

The All-American outfield co-captain duo of Emilee Koerner and Karley Wester highlight a challenging lineup that enters the week batting .293. Wester is batting .413 with 19 runs scored while Koerner is batting .254 with 11 RBI and four home runs. Senior Katey Haus – a NFCA All-Region award winner – leads the Fighting Irish with a .435 average and 16 RBI and six home runs.

Rachel Nasland (5-5, 2.69 ERA, 73 K) and Allie Rhodes (5-3, 3.69 ERA, 42 K) have accounted for 10 of Notre Dame pitching staffs wins.