VIDEO: Interview with NCCU Softball Head Coach Theresa Stephens   

DURHAM, N.C. – After its best season in the program's NCAA Division I era, the North Carolina Central University softball team is excited to begin its 2016 season with even higher expectations as the Lady Eagles open up play with three games at the Kennesaw State University Kickoff Classic in Kennesaw, Georgia, on Friday-Saturday, Feb. 12-13.
 
NCCU will play Loyola University Chicago (12:30 PM) and the host Owls (5:30 PM) on Friday and Murray State University (12:30 PM) on Saturday. Every game at the KSU Kickoff Classic will be played at Bailey Park and KSU will be providing live stats for each contest (KSU Kickoff Classic website).
 
NCCU Schedule
 
Friday, Feb. 12
12:30 PM – NCCU vs. Loyola (Live Stats)
5:30 PM – NCCU vs. Kennesaw State (Live Stats)


Saturday, Feb. 13
12:30 PM – NCCU vs. Murray State (Live Stats)
 
North Carolina Central University Softball
 
NCCU went 18-27 in 2015 and the 18 wins were the most by the program since transitioning to the DI ranks in the 2008 season. The Lady Eagles doubled their win total from 2014 and return eight letter winners from last year's squad to go along with eight newcomers.
 
Fifth year head coach Theresa Stephens believes she will be mentoring her most talented roster yet at NCCU and the Lady Eagles should contend in the MEAC.
 
NCCU's success will be dictated by veteran leadership from the pitcher's circle. The Lady Eagles return two arms that have combined for nearly 700 innings pitched at NCCU in senior London Booker and junior Dominique Wilson. Both hurlers earned MEAC Pitcher of the Week honors last season. Wilson had a 7-12 record with a 3.95 ERA in 27 appearances last season and led NCCU in both ERA and strikeouts (108). Booker produced a 10-15 record and a 5.42 ERA with 88 strikeouts in 29 appearance and paced the Lady Eagles in wins, appearances, complete games (14), shutouts (2) and innings (137.0).
 
Booker and Wilson will be protected more in the circle this season with the addition of junior transfer Jennifer Allison and fellow pitchers sophomore Brianna Hampton and freshman Breanna Carter. Allison pitched 130 combined innings in two seasons at Louisburg College while Hampton toed the rubber in four games, including one compete game shutout for NCCU.
 
Wilson joins senior Casey Hargett as a 2016 preseason All-MEAC selection. Wilson has a power bat in the middle of NCCU's lineup. Wilson batted .331 last season and hit a team-high eight home runs. Hargett, who was a 2015 All-MEAC outfielder last season, will see most of her action behind the dish this year. Hargett led the Lady Eagles with a .361 average and 27 runs scored.
 
NCCU's lineup will feature a total of six bats that were consistent starters from a year ago. Joining Hargett and Wilson are Hampton (.247) and a trio of seniors in second baseman Jenny Tracy (.291), third baseman Markell Wylie (.245) and outfielder Kayleigh Brueck (.239).
 
Sophomore Fallon Roberson played in 14 games as a rookie and is expected to take a step forward in her second campaign. Allison also batted .348 for the Hurricanes last season and sophomore shortstop Danyelle Noland had a .308 average at Saint Augustine's University last year before transferring to NCCU.
 
The Lady Eagles have a half dozen freshmen and Coach Stephens believes they all can make an immediate impact. Carter is joined by fellow rookies Miriam Duen, Janeen Reynolds, Jassonah Pettaway, Aleyah Evans and Erykah Smith. The newcomers will most notably contend for playing time in the outfield.
 
NCCU will be playing Loyola, KSU and MSU for the first time under the leadership of Stephens.
 
Loyola University Chicago Softball
 
The Ramblers went 15-35 in 2015 and will open the season up against Murray State Friday morning before playing NCCU at 12:30 p.m.
 
Sophomore infielder Madison Hope highlights the Missouri Valley Conference members returning core. Hope batted .302 in her rookie season and led the Ramblers with 12 home runs and 37 RBI.
 
Loyola only graduated three seniors from last season and returns both starting pitchers that had similar numbers a year ago in sophomore Madison Hope (9-17, 4.64 ERA, 108 SO) and senior Ashley Rogers (6-18, 4.77 ERA, 71 SO).
 
Kennesaw State University Softball
 
The Owls, who posted a 32-19 ledger in 2015, will be opening its season against NCCU Friday afternoon.
 
KSU – picked third in the Atlantic Sun Conference – has two preseason all-conference selections in senior first baseman Megan Veringa (.347, 46 RBI 10 2B, 9 HR) and junior catcher Courtney Sutter (.313, 10 2B, 7 HR, 33 RBI). The Owls batted .304 last season and returns 10 of its top 11 batters. Junior Taylor Denton paces KSU's letter winners with a .364 average.
 
The Owls graduated their ace from last year but do return three arms with experience in senior Morgan Sikes (7-5, 3.15 ERA), junior Logan Viers (8-7, 3.69 ERA) and senior Monica Vickery (4-2, 7.74 ERA).
 
Murray State University Softball
 
The Racers have had two consecutive 30-win seasons and went 38-19 in 2015. Murray State and NCCU will both be playing its third game of the event when they meet on Saturday afternoon.
 
MSU returns the Ohio Valley Conference MVP in junior infielder Jessica Twaddle, who posted a .426 batting average with 16 doubles, eight home runs, 54 RBI and 45 runs. Junior infielder Maggie Glass (.327, 16 HR, 53 RBI) joined Twaddle as all-conference honorees a year ago.
 
However, the Racers did graduate three all-conference selections, including its top pitcher that was a 20-game winner in 2015. Junior Mason Robinson still gives Murray State strength in the circle after recording 15-6 record with a 2.99 ERA and 86 strikeouts last season.