ZACHARY, La. — Freshman catcher Madison Mifsud went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored in her collegiate debut to spark the North Carolina Central University softball team to a 7-3 victory over host Southern University in the opening game of the Chef Celeste Bistro Softball Challenge at the Zackary Youth Park Friday morning.
 
The Lady Eagles scored four runs in the first inning and never trailed to start their season with a win for the first time since 2011. NCCU (1-0) also added a run in the third, fourth and fifth innings to prevail by four runs.
 
Mifsud highlighted the early run production for the Lady Eagles with a two-run single in the opening frame. She added two more base hits before being retired for the first time in her final plate appearance.
 
The maroon and gray outhit the Jaguars 9-6, including doubles off the bats of freshman first baseman Oliva Daniel, junior third baseman Dalika Wallace and sophomore outfielder Jessica Powell. All three of those doubles led to runs.
 
Daniel had the only other RBI for the Lady Eagles as three of NCCU's seven runs were unearned due to three errors by Southern. Daniel and junior Tamiera Sanchez both collected a pair of hits for the victors.
 
Sophomore pitcher Kiara Hurley (1-0) secured a complete-game victory in her first appearance with the Lady Eagles. The transfer from Eastern Michigan University only surrendered two earned runs in seven innings of work while striking out six Jaguars.
 
Southern (0-1) pulled to within one, 4-3, after scoring all three of its runs in the bottom of the third. Freshman Paytin Mercado had two of the Jaguars' six hits, including a two-run double. Junior Aubrion James (0-1) – a Preseason All-SWAC selection – was tagged with the loss after allowing seven runs (four earned) on nine hits over seven complete innings.  
 
NCCU continues play in the Chef Celeste Bistro Softball Challenge on Friday with a 4 p.m. match-up against Alabama State University.