DURHAM, N.C. — The North Carolina Central University softball team will open up its 2021 season with four games at the Upstate Classic, including a doubleheader against University of Dayton on Saturday and a twin bill versus host USC Upstate on Sunday.
The Eagles are currently scheduled to start playing both days at Noon. Fans are encouraged to check
NCCUEaglePride.com for schedule updates in case the schedule gets altered due to weather.
GAME INFO:
DATE: Sat., Feb. 13 vs. Dayton (12 PM/DH)
DATE: Sat., Feb. 14 vs. USC Upstate (12 PM/DH)
LOCATION: Cyrill Softball Stadium, Spartanburg, S.C.
TICKETS:
Attendance Protocols
WATCH:
ESPN+ (vs. USC Upstate Sunday ONLY)
FOLLOW:
LIVE STATS (All Games);
@NCCUAthletics
NC CENTRAL DUGOUT:
The Eagles will be under the direction of interim head coach
Cat Tarvin, who has spent the past three season as an assistant coach at NCCU. NC Central went 1-15 in its shortened 2019 season, including just two home games. However, the Eagles had their best year as a DI program in their last full season in 2018 with 20 wins.
Four letter winners have been Preseason All-MEAC for the Eagles, including the MEAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year in senior
Kiara Hurley (18 wins and 133 strikeouts in 2019). The three other seniors to join Hurley with preseason accolades are first baseman
Joirea Dumas (.317 average with 10 RBI in 2020), outfielder
Tamiera Sanchez (.297 average with six extra base hits in 2020) and designated player
Olivia Daniel (.360 average with 30 RBI in 2019).
NCCU has its largest roster in recent memory with 25 players, including 14 upperclassmen and 11 freshmen.
DAYTON DUGOUT:
The Flyers have started the season with two losses to USC Upstate on Friday and are selected fourth in the Atlantic 10. Dayton (0-2) went 8-12 last year and 24-27 two seasons ago.
Senior catcher Abby Ehrenborg (.338 average with six home runs) and junior infielder Alyssa Cacini (.317 averae with 15 RBI) are Dayton's top returning bats.
Ehrenborg has started the new season with two home runs and three RBI in Friday's two games.
The Flyers used four pitchers on Friday with sophomore Sarah Bailitz topping the group with four strikeouts in four innings without allowing an earned run. Senior Jessica Weaver, who led Dayton with five wins and a 4.10 ERA last season, saw action in both games.
Dayton picked up 1n 18-1 win the last time the Flyers played the Eagles in 2012, which was NCCU's first campaign as full DI members.
USC UPSTATE DUGOUT:
The Spartans hit .390 on Friday to begin the season 2-0 after topping Dayton by scores of 3-2 (9 innings) and 5-2. USC Upstate went 17-7 in 2020, including 3-2 and 5-1 wins against NCCU, and 41-15 in 2019. The Spartans are picked to finish second the Big South Conference.
Junior Savannah Grigsby, who led Upstate with a .378 batting average last season and ranked top-10 nationally with 0.75 stolen bases per game, is one of six Spartans to get multiple hits on Friday. Junior Marisa Soterakis, who only had two hits in 24 games last season, paced the group with three base knocks.
Sophomore Peyton Darnell (.365), sophomore Tiffany Domingue (.360) and junior Sarah Price (.329) are all sported batting averages over .300 last season.
Sophomore Savannah Brown (1.56 ERA) and senior Mallie Brown (2.00 ERA) tossed the complete-game victories for the Spartans Friday. They both sported ERA's under 2.50 last season and they had a combined 7-0 record over that span.
