DURHAM, N.C. — The North Carolina Central University softball team will make its home debut at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary when the Eagles host Robert Morris University for a pair of doubleheaders on Thursday-Friday, Feb. 25-26.
NOTE: The games were moved up one day due to the potential of inclement weather on the weekend. Fans are encouraged to check
NCCUEaglePride.com for schedule updates in case of more changes.
GAME INFO:
DATE: Thursday, Feb. 25 (4 PM/DH) & Friday, Feb. 26 (10 AM/DH)
LOCATION: Thomas Brooks Park, Cary, N.C.
TICKETS: Not Open to the General Public
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NC CENTRAL DUGOUT:
The Eagles dropped all four of their games at the Campbell Invitational last weekend, losing a pair of contests to 12th-ranked Kentucky and 1-0 affairs to both Mount St. Mary's and the host Camels. NCCU 0-5) has only scored one run this season.
Senior left-handed pitcher
Kiara Hurley (0-4) has kept the Eagles in several games with her 3.25 ERA and 15 strikeouts over 23 2/3 innings of work. Hurley, who is the MEAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year, suffered complete-game losses to Mount St. Mary's and Campbell without allowing an earned run over those 14 innings.
Senior first baseman
Joirea Dumas and junior catcher
Madison Mifsud top NCCU's lineup with batting averages of .556 and .400, respectively. They have both hit safely in four of five games this season. Sophomore
Sanajae Sankey (.400) and freshman
Lexus Brown (.500) are the only other Eagles with multiple hits on the season with two apiece.
ROBERT MORRIS DUGOUT:
The Colonials will be making their season debut against the maroon and gray. Robert Morris had an 8-11 record in the shortened 2020 season and a 14-37 ledger in its last full campaign in 2019. The Colonials are embarking on their first season in the Horizon League after previously competing in the Northeast Conference.
Senior infielder Natalie Higgins is RMU's top returning bat after producing a .349 average las season with nine extra base hits in 19 games. Higgins already ranks in the top-15 of the programs history in career doubles (35), RBI (86) and home runs (16).
Senior Madison Riggle, who pitched in eight games last season with a 4.28 ERA, also provides a big bad for the Colonials. Riggle finished with a .308 average last year and her 12 RBI matched Higgins for the most on the team.
Junior hurler Dana Vatakis was RMU's ace last season, leading the Colonials with five wins, seven complete games and 46 strikeouts with a 2.54 ERA in 12 appearances.
