DURHAM, N.C. — The North Carolina Central University softball team will host East Tennessee State University in its last games before beginning Mid-Eastern Athletics Conference (MEAC) play next weekend when the Eagles host the Buccaneers on Sunday, March 21, in a doubleheader that will begin at noon.
GAME INFO:
DATE: Sunday, March 20 (12 PM/DH)
LOCATION: Thomas Brooks Park, Cary, N.C.
AUDIO:
NCCU Sports Network (LaMark Wylie)
FOLLOW:
LIVE STATS;
@NCCUAthletics
NC CENTRAL DUGOUT:
The Eagles suffered three losses at Elon University in their last competition this past weekend. NCCU is 0-15 on the season.
Senior first baseman
Joirea Dumas is leading the maroon and gray in most offensive categories, including a .306 average and .405 on-base percentage with 11 hits, two home runs and four RBI. She is the only player to start every game for NCCU this season is riding a four-game hit streak going into Sunday's games.
Freshman
Hailey Batista is batting .250 in her rookie season and is tied with Dumas with four RBI while pacing the Eagles with four extra base hits and five runs scored. Junior
Madison Mifsud is supplying a .250 batting average.
Senior
Kiara Hurley (0-10, 5.75 ERA, 31 K, 59.2 IP) continues to paces NCCU's pitchers.
EAST TENNESSEE STATE DUGOUT:
The Buccaneers have won their last three games, including a 9-1 and 4-2 sweep of Radford University on Tuesday. ETSU (9-5 Overall) has only played four of its 14 game away from home.
Freshman corner outfielder Lilly Holston leads the Bucs with a .469 average. Holston and senior third baseman Nikki Grupp (.293) have both produced 10 RBI and scored eight times apiece. Senior first baseman Julia Fritz (.360) has a team-best 11 RBI and 10 extra-base hits (eight doubles, two home runs).
Senior catcher Kylie Toler (.304) has a .529 on-base percentage and sophomore Alana Collins (.303) is a fourth ETSU starter batting over .300.
Senior Kelly Schmidt (5-2, 1.34 ERA, 31 SO, 41.2 IP) has tossed nearly half of ETSU's innings and has been their ace for a few seasons. Senior MacKenzie Dyson (2-0, 2.71 ERA, 6 SO, 20.2 IP) and junior Taylor Boling (1-2, 4.77 ERA, 13 SO, 14.2 IP) also have wins for the Buccaneers.
