DURHAM, N.C. — The North Carolina Central University softball team will make its home debut 33 days after starting its regular season when the Eagles host Western Carolina University for a non-conference doubleheader at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary on Tuesday beginning at 2 p.m.
Fans are encouraged to check
NCCUEaglePride.com or the NCCU Eagles Athletics app for updates as the schedule is subject to change.
GAME INFO:
DATE: Tuesday, March 15 at 2 p.m. (DH)
LOCATION: Thomas Brooks Park, Cary, N.C.
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NC CENTRAL DUGOUT:
The Eagles will be playing for the first time in a week and only third time this month. NCCU (2-13 Overall) last dropped a 10-0 single game at North Carolina State University last Tuesday. The Eagles were picked fourth out of eight teams in the 2022 MEAC Preseason Predicted Order of Finish Poll.
Freshman outfielder
Jaidyn Hamby continues to lead the maroon and gray with a .297 batting average. Hamby also leads NCCU with seven RBI, five runs and two doubles.
Another freshman that is making an impact for the Eagles is
Jaden Davis, who is a two-way player for NCCU as a middle infielder and pitcher. Davis ranks second on the team with a .237 batting average. In the pitcher's circle, Davis tops the Eagles with a 2-4 record, 7.00 ERA, 25 strikeouts and 38.0 innings pitched.
The Eagles last played the Catamounts on Feb. 26, 2019, with Western Carolina sweeping the doubleheader by close scores of 3-2 and 6-3.
WESTERN CAROLINA DUGOUT:
The Catamounts arrive in Cary with a .500 record after going 1-2 last weekend at the Thundering Herd Invitation, losing to Fairfield and splitting two games with Norfolk State. Western Carolina (10-10) was picked second out of seven teams in the 2022 SoCon Preseason Softball Poll.
The pitching staff has kept Western Carolina in most games, with seven of WCU's 10 losses coming by three or less runs, including five one-run losses. Junior Jayme Eilers (4-3, 57 SO, 40.2 IP), who has a shutout victory against NC State this season, leads the SoCon and ranks 54th nationally with a 1.38 ERA. Classmate Savannah Rice (4-3, 2.53 ERA, 65 SO, 58.0 IP) is tied with Eilers with four wins on the season and they are both averaging over one strikeout per inning. Eilers, an All-SoCon First Team honoree last season, and Rice were both named SoCon All-Freshman last season. Freshman leftie Tessa Juett (2-3, 4.08 Era, 12 SO, 24.0 IP) has the other two wins.
Senior shortstop Bailey Huneycutt (.281) leads the Catamounts with 13 RBI while also providing three home runs, three doubles, six runs, .406 on-base percentage and five stolen bases. Freshman Natalie Henry has jumped into the lineup and is providing a team-best .306 average out of regular starters. Senior first baseman Myra Twitty (.236), a SoCon All-Tournament honoree last season, is chipping in 11 RBI and shares the team home run lead with four homers (Rice). Junior transfer Brooklynn Brewington (.186) has team-best totals of 11 stolen bases and nine runs scored.
Western Carolina is 7-0 against the Eagles in NCCU's modern era (started transitioning to DI in 2007-08).
