CARY, N.C. – With two-outs in the bottom of the seventh, sophomore Makiya Graves ripped a single into the right-field gap and the North Carolina Central University softball team was able to score the game-tying and game-winning runs on the play for a dramatic 3-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference home win over South Carolina State University on Senior Day at Thomas Brooks Park.
 
The Eagles celebrated nine seniors with an on-field presentation prior to first pitch and then several of those seniors were involved in NCCU's rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, including Natalie Hardin and D'Nahjah Harrell both pinch running, Imara Harrell singling and scoring the game-tying run on the Graves RBI-single and Ivory Jones scoring the walk-off run from first base after the SCSU right fielder bobbled the clutch hit by Graves.
 
Junior Jaden Davis (10-17) gave up two runs in the first inning, but held the Bulldogs off the scoreboard for the rest of the contest to earn her 10th win of the season. Davis totaled seven strikeouts over her seven innings of work and one of her two runs allowed was earned as she lowered her ERA against conference competition to 2.29.
 
After falling behind 2-nil, Jones started NCCU's rally with an RBI single in the third inning that plated Davis. Six different Eagles had hits as the maroon and gray won their third straight MEAC series, including two off the bat of Imara Harrell.
 
NCCU finished the regular season with an 18-34 overall record, featuring a 14-7 mark against MEAC opposition. SC State departed at 11-28 and 8-13.
 
NC Central will next attempt to defend its league title at the 2024 MEAC Softball Championship hosted by Norfolk State University on May 8-11.
 
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com, or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.