DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central begins its final week of the regular season on Tuesday against Western Carolina in a non-conference softball doubleheader at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, N.C. The first game is set for 2 p.m. followed by the second game at approximately 4 p.m.

The Eagles are seeking a repeat of last season when they toppled the Catamounts 10-7 in the second game of a road doubleheader. Daiyah Bailey contributed heavily in the win, batting 5 for 5 with a double, three stolen bases, one run scored and three RBIs.

Bailey and her teammates will need a similar effort on Tuesday. The Catamounts (30-17 overall) are tied for second in the Southern Conference and are coming off a three-game home sweep of Chattanooga over the weekend. Maya McPherson leads the Southern Conference with a .432 batting average and has amassed 16 home runs and 54 RBIs.

The Eagles (7-36 overall) are looking to gain momentum on Tuesday heading into their final MEAC series this weekend, a key home matchup against South Carolina State with conference tournament implications.

NCCU will rely on their top three hitters – Tyler Suttles, Izabella Chavez and Bailey – against Western Carolina. Suttles paces the Eagles with a .355 batting average and 20 RBIs, both team highs, while Bailey and Chavez bat .331 and .330, respectively. Bailey leads the Eagles with 45 hits, 26 runs scored and 12 stolen bases.

Tuesday's doubleheader will be the 17^th and 18^th meeting between the programs since 2010. It also concludes the Eagles' non-conference slate.

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