North Carolina A&T used the long ball early and a strong pitching performance by Jennifer Luper to defeat Coppin State, 10-0 in the first round game in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Softball Championship  at the Ormond Beach Sports complex.

The Lady Aggies (26-25), the Number 2 seed in the South, started it off in the bottom of the first inning.  Hope Fletcher singled to centerfield. Lillian Bullock was safe on an infield hit. Jessie Larson then hit a three-run shot to right center field to give her team a 3-0 lead.

North Carolina A&T was at it again in the second inning when Danielle Nguyen singled to left field.  She advanced to second on a passed ball.  Yahamma White grounded out, sending Nguyen to third base.  Fletcher then singled up the middle to score Ngyuen for a 3-0 lead.

In the third inning, Larson walked with two outs and Chantelle Statham followed with a two-run homer to right centerfield to up the lead to 5-0.

The Lady Aggies put the game away in the fourth inning, with Larson, Bullock, Fletcher and Biana Alsobrook scoring unearned runs.

While Larson (1-for-3, 3 RBI), Ryanne Hill (1-for-3, 2 RBI) and Staham (1-for-3, 2 RBI) supplying the firepower, Luper (15-13) did her part on the mound, allowing three hits, striking out eight and walking only one batter in five innings.

Coppin State (22-21) was unable to get anything going.  MEAC Pitcher of the Year Page Arnold (20-13) pitched two innings and gave up six hits and four runs.  First baseman Jade Dudley went 2 for 2 as the lone bright spot for the Lady Eagles.

The Lady Aggies advance to the second round where they will take on South Carolina State, the Number 4 seed in the South Division, at 7 p.m.  The Lady Eagles, the Number 3 seed in the North Division, will play the loser of the Florida A&M-Delaware State game at 4:30 pm.

Admission for the 2010 MEAC Softball Championship is $5 for youth, students and seniors.  Discounted ticket packages for all three days can be purchased for $12. Tickets are available at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex beginning on Thursday, May 13.

For more information on MEAC softball, log on to www.MEACsports.com.