Delaware State’s 2016 softball season was one for the ages. The Lady Hornets hope to put the finishing touches on it by winning their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Softball Tournament Championship in eight years when play begins in Ormond Beach, Fla., May 12-14.
The Lady Hornets (25-16, 16-2) had the best record in the MEAC, compiled their highest conference win total in 10 years and the season with a 12-game conference winning streak en route to their third consecutive Northern Division championship. They outscored opponents 144-38 during their winning streak, which saw them sweep Coppin State, Hampton, Morgan State and Howard, while winning the Northern Division by five games over Norfolk State and Hampton.
However, Lady Hornets coach Amber Jackson is well aware all that doesn’t guarantee anything.
“It doesn’t matter who has the best record,’’ Jackson said. “It’s great we have No. 1 seed. My experience as a coach at Delaware State and when I played is nobody’s record matters. It’s like a 0-0 ball game. You go in and whoever wants it most is going to win.’’
The remainder of the tournament field consists of Norfolk State, Hampton and Morgan State from the North. Southern Division representatives are No. 1 seed Savannah State, Bethune-Cookman, two-time defending tournament champion Florida A&M and North Carolina A&T State.
Delaware State’s only conference losses were a 4-3 decision to Maryland Eastern Shore and 7-5 setback against Norfolk State. Offense has been the Lady Hornets’ calling card. Delaware State leads the MEAC in batting (.329), slugging (.488), home runs (32), RBI (227) and runs (255). They are second in on-base percentage (.377) and total bases (537) and third in doubles (65).
Three-time All-MEAC outfielder Nicole Gazzola is second in the MEAC in batting and ninth in the nation with a 472 average. Gazzola leads the conference in runs (50), stolen bases (32) and hits (68). Sophomore Vanessa Washington is tied for first in home runs (8); infielder Haley Jones is fourth with seven.
“Our bats will do great things for us in the (MEAC) tournament, ‘’ Jackson said. “But ultimately defense wins ball games. That’s going to come from being strong mentally, on the pitching side of it, being strong in the field, making plays when it counts, when the pressure is on.”
Delaware State has also benefitted from strong pitching. The Lady Hornets’ staff has the best earned run average in the conference, 3.74, and has allowed just 284 hits, lowest in the conference.
Norfolk State had an up and down season. The Spartans won back-to-back conference games fives times and their longest winning streak was three games. On the flip side they suffered back-to-back losses four times, including a three-game losing streak. The highlight of their season was a 7-5 win at Delaware State in March – Delaware State’s last conference loss – and they ended the season with back-to-back home wins against Hampton.
Hampton had been on a hot streaking before losing to Norfolk State. The Lady Pirates went into the season finale against their arch rivals with a six-game winning streak that had them in contention for the No. 2 seed in the North before they dropped two out of three games to the Spartans. Freshman outfielder Hope Sobelewski has been a catalyst for the Lady Pirates. Sobelewski ended the season with five home runs, and hit safely in seven of her last eight games.
Morgan State is in the conference tournament for the first time in five years. The Lady Bears led the conference with 97 stolen bases.
Savannah State, the No. 1 seed in the Southern Division for the second consecutive year, began conference play with eight straight wins before losing to Florida A&M. The Lady Tigers wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the South by sweeping a doubleheader against South Carolina State on the final weekend of the conference schedule.
Savannah State is a heavy-hitting squad. The Lady Tigers are second in the conference in batting (.319). Outfielder Alexis Singleton (.427) and first baseman Torrian Wright (.411) are the leading hitters.
Florida A&M’s pitching staff is second to Delaware State in ERA (3.79) and fewest hits allowed (319) and No. 1 in opposing batting average (.263). Kenya Pereira’s 12 victories are tied for second-most among MEAC pitchers.
Bethune-Cookman leads the conference in fielding (.960) and only committed 51 errors. Outfielder Annie Bakenhus (.357) and utility player Iesha Waters (.351, 30 RBI) are the Lady Wildcats’ leading hitters. Sabrina Anguiano is the top pitcher with nine wins and 4.14 ERA.
North Carolina A&T State won four of its final five conference games and clinched the No. 4 seed in the South by sweeping North Carolina Central on the final weekend of the MEAC schedule.
The 2016 MEAC Softball Championship begins Thursday, May 12 at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex in Ormond Beach, Fla. The championship concludes on Saturday, May 14 at 1 p.m.