MEAC softball play began play on Thursday afternoon as the annual non-conference postseason tournaments dot the conference schedule. Eight of the MEAC’s 13 teams are in action in tournaments ranging from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina and South Carolina.
• The Hampton Lady Pirates and the Florida A&M Lady Rattlers were predicted to win the MEAC softball Northern and Southern Divisions, respectively. Delaware State was picked to finish second behind the Lady Pirates in a tight race as they received 10 first-place votes and 153 total points. Pollsters predicted another showdown between FAMU and rival Bethune-Cookman as the Wildcats were picked second after receiving 10 first-place votes and 130 total points.
• Morgan State’s Amy Begg has been selected as the conference’s Preseason Pitcher of the Year while Bethune-Cookman’s Ryan Jackson was tabbed Pre- season Player of the Year. Ten institutions were represent- ed on the team led by Bethune-Cookman’ five selections. Delaware State, Florida A&M and Maryland Eastern Shore each had three selections while Hampton, Morgan State and North Carolina A&T State had two apiece.
• The 2018 MEAC Tournament takes place once again in Ormond Beach, Fla. as Bethune-Cookman will host the tournament.
Thursday, February 8
Howard vs. Southern University 2 p.m.
Howard vs. Southern University 4 p.m.
Friday, February 9
Youngstown State vs. Hampton 10 a.m.
Morgan State vs. Toledo 11 a.m.
North Carolina A&T State vs. Towson 11 a.m.
Nicholls State vs. Howard 12 p.m.
Western Kentucky vs. Hampton 12 p.m.
Howard vs. SE Louisiana 12 p.m.
North Carolina A&T State vs. Charleston Southern 1 p.m.
Florida A&M vs. Virginia Tech 2 p.m.
Morgan State vs. Detroit Mercy 4 p.m.
Florida A&M vs. Mississippi 4 p.m.
Florida Atlantic vs. Bethune-Cookman 8:15 p.m.
Saturday, February 10
North Carolina A&T State vs. North Dakota 9 a.m.
Kennesaw State vs. Howard 10 a.m.
North Carolina A&T State vs. Towson 11 a.m.
Bethune-Cookman vs. Boston 11:15 a.m.
Western Kentucky vs. Hampton 12 p.m.
Bethune-Cookman vs. Michigan State 1:30 p.m.
Howard at SE Louisiana 12 p.m.
Florida A&M vs. Georgia Tech 3 p.m.
Morgan State vs. Liberty 4 p.m.
Hampton vs. Gardner-Webb 4 p.m.
Florida A&M vs. Central Arkansas 6 p.m.
Morgan State vs. Fairleigh Dickinson 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 11
Kennesaw State vs. Howard 9 a.m.
Morgan State vs. Toledo 10 a.m.
Western Kentucky vs. Hampton 10 a.m.
North Dakota at South Carolina State 12 p.m.
Florida A&M vs. Lipscomb 12:30 p.m.
Morgan State vs. Fairleigh Dickinson 12:30 p.m.
North Carolina A&T State at Charleston Southern 1 p.m.
North Carolina Central at Elon 1 p.m.
North Carolina Central at Elon 3 p.m.
Florida Atlantic vs. Bethune-Cookman 3:45 p.m