Softball | 5/6/2025 5:52:58 PM

NORFOLK, Va., May 6, 2025 – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference announced the 2025 regular season awards Tuesday night with South Carolina State’s Taylor Ames-Alexander claiming the league's top honor of Player of the Year.  
 
North Carolina Central’s Jaden Davis was named the MEAC Pitcher of the Year while Howard’s Lauryn Jones garnered MEAC Rookie of the accolades. First-year Norfolk State Head Coach Angie Nicholson was named the MEAC Coach of the Year to round out the top awards.  
 
Ames-Alexander recorded a league leading .421 batting average. She posted a .711 slugging percentage and a .444 on-base percentage, racking up 51 hits in 121 at-bats. Her offensive firepower included 12 doubles, four triples, and five home runs. She also drove in 36 runs and crossed the plate 23 times. Defensively, she maintained a .940 fielding percentage with 59 putouts and 82 assists, while also contributing to three double plays. Ames-Alexander helped the Lady Bulldogs garner non-conference wins over Furman, Tennessee Tech, Alabama A&M and Alcorn State. 
 
Davis threw 148 total innings, picking up 12 wins. She struck out a conference leading 118 batters, pitching 18 complete games with two shutouts. She recorded an ERA of 3.64, allowing just 77 earned runs on 146 hits. She finished 9-4 against conference opponents, striking out 74 batters in 85.1 innings pitched. 
 
Jones made 41 starts in 45 appearances. She posted a strong .343 batting average, recording 36 hits in 105 at-bats. Jones registered one double and one home run, drove in seven rbis, and scored 29 runs. She also added 11 stolen bases and drew 11 walks to round out her stat line. Her contributions helped lead her team to non-conference wins over Drexel, Grambling State, Alcorn State, Jackson State, and Longwood. She was recognized as MEAC Rookie of the Week four times throughout the season. 
 
Coach Nicholson Led Norfolk State to a 14-7 MEAC record. The Spartans led the conference with a 3.37 ERA and rank second with 134 earned runs allowed. Under her direction, Norfolk State garnered non-conference wins over Saint Peter’s, Mercyhurst, Mount St. Mary’s, UMass Lowell and Hampton. In her first year, Coach Nicholson guided the Spartans to the number two seed heading into the 2025 tournament. 
 
The 2025 MEAC Softball Tournament begins on Wednesday, May 7, at the NSU Softball Field at Norfolk State University. No. 3 Delaware State opens the action against No. 6 South Carolina State at 11 a.m., while No. 4 Morgan State will take on No. 5 North Carolina Central in game two at 2 p.m. 
 
The top two seeds, No. 1 Howard and No. 2 Norfolk State, will play the winners of the two early games at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. 
 
For additional information, including brackets, team info, and live scoring, please visit the Softball Championship Central page at MEACSports.com. 

2025 All-MEAC Softball Awards 
Player of the Year - Taylor Ames-Alexander, S.C. State 
Pitcher of the Year - Jaden Davis, N.C. Central 
Rookie of the Year - Lauryn Jones, Howard 
Coach of the Year - Angie Nicholson, Norfolk State 
 
First Team 
P, Julia Holt, Howard  
P, Jaden Davis, N.C. Central 
1B, Alyssa Vasquez, Howard 
2B, Lealani Ricks, Howard 
3B, Kenna Higa, Howard 
SS, Sidney Fletcher *, Howard 
SS, Taylor Ames-Alexander *, S.C. State 
C, Merci Hart, Howard 
OF, Lauryn Jones, Howard 
OF, Amber Rivas, Morgan State 
OF, Jamaria Charley, S.C. State 
RP, Mia Gonzales, Howard 
UTL, Ameenah Ballenger, Howard 
 
Second Team 
P, Kristin White, Delaware State  
P, Victoria Fletcher, Morgan State 
1B, Maya Jonhson, Norfolk State 
2B, Taylor Ames-Alexander, S.C. State 
3B, Kira Turner, Norfolk State 
SS, Qween Edmonds, Norfolk State 
C, Paige Perkins, Maryland Eastern Shore 
OF, Aniyah Haley, Coppin State  
OF, Angel Riggins, Howard  
OF, Kailey Bryant, Norfolk State 
RP, Brierra Tyler, Norfolk State 
UTL, Victoria Fletcher, Morgan State 
 
Third Team 
P, Amaya McPherson, Norfolk State 
P, Destiny Calloway, S.C. State 
1B, Takia Nichols, N.C. Central 
2B, Makiya Graves, N.C. Central 
3B, Julianna Mejia, Coppin State 
SS, Clarke Calvin, Maryland Eastern Shore 
C, Xzylia Maravilla, Coppin State 
OF, Payton Quinonez, Howard 
OF, Jaycee Holt, Maryland Eastern Shore  
OF, Tyler Suttles, N.C. Central 
RP, Simone Mack, N.C. Central 
UTL, Madison Boyd, S.C. State 
 
* - indicates tie