Softball | 2/5/2026 3:36:00 PM

DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central begins the 2026 softball season with five games in three days at the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Fla., including Friday's contests against Pittsburgh at 10 a.m. and Rutgers at 1 p.m.

The event continues Saturday when the Eagles play Notre Dame at 3 p.m. and Eastern Kentucky at 6 p.m. They wrap up opening weekend against South Alabama on Sunday at 10 a.m.

All five games can be seen on nccueaglepride.com or the GameChanger app. The site of the tournament is the Eddie C. Moore Complex.

The NFCA Leadoff Classic, featuring 18 teams, marks the official start of the NCAA Division I season. In its 23^rd year, it showcases some of the best national competition in the country.

NCCU is competing in the Leadoff Classic for the second time in three seasons. In 2024, the Eagles played five games in the event to start the season. They gained a 5-4 victory over Central Arkansas in eight innings.

Under second-year Head Coach Now-Allah James, the Eagles return 10 players from a team that placed fifth in the MEAC during the 2025 regular season. The Eagles, picked to finish fourth in the conference this season, bolstered the roster with eight newcomers.

The Eagles are led standout outfielders Tyler Suttles and Daiyah Bailey. Suttles, a junior, is a two-time All-MEAC player who is the team's top returning hitter. Last season, Suttles ranked eighth in the MEAC in batting average (.342) and tied for fourth in triples (4).

Bailey, a sophomore, is back after leading the team with 21 stolen bases in 21 attempts as a freshman. In the MEAC, she ranked fourth in stolen bases, fifth in runs scored (27) and seventh in hits (44) in the conference.

The Eagles also feature sophomore relief pitcher Simone Mack, who was selected to the Preseason All-MEAC team after garnering All-MEAC accolades as a freshman.

The NFCA Leadoff Classic is the first of three straight tournaments for the Eagles, who will participate in the HBCU Collegiate Invitational from Feb. 13-15 and the Tar Heel Invitational from Feb. 19-22.

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.