NORFOLK, Va., May 7, 2025 — No. 4 seed Morgan State opened the 2025 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Softball Tournament with a narrow 4-3 win over fifth-seeded North Carolina Central on Wednesday afternoon. With the victory, the Lady Bears advance to the 8 p.m. matchup against top-seeded Howard University. 

Morgan State struck early, plating its first run in the bottom of the first inning as Gianna Ettore scored on an RBI single by Olivia Pagano. The Eagles responded in the top of the second when Jaden Davis drove in Kendall Smith with a single to left, evening the score at 1-1. 

The Lady Bears regained control in the third with a two-run frame. Amber Rivas crossed the plate on an infield single by Ettore, and Nia Lewis followed shortly after, scoring on a Millie Cousins single to right to make it 3-1. 

In the fifth, Morgan State extended its lead to 4-1 as Ettore delivered again—this time with a single up the middle to bring home Rylee Hyde. 

N.C. Central mounted a comeback in the sixth, pulling within a run after Smith and Cameron Frye scored on a fielding error during a Jaden Davis at-bat. Morgan State threatened to add insurance in the bottom half of the inning, but left one stranded following a double by Morgan Alvarez. 

The Eagles placed the tying run on base in the top of the seventh with a single from Tyler Suttles, but the Lady Bears held firm, recording the final two outs to seal the win. 
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Fans can follow the action and stay updated through the MEAC Softball Championship Central page.   
 
 
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.