North Carolina Central University

SOFTBALL

     HAMPTON, Va. -- For the second consecutive week, North Carolina Central University has swept the weekly softball conference honors, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association announced late Monday (March 27).
     NCCU freshman first baseman Casey Rodriquez has been named the CIAA Player of the Week, junior hurler Clarisse Steans has been voted CIAA Pitcher of the Week, sophomore designated hitter Shirley Torain has been selected CIAA Offensive Player of the Week, and junior second baseman Lakeshia Sheppard has been chosen CIAA Defensive Player of the Week for the week of March 20-26. 
 

Casey Rodriquez

Clarisse Steans

Shirley Torain

Lakeshia Sheppard

     Rodriquez, a native of Columbia, S.C., hit 7-for-11 for a .636 batting average with 12 RBIs, five runs scored, two home runs, two triples and a double, while adding 13 putouts and four assists in the field during four games last week - all Lady Eagles victories. In her best performance, Rodriquez went 3-for-4 at the plate, including two home runs and a triple, with five RBIs and two runs scored against Virginia State on Saturday, March 25.
     Steans, a native of Macon, Ga., was a perfect 3-0 on the mound last week with a 1.02 earned run average. She collected 12 strikeouts and scattered four hits in 13.2 innings of work, holding opponents to a .093 batting average.
     Torain, a native of Roxboro, N.C., went 7-for-13 at the plate (.538 batting average), including two home runs and a double, while driving in 11 runs and walking twice.
     Sheppard, a native of Snow Hill, N.C., amassed nine putouts and eight assists from her second base post without an error.
     Last week, the Lady Eagles swept doubleheaders from Virginia State and Virginia Union to remain unbeaten in CIAA play (10-0) and improve to 20-13 overall to become only the third team in school history to win 20 games in a season.
     NCCU travels to Fayetteville State on Saturday for a conference doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. The Lady Eagles return home on Tuesday, April 4 against Saint Augustine's starting at 7 p.m. at Hillside High School.

(Photos by Robert Lawson)