Rivalry Weekend determines playoff slots for MEAC Softball

by Keith Henry

This upcoming weekend is HUGE for everyone in MEAC Softball. The only lock at this point is Howard. They won the MEAC regular season championship for the second consecutive year by sweeping Coppin State last weekend in Washington, D.C.

With that effort, the Bison won their 14th consecutive MEAC series and lock up the #1 seed along with the bye going into the MEAC Softball Tournament.

As for the rest of the conference, this weekend will determine who finishes second and earns the last bye. It will also determine who will pick up the last spots in the MEAC Tournament. And who will be the unfortunate souls that stay home and their season ends.

Race for the #2 Seed & Last Bye 

Delaware State, South Carolina State and Norfolk State are MEAC Tournament bound. However, they are separated by two games in the standings with this weekend set of games left. 

Starting with Delaware State, they travel to Princess Anne to take on UMES. Should the Hornets win two of three from the Lady Hawks, DSU will clinch the #2 seed. DSU already swept the Bulldogs last week to take care of the tie-breaking scenario with them. But they lost two of three at Norfolk State on the weekend of March 14. Winning this series is a must for the Hornets.

As for South Carolina State, they travel to Cary, NC to take on North Carolina Central. Should the Bulldogs win two of three from the Lady Eagles and UMES win two of three from Delaware State, SCSU will be the #2 seed and earn the bye.

As for Norfolk State, the good news is they clinched the MEAC Tournament bid. The bad news is they travel to D.C to take on defending MEAC champ Howard. The Spartans clinch the #2 seed if they do the unimaginable and sweep Howard along with UMES sweeping Delaware State & NCCU sweeping South Carolina State. NSU won two of three from Delaware State but lost two of three at South Carolina State.

Battle for the last two MEAC Tournament spots

Coppin State, Morgan State, UMES and NCCU are separated by two games for the last two MEAC Tournament spots. 

The Coppin-Morgan series has been moved up a day to Friday-Saturday because of weather issues. Regardless of that, this series is massive because both teams control their own destiny because the winner of this Battle of Baltimore Softball edition earns their spot in Norfolk. The loser will need some help to clinch the last spot in the MEAC Tournament.

If Coppin loses two of three in the Morgan series, their season is over if NCCU sweeps SCSU or UMES sweeps Delaware State. 

If Coppin is swept at Morgan AND NCCU wins two of three from SCSU or UMES sweeps Delaware State, the Lady Eagles season is finished.

If Morgan loses two of three vs. Coppin, the Lady Bears season is over if UMES or NCCU sweeps their series.

If Morgan is swept by Coppin, the Lady Bears season is over if UMES or NCCU win their weekend series.

Coppin AND Morgan are IN if that series ends 2-1 in either direction plus Delaware State AND South Carolina State win or sweep their series.

Also, if South Carolina State & Delaware State sweep their series, Coppin & Morgan are IN anyway!

Exhausting isn't it! 

IT'S THE MEAC BABY!!!