OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha softball team travels to Durham, North Carolina this weekend to take part in the Eagle Challenge hosted by North Carolina Central.  The Mavericks open tournament play against Virginia and North Carolina Central on Friday, February 13.  UNO will play the Cavaliers at noon (CT), before playing the host Eagles at 2:15 p.m. (CT).  Omaha will play Delaware State and Virginia on the second day of the tournament.  First pitch against the Hornets is set for noon p.m. (CT), while the rematch with the Cavaliers is set for 2:15 p.m.

Series Information

Venue:                                                                         Thomas Brooks Park

ALL-TIME RECORD VS. Virginia:                         0-0

ALL-TIME RECORD VS. Delaware State:              0-0

ALL-TIME RECORD VS. North Carolina Central: 0-0

A Look at the Cavaliers

Virginia finished 8-43 and 1-25 in the ACC last season. UVA has started the 2015 season with a 1-4 mark.  Last weekend, the Cavaliers competed in the USC Upstate tournament, losing to BYU, Stanford, Utah Valley and Wisconsin and defeated UTEP.  Virginia's 14-5 win over UTEP was highlighted by Allison Davis and Danni Ingraham both scoring three runs and Aimee Chapdelaine with five in the RBI column.  Andie Formby was credited with the win, pitching 3.1 innings. Blake Miller is in his second season as head coach for the Cavaliers.

Previewing North Carolina Central

North Carolina Central finished the 2014 season 9-35 overall and 4-10 in MEAC play. NCCU has started the 2015 season with a double header sweep over Pitt Community College on Sunday, Feb. 8.  In those two games, Jenny Tracy had four hits, including two homeruns, and three runs batted in. London Booker and Dominique Wilson both earned a win from the double-header, collectively posting 21 strikeouts and just three walks. The Eagles are led by head coach Theresa Stephens who is in her fourth year.

Scouting Delaware State

Last season, Delaware State finished with a 35-17 overall record and went 15-2 in MEAC play.  The Hornets opened this season at the Pirate Classic hosted by East Carolina last weekend.  DSU lost to East Carolina, Longwood, Oakland (twice) and South Carolina.  Nicole Gazzola went 7-for-16 with an RBI and three stolen bases.  Rochelle Sablay and Vanessa Washington each hit homeruns for the Hornets.  Tara Tursellino went 0-4 with a 9.45 ERA in four appearances.  Coach Amber Jackson is in her first season at Delaware State.

On Deck

Following the Eagle Classic, Omaha visits Oxford, Miss. for the Red & Blue Classic on Friday-Saturday Feb. 20-22.  UNO opens up the tournament against Middle Tennessee and Southern Illinois on Friday.  The following day, UNO plays tournament host Ole Miss and Tennessee-Martin.  The Mavs wrap up tournament play with a rematch against SIU on Sunday.