Bethune-Cookman to Host MEAC Softball Tournament :: Tournament to take place at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex

May 6, 2008

Daytona Beach, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman University is ready to host the 2008 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Softball Tournament this week at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex in nearby Ormond Beach, Fla. The annual tournament is slated for May 8-10.

The Wildcats are hosting the tournament for the first time since 2002. The tournament then moved to the Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. before traveling between North Carolina A&T [2006] and Morgan State [2007].

The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats and the Hampton Lady Pirates earned the top seeds in the northern and southern divisions of the 2008 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Softball Championship Tournament. The tournament gets underway March 8-10 at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex, 700 Hull Road, in Ormond Beach, Florida.

Bethune-Cookman secured the number one seed in the south with a 9-3 divisional finish, 19-34 overall. The Lady Wildcats tied North Carolina A&T State (9-3) in the division but obtained the top honor due to conference tie-breaking procedures. The Lady Aggies, who finished with the best overall record this season at 31-15, will be the number two seed in the south. Florida A&M (5-7) claimed the third spot while Norfolk State (4-8) is slated fourth.

The defending regular season champion Hampton Lady Pirates (12-2) clinched the number one seed in the north with a 12-2 MEAC mark and a 31-16 overall record. The Lady Pirates, under the direction of new head coach Regina Gibbons, dominated conference play most of the season, losing their first MEAC game to Howard on April 13.

The 2007 MEAC Tournament Champion Howard Lady Bison claimed the number two seed in the north with a 12-3 conference mark. Delaware State (10-5) and Morgan State (7-7) wraps up the third and fourth place positions in the north.

Only the top four teams in each division can compete for the conference title. Coppin State (0-14), Maryland Eastern Shore (3-12), and South Carolina State (3-9) have been eliminated from post season play based on their conference finish.

The 2008 MEAC Softball Championship Tournament begins at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 8 with Bethune-Cookman against Morgan State and Hampton facing interstate rival Norfolk State in games one and two. Howard drew Florida A&M for game three while North Carolina A&T will take on Delaware State in game four beginning at 1:30 p.m. The championship finale is set for Saturday, May 10 at 1 p.m.

Admission is $3 for children, students and seniors and $5 for adults.

For up-to-date information, brackets, etc. please visit the official website of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) at www.MEACsports.com. You can also call the conference office at (757) 416-7100.