This past week has been a win in the books for three HBCU softball teams!
Softball teams at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) began to emerge in the early to mid-20th century. While exact dates may vary depending on the specific institution, many HBCUs started developing softball programs as opportunities for women to participate in sports and compete against other schools.
These programs have since grown and evolved, becoming an integral part of the athletic offerings at many HBCUs. In the past few weeks, these HBCU softball teams have stood out in a major way and we are here for it!!!
1Stillman College Softball — First HBCU To Win NAIA Softball Tournament Game
Stillman College’s 2024 Softball Roster via SC Athletics.
Three runs in both the fifth and sixth innings propelled fifth-seed Stillman College into the HBCU record books in a 7-3 victory over fourth-seed Indiana University Southeast at the NAIA Opening Round.
It was not only a historic win as Stillman’s first NAIA tournament victory in program history, but the first-ever victory by a historically black college and university (HBCU) in the NAIA Softball Opening Round. Stillman (36-13) also matches its single-season program wins record set last year at 36.
Next up will be top-seeded, and NAIA No. 7, Jessup University (36-9) of Rocklin, California. The game will start Day 2 of the Opening Round at 1 p.m. Tuesday at William Carey University’s Joseph & Nancy Fail Field.
2Jackson State University — 2024 SWAC Title Champions
Jackson State University 2024 Softball Roster via JSU Twitter/X.
The Jackson State Lady Tigers are in the NCAA Tournament after winning their first SWAC tournament since 2011. They are playing with confidence, having won four consecutive games, including twice against No. 1 seed Florida A&M in the conference tournament.
Freshman Sofia Gonzalez pitched a complete game in a 3-1 victory over the Rattlers on Friday. Jackson State coach Kevin Montgomery, who is in his fifth season, has led the team to a steady climb to the top.
The Tigers, Southwestern Athletic Conference champions, will face No. 9 seed and Southeastern Conference semifinalist LSU in the Baton Rouge Region.
3Morgan State University — 2024 MEAC Title Champions
Morgan State University 2024 Softball Roster via MSU Athletics.
Morgan State, who was recently crowned the 2024 Meac Champs, has also earned a trip to the NCAA Division I softball tournament.
MSU rallied from the loser’s bracket to eliminate Maryland-Eastern Shore, South Carolina State, and North Carolina Central. The Bears then swept crosstown rival Coppin State 5-1 and 6-0 on Saturday to secure their first conference title since 2021.
The Bears, who had to win four games in two days to win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship, will face No. 10 seed and Atlantic Coast Conference champion Duke on Friday, May 17 at 2:30 pm.