BOWIE, MD -- The Bowie State softball team (10–16, 6–0 CIAA) is set to open CIAA Northern Division play with back-to-back doubleheaders in Virginia this weekend. The Bulldogs will face Virginia State (4-13, 3-3 CIAA) on Friday, Apr. 10, before traveling to Virginia Union (12-18, 5-1 CIAA) on Saturday, Apr. 11.

First pitch for both doubleheaders is scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.

When: Friday, Apr. 10 through Saturday, Apr. 11
Watch: Day One | Day Two
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Scouting Bowie State
Bowie State enters the weekend with a 10–16 overall record and remains unbeaten in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play at 6–0. The Bulldogs have been led offensively by Taylor Dawkins, who is hitting .409 with three home runs and 12 RBIs, while Mikayla Amos is batting .384 with a team-high 14 RBIs.

Audrey Newell has also been a key contributor in the middle of the lineup, driving in 16 runs while batting .306, and Coreena Dunham provides speed on the bases with a team-high eight stolen bases.

In the circle, Sydney Seals has paced the pitching staff with a 6–5 record and 76 strikeouts in 68 innings, while Aaliyah Amos has added three wins with 49 strikeouts across 63 innings.

Last Timeout for the Bulldogs
BSU is coming off a pair of nonconference losses at Shippensburg on Tuesday, falling 9–1 in game one and 5–4 in game two at Robb Field.

In the opener, the Bulldogs were limited to four hits. Bowie State scored its lone run in the fourth inning when Mikayla Amos delivered an RBI single to right field to plate Presleigh Braxton.

In game two, BSU jumped out to a 3–0 lead in the first inning after Dawkins singled to score Dunham, while Aaliyah Amos added a bases-loaded walk and a wild pitch brought home another run. Dawkins later extended the advantage to 4–0 with a solo home run in the third inning.

Ship rallied late, scoring twice in the fourth and once in the fifth before completing the comeback with a two-run single in the seventh inning to secure the sweep.

Scouting Virginia State

• VSU enters the matchup with a 4–13 overall record and a 3–3 mark in CIAA play.
• Lauren Parham leads the Trojans at the plate, batting .500 with 25 hits and a team-high 10 stolen bases, providing a major spark at the top of the lineup.
• Mylia Knight is one of the team's most productive hitters, batting .340 with two home runs, four doubles, two triples and 11 RBIs, leading the team in extra-base hits.
• Former Bulldog, Nanye' Cain-Dixon has driven in 11 RBIs while hitting .256 and also contributes defensively behind the plate.
• Madison Jones leads the staff with two wins in eight appearances, striking out 15 batters in just over 40 innings.
• VSU are hitting .270 as a team with 121 hits through 17 games.
• Opponents are batting .331 against Virginia State, while the Trojans hold a 5.55 team ERA in the circle.

Scouting Virginia Union

• VUU enters the matchup with a 12–18 overall record and a 5–1 mark in CIAA play.
• Madison Hayes leads the Panthers at the plate, batting .429 with eight doubles, two triples, two home runs and 18 RBIs.
• Jailyn Myrick provides speed and run production, hitting .419 with 22 runs scored and 13 stolen bases, creating pressure on opposing defenses.
• Janiya Brown adds power to the lineup, batting .375 with 10 doubles, four home runs and 15 RBIs.
• Elisia Gonzalez-Pettis contributes both at the plate and in the circle, hitting .333 with 15 RBIs while leading the pitching staff with a 6–3 record.
• Madison Crace is another key bat in the lineup, hitting .385 with 14 RBIs this season.
• Virginia Union is batting .347 as a team with 162 hits and 13 home runs through 18 games.
• Opponents are hitting .359 against the Panthers, who hold a 6.12 team ERA in the circle.

Up Next
The Bulldogs will open their home schedule on Wednesday, Apr. 15, hosting PSAC opponent Millersville University for a doubleheader at the BSU Softball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 14 varsity sport teams, visit bsubulldogs.com.