GREENSBORO, N.C. – The South Carolina State softball opened Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play this weekend by going 1-2 in a three-game series at North Carolina A&T. The Lady Bulldogs (4-12, 1-2 MEAC) split Friday's doubleheader winning the first game 8-5 then falling 10-1 in the second game. The Lady Aggies (13-14, 2-1 MEAC) won Saturday's single game 9-0.

In game 1, SC State got on the board early, picking up two runs in the first inning on a two-run home run by Ciana Burt. The Lady Bulldogs held a 2-0 advantage until the bottom of the third inning when A&T posted three runs to take the lead.

The Lady Bulldogs scored runs in the fourth and fifth innings to go up 4-3, but the persistent Lady Aggies tied things up again in the bottom of the fifth frame.

SC State put the game out of reach in the top of the sixth by scoring four runs. With two outs and the bases loaded, Unique Whitehurst blasted a triple to right field that scored Jada Richardson, Justine Zepeda and Jasmine Greer. One batter later, Whitehurst scored on a passed ball to bring the score to 8-4.

A&T managed one more run in the final inning, but it was not enough for the win. Kierra Cromer was the winning pitcher after tossing a 10-hit, five-run complete game.

The Lady Aggies turned up the defense in the final two games of the series and limited the Lady Bulldogs to just one run in 10 innings.

SC State continues its road swing by stopping in Conway, S.C. for a non-conference doubleheader against Coastal Carolina beginning 12 p.m. on Wednesday.