TUSKEGEE, Ala. – The Tuskegee softball team is set to travel to Spartanburg, South Carolina for the SIAC/CIAA HBCU Classic, a three-day tournament hosted at Tyger River Park.
 
The Golden Tigers will face Elizabeth City State (2:30 p.m.) and Shaw (5 p.m.) on Friday, followed by Bowie State (10 a.m.), Lincoln (12:30 p.m.), and Virginia State (5:30 p.m.) on Saturday, before closing the weekend against Virginia Union (12:30) on Sunday afternoon in a showcase of top HBCU softball programs.
 
Tuskegee enters the 2025 season looking to build on a successful 2024 campaign, in which they finished 30-22 overall and 17-5 in SIAC play. Last season, the Golden Tigers advanced to the SIAC Championship semifinals, and they now aim to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023.
 
Tuskegee returns a strong core of players from last season's squad that posted a .271 team batting average, a 4.16 team ERA, and an SIAC-best 146 stolen bases. The Golden Tigers' aggressive baserunning and solid defense helped them to a deep conference tournament run in 2024.
 
Tuskegee will lean on a pair of preseason All-SIAC players in senior pitcher Kamya Hampton and veteran two-way player Caroline Clark to anchor their 2025 campaign.
 
Hampton was one of the SIAC's most dominant pitchers last season, finishing with a 20-10 record, 3.22 ERA, and 157 strikeouts in 192.2 innings. She led the conference in wins, innings pitched, and strikeouts, solidifying her role as the team's ace. Hampton's ability to control the strike zone and limit opponents to a .233 batting average will  be crucial as she faces teams with power hitters this weekend?.
 
Clark provides versatility as both a pitcher and an infielder. Last season, she went 7-10 with a 5.17 ERA in 92.1 innings, while also contributing offensively with a .280 batting average and 14 RBIs. Clark's ability to step up in high-leverage situations will be key for Tuskegee's success in the tournament.
 
Offensively, Jessica Morales is one of the leading batters returning from last season with a .287 batting average, 41 hits, 28 runs scored, and 24 stolen bases, while Kaeley Roldan also provided production in the lineup with a .278 batting average, 30 hits and 12 RBIs. Nylah Strange-Lindley (.261, 24 SB) and Victoria Harrison (.254, 28 runs) also return as key contributors.
 
The Vikings have already played six games this season, going 2-4 and posting a .300 team batting average. Jamia Guilford (.444, 1 HR, .889 SLG%) and Courtney Hoggard (.375, 2B, .625 SLG%) have powered ECSU's offense. However, their pitching staff has struggled, holding a 10.19 ERA, with opponents batting .417 against them?.
 
The Bears split their first two games of the season, batting .267 as a team. Sierra Scott (.429, 3 RBIs, .857 SLG%) has been their biggest offensive threat, while Audrey Newell (.429, 1 2B, .500 OBP) provides another consistent bat. Shaw's pitching staff, however, has a team ERA of 8.08, giving up 15 runs in just 13 innings?.
 
Bowie State finished last season 20-23 overall and 11-5 in the CIAA, with a .300 team batting average and 16 home runs. Jayla Hill led the Bulldogs with a .453 average, 6 HRs, and a .726 SLG%, while Lindsey George (.345, 4 HRs, 69 total bases) was another offensive weapon. Their pitching staff posted a 3.86 team ERA, with Akirra Pullen (9-11, 3.43 ERA) and Lindsey George (9-9, 4.14 ERA) leading the staff?.
 
The Lions finished 17-26 overall and 12-6 in the CIAA last season, relying on speed and contact hitting. Tia Brown was their best hitter, batting .373 with a .480 SLG%, while Aliya Rose (.361, 22 SBs) and Irlynn Richardson (.343, 12 2Bs, 3 3Bs, 1 HR) added offensive production. Lincoln struggled in the circle, posting a 5.36 team ERA, with Tia Brown (6-8, 4.25 ERA) and Chloe Foster (5-9, 6.60 ERA) handling most of the innings?.
 
Virginia State had a dominant 2024 season, finishing 25-4 overall and 15-1 in CIAA play with a .357 team batting average. Hailey Darrington (.473, 56 TB, .571 OBP) and Mylia Knight (.414, 4 HRs, .759 SLG%) led an explosive offense. On the mound, Jaya Diggs-Hagwood (1.35 ERA, 5-0) and Kara Green (10-2, 3.01 ERA, 44 Ks) anchored one of the best pitching staffs in HBCU softball?.
 
Virginia Union have struggled early this season, starting off 0-4 and posting a .227 team batting average with 10 total runs in four games. Their pitching staff has been hit hard, compiling a 10.15 team ERA, with Brandy Roberts (9.75 ERA) and Yonah Rogers (8.40 ERA) seeing the most innings?.
 
The CIAA/SIAC Classic will serve as a valuable early-season test for Tuskegee as they set their sights on another deep SIAC Tournament run and a potential NCAA Tournament return.
 
How to Follow the Golden Tigers: For complete information on Tuskegee Golden Tigers Softball, visit GoldenTigerSports.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.