PRAIRIE VIEW – The Prairie View A&M softball team (3-9) will see some familiar faces in its final non-conference tournament, as the Lady Panthers take part in the HBCU Softball Classic Saturday and Sunday.

Prairie View A&M opens with North Alabama on Saturday at 1 p.m. and faces fellow conference member Jackson State at 5 p.m. The Lady Panthers conclude with Sunday contests versus Alabama State and North Alabama at 11 a.m and 3 p.m., respectively.

The Lady Panthers lead the Southwestern Athletic Conference in batting average (.269), on-base percentage (.371) and stolen-base percentage (.813) while ranking second in doubles (18).

Prairie View A&M has four players hitting .350 or better on the year: senior Daneisha Hinton (.375 BA, nine hits, two doubles, four RBI), sophomore Diavionne Dewalt (.368 BA, seven hits, seven runs), junior Alexis Freeman (.357 BA, 10 hits, 10 runs, four RBI) and senior Alyssa Garcia (.351 BA, 13 hits, seven runs, seven RBI, three doubles). Additionally, senior Gabrielle Fonseca is hitting .323 with three doubles, one home run and nine RBI.

Scouting the Opposition:
- North Alabama (12-7) is led offensively by Meleah Hargett (.400 BA, 18 hits, 16 runs, 12 RBI) and Harley Stokes (.346 BA, 18 hits, 18 RBI, 14 runs, six doubles, four home runs). In the circle, Maci Birdyshaw and and Megan Garst both have sub-2.00 earned run averages and have combined for a 9-5 record with 97 strikeouts. UNA has won seven of its last 10 games.

- Alexis Syndor has been on a tear to open the season for Alabama State (7-13), leading the SWAC with a robust .529 batting average and 27 total hits. The top hurlers for the Lady Hornets thus far this season has been Alexa Veamoi, who is 3-2 with a 3.73 ERA and 22 strikeouts, and Skyler Sullivan, who is 3-1 while limiting opponents to a .227 batting average.

- Jackson State (6-12) is led by Ariana Cruz (.361 BA, 13 hits and 12 runs) and Kaitlyn Elzie (.343 BA, 12 hits, eight RBI, seven runs). The top arm of the Lady Tigers' pitching corps is Kayla Owens, who is 4-4 with a 3.46 ERA with 42 strikeouts.