CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 31, 2026) – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association announces its Week Seven Softball Honors for games played March 22 through March 28. The weekly awards recognize top performances in the circle, at the plate, in the field, and from a standout rookie across the conference.
Pitcher of the Week - Sydney Seals, Bowie State
Sophomore pitcher Sydney Seals anchored Bowie State’s staff during the CIAA Round Up, helping lead the Bulldogs to a perfect 6 and 0 record on the week. Seals delivered dominant performances across three key starts, showcasing exceptional command and control in the circle.
She recorded five strikeouts against Claflin, nine against Winston Salem State, and 12 against Shaw, consistently limiting scoring opportunities and keeping opponents off balance. Seals’ ability to perform in high pressure moments and control the pace of the game played a pivotal role in Bowie State’s undefeated week.
Offensive Player of the Week - Presleigh Braxton, Bowie State
Junior outfielder Presleigh Braxton powered the Bowie State offense during the CIAA Round Up, helping lead the Bulldogs to a perfect 6 and 0 weekend. Braxton went 7 for 19 at the plate, batting .368 with four RBI and five runs scored while consistently producing in key moments.
She also reached a major milestone, recording her 100th career hit during the weekend. Braxton’s steady presence at the plate and ability to create scoring opportunities, combined with her leadership in center field, played a pivotal role in Bowie State’s undefeated performance.
Defensive Player of the Week - Tiara Stueck, Fayetteville State
Sophomore Tiara Stueck delivered a flawless defensive performance for Fayetteville State across six games, anchoring the Broncos with consistency and versatility at first base and catcher. Stueck handled 33 total chances, recording 31 putouts and two assists without committing an error, finishing the week with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.
She posted error free performances in five games, including a standout showing against Lincoln where she helped turn a double play. Stueck continued her strong defensive play in wins over Virginia State, Elizabeth City State, and Bluefield State, consistently providing reliability in high workload situations both behind the plate and in the field.
Rookie of the Week - Aryana Meadows, Claflin
Freshman Aryana Meadows delivered a standout all around performance for Claflin, appearing in seven of the team’s eight games during the week and helping lead the Lady Panthers to a 7 and 1 record, including five wins at the CIAA Round Up.
At the plate, Meadows was highly productive, going 9 for 14 while scoring nine runs. Her extra base power was on full display with three doubles, one triple, and one home run, while also driving in four RBI.
Defensively, Meadows contributed at third base with 16 putouts on 19 chances, showcasing her versatility and consistency. Her impact on both sides of the game played a key role in Claflin’s strong week.
Media Contact:
Anna M. Butzlaff
Associate Commissioner, Strategic Communications
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
abutzlaff@theciaa.com
About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.