South Carolina State University Women's Softball

South Carolina State Interim Director of Athletics Oliver "Buddy" Pough announced the hiring of Nakeya Hall as the new head coach for the Lady Bulldogs softball program on August 6th, 2025.   "I am deeply honored and humbled to be named the Head Softball Coach at South Carolina State University", said Hall. To return to the place that helped shape me, both personally and professionally, is truly a full-circle moment.   Pough said, "We are looking forward to bringing Coach Hall back home to bulldog country!  Our softball fans remember her enthusiasm and are excited to see her return".              Hall noted, "A heartfelt thank you to Coach Pough, President Alexander Conyers and the committee for believing in me and entrusting me with this role. I'm proud to serve my alma mater and can't wait to get to work building something special with our student-athletes."   Hall a championship winning coach returns to her alma mater after seven seasons at Grambling State University. While with the Lady Tigers she won, 119 games and posting the second highest winning percentage in program history (.424). In 2023, she led the Tigers to the SWAC Championship game, the first time GSU had advanced that far since 2001. Also, during the 2023 season, the Lady Tigers won 33 games, which tied for the most wins in a single season in program history.    During her tenure at Grambling State, she produced seven All-SWAC selections, including the 2025 SWAC Player of the Year Kamryn Broussard and the 2023 SWAC Freshman of the Year Cadashia Collins.   Prior to Grambling State University, Hall spent five seasons at Alabama A&M University. Under Hall, Alabama A&M boasted what was statistically the strongest offense in the SWAC from a power standpoint during the 2018 campaign. Alabama A&M led the league in batting (.297), slugging percentage (.448), runs per game (.593) and home runs (32). This remarkable season earned Hall 2018 SWAC Coach of the Year honors and a share of the Eastern Division Championship. Hall was an assistant coach at South Carolina State for four years and, for two seasons, she served as an assistant coach at Winston-Salem State. A four-year letter-winner at S.C. State from 1999-2003. Hall earned numerous honors including being named the Offensive and Utility Player of the Year as well as being named to several all-tournament team selections. She also earned a MEAC Player of the Week honor during her playing days. A native of Pittsburg, Calif., Hall earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice in 2003, and her master's in rehabilitation counseling.  She is also a graduate of the NCAA Women's Coaches Academy. Hall is the proud parent of three. She has two beautiful twin girls, Kayleigh and Kalani Hall and her son Princeton.   Notable Information: > Born in Pittsburg, California > Member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated > 2018 SWAC Coach of the Year > Produced several SWAC All-Conference student-athletes > 2016-17 posted a single year perfect 1,000 APR Score at AAMU  

Katlyn Duke enters her third season as the assistant coach for the South Carolina State University womens softball program.   Duke came to SC State from Neshoba Central High School where she was the assistant softball coach. While at Neshoba, Duke helped coach the team to a number one national ranking with an undefeated season and 8th consecutive state championship.   Prior to Neshoba, Duke was the assistant softball coach at Nanih Waiya Attendance Center, where she helped the program to a great start before COVID-19 ended the season.   Duke played softball at East Central Community College for two years where she was named to the All-State team. While at EC, Duke competed in a state, regional, and national championship. In 2015 she was awarded the Muracci Elite Hitter award at the national tournament which is awarded to the tournament's best offensive player.   After graduating from East Central, Duke attended Mississippi State University for one year before playing softball for Tatjana Matthews at Mississippi University for Women also known as The W in 2018. At The W Duke was named the universitys female athlete of the year and received All-American honors through the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).  In 2019 Duke played womens basketball at The W. In the inaugural season, they won the USCAA national championship and Duke was awarded the coachs award. Duke graduated from The W with her Bachelor of Science in exercise science in 2019.