Parker's Grand Slam Propels Eagles To Win Over Savannah State
DURHAM, N.C. (NCCUEaglePride.com)- Faced with a 2-0 deficit heading into the bottom of the eighth, having already left eight runners on base, the North Carolina Central used Derrell Parker's first grand slam of the season to break open a tie game as NCCU won the final game of the weekend series against Savannah State 6-2 to end a 14-game losing streak on Sunday afternoon at the Durham Athletic Park.
The weekend finale between NCCU and SSU turned out to be a pitcher's duel for most of the ballgame as both starters Sam Fulmer for the Eagles and Kyle McGowin for the Tigers combined to strike out 17 batters, but it was Savannah State that held the 2-0 advantage early.
SSU's righty McGowin didn't allow an Eagle hit until the fourth frame when freshman Carter Williamson got the first of two hits on the day, but the Eagles left runners at the corners stranded after Edward Pegues flew out to left to end the threat.
Pegues singled through the right side to tie the ballgame at two, giving the senior 11 RBIs on the season. A Blake Murray walk and a error by SSU pitcher Jason Wynn loaded the bases with one out when sophomore Derrell Parker came in to pinch hit.
Parker hit the ball toward the right field wall and over the building behind the stadium sending the home crowd into a frenzy and giving the Eagles the cushion it would need to get the win at 6-2.
Senior lefty Brandon Oatis came on in relief and earned the win for the Eagles.
For the complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com or www.ssuathletics.com
Rattlers Pound North Carolina A&T, 11-1
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 3) - Florida A&M was able to bounce back in game three as the Rattlers defeated North Carolina A&T , 11-1 to win the series in a MEAC game, Sunday afternoon at Moore-Kittles Field.
FAMU (10-22, 2-4 MEAC) pounded out 12 hits, while N.C. A&T (8-18, 2-3 MEAC) garnered two.
The Rattlers were led by Tobi Adeyemi as he went three-for-five from the plate, driving in four runs and scoring one, while both Andre McKoy and Marquis Riley finished with a hit a piece for the Aggies.
David Duncan (2-3) struck out 11 and allowed two hits in seven innings to get the win for the Rattlers, while Brent Moore (1-4) took the loss for the Aggies as he gave up six hits, one earned run and struck out four in five and one-third innings.
Dylan West gave FAMU a 1-0 lead as he scored on a N.C. A&T infielder's error in the bottom of the second inning.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Rattlers took advantage of three this and an Aggie error to take a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning.
Carvell Copeland scored N.C. A&T's only run of the game as he scored on a Dario Little fielder's choice, cutting FAMU's lead to 4-1.
Antonio Kilpatrick and Grant would score for the Rattlers in the bottom of the sixth inning as Kilpatrick scored on a Grant single down the left field line. Then Grant would score on an Adeyemi double to left center, giving FAMU a 6-1 lead.
The Rattlers would score five more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning for the 11-1 final.
For the complete story, visit www.ncataggies.com or www.famurattlersports.com
Spartans Take Two from Coppin State, 15-2, 9-2
BALTIMORE, Md. - John Lynch had five hits and six runs batted in, and Ryan Montgomery and James Taylor also had five hits apiece as Norfolk State swept a doubleheader from Coppin State Sunday at Joe Cannon Stadium, 15-2 and 9-2.
Lynch knocked in three runs in each game for the Spartans, who improved to 10-16 overall and 3-1 in the MEAC. Lynch went 5-for-11 and Montgomery 5-for-9 for NSU, which had 16 hits in both games. The 16 hits are a season high.
Game one was a completion of Saturday's suspended game. NSU led 9-1 in the top of the fifth inning on Saturday when rain halted things. NSU picked up where it left off, adding another run in the fifth, two in the sixth and three in the seventh to end the game early due to the 10-run rule. Lynch had a two-run single in the sixth, while TiQuan Griffin had a two-run double and Taylor an RBI single in the seventh.
Griffin went 3-for-3 with two doubles, a season-high three RBI and two steals in game one. He reached base in all five of his plate appearances and matched his career high in runs batted in. Sammy Serafine scored a career-high four runs for NSU, which outhit the Eagles (3-21, 1-4 MEAC) 16-2.
Ryan Shook (2-3) got the win for NSU. He pitched four innings and allowed just two hits while fanning seven batters. Freshman Chase Kyriacou earned the save with three hitless innings of relief. He walked one and allowed one earned run while striking out three hitters.
For the complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com or www.coppinstatesports.com