NCCU SHUTS DOWN WILDCATS TO MOVE TO 3-0
DURHAM, N.C. - For the first time in the modern era of the program, North Carolina Central moved to 3-0 to start the season thanks to junior Jordan Quinn's seven strong innings and a number of solid defensive plays as the Eagles beat the Davidson Wildcats for the first time 3-1 on Wednesday afternoon at the Durham Athletic Park.
NCCU answered in the bottom of the first as redshirt-senior Akeem Hood dribbled a bunt single down the third base line to record the first hit of the game. Moments later after junior Troy Marrow was plunked by-a-pitch, the Eagles attempted a double steal that resulted in the first of two Davidson errors on the day which brought Hood around to score putting the maroon and gray up 1-0.
Senior Dylan Drayton led off the frame with a single and ended up at third with two outs, and he came around to score on Carter Williamson's hit to centerfield to plate the second Eagle run of the day to make it 2-0.
The third and final run of the day came after senior designated hitter Luis Diaz drilled a hard shot down the right field line to record his first double of the year, which was followed up by Marrow's infield single that allowed Diaz to come around and score and put the maroon and gray up 3-0.
Through the third, fourth, and fifth innings of the game, Quinn settled in for the maroon and gray allowing just one hit during that three innings span to keep the Eagles in front.
The lone Davidson run of the day came on a solo shot by Lee Miller to right field to cut the margin to two at 3-1.
The win for NCCU is historic in a number of ways. For the first time in the modern era of the program, the Eagles are 3-0 to start the season, and the maroon and gray beat Davidson for the first time after dropping the previous nine contests to the Wildcats.
In earning his first win as an Eagle, Quinn threw seven innings, allowed only four hits, one earned run, and struck out five. Guarrera earned the save by throwing one inning and recording two strikeouts.
For the complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com
Durapau's Complete Game Shutout Leads B-CU Past FIU, 1-0
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (2-3) picked up their first win inside the confines of Jackie Robinson Ballpark, holding off the FIU Panthers (3-1) for seven innings while clinging to a one-run lead. B-CU came out victorious in the 1-0 victory on the strength of Montana Durapau's first career complete game shutout.
Despite the low-scoring affair, the Wildcats held many scoring opportunities throughout, starting from the opening frame with back-to-back singles from Eros Modena and David Lee.
The Wildcats started quickly again in the second, with Eric Sams beating the throw on a well-placed bunt. Matt Noble looked to throw down a sacrifice bunt, but reached base as the baseman bobbled the catch and missing the tag. Josh Johnson logged the third consecutive bunt to load the bases.
A four-pitch Chris Biocic walk brought Sams across the dish, granting the Wildcats the 1-0 lead, which they would hold through the final out.
Backed by solid fielding from every position, Durapau locked in a perfect game through five frames, but FIU left fielder Zach Sweety's infield-splitting single broke up the no-hitter in the sixth, but he was quickly wiped off the bases by C. Biocic's pickoff play. The Panthers would collect two of their three total hits in the inning.
Durapau downed nine of the final 10 batters, aided in the eighth by a diving catch from Josh Johnson and a perfect throw-out play Sams going deep into the pocket to snag the grounder.
A junior from Deltona, Fla., Durapau threw his first career complete game and solo shutout (fourth overall), allowing just three hits in nine innings, with four strikeouts and no walks, all while throwing just 90 pitches.
The Wildcats made it happen with the 1-0 win, tallying eight hits on the day, but left some runs on the basepath with seven runners left on base in the contest.
Eric Sams continued a solid week (3-for-3 versus North Florida) hitting 2-of-4 and scoring B-CU's lone run, but Josh Johnson led the lineup with 2-of-3 batting. Four other Wildcats collected a hit against FIU.
For the complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com
Eagles Rally for Four in Ninth to Edge Navy 10-8
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Alex Brown had three hits and drove in a run and Coppin State took advantage of three Navy errors to score four runs in the top of the ninth inning to defeat the Midshipmen 10-8 on Wednesday at Max Bishop Stadium.
Coppin State trailed 8-6 entering the top of the ninth inning before staging a rally to post its first victory of the season.
John Walls got things started for the Eagles by drawing a walk. Pinch-hitter Daniel McCrea reached base on a fielder's choice and Walls was safe at second on a Navy fielding error.
Brown then delivered an RBI single to left that scored Walls and cut the Navy lead to 8-7.
Dalton Cozart reached on a fielder's choice and Brown moved to third and McCrea scored the tying run on another Navy fielding error.
After a Navy pitching change, the Midshipmen recorded the first out of the inning when Brown was tagged out at the plate on a fielder's choice by Chris Godfrey.
Cozart put the Eagles ahead 9-8 when he scored from second on the third Navy error of the inning.
Nathan Pitts tacked on an insurance run for Coppin State when he ripped a sacrifice fly to left that brought home Godfrey and extended the Eagle lead to 10-8.
Chris Vazquez worked out of a difficult jam in the bottom of the ninth inning to pick up the victory. Navy had runners on first and second with one out, but Vazquez induced a ground ball double play to end the game.
Coppin State improved to 1-3 on the season, while Navy dropped to 2-2 overall.
Godfrey added two hits for Coppin State, while David Hamlett drove in three runs with a bases-loaded double. Chris Kashangaki had a hit, drove in two runs, scored two runs and stole a base.
Kash Manzelli had four hits, including a home run, to lead the Navy offense. Chris Cannon added three hits and Brad Borosak drove in a pair of runs.
For the complete story, visit www.coppinstatesports.com