Coppin State Splits with Norfolk State
NORFOLK, Va. - Shane Davies pitched seven strong innings and Nathan Pitts drove in a run leading Coppin State to a 2-1 victory over Norfolk State and a split of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheader on Sunday at Marty Miller Field.
Davies led the Eagles to the victory in game one of the doubleheader as he allowed seven hits and one run while striking out four batters.
Coppin State (12-25, 7-11 MEAC) scored a run in the first inning and a run in the second inning, and Davies and relief pitcher Michael Roberts made it stand up.
Chris Kashangaki singled to lead off the game for Coppin State. He advanced to second on a failed pickoff attempt and came around to score on a Norfolk State throwing error.
The Eagles pushed the lead to 2-0 when Jay Maletz hit a one-out single and Pitts followed with a double that scored Maletz.
Norfolk State (15-21, 10-8) scored an unearned run in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut the lead to 2-1.
Roberts pitched a perfect two innings of relief to notch his fourth save of the season.
Coppin State suffered a disappointing loss in game two as Norfolk State rallied from a 5-1 deficit to record a 9-5 victory.
Robert Depp had three RBI in game two, including a two-run single in the decisive four-run fifth inning, to lead the Spartans.
Pitts had two hits and two RBI to lead Coppin State, while Kashangaki was 2-for-4 with a run batted in. Alex Brown went 2-for-3 and scored two runs for CSU.
For the complete story, visit www.coppinstatesports.com or www.nsuspartans.com.
Bethune-Cookman Pushes Past North Carolina A&T To Complete Series Sweep
SANFORD, Fla. - Sunday’s series finale between the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (26-19, 15-6 MEAC) and North Carolina A&T Aggies (13-27, 7-10 MEAC) offered all the drama that fans could ask for, with the Wildcats standing their ground to hold off the Aggies through four lead changes to claim the 7-5 victory. B-CU used key timely hits from Levonte Allen and Anthony Stokes to pull ahead and build a lead in the final two frames to complete the 3-0 series sweep.
The Aggies tipped the scales in their favor early, capitalizing on a sudden downpour in the top of the second with consecutive outfield base hits to put starter Michael Austin in a jam in his first start, setting up a two-run Dylan Hipp single down the right field line for the 2-0 lead.
Despite Eric Sams and Allen reaching base in the bottom half, the ‘Cats came away without a run in the frame. Making his first collegiate start as designated hitter, Allen collected his first hit in the inning.
However, the Wildcats came back strong in the bottom of the third, as left fielder Josh Johnson jumpstarted B-CU with a low line-drive single through the left side. David Lee joined him, reaching base on balls. Stokes came up big facing a 2-2 count, knotting the score with a solid two-run single to the right center wall.
Making his second career pitching appearance, PJ Biocic took the mound in the top of the fourth, throwing three complete frames and limiting the Aggies to just three hits and one run, as the Aggies regained the advantage in the sixth, with Hipp adding another RBI on a sacrifice fly.
The Wildcats were quick to respond this time, as Sams led off the bottom of the sixth with a backside single to left. Clay Middleton drew a walk to add to the scoring opportunity. Both runners set the table, advancing on a wild pitch by NCAT starter Tyler Boone. The Wildcats went back on top at 4-3 as both scored on Shaun McCarty’s double deep down the right field line.
The Aggies rallied again, courtesy of a seventh inning two-run homer to left field by first baseman Kelvin Freeman; his second jack of the series; to go on top 5-4.
With the game on the line late, B-CU showed patience in the batting approach, opening with Lee’s walk in the bottom of the seventh. Stokes joined him on the basepath with a first-pitch single up the middle, and Sams added an additional walk to load the bases, forcing a second NCAT pitching change to Tim Jones.
Jones plunked Matt Noble with his first pitch, tying the score at 5-5. Then Allen came through in a big way for the Wildcats, collecting his first career RBI on a single through the right side for the 6-5 advantage.
The Wildcats added some insurance in the bottom of the eighth, as Brandon Turner drew a leadoff walk from Jones, reaching third on a pair of crucial steals, then coming home on Sams’ single to third for the 7-5 advantage.
With assistance from 10 hits on the day, the Wildcats logged 18 base runners in the finale, granting B-CU the opportunity to keep the Aggies on their heels throughout the contest.
Jordan Dailey secured the victory and his ninth save of the season in the ninth inning, as a looking strikeout, a groundout, and a multi-point rundown pickoff ended the game.
Christopher Waltermire (3-1) earned the win, throwing one inning with two hits and two runs allowed. Justin Godette (0-4) earned the loss for the Aggies.
Sams had a big day at the plate for the Wildcats, hitting 3-for-4 with one run scored. Stokes racked up three RBI on 2-for-5 batting, while Johnson was 2-for-3 at the plate.
For the complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com or www.ncataggies.com.
Tigers Spoil Senior Day By Earning Series Sweep Over Eagles
DURHAM, N.C. – Clutch two-out hitting by the visiting Tigers of Savannah State combined with a North Carolina Central University squad that left 12 runners stranded spoiled “Senior Day” as SSU pulled away for a 6-3 victory to earn the series sweep on Sunday afternoon at the Durham Athletic Park.
NCCU (23-21, 10-11 MEAC) busted the glass open in the bottom of the second inning when Troy Marrow led off with a walk, advanced to second on a Rex Davis balk, and moved to third on a Spencer Franceschetti groundout. That’s when Dylan Drayton hit an RBI infield single to put the Eagles up 1-0. Despite scoring the run, the maroon and gray ended leaving the bases loaded.
Savannah State (24-17, 12-5 MEAC) responded with a leadoff double to begin the top of the third by Drew Quinney which later tied the game up at 1-1 on a Darien Campbell RBI sacrifice bunt.
The Eagles tried to mount a two out rally in the bottom of the fourth with back-to-back hits that included a double by Tyson Simpson, but were not able to plate a run.
The game turned in the Tigers’ favor in the top of the fifth frame as catcher Chris Arnold led off with a double, moving to third on a balk by NCCU starter Terry McNabb. SSU took a 2-1 lead on an RBI sacrifice fly to right field.
In the top of the sixth, a Parker Nix double to left field drove in Savannah State’s Todd Hagen to give the Tigers a 3-1 advantage.
NCCU threw its best punch of the day in the bottom of the eighth inning when Ronald Thompson began the frame with a walk, and Marrow singled to put runners at first and third with no outs. Franceschetti’s RBI groundout put the score at 3-2, and the maroon and gray managed to keep the rally going, only falling short when pinch-hitter Carter Williamson’s hard grounder bounced off Kevin Herilhy’s glove right to Campbell who was able to save the run by getting Williamson out at first base, keep the lead at 3-2.
Savannah State put the game away in the top of the ninth with three runs on three hits, aided by an Eagle error to stretch the lead to 6-2.
The maroon and gray were only able to plate one run in the ninth to fall in the contest 6-3.
McNabb (4-5) took the loss despite work 8.1 innings scattering seven hits with three earned runs in the contest.
Davis (6-1) earned the win for SSU, going 7.0 innings allowing five hits with one earned run surrendered with four strikeouts.
For the complete story, visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com or www.ssuathletics.com.