Eagles leave 12 men stranded in loss to Bulldogs
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – With a 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth, North Carolina Central University allowed the host Bulldogs of UNC Asheville to score seven runs combined in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to pull away for the 8-4 victory over the Eagles on Tuesday afternoon at Greenwood Field in Asheville, N.C.
After the Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, NCCU plated three runs in the top of the second inning that was highlighted by an Eric Kimber RBI single to centerfield that scored Alex Moore and senior Carter Williamson’s double down the right field line that drove-in Kimber. Zack Lee scored on a wild pitch earlier to give the maroon and gray a 3-1 lead.
In the fourth inning, things started to unravel for the Eagles as UNCA tied the game at 3-3. Joe Tietjen recorded an RBI on a sacrifice fly and Sam Turner’s RBI single got the Bulldogs back in the game.
A two-out walk in the bottom of the fifth was made worse when UNCA’s Brian Connolly drilled a double to left center field, followed up by Phillip Treadway single to centerfield which gave the Bulldogs a 5-3 lead.
After the maroon and gray cut the deficit to one at 5-4 in the top of the sixth, Asheville plated took charge in the bottom of the sixth as they plated three runs on three hits, taking an 8-4 lead after six complete.
In the top of the seventh, NCCU had runners at second and third and one out, but could not drive in a run and UNCA closed the door on the Eagles to conclude the game as the Bulldogs rolled to the 8-4 victory.
Kimber was the lone Eagle to record multiple hits going 2-for-4, while NCCU (2-8-1) left 12 men on base along with committing three errors in the loss.
Junior Evan Joura (1-0) earned the win going 3.1 innings allowing just one hit and striking out two batters, while senior closer Jacob Russell took the loss going 1.1 innings surrendering five runs, three earned on five hits.
The Eagles get back to action on Wednesday evening against Longwood at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5 from the Durham Athletic Park. Admission is free.
For complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com
Wildcats Push Past UCF in 5-2 Midweek Victory
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Battling unseasonably cold weather, the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (7-4) scrapped out their fifth consecutive victory on Tuesday evening at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, pulling ahead of the UCF Knights (6-6) in the early innings and using stout defense to hold on for a 5-2 victory.
UCF made the first strike, capitalizing on a pair of B-CU first-inning errors that allowed JoMarcos Woods to reach third. Knights first baseman James Vasquez slipped a single through the right side to provide UCF a brief 1-0 lead.
However, the Wildcats were quick to respond. Facing a gusty inbound wind in the bottom of the first, freshman designated hitter Austin Garcia sparked B-CU with a bloop single into left field, bringing home Eric Sams and Jordan Robinson, who reached on a base and a walk, respectively.
In the second frame, with three men aboard and two outs, Sams put a hard-hit shot on the ground to the right side, shooting between the baseman’s legs for the error and two more Bethune-Cookman runs on the board, as Josh Johnson and Shaun McCarty crossed the plate.
Catcher Jose Carballo capped off three straight base hits for the Wildcats, in addition to recording the third consecutive B-CU scoring frame, firing a bullet down the first base line. The hard-hit ball clipped the bag and shot into the outfield, allowing Carballo to round second for the RBI double, pushing the B-CU advantage to 5-1.
Vasquez again put up points for the Knights in the top of the fourth, this time in the form of a solo home run to right field, narrowing B-CU lead to 5-2, and logging the final UCF score of the night.
Starter Montana Durapau (2-0) went deep into the game, throwing seven innings with six strikeouts and no walks to secure the win. Freshman Riley O’Brien and sophomore Michael Austin combined to allow no hits in the final two frames, with Austin (1) picking up the save.
At the plate, both Johnson and McCarty went 2-for-4 with one run scored each, while Garcia was 1-for-4 with two RBI.
The Wildcats have now defeated the Knights in each of the last two meetings in Daytona Beach.
The Wildcats return to action on Wednesday afternoon at Jackie Robinson Ballpark as host to No. 21 Florida International (FIU) at 4 p.m. The Panthers (11-1) capped a 2-1 series victory over Dartmouth on Sunday with an 11-7 victory in Miami.
For complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com