North Carolina Central earns split against Bethune-Cookman
DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. – After dropping game one 12-1, North Carolina Central University rallied to take game two 3-2 over perennial MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) power Bethune-Cookman University on Saturday at historic Jackie Robinson Park in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Bethune-Cookman wasted no time to take command of game one scoring runs in the first, second, and third innings to grab hold onto a 7-0 advantage and never looked back in the contest.
Wildcat shortstop Shaun McCarty recorded six RBIs in the game going 3-for-4 at the plate with a run scored on the day to lead B-CU to the blowout win that was ended in the seventh due to the MEAC’s 10-run rule.
The lone Eagle run of game one was driven by sophomore Christian Triplett who grounded into a double play to scored Jared Kehagias.
Game two saw most of the offense in the first two innings as the maroon and gray took a broke open a 1-1 game in the top of the second inning after senior shortstop Zack Lee singled up the middle to score freshman Jake Cagle which was followed up by a Kehagias single to bring in Lee, giving NCCU the 3-1 through one-and-a-half.
Sophomore righty Alex Dandridge dropped his record to 0-3 on the year, giving up nine runs in six innings of work.
After allowing a run on three hits in the first inning, senior righty Terry McNabb put on his best performance of the season thus far, allowing three hits through the rest of his six innings of work racking up five strikeouts while surrendering two walks.
Holding on to a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh, B-CU made one final push with junior Kyle Shields on-the-hill in relief. With one out, bases loaded in the frame, thanks in-part to an Eagle error and a hit-by-pitch. Shields forced third baseman Jordan Robinson to line out to right field for the second out, setting the stage for the play of the day.
Designated hitter, Austin Garcia, hit a grounder that made its way through the infield to plate a run and make it 3-2, but leftfielder Carlos Ortiz threw a dart to home plate, mowing down centerfielder Julian Santos at home to seal the win for the Eagles as they stormed out of the dugout to celebrate.
On the day, seniors Carter Williamson and Lee combined for two hits in the game two win. Lee went 4-for-7 (.571) at-the-plate with an RBI, a runs scored, and a stolen base in both contest.
NCCU (4-9-1, 2-3 MEAC) saw McNabb (1-2) earn his first win of the year, while the Eagles bested B-CU’s Gabriel Hernandez who nearly no-hit the maroon and gray in their previous meeting in Daytona. Shields earned his second save of the year in the win.
The Eagles will look to earn their first-ever series win over Bethune-Cookman in the Sunday series finale from Jackie Robinson Park at 1:00 p.m.
For complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com
Coppin State-Lehigh baseball postponed until Monday
BALTIMORE – Coppin State’s scheduled baseball game against Lehigh University Sunday afternoon has been postponed and will be played as a doubleheader on Monday, March 10, 2014 at 1 p.m. at Bachman Park in Glen Burnie, Md.
For complete story, visit www.coppinstatesports.com