Savannah State takes two from North Carolina Central
SAVANNAH, Ga. – After winning its last two games against teams out of the Big South Conference, North Carolina Central University was held scoreless in dropping a MEAC doubleheader at Savannah State on Saturday. The host Tigers won game one 6-0 and scored in their last at-bat to take the nightcap 1-0.
In the opener, Savannah State erupted for six runs on seven hits in the seventh inning to break apart a scoreless contest. Conrad Kovalcik and Cory Williamson had three hits each to account for six of NCCU’s seven hits.
In game two, as in game one, both teams battled through six scoreless innings. NCCU senior Eric Kimber broke up Austin Robinson’s bid for a no-hitter in the top of the seventh inning, while James Dey recorded the Eagles’ only other hit in the top of the eighth frame.
Savannah State tallied just three hits in the first seven innings, mainly due to the shutdown pitching of Alex Dandridge, but the Tigers hit safely in the first three plate appearances in the extra inning to score the only run of the game.
NCCU (6-10, 3-4 MEAC) and SSU (8-11, 3-2 MEAC) reunite at Tiger Field on Sunday, March 15 at 1:00 p.m.
For complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com or www.ssuathletics.com
FAMU can’t overcome early runs in 4-1 loss to South Florida
TAMPA, Fla. – Florida A&M (7-10, 4-2 MEAC) dropped its series with South Florida (12-6-1) with a 4-1 loss at the USF Baseball Stadium on Saturday night. Marlon Gibbs went 3-for-3 with an RBI for the Rattlers. Gibbs has recorded three hits in three of the last four games and has multiple hits in seven of the last eight games.
Rattlers starting pitcher Chase Jarrell (1-2) suffered the loss after allowing four runs, all in the first three innings, on eight hits with three strikeouts and one walk.
USF scored first with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning for an early 2-0 lead. Austin Lueck singled off the pitcher, took second after a throwing error by Chase Jarrell on a pickoff attempt and went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Kevin Merrell. Lueck would come home to score the first run of the game on Kyle Teaf’s sac fly to right field. After Luke Borders doubled off the right field wall, brother Levi Borders drove home Luke with an RBI single to left.
The Bulls added two more runs in the bottom of the third inning to increase their lead to 4-0. Teaf led off with a single just off the glove of second baseman Alec Wong, stole second and scored on Luke Borders single to right. Borders went to third on a groundout by Buddy Putnam and came around to score on Luke Maglich’s triple down the right line.
FAMU scored its’ only run in the top of the fourth inning on Gibbs RBI single in what proved to be the final score of 4-1. Logan Seymour drew a lead off walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch with two outs. Gibbs recorded his third hit of the game, this time an RBI single through the right side, to score Seymour for the Rattlers first run.
USF starter Casey Mulholland (3-2) earned the win after working 6.2 innings with a career-high 12 strikeouts. Mulholland scattered five hits with three walks. Tommy Peterson pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the bulls for his sixth save of the season.
Florida A&M and South Florida close out the series on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 PM at the USF Baseball Stadium. Tampa native Ryan Anderson will be on the mound for the Rattlers.
For complete story, visit www.famuathletics.com
Zuniga Spins Gem, Clymer Closes in Shutout Win
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Keith Zuniga pitched eight shutout innings on Saturday night, and Clint Clymer closed the door on the shutout with a save, as Bethune-Cookman Baseball took a series-opening 3-0 decision over North Carolina A&T in MEAC play at World War Memorial Stadium.
Zuniga tossed a gem on the mound, evening his record at 2-2 on the campaign. In eight innings worked, he spread out eight hits and fanned seven batters against zero (0) walks. The loss went to North Carolina A&T starter Mitchell McQueen who dropped to 0-2 on the year.
Mitchell tossed six innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits, struck out five and walked two.
The offense of the Wildcats was paced by Bond and José Carballo with two hits each, including two RBI from Robinson.
N.C. A&T was led by Brandon Wilkerson with a 3-for-4 night at the plate, as well as Myles Sowell and Kyle Clary with a pair of hits apiece.
The two teams will meet back at World War Memorial Stadium on Sunday for a series-ending doubleheader beginning at noon. The first game will be a nine-inning contest, followed by a seven-inning affair in the nightcap.
For complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com or www.ncataggies.com