Eagles Post Strong Win Over Appalachian State
DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University crushed three home runs to muscle past Appalachian State University 4-1 at the Durham Athletic Park on Tuesday, March 1.
NCCU (4-4) pumped the first homer of the day over the right field wall in the bottom of the first by way of Carlos Ortiz, his third of the year. Jonathan Figueroa kept App State (1-8) off the board until the sixth inning until Tanner Mann-Fix boosted a homer of his own to level the score at 1-1.
Zachary Marszal jolted NCCU back up a run with solo shot in the bottom of the seventh, and then a two-run blast from Tom Prospero sealed the deal in the bottom of the eighth after a double from Ellington Hopkins set the table.
Figueroa turned in a strong start with seven complete innings of work and seven strikeouts, while allowing just one earned run and five hits. Justice Sampson nailed down his first save of the year by going the final four outs with two strikeouts.
The Eagles will look to play their first road game tomorrow, March 2 at Norfolk State University.
For complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com
Florida A&M Drops Contest at Mercer
MACON, Ga. – Florida A&M (3-5) dropped an 11-3 contest to Mercer (7-1) on Tuesday at Claude Smith Field.
FAMU was able to cut the lead to 5-2 in the sixth inning, but couldn’t keep the Bears off the board. The Rattlers scattered four hits, but didn’t see their first hit until the fifth inning on Willis McDaniel’s single to right with two outs. Florida A&M starter Chase Jarrell (0-1) suffered the loss after giving up five runs on seven hits in 3.1 innings of work. Jarrell also recorded five strikeouts with just one walk, but hit two batters.
FAMU reliever David Ogilvie posted five strikeouts over the final 1.2 innings.
Mercer starter Conrad Cornell (1-0) had pitched 4.1 career innings prior to working 6.0 innings tonight. Cornell allowed two runs on three hits with five strikeouts and no walks.
The Rattlers and Bears conclude the two-game, mid-week, series on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. Sophomore RHP Ryan Anderson will get the start for FAMU.
For complete story, visit www.famuathletics.com
Hernandez and Sims lead Bethune-Cookman past South Florida
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – German Hernandez worked seven shutout innings and Demetrius Sims plated a trio of runs to help Bethune-Cookman defeat visiting USF, 10-3 on Tuesday evening in non-conference baseball action inside Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The two teams will meet again in Tampa on April 19.
Hernandez, a senior from Cleburne, Texas, continued where he left off from his last outing just over a week ago against Murray State. The hard-throwing right-hander went eight scoreless innings in his season debut, a victory against the Racers, to even that series. He returned to the mound Tuesday night, solving the USF Bulls (4-4) with a seven-inning, scoreless performance to match.
Hernandez earned the win, upping his record to 2-0 on the year. In seven innings, he allowed six hits, one unearned run, walked three and tallied seven strikeouts.
Two Wildcats picked up a three-hit performance, including Sims with a 3-for-4 showing, adding a game-high three RBI and one run scored. Jameel Edney was also 3-for-4 at the dish with a run scored and a RBI. Michael Cruz, Austin Garcia and Danny Rodriguez each added a pair of hits apiece, while Cruz posted two RBI.
Bethune-Cookman returns home tomorrow as they host fellow Volusia County opponent Stetson at 6 p.m.
For complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com