Norfolk State Sweeps Delaware State Behind Pair of Shutouts
NORFOLK, Va. - Norfolk State pitchers Matt Outman and Jonathan Mauricio pitched matching seven-inning shutouts to lead the Spartans to a convincing 10-0, 12-0 sweep of Delaware State in a matchup of the MEAC Northern Division's top two teams on Saturday at Marty L. Miller Field.
With the wins, the Spartans (22-17, 15-4 MEAC) took a 4.5-game lead over the second-place Hornets (10-32, 10-8) in the division. NSU also tied the school single-season record with nine shutouts thanks to Saturday's sweep.
In game one, Outman (7-2) pitched a five-hit shutout with six strikeouts to pick up the 23rd win of his career, tying J.R. Wilkerson (1987-90) for the most in school history. The game was stopped after seven innings due to the 10-run rule. Mauricio (5-2) followed with a four-hit shutout in the seven-inning nightcap, matching his career high with nine strikeouts. He didn't allow a hit for the first 3.2 innings he pitched.
Senior outfielder Angel Rosario knocked in seven runs on the day, three in the first game and four in the second. Rosario finished the doubleheader 4-for-8 with seven RBI. Justin Lee had three hits, three RBI and scored four runs. Roger Hall also tallied three hits (all in the opener) and three RBI.
Denathan Dukes and Chase Anderson had two hits apiece in the nightcap.
Mauricio scattered four hits and four walks and matched his April 16 win over UMES by striking out nine. Outman and Mauricio also pitched back-to-back shutouts that day, as well. The Spartans have shut out their opponents in six of their last eight MEAC games.
The teams are slated to play another doubleheader starter at noon on Sunday.
For more information visit www.nsuspartans.com or www.dsuhornets.com
BCU Sweeps Doubleheader from North Carolina A&T State
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Bethune-Cookman freshman pitcher Tyler Krull tossed a complete-game shutout, while redshirt sophomore Demetrius Sims slapped a game-winning home run to help the Wildcats to a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) doubleheader sweep of North Carolina A&T State on Saturday, April 30, at War Memorial Stadium. B-CU won the opener, 7-6, and turned around for a 6-0 decision in the nightcap.
In the opner, Demetrius Sims recorded his third home run of 2016, helping visiting Bethune-Cookman to a 7-6 victory in the opening game of a three-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference series at North Carolina A&T on Saturday, April 30, inside War Memorial Stadium in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Bethune-Cookman (21-22, 13-6 MEAC) found itself looking up at an early 3-0 deficit as the Aggies scored three in the home-half of the third inning.
Out of the bullpen, senior Clint Clymer grabbed the win to move his record to 2-3 on the season. He worked two innings, striking out a batter and surrendering just a single hit. The loss was awarded to Hunter (2-3), allowing a run on a hit – that being the Sims homer, and striking out one in the ninth.
The Wildcats offense was led by Sims, with the Ann Arbor, Michigan native going 3-for-5 at the plate with two runs and one batted in via the home run. Additionally, Edney supplied a 2-for-5 outing with two runs and three RBIs.
In the nightcap, Bethune-Cookman freshman pitcher Tyler Krull threw a complete-game, one-hit shutout to help the Wildcats complete the doubleheader sweep of North Carolina A&T State, 6-0.
Tyler Krull, a freshman from West Palm Beach, Florida, retired the first nine men of the ball game in just his third career start. The right-handed, Cardinal Newman alum kept the hard-swinging Aggies off-balance in his first start against them.
For Krull, aside from a leadoff double in the home-half of the fourth inning, he did not allow another Aggies base runner. In fact, he was the one hit away from matching Joseph Gautier’s perfect game against Norfolk State in 2006 as the last freshman to record a perfect game for the Maroon and Gold in league play.
The win for Krull moved his record to 2-1 on the year, as he struck out seven batters in the process.
The loss went to North Carolina A&T State starter Tevelle Clark, dropping his record for the year at 2-3. He worked five innings for the Aggies, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits, walking three and striking out two.
B-CU was led at the plate by Cruz with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, adding two runs and a run driven in. Sims finished 2-for-4, giving him five hits total for the day, adding a run in the second game. Bond also finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored himself.
The series concludes with a single game Sunday, May 1, at 1 p.m. However, there is a potential threat of inclement weather in the Greensboro area. Stay tuned for further details as they are released
For more information visit www.bcuathletics.com or www.ncataggies.com
NCCU Steps Closer to Tourney with Doubleheader Sweep over SSU
SAVANNAH, Ga. – North Carolina Central University used a late inning rally in game one, then withstood one in game two to take a doubleheader sweep over Savannah State University, 9-5 and 5-4 on Saturday, April 30 at Tiger Field.
With the win, NCCU (23-24, 10-10 MEAC) now sits one win away from clinching a berth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament.
NCCU jumped ahead with three runs in the top of the second on just one hit, a leadoff double from Thomas Prospero. The Eagles picked up four walks in that frame and capitalized on two errors to take a 3-0 lead.
SSU (10-34, 5-12 MEAC) turned right around for three runs of its own in the bottom of the third with help from a two-RBI double from Mendez Elder. The Tigers forged ahead into the lead in the bottom of the fifth on a pair of errors and an RBI single from Jalen Atterbury to send the home side ahead 5-3.
SSU sent eight different pitchers to the mound in game one, but they were able to keep the Eagles in check up to the ninth inning. NCCU batted around in the ninth for a four-run outburst as six-straight batters reached safely.
Devin Sweet who was called in to pitch from the fourth inning on was able to see the game to its conclusion for his third win of the year for the Eagles.
In game two the majority of the runs came in the first three innings, and both starters took care of business from there.
Trevor Theissen was a major contributor over the doubleheader as he picked up four hits and five RBI for the maroon and gray.
Cameron Scalzo had a strong outing as he went through six complete innings with seven strikeouts. Down 5-1 in the bottom of the seventh, the Tigers rallied to load the bases and Andrew Vernon was called in from the bullpen to ice the game away. SSU pulled three runs back, but Vernon was able to force a groundout to end the game and capture his career record-tying 14th save at NCCU.
The Eagles will look for the series sweep and a spot in the conference tournament tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m.
For more information visit www.nccueaglepride.com or www.ssuathletics.com
Coppin State Splits Twinbill At UMES
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Coppin State baseball split a pair of games in a double header at Hawks field on Saturday, April 30th. Pitcher Aaron Rea had a complete game giving up no earned runs in a 4-1 victory in game one, but the Hawks came back with a 7-3 win in game two.
Freshman pitcher Aaron Rea picked up his second win of the season tossing a complete game in a 4-1 road win over Maryland Eastern Shore in game one of a double header. Rea had two strikeouts, walked two batters, and surrendered no earned runs. The Eagles offense had seven hits with freshman outfielder Andrew O'Dwyer leading the way with two hits, three stolen bases, and scoring two runs. Senior infielder Colin Dower also scored two runs as CSU improved to 8-12 in MEAC play.
The Hawks squeezed out one run in the sixth inning as Coppin State held on for a 4-1 win. Freshman Nazier McIlwain and John O'Dwyer also recorded hits against the Hawks.
In game two, Coppin State put together three runs on three hits during the sixth inning. Andrew O'Dwyer doubled to center field and then scored as Nazier McIlwain singled to center field for an RBI. George Dragon had the second Eagles hit of the inning singling to left field as McIlwain crossed home. After a pitching change by the Hawks junior infielder Bryant Miranda scored on a wild pitch for their final run of the game.
UMES scored one run in the fourth and fifth innings, two in the sixth inning, and three in the eighth inning cruising to a 7-3 victory in game three of the weekend series. Coppin State won two out of the three games this weekend and has a two game lead over the Hawks in the MEAC Baseball northern divisional standings.
Senior outfielder Darien Percell knocked in two doubles carrying the Eagles at the plate. O'Dwyer also hit a double, McIlwain extended his current hitting streak to 12 games, and Dragon recorded his 41st hit of the season.
Freshman pitcher Devin Sutorius (4-6) went 5.1 innings, striking out two, and walking two batters. Relief pitcher Andrew O'Dwyer closed out the final two innings for the Eagles picking up one strike out.
Coppin State has an overall record of 11-32 with an 8-13 MEAC record. Maryland Eastern Shore falls to 14-29 and 6-14 in the MEAC. The Eagles travel to Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, May 4th for a single game showdown against the Georgetown Hoyas at 7 p.m.
For more information visit www.umeshawks.com or www.coppinstatesports.com