Florida A&M 7, North Carolina A&T State 6
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- In a battle of the top two teams in the MEAC Southern Division, Florida A&M used late-inning heroics to erase a five-run deficit and defeat North Carolina A&T State 7-6 in game one of a four-game homestand on Friday afternoon at Moore-Kittles Field.
FAMU improved to 19-27 overall and 13-8 in MEAC play, while the Aggies dropped to 17-30, 12-13 in the MEAC.
Freshman third baseman Adam Haidermota came through in the clutch for the Rattlers when he blasted the go-ahead, two-RBI double in the eighth inning to lift the Rattlers to victory. Haidermota (2-for-4) and LJ Bryant (2-for-3) led FAMU batters, both picking up two hits and driving in two runs apiece.
Zach Morea (4-1) picked up the win in relief, tossing 1.2 innings striking out two batters and allowing one run on three hits. Benjamin Krizen also had a phenomenal relief appearance, holding the Aggies to no runs on four hits while striking out three in 4.0 innings.
Box Score | Recap
North Carolina Central 10, Delaware State 0
DURHAM, N.C. -- Almost a week after Ryan Miller nearly accomplished the feat, Austin Vernon completed the task Friday evening, throwing the first no-hitter in North Carolina Central modern program history in the Eagles' 10-0 win over Delaware State at Durham Athletic Park.
Vernon struck out eight in eight innings of work to pick up his fourth win of the season.
Only a walk in the top of the seventh inning prevented the perfect game.
The Eagles (19-17, 11-10 MEAC) led 4-0 after three innings and blew the game open with a four-run sixth -- two of those runs coming off wild pitches. NCCU hit three home runs on the night -- a two-run shot from Cameron Norgren and solo blasts from Chet Sikes and Tristan Shea.
A pair of bases-loaded walks in the eighth inning invoked the run rule.
Box Score | Recap
Norfolk State at Coppin State, CANCELED
Due to COVID protocols, Coppin State's home baseball series against Norfolk State this weekend has been canceled. The Eagles will return to action at North Carolina A&T State for a four-game series on May 13-15.