DI/MEAC/Baseball
NCCU Sports Information
DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University received solid pitching performances and clutch hitting to sweep a baseball doubleheader (2-1, 7-5) from conference rival North Carolina A&T on Monday at Jack Coombs Field in Durham, North Carolina.
In the opener, NCCU senior starting pitcher Jordan Quinn allowed just one run with seven strikeouts in 7.1 innings of work to earn his first win of the season. Senior reliever Kyle Shields struck out two batters to get the Eagles out of a jam in the eighth inning, and then junior closer Andrew Vernon entered in the ninth to seal the deal and earn the save.
After NC A&T scored the first run of the game in the sixth inning, NCCU responded a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth. Ronald Thompson doubled to right-centerfield to drive in Carlos Ortiz, who led off the frame with a single. James Dey then traded places with Thompson with a double of his own to tally the eventual game-winning RBI.
In game two, NCCU took advantage of some A&T miscues to post two unearned runs in the first inning, then added to the lead with a two-RBI double by Carlos Ortiz in the second inning for a 4-0 cushion.
The Aggies responded with five runs in the third inning to take a 5-4 advantage.
The Eagles evened the score in the fourth with a sacrifice fly off the bat of Eric Kimber to plate Christian Triplett.
In the bottom of the fifth, NCCU managed to load the bases with two outs and Jared Kehagias came through in the clutch with a single to score two runs for a 7-5 lead.
NCCU freshman hurler Devin Sweet entered the contest in the third inning and pitched 4.2 shutout innings with only one hit allowed and striking out four batters without a walk to earn the victory.