DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University struck first in its contest with Duke, but the Blue Devils rallied to take the lead in the fifth inning on the way to an 8-2 final score at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Wednesday, Feb. 21.
 
NCCU (2-2) was patient at the plate as it was able to work six walks, and that was the key to the Eagles getting on the board first in the third inning.  Evan Holland (Erial, N.J.) led off the inning with a walk and a stolen base before getting advanced to third to eventually score on a wild pitch.
 
The Eagles held a 1-0 lead over Duke (2-2) for a couple frames, before Duke turned the game on a five-run fifth inning.  Kennie Taylor (Tampa, Fla.) started the inning with a double down the left field line, and that was just the first base hit of the game for either side.  The Blue Devils drove in their runs on an error, a two-run double from Joey Loperfido (Haddonfield, N.J.) and a single from Jimmy Herron (Harleysville, Pa.).
 
NCCU mounted a charge to trim the lead in the sixth inning by working two walks to start the frame before a single loaded the bases.  Jacob Raby (Granite Falls, N.C.) then dumped a single into right field to drive in a run, but that would be it for the Eagles in that inning, and for the rest of the game.
 
Duke added two more runs late on a double from Taylor in the seventh and a hit-by-pitch RBI from Loperfido in the eight.
 
From the bullpen, Justice Sampson (Lumberton, N.C.) worked one-and-one-third of an inning for the Eagles and fanned three batters.
 
Loperfido was the standout hitter for Duke as he was 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI.
 
NCCU returns home to the Durham Athletic Park on Friday, Feb. 23 at 3:00 p.m. to start a three-game series with NJIT.  Admission is free.