Box Score March 23, 2009
Final Stats |
PHOTO GALLERY 
DURHAM, N.C.- The North Carolina Central University baseball team fell for the seventh game in a row, this time to the long-time rival Aggies of North Carolina A&T State University, 7-2, on Monday night at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
NC A&T struck the initial blow with two runs in the top of the first, thanks to a two-out, two-RBI double by Lester Rivenbark, putting the Aggies up 2-0.
The Eagles first at-bat saw its biggest opportunity on the night, when NCCU had the bases loaded with no outs and sophomore Edward Pegues stepped up to the plate. Pegues' walk brought home leadoff hitter Akeem Hood to put the Eagles on the board, trailing 2-1. Eagle first baseman Blake Murray flew out to NC A&T leftfielder George Hines, who cut off Oliver Jenkins tag-up attempt to get the double-play. NCCU shortstop David Scott flew out centerfield to end the threat in the first inning, so with the bases loaded and no outs NCCU managed to score just one run in the first inning.
That came back to haunt Dr. Henry White's squad as the Aggies really pushed the Eagles to the limit in the fifth inning, when centerfielder Xavier Macklin hit a towering shot to leftfield that nearly caromed off the "Blue Monster." That double brought in two runs add to the Aggie lead, making it 6-1 in the top of the fifth.
In the ensuing NCCU at-bat, Eagle freshman Anthony Wilson reached third base on two errors by A&T pitcher Chris Watson. Wilson later scored on Blake Murray's RBI groundout to cut the deficit to 6-2. That's as close as N.C. Central got in the ballgame as Xavier Macklin led off the eighth inning with his second home run of the season, hammering the final nail in the Eagles coffin.
Credit has to be given to A&T hurler Chris Watson (1-0) who threw a complete game, his longest outing of the season, striking out eight Eagle batters, while giving up just one earned run in the process. NCCU finished with just 5 hits on the night.
The loss sends NCCU to its seventh straight, while NC A&T on the other hand pushed its record to 6-13 on the season. The turnaround is quick for the Eagles, as they get back to it on Wednesday afternoon, taking on the Trojans of Virginia State University at 3:00 at the DBAP. Admission is free.
