Box Score March 7, 2009
Game 1 Final Stats
Game 2 Final Stats
(Written by Chris Hooks, Assistant SID)
DURHAM, N.C. - The North Carolina Central University Eagles opened the 2009 home schedule in style after sweeping the Savannah State University Tigers in doubleheader action 9-6 in game one and 3-2 in game two at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Those two wins mark NCCU's first-ever victories over a Division I school.
In game one, NCCU pounded out 10 hits and scored six runs in the first three innings to take a 6-2 lead into the fourth inning. Highlighting the Eagles lead after three innings, NCCU sophomore Edward Pegues led off the third inning with a solo shot to right field, his first career home run, putting the Eagles up 5-2.
With the score standing at 6-3 in the top of the sixth with runners at second and third, Savannah State struck back. SSU's David Washington hit a three-run shot to left field to knot the ballgame up at 6. The Eagles responded in their half of the sixth with three runs to pull away for the 9-6 win.
NCCU sophomore hurler Jeff Citero garnered his first win with a gritty performance on the hill, after going six innings and striking out three batters. "This is a big win for this program," said Eagles Head Coach Henry White. "This win is especially big for Jeff Citero. He's been pitching this way the last six ballgames. He battled back after giving up that three-run home run. That's why I'm so emotional right now."
Game two turned into a pitcher's duel, and NCCU sophomore Brandon Oatis was more than ready to accept the challenge on the mound. The day's second contest saw just nine combined hits between the two teams. The scoring in the final game of the day happened early with NCCU ahead 3-1 after two innings. It was from that point on that Oatis took total control of the Tiger lineup. Oatis pitched a complete-game seven innings, gave up only four hits, one earned run, and struck out seven SSU batters to achieve the doubleheader sweep.
At the plate, NCCU freshman Akeem Hood went 3-for-6 scoring four runs and one RBI. The most exciting play of the day took place in game one when Hood hit a base-clearing RBI single that scored three runs, and put the Eagles ahead 4-1. Pegues finished the day 3-for-5, and NCCU junior Justin Goodson came off the bench to finish the afternoon 2-for-2 with 1 run and 2 RBI.
The two wins vaults the Eagles record to 2-4 on the season, and NCCU will go for the three-game sweep on Sunday afternoon at 12:00. Admission is free for NCCU baseball fans at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
