Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Box Scores: Game 1 / Game 2
CARY, N.C. (THOMAS BROOKS PARK) – The North Carolina Central University softball team dropped to 50 percent on the season on Thursday, Feb. 17, losing both games of a doubleheader to Hampton University. The Lady Eagles dropped an 8-0 decision in the first game, before losing the second game 11-3 at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, N.C.
NCCU’s Shamika Chavis-Hodge started in the circle, undergoing her second loss on the season after allowing nine hits in the first game. In 5.0 innings, Chavis-Hodge allowed seven runs, eight hits and four earned runs.
The Lady Pirates rounded to home plate in the first inning, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. Center fielder Tamara Vickers put the Hampton, Va., visitors on the board first with credit to Carla Trimble’s one hit. NCCU catcher Andrea Searls’ error on the pitch sent Nina Ferguson, who followed Vickers, home for the second run of the opening inning. Before Lady Eagles’ third baseman Nadia Moreta ended the Lady Pirates batting round by grounding out Heather Ryder’s time at the plate, Trimble scored off a hit by Travonna Byrd.
Hampton’s pitcher Heather Ryder gave a tough pitching performance, facing 20 NCCU batters, striking out five batters and only allowing two hits. The visiting defense assisted Ryder’s effort, leaving three batters on base in game one.
In the third inning, the Lady Pirates brought another three batters home. Bre’Anne Brown, Ferguson and Carla Trimble all scored to raise the deficit to 6-0.
NCCU head coach Michael Charlton permitted Chavis-Hodge one more inning and another Lady Pirates run before sending Kayla McPeek to the circle to relieve her in the top of the sixth inning. With McPeek on the mound, Hampton scored its eighth run of the night off an error by Lady Eagles’ short stop Cember Carmichael.
The Lady Eagles improved their base rounding in the second game.
In the first inning of the contest, both Lady Eagles and the Lady Pirates reached home plate. Vickers advanced home on a fielder’s choice. But with two outs, Trimble’s fly to NCCU right fielder Whitney Boykin’s glove ended their opportunity at the plate.
Shortstop Regina Diaz scored for NCCU. The freshman hit a single to right center between the visiting first baseman and second baseman to reach first base, with an error by Hampton right fielder Fergusoon, Diaz reached second base. Her speed and agility allowed her to steal third base before Carmichael earned an RBI sending Diaz home.
During the top of the second, with McPeek at the mound, the Pirates headed home six times, pulling away to a 7-1 lead. Chavis-Hodge relieved McPeek after she allowed a total nine runs from 16 batters.
Following a scoreless second inning, NCCU placed two more points on the board behind another three Lady Pirates’ runs in the bottom of the third. After walking on base by Hampon’s Byrd, second baseman Nadia Jefferies stole second base and advanced to third before arriving home by Diaz’s hit to the short stop. Diaz achieved the second run with a Carmichael’s work at the plate.
Before wrapping-up the contest in the sixth inning, the Lady Pirates scored their 11th point on the cleats of Ferguson.
The Lady Eagles return to the diamond on Saturday, Feb. 19, as they travel to Norfolk, Va., to face the Lady Spartans of Norfolk State in doubleheader. The first pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
