NORFOLK, Va. – The Lady Eagles of North Carolina Central University suffered a two-game loss in the Tidewater area, falling to Norfolk State University 11-5 and 20-6 in the Saturday, Feb. 19 twinbill in Norfolk, Va.

 

During game one of the doubleheader, the maroon and grey began the contest with a strong start, holding the Lady Spartans to two runs to none until the third inning.

 

Against NCCU losing pitcher Kayla McPeek, Norfolk State slammed seven runs in the bottom of the fourth. NCCU responded with three runs in the top of the fifth, but the Lady Spartans fourth inning run provided the cushion needed to secure a final 11 run win over the Lady Eagles.

 

Lady Eagles’ freshman Cemeber Carmichael earned three hits on three attempts at bat. McPeek maintained the circle for all six innings, the sophomore gave up 16 hits and pitched four strikeouts, as she faced 34 NSU batters.

 

Two Lady Spartans paced the runs, center fielder Danielle Wright batted in five runners, while third baseman Jeanette Sauceda batted four times, earning four hits and three RBIs. Winning pitcher Jamie Velazquez dominated the mound for 4.0 innings, striking out seven batters.

 

Norfolk State rounded the bases in all five innings of the second game of the afternoon. The Lady Spartans opened the bottom of the first inning with eight runs, by scoring 12 runs by the fourth inning creating an eight-point plus margin, the contest ended at the top of the fifth.

 

Carmichael continued to utilize her swing for the Lady Eagles, bringing home two batters over two times at bat and slamming a homerun. Fellow freshman Amanda Bullock earned two hits when facing winner pitcher Jamie Schulle twice. 

 

NCCU head coach Michael Charlton began the second game with Shamika Chavis-Hodge at the mound, regrettably for the mighty maroon she was relieved by McPeek after allowing eight runs.

 

Wright continued her impressive swings for NSU, batting in five runners and smacking two hits on five times at bat. Catcher Kathy Cortez found luck in threes, heading to bat three times, earning three hits and bringing three batters home. Schulle completed the five-inning game, allowing seven hits, six runs and walking three batter, while pitching five strikeouts.

 

The Lady Eagles hit the road for their third contest of the season, visiting USC Upstate on Wednesday, Feb. 23 for a twinbill slated to begin at 2 p.m. in Spartanburg, S.C.