Box Score Final Box Score: Delaware State at North Carolina Central
CARY, N.C. (Thomas Brooks Park) – Despite bringing seven batters home in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the game, the Lady Eagles of North Carolina Central University (3-8) were unable to slow the Delaware State(1-0) swing on Friday, Feb. 25 at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, N.C.
The Lady Eagles trailed the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference visitors 8-1 before going on a seven run surge to tie the game, 8-8 in the bottom of the sixth. Delaware State quickly answered back in the top of the seventh, with eight batters hitting home plate for the Lady Hornets to earn their first win of the season with a score of 16-8.
With sophomore Kayla McPeek on the mound for 6.1 innings, 32 batters earned 12 hits and 13 runs. Catcher Andrea Searls and designated hitter Whitney Boykin both ran two batters in, over four times at the plate.
The Lady Hornets placed six different pitchers on the circle; Ashlyn Campbell began the action on the mound, throwing three strike outs. But, Amber Coburn earned the win after the Lady Eagles tied the contest. The visiting sluggers whacked 15 hits, led by designated hitter/pitcher Casey Beighley, with three hits, two runs and one RBI off of five times at bat.
In the top of the first, the Lady Hornets took their first strike bringing home five runners to take a 5-0 lead. Leadoff hitter Jordan Reid reached home first after walking to first base when she was hit by a pitch. Beighley whacked a double to left center, sending Janelle Lukens to the plate. Scoring on an unearned run, Beighley reached home plate after Rachel Carroll reached first base on an error by NCCU right fielder Mae’Risha Watts. DSU catcher Andrea Waters hit up the middle for Carroll to score, followed by Stephanie Martello’s ground-rule double for the final run of the first inning.
Delaware State scored again in the top of the second inning, stretching the lead to 6-0.
The Lady Eagles and the Lady Hornets bats were silent during the third fourth inning. Then the mighty maroon acquired its first point off the game on the heels of Watts, who rounded the bases off DSU errors.
Martello doubled to center field, bringing in two Lady Hornets in the top of the sixth inning
NCCU came to life in the bottom of the sixth. With Searls on third base, Watts hit a line drive to left center field, sending Searls home. Third baseman Nadia Moreta singled down the left side for her one RBI of the contest, left fielder Cember Carmichael rounded home for the point. With an illegal pitch by Delaware State’s Stephanie Sarris and bases loaded, first baseman Amanda Bullock headed to home plate. Boykin sent whacked a single to right centerfield bringing two more NCCU runners home.
In the final inning of the afternoon, the Lady Hornets sent eight runners home. Tawny Reeger, who reached third base on an error and a single to center field, rounded home on a throwing error by Searls. Breanna Parr scored on a wild pitch advancing Beighley to third. Beighley scored on Searls’ second throwing error to third base. Prior to McPeek being relieved by sophomore Shamika Chavis-Hodge on the mound for NCCU, Delaware State’s Andrea Waters scored on a triple to left centerfield. Stephanie Martello reached home off a single by Leslie Pleasanton. Samantha Gross’ was the last batter to reach home, sent Pleasanton and Allison Rubin home.
NCCU drops to 3-8 on the season, while Delaware State achieved its first win of the 2011 campaign.
Up Next for the Lady Eagles of North Carolina Central
On the weekend, the Lady Eagles welcome four teams for the two-day Lady Eagle Classic in Cary, N.C. NCCU hosts Delaware State, Siena College, South Carolina State and Youngstown State for the second tournament of the 2011 season.
The Lady Eagle Classic starts on Saturday, Feb. 26 with NCCU facing South Carolina State at 9 a.m. at Thomas Brooks Park. The tournament concludes on Sunday, Feb. 27 with a NCCU and Delaware State rematch at 2 p.m.
