NCCU at Bethune-Cookman: Game 1 / Game 2

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – Three North Carolina Central University student-athletes rounded the diamond against the defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions Bethune-Cookman, but their efforts could not surpass the Lady Wildcats offensive surge in the Saturday, April 16 doubleheader in Daytona Beach, Fla. B-CU defeated NCCU 10-2 (game one) and 10-1 (game two).

 

Collectively, the maroon and grey slugged nine hits and seized three runs in the two-game matchup.

 

Sophomores Nadia Jefferies, Shamika Chavis-Hodge and freshman Regina Diaz obtained one run apiece. While senior Ashanti Stroud cracked two hits, as sophomore Nadia Jefferies and freshman Whitney Boykin gathered one hit apiece.

 

In game one of the doubleheader NCCU’s Jefferies and Diaz obtained their two runs in the top of the fifth inning. Jefferies went 1-for-1 on two times at bat. Stroud batted her two hits during game one. Also during her time at the plate she also captured a RBI. Junior Nadia Moreta assisted with the Lady Eagles runs with one RBI.

 

Sophomore Kayla McPeek provided her 27^th appearance on the mound for the Lady Eagles in game one. McPeek faced 29 batters, she was able to strikeout one batter, while allowing eight hits and one run.

 

Michelle Banuelos-Smith led the Lady Wildcats runs with three. Ashton Hinds and Simone Ceasar reached home plate twice each. Hinds went 2-for-3 against McPeek and collected three RBIs, as Ceasar was 2-for-1 with one RBI.

 

Allison Garcia was the B-CU pitching choice for the opening contest. In 5.0 innings, Garcia faced 21 batters and struck out four, while permitting four hits and two runs.

 

As a team, the Lady Wildcats amassed nine RBIs, eight hits and 10 runs in game one.

 

NCCU’s Chavis-Hodge, who typically finds her action in the circle, obtained her first run of the season in game two, going 1-for-1 on one time at bat. Moreta, sophomore Mae’Risha Watts and freshmen Amanda Bullock and Cember Carmichael cracked one run apiece.

 

Junior Aurora Baker pitched for the mighty maroon in the second contest of the afternoon. She pitched 5.0 innings facing 29 batters. Baker pitched three strikeouts and walked four Lady Wildcats, while allowing nine hits and 10 runs. 

 

Banuelos-Smith and Hinds continued to be B-CU’s sluggers. Banuelos-Smith went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and Hinds was 2-for-1 with one RBI. Aurelia Gamch contributed to the offense going 2-for-2 with two RBIs. Garcia moved from the mound to first base in game two, while at bat she sent three runners home.

 

Chastity Sanders pitched a complete game for the Lady Wildcats. With 6.0 innings of play, Sanders struck out four batters and walked one, as she allowed five hits and one run against 26 NCCU batters. 

 

The Lady Eagles continue their weekend series with a 12 p.m. single-game matchup on Sunday, April 17 against Bethune-Cookman.

 

NCCU enters game three of the weekend series with a record of 6-30.

 

For more information on Lady Eagle softball, visit the official website of NCCU Athletics at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.