Box Score
Complete Box Score
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (NCCUEaglePride.com) – Nine walks issued by the North Carolina Central University pitching staff allowed the host Forty-Niners of Charlotte just enough of an opening to make the Eagles pay in the 8-1 win on Wednesday evening at Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
After a scoreless first inning, the No. 28 team in the nation Charlotte got the help they needed by freshman hurler Jacob Russell (Winston-Salem, N.C.) who began the bottom of the second frame with two consecutive walks in which second baseman Corey Shaylor got the first of his extra base hits with a double down the left field line driving in the game’s first two runs putting the Niners up 2-0. A second double of the inning by right fielder Justin Wilson drove in Shaylor and gave Charlotte the 3-0 lead.
With two outs in the third inning Russell got himself into trouble by walking Cory Tilton again and Shaylor made him pay with his third home run of the season to left field vaulting Charlotte to the 5-0 lead after three innings.
With two outs in the top of the fourth inning, NCCU put two men on with back-to-back singles by sophomore Nate Smith (Raleigh, N.C.) and senior Edward Pegues (Laurinburg, N.C.) giving the Eagles a runner in scoring position for the first time of the night, but freshman Tyson Simpson, Jr. (Burgaw, N.C.) grounded out to end the threat.
The 49ers scored two more runs to take a 7-0 in the bottom of the fourth as Russell walked the bases loaded but junior Timothy Rennard (Knightdale, N.C.) came on in-relief and forced Tony Montalbano into a double play but the first run of the inning scored. The final run of the frame came off the bat of Justin Seager who doubled to drive in Justin Wilson.
Three Charlotte errors aided in NCCU scoring its only run of the game giving the Eagles 10 consecutive earned runs scored in the last three ballgames.
A stolen base by Shane Basen recorded the 49ers final run of the game in the home half of the sixth inning putting the contest at its final tally of 8-1.
NCCU (6-33) finished the night with seven hits scattered throughout the evening as Pegues led the way with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate.
The Diamond Eagles will regoup and head south for a rematch with fellow new provisional member of the MEAC, Savannah State University, as they get set to battle in a three-game set beginning with doubleheader action at Tiger Field in Savannah, Ga. at 1:00 p.m.
Stay up-to-date with North Carolina Central University Athletics by soaring over to www.NCCUEaglePride.com, the official website of North Carolina Central University Athletics.
