NCCU vs Virginia State
NCCU holds a 7-2 series lead against Virginia State

Baseball Chris Hooks, Assistant Sports Information Director/ Broadcast Media Coordinator

DIAMOND EAGLES WELCOME OLD CIAA RIVAL FOR TWINBILL ACTION

NCCU and Virginia State have met every year since bringing back baseball




DURHAM, N.C. (NCCUEaglePride.com) – After dropping both games in Wednesday’s doubleheader against in-state foe Campbell University, the Eagles of North Carolina Central University look to regroup by hosting former CIAA foe Virginia State University for a Friday double matinee beginning at 2:00 p.m. on April 8 at the Durham Athletic Park.

This is one of a few programs that NCCU has faced in every season since bringing the sport back in 2007 with the Eagles holding on to a 7-2 advantage after nine previous meetings. Despite the lead in the series, Trojans have in fact won the last two ballgames including a 20-15 barnburner last season on March 30 in Durham, where the Diamond Eagles left 11 runners on base and committed three errors in the loss.

After five innings, VSU led 10-4 thanks to a seven run third inning that propelled the Trojans to win No. 14 on the season. In that contest, freshman Derrell Parker went 3-for-6 with two home runs including his first career grand slam in the loss.

In game one of the twinbill, NCCU (2-27) will send senior righty Drew Robinson (Carthage, N.C.) to the mound for his eighth start of the season. Robinson despite many pitching performances worthy as such is still in search of his first win of the season, and sports a 6.81 ERA on the year, the second lowest on the squad, behind Brandon Oatis (5.68 ERA) who is now the second Eagle in the modern era of NCCU baseball to record 100 career strikeouts. He is currently tied with fellow senior Douglas Dalley (Durham, N.C.) with 102 strikeouts to become the first all-time leader in that category.

Game two will see junior hurler Timothy Rennard (Knightdale, N.C.) who make his 2011 mound debut for the maroon and gray. Rennard will make his tenth appearance on the hill for the Diamond Eagles.

Eagle fans can tune in to all the doubleheader action on Friday beginning at 1:45 p.m. with Eagle Gameday presented by the Hilton RTP as play-by-play voice of the NCCU Sports Network, Chris Hooks, will take listeners to first pitch and call the live action of both contests.

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.




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