Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
Game One Box Score (HTML)              Game Two Box Score (HTML)

Postgame Comments from Head Coach Jim Koerner

GREENSBORO, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – In North Carolina Central University’s first conference series at the Division I level, the Eagles earned a very important split in doubleheader action against arch-rival North Carolina A&T, dropping game one 6-2 and holding on for a 5-4 win in extra innings in the final contest of the day on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at War Memorial Stadium in Greensboro, N.C.
 
Game one saw the Eagles leave 12 runners stranded including the bases loaded in the top of the ninth as Esterlin Paulino allowed only six hits in seven innings of work to earn his second win of the season.
 
The trouble began for NCCU in the home-half of the second frame when A&T’s designated hitter Lee Taylor and catcher Stefan Jordan ripped back-to-back doubles to put the Aggies ahead 2-0. 
 
NC A&T struck again in the fourth as the Eagle bats continued to be silent as Taylor drilled a two-run homer to right field putting the arch-rival Aggies ahead 4-0.  Taylor finished game one 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and 3 RBI.
 
NCCU tried to mount a rally in the top of the fifth as Ross Plummer (Winston-Salem, N.C.) and Anthony Wilson (Fort Washington, Md.) reached base on walks along with sophomore shortstop Dylan Drayton (Raleigh, N.C.) loading the bases with two outs, but Nate Smith (Raleigh, N.C.) grounded out to second base to leave three runners stranded still trailing 4-0.
 
All-MEAC performer Marquis Riley parked a home run to right field in the first at-bat of the home-half of the fifth to give the Aggies a 5-0 lead.
 
NC A&T added its final run in the eighth inning on a Luke Tendler double to right field to drive in Kelvin Freeman putting the Aggies up 6-0.
 
The Eagles would not go away without a fight as NCCU loaded the bases and scored two runs one on an Aggie error and another as relief pitcher Jamal Clark walked in a run.  With two outs and the bases full Carter Williamson (Roanoke, Va.) hit it back to the pitcher to end the game as the maroon and gray dropped its ninth-consecutive ballgame.
 
Sam Fulmer (Raleigh, N.C.) went seven innings in the loss allowing six earned runs while striking out four batters to drop his record to 1-2 on the year. 
 
Only three Eagles earned multiple hits as Wilson went 2-for-2 with two walks and a run scored, Tyson Simpson Jr. (Burgaw, N.C.) went 2-for-3, and junior Luis Diaz finished 2-for-5 with his second double of the season.
 
The second contest of the day had the most drama as the Eagles jumped out in front 2-0 in the third inning when Smith reached base on an Aggie error.  After Simpson Jr. walked, Wilson and Diaz both singled to left field to drive in both runs putting the maroon and gray up 2-0. 
 
The Aggies plated a run in the fourth and the six off of Tendler’s bat as he recorded his second double of the day in the fourth, while getting an RBI single in the sixth to knot the game up at 2
 
Neither team threatened in the seventh inning, but the drama reached its peak in the eighth. 
 
With the score tied at 2, NCCU’s Drayton reach base on a Tendler error, but Wilson popped his bunt attempt to Aggie hurler Tyler Boone who then doubled up Drayton at second base seemingly taking away all of the Eagle momentum.
 
Diaz then reached on another Tendler error followed by a Marrow single and Plummer’s only hit of the day, a clutch double down the left field line to put the Eagles up 3-2.
 
That’s when Williamson ripped a single to the outfield to drive in Plummer and Marrow putting NCCU up 5-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth.
 
NC A&T (6-9 overall, 1-1 MEAC) scored the game’s final two runs on yet another RBI single by Tendler but NCCU reliever Gavin Guarrera (Webster, N.Y.) sealed the deal with a strike out to earn his first collegiate save as the Eagles split the doubleheader.
 
The win for NCCU (2-13 overall, 1-1 MEAC) is the first-ever victory against A&T since bringing the program back in 2007, the Aggies won the initial four matchups in convincing fashion.  The victory also sets up a very crucial ‘rubber match’ on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. with the winner earning the series victory.
 
Diaz led the way for the Eagles at the plate going 4-for-8 with a double and an RBI on the day.  Wilson went 3-for-6 with a run scored and an RBI with two walks.  Junior Glenn Frye (Lillington, N.C.) earned his first win of the season as he went seven strong innings with two strikeouts and allowed only four runs to squelch the potent Aggie bats.
 
Tune in as the NCCU Sports Network will bring all the live action of Sunday’s series finale as Eagle Gameday built by Dayeco Construction Co. will go on the air 15 minutes prior to first pitch at 12:45.  Play-by-play voice of the NCCU Sports Network Chris Hooks will be on the call along with color analyst Chris Smith from War Memorial Stadium.  Fans can access the broadcast by going to the Game Central section on the front page of the website and click on the link.
 
Stay up-to-date with North Carolina Central University Athletics by flying over to www.NCCUEaglePride.com, the official website of NCCU Athletics.