Box Score

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DAVIDSON, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – After storming out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning the Eagles of North Carolina Central University allowed the host Wildcats of Davidson College in five consecutive innings to pile up 12 unanswered runs to pull away for a 12-3 victory on Tuesday night at Wilson Field in Davidson, N.C.
 
Despite the first pitch programs being pushed back an hour and 40 minutes because of a  thunderstorm that blew through the area, NCCU came out in the first inning swinging on all cylinders to the tune of three runs on four hits which began with sophomore Dylan Drayton’s (Raleigh, N.C.) leadoff single.  After he was retired on a force out to second base, Luis Diaz (Geneva, N.Y.) ripped a single to put multiple runners on base with just one out.  That’s when sophomore Troy Marrow (Lutherville, Md.) ripped his fourth double of the season to left centerfield driving in Diaz and Anthony Wilson (Fort Washington, Md.) and putting the Eagles in front 2-0.  Marrow now has 11 RBI on the year.
 
Sophomore catcher Carter Williamson (Roanoke, Va.) drove in Marrow on a RBI single to give him 12 on the year which put NCCU up 3-0.
 
Junior Jasper Jones came out aggressive at the mound for Jim Koerner’s squad shutting down the Wildcat bats in the first two innings.  The most impressive moment came in the bottom of the second after Davidson’s James Cerbie recorded the first hit of the day with a single.  Jones struck out the next three batters to close the door on the Wildcats.
 
After walking two batters with one out in the third, Davidson cut the margin down to one on an RBI groundout by Drew Gadaire, and a RBI single by Andrew Barna but Jones kept the Eagles ahead by striking out Cerbie to halt the Wildcat momentum.
 
An RBI double by catcher Chris Dyer knotted the game at three, but again Jones continued to fight on the hill finishing the night going four innings allowing only four hits, while walking five and striking out four.
 
The top of the fifth saw NCCU mount its best attempt at getting back on the board with one out as Drayton ripped a single and Wilson crushed his second double of the season putting runners at second and third with one out, but the maroon and gray could not take advantage.  Diaz struck out and Marrow grounded out to end the threat for the Eagles in the fifth.
 
With the Wildcats on top 5-3 in the fifth, Davidson went on to score three runs in the sixth and four in the seventh to pull away.
 
The sixth frame was highlighted by Andrew Barna’s first triple of the season that drove in two more Wildcat runs and in the seventh Davidson put up four runs on five hits to halt any chance for NCCU to get the win.
 
All totaled, Davidson rapped out 14 hits in the win as Barna finished the night 3-for-5 at the plate with a triple, two runs scored and four RBI, while his teammate Gadaire went 4-for-5 with a double, three runs scored, and three RBI.  The Wildcats also stole eight bases in the victory.
 
For NCCU (3-14, 2-1 MEAC) Drayton led the Eagles with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate, while five other Eagles recorded just one hit led by Marrows 1-for-4 effort at the dish with a double, a run scored and a RBI.
 
In relief, Davidson’s Ryan Lowe earned the win going three innings allowing only one hit with two walks and three strikeouts, while the Eagles Gabe Brown (Rocky Mount, N.C.) took the loss as he went one-and-a-third inning surrendering four hits, five runs only three earned with two walks, one strikeout and three wild pitches.  All three NCCU pitchers combined for 10 walks in the loss.
 
With the loss, Davidson now owns an 8-0 edge in the series since 2008.
 
The Eagles now focus their attention on the perennial MEAC power Bethune-Cookman as NCCU makes the long journey down to Daytona Beach, Fla., for conference action beginning with a league doubleheader this Saturday, March 17 at 1:00 p.m. from Jackie Robinson Park.  Game two of the twin bill will take place 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first contest.
 
Stay up-to-date with North Carolina Central University Athletics by flying over to www.NCCUEaglePride.com, the official website of NCCU Athletics.