Box Score
Box Score VIDEO: Postgame Interview with NCCU Head Coach Jim Koerner
DURHAM, N.C. – Quality pitching performances by North Carolina Central University hurlers
Jasper Jones and
Jacob Russell allowed the Eagles to out-hit Presbyterian College, but the visiting Blue Hose took advantage of NCCU miscues to squeeze out a 3-1 victory inside historic Durham Athletic Park on Wednesday.
Jones scattered three hits and allowed two runs with four strikeouts in 5.1 innings of work on the mound for the Eagles. Russell finished the NCCU pitching effort by surrendering just one hit and one unearned run with three strikeouts in 3.2 innings.
Presbyterian was held to four hits with eight runners left stranded, while NCCU finished with six hits, four errors and seven runners left on base.
Presbyterian struck first with a solo home run by senior first baseman Kenny Bryant to lead off the second inning. Later in the same frame, sophomore designated hitter Nathan Chong received a two-out walk, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a balk with the count at one ball and two strikes on the Blue Hose batter. He struck out swinging on the next pitch to end the inning.
PC held its 2-0 lead until the bottom of the seventh inning when NCCU senior right fielder
Ross Plummer singled and later scored on a wild pitch.
PC threatened to score in the sixth inning by loading the bases with one out, but Russell took over on the hill for Jones and collected a short fly out and a strikeout to end the threat.
The one-run margin grew to 3-1 in the top of the ninth inning when the Eagles committed back-to-back errors to allow PC freshman shortstop Billy Motroni to score a key insurance run.
Plummer doubled with two outs in the ninth to bring the game-tying run to the plate, but senior closer Gabe Grammer sealed the contest for his fourth save of the season. Junior pitcher Tim Corbin tossed two innings of one-hit relief to pick up the win.
Plummer, junior left fielder
Luis Diaz and sophomore shortstop
Dylan Drayton recorded two hits each for NCCU (1-12).
Sophomore right fielder Brandon Paul had two hits for the Blue Hose (5-9).
NCCU returns to the diamond on Saturday, March 10 against rival North Carolina A&T to open conference play in Greensboro, N.C. The doubleheader begins at 1 p.m.
