Box Score
Box Score    

DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University baseball team pounded out 12 hits, but left 10 runners stranded, including the potential game-tying run at third base in the ninth inning, as the Eagles suffered their first loss of the season by a score of 3-2 to Presbyterian College at the Durham Athletic Park on Saturday.

NCCU falls to 3-1 on the season, while Presbyterian improves to 2-4.

The Eagles’ offense was topped by junior second baseman Dylan Drayton (Raleigh, N.C.) with three hits and an RBI in five plate appearances. Junior left fielder Tyson Simpson (Burgaw, N.C.) and junior shortstop Zach Lee (Wilson, N.C.) contributed two hits apiece in the loss.

In his second appearance of the season, NCCU senior starting pitcher Michael Romano (Spotsylvania, Va.) surrendered just three runs on five hits with three strikeouts and a walk in eight innings of action, but he was credited with the loss.

After three scoreless innings, Presbyterian lit the scoreboard first courtesy of a solo home run over the left field fence by first baseman Brad Zebedis.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, NCCU tied the score at 1-1 when junior catcher Robert Hiatt (Wilmington, N.C.) drove in sophomore Tyler Murphy with a single to right-center field.

In Presbyterian’s next at-bat, Aaron Preston lined a double down the leftfield line to score two runs for the Blue Hose.

The Eagles had the lead-off batter reach base in each of the final three innings, but managed only one run when Lee scored after a lead-off single on a one-out groundout by Drayton in the ninth. Pinch runner Alex Moore advanced to third base on that play with the Eagles down to their final out. Representing the game-tying run, Moore became the 10th NCCU base runner to be left on-base.

NCCU returns to the Durham Athletic Park on Sunday (Feb. 24) against Presbyterian with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.