Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
Game 1 Box Score       Game 2 Box Score     

DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University extended its win streak to six games with a MEAC baseball doubleheader sweep of Florida A&M University (5-4, 3-2) on Friday at the Durham Athletic Park.

Both contests were narrow one-run victories for the Eagles, who improve to 15-9 overall and 7-4 in conference play with their eighth consecutive win in the series with FAMU.

In game one, the Rattlers erased NCCU’s 1-0 advantage by exploding for four runs on five hits in the top of the sixth inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Eagles took advantage of two FAMU errors, a single by Luis Diaz and Troy Marrow’s 16th hit-by-pitch of the season (most in NCAA Division I) to plate two unearned runs, trimming the deficit to 4-3. A leaping catch by FAMU shortstop Kendal Weeks ended the frame and prevented Alex Moore’s line drive from scoring the game-tying run.

Still trailing 4-3 heading into the bottom of the eighth, NCCU junior catcher Carter Williamson made the most of his birthday by doubling down the right field line to drive in Diaz, who opened the inning with an infield single, to even the score at 4-4. After a FAMU pitching change and replacing Williamson with pinch runner Kory Wood, junior second baseman Spencer Franceschetti’s fourth double of the season drove home Wood for the eventual game-winning run.

NCCU senior lefty Gavin Guarrera replaced starting pitcher Michael Romano to open the ninth inning, and he retired the side for his fifth save of the season. Romano scattered eight hits with two strikeouts in eight innings on the mound to earn the win.

Diaz went 3-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored in the opener, while Williamson also tallied three hits for the Eagles.

In game two, NCCU broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning with a bases-loaded, two-run single by junior shortstop Zach Lee to put the Eagles on top 3-1.

FAMU threatened in the seventh and final inning as Scot Sheplak singled home pinch runner Pete Jackson after Ryan Debi ripped a leadoff double down the left field line, to pull the Rattlers to within one run. Sheplak later advanced to third base with two outs, representing the game-tying run.

That’s when NCCU head coach Jim Koerner looked to the bullpen for Guarrera, who closed the door on the Rattlers’ hopes of a comeback and chalked up save number six.

NCCU starting pitcher Glenn Frye earned his third win of his senior campaign by allowing just two runs in eight-and-two-thirds innings with four strikeouts and no walks.

NCCU and FAMU close out the weekend series with a single game on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Durham Athletic Park. Admission is free.