Box Score
Box Score   

DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University pounded out 12 hits, while Eagles’ pitchers Jordan Quinn and Jacob Russell held Norfolk State University to only three hits as NCCU beat the Spartans 6-1 to earn its fourth straight victory on Thursday night at the Durham Athletic Park.

NCCU (8-5) scored three runs in the first inning, which proved to be all the run support Quinn needed, as the starting pitcher scattered three hits and allowed just one run in seven innings on the mound to improve to 3-0 on the season. Russell threw two no-hit innings with a strikeout to seal the victory for the Eagles.

In the Eagles’ first at-bat, Akeem Hood drove a leadoff double down the right field line. The next batter, Dylan Drayton, traded places with his teammate thanks to an RBI double. After Troy Marrow got hit by a pitch for the 10th time in 12 games, Tyson Simpson ripped a two-out, two-RBI single to right field for a three-run NCCU lead right out of the gate.

Drayton topped NCCU’s offensive onslaught by going 3-for-5 at the plate with a double, three RBI, a run scored, two stolen bases, four infield assists and two putouts. Luis Diaz, Simpson, Zach Lee and Spencer Franceschetti all had two hits for the Eagles.

Designated hitter Kyle Vaas was the lone Spartan with two hits. Norfolk State scored its only run in the seventh inning courtesy of a sacrifice fly by Chase Kyriacou to score Tyon Ore, who reached base on a leadoff walk.

NCCU puts its four-game winning streak on the line this weekend against the defending MEAC champions and preseason conference favorite, Bethune-Cookman University. Saturday’s doubleheader at the Durham Athletic Park is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. The Eagles and Wildcats will wrap-up the weekend series with a single game on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the DAP.