Box Score

NCCU at Norfolk State (MEAC Baseball Championships-Opening Round)- Box Score

NORFOLK, VA. – North Carolina Central University, the No. 3 seed in the South Division, could not overcome a two-run deficit in the late innings despite 10 hits, dropping a 5-4 decision to the No. 2 seed in the North Division Norfolk State University on Wednesday morning in opening round action of the 2013 MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Baseball Championships at Marty Miller Field in Norfolk, Va.
 
The drama began in the bottom of the second inning when Norfolk State right fielder Cameron Day reached base on a throwing error by Dylan Drayton (Raleigh, N.C.) which was followed up by a Cody Ellis RBI triple to right field to plate the first run of the day putting the host Spartans up 1-0.  The second and final run of the frame plated on an RBI single by Tyon Ore which put NSU up 2-0 after two complete.
 
NCCU fought back in the top of the third by plated three runs on two hits that all started on Cory Williamson’s (Greensboro, N.C.) leadoff single.  After Akeem Hood (Raleigh, N.C.) and Tyson Simpson (Burgaw, N.C.) reached on errors scoring Williamson on a throwing error to cut the margin to 2-1.  Junior third baseman Troy Marrow (Lutherville, Md.) helped the Eagles take the 3-2 lead with a single up the middle, driving in both runs  to give him 31 RBI on the year.
 
The maroon and gray’s lead was short-lived as the Spartans took the lead right back in the bottom of the third aided by two walks issued by NCCU starter Glenn Frye (Lillington, N.C.), which allowed Zach Markel’s two RBI double to give NSU the 4-3 lead.
 
Both teams settled down through the next few innings until the top of the sixth when Marrow reached on a leadoff single to try to get the offense rolling, but junior Carter Williamson (Roanoke, Va.) mistakenly popped up his sacrifice bunt attempt in which NSU pitcher Chris Horne made a diving catch, turning the double play to keep the lead intact.
 
Norfolk State added insurance in the bottom of the seventh on a sacrifice fly to make it 5-3 heading into the eighth.
 
Hood led off the top of the frame with a single as he tried to mount a rally, but the next three batters were retired.
 
In the ninth, NCCU loaded the bases with one, but managed to plate just one run to fall in the contest 5-4.
 
Frye (5-4) took the loss for the Eagles going 7.0 innings surrendering seven hits, four earned runs with a season-high four walks and five strikeouts, while NSU’s Chris Horne (5-5) earned the victory giving up seven hits and just one earned run with no walks and two strikeouts.
 
Marrow and Drayton led the Eagle offensive attack with two hits apiece, but the maroon and gray did not record an extra base hit while Norfolk State recorded a double and two triples in the win.
 
The loss for NCCU (25-28) sets up an elimination contest against Maryland Eastern Shore on Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. at Marty Miller Field.
 
The NCCU Sports Network will hit the air at 8:45 a.m. as the Champps Pregame Show will countdown to first pitch.  Fans are also encouraged to interact with Hooks during the broadcast by following @NCCUAthletics on twitter, using the hashtag #NCCUBaseball, and by sending an e-mail to whooks@nccu.edu.
 
For more information about NCCU athletics, visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Sports Network app available in the App Store, Google Play and Amazon.