Box Score
Statistics
DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University got off to a fast start in its season-opening baseball game against Canisius College on Monday night at the Durham Athletic Park.
The Eagles jumped out to a 5-1 lead over the team that upset nationally-ranked N.C. State a day earlier, but the visiting Golden Griffins scored 14 unanswered runs during the next four innings to cruise to a 15-7 win over NCCU.
After an uneventful first inning by NCCU starting pitcher Terry McNabb, the Eagles got back-to-back, one out singles by Carlos Ortiz and Tyson Simpson to set up designated hitter Carter Williamson for a three-run home run that left the ballpark in a hurry over the right field fence.
With McNabb's day coming to an end after three scoreless and hitless frames on the mound, Canisius pushed home a run in the fourth inning without getting a hit, thanks to two base-on-balls.
Ortiz got that run back plus another in the bottom of the fourth, when the rookie outfielder belted a two-run home run to right-centerfield, providing NCCU with a 5-1 advantage.
Canisius then blew the game open by scoring two runs in the fifth inning, four runs in the sixth, three more in the seventh, and finally five runs in the eighth. And while the Griffins ended up with 10 hits on the night, the Eagles helped the visitors by committing three fielding errors, walking seven batters and hitting six batters with pitches. Only seven of Canisius's 15 runs were earned.
NCCU's offense was sparked by Simpson, who went 3-for 4 with a double and a run scored, and Ortiz, who hit 3-for-5 with a two-run blast and three runs scored. Williamson collected two hits, including the three-run homer, and scored twice. The only other Eagle to get a hit was catcher James Dey.
Canisius was topped by senior outfielder Ryan Coppinger, who posted an RBI triple and a two-run home run, along with three runs scored.
Senior lefty Mike Tolsma earned the win for Canisius, while sophomore hurler Andrew Vernon took the loss for the Eagles.
NCCU returns to action on Friday, Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. to open a four-game weekend series with Niagara University at the Durham Athletic Park. Admission is free.
